Annie:Legal or personal?
Me:Yellow legal pad. General observations.
Annie:That feels more dangerous.
I smiled.
Me:Your retirement planning remains unclear.
Three dots appeared.
Annie:Finally, a scandal I can address responsibly.
I sat on the edge of the bed.
The next message took longer.
Annie:How are you?
My fingers hovered above the screen.
Fine would be easy.
Mostly fine would be familiar.
Still angry was true.
Still wearing your shirt was not information she required yet.
I wrote:
I think we should talk.
The answer came quickly.
Annie:Okay.
A second message followed.
Annie:Whenever you’re ready.
I looked at Molly’s photograph.
At the open suitcase.
At the room I had avoided because I thought grief grew stronger when witnessed.
Me:Tomorrow?
Annie:Yes.
I frowned.
Me:You don’t know what time.
Annie:I’ll make myself available.
A laugh escaped me.
