17. …The parting line

The Monday night was extremely cold, the weather unpleasant – Vera couldn't decide whether it was raining or snowing when she was getting out of the car, returning from the atelier after the tailor had taken her measurements – like all of them. They actually had settled on a reasonable price, both sides content. Nina promised she would bring Vera for fitting on Thursday – Vera was hoping that by that time, she would have her shoes and purse (she took a picture of the miniature, so she could look at it when shopping). She realized she had to switch shifts with someone – in a perfect world, she would have the morning ones for the rest of the week except Sunday. She had to do it as soon as possible.

Vera turned on the heater in her apartment to maximum, hoping Matt wasn't outside that night. In better case, he would catch a cold. In worse, he would slip on the white frost and fell from a rooftop. Luckily, he called her around ten p.m. to tell her he was staying in.

Remembering his mocking, she accepted the call with all politeness. "Hey, Matt. How are you?" she asked him as sweetly as she managed.

"Hi, Vera. As good as ever. Can't get one of the carols from my head though…" he admitted and Vera thought is served him right. "What about you?"

"Well, that's what you get when you're eavesdropping. Which one?"

He huffed. "Well, I don't remember the words. No idea what they mean," he fell silent for a while and when she spoke again, his voice was soft, "I looked up your words though."

Vera smiled for herself. "Did you?"

"Yeah," Matt took a deep breath, "taky tě miluji."

Vera covered her mouth to keep the delighted laugh in. He had the weirdest accent, but it was right. He said it right. It warmed her heart and made it to race in an incredible speed. She uncovered her mouth so he would understand her words.

"Miluji tě."

"It's beautiful when you say it."

"Well, I don't really think it matters which language you speak. The message is more important. I love you, Matt. You're not going outside, are you?" she demanded, worried.

"No, I'm not. Unless I hear something urgent. I am not suicidal." Vera sometimes doubted that, but she didn't say it out loud. "Anyway, you've never answered me how you're doing. What's up with the baking?"

"Christmas are coming. Well, creeping in slowly. I won't celebrate Thanksgiving, so Christmas it is. Gingerbreads need time. I'm good otherwise." She wanted to add she started preparations for the benefit, but stopped herself. He didn't need to know that.

"Hm. I wouldn't know. We never baked."

Vera gasped, horrified. "Ever?! That's it. You're getting the biggest batch once the sweets are finished. I'll try to find the purest ingredients for decorating and gluing it together so it wouldn't offend you delicate taste. Šmarja…" She had to admit she kinda understood that his dad probably hadn't been much of a baker and in the orphanage... God, his life was so sad.

He laughed, not sharing any other heart-breaking fact from his childhood. "Thanks. I appreciate it, Vera… you… you're not getting any second thoughts about Saturday, are you?"

Vera blinked in surprise. Why would he ask that? "Uhm… no? Should I? Is everything okay? Something came up and you can't go?"

Matt rushed to disprove. "No! No, everything is fine. I realized I haven't told you what time it is. Toast is at seven p.m., I thought we would pick you up at quarter past six? We would like to be there around quarter to seven. Foggy is taking Karen and your apartment is the closest to the event. Is that okay?"

Foggy was taking Karen? Good. "Where is it?"

Matt told her a place she had never heard of. She wasn't surprised she hadn't. She would look it up later.

"Okay. Thanks. Anything else I should know? Like a dress code or whatever?" She hoped there was none. Because the making of her dress was already in motion. And she really liked it.

Matt sighed. "No. But I do have to warn you. It would be boring, most likely. Lots of talking with people who think the biggest problem of the world is the clients who couldn't afford them." He didn't seem to be thrilled either. Well, it made two of them. At least she wouldn't be the only person who wouldn't feel good around that kind of people.

"Good to know. I promise I'll be smiling politely the whole evening, nodding when expected to and laughing at jokes I don't understand if necessary," she swore with an attempt to cheer him up.

It worked. Matt's laugh reached her ears again. "You're amazing, Vera. I'm glad you'll be there with me. I promise I'll try to make it as bearable for you as possible," he pledged in return, sounding serious. "I'll protect you from any possible threat – starting with boring head honchos, ending with pickpockets. Treating sprained ankles from broken heels included."

Vera grinned. "I'll take your word for it. Also, Foggy will be there with Karen. I'm sure we can make it through."

