The thought settled slowly in my chest.
Maybe the absence of one kind of love didn’t mean I was barred from finding pieces of it elsewhere. I hadn’t had a mother who knew how to care for me like that. But maybe other safe relationships could still reach into that empty space without asking me to disappear first.
That alarmed me. Before my brain could continue down that road, my phone buzzed.
I picked it up. It was the group chat labeled “Survivors.”
The others had been talking all week, sending messages about plans, work complaints, and random photos of meals that looked suspiciously expensive.
I hadn’t sent a single message.
My silence had stretched long enough that they had stopped tagging me directly and simply continued the conversation around the empty space where I should have been.
The newest messages sat at the bottom.
Morgan:New sushi place just opened downtown.
Jamie:Saturday lunch?
Cris:Zoey picks the rolls. She has standards.
I stared at the screen. An hour drive. Crowds. People. Conversation.
My natural instincts recommended staying home with the rice, but then my phone buzzed again.
Morgan:Zee? You alive over there?
I leaned back against the counter and looked around the kitchen.
The cabinets Liam had organized. The food Mei had brought. The apartment that no longer looked completely temporary.
Then I looked back at the screen.
Being socially proactive didn’t come naturally to me. It was almost biologically offensive, which probably meant I should do it.
Zoey:Fine. I’ll come.
The chat exploded immediately.
Jamie:SHE LIVES
Morgan:Historic moment
Alex:Wear the blue hair
I set the phone down and opened one of the containers, releasing deliciously scented steam.
Standing there, fork in hand, I looked around. The apartment felt different today.
Still mine.
Just… less empty.
Chapter 17
Liam
I got backto Pine Hollow before nine.
