I walked into Steam & Maple like I was trying to disappear into the steam. The place smelled like burnt sugar and wet wood, that thick cozy stink that makes city people pretend they are somewhere softer. She was where I left her in my head, same corner table, hoodie up, no makeup, fingers curled around a cup gone cold enough to have forgotten it was ever hot.
"Didn't think you'd actually reply," I said, sitting down opposite her. My voice sounded too loud in that small space.
"Didn't think you'd actually show." She kept her eyes low. They looked like someone had taken a flashlight to the inside of her skull and left it on. Her hands would not stop moving, rubbing little circles on the rim of the cup like they could wipe the inside of her out.
