Chapter 17

• I wasn't prepared for this. It was too soon. It was hard to process my reaction and feelings but I had to for this moment. I readied an appropriate facial expression and reaction before I slowly turned to where her voice came from. I looked at her with my eyes wide and my mouth slightly open.
• "Anne?!" I exclaimed.
• I didn't see what her reaction was as she rushed to me for a hug. I shut my eyes and clenched my fists which were on my sides. But after a second or two, when I felt her tight embrace, I hesitantly raised my arms to return the hug. We stayed like that for a few moments. I was checking my feelings as we had our arms around each other. Strangely, pain was stronger than anger. When I felt her loosened the hold, I opened my eyes and prepared my lips for a smile. She then released me and took a few steps back so there would be a distance between us.