“Hey.” I smile. “Sorry - early, I know. I have something I wanted to tell you and I… Can I come in?”
She hesitates.
“I-” she starts.
And then from behind her, from inside the apartment, Jake Skelly calls out to her, his voice carrying through the door.
“Elida? Do you want more coffee?”
I don’t move.
We look at each other across the threshold. I watch her watch me understand.
“I’m sorry. Mateo-”
“No. It’s okay.”
“I’ll catch you later,” I say. “The news can wait.”
“What news? Mateo, what-”
“Later,” I say. I take a small step back. “It’s good news. Don’t worry.”
Her feet are bare and her hair is messier than I’ve ever seen it - it’s ordinary and devastating. I smile, and I mean it. Then I step away.
I walk the path back to the street with my hands in my pockets and my head up. I don’t stop. I keep walking until the building is behind me and then I find a bench.
I take out my phone.
ELIDA
I stand at the closed door and listen to his footsteps fade down the path.
Then I go sit on the sofa beside Jake and he tops up my coffee from a freshly brewed pot.
My phone buzzes.
Mateo.
I pick it up.
Just wanted to say, I think you’re brave for trying. For giving something a proper chance instead of just protecting yourself from it. Anyway. You deserve good things, Elida. I mean that. I hope he treats you amazingly.
I read it twice.
I type:What’s the news?
Three dots.
Then:Later. Go enjoy your morning.
18
Chapter 18
ELIDA
Tara finds me after the women’s session on Friday.
