Page 122 of Seven Days in June

“I’m serious,” said Eva. “Do you think this thing between us will ever wear off? Because I’m starting to feel like it won’t. And fighting it seems…”

“Pointless.”

Then there was silence, and Eva heard rustling on the other end of the line.

“The truth? I see you everywhere in your house. Everything smells like you. I hate walking out the door. Just wanna stay here, be surrounded by you.” Shane paused for a bit. When he spoke again, his voice was low. Slow. Like he was delivering a truth he was hesitant to admit.

“I’ve been roaming around forever, and I’ve never been anywhere I wasn’t itching to leave.”

When Eva hung up, she stared at the ceiling for what felt like forever. If given another opportunity, could she trust Shane not to leave?

Three days later…

9:10 a.m.

“Hi,” said Eva. They spoke first thing in the morning every day now. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, just on my way to coach basketball at the Brownsville YMCA.”

“Brownsville? Since when do you play basketball?”

“I don’t; I’m trash. But I came to a realization. I need to mentor kids. I was doing it wrong before, getting way too close. Trying to save them because I couldn’t save my foster family. Or you. It was unhealthy. With this, I just shout motivational shit from the sidelines, build some self-esteem, and go home. I mean…your home.”

“Sounds perfect for you,” she said. “Hey. Quick question. Would you come here if I asked?”

“You asking?”

Eva paused. This wasn’t healthy. No, they weren’t supposed to see each other. Wasn’t the whole point of breaking up to focus on themselves? Work through past trauma? Separately? But Eva couldn’t ignore the dissenting voice in her head wondering if maybe there was a chance they’d be stronger together.

Whatever curse had befallen her foremothers, Eva had broken it. She was in love with a man who embraced everything about her. She just didn’t know if she had enough faith to accept it.

“Well, if you needed me,” said Shane, “I’d come.”

That afternoon…

Audre was at a bonfire on Venice Beach, with her Summer Friends and The Boy. So fun, but the bonfire thing made no sense. It was almost ninety degrees. She had on a crop top, high-waisted cutoffs, and flip-flops. It was high summer. Why were they creating more heat? She loved California, but she’d never understand the way the natives thought.

Also, she missed her mom. They’d just chatted on the phone, and she’d sounded soserious. And distracted, as if she were speaking to Audre from galaxies away. Audre knew her mother, so she knew what was wrong. What was missing. And there was only one person who could help.

Audre scrolled through her phone and called the sneakiest person she knew.

Later that afternoon…

Today, 4:17 PM

CECE:Can you do me a favor?

SHANE:No.

CECE:I know it’s last minute, but I need a panelist for the Peachtree Book Festival in Atlanta.

SHANE:No.

CECE:Please? One of my authors got sick and I have no one to replace her. The organizers called me, specifically, and asked for a recommendation. It’d be SUCH a feather in my cap.

SHANE:But I’m not even an author anymore. I’ve given it up. I’m a full-time teacher and part-time basketball coach who can’t shoot free throws. Also, I’m house-sitting for Eva.

CECE:Come on. They’re paying for everything! It’s just a weekend. I won’t mention that you owe me your life.

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