The Sky Clears

The next morning, Hope woke up sore and drowsy. Her head pounded, and she knew she hadn’t slept well. The full impact of what had happened the night before had hit her in her dreams, and her subconscious mind had created so many harrowing alternatives that had left Hope cold and shaking.

When she got up, Hope knew that the first thing she wanted to do was go to see Joe. She needed to know if he was alright, first and foremost, and then she needed to tell him about what Mack had said. Despite everything, Hope felt positive and happy about the decision she had made. As if she instinctively knew that it had been the right one all along.