Talk to Me
| Chapter 16 He waited until he had climbed up on the picnic table and sat down next to her before speaking. “Hey.” It wasn’t brilliant. It was just a greeting. “Hey.” When he had started to walk towards her she had turned her attention back to the bay and her eyes remained fixed on the water. She had revealed so much and she was afraid to look at him. Afraid of the pity she would find in his eyes. More than hate or disgust, she couldn’t stand to have someone’s pity. After a few minutes he spoke again. Deciding, for better or worse, the direct and blunt route was probably the best approach. “Kristyne, I know you are worried about Evie, we all are. But it’s time you start worrying about yourself, too. You can’t keep pushing yourself like this.” Where as a few seconds before her skin was chilled now it was boiling. Here he was pushing into her personal life again as if he knew what was best for her. “How DARE you!” She jumped off the table and turned on him as if a lioness backed into a corner. “Can’t you just back off? Don’t you know how to just let me be?” Nick stood from the table and reached out for her. “Kristyne, don’t…” She snatched her arm out of his reach. “Don’t even!” She started pacing in front of him. “You think just because I tell you a little bit about myself you know what’s best for me? That you can tell me what to do? You think I don’t know what’s good for me? You think I don’t know how to take care of myself? Poor little Kristyne? She’s got no one left, so I better jump in and offer to take care of her, is that it, Nick?” She turned to face him. “Well let me tell you one thing mister, I don’t need you OK. You got that? You understand? I don’t need you. I don’t need Chris. I don’t need Evie. I don’t need anybody. I’m just sick of worrying about it all. I’m just sick of it all. Sick and tired of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE! So just BACK OFF!” She turned on her heel to stomp off towards her car when he reacted out of instinct and concern for her safety. Nick reached out and spun her around. Kris was too stunned to do anything but stare at him with her mouth open. “No! It is NOT ok!” He yelled at her. When she just blinked at him he thought to himself, good, I have her attention. “I’m not gonna let you do this to yourself! And I’m not gonna let you push me away because you’re too scared to let someone in. Damn it, Kris it’s time you start trusting someone! Sooner or later even the strongest most stubborn person needs help, and there is NOTHING wrong with that.” This time when she blinked her whole body started shaking and tears dropped from her lashes. “Shit. C’mere baby.” He reached out and pulled her into a hug, and was very surprised she let him. “I didn’t mean to yell at you, but I needed to get through to you somehow. We’ve all tried talking to you, dropping hints, nothing seemed to work. I figured that being straightforward with you was the only way to go. I’m not trying to tell you how to live your life. I just want to help a little bit. Can’t I do that? Can’t you trust me, just a little?” He could feel her shaking and wasn’t sure if it was from her crying, the fact that she had to be cold from the damp breeze, or both. Holding her tighter he began to rub his hands up and down her arms to try and warm and sooth her. Her response was muffled against his chest. “I…I want to let you in, Nick. **sniff** I really do. I just, I don’t know…HOW anymore.” She had become so adept at shutting everyone out, keeping people at arms length; she really had no idea where to begin when it came to having someone close in her life again. The closest person in her life was Evie, and now Evie was the one doing the pushing. It was almost enough to make Kristyne want to just give up completely. “Ah baby, it’s not that hard.” He heard her chuckle a quiet, sarcastic chuckle and felt her shake her head. “We’ll take it slow, step-by-step okay? But you gotta show me a just a little trust here. Okay?” When she didn’t answer he went on, “I promise Kris, the first step is an easy one, okay?” When she nodded her head yes he stepped back from her and reached out his hand. Smiling at her he said, “Now all you have to do is take my hand and don’t let go.” Kristyne closed her eyes, took a breath, and slowly reached for his hand.
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