A CALLED FOR

NICHOLAS:

I’d assumed I wanted to stay away, shut my heart against them, believing nothing was left for us. But before me, as they stood, the wrongs of my decision surfaced in folds.

Park and Wendy opened portals to emotions I spent days locking and avoiding. Their presence invoked the decision to quit roaming in self-deceit and restrain from becoming an island.

I missed them.

“Hi,” Wendy responded.

I missed Wendy. I saw my unconscious self running to and hugging him, except my legs stood as rigid as always.

“Do you guys want to come in?”

I tried to be polite.

“Do you expect we do?”

But Park didn’t see it.

I understand his bitterness and anger, and at the same time, his camouflaged interest to come in.

I opened the door and walked into the house, leaving Wendy coming after me and Park on a spot, ruffling his black hair in retaliation.

Wendy stopped halfway to the living room. He should. I left it overturned before riding to Vain. I thought smashing everything to the floor would lift m