Free The Writer by Rebekah Dodson Page A

world here without him.
    Technology can be both a blessing a curse sometimes. As soon as my message was sent, my phone told me he'd seen it. Then it told me he was typing a response.
    And then, nothing.
    I waited, worried my message had somehow bounced back, so I sent it again.
    Message not received.
    I stared at my phone in disbelief. I dialed his number without thinking. "The caller you are trying to reach is out of service."
    Oh my god. He blocked me from talking to him.
    I couldn't even make it right, whatever I had done. On a whim I called Alicia's number, and got the same message. They had both cut me out of their lives.
    I packed, then. I needed something to occupy my thoughts. Rage, anxiety, stress, it was all flooding in at once. My hands shook as I tuck light, but functional, with slacks, sweaters, and blouses into my large rolling suitcase. My mind still raced, and I spent the wee hours of the morning researching different places to visit and stay, and worked through a few language tutorials on YouTube to brush up on my rusty skills.
    The next morning, Thursday, Elijah beat me to the office. I waved hi, and he turned back to his computer, without a motion or a word.
    My heart burned so badly. As the day wore on, I realized: he probably remembers, and hates me for lying. Considering that he'd removed me from being able to call or message him, well, I think that was a definite goodbye. He'd turned in his formal resignation last week, and his final day would be December 30th. That was fine with me. If he wasn't talking to me, then so be it.
    Our friendship was crumbling, and all I could do was watch.
    It's amazing how one interaction can change that entire mood of the workplace.
    Our weekly meeting that afternoon, accentuated the somber tone of the week. It was dour and drab, with awkward lapses between discussions, and silences that made my eye twitch.
    "Just a brief reminder, we're down to the wire, but I'm pushing article deadlines until next week. We're hoping to publish mid week, so we can hold the... party... next Friday."
    Friday of course, was going away party/engagement party for Elijah and Alicia.
    I'd be on a plane headed east before the party ever began.
    All around the circular table, blank stares greeted me, Elijah's was the only one I could see. As soon as I looked at him, he looked away.
    A few collective groans greeted me as well.
    "Okay who died and made you Ebeneezer?" Alex spoke up.
    "Yeah, I mean, Christmas is Saturday!" Tim said nasally, blowing his nose loudly into a tissue.
    Marion looked at me and shrugged. "I'm done."
    Everyone looked at each other and nodded.
    "Is everyone either done or close to being done?" I asked, looking at my meeting notes instead of his crystal blue eyes. "I'm using the holiday to work so I'll probably be here..."
    There was silence at that, then a few murmurs.
    I switched the subject. I cleared my throat, looking at Alex. "Plans okay for the..." I searched for the right words, and forced them out: "boy voyage party?"
    He nodded.
    This meeting was dragging on. "So, um, how are we doing on our assignments? I've finished Barb's Barbs, and the expose on the local Christmas celebration at the resort is done. Let's go around and check in."
    Silence.
    "M, why don't you start?"
    Marion looked me, blinking.
    "M?"
    "Oh, um, the Christmas dessert article is done, today I should finish the bacon article as well. Did you want the crepes recipe in the international section?"
    "Yeah, that would be fine." I looked at Tim.
    "Edits to the webpage?"
    "Yeah, they're fine."
    "How about you guys?" I looked pointedly at Elijah and Alicia.
    Elijah shuffled his notes, staring intently at them. "Announcers articles are done, Coach Smith interview just needs to be typed up. Alex, you have the pictures?"
    My photographer nodded. "Yeah, just shoot me the interview and I'll put the pictures in."
    "Okay."
    Alicia stared at me, not saying anything. Her glare was harsh, almost hostile. Elijah nudged