Page 30 of The Accidental Text

“Gross!” I say loudly. Chelsea covers her mouth with her hand.

“No,” I say after a few seconds of silence. “Devon is right. We’re getting ahead of ourselves.”

“But they have a song,” Chelsea says. “That sounds more serious to me.”

“That’s true,” I say.

Silence lands on the room again.

“I think it’s crazy,” Devon says. “Mom’s only been gone four months.”

“I know,” Chelsea says, putting a hand on his arm. “But I read an article the other day that said widowed men who were in good relationships get remarried really fast. I didn’t think it was true in our case, but now …”

“You guys, he’s bringing a date to the party. Not a wife,” I say. “And as far as we’re supposed to know, she’s only a friend.”

We really are getting ahead of ourselves.

Devon runs his fingers through his thick brown hair. “I guess I don’t even want him bringing a date.”

We all nod solemnly at each other.

“I think we should just wait and see what happens,” Chelsea says.

Chapter 11

Chase:When will I stop counting time in days?

Ilook down at my phone, scrunching my brow. I’m currently sitting on the couch watching television as I eat a bowl of pralines and cream ice cream for dinner. It’s how I’m coping with my dad and June, and Robin and Dawson.

I need someone to talk to, but Hannah wasn’t here when I got home and when I asked her when she’d be here, she just sent back that I shouldn’t wait up. She’s been working on a case that’s kept her at the office late at night for the past week.

So I’ve been spending my night with ice cream and reruns ofSeinfeld.

I text a question mark back to Chase.

Chase:It’s been ten days since my mom died. Tomorrow will be eleven.

Maggie:Oh. Right. In my experience, it’s days, then weeks, and then months. Then years … I’m assuming. I haven’t gotten to the year part yet.

Chase:Is there anything else we count like this?

Maggie:Babies? That’s all I can think of.

Chase:So birth and death. Kind of interesting.

Maggie:I’d really never thought of that until right now.

Chase:I’m a thinker … sometimes.

I smile at my phone.

Maggie:How is day ten?

Chase sends me back the poop emoji. Such a fitting response.

Maggie:Sounds about right

Chase:I’m tired of feeling sad

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