“I’ve kept in touch with her.”
“Fuck me.” I shake my head.
“What? We’re friends.”
Mabel makes friends with anyone and everyone, so this isn’t surprising. I stare into my beer, then say, “How is she doing?”
“It sounds like she’s doing well. Making progress. She’s been going for therapy.”
“Oh.” I blink. “That’s good. I tried to suggest that once and she wasn’t enthused about the idea.”
“Well, I guess when you’re at a point where you feel like you’ve lost everything, it’s worth a shot.”
Lost everything?
We eat at the dining table in front of the big windows of their place, which is almost identical to mine in layout, just decorated differently. I tell them about the hospital visit, not mentioning my slight anxiety.
Mabel gets choked up when I tell her Will’s story. “That poor little boy. Sometimes life is so unfair.”
“No shit. But he’s a brave kid.”
When we’re done eating, Mabel picks up her phone. “Hey. Listen to this.” She swipes and taps at the screen and then music plays from the phone.
I look at Benny. He smiles. I frown but sit back in my chair to listen to the opening notes of the song—slow, soft piano notes. At the first line of lyrics, I recognize Nikki’s voice and I straighten and focus on the music.
The song is beautiful. The arrangement is minimalistic; it’s mostly Nikki’s voice, expressing feelings of longing and loss and love. Goose bumps rise over my skin as I listen, and my heart trips into an uneven rhythm.
You’re in the silence, in the rain,
In every dream I can’t explain.
Though you’re far away, one truth remains…
I’m still yours, though we’re worlds apart,
I still feel you in my heart.
Even if everything means letting go.
I look up and meet Mabel’s eyes. She’s watching me.
“This is new,” I say. “I’ve never heard it before.”
She nods.
Even if forever means letting go,
You’re the only love I’ll ever know.
I’m still yours… just so you know.
No matter where this road may go,
I’m still yours… just so you know.
An ache builds at the back of my throat. When the song ends, I can’t say anything for a minute. Then I ask, “Where did you get that?”
“Spotify.”
