Page 57 of Absolute Certainty
I do. He’s a goofball and the sweetest man I know.
JAY
How does it feel being far from your parents, from the kid’s point of view? It’s gonna kill me when Ellie goes back home to Philly.
Her heart broke then. She couldn’t imagine what it must’ve been like from his perspective, or how it had been for her parents.
SAHAR
I’m so sorry, Jay. I can’t imagine. I never thought of it from a parent’s point of view until now. But I suppose we all leave someday, don’t we? It was tough adjusting at first, but I talk to them almost every day. Being older probably helped them. I’m sure Eloise misses you a lot, too.
JAY
I almost hope she doesn’t so it’s easier on her than it is on me.
God.Sahar wanted so desperately to be beside him now—to hold his hand and tell him everything would be okay. But would it be? She had no clue how he felt; how could she comfort him through it?
Another text came as she was about to answer.
JAY
Do you ever plan on moving back to London?
SAHAR
I don’t know. When I’m not in a long running show, I go back at least twice a year, but I think I was meant to live here in NY.
Is there a way you could visit Eloise more frequently than every two weeks?
JAY
I’m going to have to do everything in my power to. I need to get out of the damn coffee shop, but it pays the bills.
SAHAR
Not sure how good I am at manifesting things, but putting it out there again that I believe this show can succeed, snag some Emmys, and get you deals left and right. It’s what you deserve.
JAY
The way you love this show never fails to stun me. Thank you.
SAHAR
I really do love it. Always remember, when everyone’s screaming your name, I was its biggest fan first.
JAY
I couldn’t forget that even if I tried, sunshine.
Sunshine.The fourth time. Fuck.
What if she took advantage of the moment—asked him a thousand questions like what his favorite songs were, and if he ever cried? She wanted to know his favorite color and whether he preferred lakes or beaches. She wanted to know his favorite food. His earliest memory. She wanted to make sure his terrible father could never come near him again. But before she could ask anything, another text came through.
JAY
Can I ask you something personal?
You can ask me anything,she wanted to say. Her hand cramped texting like this, but she refused to stop. Not now. Not when things were getting interesting. She rolled to her side, holding up her phone against the mattress.
