Megan was thankful for Ernie's embrace. She rested her head on his shoulder, bushing away the tears that had slipped from her eyes. It had been so long since someone held her when she cried. It was comforting and it helped her beyond measure right now.
"Thanks, Ernie," she said into his chest. "I know they say that time heals everything, but honestly, I'm still waiting on that to happen. Maybe it's always meant to hurt or at least hurt until we all feel safe and happy again. I want to be happy again, not forcing myself to put on a smile for everyone and pretending."