One person I did contact was Chris. We spoke shortly after I ran out on him and I did my best to explain why I’d left so abruptly and fled to Leah’s house. I also tried to assure him that he wasn’t to blame for my hasty departure. And even though he claimed to understand my need to get away, I could hear the hurt in his voice.
“I’m sorry I drove you away,” he said.
My heart sank. “You didn’t drive me away. I’m just going through a lot of shit and I couldn’t handle being with you on top of everything else.”
“How long do you think you’ll stay at Leah’s?”
“As long as she’ll have me, I guess, or until I get my shit sorted out.”
“And going back to your mom’s is out of the question?”
“Yes.” I didn’t elaborate and Chris, thankfully, didn’t ask me to.
“Well, I’m here for you if you need me.”
“I know. Thank you.”