Page 113 of The Man Next Door
“You think I’d be a good social worker?”
A wide smile stretched across his face. “The best.”
I’d been floundering, not knowing what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I hadn't applied for college. I was aimless, floating through life, content to just be by Gavin’s side.
“You’re too smart to not do anything with your life, Abigail,” he told me. “You’re not like the rest of us here. You’re meant for more.”
His words shocked me. He was pushing me away. “But I don’t want to go off to college. I want to stay here with you.”
He smiled. “I can wait. I’ll wait for you. As long as it takes.”
“Really?”
“There’s no one else for me, Abigail. There will never be.”
I threw myself at him and gave him the biggest hug known to man. He laughed and kissed the tip of my nose like he always did. “Okay, I get to sketch you now.”
I laughed, and settled on the sofa. “I can’t wait for this.”
I watched him as he focused, alternating between scribbling on the sketch pad and studying me intently. He was so sexy, I wanted to rip the pad right out of his hands and throw myself at him right then and there.
When he finally finished and handed me my drawing, we both cracked up. It was horrible. He had managed to create a weird mix between a cartoon character and an old woman.
“I love it,” I told him. “I’m going to frame it and hang it on my wall.”
I was joking at the time, but that’s exactly what I ended up doing. To this day, it hangs on the wall in my bedroom. It’s one of the many mementoes I have of Gavin. I’m lucky to have them, along with my memories. I’ll always have them.
As much pain as my relationship with Gavin has brought me, I wouldn’t change it for the world. How many people are lucky enough to be loved so passionately? Most never get to experience the kind of connection Gavin and I shared. Perfect love. And for that, I’ll forever be grateful.
