“Getting there.”
“Proud of you,” he says. “For showing up. For handling that.”
I don’t feel like I handled anything. Just survived it.
“Think about what I said,” he tells me. “An intervention.”
“I will.” I give him a hug and we go our separate ways
The ride home is quiet.
The townhouse is dark when we pull up. Lights off except for the ones on timers. Marco’s window is black.
Still hiding.
Still gone.
I wish he’d come tonight. Wish he’d seen Elena present the Bill. Wish he’d watched parents actually give a damn about protecting kids instead of farming them for clicks.
But wishing doesn’t change anything.
I head inside. Check on Ben. She’s asleep. Frederick is tucked in beside her.
Then I go to my glorified closet and sit on the bed.
My phone buzzes. Text from Amara:How’d the forum go?
I type back:Survived. Bill passed.
Then:Great news. And how are YOU?
I stare at the question. Delete three different answers before settling on:Still figuring that out.
I put my phone away. Lie down. Stare at the ceiling.
Tomorrow I’ll get up. Make breakfast. Get Ben ready for school. Continue this bizarre half-life where I’m neither employee nor girlfriend nor family member but some strange combination of the three.
And Marco will stay in his room. And I’ll stay in mine. And we’ll keep orbiting each other without ever actually connecting.
Just like the algorithm wantedall along.
Unless.
An intervention.
I think of Neli.
She’s the only one who sees him anymore. The only one he lets past the door.
Which means she’s the only one we need.
Not Jag.
Yes.
Neli is the key.
Tomorrow morning, she and I are going to have a little chat.
