Chapter 65
Topher sits on the bed in The Forest of the Dead watching me pack. We both leave today. I’ll take one car down to see Mia. Topher will take the other car to Logan Airport. He packed last night, his small suitcase ready by the door.
I do it slowly and methodically, trying to look like I am at ease.
I carefully fold up pairs of underwear, avoiding the black slip that the keys are hidden in.
It seems Topher didn’t notice that when he raided my drawer.
I pack leggings, pajamas, toothpaste, a little makeup.
I toss in a book. My phone charger. All the while, we are surrounded by the painted trees.
“I think I’m all set,” I say, looking up at him and smiling.
“Great,” he says. “Should you text Mia to check in?”
I force the smile to stay on my face.
“Sure,” I say, picking up my phone.
I type out a message to Mia.
Hey Mia, heading out soon. Thanks for having me. XO.
I hold up the phone so Topher can see it, before he needs to ask me to show him. I need for him to believe this ruse for just long enough, long enough for him to get on that plane.
We walk out of the house together. He carries both our bags. He was raised right, as Mia would say. A gentleman. I feel a small pang of guilt. I’ve put him through so much. And I’m lying to him now. He deserves better. But so does she.
We hug by my car door. Topher kisses the top of my head and rubs the small of my back. He kisses my belly and murmurs something to the baby. Then I get in the car, and he shuts my door. He stands by his car watching me pull out of the driveway.
I drive through the woods and remember our first drive out here.
When I marveled at the beauty and the remoteness but felt full of excitement at this adventure.
The woods had seemed so lush and full of life.
Now, the bare branches look skeletal, and the gray woods exude death and decay.
The pastoral beauty of the farmhouses has been replaced by a sense of bleak isolation.
Then I come into town, passing the general store, the coffee shop, the school.
My blinker clicks and I get on the highway.
I drive about thirty minutes, trying to look relaxed, like I’m just going on a road trip.
Then I look in my rearview mirror. I don’t see Topher’s car.
He either passed me already or he stopped in town for a coffee.
Either way, now’s my shot. I take the next exit, then loop around and get back on, going in the opposite direction. Back to Wildwood.