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“It’s your bedroom,” Brody said carefully. “Unless you’d prefer the other one?”
“No, I like that room,” Phoebe said immediately. “I just didn’t want you to think I’m, uh, assuming anything.”
“We’re taking this day by day,” Brody said. “As long as you’re with us, and I hope that’s a long time, it’s your bedroom.”
Phoebe took a deep breath. Let it out. “Okay. Then all I need is a sleeping bag. But Ashley might have one I can borrow. And if not, I can sleep on the floor with a blanket.”
“We have sleeping bags here,” Brody said. “We always take one when we’re heading into the mountains. I’ll show you where they are, and you can choose one.”
“Okay, thanks.” She swiped her hands down her thighs, as if her palms were sweating. “Great.” She exhaled. “I’m really looking forward to it,” she said, the words tumbling out of her.
They talked about logistics for a few minutes, then Phoebe raced up the stairs, her new iPhone in her hand. She was already talking before the door to her room opened and closed.
Lainey slumped against the back of the couch. “Thanks for agreeing. I was hoping you would.”
“If I had said no, what would you have done?” he asked, curious.
“I would have told Phoebe that we’d discuss it and let her know.” She leaned toward him. “I think, for Phoebe, this is huge. Being asked to a sleepover makes her feel normal. Like just another kid. Like she has friends,” Lainey said carefully. “I would have pressed hard for you to see it as a good thing that she go.”
“I could tell you wanted her to go,” he said. “I trust your judgment.” He lifted one shoulder. “I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea or a bad one. I thought of all the bad things that could happen. Drinking. Drugs. Sneaking out of the house to do God knows what.” All the things he’d wanted to do as a rebellious, angry teen.
“I know,” she sighed. “I thought of all those things, too. But Phoebe’s level-headed. Smart. And after what she lived through, she’s probably a lot more mature than other girls her age. Also far more aware of all the bad things than can happen.” She took a deep breath. “I’m also pretty sure Phoebe wouldn’t spend time with girls who’d do that kind of stuff.”
Brody nodded slowly. “She was robbed of her childhood,” he said quietly, remembering how he’d been robbed of his. “After her mother died, it sounds like her whole life went to hell. So I think the chances of her taking stupid risks, or doing anything dangerous, is pretty small.”
“I agree,” Lainey said. She slumped against the back of the couch. “At some point, we’ll probably have to have that conversation with her.” Her mouth curled up in a tiny smile, and Brody wanted to lean over and kiss it. “I suspect it might get us her first eye roll.”
“That’s when we’ll know she’s really comfortable with us,” Brody said.
Lainey’s smile disappeared. “I think you’re right. And I’m sorry and a little surprised she hasn’t been able to relax completely around us.”
“I’m not,” Brody said immediately. “Think of it from her perspective. She’s living with strangers. Everything’s gone well so far, but it’s only been a little over a week. She’s probably waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Lainey frowned and studied him. Brody wanted to squirm, but he didn’t dare. She watched him as if she wondered what he was hiding, and he tried to school his expression. He didn’t want Lainey to realize that he’d been speaking from experience.
“Sounds like you’ve given this a lot of thought,” she finally said.
“I have.” He took a deep breath. Managed to shove his bad memories back where they belonged -- buried too deep for him to examine them. “I want her to be comfortable living here. Comfortable with us. I guess we just have to give her a little more time to get to know us. To realize we’re not going to turn into monsters.”
“You’re probably right that she needs more time,” she said. Then she brightened. “I think being asked to a sleepover is a very good thing. Ashley is the girl who helped her catch up on her homework last Saturday, and she’s talked about Tara and Regan. They all sound like nice kids.”
“Okay.” Brody took a deep breath, glad the conversation was over. They’d skated too close to his issues. “I’ll find her a sleeping bag and maybe a duffel to carry her stuff in.” He leaned toward Lainey. “And who’s this Jack Bickham she mentioned?”
Lainey relaxed. Smiled. “A guy in a couple of her classes. I think he’s interested in Phoebe. Sounds like he’s been teasing her. The equivalent of pulling her pigtails.
“Phoebe’s flustered. Self-conscious about it.” Her mouth quivered with a suppressed grin. “She hasn’t asked for advice yet, but she’s mentioned him a few times. I suspect he’ll be a big topic at the sleepover.”
“Oh, my God,” Brody said, staring at Lainey with horror. “We have to deal with boy stuff?”
Lainey bit her lip, but the giggle escaped. “Brace yourself, Jones. This is life with a teenage girl. And don’t worry. I suspect you’re safe. She’d probably be just as horrified to discuss boy issues with you.”
“Thank God,” he said, slumping onto the couch.
“Thanks for being so understanding about the sleepover,” she said, her smile fading. “I’ll arrange the logistics with Phoebe -- maybe we’ll leave her stuff in my car and I’ll drop it off at Ashley’s house before I head home Friday night.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” Brody said. He leaned closer. “By the way, I stopped the patrols. No one’s seen or heard anything this week. Seems like a waste of sleep to keep them up.”
A ghost flickered across Lainey’s face, disappearing before he could identify it. “You’d rather we keep patrolling?” he asked.
