Read Online Illusion by Ashley Beale - Free Book Online Page A

He is supposed to make me happy, not tear me apart.
                  He stands up, not looking nearly as excited anymore. "You'll see, babe. Everything will be okay."
     
                  "I didn't agree with him but I supported him. I knew he'd support me in whatever I chose, so after a few choice words, I let him do what he believed was best. He really believed it was."
                  "I'm sorry you had to go through all that," Harvey tells me.
                  I shrug my shoulders, not knowing what else to say. "It happens."
                  "It shouldn't have happened to you."
                  Instead of arguing, or agreeing, or anything else, I decide to continue my story, since I've already told him most of it. "He did some training but not enough, they sent him over there too soon, and three months later I got told his tank drove over an IED. They told me it was quick and he didn't feel much pain, but I don't believe them."
                  Harvey continues rubbing my leg, soothing me the only way he seems to know how. He is handling my personal hell a lot better than I thought he would. I'm grateful he is strong enough to deal with my life, my past. It gives me the encouragement I need to continue with the story. To continue thinking that maybe, just maybe, one day I can be more than just friends with him. We may be able to build something together.
                  "It was a year ago last week that he passed away. I've just started healing recently. I'm still scared to move on from him, if I'm being completely honest. I'm scared to let him go. I'm scared that I'm not living up to what he'd want me to be. I'm scared of so much. I almost gave up on myself. I went into a deep depression and thought several times about taking my own life, but it was my sister, Emi, and my parents that gave me the strength to continue."
                  He pulls me close to him and holds me tight. We remain that way for quite some time. I don't expect him to say anything, but he softly tells me, "I'm glad you didn't give up."
                  "Me too." And I actually mean it.

              "Good morning Zoey!" Meghan beams when I walk in.
                  "Morning, how are you?" We both walk towards my office.
                  I still am awe of my beautiful office. Today I brought framed pictures with me, mostly of Emi and I, one of my parents, and one of Tabby and myself. None of Kirt. I don't like to bring him to work with me. I wouldn't be able to concentrate. In fact, almost every picture I have of him is boxed up. I only have one I leave out, it's his military picture, placed next to his flag in my bedroom. The most precious thing I shipped to myself up here.
                  "Can't complain. Did you enjoy your first weekend in the city?"
                  I smile, thinking about Saturday traveling around with Harvey, and Sunday with him comforting me. He cooked me the most delicious supper last night too, and completely pampered me. It was more than wonderful. I don't tell Meghan all that of course, I simply tell her, "I did."
                  "Great! Okay, here are your assignments for today, and for this week. You can file them however you're used to, Gemma isn't too picky. Just make sure you have them submitted before their due dates. Everything you should need to know is here. Should you have any questions just call my office or send a quick e-mail. Good luck!"
                  She turns and walks out before I can even respond. I've been doing this long enough though, I'm easily put into my normal routine from back home and don't even realize when lunch approaches.
                  I meet Harvey outside the office building and together we walk to a little park that has become ours. It's small with just a few bench tables. It isn't