“I believe you.”
“That doesn’t sound like forgiveness.”
“It isn’t.”
Clear.
No cruelty.
No rescue either.
“I didn’t call because everything is fine,” she said.
“I didn’t expect that.”
“Good.”
She looked down again.
“I called because I don’t want the last honest conversation we have to be in a dive-shop office while your publicist texts about a relationship angle.”
“That seems reasonable.”
“And because I miss you.”
The words came quickly, as though she wanted them gone before they could become dangerous.
My entire body reacted.
Ellie saw it.
“Don’t make that face.”
“What face?”
“The one where you turn one sentence into a future.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I’m trying not to.”
“Try harder.”
I looked down at my hands.
“I miss you too.”
Neither of us smiled.
Missing someone did not remove the reason they were gone.
Ellie glanced toward the dresser.
“I watched the concert.”
“Rosa?”