"Me too."

She did not want to yawn. She really didn't. She kept her mouth shut just in case she didn't manage to win her fight.

"You're tired. You had the morning shift. Sorry."

"I'm glad you called, Matt. I missed y-" your voice "-you. In every way possible," she confessed, realizing she truly had.

"I miss you too. I can come over if you want-"

"No!" she blurted out, startled by the idea of him jumping over the rooftops in the foul weather. "I mean, it's okay. You need to rest too. And it's terrible out there. I'll settle with your voice for tonight."

She was certain Matt smiled. "You told me you liked it once," he sounded pleased by it, just like in the hospital.

"Yeah, not my finest moment. I remember it too well."

"You do? It's… it's one of my favourite memories of you," he opposed her, voice soft.

Her lips formed a smile involuntarily. She wouldn't expect him to say something like that – it seemed like he wasn't very comfortable with sharing such a deep feeling. Maybe she was getting under his skin. Her smile widened at the idea. "Well, I do like it."

"It was an important moment for me - I knew by that time that you would make it through, recover. And you were very cute that night."

"Shut up." Vera felt her cheeks burning and she was grateful he couldn't see her – sense her, or whatever.

"You're blushing. It's lovely," he guessed anyway and she rolled her eyes. "Good night, Vera."

"Good night, Matt."

The package arrived on Wednesday morning (Vera sent her mum a voice mail thanking her like a million times), which was perfect – Terri had the morning shift with her and they planned on attacking the shopping centre in the afternoon. Her friend squeaked when she saw the photo of her future dress.

("It is amazing! Jeez. Vera. You will look beautiful! If anyone says otherwise I will break his nose. It's the colour of Matt's glasses too. That's so cool!"

"It is?" Vera wondered, studying the picture again. Huh. It actually was.)

Terri arranged a hairdresser appointment for Vera on Wednesday evening. She clicked her tongue when Vera protested against the hairdresser dying her hair – she would handle it by herself, thank you very much. Terri gave up and checked her nails instead, studying them for an eternity, making disapproving sounds, driving Vera crazy. She promised her a professional manicure and pedicure after their little exchange of opinions.

("What?!"

"Your nails are a mess! Please tell me you would let me to paint them."

"Hell no!" she protested vehemently. No paint on her nails. And no long nails either. She wasn't used to it! She would poke her eyes out when putting on her contacts.

"Vera!"

"Nope. Matt would mind." She thought he would smell it. Even she could. "I would mind too."

"But-"

"And no long nails either! Not like extra-long, anyway."

"And what kind of magic do you expect me to do with this?!" she complained, gesturing to Vera's hands.

It offended her – it wasn't such a disaster, was it? "Magic. Exactly. Because you are a miracle worker."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Terri huffed, but didn't oppose her anymore.)

Vera managed to switch shifts with Hannah, so everything was going smoothly. It was scary. She was waiting for things going to hell soon. She was somehow hoping it would be before the event and not during it. It was probably a fool's hope.

("So, it's because of a date, huh?" Hannah eyed her suspiciously, when they discussed the Saturday shift.

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you plan it on another evening?"

"I couldn't. It's a party."

"She really couldn't. She's dating Matt Murdock. He's a busy man," Terri exclaimed from behind Vera, voice indifferent, but loud enough to people in two meters radius to hear her. They all snapped their heads in her direction.

Vera decreased slowly until she hid behind the counter completely, out of everyone's sight except Terri's and Hannah's. "No way!"

"Oh yeah-"

"Terri, shut-"

"Okay, I'll take the afternoon one," Hannah agreed, examining Vera with newly found something.

"Thank you."

"He's taking her to the Landman and Zack party."

"THERESA!"

"Holy shit, really?!")

And that was it. They were entering the shopping centre with only one goal - Terri had offered a wide spectrum of makeup, Nina had granted the jewels. They only had to find the purse, because her old one was shit. Vera was sure it would still ruin her savings. She almost cried when she saw the prices of quality handbags and wanted to leave. Terri grabbed her hand, making her stay and helped her to choose the right colour to match with her shoes. And drew her to lingerie shop again, to buy a proper bra. Vera was actually grateful, because she needed to buy the upper panties – Terri popped her eyes when Vera explained – non-dancers never understood. But Terri used the opportunity and bought something nice for Victor. They left late, more or less content (more for their purchase, less for their wallets). Vera was glad she had to Fogwell's the day before, because she was too beat for the day and she had the appointment at the hairdresser.

