Madly Yours novel · Chapter 6 of 32

Chapter 6: Middle C

Leland took the photo out of my hand before I dropped it.

He didn't ask.

He watched my face and he knew.

"Him," he said.

I nodded.

"You're sure."

I typed with stiff thumbs.

He had his head on one side. I see it when I close my eyes.

Leland's shoulders came down, releasing two years of tension.

He put the photo face down on the bed between us.

Then he did something I didn't expect.

He went and got me a glass of water and sat with me until my hands stopped shaking.

He didn't say anything clever.

He didn't say anything at all.

At three in the morning I fell asleep sitting up against his headboard.

I woke at seven under his blanket, alone, with a note on the pillow.

Breakfast is at eight. Gran cheats at cards. Don't let her deal.

Breakfast was in a sunny kitchen with a long scarred table.

Gran was already there in a pink tracksuit, eating toast with marmalade.

She signed good morning, and then, without a pause, Did you sleep with my grandson?

I choked on my coffee.

Leland came in on his cane, coughing, in a grey sweater.

He saw my face and looked at Gran.

What did you say to her?

Nothing. I asked a polite question.

She asked if we slept together, I wrote on the notepad by my plate.

He read it upside down and didn't miss a beat.

He signed to Gran.

She snores.

I kicked him under the table.

He took it without blinking and buttered his toast.

Gran laughed until she wheezed.

I wrote another note and slid it over.

I do not snore. You talk in your sleep.

What do I say?

Your own name. Over and over.

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