Wordle by Wordle: Day 15
Monday, Jan 15, 2024
Wordle #940 - LUNCH
We chat about our pets for a bit, then about TV shows, books, restaurants. It’s the kind of conversation we would’ve had when we first met—What do you like? What don’t you? Can we get along? It’s small stuff, but I don’t mind. Small stuff is easy, safe.
It’s only when Bree insists that “we should totally get lunch sometime” but really means “let’s wrap this up” that I realize how long I’ve stayed. She walks me to the entryway where I pause to put on my cardigan.
“Hey, thanks for having me over,” I say. A bit pointedly, I’ll admit.
“No, thank you, Cece.” She pulls me into another fluttery hug. “You’re such a good listener.”
“Sure. Keep me updated on—”
The words stick in my throat like a price tag on the bottom of a jar.
On the console table behind Bree, sitting in a long wooden key tray, are Roy’s AirPods—an emoji of an alien engraved on the case. Roy was obsessed with The X-Files as a teen and grew up to be a full-on believer, though he’d never admit it. He’d also never admit that it was my Scully-red hair that first attracted him to me, but I have my suspicions. I suddenly have a lot of suspicions…
“Aren’t those Roy’s?” I ask, though I know they are. Bree looks over her shoulder to see what I’m pointing at.
“Yes?” Her expression says, “So what?”
“Roy won’t even take a crap without his AirPods, much less go on a trip.” It’s a bit of an exaggeration, but not really. Roy listens to Planet Money like podcasts are his oxygen. I’ve probably seen him cry more times than I’ve seen him leave the house without headphones.
“Maybe he forgot them?” Bree offers hopefully, but not even she believes it. She worries at her bottom lip, wearing a look that pleads for me to reassure her. But I can’t.
Roy didn’t leave of his own accord—he’s gone missing.
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