217 I Have Nothing to Do with Her

As Emily’s pregnancy progressed, she felt increasingly fatigued.

She had been in the attic all day, reading. She was so tired that she lay on the bed, listening to Mr. Satan’s gentle, deep voice, and eventually fell asleep.

When she woke up in the morning, she realized the call had lasted all night. Her phone was warm in her hand.

Hearing her stir, Mr. Satan said softly, "Awake?"

Emily rubbed her hair, a bit embarrassed, and brought the phone closer to her ear. "I fell asleep. Why didn’t you hang up?"

"I didn’t want to," Mr. Satan said. "I like hearing you breathe. It makes me feel happy."

Emily walked to the window and looked down. The familiar streetlight below was no longer accompanied by the car.

He wasn’t there.

"My grandmother asked me to come home this morning," Mr. Satan said. "Her driver will come to pick you up shortly. Get ready; he should be arriving soon."

Emily asked, "How is your grandma’s condition?"

"Grandma?" Mr. Satan sounded very pleased. "Yesterday, you called her