It turned out that Terri had a small misunderstanding with the hairdresser and she only had twenty minutes for Vera – she didn't mind. She saved money, because Mia didn't wash her hair and just combed it properly before cutting it due the lack of time. Washing them would be a waste of shampoo and time anyway – Vera only wanted to get rid of the split ends. Terri bickered the whole time, but Vera and Mia both ignored it. Vera actually looked for inspiration for the hairstyle for Saturday – but in all catalogues, they were too complicated. She wondered about it for the rest of the evening, falling to sleep uneasily. Just like the night before, she found a text from Matt, ensuring her he had gotten home safe – he didn't bother with lying to her that he had no scratch though. She passed it with a sigh, not wanting to fight with him. She hoped he would let her know if anything serious happened.

On Thursday, after suffering through one of her worst shifts ever – with both Barbara and Olivia –, Nina took her for the fitting. Vera was astonished by the amount of work the tailor managed in only two days and a half. The dress were tacked completely, some parts even sewed together firmly.

It fit almost perfectly – there were only few adaptations and Eddie offered them to wait for the final work – she reckoned the editing would take about three hours. Vera had nothing better to do really (maybe except baking and dying her hair), so she didn't mind – Nina agreed hesitantly too, deciding it was easier than coming back to Jersey again. Nina was obviously trustworthy, because Eddie allowed them to pay after returning the dress. For a millionth time, Vera was grateful to her beyond description, since she hadn't taken so much money with her that day.

Eddie managed to get the work done in two and a half hour. Vera tried the dress on, taking her shoes and purse as well.

"I take it back. You're a babe in these too. I'll have to figure something out with your hair. Here," Nina handed her a suede leather box. Vera shot her a surprised look. "Come on. Open it."

Vera did. And gasped. "Proboha."

"My mum bought it for my homecoming. It was a little shabby so I got it cleaned up. It would match well, right?"

Vera fought the tears in her eyes. "It's beautiful," she glared at Nina, "Are you sure?"

"Like hell I'm not. May I?" she offered her help with buttoning it up. Vera nodded hesitantly, watching the necklace getting placed on her neck and upper chest. She stared at the woman in the mirror, shocked when her expression changed as well as hers. It was her, no matter how incredible the idea was.

The tailor, who was observing their exchange quietly so far, spoke up. "You, my darling, would be the adornment of the evening. Whoever is taking you, he's a one lucky bastard."

Vera looked at her, fingertips tenderly tracing the necklace. Eddie seemed to be satisfied with her work and she had every right.

"Thanks," Vera breathed out and eyed the woman in the mirror for the last time. "To both of you. It's incredible." She didn't hold the tears anymore. She just let them roll down her face.

"Hush. This reminds me of Maria's homecoming. Stop crying. Dammit!" Nina's eyes were watering too, but she fought them bravely and unlike Vera, she succeeded.

"Well, girls, I think it's time to leave. Strip the dress, carefully. Money with returning the dress, from cleaner's please. And I want a photo of them from the evening. Deal?"

Vera smiled. "Sure thing. Thank you, Mrs. Krzecszczuk," she said her name without stutter, being proud of herself.

"Wow. It's Eddie, seriously. But nice work…"

Vera didn't expect to see Matt before Saturday evening – it was a nice surprise when he showed up in MDDC on Friday around noon, smiling brightly when he noticed her presence (or maybe he just waited for her to notice him).

"Matt! Hi!" she greeted him cheerfully, ignoring Olivia who was piercing her with her eyes nosily.

A brilliant smile was his answer, as he didn't pay any attention to other girls behind the counter. Well, he had a good excuse at least. He could always say he didn't see them.

"Uhm. I mean, welcome to MDDC. What can I get you?" she offered the acquired phrase and the corners of his lips rose even higher. "The usual? One Americano with no sugar, one latte macchiato with extra sugar and one vanilla latté? Oh, sorry, she prefers the gingerbread one these days, right?"

Now Becky was staring at her too, amazed by their familiarity.

"Exactly. One more order for today though."

Vera eyebrow shot up unwillingly. "Oh. What that would be?" she asked curiously as she entered the order in the cashbox.

