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I sucked in a deep breath as my ears twitched.
I could run. I’d done it once.
Maybe I wouldn’t make it very far. Probably not even out of the house. But I could try.
I was tired of running.
Kelly stepped back, squaring his shoulders like he expected me to burst forward.
Instead, I walked slowly across the line.
He looked relieved. I thought he was about to reach out, like he was going to take my hand, but he didn’t.
Ox did. Ox touched me.
He put a hand around the back of my neck.
He pressed his forehead against mine.
His eyes seemed endless.
I could do nothing but watch him.
I breathed him in.
My hands shook.
My knees were weak.
He whispered, “Hello, Robbie. I’m so very pleased to see you again.”
I was in a daze as they led me up the stairs. Ox was in front, then Kelly. I was behind him, with Joe bringing up the rear.
The window at the top of the stairs had been replaced. You couldn’t tell I’d broken it only a couple of days before.
Aside from us, the house was mostly empty. Music was playing in the kitchen. Dinah Shore. Elizabeth Bennett was sashaying away, her dress flaring out around her legs as she sang that she didn’t mind being lonely because she knew in her heart I was lonely too. She smiled at me, the sun like a spotlight through an open window over the sink.
“I like this song,” she said. “Don’t you?”
I could only nod.
Joe shook his head and went to her. She laughed in delight as he bowed before her, one hand behind his back. She took his other hand in hers, pulling him close. We left them dancing in the kitchen as if all was right in the world.
Ox headed for another set of stairs.
There was a beautiful painting hung halfway up, a violent slash of color on a white canvas. I didn’t understand it. I wanted to touch it.
“She painted it,” Kelly said from behind me. “Mom. She’s good. I don’t always understand it, but I don’t think that’s as important as how it makes me feel.”
I nodded but didn’t speak.
We reached the second floor. All the doors were open save one. I sucked in air greedily, taking in the scents of packpackpack. Ox and Kelly didn’t mention it. The only closed door reeked of Kelly, and I didn’t want to ask. I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready.
The bathroom in the hall was bright and airy. Fresh flowers sat on the windowsill. The white claw-foot tub was spotless. There was a towel folded on a small bench next to it.
“I’ll be outside,” Ox said, nodding toward the bathroom, “when you’re finished. You and I are going to talk.”
Ah. The catch.
