19. TESSA
TESSA
Eli: How are you feeling?
Me: Fine. Thanks for being there yesterday.
Eli: Need anything? I make a mean chicken soup.
Me: I’m good. Though … did I leave my pink work binder at your place?
Eli: Yeah. Want me to bring it to the hospital?
Me: Being discharged today. Could you drop it at my place? Under the mat if I’m not home.
Eli: Work. Always work with you, Tess.
Me: Don’t start.
Eli: You scared the hell out of me yesterday.
Me: Just a fainting spell. *eye roll emoji* Add it to my list of stellar life choices.
The typing bubble appeared, disappeared, appeared again.
Eli: Your mom’s wrong, you know. About having to choose between your career and … everything else.
I stared at the screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard.
Me: Can we not do this right now?
Eli: Sorry. It’s just … seeing you like that … I keep thinking about all the things I should’ve said.
Me: Eli …
Eli: Just know I’m here. For whatever you need. Even if it’s just someone to bring you more color-coded binders.