Forget Me Not by Alexandra Oliva

Author:Alexandra Oliva [Oliva, Alexandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2021-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

14.

“Grab your things and come on,” says Anvi. “We can at least get you as far as my apartment.” Linda watches Anvi’s eyes slide over her. “And you should probably put on some pants.”

The urgency in her voice dazes Linda into compliance. She walks into her bedroom to change into fresh clothing. Anvi waits by the CircleTread.

“When did you get all this?” calls Anvi.

Linda pulls on a pair of pants. “Monday.”

“Is that what you’ve been doing since we got back?”

Linda hesitates, sensing an opportunity. She slips on a fresh camisole and long-sleeved T-shirt, then steps back into the room. “Yes.” Her cheeks redden with the half-truth. “I’m sorry I didn’t text you back sooner,” she adds. They’re difficult words to say, even though she means them.

“Did you think I was angry?” Anvi touches Linda’s arm. “Just because instantaneous communication is possible doesn’t make it mandatory. Always feel free to take your sweet time.” She smiles. “I’m just sad I missed baby’s first VR bender.” The smile fades as she looks down. “What happened to your feet?”

Linda follows her eyes to the split blisters and crusted blood. Red smears cover the floor, as well as the seat of her nest chair’s cushion. “I walked too far in those,” she says, gesturing toward the boots.

“Yikes. You can clean up at my place. Do you have a bag? What else do you need?”

Linda picks up her Sheath and straps it on. The screen is flush with texts, and it looks like most are from Anvi. She grabs her jacket and sneakers. “I don’t need anything else.” Linda locks the door and follows Anvi over to her apartment. Anvi waves her inside, looking warily toward the elevator. Linda is touched by her concern, but she doesn’t share it. Over the years she’s noticed that true vitriol and threats of violence tended to stay online. Even the woman who spat at her last summer hadn’t tracked her down from her publicized address but was a familiar face from across the street. In fact, no one did anything in response to Linda’s address being made public last year—no one except Arthur, who made her move. Truly, that’s what concerns her the most right now: that Arthur will shuffle her to yet another apartment that could never feel like home. This nascent friendship with Anvi—if that’s indeed what this is—is bound to be snuffed out as soon as they’re no longer neighbors.

There are fewer plastic crates in Anvi’s apartment than last time, and scattered clutter—dishes, books, electronic knickknacks—makes the space look more lived in. Nibbler is curled in a dog bed in the corner. He lifts his head just enough to look at Linda before groaning and settling back in. She thinks of fictional Pickles, dead—and then she thinks of Chrono the fox. She thinks of Arthur telling her one of her favorite memories isn’t real.

It strikes her suddenly that Emmer isn’t in her Christmas memory. She was young, young enough that Emmer should be there. This realization rocks Linda.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.