It is silence.

It is the unanswered call, the message left unopened, the refusal to step into the room where he was good and I was not.

When Monique called herself, I answered, because she was my sister and the voice was really hers.

“Did you finally approve it?” “No.

I need you to stop contacting Chad until the bank finishes reviewing it.” “What are you talking about?” “The documents don’t match his claims.

I found a public warning connected to his photograph.” “That’s ridiculous, Kiki.” I told her, as evenly as I could, that the same photograph appeared under another business name, that authorities were seeking information about the man in that notice.