"One green tea, please." Her head shot up in surprise. He wouldn't order for her, right? "You don't have to prepare this one to go. It's up to you." So yeah, he would.

She blushed so hard anyone would think she might be feverish. Professionalism, Vera. Get it together. "Of course. Anything else?"

His head tilted and turned slightly in Olivia's and Becky's direction – they were standing aside, speaking softly together. When they noticed they were being watched, they stopped and Olivia started rearranging the dishes in dishwasher. Very subtle.

"Well, there are few more things I'd like from you. But I'm not sure they are on the menu," he exclaimed with a smug grin and Vera felt her heart sped up like crazy, startled and excited. Her eyes went wide with shock. What the hell was he doing?

She heard two gasps and shattering – turning around, she found Olivia hovering over the machine, broken glass all over the floor. Her hand was slowly colouring with blood.

"Fuck," the bitchiest-bitch-to-ever-bitch swore and Vera was taken over by instinct, making her way to the girl she did not like.

"Get it under lukewarm water. Now," she gripped her forearm carefully, leading her to the sink, trying to avoid the shards. She set the temperature on a bearable level of cold and examined the wound under the thinnest flow. It didn't seem too deep, probably wouldn't need stiches – it would be a bitch to heal though, going across the palm. "Keep it here for a while. Becky, get the first aid kit, please. And the broom with dustpan."

" 'K." Her colleague obeyed and went to Mrs. Walker office.

Despite Vera's better judgement, she smiled reassuringly at Olivia. "I'll just finish the order and take care of it, okay? The mild coldness will reduce the bleeding and wash away possible impurity. It's not deep. I know it hurts, but that's actually a good sing. No nerve damage."

Olivia watched her with her mouth hanging slightly open as Vera squeezed her forearm and returned to Matt. He looked guilty. Slightly. He knew it wasn't serious.

"Sorry," he apologized anyway.

Vera rolled her eyes. "She'll live. See? That's what you get for eavesdropping…" She touched few buttons and told him the price, getting back to the work mode.

He chuckled quietly. "You'll never let me live this one down, will you?"

"Nope," she answered, accenting the P. She took a holder, wrote names on the cups before placing it in there, gluing a sticker on Matt's as usual. She made her tea to go as well, not wanting the ceramic cup lying around with steaming liquid – the cut was enough, she didn't need a burned co-worker on the top of that. "Thanks for the tea."

"I never told you the rest - you didn't let me finish my order. That was very unprofessional, miss Machackova," he complained, leaning closer to the counter.

Vera's calm caused by the drill from college (where they had learned them not to panic when seeing blood and treat the patient with serenity) disappeared and she felt dizzy again. What he was doing was a shameless flirting. On her workplace. She played along, leaning in slightly as well.

"Well, Mr. Murdock, I was busy. I'm sorry. But you said the item was not on the menu anyway. Whatever it was, I'm confident it cannot be bought."

She was proud of herself. She really was, because if there was something she sucked at utterly, it would be being coquettish.

"There are other ways to pay than with money."

Matt was on his home turf, she could tell. He had it all - but she knew that already. If his charming smile didn't work, his handsome face wearing a lost puppy look would serve instead. In other cases, he brought the girl to her knees with his cockiness.

Vera raised her chin in a combative gesture, driven by his overweening, facing him from up close. She wouldn't show how much he threw her off balance (not to the other people at least, she knew he was well-aware of her body reacting to him).

"Keep in mind that not all ways of payment are accepted. And I'm not cheap."

"I'll take my chances," he declared in dangerously rough voice which made her shiver. He stole a small kiss from her frozen lips, grabbed the holder and disappeared from the café.

Blinking, Vera turned around to check on Olivia and Becky. Olivia didn't seem to be interested in her injury anymore and Becky was standing in the doorway, first aid kit in her hands with her jaw almost reaching the floor.

Vera cleared her throat. "So. How is your hand?"

Vera went to bed early, after stopping by Fogwell's for a light clean up and work out, dying her hair and washing it repeatedly to get rid of the chemical smell. She didn't sleep well that night. She dreamed of haughty glares from mannered faces of upper class ladies, grossed out expression of arrogant noblemen, poisonous laugh and illusion shattering as easily as the thinnest glass, stained with blood. She sat up on her bed sharply, gasping for air, her pyjama soaking with sweat.

