“How do you feel?”
“Relieved. Frightened. Annoyed that relief was an option.”
“Your sponsor?”
“Still wants to discuss brand alignment.”
“What does that mean?”
“They are examining whether lesbians continue to purchase lipstick.”
Ellie looked at me.
“Do they?”
“I offered to conduct research.”
Her laugh arrived unexpectedly and loosened something in my chest.
“One radio station removed two songs,” I said. “Another added four. Richard has discovered several new types of disappointment.”
“Do you regret it?”
“No.”
The answer did not need thought.
“I regret that it took so long.”
Ellie watched the water.
“You mentioned that Claire wrote after the interview.”
“She said it was brave.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That she deserved honesty years ago.”
“Did she answer?”
“No.”
Ellie nodded.
“She might not.”
“She doesn’t owe me one.”
We let the subject rest.
I was becoming better at recognizing when silence did not need intervention, although I did not yet enjoy it.
After a while, Ellie moved her hands between her knees.
“I want to ask you something, but I don’t know whether it’s the correct question.”
“That has never stopped anyone interviewing me.”
