Page 17 of The Star in Room 7

“I am. Umm… I use he/him pronouns,” I add, so we’re on an even footing.

“Good to know, thanks.”

“Do you have a charger?” I hold my phone out. “I forgot mine when I came here.”

Their expression brightens. “No worries, I’ve got you.” Still carrying the teddy bear tucked against their chest, they wander past me to the door, beckoning me to follow.

Puck leads me to room four, which is on the opposite side of the corridor to my room. It’s a carbon copy of mine, except there’s a thin, multi-colored blanket on the bed with another teddy bear sitting on top of it, and a mug full of lollipops on the bedside table.

Puck points to a charger plugged into the wall. “It’s all yours.”

I unplug it and coil the cable. “Thanks. I’ll bring it back as soon as my phone is charged.”

Puck plucks a lollipop from the mug. “Want one?”

“Uh, thanks.” I take it and tap it against the back of my hand. I should go. “Do you like it here?”

“Yes. I mean, I haven’t been here long. A month or so?” They take another lollipop, sit on the edge of the bed, unwrap it and pop it into their mouth. “Everyone’s really nice and, well, it’s a lot safer than where I was.”

I wince. Puck belongs here. I’m still not sure I do. My thoughts track to Nate’s friend. If he’d had a place like this to take him in, maybe things would have turned out differently. I guess that’s why Nate helps Halo House out.

“What’s the deal with the caregivers?” I ask, even though Phoenix has already explained. I suppose I want to hear about them from someone on the other side of the equation.

“They want to help. That’s all.”

“But what do they get in return?”

“Nothing. I mean, when I first got here, I thought they might want payment.”

“You mean sex?”

They grimace, nod, and look away. They take a breath, reassert their cheerful smile, and look me dead in the eye. “This place isn’t like that. Didn’t Phoenix tell you that?”

“Yes, but…”

“I didn’t trust it at first, either,” Puck admits. “It felt too good to be true.”

“Right? You don’t get something for nothing.”

“Exactly. But this place is different. It’s safe. Everyone wants to help. They want to get you back on your feet, whatever it takes. And no matter how long it takes.”

“That’s reassuring, thanks.”

Their smile brightens. “No problem. Glad I could help.”

“Speaking of help… Phoenix mentioned we needed to. Do you work at the club?”

Puck’s bright demeanor dips for a moment, like a lightbulb briefly getting cut off from its power source. “No. I’m not good around alcohol,” they whisper, wincing. “But there are other things to do. The house doesn’t clean itself, and food doesn’t magically get cooked. Can you cook? I’m a one-meal wonder.”

I can’t help but smile. “I can cook.”

Their eyes brighten. “Then maybe we can cook together, and you can teach me how to make something new?”

“I’d like that.” I really would. “But I won’t be here long.”

Puck does that head tilt thing again, their expression becoming curious. “Oh?”

“I’ll feel better soon and be able to go home.”