She ran her hand down her face, squinting into the dim light coming from her phone. It was glowing with a received text – Matt came home from his patrol unusually early. The display read only twenty minutes after midnight. She didn't feel like sleeping in the slightest, so she picked the phone up and called Matt instead, wanting to make sure he was alright as the message said.

He answered in seconds. "Hey," his voice greeted her from the speaker, a hint or surprise in it. Vera was still fighting for her breath, not responding immediately. It freaked him out. "Vera? Are you okay? What happened?"

She gulped, working against the lump in her throat. Why was she so scared? It was ridiculous. She dreamed about blood before - this was nothing.

"Vera!"

"Sorry, sorry. I'm okay. It's all good." She didn't sound convincing, not even to her ears.

She heard rustling on the background. "Vera, where are you?" he demanded, probably picking up his stuff, heading out again. Vera could tell he was startled by her call and her tone. The guilt stung her.

"Matt, I'm alright. Nothing happened. I swear."

"You're a terrible liar." The noise on the other end of the line stopped though.

"I know. But it was just a nightmare. I woke up and found your text. Wanted to make sure you are alright."

Matt let out a relieved sigh as he heard her voice getting stronger. "Of course I am."

"You're home early," she noted, accusing. She didn't mind him not running around at the moment. But it was suspicious. "Did you get hurt?"

"No. Nothing much happened tonight and I couldn't hear anything that required my assistance. I can come over if you want me to."

Yes, please. "No. It's… I'm glad you're okay. Stay home, rest. Big things are waiting for us in the evening." Her throat tightened at the idea. Relax.

Nothing but silence followed. Then: "You don't want to go."

He didn't reproach her. It was simply a note. Vera squeezed her eyes shut and mouthed a curse. How the hell did he figure it out?

"That's not true," she disproved, traces of honesty in her exclaim. She did want to go. It was just a stage fright.

"You're freaking out again," he actually sounded amused now, trying to hide it lamely, "Vera, there's nothing you have to worry about. There will be no forks."

Vera bit her tongue before she could blurt out fuck the forks, it about the people!, thinking of better way of expressing her fears. "Maybe. A little."

"A little?" he questioned with scepticism. "I'll be at your place in few minutes if you want me to... Prepare your bill and I'll bring all kinds of currency I can think of."

Now that was a tempting offer. Except she was gross at the moment. "No need. Keep your savings for the evening." It took all her strength to force those words out when her whole body and mind screamed otherwise.

"Hm…"

"But maybe you could help me to fall asleep?"

Matt burst out laughing, probably throwing his head back. "What, you want me to tell you a bedtime story or something?"

Vera didn't respond and laid down on her bed again, placing the phone next to her head. He chuckled several times, the sound pleasant for her ears. She closed her eyes contentedly.

"Te amo, querida," he declared in soft voice.

She could understand the first part. A goofy smile settled on her lips. "Miluji tě," she whispered back.

"Había una vez una bella joven…"

Terri was on her Saturday shift, greeting her with stern look. "Had you even slept tonight? Dammit, Vera!"

Vera was weary. Matt's Spanish echoed in her ears, gentle voice cradling her to sleep even now. She was beat. She needed tea. And a lot of sugar. "I am eating cheesecake today. The best we got. Which one is the best?" she asked, ignoring Terri's question.

Her friend eyed her with sympathy. "You're a nervous wreck, aren't you? Oh, honey." Terri hugged her, seated her at the nearest table, preparing tea and placing a piece of cake in front of her. "Don't worry. There will be no customers for like another half an hour. Tell your friend what lies heavy in your mind."

Vera raised her gaze. "You know what."

"Well, let me tell you, you're being ridiculous."

"Not helping."

"Seriously! You faced a man with a gun at your head. You can handle few snobs," Terri reassured her with no calming effect.

"Thanks for the mental image."

Terri huffed. "If you don't stop brooding I swear I'll call Murdock to come here and cheer you up," she threatened, looking deadly serious.

That woke Vera up a little. She examined her friend suspiciously. "You're bluffing. You don't have his number."

Confident smile appeared on Terri's face. "Oh, I do." She fished out her phone from the pocket of her apron, drawing on in with her finger and showing the display to her.

There was a contact saved as Vera's bae. And the number was Matt's. Vera sat up straight. "What the hell?"

