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even romantically. I simply enjoyed the feeling of someone touching me like I was a normal person. I wasn’t a monster.
    After our session, I stalled at the door and turned back. “Who’s Anastasia?”
    He smiled. “My niece.”
    I nodded, hoping my internal relief didn’t showcase itself on my face. Not that it mattered, I told myself. He’d never consider me.
    “One more question,” I said. “Do you know of any nice single women looking for love? I know a really sweet guy...”
    “I’m not sure. I’ll ask my fiancé and let you know. I’m sure we can find someone.”
    I ignored the pain in my chest as my mind lingered on the word. That word. Fiancé.
    I stepped back into the room and closed the door a little. “You know, I was proposed to right before this happened.”
    He glanced at my bare left hand. “What happened?”
    “He’s waiting for me to put the ring back on.”
    “No, I mean, how’d you get burned?”
    “Campfire. I asked him to put it out before we went to bed. I’ve feared fire since I was five. Always checked to make sure the fire alarms were working. Anyway, he fell asleep and the wind must’ve knocked gasoline over. Somehow the stream trailed to our tent and the fire followed after.”
    “Wow, Sarah. Sounds like a great gift you’ve been given.”
    I blinked, processing his response. “A gift? Most people apologize or nod their heads, unable to come up with the words to say.” I smiled. “You are the first person who hasn’t pitied me. Thank you for that.”
    “There’s nothing to pity.” He walked toward the door as I opened it again. “Are you doing anything this Friday?”
    I hope I didn’t blush. “Me?”
    “My family is having an engagement party for me and Natalie. You could come. Meet little Anastasia.”
    I tried to smile. “Thank you so much for the invite. Maybe some other time. I don’t want to crash the party.”
    “No. Not at all. My family isn’t like that. Natalie would love you. And hey, bring your friend and we can try to find him a date.”
    I almost laughed. “Some other time.”
    I walked outside into the bright autumn day. Soon the leaves would be crunching beneath my feet, but for now they clung to their branches in various colors. Ella waved from her car. I held up my hand and crossed the street.
    “Where’s Adelaide?” I said, sitting down in her passenger’s seat.
    “She’s napping at home with Gavin.”
    “Oh, I’m so sorry to hold you up. It’s just th—“
    “Listen dearie, no apologies needed.” She waved her finger in my face as she reversed the car out of her parking space.
    “My therapist invited me to his engagement party.”
    “Interesting. Why?”
    “I’m still trying to figure that out. He doesn’t feel sorry for me, so it can’t be that.”
    “Are you going?”
    I laughed. “Of course not.”
    “Just go.”
    “I’m not ready to be normal again yet.”
    Ella kept quiet until we got home. We parted ways once inside. I greeted Adelaide and Gavin, then meandered to my room. I couldn’t wait to move into my own place. I felt like such a burden to everyone in so many ways.
    Cheyenne sat up on her bed when I entered the room. “Hey. Looks like you’re doing pretty well. I don’t think you’ll need me here much longer.”
    “You can take the full-time position if you want. I should be fine.” I propped several pillows on my bed and reclined. The most venial tasks tuckered me out big time.
    Cheyenne’s face lit up.
    James stood in the doorway.
    She stood. “I can give you two some time.”
    “No,” James said. “You can stay.”
    Cheyenne pretended to busy herself in her latest nursing textbook as James sat on the edge of my bed by my feet. He moved his hand toward my toes. I moved them away. His hand dropped to the bed. Cheyenne turned a page and looked down when I caught her staring. I closed my eyes. How could I convince him to move on? It was getting more and more difficult for me to hide my desire for