Nora and Ellie stood up from the damp grass at Twin Peaks, hands still clasped tight. The sunrise had softened into a pale morning glow, and San Francisco stretched out below, alive but distant. They didn't say much as they headed back to the car, their steps matching, their silence comfortable yet heavy.
Neither of them spotted the figure lurking in the shadow of a eucalyptus tree with a phone up, snapping quick pictures before melting away.
"I'm starving," Ellie said as they reached the car, her voice cutting through the quiet. "Wanna stop somewhere before home?"
Nora's stomach growled, but her heart wasn't in it. Still, Ellie's hopeful grin was hard to resist. "Sure," she muttered. "Where?"
"Tadich Grill," Ellie replied, like it was the only option. "Dad's spot."
Nora's chest tightened, but a small warmth flickered too. Tadich Grill was their dad's favorite. Old-school, with dark wood, white tablecloths, and the smell of fish and sourdough. Since they were little, he'd dragged them there when he was too tired to cook, laughing loud over steaming bowls. Even near the end, frail from chemo, he'd insisted on one last meal there, beaming like nothing could stop him.
"Yeah, okay," Nora said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.Inside, it was the same as ever...busy, loud, timeless. They choosed a table by the window, the leather creaking as they sat. The waiter, a old guy who might've known their dad, tossed menus down and poured water like it annoyed him.
Ellie propped her elbows on the table. "Remember when Dad spilled chowder on his tie and blamed me?"
Nora snorted. "He was so mad, but he kept that tie. Said it had 'character' now."
She fiddled with her menu, picturing his big laugh, his hand messing up her hair. It hurt, but it felt good too."He always got that Hangtown fry," Ellie said, softer now. "Oysters and eggs with extra bacon. So gross."
Nora nodded, her throat tight. "He'd shove it at us, like, 'Try it, you'll love it!' even when we gagged." She paused, staring at the table. "I miss him, Ellie. Every day."
"I know," Ellie said, grabbing her hand. "Me too. But he'd be proud of you, y'know? For not giving up."
Nora blinked hard, unsure if that was true. She felt like she was barely holding on. The waiter came back, and they ordered takeout for Mom: cioppino, garlic bread, fries...Dad's usual. Ellie tacked on a big pizza, her phone buzzing with a text she hid from Nora. "For later," she said with a shrug, all sneaky.While they waited, Ellie kept it light...stories of Dad burning cakes, crashing his bike, making them laugh till they cried. Nora chuckled, the sound rusty but real, like a tiny break from the storm in her head. For a minute, Caleb's ghost didn't haunt her.
They left with takeout bags, the city now humming with traffic. As Ellie drove, they passed a sleek restaurant on California Street...glass walls, fancy lights. Nora's breath caught. Caleb had taken her there for her last birthday, swapping their usual dive bars for something fancy. He'd held her hand, smiling soft. "You deserve this, Nora. And more." Now, it just stung.
Ellie's grip tightened on the wheel. She remembered that night too...Nora in the bathroom, Caleb leaning in, whispering, "I'm proposing in five months, Ellie. Something big, maybe on the hill. I just want it so perfect for her." She'd been so excited, sworn to keep it quiet. Now, it was just another lie he'd left behind.
The car stayed silent, both lost in thought. The radio buzzed faintly, but neither sang along.
At home, Nora nudged the door open, arms full of food. Her mom was in the living room, smiling wide. "You're back!" she said, pulling Nora into a warm hug. Nora sank into it, her mom's perfume a small comfort.
Then she froze. Maya and Lila were on the couch, coffee mugs in hand, looking sheepish. "Surprise?" Maya said, testing the waters.
Nora's stomach sank. She'd asked for space, but there they were...her best friends, impossible to dodge. She forced a smile. "Hey. Didn't know you'd be here."
"Blame your mom," Lila said, nodding at her. "She thought you needed us."
Ellie slid into the kitchen, unpacking food like it was no big deal. Nora wanted to snap, but Maya and Lila's worried eyes stopped her. Maybe I'll break anyway, she thought.
They gathered around the table...pizza open, cioppino steaming. The talk was easy at first...work stuff, Lila's latest dating flop, Maya's TV obsession. They sidestepped and avoided Caleb's name like it was poison, and Nora played along, nodding, laughing when she should. But inside, she was crumbling.Then Maya slammed her pizza down, eyes blazing. "Okay, I can't fake it anymore. Caleb was a jerk, Nora. Cheating on you? Total crap. And the universe sucks so bad for not giving you a chance to confront him. It's messed up."
Nora's fork hit the bowl. Her hands shook.
Lila grabbed Maya's arm. "Maya, ease up. We don't know everything. We don't even know who she was."
"Oh, come on," Maya shot back. "We could find out. I mean. It's not that hard to find a bitch in this city. Hit his apartment, dig around, get Nora some closure."
Nora's ears rang. "Stop," she whispered, but they didn't hear.
"I'm just saying, she deserves..."
"STOP!" Nora yelled, chair scraping back. The room went still. "Caleb's dead, okay? The love of my fucking life. He's gone. I can't ask him why, I can't fix it. I loved him, he broke me, and now he's dead. Did you even stop to think about that? What the hell is wrong with you all"
Maya's face fell. "Nora, I'm sorry..."
"Just go," Nora said, voice cracking. "Please."Lila tried, "We're just worried..."
"Go!" Nora snapped, turning away, tears falling fast.
Maya and Lila grabbed their stuff, snagging the last pizza slice as they headed out. They kissed Nora's mom goodbye, muttering sorrys, and the door clicked shut, leaving silence.
Nora's mom sighed, stepping into Nora's room. Nora was under her blanket, curled up, crying quietly. The bed dipped as her mom sat. "Sweetie," she started, voice soft.
"I wanna be alone," Nora mumbled. "Please, Mom. I'll come to your room later, I promise."
Her mom paused, then kissed her forehead, tucking the blanket tighter. "I'm here when you need me," she said, voice thick. She left, shutting the door gently.
Under the blanket, Nora's tears soaked her pillow. Love, hate, grief...it all tangled together, too heavy to unravel. Caleb's memory lingered, sharp and cruel, refusing to let her go.