CHAPTER SIX

Nora's hand shook as she touched the apartment door. It felt heavy, like it held old times. Before she could open it, someone called her name. "Nora, sweetheart?"

She turned and saw Jessica, their old neighbor, on the sidewalk. Jessica had gray hair in a bun and a grocery bag. Nora ran over and hugged her. Jessica smelled like flowers and garlic from cooking. She had always been kind...bringing food and helping Nora when she was sick. She loved Caleb like family.

"You're okay," Nora said, looking at Jessica. She looked good...her cheeks were pink, her eyes clear. Nora's eyes were red from crying, but Jessica seemed fine. Has she forgotten Caleb already? Nora thought. It was only two days since he died. She didn't ask, though.

"You look pale," Jessica said, touching Nora's cheek gently. "Why haven't you visited? I miss you." She smiled. "Come for dinner soon. I'll make your favorite crispy chicken. Tell your mom I said hi."Nora felt happy someone still cared about Caleb. "I will," she said, kissing Jessica's cheek. It smelled like roses. "Soon."

Jessica waved and left, her shoes tapping the ground. Nora faced the door again. Her tummy felt funny...she wanted to run away. But she had to go in. I won't look for the other woman, she thought. Caleb hurt me enough. She took a big breath, unlocked the door, and went inside.

The apartment looked the same. The living room had their old gray couch with a colorful quilt. The quilt had yellow and blue patches, worn from movie nights. There were popcorn stains on it. The coffee table had their mugs...his said "World's Okayest Boyfriend," and hers was chipped. The bookshelf had books and records they played, like Billie Holiday's music. The kitchen was super clean...no dishes, just a folded towel. It felt like Caleb had tidied up for a trip, not like he was gone forever.

Nora's chest hurt, but she didn't cry. She walked around quietly. The bathroom door was open...blue stains were in the sink from dyeing Caleb's hair. A towel with blue marks was in the corner. In the bedroom, photos covered the walls...her and Caleb at Twin Peaks, kissing at a party. The bed was neat, and she smelled his cologne. The room felt calm, like it knew he wasn't coming back.Then she saw a paper on the dresser, under a beach photo of them laughing. Her heart beat fast. Is it from the other woman? She didn't want more pain. But she picked up the photo and opened the paper.It was Caleb's writing. "No matter what, know I love you, Mickey Mouse. Always remember this. I love you with my life. – C"

Nora stopped breathing for a second. Mickey Mouse was her nickname from Disneyland, when she wore big ears. This note wasn't like his usual ones about groceries. It felt big, like a goodbye. Did he know he'd die? she thought. She put the note in her purse and ran out, shutting the door hard.

She sat on a bench outside, the paint rough under her hands. She called Ellie. "Can you get me? I'm at the apartment."

"Coming," Ellie said, no questions asked.

Nora waited 15 minutes, feeling cold, until Ellie's car arrived. She got in and looked out the window. Ellie asked, "You okay? You're not crying, which is weird."

Nora shook her head. "It was strange inside. Too clean, like he's just away. And Ellie, no one's talked about his funeral. I'm such an awful person.He only had me and Jessica. I've been thinking of myself too much. I feel bad."

Ellie held the wheel tight. "You're not bad, Nora. You're sad."

Nora stayed quiet. She thought about Jessica's calm face, the note, and the clean apartment. They drove home without talking.

At home, Nora ran to her mom in the living room, surrounded by books. She hugged her tight, smelling tea and paper. "Hey, sweetheart," her mom said, rubbing her back. "How was your day?"

Nora smiled a little. "It was… okay. Yours?" Her mom told a funny story about a kid messing up the library. It helped Nora feel better, but she couldn't eat. She didn't have any appetite.

In her room, Nora showered and put on comfy clothes. She stood by the window, watching city lights. She didn't know someone was watching her from outside.

She laid down on the bed, thinking about the note. She texted her friends Maya and Lila. "I went to the apartment. It was too clean, like Caleb's on a trip. I found a note saying he loved me, like he knew something bad was coming. I'm so confused. What does it even mean?"

Maya texted back immediately: "You're sad and don't want to believe he hurt you. The note doesn't fix that. Let it go."

Lila said, "Don't overthink it. Maybe it's an old note. People write love stuff all the time. Stick to what you know."

Nora sighed and typed, "I don't know what's true. It's a lot."

Maya sent hearts. "We love you. Want to watch a funny movie online?"

Lila added, "That silly love movie you like."

Nora smiled a bit. "Thanks, but not yet. I need to think. Love you."

"To the moon and back, loser," Maya said. Lila agreed, and they stopped texting.

Nora put her phone down. The note's words stayed in her mind. She curled up, looking at the ceiling, searching for answers. Sleep came slow, and she dreamed of Caleb's voice saying things she couldn't hear clearly.