The house felt too quiet that morning.
Larry’s footsteps echoed harder than they should have.
Everyone could feel it—something was about to break.
1. A Sudden Decision
Larry stopped pacing and looked at Brooke and Destiny. His voice was steady, but his eyes weren’t.
Larry: “I need you both to go to Sharra’s for a while.”
Brooke blinked.
Brooke: “Dad… why?”
Destiny leaned forward, worried.
Destiny: “Are you okay?”
Larry didn’t answer the real question.
Larry: “Just go. It’s better this way.”
The door closed behind them with a sound that felt permanent—and Bethany felt it in her chest.
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2. The Question She Feared
Bethany stepped closer, her voice sharp with panic.
Bethany: “Larry… where are you going?”
He finally stopped. Took a breath. Then another.
Larry: “I’m tired, Bethany. I can’t keep doing this. I need space.”
Her eyes widened.
Bethany: “Space? From me?”
He didn’t look away.
Larry: “I’m not running. I just can’t stay here right now.”
And in that moment, she realized this wasn’t a fight—it was a decision.
3. No More Explanations
Bethany tried to speak, but Larry was already moving.
He grabbed his bag. Walked past her. Didn’t slow down.
The door shut behind him. Final. Clean. Unforgiving.
Bethany stood frozen, replaying his words, waiting for him to come back and say he didn’t mean it.
He didn’t.
4. The Road Out
Larry drove without music. Without calls. Without looking back.
The farther he went, the lighter his chest felt—and the heavier his guilt became.
Montana’s mountains rose in the distance, quiet and unmoved by his chaos.
At the small airport, he paused at the bottom of the plane’s stairs, gripping his bag.
Larry (to himself): “This is for me.”
And then he started climbing.
5. Silence on the Line
Bethany’s phone vibrated in her shaking hands.
Bethany: “Larry… please pick up.”
Nothing.
She called again. And again.
Voicemail. Silence. The screen went dark.
Her mind raced through every argument, every look, every moment she thought she still had control.
For the first time, she didn’t.
6. Gone
The plane door closed softly behind Larry as it taxied forward.
Above the clouds, the noise inside him finally quieted—but it didn’t disappear.
Back at the house, Bethany slid to the floor, phone still in her hand.
Bethany: “Where are you…?”
No answer came.
Somewhere between love and freedom, Larry had chosen himself—and neither of them knew what that choice would cost.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Continue reading Part 2 to find out what happens when the silence finally breaks.