I typed:
What’s on it?
Ellie answered almost immediately.
Egg. Avocado. Abuse of public office.
I smiled at the screen.
Then stopped myself before writing too much.
Before apologizing again.
Before asking whether she had watched the show, whether she missed me, whether the bracelet was still on her wrist.
Instead, I sent:
Tell the mayor I accept responsibility.
The typing dots appeared.
Ellie:She’ll form a committee.
That was all.
It was enough for tonight.
I set the phone down and reached for the guitar leaning against the wall.
Rachel looked at me.
“You’re writing?”
“Trying.”
“About turtles?”
“No.”
I played three chords.
They sounded too cheerful.
I changed the second one.
Now they sounded like a pharmaceutical commercial.
I stopped.
Rachel returned to her tablet.
I tried again.
A simple progression.
Warm.
Then quieter.
