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My chest tightened. It wasn’t gross. I thought I was helping when I used my video leftovers to feed the house. My eyes burned, but I wouldn’t let her see a tear fall.
Merry stepped forward. “Who the hell pissed in your Cheerios?”
She’d changed out of her suit into skintight work out clothes that accentuated just how overly skinny she was. “You all do. Every one of you brings chaos into this place. There’s no fucking peace.”
“Then find another place to stay,” I snapped.
“Why don’t you? I bet if we took a vote, you would be the one who was asked to leave.”
“Dennelle!” Merry’s voice raised.
“What? Am I lying?”
Merry crossed her arms. “We all love Willow.”
My breath stalled. Her voice did not sound confident in any way. “Merry?”
She turned to me. “We love you. A few minor inconveniences would never override that, sweetie.”
“I’m sorry.” My voice was barely more than a whisper. “I never wanted to be an inconvenience.”
I thought I’d found a place that accepted me. All of us in this apartment were on various career tracks. Some of us passed each other in the hallway with tired waves, some of us chilled in the living room together when we had the time, but in the end, we just tried to be mindful of everyone.
Had I really been the awful roommate no one wanted to deal with?
Merry tried to grab my hand, but I twisted away. “No. I get it. I’ll just get out of everyone’s way.”
“Wait. No, Willow, we don’t want you to go.”
“Speak for yourself.” Dennelle’s snide voice made my shoulders bunch up tighter to my head.
“It’s fine. I can go to my sister’s early. I’m supposed to go in a few weeks anyway.” Tears started choking me, but I wouldn’t let Dennelle see them. I swallowed them down ruthlessly. “I’ll just get out of everyone’s hair for a bit.”
Merry grabbed my hand. “Honey, that’s not—”
“It’s okay.” I didn’t look at Dennelle, just met Merry’s gaze. “It’ll be good for everyone.”
Merry let out a sad sigh, which only made me feel worse. But she gave up arguing quickly.
Far too quickly.
Shame and guilt rose up in an ugly stew of acid in my gut. My gaze darted around the room. It wasn’t like my job required me to be in any particular place. I could crash at my sister’s place.
My aunt Laverne was forever telling me I should come visit more.
At least they would want me.
Probably.
I stalked down the hall and grabbed boxes out of the closet. We had no shortage of them with all the moving in and out that had happened over the years. I grabbed the tape gun from the top shelf and returned to the kitchen.
“Come on, Willow.”
Dennelle rolled her eyes. “Good riddance.”
“You are not helping things,” Merry hissed.
“Ask me if I care?” Dennelle plopped down on the couch and turned on the television, cranking the volume.
