The Luna Choosing Game

Watching the slump in Julian’s shoulders and slight barely-there drag of his feet as he left, had me immediately and overwhelmingly worried. I quickly asked Veronica and Jessica to keep an eye on Elva, and hurried to follow him.

I came out into the hallway just to watch him slip back out onto the deck.

I hurried that way, opened the door, and rushed through. I caught up to him at the base of the stairs from the deck to the beach.

“You can never leave well enough alone, can you, Piper?” he asked, but there was no real heat behind it. If anything, he seemed relieved to not be alone anymore.

“You know me,” I said with a playful shrug. “Always sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong.” I paused enough to let the playfulness pass. I wanted him to know I was serious when I added, “At least with the people I care about.” He gave me a small, grateful smile, then tipped his head toward the beach.

“How about a walk.” “Okay.” Side by side we moved along the edge of the water as the waves lapped at the sand. Sometimes, unexpectedly, those same waves would push a bit farther and tickle the bottoms of our feet as well.

Over the ocean, the sun was starting to set, painting the sky in a rainbow of color: blues and purples, and golden

reds. A beautiful day was becoming a beautiful evening.

I smelled the salty sea and was grateful to be here, to be witnessing this. This was an once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. I’d return home and likely never see the beach again. But with these memories, I could be satisfied.

Unfortunately, the man-shaped raincloud beside me did not seem to be enjoying this as much as I did.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked.

He had to know I was here for him.

a given. Yet sometimes, people needed to hear the words said many times before they started to believe them. Hopefully this

keep going back to her,” he said, and kicked at the

he needed me to speak. That he had recognized his addiction was a good step

ever wanted for

has ever been able to compare. And being with her is like a measurement of success for me,” he said. “I feel like I'll always be a failure without her by my side.” He really had given

ourselves was oftentimes the hardest part. At least in hindsight. I In the moment, the healing, the part— I that came next, was always

of what I could say that might help him. Of course, I had to agree with his words and

all have flaws. Bridget has several. You can’t continue to be blind to that.” He grew quiet for a moment, and I wondered if I said too much or was too harsh. As Julian’s friend, I wanted him to

he broke. It was a delicate line to cross. I felt I was

For the sake of our friendship, I needed

you poorly, Julian. She’s led you on just to reject you multiple times. She’s gaslit you, she’s made you feel like you aren’t good enough. When she is around, you change into someone that I don’t recognize. It’s like you are a shadow of yourself.” I shook my head.

best qualities. Not someone who pushes

women like that are so easy to come by.” Once more, unbidden, I thought of Veronica’s words to me not all that long ago, that perhaps I should just date Julian for real. And

too entangled

to date wasn’t me,

about Veronica?” I

at me

I know you two get along. She obviously

for a long