Purpose by Kristie Cook Page A

feel him and his love
for me. The longer I stayed in our bed, the less the memories felt
like an assault shattering my heart and more like a cozy blanket
surrounding me with warmth. The reassuring sensation continued
everywhere in the house and on the three-acre property as I worked
my way around to each special place. I sat on the little beach for
a long time, just gazing out over the water, remembering how we’d
swam and snorkeled and skinny-dipped in the moonlight.
    Later, Owen and I left for groceries and when
we came back, I didn’t have to sob in the driveway. I had to admit
it helped to have Owen here. His presence gave a sense of comfort,
providing a link between the past and the present.
    “Where do you go?” I asked him when we pulled
in front of the house. When I wanted to leave, I just called his
name outside and he was suddenly walking up the driveway. “I mean,
when you’re not right here. You’re obviously somewhere nearby.”
    He chuckled. “I’m around.”
    “That’s not an answer.”
    He shrugged. “It’s true. I just hang around,
keeping an eye on the place.”
    “Where do you sleep?”
    “Where I feel like it…last night I slept on
your balcony. I wanted to be close.”
    “ Really? I didn’t know….”
    “Well, yeah, you’re not supposed to. I’m here
at your beck and call. Otherwise, I’m supposed to keep my distance
and just protect. But I’ve always been there, through everything,
behind the scenes, protecting you…except when you were with…when I
knew you were safe.”
    I knew who he was about to say. He hadn’t
needed to protect me when I was with the one person who could
protect me better than anyone—my husband. Because he himself was
the most dangerous creature on earth.
    “You can stay in one of the bedrooms,” I
offered.
    His lips formed a small smile. His eyes mixed
with kindness and empathy. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You
came here to be alone, right?”
    “Yeah, but…”
    “Don’t worry about me, okay? This is my job.
And, really, I love it. You’re a lot more interesting to protect
than Rina or Sophia.”
    I snorted. “Glad I keep you entertained. You
probably heard all of my sleep talking and screaming.”
    “Actually, not last night. You slept
peacefully. Boring for me, but good for you.”
    “Thanks, Owen,” I said quietly. “For
protecting me. And for being a friend. If you need anything, like
to use the shower or anything….”
    “Yeah, I did.” He chuckled again.
    I stared at him, my eyebrows raised.
    “While you slept. Gotta clean up somewhere,
don’t I? But it’s nice to have permission now. And you have fair
warning, you know, in case you wake up.”
    I imagined finding him unexpectedly in our shower. “You are using the second bathroom,
right?”
    “Yep…but that big shower of yours is sick .”
    I narrowed my eyes. “It’s off limits.”
    He threw his hands in the air. “Understood. I
noticed you don’t even use it. Your soap and shampoo are in the
other one.”
    “Yeah, well…” I couldn’t tell him about the
memories the shower held for me. “It’s just too big to get
warm.”
    “No need to explain yourself to me.”
    He was too kind. “Thanks again, Owen.”
    “See ya ’round. Holler if you need anything.”
He disappeared.
    I went inside and dealt with the memories
again. Like this morning, it was easier, because I felt my love
there with me. I didn’t want to admit feeling his presence meant I
was getting worse, not better. Because I just didn’t feel like I
was worsening. In fact, the anger and insanity seemed to be
receding. Yeah, that’s a good sign I’ve fallen into the
abyss. Or, I’d finally found my way out. I wasn’t sure which
was right.
     
     

Chapter 6
     
     
    “Are you sure you’re okay there?” Mom asked
me when I checked in with a phone call before heading to bed.
    “ No !” I cried. I took a deep breath.
“But I will be.”
    “I don’t like you there alone,