A tiny grin plays at her lips. “That’s fair. So, what do you do, then?”
“Nothing,” I tell her, then sigh. “I’m trying to write a book, but it’s hard when I can’t read for the last half of the day, andwhen my brain gets tired, my aphasia is worse, so when I dictate, it’s all gibberish.” I flush and feel guilty for dumping this on her, but she doesn’t look bothered.
“Were you always a writer?”
I can’t help a faint smile. “No. I used to be an archivist. I got my degree in history, and I worked in a university library, digitizing old books. It was the dream. No people, no pressure, no deadlines. I spent my days surrounded by the smell of old books, knowing I was preserving them so nothing would ever get lost.”
“Like the Alexandria Library,” she says.
“Yes.” My lips spread into a huge grin. “I like you.”
She bursts into a fit of laughter. “I like you too. We should be best friends.” I don’t let myself believe she’s serious, but for a moment, I don’t mind pretending. She sits back and drums her fingers on the table. “How did you get into writing?”
I try not to wince at the memory. Writing had always been a dream of mine, but Liam had been so fixated on it, and it took me so long to realize it was for selfish reasons. “My husband thought it would be a good career change, and it seemed like a good idea at the time.” I pass a hand down my face. “Sometimes I wish I could just have a bit of property out in the middle of nowhere with silkie chickens and bees and goats, you know? And not have to worry about what I want to do or who I want to be.”
She tilts her head to the side. “You sound like my brother. He’s always saying shit like that, but Nor?—”
“Westin! Your break was over ten minutes ago!” comes a loud shout from the coffee counter.
She falls back in her chair and groans. “Sorry, I have to go. I can’t afford to get fired. But thanks for the chat.”
“Thanks for the coffee,” I tell her, tipping my empty cup toward her.
“Anytime. I mean it.” She snags the mug off me and starts to walk away.
“Westin!” I call after her.
She pauses and turns.
“Did I help?”
Her face lights up. “Yeah. You did. Will you come back to hang out with me?”
My eyes widen. “You actually want me to hang out with you?”
“I mean, we’re basically best friends now, so fuck yeah.”
My heart thuds in my chest. My only real friend these days is my brother. This is the first time anyone hasn’t found me weird and off-putting.
“Yes,” I tell her.
“Sweet.” She ignores another shout of her name and walks back over, pulling a torn bit of receipt paper out of her apron. Leaning down, she scribbles on it and passes it to me. “I know reading sucks for you, but this is my number. I can put it in your phone if you need me to.”
“No.” I squint and manage to make out a few of the numbers. I can have Easton help me with the rest. “I’ve got it. I’ll text you.”
“Or call. Whatever. I’m easy.” She gives my cheek a gentle pat, then turns and runs when she hears her name a third time. “See you!”
As I dig into the coffee cake, I realize I’m not sure if I actually will call or text. I don’t know if I have the space for another person in my life. But maybe this was heaven-sent—a bit of kindness and peace when everything has been all sharp edges and dark corners.
I don’t want to read too much into it right now. I need sleep so I can get my brain back online and make sense of everything. But I do know that this was something good, and maybe it’stime I stop questioning every kind thing that comes across my path.
ELEVEN
LEO
My yard is clean.I hadn’t noticed it yesterday, and I hadn’t noticed it on my walk to the café, but it’s glaringly obvious now because even when I’d been cleaning up after the crows, I’d done a shit job of it. But right now, it’s spotless. Not a speck of trash or old food has been left out, and I’m pretty sure someone trimmed the edges of the lawn.
I also notice that there’s a brick weighing down the garbage can lid. And when I walk up the path, I see there’s a very shiny bit of metal on the ground near my driveway. When I approach and crouch low, I see it’s a metal dish, and there’s a small pile of what looks like pet kibble in the center.
