I felt Olive kneel in front of me. I didn't even lift my head because I just wanted the world to leave me alone.
“Eli…” she whispered hesitantly.
She didn’t rush me. She didn’t say anything at first. She simply came and sat beside me on the floor, her presence a silent comfort. I broke again, collapsing sideways until my face pressed against her shoulder, my tears soaking her dress. She wrapped her arms around me, stroking my hair gently the way she used to when I was a little girl scared of thunderstorms.
“I’ve got you,” she murmured, voice soft even though I could hear the ache in it. “Let it out.”
So I did. I cried until I was empty, until the sobs slowed into hiccups and my body didn't shake anymore. Olive held me through it all and for the first time all night, I didn’t feel compl
