just like that

a woman walks with a neutral face
moving at a pace steady and measured
not slow, not fast
her clothing ordinary
she disappears in the people
expensive people
for an expensive neighbourhood

off the street
into a complex
up an elevator to the 20th floor
to a door
and her finger touches the flat metalic surface of the chime
an image appears on the door – no display peripheral is visible
Auckland’s face
he stares at the woman on the other side of the door for a moment
she stares back
– Cairo
he says
she says nothing
a pause
then the door opens

Cairo walks past Auckland
he closes the door
she stops in the centre of the room
plain expensive furniture
lamps
cushions
– who is it Shannon?
another woman’s voice as she turns the corner from the open kitchen
she stops
Auckland, who the woman has called Shannon, has his back to her
the woman looks at Cairo
another pause
Cairo’s neutrality feels like it’s giving way
her eyebrows are tugging at her face to knit
to raise in concern
in worry
in fear
– Trish this is
Auckland’s eyes widen
he turns to Trish
– Kyra
Trish looks at Auckland, at Cairo
– um, says Trish
– hello, says Cairo, who Auckland has called Kyra
another pause
Cairo inhales, looks like she’s going to say something
but Auckland gets in first
– Trish i’m going to need you to pack some things
she stares
– take what you need and um, take the car,
Trish looks at Cairo
– and don’t come back
Cairo wants to apologise, tries to with her eyes
it all falls apart, just like that
– you’ll be safe as long as you don’t come back here
Trish inhales
exhales
Cairo can’t look at her and turns to face the wall
– is this one of those things… we were talking about, Trish’s voice is very calm
– yes. i’m sorry
Auckland replies

Cairo and Auckland stare at each-other
not moving
not speaking
the sound of Trish packing can be heard from somewhere else in the appartment
they stare
blink
breathe

Trish appears again with a single suitcase
stops in between them
she turns and embraces Auckland
– you know you can’t call me, he says
– i know i know
the hold each-other
then slowly untangle
Trish turns to Cairo
pauses a moment, then extends her hand
– it was nice meeting…
Cairo’s eybrows lift
she wants to meet this person properly
so that her name has a meaning
so that they can be friends and do arbitrary things together
– i can’t…
Cairo says
they can’t touch
Trish puts down her arm slowly, slightly embarrassed
another pause
she nods to Cairo
gathers her suitcase and walks through the door
it slides shut with a whisper

Cairo and Auckland still stare at each-other
– was that your wife? Cairo says after some time
– my sister
a pause
– Shannon?
– it’s my real name
another pause
– oh. how did you know mine?
– i pulled your file, years ago
– oh
another pause
– do you want some coffee
Auckland says
– yes