Chapter 55

WILLOW

I can’t tellyou if it’s been a minute or an hour, but Sandy gently knocks at the door.

“Listen, dear, we should talk about it all,” she says through the door.

I wipe my face and nod. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you have more people to meet. I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Can you unlock the door?”

I twist the lock and Sandy opens the door. “I’m not worried about anyone else right now. Are you okay?”

“Oh, me? Yeah. I’m fine. What you just saw? That was nothing. That was a miscommunication.”

“Doesn’t seem like you…” Sandy frowns. “You know, when college kids call here or take a tour, I cringe. We’re a little pricey, for good reason. You don’t seem to be that type. And I do recognize Knox.”

“Hockey fan, huh?”

“Guilty.”

“Well, like I said, I’ll get out of your hair now.”

“Or you can tell me what’s going on,” Sandy offers. “I’m a stranger. Vent away. I’d offer you wine, but I know you can’t have any. So we can get some diet sodas and something to eat. Sit right here in the middle of the floor. I could use a break anyway.”

“That’s very nice of you, Sandy. But you are a stranger. I’m not sure I can just…”

“Right. I might put it online. Or I might call some reporter. I’ll give them the scoop.”

“There’s no scoop,” I say. “At least I don’t think so. Not sure anyone cares about my story. I’m in my last year of college, I’m still undecided on just about everything, and I got pregnant by a hockey player.” I pause. Don’t do it… “And he just stormed out of here when things got too serious!”

My voice crackles at the end of that sentence.

Sandy inches closer to me and touches my shoulders. “Sounds like a lot going on.”

“He wanted to be here,” I say. “To look at this place. Not me. I didn’t say a thing about this step. Getting off campus together? Getting a place together? Never once did I mention it. Or even hint at it. And then he pulls this out of his back pocket? For what?”

“Okay, dear,” Sandy says. “Why don’t you come with me? Huh? We have a fully furnished apartment on the first floor. Somewhere to sit and think and talk.”

I can’t believe I nod at the insane idea.

But… honestly… I’m wondering what choice I have at this point…

Do I call Violet to come get me? Or just get a ride home?

What about Ruby? What about Mila?

Actually, I feel more inclined to call Vera… she’s older. She understands more.

A part of me feels like I’m living through an intense crash course in life after college.

Believe me, I get it, I did this all to myself.

And I love this baby inside me. I love the fluttering feelings. I love the little kicks I feel. I’m very happy the morning sickness is all gone, even if it’s replaced by the constant urge to pee. It’s all here. It’s all happening.

And where am I?

I’m following some property manager… landlady… some strange woman…

Because I feel like she’s the only one I can talk to.

I think about my family for a second too.

My brother? He’s still dealing with rehab. Well, recovery.

My father…

I can talk to him. I’ve always been able to talk to him.

But this? This situation?

Now I’m on the first floor of the apartment building and Sandy is opening the door to another apartment.

For all I know this woman is a psycho… like some kind of thriller or horror movie. Where she lures people into an apartment and then tortures and dismembers them…

Sandy smiles as me. “See? Fully furnished. And it’s not often used. There’s a gentleman from New York who kind of keeps this place on a type of retainer. I like to hide here when life gets crazy for me.”

“Crazy? Oh, I’m really good at crazy right now.”

Sandy nods. “We all are, Willow. Believe me. We all are.”

For some reason that comment makes me feel comfortable.

A part of me hopes Knox comes back and realizes I’m not in the empty apartment where he left me. A part of me wants to text him that I’m alone with Sandy in some furnished apartment. Just to see if he gets worried. Gets scared. Just to see if even cares at all.

I turned away from Sandy and stare at the door.

I’m not going to run off.

I just don’t want to cry in front of a stranger.