The Seat They Never Saved and the Offer I Finally Took novel · Chapter 22 of 24
Chapter 22: What It Cost Him
"Rotterdam," I said. "Permanent."
We were still standing on the sidewalk outside apartment 4C, with the wind pushing newspaper down the gutter.
"A bridge," Tobias said. "A footbridge over the Maas. I drew it four years ago, and the city finally funded it. They want me to lead it."
"Do you want to?"
"Yes."
He said it flatly.
"That's two things you've told me in one week without my asking," I said. "Thank you."
"You said the same day."
"I did."
I looked at him.
His ears were red, and he was holding a thick envelope of Connor's father's money in his bare hand.
"Take me to your place," I said. "I want to see it."
His drafting table stood under the big window, with the gray couch pushed against the wall.
He'd covered the model with a dish towel.
I lifted the towel myself.
The bridge was made of balsa and wire, no longer than my forearm, curved like a held breath.
Tiny glued figures stood along the rail, and one of them wore a green coat.
"That's the first thing I put on it," he said, behind me. "Before anyone had funded anything. I thought, if it ever gets built, somebody should be walking across it who looks warm."
I didn't turn around.
"You made a model of me."
"I made a model of a coat." His voice cracked on it. "It was a few years ago. I was lonely."
I set the towel on the table.
"Here's what I'm going to say, and I need you to listen to the end."
"Okay."
"I'm not going to tell you to stay."
He went still.
"I'm not going to tell you to go, either. That's your life. It's your bridge." I turned. "I don't want you to give it up for me, and then look at me over the pot roast for forty years like I owe you a footbridge."
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