Chapter 90: What Are You Doing?

“I know you’re there, Desi.” Miri’s voice sounded weary, resigned.

James’ words from the night before returned to me like a slap on the face. I steeled myself, ready to apologize, to explain myself, to defend against her complaints. I was a bad friend, the worst kind. The excuses were on my lips before she even came into view.

“Miri, I -”

She jumped up and threw her arms around me. “I’m so sorry, Desi. So sorry. Are you okay?” Miri stepped back, swiping her hands over her eyes and blinking fast to clear the remains of her tears away.

I, stunned into silence, just stood there.

Miri took my wrist and pulled me into a seat. She sat beside me. “Have you seen him yet today? I talked to Corney, and he said he hadn’t changed. But I thought maybe when you saw him tha -”

“Miri.”

She blinked. Leaned back.