Wayne sat on the rooftop of his apartment, legs stretched out, a cigarette burning slowly between his fingers. The city below pulsed with life—horns, laughter, the occasional burst of music from a passing matatu. But up here, it was quiet. Still.
Zed joined him, carrying two beers. He handed one over without a word and sat beside him.
They drank in silence.
Wayne exhaled smoke and watched it curl into the night. "You ever tell someone something too late?"
Zed raised an eyebrow. "Every day."
Wayne chuckled. "Fair."
He took another drag, then stubbed the cigarette out on the concrete. "I need to say something. And I don't know how you'll take it."
Zed turned to him, curious but calm.
"I loved Joey," Wayne said.
Zed blinked. "What?"
"Not like you do. Not like Paul did. But I loved her. In my own way."
Zed didn't speak. He waited.
"She was the first person who saw me. Really saw me. Not the jokes. Not the charm. Just… me. And I didn't know what to do with that."
Zed nodded slowly. "Did she know?"
"I think so. But she never asked. And I never said it. Because I knew she wasn't mine to love like that."
Zed looked out at the skyline. "You jealous?"
Wayne shook his head. "No. I'm grateful. She made me want to be better. She made me want to stay."
Zed smiled faintly. "She does that."
Wayne leaned back, arms behind his head. "You're lucky, man. Not because she might choose you. But because you get to know her. Really know her."
Zed looked down at his hands. "I'm scared I'll mess it up."
"You will," Wayne said. "We all do. But if you're honest, if you stay, if you listen—she'll forgive you."
They sat in silence again, the city breathing around them.
Wayne reached into his pocket and pulled out a small sketch—Joey, laughing, her head thrown back, eyes closed.
"I drew this the day I realized I loved her," he said. "I'm giving it to you."
Zed took it gently, eyes wide. "Why?"
"Because you're the one who needs it now."
Zed stared at the sketch, then at Wayne.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Wayne smiled. "Don't thank me. Just don't waste it."