Page 44 of Quiet Beautiful Things

I shake my head. “Spam.”

Ellie: I suppose. But miraculously, I’ve managed to keep my number off the spam lists. And this particular call seems to come right around the same time every day. But it’s strange, because everyone who knows me knows I can’t answer a call unless it’s a video one.

Me: I’m sure it’s a robocall. It’s impossible to stay off the spam lists forever.

The check gets delivered and after Makenna takes my payment tableside, I get up and offer Ellie my elbow. “Shall we?”

She appraises it longer than I hoped she would, but then she stands and weaves her arm around mine. Those same nerve endings come to life again, as if they’re dormant unless she’s touching me.

As soon as I start the car, I turn on the radio. Loud. And find a song with lots of bass. She cracks a smile and places her palm on the speaker.

Thirty minutes later, my ears ringing, I pull into her parking lot and turn off the music.

“Thanks for dinner,” she signs, and goes for the door.

I put a hand on her arm, urging her to wait, then I get my phone.

Me: You said you were afraid earlier. You’re afraid of us being good together?

She shakes her head. Then she shrugs.

I’m confused. Then it dawns on me that maybe she’s afraid of falling for me.

I turn on the overhead light. “Ellie, have you been hurt by a man before? Other than your birth father?”

She shakes her head again.

“Have you had long-term relationships?”

Ellie: I’ve had boyfriends. Never relationships really.

What does that even mean? I’m not one to speak. I’ve never had one either. Did she sleep her way through school like I did? Or is it something else? She used the word abandoned when mentioning her father. Does she have abandonment issues?

Ellie: Don’t read too much into that, Blake. School was my sole focus for a long time.

“Go out with me again,” I say, putting my hand on top of hers.

She pulls away to sign, “Good idea?”

“Hell yes it’s a good idea. Didn’t you have fun tonight?”

Ellie: I did. What I mean is do you think it’s a good idea because of Maisy.

Me: Come on, El. You didn’t get where you are today without taking chances. Go dancing with me. It’ll be no big deal. We’ll go back to White Plains. I promise it’ll be fun. We’ll go someplace loud.

I put down my phone, plug my ears with my fingers, open my mouth wide, and blink my eyes.

She snorts quick bursts of air through her nose in laughter. “Okay,” she signs.

“Yes!” I shout, turning away, embarrassed about my childish excitement.

Ellie: Under one condition. You call Dallas and tell him about Maisy.

It’s something I’ve dreaded doing for two weeks. I didn’t want him to hear about it from anyone but me, but I know it’ll hurt him. Still, I know I have to. And Ellie is right. It’s time. “Okay,” I sign.

She smiles and nods.

“Can I walk you in?”

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