Page 119 of Raspados & Regret

Come on, don’t do this.

Elías

Do what?

Fabián

Make it into some kind of a joke. I know you felt something too.

My fingers still. Well, that’s rich coming from either of us.

Elías

Okay?

Then say what you mean.

The dots appear, and they last so long I start counting the clicks of the fan again.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Fabián

I’m not ready for everybody to know.

Especially the guys at work.

The regret doesn’t arrive like a scream or kick the door in. It slides in quietly and takes a seat at the edge of my bed.

Elías

Everybody?

Fabián

You know… TikTok.

Junior.

The market… just everybody.

I stare at the list.

Elías

I didn’t ask you to make a public statement.

Fabián

I know.

Elías