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I really appreciate it.
Corrie
How are you doing?
Me
Okay, I guess…
Shit, I shouldn’t have pressed send so fast!
Corrie
Is everything alright?
Me
Yes, yes.
Me
But I don’t want to hold you up.
Me
Once more, I’m really sorry.
Me
Let me know if there’s some way I can help.
She thanks me again, although we both know there’s not much I can do from Nashville, where Dad and I moved—more like fled Amsterdam and our memories—after Mom’s death. But I’m determined to be there for her, now more than ever.
Chapter Ten
Now
Luuk
Those cartoon characters, whose feet move so fast the ground underneath almost catches fire, have nothing on me as I walk towards Corrie’s house past the imposing twin figures of De Piramides, their few lit windows like eyes watching over the sleeping city. The photo for social media, captioned, Amsterdam has not one, but two pyramids! will have to wait, because right now, my mind is laser-focused on getting to her place.
Seeing Iris is always an added bonus to my visits. Corrie and I exchange shy smiles during my short chat with her mum. Shortly after, Iris gives me a hug and a very mum-like pat on the back. As if on fast forward, she sends her daughter a kiss and hops on her bike, her taillight rapidly moving away.
Corrie and I look at each other, wordlessly.
‘You wanna…?’
‘How was your…?’
Our words overlap, and we giggle but finally walk inside, the bottle from yesterday and two shot glasses already at the table. A soft glow floods the open area of the living room-kitchen, coming from lamps on the corners and a few tealights flickering on the coffee table in front of the large couch. My shoe kicks something, and I almost stumble.
‘Watch your step,’ Corrie warns. ‘This house is a LEGO minefield.’
‘I bet they’re no fun to step on?’
‘Let’s put it that way: if a genie was to grant me three wishes, one would be for Wanda to take a stroll in a field sprinkled with LEGO. Barefoot.’
I cough a chuckle, the tension between us lifting. We text and video call regularly, so why is it all of a sudden weird to talk now that we’re face to face?
