Emily met me as soon as I stumbled through the front door. "Thank goodness you're all right! If not, I'd have my boxer pals beat his ass until he let you go."

"I've never been so angry and weirded out over absolutely nothing," I admitted, still shaking on the inside.

"It wasn't nothing!"

"Well, Thomas didn't exactly threaten me."

"Didn't exactly--?" She scrunched her lips. "Girl, The Leech camped out at the train station waiting for you. Why didn't your dumb ass call the cops?"

"And say what exactly?"

"Uh, hello?" She made a hand motion of talking on the phone. "My crazy-ass ex decided to stalk me at the train station. Can someone escort him the hell outta here, please?" 

"I would have done had he refused to stop."

Her lips vibrated like a chuffing horse. 

"Classy," I said.

"All I know is: This weekend we're getting your shit outta there," she said, "before this COVID crap gets so outta control that we're all wearing freaking World War One gas masks."

"Are you my mummy?" I said in a creepy sing-song cadence, quoting the so-called Empty Child who wore such a mask in Doctor Who. 

"Dude, do not even joke right now." Emily shuddered. "That freaking episode still gives me the willies."

I cackled. 

"And don't deflect." She took out her phone. "I'm gonna ask my pals to help you this weekend."

"Is it safe for them?"

"Safer than you being chased by your ex at the train station," she retorted before quick-dialing her friends. "Hey, Ink. Yeah, it's Em. Can you and Jaws help a girl out this weekend?"

"Jaws?" I whispered, incredulous.

Emily waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, my bestie is having trouble with her ex and needs to move her shit out pronto." She paused. "Yeah, he's a real lazy prick. Won't help, of course." 

My cheeks reddened.

"Thanks, babe." She blew a fake kiss into the phone. "Luv ya." She laughed. "I know, I know. Give my love to the boys." She hung up. "There now. We'll get your crap soon."

"They won't cause trouble, will they?" I asked warily.

"Not unless The Leech does first."

I exhaled a shaky breath. "What if he does?"

"Let's just say my pals won't let him touch you." 

"I don't want any drama."

"Neither do they," said Emily. "They're as tall as Neil and almost twice as big."

"My ex wouldn't be that stupid."

"Exactly."

I gave my best friend a hug. "Thanks, Em."

"Anytime."

After slouching in my office chair, I checked my phone. Four notifications. Texts from Neil. The only thing that could have made me smile today. 

Recently we'd decided to text each other during my evening commute, but this time I was a bit too distracted. Besides I didn't want to worry him unnecessarily. 

Neil: Hiya

Neil: Hope you've had a better afternoon. 

Neil: Looking forward to our game tonight. 😊

Neil: Is everything okay? You're quiet.

Seemed like my radio silence made him worry even more than simply coming out and telling him the truth. So I decided to text him. 

Me: Sorry for going AWOL. A bit of ex drama. 

Neil: Are you all right?

Me: Yeah he met me at the station.

Neil: He met you?

Neil: To hand over some items?

Me: Not exactly

Me: I wasn't expecting it.

Me: I mean it isn't a big deal or anything. 

Me: There were lots of people there.

Me: But he showed up. Waited for me.

Neil: Are you seriously all right? 

Neil: He didn't hurt you, did he?

Me: No nothing like that.

Neil: You would tell me if he did?

Neil: Or if you were in trouble

Neil: You would tell the police???

Me: OF COURSE! But it wasn't like that. 

Me: I swear.

Me: He's just a bit odd. 

Me: He's not the best at dealing with people.

Me: Or his emotions.

Neil: I see.

Neil: you know him better than me

Neil: I trust your judgement.

Neil: Can I call you?

Me: I'm a bit drained.

Me: I don't think I can play tonight.

Neil: I understand.

Neil: But it would put my mind at rest if we could talk for a couple of minutes

Neil: If that's all right?

Me: Yes, ok

Not even a minute had passed before my Skype chimed. "Hey, Neil. It's good to see you."

"Hi there. Crazy day, huh?" he asked, furrowing his brow.

"Yeah, just draining."

Thanks to his ability to listen without judgment and comfort me with his soothing voice, I ended up spilling my guts to Neil. I might have misjudged the situation because telling him what had happened at the train station seemed to put his mind at rest. Perhaps because he no longer feared the worst. 

He exhaled a heavy breath. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"Why can't Thomas just be normal?" I asked, flopping on my bed. "I know we broke up not even two months ago, but Jeez Louise in a handbasket. I mean...how did you deal with your ex?"

"I think it was different with us." Neil spoke with care as though weighing each word. "Steph and I knew it was over long ago and settled things amicably. Relatively speaking."

"You're so lucky." It struck me how callous my words sounded after they'd slipped from my lips. "I mean, not lucky about the bad relationship. Lucky that your separation wasn't crazy pants. I mean, not that it was a bad relationship, but--ugh!"

"No, you're right."

"Ugh! This is why someone should tape my lips shut when I'm upset." 

"Don't worry." He gave me a tender smile. "I know what you meant."

I ran a hand through my hair. "When I'm upset, I have no filters and I say stupid crap, and--"

He chuckled. "Hey, you didn't say anything untrue. I'm fortunate I didn't have to go through the stressful part a lot of couples have to endure with separation and divorce."

Breathing a sigh of relief, I said, "Yeah, that's what I meant."

"I know." Neil stretched his neck, massaging his shoulder. "Hey, would you like me to stay with you tonight? If I cancel and Emily decides to stay, the guys can still play."

"That's kind of you, but I'd like some time on my own...if that's okay." I cleared my throat. "I need to diffuse after what happened. Take a bath. Read a book or watch Anne with an E as comfort food for my brain." 

"That's an adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, right?"

"You got it."

Neil gave a barely audible chuckle and nodded. "As long as you're okay."

"Don't worry. Nothing bad happened. It sounds worse than it is."

"I trust you." He paused. "If you change your mind later, let me know."

"Can I reserve the right to say good night?" I asked. "After I just sort of--as Emily would say--chill?"

His eyes lit up. "I would like that very much. If you feel up to it. Otherwise, we can talk tomorrow."

I blew him a kiss. "Either way, we'll do that."

He returned the gesture. "Talk to you later, Vee."

Yep, Neil had already graduated from Toria to Vee. In the space of a few short weeks, no less. Only three people had managed it my entire life: my grandparents, Emily, and him. 

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