into the warmth. Light breaks the mood of the darkness, washing out the shadows. As I’m wondering who I’ll look out for each day, I see your reflection in the glass door as it closes. I turn, pleased.
ME
Hey. I thought you’d gone home.
YOU
Not yet.
MIA
I can drive you if you like.
I look from Mia to you.
ME
No, it’s okay.
I wait for your confirming nod.
We’ll walk.
We step out into the courtyard again, just the two of us. I glance back. Mia waves from the glowing window. She looks tiny surrounded by darkness. I stop to pull on my hat to keep out the chilly night air. You step in front of me and knot my scarf around my neck, reminding me of how Mia just buttoned my coat. You coax the scarf up around my face before walking on without a word. It felt nice. My expression changes but just for a second and I hope it’s too dark for you to see.
MY KITCHEN. THE NEXT WEEK. MORNIING.
First day of vacation. I slept in. I’m still trying to adjust to the idea of free days, never seeing Mia again, and the end of the play. The phone rings and it’s you. We talk, me sitting cross-legged and recalling, as I look out the window, that Mia could still someday show up expectedly.
YOU
How are you? I thought you might need cheering up.
ME
So did I!
Maybe you can hear the relief in my voice. And the surprise.
But I’m okay.
And I really mean it. There’s a pause at your end, and when you speak again, you sound cheered.
YOU
Great. I’m really glad. That’s great. So, maybe we could get together soon.
ME
Sure. Sounds great.
You pretend to laugh and then you really are laughing. You say “great” once more for luck before hanging up the phone.
MY FRONT DOORSTEP. SOON AFTER.
I’m picking up the mail when I see a shape through the frosted diamond of stained glass in the entranceway. The doorbell rings and there’s a distorted you. I falter. I wasn’t expecting you so soon. When you said “get together” I didn’t realize you meant right now. I feel something like happiness and self-consciousness—I’m still not dressed—rolled into one. I open the door.
ME
Hi. I didn’t know you were coming.
Your smile flickers.
YOU
Sorry. I guess I should have been clearer.
ME
No harm done.
I tug my T-shirt down awkwardly and step aside. You follow me in.
MY BEDROOM. SOON AFTER.
I sweep some clothes off my bed, then sit down and tuck my knees up under my chin. You sit beside me, strangely far away—as far as the furniture will allow. Still trying to compensate for my surprise at your arrival, I salute cheerfully.
ME
Ahoy there, matey.
No smile.
Is something wrong?
You shake your head but your eyes say otherwise.
YOU
Phyre …
You never use my name like that! Something’s definitely up.
… I’m glad to have you back.
I keep quiet in case you’re going to go on. Now that Mia’s gone? I shift, embarrassed.
ME
I never really went away.
I’m lying, I know, and you’re still looking at the floor. I give you another minute and still you don’t speak.
ME
What is it? Have I done something?
You’re shaking your head and with sudden exasperation you stand.
YOU
I give up.
Now I’m really confused.
ME
What do you mean?
You’re more intense than I’ve ever seen you.
YOU
I keep … for some reason, thinking that … you finally get it. And every time, you make it really clear that you don’t!
You fix me with a stare and see that I’m as confused as ever.
You still don’t know?
ME
Know what?
YOU
God, Phyre, you can be so stupid. All you see is Mia, Mia, Mia.
You’re at the door.
And all I see is you.
…
…
…
We’re silent. I …
For the first time, you almost smile. Ruefully.
YOU
I’m pretty sure I don’t want to be you. And that can only mean I want to kiss you.
…
ME
… You … never said!
YOU
I tried.
I see you standing there, so much older than in my head.
And then what?
ME
Well, I could have … have …
I fade out. You say something else, that this is what you were afraid of. And when I look up—
You’re gone.
Since that conversation—one week, five days, and three hours. I’ve called you every day. You haven’t called me back. I can see it now. You were always there, every time I needed you. I can’t help wondering if you felt as invisible as I did with Mia, but I can’t know if you won’t talk to me …
THE STREET. EVENING.
The sky is dark and heavy but my mind is made up. I’m not even out the door when the rain comes,