Page 126 of Tarek

PENNY

As Tarek’s car bends the corner, I head back into my home. Unlike before, evidence of Tarek is everywhere. His unopen pack of cigarettes rests on the table, his gold and emerald green tie is thrown on the chair back. I wander into the kitchen, I open my cupboard, before, it would have been empty or with some cans of tuna or canned peas. Now I have neat, clear plastic containers, each meticulously labeled. My spices aren’t in their original bottles now they are lined up in uniformed glass bottles. The olive oil stands in a clear glass dispenser. If I opened the fridge it would look like the inside of a glossy magazine spread, pristine and curated.

I glance to my left and my eyes land on his chef’s knife roll. Slowly I unroll it letting my fingers glide over the handles, tracing the sharp edges of the blades he cares for.

I sigh, he is everywhere. Every corner of this house feels like him. I can even smell his cologne in the air.

“I can’t stay here,” I whisper to no one.

My fingers press the start of the coffee machine that Tarek bought.

Lazily I slump onto the sofa, my finger trembles as I grab the phone. I dial the number that has been calling mine for the last few months.

“This is Jeremiah,” a voice answer, smooth and deep.

I exhale sharply, gripping the phone like my life depended on it. “This is Penelope Holt.”

A dark chuckle comes over the phone. “You’re calling to say find another person I gather.”

“No.” My voice is unsteady. “I am calling to say, I can be there on Wednesday. Will that be too soon?”

“Fabulous. I will have my assistant send you the contracts via email. You won’t regret working with us.” Jeremiah Douglas sounded jovial. A juxtaposition to me where my world is crashing all around me.

“Thank you. I look forward to seeing you,” I manage to say. We talk for some more minutes, I hang up.

My phone buzzes immediately.

Tarek

I miss you already. I love you.

Me

I miss you too. I love you.

My heart cracks as I delete the text. Eventually I will block his number and move on. He deserves someone better. My phone vibrates again, and this time it’s my brother.

I answer, but nothing is coming out of my mouth, just tears rolling down my face.

“Hey brat. You want to have lunch with me today?” Archer asks.

All I could muster was, “Archie.” My breath hitches as I choke.

My brother’s tone goes from goofy to serious and protective. “I am coming, Penny. Just sit tight.”

I hang up the phone and curl up on the sofa feeling like my life was ending.

It doesn’t take long for Archer to get to my house. He walks into my living room scooping me up in his arms like the big brother that he is.

“What’s wrong Wenny Penny?” he asks pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

“I gotta go Archie. I gotta go,” I scream into his chest. Between my sobbing I tell him all the things that happen over the past month and my plans for the future. From the mean doctors’ diagnosis to Tarek’s declaration of love. I show him my necklace and I cry harder as I remember the night before.

Archer holds me tighter, his voice calm. “It’s okay, Penny. Anywhere you go, I will always be your brother.”

As always, my brother’s presence was the lifeline I cling to as my world crumbles.

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