"She is?"
"She didn't tell you?"
"No," I say.
"Hmm... she probably signed on after this space thing. But it's good. She's excited about it."
"Okay," I say. I press the phone into my ear. "Do you think you can talk to her?"
"And do what?"
"Make sure she's doing okay."
"No way," Laurie says. "I'm not getting in between you two."
"Don't," I say. "Just make sure she's okay."
"Don't be such a guy. Talk to her. I'm sure there's a little more to this than your pathetic bitch of an ex."
"Laurie--"
"Okay, maybe I invented a little backstory in my head. But it was exciting to imagine some kind of crazy fight." She takes a deep breath. "Alyssa is a really reasonable person. I don't think she would leave you hanging if she didn't believe she had to."
"Yeah."
"Maybe I'm wrong and it's just the ex. And all you need to do is cut ties and you'll be okay."
"You sure she didn't say anything?"
"Yeah." Her voice gets higher, reassuring. "But you're a smart guy. I'm sure you can figure it out. Think about what you did, admit you fucked things up, and then unfuck them."
"Sage words."
"I know," she says. "I should write an advice column."
"Thanks, Laurie."
"Don't fuck it up any worse," she says. And she hangs up the phone.
It's not the most comforting suggestion, but it's fair enough advice.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The next week is less painful. I call Alyssa, not to impose, but to let her know she can talk to me. If she needs to. That I'm here, always. She thanks me, and tells me about her two-week film shoot in Vancouver.
"It's enough time for both of us to think this through," she says. "I'm going to leave my phone at home. I need time to air out my thoughts."
"Oh." I try not to make much of it.
"But Laurie has the number of my hotel. You can call her if there's an emergency?"
"Okay." I suck the air between my teeth. If I push her, I'll lose her. I have to wait this out.
"I love you," she says. "I hope we can work this out."
"I love you too."
The air hangs between us for a minute. It's almost like we're close, almost like things are okay. "I'll see you soon," she says. "Take care of yourself."