She set the pencil to paper, started to write, then scratched it out. She didn’t know how to explain her fears, how she didn’t want to be a burden. Finally she wrote, ‘so lost, confused. please don’t be angry it hurts. it’s hard to ask’.
Derek sighed, closing his eyes a moment so that he could control his anger. “You don’t need to ask. I’m giving this to you. I said I would take care of you and that’s what I am going to do.” He opened back up his lids, concern on his features. “You don’t have to worry about me ever going back on that promise. I would never do that.”
She closed her eyes, tears wetting the lashes. After a moment, she nodded. ‘tell me what you want me to do’.