Dust to Dust: A Broken Fairy Tale Read Online Free PDF

beginning to run. I can only imagine what a mess I must look like and decide to get back into the house before having to make an introduction to our new neighbor looking this way. I pull the hood over my head, trying to protect my face from the flying snowflakes, and quickly open the trashcan, struggling to lift the enormous trash bag inside. I hear a car door open, making me fumble with the bag, and the cans spill everywhere. Oh crap, please don’t be a polite neighbor and try to talk to me now.
    “Need some help, Mr. Dade?” a familiar deep voice asks.
    My heart really does stop now. I close my eyes, wishing I could disappear. Wishing I was anywhere else but out here, looking this way, feeling this way. Dear Lord, please make me a bird so I can fly far…far, far away from here.
    Holden’s now next to me, taking the bag from my hands before I can answer. I hesitantly look up from beneath my furry hood, putting on the fakest smile I have ever forced on my face. I can feel every wrinkle on my face from the blistering cold, reminding me of my age. Tonight just keeps getting better!
    “Oh my goodness.” My voice is ten decibels higher than usual. Great start, Cam. “Holden, what are you doing here?” I squeak, trying to hide the nervousness in my voice unsuccessfully. I begin looking anywhere but at his face, bending down to grab the cans from the snow at my feet. I am invisible. I am invisible .
    He places his finger under my chin when I stand up, making my eyes meet his in a way that makes my stomach flutter. “Cam, is that you? I can’t see anything under that hood of yours.” He pulls the hood off my face, leaving me feeling far too exposed. This sucks! I shield my eyes from the falling snow…and Holden’s gaze.
    Unexpectedly, he pulls me into a tight hug, clearly not noticing the devastation on my face. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you until tomorrow. I wanted to surprise you,” he says cheerfully.
    I pull back, still shocked to be standing here with Holden. Noticing the astonishment on my snow covered face, he leads me into his garage and out of the blizzard. He nonchalantly begins to dust off his black wool jacket as if this is a common situation. I can’t help but notice he still wears his hair the same way as he did the last time we saw each other, dark and unruly. I also notice that his mischievous dimpled smile can’t hide the sadness that’s still behind his bright green eyes.
    “I didn’t realize you moved back,” is all I can think to say, still in a voice too high to hide my surprise.
    His smile grows at my nervousness. “I just bought it back last month. Awhile back, I had asked your dad to let me know when it was on the market again. He said the place had gone to shit since I moved. I can’t let that happen, can I?” he asks casually.
    “My dad didn’t mention you spoke with each other recently,” I stutter out. I haven’t spoken to Holden myself for almost a year…and even then, it was just to say happy birthday.
    Holden begins to make his way next to me with a mocking smile on his face. It’s a smile I’m all too familiar with, and can’t help but smile back.
    “Jealous now, are we?” he asks, wiping snow off my head like I am a five-year-old.
    “Shut up, Holden. You’re such a jerk. I guess I would have thought your return after all this time would be something they’d tell me.”
    “I know, Cam. I’m sorry it’s been so long. I guess life’s gotten away from us.” He absentmindedly runs his hands through his hair, pulling at the ends. I can’t help but smile at the familiarity of his actions.
    I hit his chest playfully, trying not to act like his return affects me. “It’s great to see you again, Holden.”
    Holden hugs me, kissing the top of my head like he has done so many times before. “Seriously, it all happened really fast. I’m working for a firm in New York City now as an associate partner. I thought I could come down on weekends and holidays. I