Page 4 of David's Chase

They’re all from Terry.

Can you imagine that?

Terry: Chloe called. She said she talked to you, and then you went silent. Please tell me you’re all right.

Terry: Liz?

Terry: Okay… I assume you’re asleep. Chloe and I chatted about the wedding, and I told her you must’ve been exhausted and fallen asleep.

I’m sure that didn’t work.

Chloe rarely buys that kind of flimsy explanation. She knows me well.

I move farther down.

Terry: Liz? I've called you several times. Please get back to me when you receive these messages. I’m worried sick, but I’m not ready to alert everybody else or call the police. I can’t imagine something bad happened to you. And honestly, I'd hop into my car and come check on you if I didn’t hate waking you and facing your resentful face. I just want to make sure you’re all right. Please call.

Her messages are increasingly panicked, and I glance at the time before I type.

It’s not even six o’clock in the morning.

Me: Everything’s fine. Sorry about that. Fell asleep. My phone was powered off. We’ll talk.

I’m hoping she’s asleep, and my message will find her when she wakes up.

Her reply arrives immediately.

Terry: Thank God. I couldn’t get a wink of sleep. You know me. Lol. Talk to you later. Get some rest.

Me: I sure will.

I feel bad. Ugh. Why did she have to call her? I don’t blame Chloe. I would’ve probably done the same.

My phone pings with another notification.

Terry: Don’t forget to call Chloe and tell her you’re all right. And also, we’re invited to Thea’s house this afternoon. We can go together if you want to, or I can meet you there. Just let me know which way it is.

Me: I’ll stop by your place first.

Terry: Good.

I switch my focus to Chloe.

Checking the time again, I realize I could call her. But then, she might want to have a video chat, and I don’t want that right now, so I type a message instead.

Me: …

My fingers hover.

What should I tell her?

I suffered an attack of narcolepsy and fell asleep in the middle of the conversation?

I have to come up with something believable.

In the meantime, I need to leave this place and head home.

Me: Can I call you in twenty minutes?

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