“It’s the last thing,” I said. “I promise.”
“Name it.”
So I did.
57
Ginny
Still wearing my work clothes, I ran out of my apartment and hurried downstairs. My phone was almost dead, since I hadn’t charged it up during the meeting, but it had enough juice left to call an Uber.
“Get there as fast as you can,” I told the driver when I got inside, “and I’ll give you a big tip.”
“You got it.”
The driver made good on his promise, flying through stop signs and going ten over the speed limit. I went ahead and pre-tipped him while my phone was still alive. I didn’t know when Sandra was going to send a courier with the video to my parents’ house. It might have already arrived. But until I knew for certain, I was going to do everything in my power to tell them first.
I clung to that thought desperately. It was the only sliver of control I had over my life.
The screen on my phone changed. I had an incoming call from Kai. I hit ignore and went back to the Uber app.
Next, Michael called me. Twice. I ignored both calls. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to him. I couldn’t bear to answer his accusatory questions. Not now. Maybe not ever.
Then my phone chimed with a text message from Kai. He said he needed to see me, and was on his way to my apartment. Before I could reply back, my phone finally died.
Whatever he wants to tell me, it can wait.
I got to my parents apartment and had them buzz me in. Cardboard boxes were scattered everywhere in their living room and dining area, in various levels of fullness. Dad was rolling around with a cardboard box in his lap, following Mom while she took things out of drawers and added them to the box.
“Your father is my portable box carrier,” she said over her shoulder while collecting a handful of forks.
“I’m helping!” Dad said cheerfully.
Mom giggled. “Isn’t he cute?”
“Has anyone come by your apartment today?”
“No,” Mom said while continuing to pack. “We don’t get visitors.”
“And nobody has called you? Or left a message?”
“What’s gotten into you?” she asked. “You’re all worked up.”
“Speaking of work, why aren’t you there right now?” Dad asked.
Mom suddenly whirled toward me with a frightened look. “Is it about the house? Did the sale fall through?”
We did,I thought.But that’s not why I’m here.
“Did the inspector find mold?” Dad wondered out loud.
“Or termites?” Mom added.
“It’s nothing like that,” I said. “But I need to tell you something. Something big.”
“Okay…” Mom said.
“You’re going to want to sit down.”