“How would you describe her?”
“I’m not going to.”
“Because she asked you not to?”
“Because she didn’t agree to be part of this interview.”
The audience went quiet.
Nina lowered her cards.
“Some people might argue that refusing to clarify encourages more speculation.”
“They may be right.”
“But you’re still choosing not to.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Privacy.
Respect.
Boundaries.
All useful words.
All words that sounded cleaner than the situation was.
“Because she’s a person,” I said. “Not an answer I get to provide because the question is uncomfortable.”
Nina stayed still.
I could have stopped.
I should probably have stopped.
“And I’ve already decided enough things for her,” I added.
There it was.
More than Ellie had agreed to.
Less than everyone wanted.
Nina’s voice softened.
“Did you hurt her?”
My stomach tightened.
The question was too direct.
It was also about me.
“Yes.”
