40

Stella,

I turn to her with tears in my eyes. “He- he can’t be here. He’s here Dakoda?”

“Stell, look at me babe, it’s not him. Breathe for me.... that a girl just like that. Now look at him again, Stell.”

So, I do, and she’s right. He’s younger than Professor Hamilton and his hair is a little longer.

“Is she okay the Professor asks, coming up the stairs toward us?”

“Yes, she will be fine,” Dakoda tells him, and I nod my head at him.

After the class is over, the Professor asks me to stay and talk to him for a minute. I knew this was going to happen. I was just hoping not this soon.

“Yes, Professor Douglas.”

“Hey, Miss. Savage, do you want to explain to me what just happened up there at the being of the class?”

“I don’t want to get into the specifics because it’s still difficult, but for a moment, you reminded me of someone who caused me pain. However, my sister helped me realize you are not that person. You have my word that it won’t ha