"They had never been closer in their month of love, nor communicated more profoundly one with another, than when she brushed silent lips against his coat's shoulder or when he touched the end of her fingers, gently, as though she were asleep."
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
I turned over and apologized. Evan was confused, and it was my fault.
I said in a calm voice, "I had a difficult childhood. Sometimes the smallest thing reminds me of it. It doesn't often happen, but when it does, I need a little break until the pain stops. I am not trying to shut you out or hurt you. I don't know how to talk about it."
He lightly traced the scar across my cheek. "This is why you don't speak to your parents."
He knew and I didn't have to tell him anything. I nodded mutely.
All at once, h
