Chris kept talking, unloading as if it were a speech he’d been preparing all these years. “I made a connection with you that I never expected. You always listened to me. You never judged me. You always had the right thing to say. You were always there when I needed you. There will never be anyone who could fill your shoes.”
I swallowed hard against the tickle in the back of my throat. “Thank you, Chris,” I rasped. “That really means a lot to me.” His words blew me away. I never expected to hear all of this tonight, but I couldn’t help the knot that formed in my stomach when I did.
Continuing, he murmured, “It’s hard not having someone in my life like you were to me all those years ago. I mean, juvie sucked, but you always made me smile. And still, just thinking back—about you—I still smile.”
My heart leapt in my chest. The idea of him thinking about me made me smile too. Then, I remembered those days I’d walk down the halls of Fairbanks, barely able to function under the weight of my depression, and Chris would flash me that smile that always warmed my heart.
“You made me smile too, Chris. Those years at Fairbanks were some of the best years of my career. I miss it sometimes.”
“You ever hear from Malik or the other boys?”
I sighed, remembering the other boys. “No. For the most part, when any of you left, I never heard from or saw you again. It was hard at first, but I learned to accept it. It is what it is. Life.”
“I always regretted never keeping in touch with you,” he admitted. “But, like you said, life happens. I was young and immature, and once I got out of there, I hardly gave Fairbanks another thought.”
“I know…” I said sadly, remembering what a fleeting moment I was in many kids’ lives—a very influential moment, but a fleeting one nonetheless.
“I’m sorry,” he said regretfully.
“Don’t be. I’m happy for you. If you had dwelled on Fairbanks then you would have landed yourself right back in there again. I’m glad you kept moving forward. I mean, look at you now.”
“Thanks,” he said. His voice cracked, so I knew he was smiling through the phone. “I just want you to know how much you meant to me back then.”
“Same here,” I admitted, feeling that connection between us snap tight, despite the distance between us, wherever he was, how long it’d been, or how many years had passed. It still felt real, and now it was becoming something… more.
I heard him sigh, soft and satisfied. “Well, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep Jeremy locked out of here. I guess I’d better let you go for tonight.”
I silently groaned. Okay, stop. Don’t let yourself get too attached. “Okay. Have great night.” I could already hear Jeremy banging on the door in the background, and it made me laugh.
“It was so good to talk to you again. It was great to hear your voice,” he said wistfully.
I wished he was sitting in my living room right now, not in some hotel room far away. “It was great to hear your voice too.”
“Goodnight, Salem. Sweet dreams.” The way my name rolled off his tongue sent shivers up my spine.
“Goodnight, Chris,” I said.
I ended the call and nearly squealed with giddy excitement, but I quickly reined in my emotions. Don’t get your hopes up, Salem. Let it go.
I could barely sleep that night, tossing and turning in bed. Thoughts of Chris and the deep sound of his voice infiltrated my mind. An early morning call jarred me from my semi-lucid state.
“Hello?” I asked as I held the receiver to my ear and glanced at the clock. 4:28AM
“Salem? It’s Jack,” he sounded formal and business-like.
My boss? Why would he be calling me so early?
“Hey, Jack. What’s going on?” I asked, sitting up in the bed, suddenly overcome with dread.
Jack sighed. “It’s your new client, Shelby Blaine. She attempted suicide last night. Her boyfriend found her before it was too late. She’s at Washburn Memorial. She’s asking for you.”
“Oh my god,” I gasped with horror. “I’m glad she’s all right. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Thank you for calling me.” I was already out of the bed, pacing the floor.
I hung up the phone, threw on some fresh clothes, and slung my hair up in a ponytail. I needed to get Alexis up and let her know I had to head into work early. I knew she could call Olivia to have her mom, Grace, swing by and pick her up for school.
“Alexis, honey,” I gently shook her shoulder to wake her.
“Hmmm,” she groaned, grabbing the blanket and pulling it up over her head.