Page 96 of Precipice

Sam gives me an unamused look. “You’re practically a trained firefighter as it stands. You know more about what we do than some of the guys I worked with in Greensboro.”

“Doesn’t mean I’ll have what it takes to actually run into a burning building.”

He tilts his head in acknowledgment. “That’s true. But your passion for the job will carry you further than you think. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll find the place you’re meant to be. I have no doubt about that.”

“Thanks, Uncle Sam.”

He grabs my shoulder and squeezes it. “We’re proud of you, no matter what you do.” He stands and walks away, leaving those words hanging in the air.

“Noah, come play Mario Kart with us!” Carson yells across the room. It’s a little weird to see my little brother looking more like a teenager every day. I’m pretty sure he should still be the little turd of a four-year-old he used to be instead of the eleven-year-old looking at me with hope in his eyes. Charlie and Olivia add their pleas to Carson’s, and I have no hope of saying no to any of them. Charlie looks exactly like Uncle Ben, while Olivia is the spitting image of Aunt Sara. They’re fucking adorable, and they know it.

I move to the living room to play a few rounds of Mario Kart with them. It brings back a million memories of my uncles duking it out for first place. It always made me laugh when Uncle Nolan lost to Uncle Matthew. He would get so mad at Matthew. The kids play more than the adults do now, but every now and then, they’ll taunt each other until they’re playing like old times.

The rest of the afternoon goes by in a flash until I’m finally able to drive over to Lilly’s house to find out what’s going on. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. Granted, it’s been that way since I met her the very first time.

As I pull into her driveway, memories of that moment hit me hard. She was sitting in that swing in their front yard, crying because they had just moved to town and she hated it. I did my best to make her smile, and I felt like I could’ve flown when she finally did.

When school started that next semester, we were stuck together like glue. For the last three years, she’s been my whole world. I know it’s ridiculous to think that a high school romance could turn into a forever kind of love, but I’ve never doubted us for a second. She’s the one for me. I’ve known it from the very beginning.

My Vans crunch over her gravel driveway as I walk to their front door. Nerves tighten in my stomach at the welcome I’m going to receive. It’s never good, but sometimes I’ll get a disdainful look, and then I’m allowed to enter. I’ll take that over their usual snide remarks.

It only takes a minute after I knock for Mrs. Gallagher to open their door. Her face pinches when she sees it’s me.

“Lilly isn’t here.”

My shoulders slump. “Oh, um… Can you tell me where she is? I’ve been trying to get ahold of her, but she hasn’t answered.”

“She likely won’t respond. She’s gone.”

I frown. “Gone? What do you mean?”

Mrs. Gallagher huffs as if it’s a huge imposition to explain herself. “She left for her internship. She’s gone and won’t be coming back. Ever. She’s moved on to more important things now.”

“She left? She didn’t even say goodbye.” My voice almost breaks at the end. Somehow, I manage to hold it together. I’d rather not let Mrs. Gallagher see me lose it.

“Probably for the best.” Mrs. Gallagher closes the door without another word.

I stand there for a moment, stunned. How could Lilly have just left without a single word? Why would she have done that?

I realize I’m still standing at her front door, so I turn to walk back to my car. With every step I take, my heart breaks a little more.

I can’t believe she’d leave me like this.

What will I do without her?

THE END