In my heart, the James who belonged to me was already dead.
I slept on the recliner for a while.
When I woke up, the office was quiet. I called out James” a few times but got no response. When I pulled back the curtain, I found that James had left.
I smiled bitterly. This was probably for the best, saving us both from awkwardness.
So I got up to leave.
Otherwise, I’d be seen as ungrateful.
“James.”
Just as I was about to open the door, I heard a voice from outside.
I froze in fear, my heart racing.
Instinctively, I looked for a place to hide.
Just as I hid behind the curtain, the door was pushed open and a woman walked in: “James, Mom brought you lunch.”
“Oh, not here?”
Mrs. Sullivan sat down, habitually helping to tidy up the things on the desk: “My, the sun is so strong today.”
Saying this, she got up to close the curtains.
This made me, hiding behind the curtains, hold my breath, panicking. If I came out now, there would be no way to explain, and she never liked me anyway!
Just as Mrs. Sullivan grabbed the curtain-
“Mom, don’t close the curtains, it’s fine like this.”
Thankfully, James returned just in time.
Mrs. Sullivan turned around, “Where did you go?”
“Why did you bring two portions of food? The cafeteria food isn’t good. I had some free time today, so I made you something delicious. Eat quickly, before it gets cold”
James gave a noncommittal “Mm” and said, “Mom, if you have something to do, you can go.”
“What could I possibly have to do?”
Mrs. Sullivan sat down in the chair: “Tell me, didn’t your aunt introduce you to that music teacher last time? How’s it going?”
“Mom, I’m eating.”
“What’s wrong with eating? You can talk while eating.”
“What do you want me to say?”
O
