She would know that I was coming for her.
* * * * *
The next night, Edith fulfilled her promise.
Her shift started at 10:00 p.m. and by half past, she appeared in my room bearing a gift in the form of a brand new phone.
I couldn’t speak as I took the box, digging my fingers into the cellophane. Motherfucking tears actually sprang to my eyes at the thought of finally having a way of contacting Nila while we were apart.
Fuck, I need to hear her voice.
Edith’s emotions washed over me. Pride for helping a broken man. Compassion for my predicament. And attraction mixed with guilt over our age difference.
Sniffing back my overwhelming relief, I smiled. In one action, Edith had given me the strength to sit up taller, knit together faster.
I’m leaving soon. I’m ending this soon.
Taking her hand, I squeezed. “You have no idea what this means to me.”
She blushed. “I think I have an idea.” Tugging free, she looked away. “She’s a lucky young lady.”
And I’m a lucky fucking bastard.
I remained silent.
Awkwardness wafted off her, mirroring my own. No matter how much I appreciated Edith’s help, I wanted to be alone. Now.
A thought snapped into my brain. “Oh, did you receive a reply?”
Edith tilted her head. “Excuse me?”
“From the message I sent on your phone last night?”
“Oh...uhh.” Her emotions stuttered, shadowing with grief that she didn’t have better news.
Goddammit.
I didn’t need her to vocalize what my condition told me. Nila hadn’t replied.
Why not?
Is she okay?
Edith shook her head. “No, I’m sorry.”
I sighed heavily.
What does that mean?
Nila didn’t see the message?
She’s hurt and imprisoned and suffering?
Fuck!
My heart bucked against my ribs, feeding anxiety to an already strained nervous system. Jaz said she’d keep her safe.Please, Jaz, keep your word.
My attention left Edith, unable to wait any longer. Ripping into the plastic, I unwrapped the box like a spoiled brat at Christmas and grabbed the phone.With trembling fingers, I tore open the SIM package and battery and inserted both into the device.
