Page 160 of Mile High Ruin

“It’s okay.”

We begin walking slowly toward the house. I notice she keeps slightly to the side, as though she has learned not to take up too much space.

“What are the flowers for?”

“The kitchen table. Nadia likes fresh ones on Sundays.”

“Very specific.”

“She likes routines.”

I can believe that.

Mila pauses. “Sunday is my birthday.”

The statement is so quiet that I almost miss it.

I look at her. “Your birthday?”

She nods.

“How old are you turning?”

“Twenty.”

I stop walking. “You’re nineteen?”

She seems confused by my reaction. “Yes.”

For some reason, I had assumed she was older. Maybe because everyone in this house carries themselves as though they have lived several lives already.

“Are you doing anything special for your birthday?”

Mila shakes her head. “No.”

“Nothing?”

“It’s not important.”

“That’s what people say when they secretly want cake.”

A tiny smile appears. “I like cake.”

“There we go.”

She looks down at the flowers again. “We don’t celebrate birthdays much here.”

“I’m glad we talked,” I tell her.

She looks genuinely surprised. “Me too.”

Then she disappears through the kitchen doors.

I stand there for a moment.

I should be thinking about Camille.

I am.