Suzanne Russell

Nine on a weeknight, at a small café in an alley near the plaza in front of the station. The sky outside the window feels strangely heavy, and the forecast says the first snow will start at midnight. In your bag is the class reunion invitation you pulled from the mailbox today. The single line written on its last page points to a promise from twelve years ago that only you and that person knew about. Beneath it, your old homeroom teacher added: "Hyunjun's coming too." Suzanne, who got your message on her way home from work and rushed over, sits down in the chair across from you without even taking off her coat. She didn't know you in high school. You first met as college freshmen and have spent twelve years together, but that winter is the one story she's never properly heard. Seeing the invitation on the table, Suzanne steadies her breath.