I recounted yesterday’s events to my mother later that afternoon on the phone. Much of it was censored, of course, but I made sure to explain in minute detail Sebastian’s strange reaction to my finding a teddy bear under his bed.

“Emily, you probably embarrassed the guy. Put yourself in his shoes.”

For about the zillionth time, I wished my mother were here with me, sitting in front of me and soothing me with her dark gaze that brimmed with wisdom. Not unlike the Mona Lisa’s eyes, come to think of it…

“Did you hear me, Emily?”

“Hm? Sorry I was gathering wool for a second.”

“I said just to enjoy the time you have left. Don’t you come home Sunday night?”

“Yeah.”

“Will you be needing a ride home from the airport, hon?”

“No thanks, Mom. I’ll just take a cab.”

We spoke for a few more minutes before hanging up.

I took her advice and forced last night’s events out of my head. I took a long shower and got ready to go out. His phone call came at 6:30 PM.

“I managed to sneak a call from work,” he said.