Page 46 of Absolute Certainty
“I did.”
“Yay! We both had fun. When are you coming to Grandma’s tomorrow?”
“I can be there whenever you want. I’m off the whole day.”
“Can you come early so that you can help me with the next level?”
“Sure can,” he promised.
She squealed again. “Yay! Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow. Grandma set up beds for me and Mary. We’re going to sleep in a fort in the living room.”
Jay let out a small laugh. “That sounds perfect. Sweet dreams, baby. I love you.”
Eloise nearly screamed, “I love you,”then hung up. He set his phone down and after shifting his pillows around to find a comfortable position, he openedThe Wolf Ladyto its first page.
He texted Sahar after finishing the first chapter because even though it was too early to tell, he couldn’t figure out why this was one of her favorites.
JAY
Okay, I read the first chapter of The Wolf Lady. I can’t for the life of me figure out what got you hooked.
He knew that Sahar wouldn’t respond for a while, so he continued reading, squinting to fight the tiredness in his eyes because he was determined to keep going.
After a while, his phone buzzed beside him, and he looked down at her name, lighting up his screen.
SAHAR
Once again, I must remind you of the nostalgia of it all. But okay, here’s the full story: I stumbled upon it accidentally in the library when I was 12, and I picked it up because I thought it’d be an easy read (since it’s short and all). My parents had a rule that I had to read 3 books a week if I wanted to keep up with dance. I loved it so much I begged my mum to let my rereads count for the 3. I read that book 3 times in the same week because I was so obsessed, Jay! It’s the farthest thing from a love story. I realize it’s not on brand for me, but the way they just hold hands and walk away (spoiler?!), and I don’t know. I think about whether they’ve made it. I think about what they’re doing now—how all those events must have changed them and shaped their lives as adults. There’s a sequel, but I was always scared to read it because what if it ruined that last scene? I just really wanted to protect them. They were just kids, a little broken and sad and lonely, and I wanted them to be happy. I think that’s why it’s stuck with me, despite how long it's been.
Jay laughed, not in a mocking way, but because he could hear Sahar through her text. He could feel her passion and sincerity. He understood it—the need to protect damaged, lonely kids.That fully made sense, and maybe if he hadn’t been tired, he would’ve picked up on its theme.
JAY
Jesus, that’s precious.
I’ll continue reading.
Three dots appeared right away.
SAHAR
You don’t have to! If it’s not gripping you please don’t force yourself. I’d hate for you to feel like you’ve wasted time. Give me Henry and Katherine updates instead.
JAY
I want to. I’m now curious to see where it goes. And I’ve written a good chunk. Once I reread it tomorrow and ensure it makes sense, I’ll email them over.
SAHAR
?? looking forward to it.
Jay liked the text and smiled to himself. He’d find any excuse known to man to continue talking to her, but now that he knew the crux of why the book affected her, he was more interested in reading it with that perspective in mind.
He could see traces of it in the first three chapters, sprinkled chunks of fractured kids trying to find themselves amid all the pressure and cards stacked against them. Whatever scene got to her the most, he wanted to understand the importance of that, too.
Jay stayedup readingThe Wolf Ladylast night, breezing through it even though he’d been exhausted. It was short and intriguing, and by the time he reached the end, he could fully tell why it had impacted Sahar. It was heartbreaking and messy, yet consistently hopeful throughout, and the ending cemented what growth often looked like in the face of grief for young people.
He could probably give the book to Eloise when she was older. Maybe she’d like it, too.
