Break time?
I don’t have the energy to respond, but I manage to type out a quick message.
Sure. Starbucks?
A thumbs-up emoji comes through.
I head to the coffeehouse and enter, the scent of fresh coffee and pastries filling the air. A few students sit at nearby tables, their textbooks scattered around them, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and determination.
Eli enters and sees me right away, a sympathetic look on his face.
Fuck.
I’m so sick of sympathy.
But I can’t bring myself to take it out on Eli. He’s been a great friend and an even greater study partner. Without him helping me, I’d have struggled to stay afloat in the raging whirlpool that is my memories of that damned weekend with Henry.
“You look tired,” he says.
“I’m okay,” I reply, trying to inject a little positivity into my voice. But my heart isn’t in it.
We order, and Eli insists on paying. “You’ve had a rough couple of weeks,” he says, giving me a small smile.
I mumble a “Thank you,” taken aback by his kindness but also pissed about the sympathy. Again.
As we sit down with our coffees, I can’t help but glance at my phone again. Still no call, no text. I swallow hard, pushing down the pang of disappointment.
“Tabitha,” Eli begins, his voice gentle. “You’re doing the right thing, you know. Focusing on your studies, on your future. We were both lucky to snag seats in this seminar.”
“I know.” I blink back tears that threaten. “Thanks, Eli.”
We spend the next hour talking about everything but Henry. About our upcoming exam, the newest medical research, the textbooks we wish weren’t so expensive. Even the e-book versions—which neither of us like because we’re chronic highlighters and page turners—are astronomically priced.
Once we’re finished with our coffees, he walks me back to my place. “You got this, Tabitha,” he says just before we part ways. “Remember that.”
I nod, my throat tight.
I force myself to believe his words. I’ve got this. I can do this. I can move forward without Henry.
It’s a daunting thought, but it’s also a necessary one. It’s the only way I can truly start healing.
Except…
Angie and Jason will be back from their honeymoon soon, and I’ll have to explain to Angie why I declined to see Henry when he asked for me. After he had a life-threatening accident.
She’s a med student. She’ll understand. Right?
But she won’t.
Henry’s her brother.
Of course, she has no idea what went on between us at her wedding. I could tell she had an inkling—I mean, she asked me point-blank—but I never told her.
Did Henry tell her?
No. He wouldn’t have had time. Angie and Jason were probably gone by the time he rose that Sunday.
My guess is the family chose not to bother Angie during her honeymoon. They no doubt told her Henry was fine and there was no need to rush home.
