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those words now, and maybe you’ll never be able to say them, but
that doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
“Alex…”
“You don’t have to say it,” he said.
“Can I explain?” she asked, finally pulling back.
He didn’t bother to hide his curiosity.
“I want to tell you something,” she said. “I want to tell you about
me.”
17
Three days before Katie left New England, a brisk early January
wind made the snowflakes freeze, and she had to lower her head
as she walked toward the salon. Her long blond hair blew in the
wind and she could feel the pinpricks of ice as they tapped against
her cheeks. She wore high-heeled pumps, not boots, and her feet
were already freezing. Behind her, Kevin sat in the car watching
her. Though she didn’t turn, she could hear the car idling and
could imagine the mouth that was set into a hard, straight line.
The crowds that had filled the strip mall during Christmas were
gone. On either side of the salon was a Radio Shack and a pet
store, both of them empty; no one wanted to be out on a day like
today. When Katie pulled the door, it flew open in the wind and
she struggled to close it. Chilled air followed her into the salon
and the shoulders of her jacket were coated with a fine layer of
white. She slipped off her gloves and jacket, turning around as she
did so. She waved good-bye to Kevin and smiled. He liked it
when she smiled at him.