Page 28 of Let Me In

She left something in the air. A sweetness. A calm.

Something I didn’t know I’d been starved for until it was here.

I walk to the window and lean one hand on the frame, watching the last of the sun bleed off the ridge. Everything is still. The trees sway just enough to catch the wind. The light breaks in gold streaks through the pines.

I don’t need noise. Don’t want it.

But I’d take her voice again in a heartbeat. The way she says things like she’s afraid of tipping the balance, even though her presence is the thing that steadies it.

She’s not a disruption.

She’s the calm I didn’t know I needed.

I could build a thousand days like today and never get tired of it.

I look down at the phone again.

And for the first time in a long while—I hope it lights up again soon.

Maybe tomorrow.

Maybe late tonight.

Doesn’t matter.

I’ll be here.

11

EMMY

The house is quiet.Finally.

Cleo is curled at the foot of the bed, Luca tucked in close against my side like he always is when he knows I need it. The lamp on my nightstand throws a warm pool of light across the room. I don’t turn on the overhead. I don’t need the glare.

Just this.

Just now.

My phone rests on my chest, screen dim, but I know what it says. I’ve already read his message four times.

Today was good. I’m glad it was me you shared it with. You can reach out anytime. No wrong way to do it. I’ll be here.

I press the screen awake again, just to see it one more time.

And something loosens in my chest.

I didn’t know how much I needed someone to say that. Not with fanfare. Not with a promise too big to believe. Just this. Quiet. Steady. Present.

I type out a reply, then delete it. Type another. Delete again.

Finally:

I’m really glad it was you too.

I hesitate. Thumb above the send button.

Then I tap it.

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