Page 30 of Come Apart

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I've been responding to her texts and calls, but not in the same way I used to.

I've been keeping a deliberate distance, trying to establish healthier boundaries now that Alyssa is in my life.

Was it enough to push her over the edge again?

I haven't been ignoring her.

Nor have I been rubbing Alyssa in her face, though I don't avoid mentioning her.

That feels wrong.

She's a big part of my life and I don't want to hide her. But Samantha's stuck in her parents' summer home.

With no job, no relationship that I know of.

Just a lot of fucking time to spiral.

Was there any indication? A word or a tone in a phone call, something odd in her texts?

I don't know.

All I know is she did it again.

And I didn't even register any warning signs.

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