#Chapter Forty-Three
"Gunner," Kitty said as the tension in her body dissipated. A sense of peace touched her emotions as her heart swelled with happiness. She missed him so much. Looking at him now, she knew that there was nothing she wouldn't do for him. She smiled at the sight of him, her inner self jumping in joy.
"Kitty," he said as his face mirrored her smile. He glanced at her mother who was standing behind her and he looked at her again, his eyes softening with tenderness. He reached out testingly to graze his finger on the side of her hand, but retracted his hand quickly. Her hand also extended towards his body to feel him, but the touch was fleeting. They were not alone.
"Who are you?" Kitty's mother asked as she walked up to stand beside Kitty.
"I'm the school guidance counsellor," Gunner introduced himself. "I just had to settle some official matters with her."
"Come again another time," she said. "We're busy."
"Sure, ma'am," he said before sending Kitty a searing look. He turned around and headed down the lawn. Kitty ran after him and when they are out of earshot, she stopped him to talk. "Kitty, I haven't seen you in a while. I really missed you."
"Meet me later," she said.
"Let's meet at Long Lake."
She nodded, then he left. Walking back home, she closed the door behind her and headed for bedroom, only stopping when her mother stepped between her door and her, a small blunt object in her hand.