Page 97 of Our Long Days
Dex: How’s your arm?
It’s almost midnight, so her immediate response surprises me.
Florence: It’s fine. I’m staying at Jo’s tonight with the girls.
Dex: Will you be home tomorrow?
Florence: At the A-frame, yes.
I swallow my indignation.
Dex: My parents arrive in the afternoon. I can set them up in the main house.
Florence: Don’t do that. I’ll stay in one of the guest rooms.
Dex: Can I call you?
I wait for what seems an eternity for her reply.
Florence: No. I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s late. I’m going to get some sleep.
Dex: Good night.
There’s no response after that.
She’s with the girls.
She’s safe.
She deserves better.
The next day, I throw myself into work. For once, Florence listens and doesn’t show. Tonight, however, there’s no avoiding her. It’s Jo and Pat’s rehearsal dinner. After clocking off early, Irun errands for the bride and groom until it’s time to get showered and changed for the evening.
The group chat has been blowing up all day. Florence was pretty silent, sending the odd emoji or thumbs up. I missed her jifs—or gifs, whatever she called them. I still had no clue what they were or where to find them, but I fucking missed them.
I missed her, despite having no right to.
After my shower, I come back to find a long thread of instructions from the maid of honor, the latest regarding this evening’s dress code.
Harriet: T-minus two hours. Don’t be late, or I will hurt you. As per the bride and groom’s request, anyone not dressed appropriately will be turned away. This is a rehearsal dinner. Rehearse being fancy. No knitted sweaters, bike shorts, or flannel.
Harriet: You know who you are.
Graham: I’d like to appeal.
Booth: Rude. Who signed off on this?
Johanna: Me.
Patrick: And me.
Aly: Definitely me. Point two specifically.
Quinn: Everyone is going to look fantastic!
An hour later, my hands shake as I secure the top button on my shirt. It’s either withdrawal from not seeing her or nerves that I’m about to. I scrutinize my hearing aid in the ceramic dish on my dresser.
My phone vibrates in my pocket—this time not from the group chat.
