“I’m sorry you’re stuck in that cage,” Maribelle said to Adam, lowering her voice. “You know Judith’s trying to get that changed.”
YES
“Maybe soon, okay?” she said.
I TRUST YOU
Something caught in Maribelle’s throat. She made herself smile.
Tap, tap, tap on the keys.
BEAUTIFUL
She looked up from the screen. “What?” A pause. “Oh. Me? You mean me?”
YES
“Uh, thanks. Thank you.”
NICE
“Um, thanks.”
FRIEND
“Yes,” she said, nodding. “Yes, I am.”
Those eyes were staring straight into her now. She found herself wanting to slide back just a little from the bars. But she didn’t.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
DO I FRIGHTEN YOU
“What? Oh, no. No, of course not.”
YES I DO
“Maybe a little,” she said. Then: “I’m sorry.”
He grunted, typed.
NEVER HURT MARIBELLE
“Yeah,” she said. “I know that.”
FRIENDS
“Yes, we are.”
MARIBELLE AND JUDITH
“Yes.”
He paused, watching her. At one instant she felt she was looking at a beast, just like in a zoo. Then the next, with the expression on his face—yes, he had a face—and the look in those eyes, she knew beyond a doubt that she was looking at a man. A man in beast’s clothing.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
THANK YOU
“For what?” she asked.
YOU CARE
“Of course I do,” she said.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY
“Why I care?” she asked.
BUT I WILL NOT FORGET
Maribelle smiled at him.
“You’re welcome, Adam,” she said.
