Re: AFTERMATH-Florence & John
Lightly, lovingly, Florence rubbed his back, desperately trying to offer up some of her own strength for him. For all her fear about those out in the heat of battle, Florence herself hadn't been out there. She wasn't injured, she'd hidden. And John, who everyone kept saying was so damaged, had gone out there to face it anyway. She was minimal compared to him and she loved him for it.
But what good was that when she couldn't do the one thing he truly needed? When she couldn't bring the people he loved back?
"I'm so sorry," she said softly, kissing his hair and giving one last gentle squeeze before pulling back to look at him. "You need to get patched up, John. See if Martha or Simon are around." But Martha would be grieving, too. Why was this even happening? Why were they being subjected to all of this?
After two and a half years in Lawrence, she still operated on the belief that there had to be something in life that was fair. But there wasn't, was there? Not here. Not anywhere. No matter which side you stood on, no matter who you depended on. It's why she'd been so determined not to get close to anyone again, to focus on herself.
And damn if she hadn't gone and let everyone in again.