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"Yeahthat would be great," I say with a smile "How about Saturday?"

"Perfect," JT says with a grin "That will give ar Baby variety"

"Really trying to turn over a new leaf, huh?"

God, I hope that didn't sound too shitty

JT just laughs and nods "I told you, bro I'ether, and I' socialite with a perfect pedigree for "

"Sounds lovely," I say dryly

"Dudeyou know it's not, but I don't want to feel like a third wheel, so I'ht now"

"Can't wait to h

JT grimaces and shakes his head, but there's aone

I glance atHer classes don't start back up until to she's probably holance back to the code, knowing I need to get this done

Back to my watch and think of Sela

Fuck the code I can work on it later tonight after she falls asleep

--

I flip through the mail as I walk to the condo door A small creareen calligraphy stares up atwhat it is and yet still feeling compelled to read it

The honor of your presence is requested to join Mr and Mrs Beckett W North, Sr, as we celebrate the Christmas holiday with our friends and family

Jesus I hate getting these things

There are two functions every year that I'm expected to make an appearance at First is my father's birthday, which is in June, and the second is their annual Christmas party While my relationship with my parents is tenuous at best, arcticlike cold at its worst, I do try to accommodate these functions My father, who is an investood one at that, has an immense backlist of helpful business contacts, and I'd be a fool not to take advantage of at least that opportunity

I'm surprised when I see a handwritten note at the botto: Beckwe look forward to seeing you soon Perhaps encourage Caroline to attend

I bark out a laugh at the ludicrousness of that stateuarantee you that Caroline threw the card unopened into the trash the raphy and return address She has no need of our father's business pull and she sure as shit has no need for her parents They failed her when she needed theive that

Neither will I for that matter, but I'll probably attend anyway I'o with me, and that will make it at least tolerable

I unlock the condo door,her It's like I can feel her presence just on the other side, andI won't ever get used to, and don't ever want to anyway

I push the door open, feel the utter silent stillness, and thenin an overstuffed white leather chair near theIt nor there but rather flanks one side of the black ed it over there Her bare feet are curled up underneath of her, and her head is resting on the back of the chair with her face tilted toward the enor out over the Bay, and in her right hand, she loosely holds a utility knife

She doesn't even turn to acknowledge me

"Hey," I say as I set the mail down on the table and drop my keys on top of it As I shut the door, she turns to look at reeted with a soft s me a sweet kiss on my lower jaw

Now she just looks atthere

"Hey," she says, her voice loith a e

"What are you doing?" I ask,to the utility knife

She looks down at it, her thuuely "I was getting ready to open up some of my boxes"

Sela and I went to her apartment on Sunday and she packed up more of her stuff to , books, and a few framed photos of her family Three boxes in all and they sat in the corner of the living room untouched

So sadly out the ith a box cutter in her hand see to ht pouring in, seems to be filled with darkness

I walk over to her, skirting the couch and coffee table When I reach the chair, I squat down in front of her, placing hs She stares down at

"What's wrong?" I ask

A small smile comes to her face She reaches her free hand out and touches the tips of her finger tohere enjoying the view"

My head turns to look out at the dark bay waters sparkling with the rays of today's unusually bright sun I turn back to her "You look sad," I observe