Page 83 of Hard Wired

How’s Ethan doing? Last I heard you two were still close, and I hope that’s true.

If you’re willing to talk, then I could tell you all kinds of things about why I stopped speaking to you. I’m not looking forward to that part because it makes me sound like a complete jerk and a coward. But it’s the truth, and I owe that to you.

If you’re willing to listen, you can text me at the number below. I don’t expect anything more, not even forgiveness. But at least you’ll know what happened, and that it’s not what you probably think.

I’m going to hope you do write back, because hope is all I have going for me at this point.

Faith

Sylvie held up the card so Ethan and Luis could read it.

Ethan whistled. “Wow, I got a mention. That was nice of her.” He wasn’t even being sarcastic.

Sylvie dropped the card onto the table. “Then why didn’t she bother to write you? She abandoned you as much as she did me.”

“But she was your best friend. You were the real connection between us. And it’s your heart she broke, not mine.”

She squeezed her eyes shut so the tears wouldn’t escape. “I don’t see what explanation she could have that would justify not speaking to me for over a decade.”

But maybe there were more factors at play in Faith’s life than Sylvie knew. If Dominic had taught her anything, it was to give someone a chance. That taking the risk might be scary, but it was worth it.

She pulled out her phone.

“Are you going to write her?” Luis sounded hopeful.

“I think you should,” Ethan added.

“Both of you chill. I’m doing it.”

She texted, Hey Faith, it’s me. Sylvie. I’m pretty busy the next few days but let me know when you’re available, and we can find time to chat. Talk to you later.

She hesitated, then hit send.

---