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“If you want me to stop doing that, you best not say another word about my balls, Siren.”
* * *
By the time we turned down the residential street in Waterford where Siren said she’d arranged for us to stay, I was wishing I’d stretched out in the backseat like she suggested, even if the width of the car would’ve meant I’d have to bend my knees practically up to my chin.
“Whose place is this?” I asked when I saw lights on inside.
“My uncle’s. Well, he’s not really my uncle, but that’s what I’ve called him most of my life.”
The front door opened, and an older man walked toward us. “Can I help?” he asked.
“Uncle Gene, this is Smoke. If you’ll get on one side, I’ll be on the other.”
They each took an arm and helped me inside. At first, I thought about telling them I was fine on my own, but after a couple of steps, I realized how light-headed I felt.
They didn’t stop until they’d reached a door that led to a bedroom.
“Shannon, that’s my neighbor, came over and helped me get the room ready for him. Fresh sheets and all.”
“Thank you, Uncle Gene,” said Siren, sitting beside me when I lay down.
“There’s water on the bureau. The toilet is right across the hallway. Shannon also brought over some soup for when you’re hungry.”
“Smoke, do you want some soup?” Siren asked.
“Sleep,” I mumbled.
“I’ll leave you be,” said Siren’s uncle, or whoever he was.
When I felt Siren stand, I reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Don’t leave.”
“You need your rest. I’ll just be in the other room.”
“Don’t leave,” I repeated.
She sat back down. “Is this how it’s going to be, then? You’ll expect me to do your bidding? Be at your beck and call?”
“I want you next to me.” I groaned when I tried to turn from my stomach to my side.
“Where is Maureen with that syringe full of pain medicine when you need her?” Siren muttered.
“I don’t like her.”
Siren stood again, and I grabbed her leg. “For crying out loud, I’m just getting a pill.”
I could hear water being poured into a glass.
“Open,” she said. “Stick out your tongue.” She put a pill on it. “Now, drink.” She brought the glass to my lips.
When I swallowed the pill, she set the glass on the table and stretched out beside me. “Tell me why you don’t like Maureen.”
“She helped you leave.”
“Smoke…”
“Look at me, Siren.”
She turned so she was facing me.
