SEVENTY-TWO

NAILS IN THE COFFIN

The next day, Miriam leaves two grand of the money on Gabby’s doorstep, next to a small bouquet of flowers. She doesn’t know what Gabby likes.

She doesn’t even know Gabby, not really.

But she leaves a note: “This should pay for your health insurance.”

She thinks but does not write, I’m going to find a way over the next five years to give you a reason not to kill yourself. And I’m sorry.

She knocks. And hides. And watches as Gabby comes out and takes the flowers and the bag. Her face is swaddled in gauze and tape. But even behind the bandages Miriam can see the shock in her eyes.

Gabby looks around. She doesn’t seem to see Miriam.

But she waves anyway.

Miriam thinks: This will not be the last time we see each other. Saving Gabby’s life is going to be a whole other kind of challenge. She can’t kill anybody to stop this death, and yet stop it she must.

A terrifying and yet enlivening thought.

Next, Miriam picks a spot north of the Keys where she can walk, and sit on the rocks, and watch as the ocean swallows the sun.

Then she takes her phone and she calls Louis.

He does not answer, but she leaves him a message. “It’s me. I love you. I need you. And you’re going to help me get rid of my curse. Call me back. Did I mention I love you? I love you. I love, love, love you.”

She hangs up.

She sits. And smokes. And waits for him to call her back.

And just as the sun dips below the horizon and is gone, he does.