Read Every Heart for Free Online

me.”
    “Oh, honey, you don’t know that.”
    “But I do, Mom. I can’t even see or talk to her. I tried and we both know what happened.”
    “I know it seems like there is no hope for you two, but just give it a little more time.”
    Looking at my mom, I hide my true emotions. Inside I go from rage, to pain, to glum. She might think there is hope, but I on the other hand, do not. “I’ve given it time. Waiting around is killing me.”
    “I know, dear, and I’m sorry. Let her process things and I’m sure she’ll come to her senses.”
    “I’m glad you’re optimistic, ’cause I’m losing hope.”
    “You can’t lose hope Nate, never no matter what. You hear me?”
    Nodding my head, I roll to my side. “You’re her soul mate and that is something that Bain can’t change. Don’t give up on her.”
    “I won’t. I couldn’t imagine living forever without her. I just want what we had before I left.”
    “You will, dear. Remember hope, never let go of it.”
    In a way my mom’s words soothe me. She has a way of calming me. I just pray that she is right. My biggest fear would be living this life, in my condition, without Arion. I push that all aside, not letting those negative thoughts creep in any more. Keeping myself calm, my eyelids feel heavy and I let them close. Thinking back to the last time she was in my arms…
    Goddamn myself for making this decision. Staring at Arion’s tear-stained face, I hold it tightly in the palms of my hands. “I’ll be back, A, no matter what. You hear me?”
    She nods her head sniffing, trying to stop herself from crying.
    “I love you so much. Hold on to that and know that I’m always thinking about you. You’re always in my heart,” I manage to tell her.
    “I love you,” she whispers.
    “I love you too. Remember, I’m doing this for us. To give us a better life.”
    “I know,” she responds and nods her head. But does she? Does she really know why I’m doing this and just how much she means to me? Checking the clock, I know I don’t have long. I have to go. I hug my parents, both with smiles as big as the sun. They are staying strong for me. My dad did this years ago, so he knows how hard it is to say goodbye before being deployed.
    Leaning down, I give her one last kiss holding her chin with my thumb and forefinger. “I love you, Arion LaSalle, and I promise I’ll marry you the day I get home.”
    She smirks and nods her head. “Love you too,” she whispers. So small and fragile, her usual confidence stripped from within. With those sweet words from my one and only, I turn and leave my family. But I have faith in God that I’ll be back. I know now is not my time, he won’t do that do me.

    “She knows that, Nate,” my dad says sitting on the edge of my bed. “She knows you never intentionally meant to upset her, this is just a lot for her to handle. She cried herself to sleep for the better part of a year when she thought you were dead. Then when she finally moved on, when she finally got a new life and her shit together, it all came crashing down.”
    “But it doesn’t need to. She can come back to me, we can figure everything out. And Bain…well, I’m sure he has hundreds of women throwing themselves at him.”
    “Nate, it’s not that simple. I’ve seen them together; I don’t think it matters who is throwing themselves at him, he wouldn’t look in their direction. He actually reminds me of you, and how you and Arion used to be.”
    “What the fuck, Dad, whose side are you on?”
    “Yours. Always. But I’m going to be honest with you about all of this—it’s not as easy as Arion letting him down gently then she comes running to you. There’s more to all of this. And for now, you need to give her a little space, let her wrap her head around everything. She’ll come around and you’ll get your time with her, I can promise you that.”
    “I just don’t get it…why isn’t she ready to see me now?”
    “I think she’s