“Why? And why talk to me now like that never happened?” Her voice has a funny quality to it. I know that if I look up at her, her neck will be all blotchy, like it always gets when she’s upset.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “You’re right. I’m not really good at relationships“No, you’re not!” Audrey says, seeming relieved that I have finally said something she can totally endorse. “You’re not, and I don’t know how to deal with you.”
aaa
I consider and dismiss many variations of the suggestion that we be friends. Finally I look at her.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Cloe’s not your cousin either, is she?” Audrey asks.
“No,” I say. “I told you that because—”
-- aaa --
She holds up her hand, and I gratefully stop talking. “You didn’t tell me that. She did.”
At that I just stare. I honestly don’t remember
