Suvi
Copyright© 2026 by Zack Caddo
Chapter 4
Early Saturday evening found Viviane at a small independent coffee shop near her neighborhood. The place was quiet, with only a few patrons scattered at tables. She sat by the window with a cup of herbal tea, watching the street outside. Her phone buzzed on the table. Suvi’s name appeared on the screen.
Viviane answered immediately. “Suvi? What is it?”
On the other end, Suvi’s voice was thick with sobs, barely holding together. “Viviane ... I’m sorry. I know it’s Saturday. I just ... I needed to see you. It’s an emergency. I can’t ... I can’t be alone right now.” Another broken sob came. “Please.”
Viviane’s posture straightened, her voice calm but decisive. “Of course. Come to my apartment. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Take a taxi if you need to. Just get here safely.”
She paid quickly and walked the short distance home, the evening air warm around her. By the time she reached her building, Suvi was already waiting outside, eyes red and puffy, shoulders hunched. Viviane guided her upstairs without many words, arm around the younger woman’s shoulders.
Inside the apartment, Viviane settled Suvi on the couch and went to the kitchen. She poured two glasses of the cold fresh lemonade she had made earlier that day—bright with fresh mint leaves and a touch of honey. She handed one to Suvi and sat close beside her on the couch.
“Drink a little,” Viviane said gently. “Then tell me what happened.”
Suvi took a shaky sip, the cold glass trembling in her hands. The mint and lemon seemed to ground her just enough to speak. “Khoi came over today. To help with the furniture. Those build-it-yourself pieces I bought for the living room. I thought it would be quick, but it took hours. We were laughing the whole time. He was so patient, showing me how the pieces fit. We ordered Vietnamese sandwiches for lunch—grilled pork in baguette bread with all the herbs and pickles. It felt ... normal. Good.”
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