Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 58

"You still have me, kid."

As Conrad spoke, he patted the back of my head gently with his large hand before letting me go.

Even though I was never a crier, I could feel my tears suddenly rushing to my eyes and falling down my face.

I couldn't even stop them if I tried.

I didn't want the tears to actually fall. That would betray me.

I desperately tried to hold my tears in, but they refused to be held back. In fact, they flowed even more heavily the more I tried to stop them. All I could do was look away and refuse to let him see my pathetic display of feelings.

Conrad softly caressed my hair with his large hand. "It's not embarrassing to cry in front of me, remember?"

He had told me that once before."

He was reminding me of that again.

However, that situation was preying on the only bit of dignity I had left. I turned around so my back was facing him and quickly wiped my tears away.

I was trying to do and picked up

covered my face with

my tears to pour down

in the kitchen. Their joy at their son's return had outweighed the sorrow of losing

didn't want them to see my red, swollen

car while staring off into

me, a mild smile tweaked the corners of

me to fetch you?"

shook my head and did my best to force out a smile. "You haven't been here in four years. The town has changed a lot. You're going to get lost." His smile

directly. I didn't want him to see my reddened eyes. "I'm leaving now.

I opened the door and entered the driver's seat. When I started the engine, he suddenly put a hand on the window and asked, "Where are you staying now? Can you tell me?" I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and fell

his hand off

at the house growing smaller and smaller behind me in

my home of

Goodbye, my love.

from the

didn't call me because Conrad had talked to

down, and did some unpacking