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“Touch that button and it’ll be the last thing you do,” I said, my voice low but clear.
He dragged his arm back and straightened his ball cap twice.
I crossed my arms and waited for the doors to open.
When I finally stood in front of Grace’s door, I inhaled deeply and relaxed my shoulders. It would not be a good idea to approach her as this fuming bull right now. I curled my fist and knocked lightly on her door.
I checked the buttons on my shirt in case I’d missed any in my rush to get here.
I tried the doorbell.
When no one opened the door, I pressed my ear to it and listened. It felt creepy at first, but I told myself I was just listening for the TV.
Nothing but silence. These were either thick doors or Grace was ignoring me. I knew she loved to sleep in and watch movie marathons with her mother on Saturdays, so I was pretty sure she was home.
Was it possible that she saw my car parked in front of her building and was ignoring me now? Yes, that was a real possibility.
I didn’t begrudge her for it. I considered leaving and coming back whenever she’d pick up her phone, but that could be never, and I wasn’t walking away again.
I banged harder on the door this time. “Grace?” I called. “I know you’re there. Please. I just want to talk. Open the door.”
I thought I’d heard a sound, so I pressed my forehead to the door.
“Grace?” I called, a little softer this time. “Please.”
After a few minutes, I finally said, “I just want to apologize. I’ve been an idiot. I’m so sorry. I—” I wanted to say this all to her face, but I wasn’t sure if she would ever open the door.
Someone cleared their throat behind me, and I stiffened.
“Excuse me,” an older woman wearing a floral dress with white pearls and holding a straw purse stared at me. “I was about to call the police when I heard all the banging.”
“I apologize, ma’am,” I said. “I’m just trying to speak to someone inside. But she’s not answering.”
“Of course not,” she said.
Feeling defeated that even the little old lady had no hope for me, I leaned my head back against Grace’s door and slumped my shoulders.
“Grace isn’t there,” she said.
“Are you sure?” I asked. She was wearing glasses, but the prescription could be old.
“I know everything that happens on this floor, young man,” she said with a proud shrug of her shoulders. She stepped closer to look at me. “How do you know, Grace?”
Grace and I hadn’t labeled our relationship yet but I knew this woman wouldn’t tell me anything if I didn’t give her a straight answer. “I’m her boyfriend.”
She waved me off. “Grace doesn’t have a boyfriend.” She turned to leave, but I stopped her.
“Please. It’s very new but I’ve known her for a long time. How do you know Grace isn’t here?”
“Well, I heard your little speech a few minutes ago, and it sounded sincere.”
I groaned inwardly.
“Grace hasn’t been back since the ambulance came to her door.”
“The ambulance?” I asked, panic rising in my chest. “Is Grace all right?”
“She looked fine to me.” Pursing her lips, she added, “Her mother, though.”
