Page 126 of Come Apart
"No," I say.
"Hmm... she probably signed on after this space thing. But it's good. She's excited about it."
I press the phone into my ear. "Do you think you can talk to her?"
"And do what?"
"Make sure she's doing okay."
"No way," Laurie says. "I'm not getting in between you two."
"Don't," I say. "Just make sure she's okay."
"Don't be such a guy. Talk to her. I'm sure there's a little more to this than your ex."
What?
"Laurie—"
"Okay, maybe I invented a little backstory in my head. But it was exciting to imagine some kind of crazy fight." She takes a deep breath. "Alyssa is a really reasonable person. I don't think she would leave you hanging if she didn't believe she had to."
I thunk my head against the wall.
"Yeah."
"Maybe I'm wrong and it's just the ex. And all you need to do is cut ties and you'll be okay."
"You sure she didn't say anything?"
"Yeah." Her voice gets higher, reassuring. "But you're a smart guy. I'm sure you can figure it out. Think about what you did, admit you fucked things up, and then unfuck them. Or at least send her some sexy pics or something. You need to use your assets to your advantage."
"Sage words."
"I know," she says. "I should write an advice column."
"Thanks, Laurie."
"Don't fuck it up any worse," she says. And she hangs up the phone.
It's not the most comforting suggestion.
But it's fair enough advice.
