Where The Ice Gives Way (Charlotte and Blake) novel Chapter 160

Chapter 160 Ice Cream and Normal Problems

Charlotte

So school sucked, but in the best way possible. I sit in Blake’s truck with my feet kicked up on the dash and my ice cream balanced carefully in my hands. Charlie argues with the radio behind me, and honestly? I think I’m enjoying these normal teenage experiences far more than I’m supposed to. They are certainly easier to handle than the emotions and insanity of a thousand lost wolves pressing against my chest.

The English test may or may not have gone horribly. Actually, no. It definitely went horribly. I’m fairly certain one of my answers turned into an accidental emotional breakdown about symbolism and grief halfway through. But apparently almost dying gives teachers a softer approach to grading. Mrs. Hensley actually patted my shoulder when I handed the paper in and told me she was “just happy to see me back.” Which was nice, and a little awkward, but nice.

Jessica and Annabelle spent most of lunch trying to convince me to come to skating practice this afternoon, promising they would go easy on me. I almost said yes too. A week ago I probably would have. But Blake had quietly taken my hand under the lunch table

and reminded me we already had plans. So instead of the rink, we went to the funeral home.

The warmth from the heater curls around my legs as Blake drives, one hand on the wheel while the other rests loosely against my

knee. Charlie is still loudly losing his battle with the radio stations, grumbling every time static cuts through one of his songs. My

eyes drift toward the takeaway bag resting beside me. I made sure to get an extra ice cream for Emily, cookies and cream with extra

cookies.

If anyone deserves to feel a little better right now, it’s probably the girl sleeping in a strange pack after spending who knows how long lost to the woods. Maybe ice cream will help. I know it helps me. The trip to the funeral home definitely called for it. There wasn’t really much to organise for Dad considering there was no body to bury, but Blake had insisted we needed to do something. So Charlie and I stood side by side flipping through plaque samples we were probably too young to be choosing. Blake organised one for Mum too. He said it was important for us to have somewhere to sit and remember both of them.

So now, eventually, once the snow eases and the ground softens enough, there will be a bench placed by the lake with their names on pretty plaques. A place to sit when missing them becomes too much and we need to be with them. I stare down at the spoon in my hand for a second before taking another bite of melting ice cream.

“You alright?” Blake asks quietly.

I look over at him and his eyes flick from the road to me.

“Yeah. Just thinking.”

His thumb brushes over my knee, and I dig back into the ice cream to soften the emotions. No one tells you that part of healing means you’ll want to cry when people care.

Home comes into view too quickly and Blake parks in the driveway and kills the engine. Before he can even open his door, I grab the extra ice cream and hop out into the cold.

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Chapter 160 Ice Cream and Normal Problems

“Lotty,” Blake calls after me, laughing under his breath. “You forgot your bag.”

I grin over my shoulder as 1 round the side of the house. I know he’ll get my bag for me.

I make it all of a few steps into the backyard before Blake comes up beside me, but he heads toward the rehabilitation Building instead. He’s probably checking on the progress Gareth and the others have been making. I can see the workers moving around the half-finished structure, and the floodlights are being turned on for the night’s work to continue.

I spot Theo still standing near the outer patrol line exactly where he was last night and this morning. His shoulders are hunched against the cold with his hands shoved into his pockets. I let out a silent thank you as Charlie walks straight up beside. I know Charlie won’t let him stand out there alone with his thoughts for too long. He’ll probably annoy the shit out of him until Theo contemplates going inside just for some peace and quiet. I smile faintly to myself before climbing the steps to Emily’s door.

I knock once and the door

flicker from me to the ice

“It’s just ice cream,” It

The corner of her

1. Emily stands there in borrowed clothes with a braid hanging over one shoulder. Her eyes

hands. I hold the bag up slightly. “I come bearing food.” I smile. Her mouth parts a little.

inside. “No hidden trauma attached.”

ke she want to smile and I mentally pat myself on the back for the win.

I walk in, eyein

to form in the

“You didn

sits half-started on the little table now with the edges completed and clusters of colour beginning

ses the door quietly behind me while I hand her the ice cream.

nything.”

eam fixes things.”

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