Deklan

On my phone, there are books, games, social media, and infinite websites to browse. I’m used to physical isolation, but this is a whole new level. I stare at my phone, daring myself to just turn it on despite Deklan’s warning, but I can’t quite bring myself to do it.

There has to be a nearby place with Wi-Fi.

Deklan didn’t tell me I had to stay in the apartment, but he also didn’t tell me I could leave. I could call him and ask, but he said to call only in an emergency, and this clearly doesn’t fall into that category.

Instinctively, I tap my phone to check the time, but it’s off, so the gesture is pointless. I stand up from the couch and go over to the stove to check the time, finding that it’s only a little after nine in the morning.

I don’t even know what time he’ll be home.

“Fuck it.” I walk to the bedroom for my purse, toss the burner phone inside, and then grab my jacket from the hook near the door. It isn’t until I’ve shut the door behind me that I realize I don’t have a key to the apartment.

The door has locked behind me.

“Shit!”

I jiggle the knob over and over again, like a child pressing the button to make the elevator appear faster. The result is as expected, and I stand in the hallway, staring at the door and trying not to cry.

How was I going to get back inside without a key? Should I call Deklan and tell him what happened? Did this count as an emergency, or would it piss him off to be interrupted?

I consider things Deklan might regard as an emergency and decide this isn’t one of them. I am just going to have to wait outside until he gets home, which certainly won’t be for many hours. As long as I’m back here by five o’clock, everything should work out fine. It won’t even be a big deal if I have to wait a while for him to return.

With a deep breath, I stand up straight and try to pull myself together. There isn’t much of a choice now, so I might as well find the nearest coffee house or bookstore.

I walk out onto the street and figure out pretty quickly that I have no idea where I am or what direction I should go. The street in front of the apartment is a fairly busy one, and there are sidewalks leading in either direction but no indication of which way would be the best.

Hoping that I’m far enough away for Deklan’s tastes, I turn my phone on and open an app to locate nearby businesses. I’m in luck and find a coffee shop only a few blocks away. I quickly turn the phone off again—just in case—and head that way.

I find myself in a strip mall with a laundromat and what I assume to be the convenience store where Deklan bought my toothbrush during our first night together. The obligatory nail salon and Chinese takeout joint are also present. At the end, I see the coffee shop and head that way. When I get there, I see there are more shops around the corner.

It’s actually a nice little area—lots of mom-and-pop boutiques, a small movie theatre, and green space complete with trees and park benches. I spend a few minutes walking up and down the sidewalk, peering into shop windows before returning to the corner.

I head into the coffee shop and buy a mocha latte with the small amount of cash I have on me. One of my Dad’s credit cards is also in my purse, but I have no doubt Deklan wouldn’t want me to use that. The barista calls out my name and gives me a big smile when he holds out my drink.

“Hope you enjoy it,” he says pleasantly. “I gave you a little extra whipped cream.”

He winks, and I smile back tentatively. The name tag on his uniform says “Terry.” I make a point of taking

the coffee from him with my left hand, hoping the giant rock on my finger is noticeable enough to deter him from further conversation. He doesn’t say anything else, so I guess it worked.

I find a small table by the window and turn my phone back on. As soon as I start up my favorite chat app, a dozen messages from Kathy appear.

TKbitch: So, did you go through with it?

TKbitch: I want to hear all about this guy!

TKbitch: Hellooooooo?

TKbitch: Hey, answer your damn messages! I sent you one on FB, too.

TKbitch: Kera? Kera? Come in, Kera!

TKbitch: Listen here, you bitch—I’m starting to get worried!

TKbitch: ANSWER ME!!!!

And there, two days later, is the final message.

TKbitch: I broke down and called your mom. I really hope everything is okay. Please, please, please call me when you can!