Richard’s fist was already tangled in my hair when he drove my face into Lily’s pink cake.
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Chapter 23 / 27
Chapter 23 - VANESSA YEARS LATER
I saw Vanessa again fifteen years after the cake.
Not planned.
Airport.
She had two children.
Worked for a nonprofit arts organization.
No diamonds.
She recognized me.
We stood awkwardly near a coffee counter.
“How are you?”
“Fine.”
Bad question.
We both laughed.
She said:
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“I used to think recording everything made me neutral.”
“That’s interesting.”
“It didn’t.”
“No.”
She looked down.
“I chose what to keep.”
“Yes.”
“And how to label it.”
“Yes.”
“Do you hate me?”
I thought.
“No.”
She looked surprised.
“I also don’t trust you.”
“Fair.”
We ordered coffee.
Different flights.
May you like
No reconciliation montage.
Sometimes closure is two adults leaving through different gates.
