He could feel his sister trembling in his arms, and was surprised that she was so upset about Sam’s absence. He knew they were close, but he’d never imagined they were this close. Maybe he should have forced Sam to say goodbye, instead of hustling her on the first jeep to Chilton Foliat.
“I just thought-” Lizzie began, swiping at her eyes, drying the traitorous tear that escaped. “-that she left because of me. I-I mean she doesn’t care that much if people know she’s a girl, even if she didn’t like it getting out. But I never thought she’d leave because I said something. I just wanted to tell her I’m sorry.” And that she was sorry for screwing up with all the other guys too; Sam had yet to know about that, and Lizzie was really tempted to keep it to herself. She could just blame Bill or Joe or Babe for that one.