An '80s Tale: No Way Back (To Love)

That afternoon, I drifted in and out of sleep, faintly aware of someone moving closer. When I finally forced my eyes open, a familiar face swam into focus.

Dominic lay beside me. He touched my forehead. Heat flared under his palm, and worry tightened his features.

"You're burning up, Val," he said. "Let me take you to the hospital, okay?"

On any other day, this kind of misery would've sent me straight into his arms. But the scent clinging to him—the same soap Katherine used—turned my stomach. I rolled away, burrowing under the covers.

"I'm fine. It's probably just a cold. Going to the hospital isn't necessary."

Dominic missed how fed up I was. His voice softened, threaded with hurt. "How could it not be necessary? It kills me to see you sick. Please, just listen to me."

My head was foggy. All I wanted was to rest.

I reached for an easy excuse. "I already took some medicine. I'll be fine after a nap."

Dominic didn't push further and kissed my temple. "Alright, get some sleep. I'll make chicken noodle soup. Have some when you wake up."

…

I didn't stir again until thunder cracked, and Dominic's name slipped from my lips on instinct. Only then did I realize more than an hour had passed, and he still wasn't done with the soup.

I threw on some clothes and stepped into the hall, about to head downstairs, when a wet, suggestive sound drifted out of the next room.

I stopped in the doorway. Katherine's back was the first thing I saw, her clothes half off. On the bed, Dominic had his arms around her, trying to soothe her.

"I've missed you all these years, Nick. Did you miss me?"

He was slightly out of breath, his eyes dark with desire. He couldn't seem to help himself as he leaned in to kiss her.

"I've missed you, too, Kat."

My tears spilled at once. Anger tightened around my chest until it hurt. I never thought they'd be this impatient, already in bed while I was still under the same roof.

I didn't stay a second longer. I grabbed my suitcase and left.

…

I tracked down Mr. Lane, the mailman who'd delivered my admission letter seven years ago. I hadn't expected him to remember.

"That was Belcaster University's admission letter. That's why I remember it!" he exclaimed. "The woman who signed for it had a forehead scar and half a thumb missing."

I knew then it had been Katherine. Those wounds were from when she'd been sent to live in a small town.

Hoping to keep a bit of reflected glory, Mr. Lane had held on to the signed envelope. Katherine had copied my signature, and it was an 80% match.

I told him I wanted to buy the delivery receipt. After I explained why, he just handed it over without taking a dime.

I thanked him, then took it to a copy shop and made a photocopy. I sent the original and my letter reporting forgery to Belcaster University, and had the paperboy drop the copy at the Frizzell residence.

After that, I boarded a train with my suitcase and headed home.

…

Dominic spent the night in Katherine's room.

At dawn, a nightmare snapped him awake. He remembered the soup he hadn't finished cooking and decided to grab a few ingredients. He would wait for me to wake and have some, then check if I was any better.

Just then, the door burst open.

With Pauline supporting her, Noreen came in, clutching a letter. "Dominic! Val… Valerie found out about the admission letter!"