Page 49 of The Now in Forever
“Oh my God, what happened?” I lead her away from the broken glass. “Are you okay?”
Anh shows me the screen of her phone. “No. I’m not okay. Look, look at this.”
It’s Melissa’s Instagram account. There is a picture of her looking rosy-cheeked and happy sitting next to a beautiful Latino woman with gorgeous chestnut hair, a pristine aquamarine pool behind them, cocktails held up in a cheers. The caption reads, “I am beyond grateful this incredible human was born on this day twenty-six years ago. You are the love of my life, the light of my days, the star of my nights. I’m so excited I get to do this life with you.”
Yikes.I’m stunned and also thankful I’m not on any of these sites. Chad probably posts all the time.
“You need to unfollow her.”
Anh nods and grabs the champagne, taking a swig right from the bottle and sitting on the floor in her beautiful gown. “I know. I know. I should. But the thing is, then I won’t see them—see her. I won’t know what’s going on in her life anymore.”
I check the time. We’re supposed to meet Ed downstairs in two minutes. Anh’s mascara is running down her cheeks. I send a quick text.
Running late. We’ll meet you at the party.
I take the champagne from Anh and set it to the side. “You won’t know. But is knowing making you happy?”
Anh sighs. “No.”
I go to the little Keurig machine and put in a hot chocolate pod.
“It’s a connection, but it’s not real.” I offer Anh a hand, helping her to her feet. I lead her to the bathroom, wet a washcloth, and wipe off her face where the mascara and eyeliner have run. Anh closes her eyes, and I can see her shoulders relax.
“Plus, who says ‘do this life’? You don’t need that hippy yolo shit blocking up your feed.”
Anh snickers at this. “She did start to get pretty woo-woo toward the end there. Our apartment had so many crystals.”
“Hey, don’t knock the crystals.”
Anh laughs, a real laugh this time. “I forgot you like those, too.”
I finish washing Anh’s face, and she opens her eyes, looking much calmer than before.
“Now, do you want to do your makeup again, or would you like to get out of this dress and into the fluffy robe behind you?”
“Robe, please.”
I nod. “I’ll just text Ed and tell him we’re not coming.”
“No,” Anh says, her face stern. “I’m staying.Youare going.”
“If you’re not, I’m not. I’ll make another mug of hot chocolate, and we can watch whatever housewives you want.”
“Look at you in that dress.” Anh grabs my hand and twirls me for emphasis. “You can’t miss the party. You’ll meet all sorts of publishing people and become the famous writer you’re destined to be.”
She smiles as she slips out of her dress and into the robe. “Look at me talking about destiny. I can be woo-woo too. Please go. I’ll be fine.” She clicks a few things on her phone and turns it to show me. “See, unfollowed. Already doing better.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You look so amazing; you can’t waste it. I’m fine. I might even start one of the books for Story Club.”
I hug Anh tightly. “If you need me, I will be back in a flash.”
“I know, honey. Go have fun.”
WINTER SOLSTICE
TEN YEARS AGO
