Free Stealing Promises by Brina Courtney Page A

foot. Victoria could tell that if she would have to yank her out of this bed, she would do it.
    Victoria shook her off and pulled her head out from underneath the pillow, glaring at Kate. “You’re really annoying, do you know that?”
    Kate smiled. “I think it's one of my better qualities.”
    Victoria continued to glare at her. “Whatever. I'm not going anywhere with you. Should I remind you that the last time you took me somewhere it was to the fucking hospital?” She shook her head and turned back over.
    Kate waited a few more minutes before responding. Victoria felt her sit on the edge of the bed. “We're going to the beach, Victoria. Get some good salt air in those lungs. I think it would be good for you.” When Victoria still didn't respond she added, “I know he took you there a lot.”
    Victoria peered out from underneath the pillow. “I don't think I can go there anymore.”
    Kate had a simple answer for that. “Then don't think, just do. It's my first mantra. Things to live your life by. Victoria, your life has changed dramatically in this past week. You need to start to prepare the rest of your life for the person that you are now. So today's mantra: don't think, just do. Now let's get you out of bed.” She had said it in such a confident way that Victoria had no choice but to concede. She got up and headed for her bathroom to take a shower, she had gotten more used to the warm water and found it comforting. It took her a long time to get ready, she had a lot of trouble picking clothes out. She eventually went to her dad's room and grabbed a pair of his running shorts and a T-shirt. Her parents invited her to lunch when she walked downstairs, but she refused.
    “ Kate is taking me to the beach.” It was a statement, the first she had made to her parents in days, and she could tell they were astounded at the fact that she could even speak. She watched her mother’s eyes well up with tears. She knew that her speaking to them was a step in the right direction. Her parents were so concerned with her well-being that they look disheveled. It was clear they weren’t sleeping.
    Her mom nodded. “Of course, honey, have a good time at the beach. Put your feet in the ocean for me.”
    Victoria simply looked on and made her way to the front door. She walked outside into a beautiful May afternoon, usually one of her favorite times of year. She looked around her while she stood on her front porch, trying to make the decision of whether or not she could go out in the world.
    Kate and Victoria stood at the top stoop for over fifteen minutes before Victoria took the first step. One step, then two, then Victoria's knees gave out from underneath her. She clutched the railing for dear life, hoping that on her first outing into the world she wouldn’t completely fall apart. But Kate was there to help pull her back up with a smile on her face.
    “ Easy there. Go slow, it's okay. Your body just may not be used to moving this much.”
    That statement seemed crazy to Victoria. She could remember being an excellent runner and cheerleader in her high school days. Just a couple weeks ago she was hiking with Levi through the wilderness, when did her body give up on her?
    She sat down on the bottom step clinging to the supports of the railing. “Levi and I were getting a place together.”
    Kate sat down gingerly next to her wrapping her arms around her knees. “How does that make you feel?”
    “ Like giving up. Like my body has. I can’t live there. I don’t even want to see it. But it bothers me that I never will. I just want to know why this happened to me!” She rested her head on the hard wood exasperated.
    Kate reached out and stroked Victoria’s light blonde hair. “Some things aren’t meant to be known and that’s okay. You can’t predict the future, and you shouldn’t try. Because you won’t live for now . And that’s what’s most important, the now.”
    Tears began to fall from Victoria’s cheeks.