I Was Blocked From the Table and Told to “Wait With the Staff”—The Call I Made That Night Ended Everything

no turning back. The symphony was complete, instruments tuned, orchestra ready. All that remained was waiting for the curtain to rise on the ruins of Blake’s life.

“And now?” I asked, voice barely a whisper.

Harold closed the folders with almost reverential care. “Now, Natalia, you drink your coffee, go to your studio, turn on your favorite music, and continue reading …