She wasn’t sure why she should, but she did. But unless he gave her a reason, she wasn’t going to stay. She brushed past him at the doorway, before descending the stairs. She walked past the table with the house keys and decided against grabbing them. There was only one key she needed, and she had it. She barely pulled the door open before Matt shut it.
“Liz, you can’t leave. Let me help you heal, let me help you remember. You’re not just leaving me, you’re taking my wife with you.”
“You can’t keep me here,” she hesitated. “Besides, I’m sure if she wanted to see you, she would have been back by now.”
Matt stared at her, his expression a mixture of pain and disappointment. He slowly released the door and backed away.
* * *
Liz’s driver pulled up on a narrow street, lined with mid-level apartment buildings. Marcus hadn’t invited her, but she texted him when she left and said she was on her way over. He had sounded hesitant for a moment but then gave her the address to give the cab driver.
“Liz, I’m glad you’re here. Uh, come in. He stepped aside to let her into the small apartment. Although the size of the unit didn’t hit her senses as fast as the pine scent. It was an odd scent for the season, which made her scan the room further to locate its source. She had spotted it. A candle was lit on the wooden coffee table.
“Thank you.” She left her bags on the hardwood floor, by the door. She b-lined for the candle and blew it out, then crossed the short distance to the double paned windows and opened one of them. Liz turned on the air conditioning that was affixed to the other. She picked up the candle, “Save this for Christmas.”
He smiled and lifted her bags. “So, I started to clear out my room for you—”
“No, please leave those by the door. I’m not staying.”
He frowned. “But Matt called… he said you were…”
“I know.” But she didn’t really know. She didn’t know why she came if she weren’t staying. But she needed to know why staying with Marcus was off-limits. Her only real family.
Marcus froze and approached her where she stood in the living area. “Are you okay? Matt didn’t say much except to make sure you were safe.”
“I had to leave.”
He watched her thoughtfully, as if he’d truly missed her. A part of her was relieved to be with her brother. It wasn’t just the known fact. She genuinely felt the connection. Regardless of which, it wasn’t enough to ignore Matt’s warning.
She sat down on his small yet comfortable black sofa. The rest of the furniture was simple, she observed, briefly scanning the room. None of which purchased with other pieces in mind. Red floor lamp by the window. A dresser that was also used as a television stand. A few open boxes scattered throughout the apartment.
“What happened?” he asked, settling next to her.
She wasn’t about to go into details that he most likely didn’t know and didn’t really concern him. But there was something she absolutely needed to ask him.
“That’s kind of what I need to know, Marc. When you came by my place…you’ve never been there before, have you?
“No,” he admitted without hesitation.
She supposed she should have followed with ‘why not?’ but decided against it. She just nodded and stared at random carpet stains.
“Your decor sucks by the way,” he added when she didn’t say anything
She burst out laughing; it was so natural with him. “Clearly, I didn’t consult with you, when I no doubt should have,” she laughed again and wiped at a teary eye.
“You’re welcome to stay here. For as looking as you need.”
She shook her head. “Matt didn’t want me coming here.” She watched him, “Can you imagine that?”
He looked down. “I can Liz. You wouldn’t want to be here, with me.”
Fear struck her heart. And it didn’t take long for her to figure out why she cared to the point where her heart would break. Had she done something awful to yet another person in her life?
“Why?” She tried to keep it together, but her throat threatened tears
He laughed nervously and stood. “I wish I knew.” He threw his arms up in the air casually. Then after a short moment, he swallowed and looked at her. “I’m lying actually. I do know.”
Chills ran up Liz’s arms as a sudden and rapid vision passed through her.
