Tommy’s lips turned up slightly. He got up and the boys joined mom on the grass.
“He didn’t run,” I whispered.
Please, please don’t let him have run.
I looked over at Mom. She met my gaze, gave me a soft smile. Kit, next to me, grabbed my hand and squeezed.
He didn’t run. But if he did, I would be okay.
Chip, with a mouthful of waffles, said, “He probably went for cigarettes. That’s what they say, right?”
Kit went stiffbeside me.
“The dada went for smokes,” Chip continued, and never?—”
“Do not finish that sentence,” Conrad said, his voice steely.
“What? It’s just a joke.”
“And it’s not funny,” Kit said, spacing her words out.
“Jeez.”
“You know what, Chip,” Kit said, “I think you should go.”
Chip looked confused, like he truly didn’t understand why he was in trouble. I remember Kit saying to me once that Chip was a teddy bear. That he stuck his foot in it all the time, but he made up for it by making her laugh and looking out for her. She said that, but either he’d stopped doing that, or she had a messed-up definition of what being taken care of meant.
That day I’d fainted, what was it Sam had said?I get to take care of you.
It was a privilege for him.
“Whatever,” Chip said. “Come on, Kit.”
“Kit’s staying,” I said. I turned to her. “If you want to.”
“Of course I want to.” She set her fork down. To her boyfriend, she said, “I’ll walk you out.”
Chip gaped.
“Get. Up.” She said through her teeth.
He stood up, looking wounded once again.
“Happy birthday, Tommy,” Chip said. “I hope you like the presentIgot you.”
On the other side of the table, Conrad looked like he was going to bend his fork in half.
Chip and Kit disappeared into the house, arguing.
“Do you do search and rescue outside the woods?” I joked to Conrad. We were the only ones left at the table.
“Ellie, I?—”
“It’s okay,” I said, fighting tears.
“For what it’s worth,” he said, “I think Sam’s a good guy. Even if he’s got shit going on.”
My chest felt like it was contracting. I knew he was trying to be helpful, but knowing even Conrad thought he’d taken off was a blow. Even if he was being nice about it.
