a

a motel that smelled like Lem

of a robot. I called the bank. I called the landlord of our previous

ry legal tie I had to Etha

. We worked in the same building, just on di

s wr

when the doors slid open. Eth

delicate silver chain with a p

hitched in

n during our anniversary dinner two years ago. Ethan had slipped i

t made.

spark of malicious delight. She linke

than told me you moved out. T

his eyes fixed on the floor num

My voice sounded h

continued, smoothing her skirt. "Cele

ions," I sai

was too small. Her perfume was expens

losed. "You really should have taken better care of

said, but there was

" she shrugged. "

r stopped a

said, trying to

d in front o

rip. There was nothing to trip over

t, landing hard on

d to her, kneeling d

ered, pointing a manicured f

e lobby. Security

uch her," I

was twisted in anger. "Are you c

, I di

reating her like she was made of glass. "You

ided her toward the exit. "Let's g

dle of the lobby. People

gertips. It wasn't sadness. It was the death of

out m

ntacts. I scro

t bl

Instagr

Faceboo

stinctively brought with me. Photos of us in Paris. Photos of u

usted metal trash ca

t a

acken. I watched his smiling fa

was a text from a

says if you come near them again, he will fi

d at th

was painting me as the vill

to Maya. I dele

e last photo

nger. No pain. Just