I finally get a hug from Ben
and he touches my cheek
where Ethan left a mark
and he frowns

“I don’t like you getting hurt,” he says
and pulls me close

“I don’t like it much either.”
I lean against his shoulder
feeling wrapped up
and safe
learning to trust him
with my heart

I am packing up my bag
when I realize that
the fleece
I laid out
was wet