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That didn’t make me feel any better.
Jeremiah took the keys to the Jeep. “I have to go. I’ll come back as fast as I can and help with whatever’s needed. I doubt there’s much I can do at the office anyway, apart from cleaning up and assessing the damage. But without power or radio signals or internet, there’s not much I can do at all. But I told Doreen I’d be back first thing.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “Be careful.”
“Always am.”
“That’s a lie.”
He opened his mouth, then shut it again. “Well, I’ll try to be.”
I smiled at him again. “At least promise me you won’t try to die today.”
He sighed. “I don’t try... It’s not deliberate. I simply—”
“Jeremiah,” I said, walking up to him. Still holding the bird to my chest, I leaned up on my toes and kissed him. “Have a good day. Be careful out there. I love you.”
His eyes went wide, and his whole face went red. He glanced over at my mother. “Tully,” he hissed.
I laughed. “Tell Doreen I said hello. And I hope Suri’s okay today.”
He mumbled something as he backed out, and he turned for the door. He looked back and waved, completely flustered, then made a quick exit.
I laughed, and Mum clucked her tongue at me. “Leave the poor boy alone.”
I sighed happily—who would’ve known that being in love was such a fucking rush—and I went out onto the balcony to see if Dad and Ellis needed some help.
“My god, the sea is so calm,” I said. Sure, the palm trees were a mess, but the bay was like glass.
Ellis put one piece of plyboard against the wall. “Crazy, huh?”
“How are you this morning?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Yeah, I’m okay. Luckily I took a bag with a change of clothes to Mum and Dad’s, and my toothbrush. Everything I own fits in a backpack, but I’m okay.”
I clapped his shoulder. “You’re good to stay here for however long you need. My wardrobe’s yours until we can get you some new stuff.”
He gave me a smile and nodded. “Yeah, thanks. I know you and Jeremiah just moved in together, so if you’d rather I stayed at Mum and Dad’s, I’d totally get it.”
“What?” I looked at him funny. “Dude. Jeremiah and I are fine. Sure, it’s kinda new, but don’t worry about it. No one expected your house to be demolished, Ellis. It’s fine.”
He seemed mollified, then nodded to the bird I was still holding. “Still got your bird, I see.”
“Mm. He looks kinda bright-eyed this morning. Needs some food though.”
“Are you gonna help us do your windows?” Ellis asked.
“But you’re doing a stellar job without me,” I said. “I need to feed this little guy.”
Mum came out and took the bird. “I’ll feed him. You do what you’re told. And no fighting.”
Ellis laughed. “Go and put a shirt on and some underwear. Jesus, if you freeball it around the house, maybe I will live at Mum and Dad’s.”
I tried to kick him. “Stop lookin’ at my junk.”
Dad stood up straight, the drill in his hand. “The battery in this drill has about five minutes left in it, and so help me god, I will use it on the both of you. Now shut up and help me.”
We both shut up and helped him.
