Epilogue
That was almost two months ago. Fifty two days; I counted. Back when the last time seemed so far away. Abstract and unfathomable. He was so powerful then. I'd convinced myself that nothing could touch him. Nothing but me.
But there is something in his eyes now when he looks into mine. Words catch in his throat.
The words catch in my throat as there is a knock at the door. "Ballard?"
"Is he here?"
Oh, God, no. Go away. Take whatever dark tidings you've brought and leave us in peace. "Neo. It's from the Oracle."
No. Not yet. One more day. One more hour. You bastard, don't look at me like that! Neo, don't you look at me like that was our last night. "It's time to go."
I lock myself in the lav as he packs the clothes I washed and left for him, folded on the bed. And I bawl silently, my back against the tile, clutching the results of my last physical in a fist. I only opened them an hour ago. Why now? My hand slides to my stomach. Please, not now.
"Trinny? Have you seen my socks?"
He has never called me that before. I swallow hard. "The oven."
"What?"
I wipe my eyes and holler through the door, "They were still damp. I'm drying them in the oven."
"Fucking Martha Stewart. You know that?"
I don't answer, fingers shaking as I lift them to my lips, to cold sweat on my forehead. I think I might be sick. Please let us live through this.
"Trin?" He knocks. "You okay?"
A long beat passes as I make the decision. I can't tell him. He fights with that heart. And this news would break it.
"I'm fine." I drop the ball of paper into the toilet and flush. If he ends this war, one day won't matter. And if he dies doing it, then so will I. So will we. He doesn't need to know what we're losing.
He doesn't need to know that tonight, we fight as three.
Fin