I Fell in Love with Hope - Lancali

Sam and I don’t look at each other. In fact, we don’t look at anything
until he speaks.
“You told on me?”
“No,” I say. “I think she was smart enough to piece it together.”
Sam pushes off the bed and wanders to the window. He doesn’t
open the blinds. Instead, he cradles browning leaves, listening to the
crackling like a fire.
His sleeve falls as he does, revealing the patches on his skin.
Shades of pink rise from his skin like plateaus, raw and scabbed
over.
They’ve spread.
“Sam, your skin.” I hurry across the room and try to touch him, but he
tugs away. Not on reflex. Willfully.
My fingers curl, arms falling back to my side. “You’re still angry at
me.”
“Really?” Sam scoffs. “What tipped you off?”
“I don’t understand.”
“No, of course, you don’t. I’m surprised you understand how to tie
your shoes.”
“You’re being cruel.”
“And you’re stupid.”
“I’m not stupid,” I say, my voice tight.
“Really? Do you even understand why I’m angry with you?”
“You’re angry because I don’t want to leave.”