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I want her here.
Right next to me.
I know I shouldn’t want that.
Maddison:I knew you’d get it. This house makes all sorts of sounds, too. I think the appliances come to life at night. It’s like that movie, about the night at the museum. You know the one? I can’t think of the name.
Nick:I think you mean Night at the Museum.I add a face laughing, tears spouting out of the eyes.
She sends a laughing emoji back.
Maddison:Yeah, right. That one. I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. It’s like my brain’s not working. Next thing you know, I’ll ask you what that movie’s called, the one with the guy named Forrest Gump.
Nick:Or the title of the movie where there’s one friend who’s dumb, and another friend who’s a little dumber.
That earns me another laughing emoji.
Maddison:So, did you and Hana watch a movie or something? You could get her into comedies. I think she’s been missing out.
Nick:Actually, I asked her about that. She said the last movie she watched was a documentary about the obesity epidemic.
Maddison:That means you have a whole world to introduce her to. The world of funny movies.
Nick:I’d rather watch a comedy with someone who already appreciates that art form.
Maddison:Did you show her around your place? Good wine?
Nick:Were you spying again?
Maddison:Puh-lease. I have better things to do with my time.
Nick:Like visit a Marriott over in Hopkins?
No response comes in.
I wait, the phone screen lighting the dark bedroom. When five minutes pass and she still hasn’t answered, I start to worry I upset her.
Is she angry that I brought up Sylvester?
A minute later, the phone rings.
Her voice is a quiet whisper on the other end of the line. “Can you talk?”
“I think that’s what we’re doing right now.”
“No… I mean, in person. Maybe come over? Or I could come over there?”
“Come here.”
“’Kay. Give me two minutes.”
I pull a T-shirt on, plus sweatpants over my boxers, then pad down the stairs.
When I hear Maddison walking up the front porch stairs, I open the door and lean against the frame. “Most people are asleep right now,” I say.
She gives me a quick smile. “I guess we’re not most people. You really up for talking?”
“This is what neighbors are for.”
