Greer: Are you thinking that you want to get back together with him?
Cora: No. We’re over. He signed the papers last night. Once he can do things on his own more, I’m out. Until then, I’ll interact with him with the bare minimum.
Greer: You’re a really good person.
Stella: Yeah, I’m glad I’m friends with you, because I would not be able to pay him the same respect.
Cora: Can you two just do me a favor and check on Keiko? I’m worried about her.
Greer: I had tea with her yesterday. She’s doing okay. Confused, I think. And with the baby throwing her emotions around, she’s unsure of what to do. She wants to support the both of you.
Cora: I would never make her choose.
Greer: Might help if you tell her that.
Cora: I will. Thanks for checking in.
Stella: Are you sure you’re going to be okay? Can we send you anything?
Cora: I’m good. Just working and trying not to spend too much time with my . . . ex-husband.
Bang!
Crash.
Groan.
I peel my eyes away from my computer as the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention.
“Fuck,” I hear muttered from downstairs, and I know Pike was trying to do something he shouldn’t be doing.
I rush downstairs and find him sprawled on the floor with the shattered remains of a glass scattered across the hardwood floors around him.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” I squat down next to him and he tenses.
“I’m fine.” He attempts to lift himself, but I know he’s weak. Weaker than I’ve ever seen him, and it’s because he’s tired, not resting like he should, given he’s short an arm and a leg.
“You’re not fine. What did you land on?” I attempt to assess him but he rolls to the side and sits up.
“Cora, just leave me alone.”
“Oh, sure, yeah. I’m going to leave you alone on the floor with shattered glass everywhere. Yup, I’ll get right on that.”
I walk over to the entryway closet and grab the broom and dustpan to start cleaning up the glass.
“I can do that,” he says stubbornly.
“Oh, can you?” I ask. “With one hand and one leg? I would love to see that. Please entertain me.” I hold out the broom to him. When he doesn’t get up—because he can’t—I say, “That’s what I thought. You can’t even get up without my help.”
He grumbles something under his breath but stays seated while I clean up the shattered glass. Once I’m done, I grab a reusable water bottle from the kitchen cabinet and fill it up with water. I take it over to him and say, “See how this has a loop? You can loop it through your fingers and still walk around with one crutch, not hop around like an idiot. And it won’t shatter if you drop it.” I reach down, help him to his feet, and then guide him back to the couch.
I set the water on the coffee table and say, “If you need anything, just text me.”
“You’re not my fucking maid.”
“I’m well aware what I am to you . . .”
His eyes flash up to mine, and I catch the anger in them, the frustration.
“You’re a lot more to me than what you think you are,” he says with a strained voice.
“Don’t even start with me on that bullshit, Pike. If I meant something to you, you never would’ve lied to me. And I’m not here to rehash what happened to us.”
“Then why the hell are you here?”
“To make sure you don’t hurt yourself any further than you already have.”
“Why?” he asks while leaning forward, his penetrating eyes piercing right through me. “You don’t have any obligations, so why stay? Unless there’s something else you want.”
“I want nothing from you,” I answer.
“Then leave.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not heartless,” I shout. “I might hate you, I might not even want to look at you, but I’m not an asshole. I’m not going to leave you here when you clearly need help. It might be painful just looking at you, but I’m not the type of person to leave someone in need.” I lift my chin higher, willing my eyes to stay clear and free of tears. “Now, do us both a favor—if you need something, ask. I don’t want to be cleaning up any more of your messes.”
I turn on my heel, and without another word, I head back up the stairs. When I reach my room, I shut the door behind me and then lean against it. I squeeze my eyes shut and slide all the way down to the floor.