18

I stared at the arrangement, trying to think of who would have sent them.

I didn’t like any of the conclusions I had come up with.

“Are you sure they’re mine?”

I could tell the question surprised her.

With a smile, she said, “Your name is on the card, so I think they’re for you.”

I thanked her and took the vase, placing it next to my computer. My purse went in the bottom drawer, and I put on the headset.

I didn’t open the envelope.

I wasn’t ready.

Instead, I sucked in a deep breath and rested my fingers on the keyboard, my thumb gently tapping the space bar but not hard enough to actually press it down. My body tensed. The tips of my toes ground into the bottom of my shoes.

It was time.

I hit the key that would connect the incoming call and said, “Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”

“I’ve been in a car accident. I’m on the corner of Huntington Avenue and Cumberland Street. No one is hurt, but both cars are pretty banged up.”

My chest loosened.

Air slowly made its way through my lips