Page 79 of See You Next Tuesday

Simone: No

Simone: He’s deciding whether he wants to go see her for Christmas

Simone: Which is why I adamantly do not think he should come to New Orleans

Simone: Because I already know what you’re thinking, which is “if Gabe and I see each other in New Orleans, won’t that potentially sway his decision about whether he breaks up with Tallulah?”

Simone: And that’s trash

Simone: Absolute trash

Anya: That is extremely what I was thinking

Anya: And you’re right, it’s trash

Anya: It’s…also kind of trash that he didn’t ask me this himself?

Simone: He was nervous to talk to you

Simone: He thinks you’re mad at him

Anya: I’m not

Anya: It’s just easier, when we don’t talk as much

Simone: I know, babe

Simone: So can I tell Kira he shouldn’t come?

Anya: I don’t know

Anya: Let me think about it a little, okay?

Simone: Of course

Simone: Take your time

Text message transcript: Walt and Anya Katz

October 11

Walt [2:47am]: Hi hon. I’ve tried calling a couple of times, but it went to voicemail

Walt [2:48am]: Please call me as soon as you see this

Walt [2:48am]: It’s your mother

Chapter 12

Nine months later

Cheng for County Council—Orcas Island, Washington

Anya couldn’t remember much about the first few days after her mother died, which she supposed was a blessing. There was a funeral, a rabbi, a mourner’s kaddish. A long limousine ride to the cemetery in a scratchy black dress. Shovels of dirt hitting the casket, the sound of it. Her aunt sobbing. Anya feeling lightheaded, like she might faint. The house full of people, piles of food. Smoking a joint on the back porch with two of her cousins.

Kira and Gabe both came to the service, but Anya barely saw them; they had to fly to Chicago and back on the same day because it was so close to the election. Simone stayed a few days longer, sleeping with Anya on the floor of her childhood bedroom. Anya didn’t want to be in bed. It didn’t feel right; it was too soft or something. She told Simone to take the bed, but Simone said that wasn’t the point, so they both slept in sleeping bags from Anya’s childhood printed with characters from Sesame Street. Simone was Grover, Anya was Cookie Monster.

No one from the Kincaid team came to the funeral—the race was too close, they couldn’t be spared—but they sent flowers and handwritten notes. Anya liked some of the people on staff quite a bit, but she already knew she wouldn’t be keeping in touch. On Election Night, Kincaid lost by three points, and Democrats lost the Senate. Anya didn’t care.