Page 121 of In Sheets of Rain

47

I’m Getting There

Istood on the corner of Queen Street and Wellesley Street opposite the Civic Theatre. The envelope felt heavy in my hands. I stared down at it as pedestrians walked around me and traffic lights turned from green to orange to red.

I ran my finger over the address, lifted the whole thing up to my lips and kissed it, and then slotted it into the mailbox.

A part of me was relieved it wasn’t still in my hands.

Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and then made my way toward the lawyer’s office. Tourists crowded around gift shops, and bankers pushed through the throngs and Auckland City felt as familiar as an old glove.

I heard an ambulance siren; the distinctivebarp-barpof their bullhorn. A police car went through the intersection with its beacons flashing but no siren on. I wended my way through the crowds and down the small side street, avoiding the Viaduct and the blood.

I rode up in the elevator and thought of maintenance overalls and splashes of red, and then stepped out into a plush office.

He was already here.

The lawyer looked up as I entered her office and smiled. Sean stood and then sat again when I did.

“This is the last time you’ll have to sign anything,” the lawyer said.

She pushed the papers toward me. Sean’s messy signature was already right there.

I flicked through the papers, skim reading the words, and signed where thestick-itnote hand said.

“Right then,” the lawyer said. “It’ll take a few weeks, but you don’t have to be there. I’ll petition the Court on your behalf.”

I nodded.

Sean nodded.

And then we both shook her hand and walked out.

The ride down in the elevator was silent.

The walk across the marble foyer was only accompanied by the sound of my heels as they clicked.

Auckland City met us as soon as we pushed through the revolving door.

“I’m not sure why we both had to be there,” I said.

“Too busy to even end this?” Sean asked.

“I’m here,” I said.

“Late,” he offered.

“Traffic.”

He looked at me as I looked at the city.

“Visited your parents lately?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said.

“I’m impressed,” he said. “Your mother said you hadn’t been up there for months.”

I closed my eyes and counted my breaths.