Training Amy Read Online Free PDF Page B

into your arm?"
                She chewed at her lip, marveling at how good his touch felt. Focusing she said, "Growing up I was never allowed to cry. My parents weren't the most sympathetic people in the world. They're still not." She shrugged as if it wasn't a big thing. "So it kind of got to a point where I didn't cry because I'd get yelled at for it. I don't know, maybe I forgot how or something. Then when I was a teenager I had so many bottled up emotions that I'd go numb for days and feel like I was drowning inside myself and the only way to stop it was to dig my nails into my arms until I drew blood. The pain - it would help me cry and let it out. I used a razor blade on my leg a few times, but my mom caught me and sent me to a shrink. I went to him for about two years. I'm past that now."
                Eric was quiet for a minute. "Sorry if that was an uncomfortable memory. But that explains some things. So what do you do now?"
                "I don't cry. But then I don't need to cry," she told him, not exactly sure what he mean by the 'that explains some things' comment. She decided not to ask.
                A deep look of concern passed over his face. "What if something really bad happens and you need to cry? Like someone you love dies? Do Brad and I need to be concerned you'll hurt yourself?"
                The thought hadn't occurred to her in some time. What would she do if she needed to cry? Would she hurt herself? She looked into the darkness within and shuddered. She knew what she would do, but she wasn't telling him.
                "Amy? I asked you a question. Do you ever want to hurt yourself?" Eric took a step toward her.
                "I'm not a weak person like that anymore," she said simply, forcing a smile. She took a step away from him.  "I wouldn't hurt myself."
                The statement sounded hollow, even to her. Not to mention Eric looked entirely unconvinced. He knew she was hiding something dark and she wondered how long she'd be able to keep it a secret working here. Brad and Eric always seemed to find ways to get her to open up and relax around them. Sooner or later they’d both figure out there was something really wrong with her. Thank goodness a customer stepped up to the register.
                Eric dropped it. He disappeared into the back. Brad came up to the counter, leaning on it. He looked at his watch.
                "Bored?" She kind of laughed. She'd never seen the boss look at his watch before. "Or a hot date?"
                He smiled. "Unfortunately bored."
                She decided to be bold. "So you and Eric are both single?"
                Turning to her, a small smile played on his lips, but vanished. "Yeah."
                He really wasn't giving her anything to work with, like usual.  "I just find that hard to believe."
                "Why?"
                "Well, you're both reasonably attractive. Nothing really wrong with either of you or am I missing something?"
                He chuckled. "It's not like I don't date on occasion. I'm just picky."
                "And Eric?"
                Brad lifted an eyebrow. "You interested?"
                She blushed. "I'm just curious why he's single."
                "You're single."
                A deep sigh emerged from her lips. "Well yeah, now I am. But I was in a relationship with a jerk up until recently if you remember."
                Brad nodded as if to say she had a point. "Eric doesn't really date that often. It's taken him some time to get over his ex. He doesn't want to make that mistake again."
                "Let me guess, left him for another man?"
                "Not exactly," Brad said. "They were both in the same relationship, but their perception of that relationship was