Page 122 of Salty Pickle

I made the wrong choice.

He was more important than Matilda. I could have taken her to the spa. Maybe Kaliyah could have held onto her for a while.

Why didn’t I think of that before?

Then I sit up. Kaliyah. When he made the appointment, he called from his phone. They would have the number.

I quickly look up Wenova Wellness Spa and dial.

“This is Kristan.”

“Is Kaliyah there?”

“She’s off today. Can I help you?”

“I need the phone number off my account. I went there for a pedicure two weeks ago.”

“Oh?” She sounds skeptical.

“My name is Lucy. Lucy Brown.”

She taps.

“I don’t have a Lucy Brown.”

Right. He’d used his last name. “I meant Lucy Armstrong. What is the number for Lucy Armstrong?”

There’s no tapping this time. “I’m sorry, we don’t give out customer information.”

“But it’s my information!”

The silence continues.

Then Kristan hangs up!

The tears start again. Why couldn’t I get Kaliyah? She knows I’m legit.

Maybe it doesn’t matter. My situation with Court might not be fixable. I left him. I didn’t even tell him where I’d gone. I didn’t take the phone so he could call me.

My face burns hot. I want to throw up.

How can the best day of my life also be my worst?

I cry until I hiccup, then cry until I can’t see the room anymore.

The nurse comes to check on me, taking my vitals. “Feeling okay?”

“Tired.”

“It’s been a long day. You want me to dim the lights while your parents are away? Maybe you can get some sleep?”

I nod, and she does. Then the room is quiet again.

It’s just me and Julian. I wonder what he’s thinking. His world is suddenly volatile, too, the peaceful utopia suddenly squeezing him from all sides.

I’m so uncomfortable. I roll to the opposite side, away from the door, and look out the slice of window visible below the blinds. It’s dark outside. I’ve been here all day.

I hiccup-cry a little longer, but my mouth is so dry, it becomes yet another misery. I reach out for the cup of ice chips the nurse left behind, but they’re out of range of my fingers.

---