40. Boundaries

40. Boundaries

<< . Young Mikolaj . >>

— 21 years ago —

Lena walks out, and I crash in my bed feeling a strange heaviness in my heart. How easily she put all the blame on me. I always thought childhood memories and our friendship will weigh more.

It’s barely been a year since she got herself a boyfriend and she is not trusting me anymore. Questioning me and calling me jealous, as if my efforts to be friends with Garrett mean nothing.

The connection I thought we shared…. was never there in the first place. The thought makes my eyes wet.

“Miko! Dinner is ready.” Mama’s voice calls me out after hours.

I glance at the clock and groan. “Great. I wasted my day lamenting for someone who doesn’t even care,” I mutter to myself as my mouth turns bitter at the thought.

I freshen up, then walk down. Antonia and Papa are engrossed in a discussion at the dinner table while Mama and Maria are serving the food.

“These are all rumors… Don’t worry about it,” Papa says in his gruff voice.

“I don’t