Chapter 47: Seat Belts
Sometime later I found myself standing in front of Claire's house. It was getting close to the evening, fast winter twilight starting its short grey reign over the city. I was lingering in front of the door, thinking over what I was going to tell her. My thoughts were scrambled, and the right words weren't coming. Finally, I rang the doorbell, still unsure of why I came here, and what I was going to do.
Nelly opened the door, seemingly unperturbed to see me standing there, uninvited.
'Hey, Nelly. Is Claire home?'
She shook he head.
'Oh.'
Nelly raised an eyebrow. 'Why?'
'I just... wanted to talk to her, that's all.
She extended her thumb and her little finger, raising them to her ear with a silent question.
'It's sort of... not a phone type of the conversation, I think.'
Nelly gave me a long look, then moved aside and gestured me to come in.
Their house didn't change much since I was here last. I stepped inside, and she closed the door, not wanting to let the cold in. Then she disappeared for a few seconds to retrieve her notebook. I waited patiently until she finished writing.