I raise my hand. Then she’s gone.

A couple days turns into a week.

Diane apologizes. She tells me her client and his wife are fighting over what pieces to sell, and the lawyer can’t work up a contract until they make a decision.

I tell her it’s fine, then ask, “How’s Phoenix?”

“Hot, dry, and crowded,” she says. “It’s grown so much since the last time I was here. I’m not sure I like it anymore.”

“Sorry to hear it.”

“No, I’m being too negative. The hotel is gorgeous. I’ve got a row of palm trees right outside my window, so that’s nice. I just wish you were here.”

“Me too.”

“I think I’ll take a day and explore, maybe drive up north to Sedona. Spend some time having my chakras realigned or my aura polished or whatever else they do up there these days. I’ll bring you back a crystal necklace.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“I’d rather be home.” She pauses. “Hey, how did your class go? I forgot to ask.”

“Not what I was expecting,” I say. “Mostly business majors who signed up thinking it’s an easy class.”

“Is it?”

“Haven’t decided, but there are a lot of things I’d rather do than grade essays.”

“I don’t blame you.”

I look at my watch. “Speaking of class, I should go. My next one is about to start.”

“Monday, then?”

“Monday.” She’s quiet for a moment, then says, “I love you, Jake. Very much.”

It fills me.

“I know,” I say. “I’ll see you soon.”

And for the first time since she left, I believe it.

– 6 -

I’m struggling to fit a stack of papers into my bag when I hear someone knock at my office door. I look up as Anne Carlson, the department chair, steps inside.

“Got a minute?” she asks.

“Sure, come on in.”

This is the first time Anne has been in my office. I start to apologize for the mess, but she doesn’t seem to notice so I don’t point it out. Instead, I motion to the chair across from me and say, “Do you want to sit down?”