Page 123 of Shadowing You

On his lock screen was her own face—a photograph she’d never seen. She recognized the hotel where they’d gone on their honeymoon. She was looking just past the camera, one hand lifted to push her hair—still long and shiny—behind her ear, an easy smile on her face.

Had that picture been the first thing he’d seen when he’d lifted his phone for six years? The thought had warmth spreading in her chest.

She tapped in the passcode he’d given her when they were dating. It still worked.

She connected to the only Wi-Fi network available and opened WhatsApp. Ethan had a handful of contacts, and she found a group text with him and both her parents. She didn’t read all the messages but didn’t miss the most recent few—Ethan thanking Mama for dinner, Mama replying that it was always a blessing to have him visit, then making a joke about how it was his kitchen, after all. Ethan had replied with a little Haha.

Mei Lin started to tap a message to her parents, explaining that she was borrowing Ethan’s phone, but a soft ping interrupted. She silenced the ringer so it wouldn’t wake Ethan as a banner slid down across the top of the screen.

Frank Reyes

Hey man, hope wherever you are you’re safe. We’ve been pulling double shifts to cover. Call when you can.

She tapped the message away. That must be a coworker.

A second banner appeared.

Small group’s on for Thursday at Hunter’s place. Who’s in for casserole night?

That sounded like a church group. She hadn’t asked him where he worshipped, but she wasn’t surprised that he’d continued going to church.

She still knew so little about what his life was like now. He’d finished med school and was a resident, so she figured most of his time was spent at the hospital. She didn’t know how much longer his residency would last or what he planned to do when he finished.

They’d both gone through so much, matured and endured and changed. It was the oddest thing, knowing so little about the man she’d married. Part of her was eager to get to know him again. Part of her, she had to admit, was worried. What if they’d changed too much? What if they no longer fit together like they once had?

That was too disturbing to consider. She returned to the message to her parents, but another text came through.

Holly

Still praying for you.

Who was Holly? Maybe someone from church, or a doctor at the hospital.

Mei Lin swiped the message away, but before she managed to get a single letter tapped, another text came through.

Holly again.

Thinking of you. Morning coffee is too quiet without you.

Mei Lin froze.

This was someone he drank coffee with?

An image came—Ethan having breakfast with a faceless woman after waking up in her bed.

Stop it.

It was nothing. Of course it was nothing.

In which case, it wouldn’t matter what Mei Lin discovered. A thin excuse, but she tapped the banner and opened the messaging app.

The most recent messages had just come in. She read them again, then scrolled up and read others that’d been delivered today.

Thinking of you.

Above that, from yesterday…

Praying.