Rescue Me

This is the last part of this story.

Part 14

Keeping his eyes directed straight ahead he clarified “my girlfriend. In a car accident.”

Kayla gripped his forearm. Pulling to stop him moving, she stared up at him. He didn’t look at her. He couldn’t. He knew what he’d see in her eyes. He kept his eyes fixed on a point in the distance.

But Kayla surprised him. She didn’t speak. Instead she slid the hand that still lay on his forearm, down his sleeve and grasped his hand, her fingers wrapping tightly around his.

Still Jesse didn’t look at her and while he didn’t disengage his hand, he didn’t return the pressure of her fingers either. 

Kayla looked away. 

Sensing her gaze leave him, Jesse finally looked down. Her hand was warm in his and the simple touch gave him some solace, something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel since his world fell apart almost a year ago. He closed his fingers around hers.

Kayla let her breath out on a soft sigh, but she didn’t look up.  

And after a minute she moved to restart the journey home.

Without a word, Jesse followed.