- •It came out like a whine, making her sound like a spoiled sorority sister. Which all of them probably were. They had that look. "Did you know that public nudity is a misdemeanor in this county?"
- •I'm just curious. Don't get so huffy about it. I'm a little busy
- •It was Clayton who looked away. "You might want to keep that dog on the leash."
- •It was only then, while approaching his cruiser, that he realized both his rear tires were flat.
- •I don't want you to go, either, she thought. But what could she do?
- •Violin recital. Good Lord. What was this world coming to?
- •In the background, he could hear the distorted chords of a country-western song playing on a jukebox and the dull roar of loud conversation. He wondered where the loser was calling from.
- •It was while they were talking that Thibault realized one of the people he'd shown the picture to had slipped away. I guess I'm out of luck, then, Thibault said, taking back the photo.
- •It was all she could do to muster a subdued, "You're welcome."
- •If only her ex had been there to see how happily Ben played when he was not being pressured or criticized.
- •I'd love one."
- •It was something she did every time Beth visited, and though Beth was sure she welcomed everyone with equal warmth, it still made her feel special.
- •I needed to heal. And by the time I got to Hampton, I knew I didn't need to walk any further. This was the place I was meant to go."
- •In the distance, thunder sounded, low and ominous. There was a storm on the way, and the heaviness in the air portended a big one.
- •It came out like a whine, and she found herself wondering why she'd ever gone out with him.
- •I know exactly, she thought. I remember what your lawyer did at the custody hearing. "I don't think it'll be a problem. But I'll talk to Nana about it," Beth conceded.
- •I know what you're thinking you should do," Ben added. "It won't work."
- •I really like him, Nana," said Beth.
- •It would come to an end, though. Sooner rather than later He'd make her see the light, no matter what it took.
- •Instead of answering, as if tired of listening to him, she pushed away and strode past him.
- •It took only a moment to process the words, and then Clayton felt his chest constrict. A moment later, they were both charging for the woods.
- •It was all happening too fast-she could no longer see Logan or Keith, and only after frantically scanning the water did she spot Ben's head, a speck among the debris.
- •I Then she went to the other grave. She'd saved the larger floral arrangement for this one: It was his birthday, and she wanted to make sure he was remembered.
I Then she went to the other grave. She'd saved the larger floral arrangement for this one: It was his birthday, and she wanted to make sure he was remembered.
Zeus wandered here and there, sniffing and exploring as he usually did. Ben trailed behind, as he had ever since Zeus had arrived. Ben had always loved the dog, but after Zeus had saved him in the river, it had become impossible to separate them. Zeus seemed to recognize what he had done-or at least, that was the only way Beth could explain it-and in the dog's mind, they were now bound together. At night, he slept in the hallway outside of Ben's room. Stumbling to the bathroom in the middle of the night, Beth often spotted Zeus near the bed, checking up on his beloved companion as he slept.
Loss was complicated, and she and Ben both struggled with its aftereffects. She felt sometimes that their memories wreaked havoc with their grieving, for despite the heroism that marked their ordeal, their reminiscences were not always rosy. But when all was said and done, Keith Clayton would be remembered by her with unequivocal gratitude. She could never forget how he'd carried her when she fell that day. Or that in the end, he'd died trying to save their son.
That counted for something. That counted for a lot, and despite his other failings, that would always be how she chose to remember him. She hoped for Ben's sake that he would also come to remember him that way, without guilt and with the certain knowledge of Keith's love for him, so elusive in his life to that point.
As for her, Logan would be waiting when she got back home. He'd offered to go with her to the cemetery, but somehow she knew he hadn't really wanted to go. It was the weekend, and he preferred to spend the morning puttering around the grounds in solitude, repairing things and working on Ben's new tree house in the backyard. Later, they planned to decorate the Christmas tree. She was getting used to his rhythms and his moods, recognizing the quiet signals that telegraphed who he was. Good and bad, strengths and faults, he was hers forever.
As she pulled into the driveway, she spotted Logan coming down the steps from the house, and she waved.
She was his forever, too-imperfect as she was. Take it or leave it, she thought. She was who she was.
As Logan walked toward her, he smiled as if reading her mind and opened his arms.
Nicholas Sparks
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