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I currently had five hundred dollars to my name, maybe less. It had been a while since I had actually checked my bank account. My Tesla was the only thing of value in my life, and I refused to sell it. Milo had let me live here rent-free while I tried to pull myself together, but I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to get back on my feet as fast as they were hoping. As fast asIwas hoping.
I groaned and rolled over on the couch, facing the back cushion. I tugged the thin blanket over my head and closed my eyes tight. Maybe if I ignored the world, nothing would matter.
“When is Uncle Clay going to wake up?” Holly’s sweet voice was muffled under the blanket, but it pulled at my heart all the same.
“Not sure, sweetie. Just get ready. Okay?”
There was a light knock on the door and a loud gasp from Holly.
“That can’t be Mommy!”
“Most likely is. Go get your bags.”
Staying under the blanket, not wanting to see or talk to Hannah, I heard Milo open the door.
“Hey!” I heard Hannah, her voice unusually loud for how early it was.What time was it anyway?“Is Holly ready? Donald has the car going, and her brothers are very impatient to see their sister.”
Hannah had lightened up since their custody agreement ended. Holly had lived with Milo during the school year and with Hannah during the summer and some holidays. Even though it was a rocky beginning for both of them, Milo and Hannah were able to form a solid friendship, making their trade-offs easy.
“Almost. She can’t find her Kindle.” Milo’s voice was still quiet. Poor man thought I was still asleep.
“Oh.” Hannah’s voice dropped to match his. “Is Clay still here?”
Of course I’m still here. Where else would I go?
“When is he going to find his own place?” Hannah’s whisper wasnota whisper.
“He’s just going through a tough time. He knows we’re moving into the house after the wedding, so. . .” Milo paused.
I opened my eyes, the light coming through the blanket as best it could. I had the summer to get my life back together, but in all honesty, I could see myself living in my Tesla before that happened.
“He’s lucky to have you but—”
“I know, I know. Just give him more time. Let me go check on Holly.”
I exhaled, trying to remain silent, turning to lay on my back once again, keeping the blanket over my head. I could lower the blanket, be a decent human being and say hello, hug Holly goodbye. The desire to keep myself burrowed away was stronger. I would be able to talk to Holly over FaceTime during her trip, and I’d see Hannah again, eventually. Until then, I would just pretend I wasn’t here.
“Got it!” Holly’s scream filled the room.
“Holly, be quiet. Uncle Clay—” Hannah began.
“I know he’s sleeping. He’s always sleeping,” Holly grumbled.
I was not.
I closed my eyes again.
Then again, maybe I was.
“Donald is in the car, sweetie. Your brothers, too. Are you sure you have everything you need?” Hannah spoke softly.
Holly must have nodded because Milo spoke next. “I’m sure she’s forgotten something. We tried to pack as best we could. If you need any more books for her Kindle, just shoot me an email, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“How many books is she going to read?” Hannah asked.
I had never seen a nine-year-old read as much as Holly did. She would devour books faster than a kid eating all their Halloween candy. I guess she had Madeline to thank for that. Madeline was the bookworm, teaching her soon-to-be stepdaughter a thing or two about literature.
“You’d be surprised. I hope you have fun. Call me every night and bring me back some souvenirs.”
