Page 61 of The Goode Girls of Maple Lane
By the time Phone Girl’s phone chimes with a text and shebuzzes her friend into the building, she’s down to gentle sniffles and an occasional dab at the corners of her eyes. I rally Aggie, and the three of us clamber up and step into the hall. The elevator will take a century to arrive, and I’m not sure if I should wait or not, as incapable as ever of judging the right moment and the right way to exit a conversation. Thankfully, Phone Girl speaks up first.
“Thanks for loaning me your dog,” she says.
“If you need her again, let me know. She never turns down a good hug.”
Phone Girl’s lips flicker, not quite easing into a smile.
“Thanks also for... you know.” She waves a hand in a manner that might indicate my company in the stairwell, the Post-it invites I’ve been leaving on her door, or something I can’t call to mind. It doesn’t really matter what she’s thanking me for. I’m just glad she let me in.
“I’m Cameron, by the way,” I say.
“I know. I started following your account. It’s pretty cool.”
A ripple of pride runs through me, not that she calledmecool, but I’m calling this a win.
“Thanks,” I say. “It’s all Aggie. And a lot of help from my friends.”
She nods as she glances around the hall, her expression indecipherable, though I get the sense she’s picturing the people who live behind the doors, how she passes us by, gathered in the hallway to chat, share a laugh, or play with Aggie. I have a hard time picturing her joining in, but who knows? I would’ve said the same thing about all of us a little over half a year ago.
Phone Girl’s friend comes barreling out of the stairwell, griping about the traffic, the ignorant asshole who just made the worst decision of his life, and the elevator that never showed up, all ofthis pouring out in a breathless fury as she sweeps her friend into a side-hug and steers her toward her apartment while pulling a ring of keys from her sparkly cross-body purse.
I take my cue and guide Aggie toward our apartment on the opposite side of the hall.
“Cameron,” Phone Girl calls, and I spin toward her in surprise as her friend steps into the apartment, leaving us alone in the hall. “Felicity. My name’s Felicity.”
The irony almost makes me laugh. The happiest name for the saddest girl.
“It’s nice to meet you, Felicity,” I say. “I’ll see you around?”
She nods andalmostsmiles.
“Sure,” she says. “I’ll see you around.”
Then she steps into her apartment and closes the door.
I take a breath, letting the moment settle. Then I crouch to give Aggie a big, fierce, proud-of-you hug, covering her furry face in kisses.
“I love you so much,” I tell her for the millionth time. “So,somuch.”
And then I tell her for the million-and-first time.
I’m still crouched in the hall, gushing over the glorious, magical, angelic being I get to share this part of my life with, when the elevator dings and Minh Ha returns with Pilot.
“Everything okay?” I ask as I straighten up.
“Everything’s great.” She pats Pilot softly on the head. “And you? Everything okay?”
My eyes drift to Felicity’s door, behind which two muffled voices break into a laugh.
“Yeah,” I say. “She had a rough day, but her friend’s here now.”
“Good. I’m glad. Although, Cameron? You’re better with people than you think you are.”
My throat gets thick with emotion but I swallow, and swallow again.
“Thanks,” I say, barely.
“Of course,” she says, warmly and kindly.
