“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do. You left me once, Jaden. And many more times before that. You played with me, and that’s fine. I’m a big girl, and I can take a rough ride, but I can’t do that to her. If she falls for you and you break her heart, there’s nothing left for me. Nothing.”
9
JADEN
The same day.
“Good evening, Mr.Taylor.”
I give the security guy a nod as I slide past the concierge desk.
The elevator takes me straight to the last floor, where the doors open, and I walk straight into my apartment.
I toss my phone and keys on a side table and walk to the bar, where I pour myself a glass of scotch and take a swig.
The liquid fire flows through my blood.
I bring the glass to my lips again while working my neckline open.
Cold air rolls over my chest.
I slide into an armchair and peer outside.
Tall buildings glow against the backdrop of the night, and I peek through lit windows to get a glimpse of other people’s lives.
I scan bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.
People sit around the tables, having dinner, watching, or getting ready to go out.
Bits and pieces of life.
Some good, some bad. Some obvious. And some secret.
The slightest dash of light threads into the sky at the horizon, where the new moon shines like a silver earring.
A few more moments pass, and I stare blankly, no longer watching what’s in front of me but remembering things.
Sweets memories.
Glimpses of a long-gone life reviving the feelings of the past, glowing in the light of the forgiving present.
Sara, my parents, and I sitting around a campfire while on vacation at Lake Tahoe.
Jacob and Sara kissing in front of the school.
Our last Thanksgiving together before everything turned to dust.
I smile, recollecting the details–– the napkins on the table, the plates, the flatware and the floral centerpiece.
I almost smell the pies. The apples and vanilla mixed with cinnamon.
My mother’s grin.
She’s always had a hard time stopping us–– Jacob and me, from tasting them before dinner. We shared a sweet tooth.
Or perhaps my mother’s pies were unbelievably good.