Page 76 of Crystal Iris
“She died giving birth to my sister.”
“I’m sorry, Hoyt.”
“I don’t remember her well.”
“Sometimes I think I’m forgetting my mom too.” I take another bite.
“What’s your best memory of her?” he asks me.
“Dancing… we used to dance all the time. She would put music on at night, sometimes classical music, and other times, popular songs.”
“My mom used to sing to me every night. I still remember a couple of songs.”
He stands up, taking his plate to the kitchen.
“Trash?” he asks, looking around.
“Behind you. Sorry, this place is a hot mess. I’m embarrassed, your place was… very tidy.”
“You are moving in.”
“Actually, I’ve lived here for years. I was supposed to move in with Aaron, I just never left.”
“Why?”
“I think a part of me knew that things would end between us.”
I get up to put my plate in the sink. He takes it from my hands, and our fingers almost brush against each other.
“I need a drink,” I say, turning around.
I pour both of us an inch of bourbon on the rocks.
We are sitting on my bed, talking, both propped up on pillows.
“You can stay here tonight if you want.”
“Are you sure? I can stay on the couch.”
“You won’t fit on the couch, take the bed.”
“I’m not kicking you out of your bed, Iris.”
“I’m offering. I don’t mind. It’s my turn to be the host.”
He moves out of my bed and takes his pillow to the floor.
“What are you doing?”
“I’msleeping here.”
“On the floor?”
“Yes.” He’s pushing boxes away.
“I’m not letting you sleep on the floor, Hoyt.”
“It’s not like you can move me.”
