“When did she leave?” Because maybe I can catch her.
“The note didn’t say.”
I glance at the clock, almost seven. “I’m going to try and catch her.”
“You’ve got practice in an hour,” my dad says the second he appears in my doorway.
“I’ll try to make it back in time.”
“You’ll do no such thing. Practice is more important—”
“Jack.” My mom’s voice sounds ominous. “Stay out of this.”
“Helene.”
“Not this time, Jack. Not this time.”
“Jesus,” my dad snaps. “Fine. I’ll call them.” Glaring at me, he adds, “Get there as soon as you can.”
* * *
Mom toldme the airline they flew in on so that’s where I start. At the terminal, I check the departure board and see there’s one flight to Madison leaving in forty minutes. Because of all the TSA guidelines, there’s no way I can go to the gate unless I’ve got a ticket. Therefore, a ticket I shall buy.
With that in hand, I make it through security fast since I’ve got no luggage. I make it to the gate just as people are starting to board. I could have made it sooner except I did something to my ankle at practice and it’s bothering me. I scan the line but don’t see her. Next, I hobble through the waiting area, hoping she hasn’t already gotten on the plane. I’m about to give up when I spot something red. Wisconsin Badger red. “Emma?” I say as I reach her. She’s asleep on the floor near a wall in a little ball. “Emma?” I reach down and touch her arm.
“No, Mom. Let me sleep.”
I chuckle at her words. “Babe. Wake up.”
“Huh?” She startles awake. Looking around, she seems to realize where she is. When her eyes meet mine, her face drains of color. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to stop you from leaving.”
Pushing herself up to sitting, she gathers up her phone and charger, placing it in her bag. “No. I’ve got to go.”
I need to try harder. “I’m sorry.” I can’t think what else to say.
“Nothing to be sorry about. You’ve got a new life now.”
“No, I don’t.” I want to say something about my life being shit without her, but how can I after I’ve spent the last month treating her like she doesn’t matter.
“Please stay. Let’s talk.”
“No, thank you.”
No, thank you?“Please, Emma?”
Emma stands and reaches down, picking up her bag before she drags the strap over her shoulder. “Please, Emma, what?”
“Stay. Talk to me?”
“You mean like you’ve been talking to me for the last twenty-six days?” She scowls. “Oh, wait. That’s right. You haven’t been talking to me for the last twenty-six days.” Stepping around me, she makes her way to the line to board the plane.
I follow and stand behind her. “Emma. I’m not going to give up.”
Her back is to me, but I can see she’s shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter, Eli. I gave up yesterday.”
Her words hit me like a punch in the gut, hard, like Muhammad Ali got me with his anchor punch. My breath is gone for a second. “Babe.”