"Should I call him?"

"NO!" Vera swept the phone away from Terri's hand, closing the window in it. "How the hell did you get it? … No, you know what? Don't answer." She took a determined sip of her tea and ate the cheesecake in record time.

"That's the spirit."

"You bet your ass it is."

They managed their shift without any catastrophes, heading to Vera's place right after, stopping by Nina's apartment first.

"Good to see you again, Mrs. Larkin," Terri offered politely and Nina rolled her eyes.

"Same here, Terri. Glad to meet you under better circumstances than the last time." Vera tried to remember when they had met before. She realized the only possible situation was connected to her kidnapping. Yeah. Okay. "And it's Nina, you know."

"Thank you, Nina. Shall we go upstairs?"

Nina waved with a bag full of something and smiled widely. "Ready when you are."

Vera was actually getting worried. Nina's bag with supplies for hairdressing was smaller than Terri's for make-up.

At the end, it was a nice afternoon; Vera managed to fall asleep at some point. She was woken up by the hand in her hair. She blinked in surprise.

"I feel like the girl from The Princess Diaries," she exclaimed while Nina went through her hair carefully, trying not to pull them too hard and Terri held her hand, using a tool Vera haven't seen before. Both of them laughed.

"Well, you could be a princess. You're more The Sleeping Beauty, but you should check out your ancestors. You never know…" Terri noted with a wide grin and took her other hand.

"The dress suits you, that's for sure. Next time we're going for the crown."

"You're both so funny…"

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Vera asked them suspiciously as they examined her with thoughtful expressions.

Their work was done – they helped her with dressing up, Nina did her hair, Terri took care of the make-up (promising she would use only as much as necessary), fine-tuned things Vera wouldn't think of (Terri prepared a special first aid kit for fixing her precious work) and now Vera was standing in front of them, letting them evaluate the outcome.

She whined. "Seriously. What?!"

Terri obviously found her nervousness hilarious. "You can't go out like this."

Vera's eyes popped and she paced to the mirror in her bedroom, afraid of what she would see. She blinked in surprise.

It wasn't bad. She might even call the girl – or more a woman – attractive. Vera knew how the dress and jewellery looked at her, she was ready for it. What caught her of guard was the delicate touch of make-up on her face (when they used cosmetics for their dancing competitions, it was always very striking since it had to be visible to the jury in the dim light and moving spotlights), not distinctive despite the shade of the lipstick. Her hair were combed up a little, strands curled slightly falling loose around her shoulders and back.

She frowned at her reflection and turned to Terri and Nina, who had followed her to her room with matching impish grins. "Why I can't go out like this?"

"Because you might cause a car accident if some driver spots you. Every single man on the benefit will envy Matt, trust me," Terri told her in a serious voice. "Now, drink up some juice, because the last time you ate was two hours ago and it was a banana-"

"There are butterflies in my stomach!" Vera defended herself. It wasn't her fault!

"-which is why you have to at least drink some sugar. I brought you a straw so you wouldn't mess up your lipstick."

Vera was impressed. "Thank you. Both of you. You are wonderful. I can believe I'm saying this, but I think I won't be sticking out as a loser. I have no idea how to repay you." She obediently drank a glass of juice and eyed her watch. It was six o'clock.

"Oh, you will stick out, that's our point," Nina opposed her and started putting away her gear. "Oh, one more thing!" She found a small blue clasp and shoved it to Vera's hair. Vera let her, but had no idea why she did so.

"Why did you do that?"

Terri burst out laughing. "That's gold. She's not getting married, Nina," she protested, delighted.

What?

Oh.

Vera wore a new dress, her old shoes (or she would, once she entered the right building), borrowed a necklace and earrings and now she had a blue clasp in her hair. She smiled at Nina gratefully. "It's sweet anyway. Thanks."

Nina just nodded and returned to her work. Terri packed as well.

Vera quickly used the bathroom and put on her coat, making sure she had a bag with her shoes and purse. She took a deep breath. "I am not ready for this."

Terri smacked her arm lightly. "Hush, Mechy. Enjoy it. I expect a full report from you. And pictures or it didn't happen."

"Of course you do."

Vera walked out of her apartment, making sure she stepped out with her right foot. She looked over her shoulder last time and headed down to the hall so she could wait for the arrival of the taxi.