----Elaine---
The phone felt heavy in my hand as I pressed it against my ear, my fingers twisting into my lap as though that nervous motion could hold me together. I had already called John several times before he finally answered. My heart had been racing with every unanswered ring, every silence stretching into unbearable possibilities.
When his familiar voice finally came through, I nearly sobbed in relief. Apparently, he had been in the theatre, his phone set on vibrate, completely oblivious to my desperate attempts to reach him.
I explained the situation as quickly as I could, my words tumbling over one another, each sentence laced with urgency. He didn’t waste time asking questions—just promised he would head straight to Carla’s.
But once the call ended, I was left with only sile
