Page 547 of The Sinner: James

We laugh.

“You know what I mean,” she says.

“Yes, I do.”

I pause.

“It’s not that bad. I finally got to live my dream.”

“Uh... Your dream?”

“Yes. Spending time in a beautiful, serene place, writing books. I’m almost done with my current project. I also had time to think about my life and all the things I hope to do in the future.”

“How’s James?”

“He’s good.”

I stay silent.

“That’s it? Where is he?”

“In Europe.”

“Has he come home since you visited him last month?”

“No.”

She doesn’t comment.

“Turns out I was right,” I say. “The fact that he had to fly to me and I had to go to him put unnecessary stress on him and didn’t help him. It’s better this way.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Have you talked to him recently?”

“Yes. We talk on the phone all the time.”

“When was the last time you talked to him?”

“Four or five days ago. Um... Last Sunday.”

She stays quiet while I take another sip of lemonade and pick up a slice of pineapple from a plate.

I pop it into my mouth.

“Is that how often you two talk?” she asks after a few more moments.

“We talk once a week, at least.”

“Okay.”

“What?”

“Aren’t you nervous about this whole distance relationship thing?”

I suck in a long breath.

---