Page 131 of Woman on the Verge

“I didn’t realize I’d have a roommate,” I say.

“Oh yes! I thought you knew. We have some single rooms, but your sponsor elected the double.”

By “sponsor,” she means husband. And by “elected the double,” she means he’s frugal, which is accurate.

“I’m not excited about it either,” Marie says, which makes me like her.

“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. You’ll hear the dinner bell at five thirty,” Phoebe says before pulling the door shut behind her.

I sit on my bed and wait to see if Marie will speak. She does not.

“How long have you been here?” I ask.

She answers without looking up: “Two days.”

I wonder if she arrived in this state of apparent despair or if two days have done this to her.

I proceed to unpack once I realize there will be no conversation.

An hour later, at precisely five thirty, a bell rings. Dinner.

Marie sighs.

“I don’t know why they do dinner so early. We’re without our children for once. You’d think they could treat us to an adult mealtime.”

I smile. Marie and I will be friends, whether she likes it or not.

Chapter 24

Nicole

I put my dad’s keys into his Ford Escape, a car I’ve never seen anyone drive but him. He’s had it for years. Before this one, he had another Ford Escape, the same color—gray. Was he loyal, or did he just hate change? Is there a difference?

I drive several blocks away and then pull over to text Elijah. I don’t even know how to get to his place from here, so I put his address into the app that will lead the way.

Can I come over? I’ve got my dad’s car

Him: Of course. But I can come to you. Is everything ok?

No.

Him: Are you sure you should be driving?

No. But I am. Should be there in a half hour

Him: Please drive safe

I’ve never understood that request—please drive safe. Who intends to drive recklessly? Accidents are usually just that—accidents. They are not the result of someone failing to remind someone to drive safe, or someone failing to obey that command.

I drive the 280 into downtown, soothed by the calm female voice telling me what turns to make. And then I am at Elijah’s apartment building.

I’m here. Can we just go for a drive?

For whatever reason, the thought of getting out of the car and ascending several floors to the one that is his sounds too daunting, as if I might collapse in the elevator for a security guard to find me.

Him: Ok, be right down

He appears at my car window a few minutes later. I can tell by the concerned look on his face that I must appear as unhinged as I feel. He goes around to the passenger’s side, and I unlock the door for him, then return my shaky hands to ten and two on the steering wheel. I have a flashback of my dad teaching me to drive:They say ten and two, but I’m a fan of eleven and two myself, sometimes just one hand on twelve if I’m feeling dangerous.