The Silence

*ERIC*

The move was not only bittersweet, but it made the condo feel bigger in a way I hadn’t imagined possible. The commotion in the morning, the laughter, even the routine I’d gotten accustomed to were all nonexistent now.

I sat on the couch watching the game when Jamira came and sat next to me.

She took my hand into hers and looked at me for a while before speaking.

“You know we should do something nice for Kacie.”

I nodded my head not fully processing what she was saying.

She didn’t press the issue. I’m glad she didn’t. She just motioned for me to lift my legs up and started massaging my feet. That did more than I expected, actually.

It was like most of the tension that had been building over the months was finally starting to ease.

The rest of it melted away when I got in the shower. The water ran down my body and took my troubles with it.

When I got out I found Jamira had already fallen asleep. I slid in next to her, not trying to wake her up. That night, sleep took a while to claim me. I found myself staring at the ceiling longer than I’ve ever done before.

Eventually I went out on the balcony and called Kacie. It rang so long I thought she wasn’t going to answer.

“Hello?” She said hoarse.

“Hey, Kace.”

“What’s going on E?”

“I’m just calling to see if you’re okay.”

There was a silence that fell over her before she finally answered.

“Yes, we’re fine.”

“Does Kayla like it?”

“Yes.”

“Do you need anything?”

“For you to go to bed E.”

“Fine but—“

Before I could finish, the dial tone cut me off.

I looked at the screen for a moment before setting it down. It was as though I thought she’d call back if I stared long enough.

When I finally got some rest it seemed short-lived. The next day I woke up early, still on Kayla’s schedule. It was then I felt like this adjustment would take a while to get used to.

I made breakfast and by this time Jamira had gotten up. Thank goodness, too, because I made more than I’d eat.

“What’s for breakfast?,” Jamira asked as she leaned over the counter.

“Nothing special, just eggs, sausage, and pancakes.”

“You gonna eat all of that yourself?”

I paused. She noticed. That’s the thing about Jamira she always seemed to catch things, no matter how small.

“Of course not, grab a plate.”

As we ate she looked at me as if she was studying for an exam. My eyes drifted to the empty seats at the table without me realizing it, and I found myself wondering how Kayla was going to get to school now.

“Something on your mind?”

“Huh?”

“You seem distracted.”

“I just miss Kayla. I can’t believe she thought I didn’t care.”

Of course I missed them. How could I not, after spending months with them here? The sad part about it is I didn’t even want them here to begin with. It just made sense at the time.

Now look at me, my routine is different. She’s gone and I’m still moving as if I’m accommodating her and Kayla still.

“Eric, just give it time. Kacie will come around when she’s ready and Kayla’s a child. If you show up for her she’ll remember that too.”

“You think so?” I asked as I reached out and rubbed Jamira’s belly.

I felt a light kick. Somehow that was enough to lift my spirits.

After that I got up to go get ready for work. I thought about everything Jamira said and she was right. I felt as though I owed it to Kayla to do something nice and finally spend some alone time with her.

When I finished getting ready I gave Jamira a kiss and left.

The ride to work was peaceful, despite it being extremely quiet without my usual passenger.

I didn’t realize the music wasn’t playing until I got to the office.

As soon as I walked in I saw a few people already there standing in the hallway and a few in the break room. I couldn’t put my finger on it but this morning felt a little different. Not necessarily strange, just like a slight shift in the air.

As I looked at all the papers and folders on my desk that had become part of the décor at this point, I felt my phone buzz. I looked down and saw it had just been an email. Normally it would’ve been a reel Kacie sent that was either extremely weird or extremely funny.

A few uneventful hours went by and I suddenly realized, I hadn’t seen Walt yet. Before I could get up and go see him I got a call from the receptionist.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Wilkes, there’s a woman here to see you.”

I paused as I looked through my schedule quickly on my phone. I didn’t see any meetings.

“Did you get a name?”

“Ms. Hines.”

I smiled.

“Send her up.”

When she walked in I had forgotten everything that I was about to do. She looked so happy and relaxed I followed suit.

“What you got there?”

“Lunch. I noticed you were a little down at breakfast and I thought I’d stop by.”

This girl made it hard for me. She was so thoughtful and kind. I don’t know why anyone would want to mess that up.

She set the food down as I cleared the papers. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

In came Walt. He wasn’t smiling, laughing, or gossiping like he usually does. He was just… there.

“Hey, I got those files for you from Mr. Thorne from a while ago.”

“Hey Walt,” said Jamira as he walked in fully.

“Hey,” he responded with a half-assed smile.

He placed the folder on the desk and headed for the door.

“Walt! Jamira made some food, you want some?”

“No, I’m good.”

“You doing anything later? You can swing by.”

“I think I’ll go home.”

He didn’t even turn around to say that. Since when does he turn down food? When does he ever just stay home?

“Is he okay?” Asked Jamira.

“I don’t know. It’s probably work related.”