“Not go to the pool?” I supply, when he seems to be at a loss for words. “I’ll do that.” My hand reaches for the doorknob, but something makes me hesitate. There’s a reason Felix came to see me, and I’m not sure he got what he needed from our little jaunt.
“It’ll probably take a few days for everything to start feeling normal again. Or normalish. At least, that’s what my mom always says.” It’s one of her favorite truisms:It may seem terrible now, but by next week you’ll barely remember.Usually she’stalking about things like burning your tongue or getting a heinous pimple, as opposed to being in close proximity to death.
“This too shall pass,” Felix offers. “According to my granddad.”
“Shit happens. That’s the Grandma Lainey version.” It’s probably an unnecessary clarification, but it does make Felix smile.
On that note, I slip into my grandmother’s apartment and close the door behind me, leaning against the painted metal. Peopling can be exhausting. That’s definitely the reason my heart is thumping like I ran up the stairs.
CHAPTER THIRTEENTHE BODY IN THE RESALE STORE
“Go knock on his door already.” Grandma Lainey is watching me from the breakfast table. I’ve been back and forth to the kitchen four times, trying to decide what I want to eat. “There’s no reason you can’t make the first move. Just don’t let Mrs. A see you. She’s gone full Harlequin on this situation.”
I open my mouth to deny everything, but she’s already looking down at her crossword. “He’s gotten quite handsome, hasn’t he? Looks more and more like his grandfather.” She sighs, probably thinking I won’t notice, but I’m onto her.
“What’s the deal with the two of you?” I pull out the chair opposite hers, grabbing a banana from the bowl in the center of the table.
“Alejandro?” She sets down her pencil before sliding off her reading glasses. “There is no deal. We circled each other a few times over the years, but the timing was never right. Which is why I’m telling you to strike while the iron is hot, if you don’t want to miss your chance.”
Is Mr. Gutierrez—aka Felix’s grandfather—the one who got away? Because it sure sounds like it. I’m dying to hear more about their missed connection, but sharing time appears to be over.
“You’ll need a better excuse than the pool, I’m afraid. They’re cleaning it this morning. Why don’t you ask if he wants to go shopping?”
“And what, get a Frappuccino after? I’m not sure we’re at that stage in our relationship.” Especially considering that train just left Bitter Rivals station.
“You both need something black. For the funeral,” she adds when I look at her blankly.
“We’re going to the funeral?”
“Mervyn thinks it would be a good idea. To calm the waters.” She checks off another clue before filling in the word.
I try to picture myself making polite conversation with a bunch of sad strangers who will inevitably ask how I knew Bradley.I found his body, actually!Does Felix know about this? I’m itching to tell him, partly to see his reaction but also so we can commiserate—preferably without an audience. If only I could text him, like a normal person from this century instead of hopping down the hall like a human carrier pigeon.
It hits me like a thunderclap that Idohave his number. Assuming I can find the scrap of paper Felix gave me at the airport.
“I’ve always felt jewel tones suited your complexion,” Grandma Lainey calls after me as I head for the bedroom. I guess that means I should change, once I finish digging through the mound of unwashed clothing spilling from my suitcase. Bingo. Note in hand, I return to the living room for my phone.
What are you doing right now?I type.
When he doesn’t respond, I realize I may have gotten ahead of myself.This is Virginia, by the way.
Now the dots are dancing. And dancing some more. Is he writing a novel or deleting and retyping twenty times?
Tell me something only Virginia would know.
You read depressing books on vacation.
Inconclusive.
He’s left me no choice.
I have a unique suitcase.
I wondered when you were going to start blowing up my phone, Space Cats.
I roll my eyes.
You want to run an errand with me?
