g herself and running on。 The hammer of
her heart made breathing difficult； but she didn't stop。
He was fast disappearing into the woods。 Frantically she followed；
running on through the low growth until she reached a clearing。 He sat
there with his back to her； brooding among the dandelions。 The sun
glanced off his hair in sparkles； but his hunched form was grim。
〃Mitch？〃
She crept nearer。
〃Mitch； I'm sorry； so sorry。〃 She tried to touch him； but pulled back
when he flinched。 So she hunkered down inches behind him and said； 〃I've
been wrong。 Please forgive me。 It was cruel of me not to listen； not to
even ask questions； but it hurt to know that there was so much I didn't
know； after everything that we'd shared。 Because of what we'd shared； I
should have given you the chance to explain； but I loved you so much。
Finding out who you were like that was awful。 Try to understand。〃
This time when she touched his shoulder； he allowed it。
〃I've always been nayve；〃 she explained not to make excuses for herself；
but so that Mitch would know more。 〃My life was easy and happy and
charmed。 Maybe I felt immune to tragedy。 I'd never known any； not until
the crash； and then I couldn't believe Jeff was gone。 It couldn't happen
to me。〃
She moved closer。 〃Then I found you。 I love you； Mitch。 I fought it for
a long time。 I was afraid of suffering the kind of pain I had suffered
loving Jeff and losing him。 When I saw you in that lawyer's office； the
two worlds came together。 I should have trusted you。 I should have known
that there was an explanation。 So help me； I was afraid to listen。 Maybe
I was punishing mys