“That part wasn’t particularly brilliant.”
She stared at me.
Then laughed through her tears.
The sound broke something open between us.
“I deserved that.”
“Yes.”
She leaned her head against my shoulder.
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Why me?”
I thought about it.
“Because you listen.”
She waited.
“Because you make ordinary things feel important. Because you pretend you don’t need anyone, but you save every birthday card anybody gives you. Because when you laugh for real, you cover your mouth like you’re embarrassed by it.”
Her eyes lowered.
“And because when I’m here, I don’t feel like I’m performing for anyone.”
She looked at me for a long time.
“That’s a dangerous thing to say to a lonely woman.”
“I’m not saying it because you’re lonely.”
“Then why?”
“Because it’s true.”
Michelle’s hand rose to my face.
