Neighbors begin piecing together memories of events that some prefer to forget.
An Onlooker
A young lady peers through her living room window, alternating her focus between her reflection and the distant images. To her, every life is more exciting than hers. She looked from a distance at Reyna’s rise to matrimony, longing for a transformation of her own—though the shadows behind Reyna’s life escape her notice. If there’s one person who can help Clara succeed, it seems to be Matilyn.
Clara grew up without knowing how to stand out. But whenever Matilyn stands on her terrace, Clara can’t help but mimic her movements in private, hoping to absorb just a sliver of her confidence.
She dreams that one day, Matilyn might notice her, maybe even help her blossom. But for now, reality calls—she must head to the diner to fill the waitress position Reyna once held.
After stepping off the elevator and onto the street, the chatter of crowds and the background sirens contrast with her solemn, reflective moment.
An Emergency Visit
With sirens wailing and lights flashing, the ambulance pulls up to the emergency hospital entrance. Paramedics wheel a gurney inside as doctors and nurses transport Reyna to an examination bed.
Alan interrupts the paramedics, conveying the vitals. “I’m her husband. She’s pregnant. Will the baby be okay?”
“Please stand in the waiting area. We’re going to perform an ultrasound and let you know.”
After the examination and administration of medications, the doctor motions for Alan to step into a private area.
“Your wife is resting now. She appears to be under considerable stress, which isn’t good for her or the baby. Her lack of proper sleep exacerbates her narcolepsy.”
“What? Narcolepsy? She never told me. Is the baby all right?”
“Yes, she and the baby are fine. My advice is not to berate her for concealing her medical condition. Pamper her. Be gentle. Give her another hour or so to rest while I prepare the discharge papers. Then you can take her home.”
While reflecting on his behavior, Alan clenches his fists, forcing himself to exhale. “Pamper her, the doctor said. But who’s going to pamper me?”
Alan’s mind begins to deflect the cause to something Reyna has done in his absence. The hour quickly passes. A nurse leads Alan to Reyna, where she slowly opens her eyes.
An Empty Space
The morning sunlight streaks through the window of the building across the way, causing Matilyn to squint. She rouses and freshens herself in the restroom before shuffling into her empty spare room. It was a frequent place for Alan to stay. Before that, it was Reyna.
“I’m certain that little cheese wedge thought Alan and I were sleeping together. He’s back with her, for now.”
Matilyn stands in the window with her arms stretched apart, in search of an admirer, but perhaps it’s too early.
She turns her attention back to the empty room, saying, “It’s time to find another delectable project.”
Her steps echo down the hallway to the computer, where she prints out a room-for-rent flyer and clips the bottom phone numbers. After getting dressed, she reaches for the front door to exit.
A Delayed Excuse
Across the street, Alan opens the front door of his apartment and helps Reyna to the bedroom. She’s groggy and still trying to recall events of the prior evening.
“Alan, what happened?”
“Don’t you remember? You collapsed on the floor. The paramedics? The hospital? The doctor said you have narcolepsy, something I knew nothing about.”
“Oh. That’s right. I received that diagnosis the first time I was hospitalized. The pills were supposed to help.”
“Well, it sure spoiled our evening. Now I must get to work. The doctor wants you to stay in bed without any excitement.”
While Alan washes up in the bathroom, Reyna checks her phone. As expected, there are many text messages from Evan. She sends a late reply.
Reyna “I can explain. Meet me in the laundry room. One hour.”
She then gets up and joins Alan in the restroom while he shaves.
After washing her hands, she asks, “Do you want me to whip up something quick and simple for your breakfast?”
“A fried egg between two pieces of toast would be perfect.”
Reyna prepares Alan’s meal and sends him off to work. Then she makes her way down to the laundry room without a basket before Evan arrives. Several neighbors come and leave. She sends another text message.
Reyna “I’m downstairs… waiting.”
An Unforgettable Memory
The sound of familiar footsteps approaches. Reyna flattens her hair and stretches her sweatshirt. Just before the steps reach the doorway, she begins speaking.
“Evan, believe me, I didn’t mean to ruin our dinner…”
But the steps belong to an elderly Spanish man, not Evan. He’s as shocked to see her as she is not to see Evan.
Reyna freezes, her heart pounding as the elderly man’s voice rises above the hum of dryers. “She’s the one who shoved that woman from the terrace!”
Neighbors stop folding their laundry. Some have curious expressions; a few confirm the accusation. Reyna bows her head and pushes through the crowd. As she does, she brushes past Evan, who’s just entered the room, his phone still in hand.
“Reyna!” he calls after her, startled, but she’s already bolting toward the stairs.
The accuser shouts, “Don’t let her get away! Somebody follow her while I call the police.”
Evan hesitates momentarily, caught between the shouting crowd and Reyna’s retreating figure. He wonders, “What did I miss? Why does she keep avoiding me?”
But before he can piece it together, the urgency of the moment pulls Evan forward. Instinctively, he joins the pursuit, trailing behind the others as they charge up the stairs.
She stumbles into her apartment on the seventh floor, slamming the door shut to barricade herself from the pursuers. A crescendo of sirens wails on the street below as Reyna locks her apartment door and presses her back against it, gasping for air.
The footsteps behind her grow louder, stopping just outside her door. Her heart pounds as a sharp knock echoes through the room.
Her arrest seems imminent. “Who… who is it?” she asks, her voice trembling.
“It’s me, Reyna. Evan. Open up.”
Relief floods her face as she quickly unlatches the door and pulls him inside. The crowd of neighbors lingers in the hallway, murmuring among themselves. Inside, Evan takes in the untouched romantic dinner setting, the candles, the table, the wine—all frozen in time.
“Reyna, what’s going on?” he asks, his voice low but urgent.
“We don’t have much time. Alan came back. He knows about us. But that’s not the biggest problem now.” She pushes him toward the door. “The police are coming. You need to go. I’ll explain when I can.”
Before she can shut the door, officers push through the crowd and enter. One of them steps forward. “Can we have a word, Ma’am?”
Evan hesitates, lingering in the doorway, but Reyna gives him one last pleading look. “Go!” she whispers fiercely.
Other officers interview the witnesses before entering her apartment. After whispering among themselves, one turns to Reyna and says, “Ma’am, please place your hands behind your back. You’re under arrest.”
They lead her to the elevator and push the first-floor button.
The End
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