Chapter 16: Yellow Tulips

I brought Jamie to the bakery door on Saturday at nine with a bunch of yellow tulips in my other hand.

I had bought them at a gas station, because I had stopped at three florists and none were open.

Leigh looked at the flowers and then at me.

"They're for you," I said.

"I know who they're for," she said.

"What do you want, Miles?"

"Five minutes. Please."

She sent Jamie down the stairs to pick out a pastry with the woman at the counter, and she stood in the doorway of her flat with her arms folded.

The kitchen behind her was small and bright.

The tulips looked ridiculous in my hand.

"Kendra said she would tell Jamie," I said.

"On Thursday, on Ellis's lawn. I wanted you to hear that I'm not hiding from it."

"I heard her," Leigh said.

"Then you know I'm asking you something," I said.

My voice cracked on the next part, and I let it.

"I want to come back."

"Not tomorrow. I know it's not tomorrow."

"But tell me what I have to do, and I'll do all of it, as long as it takes."

"I'll go to counseling. I'll sell the house if you want."

"I've learned the binder, Leigh. I made chicken. I told the whole school what I did."

"I know you did," she said.

"And I said thank you."

"You said it doesn't change anything."

"It doesn't."

"Then why did you thank me?" I asked.

She was quiet for a moment.

Then she unfolded her arms and stepped back from the door.

"Come in," she said.

"I want you to see something."

The flat was exactly as Jamie had described it.

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