Annoyingly.
Because some irrational part of me keeps expecting it to vanish if I blink enough.
It does not vanish.
Mark framed it.
Mark drove to Whitstable every month.
Mark called me from that kitchen sounding like I was the first person he wanted to talk to.
I lock my phone.
Unlock it again.
Open our messages.
Stare at the thread.
Close it.
Open it again.
This is pathetic.
I type: Nice cake.
Delete it.
I type: I see Heath remains ungrateful.
Delete that too.
Too normal.
I finally type: Are you busy?
I stare at the words.
Then hit send before common sense can stage an intervention.
The reply comes two minutes later.
Mark
Currently being judged by a hamster for cleaning his cage. Why?
I laugh out loud.
Of course that is what he is doing.
Me
Can you talk?
This time there is no typed response.
Instead my phone rings.
