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My eyes stung.
“I’m proud of you for coming to talk to me instead of letting this fester for a few days first.”
A kernel of warmth grew somewhere around where my heart was supposed to be. Having someone be proud of me shouldn’t have been such a thrilling prospect, but it felt good for a moment before I tamped it down.
“You know, you could save both of us time and me anxiety by moving in with me.”
“Like I told you the last five times you asked, I think if I did that, we would end up emotionally enmeshed, which is apparently not healthy.” They patted the stack of psychology books next to their mattress on the floor and pushed back their mop of blue hair.
“I regret the day I bought you those.”
“Well, in your defense, you didn’t really think I would read them, did you?”
I chuckled because they were right, and they knew it.
“You don’t need to keep living like this,” I pointed out.
“Like what? It’s a nice apartment.”
“It’s a decent apartment.”
“I have a kitchen with appliances that work, and I have my own bathroom. I don’t think I’ll ever take that for granted.”
I sighed and rubbed a hand over my eyes. I pulled a wad of cash out of my pocket and dumped it on the floor next to where I was sitting. I got to my feet.
“Are you leaving already?”
“Yeah.”
They slid back down into bed and pulled the covers up over their chin. Light glinted off their double eyebrow piercing. “You know you don’t need to pay me every time you come over.”
“Your time may not be valuable to you, but it is to me.”
“If I was a real therapist, I could understand your need to pay me, but I’m just me, Loïc.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said.” I scratched at the stubble already coming in on my cheek. “If it wasn’t for you, where would I be?”
“I’m sure you’d be fine.”
I gave a derisive snort, slid open the window, then stepped out onto the fire escape. “Have I ever been fine?”
Chapter Six: Loïc
Children are exuberant chaos.
Sticky and full of questions.
Hope in a dark world.
Loïc Leduc, Journal 14
I was greeted by a passel of enthusiastic mutts as soon as I opened the door. There was something gratifying about how excited they got every time I crossed the threshold into the Solis-Leduc's house. My sister-in-law often said I had a way with dogs, but I just knew what it was like to be one. I envied these dogs. Each of them had names and personalities that were treated with respect by the people they lived with. Their likes and dislikes were taken into consideration.
As I closed the door behind me, Prospero ran at me full tilt and jumped into my arms as though I hadn’t seen him two days ago.
“Where were you?” he demanded, his sweet voice filled with reproach.
“You do know I don’t live here,” I said dryly as he crawled out of my arms and onto my head and settled onto my shoulders.
