Page 22 of Strangely Normal

“Obviously the man had no imagination. Or maybe he was a bad pet owner.” I reached into the box and pulled out another doll. This one wore a t-shirt that readignoramus. I held it up. “Let me guess. Ignorant people?”

“Yep. Can’t stand close-minded, stupid people, like Dr. Houston,” she added. “Anyhow, I’ve cursed them all to a never-ending ride on a roller coaster.”

I reached in and plucked out another doll. “You really are great at sewing. The stitching on these dolls looks professional.” I rubbed my thumb over the embroidered letters that spelled out the wordvirus. “I see your anger moved on from humans and on to microscopic organisms.”

She nodded but didn’t elaborate at first. I sensed a mood change and wondered what had triggered it. I was definitely going to have to learn which subjects to avoid. She’d brought out the voodoo dolls, so I’d assumed they were harmless. She scooped up the dolls and took the one I was holding from my hand and dropped them in the box.

“It was a silly exercise, and in the end, it was worthless, just like Dr. Houston and all the other psychiatrists.”

Her expression grew grim as she carried the box back to the closet. “Your sister died of a virus, didn’t she?” I asked the question knowing full well it might be a grave mistake. But at the same time, I sensed that she wanted to talk about it.

Finley shut the closet door and stared at it for a moment. She still faced the door as she spoke. “I came home with the flu one day. It was a bad one, but I got over it in a few days. Chloe had been born prematurely like me. My mom’s doctor had told her she cooked babies too fast.” She turned around and faced me. “Chloe caught the flu from me, but she just couldn’t seem to kick it. She ended up in the hospital. Dad took me to see her, but she didn’t even look like my sister. There were all kinds of tubes coming out of her.” Finley sat on the bed, and Some Pig trotted over as if he sensed her distress. She played absently with the pig’s ear as she continued. “She didn’t make it. I brought the flu home, and my sister died from it.”

I reached down to touch the pig. “And that’s what all this is about. Your anxiety all has to do with the fact that you think you caused your sister’s death.”

She scooted back and flopped against her pillows. I joined her.

“Yep. Nothing too deep or complex in my psyche. Just major guilt. And by the way, it took Dr. Houston eight two-hour sessions to figure out that littleplain as daymystery.”

“I suppose he was the inspiration for the ignoramus doll?”

“You got it.”

Some Pig snorted mildly as he rooted around in Finley’s shoes. I stared at the long shelf of trophies for a moment. “Have you ever tried walking past it?” I asked.

“Past what?”

“The invisible perimeter.”

“Not for a long time.”

“Well, then that will be our first goal.” I propped up on my elbow and looked down at her. “After lunch today, we’re going to take three steps past the perimeter.”

“I don’t know, Eden. It’s already been a crummy day.”

“Today, when Cole was talking about his party, he mentioned his friend Max. You like this guy don’t you?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Well, how are you ever going to go on a date with Max if you can’t get past the barrier?”

“It’s hopeless. I’m nuts.”

I sat up. “Finley Tate King, you are not nuts. Fucking eccentric, yes, but you’re not nuts. And if I can walk out to that pool area in the ugliest bathing suit ever sewn, then you can take three friggin’ steps out of your comfort zone.”

She seemed to be mulling over my pep talk. Then she laughed. “Oh my god, that suit really is hideous.”

“Yes, thank you. I know.”

She sat up. “Three steps and no more.”

“Just three.”

A knock on her door was followed by Jude’s voice. A slight tremble returned to my hands upon hearing it, and I wondered what the hell that was about.

Jude opened the door and poked his dark head inside. “I need to borrow Eden for a second. William is here.”

I looked questioningly at Finley, but she avoided direct eye contact with me. She slid off the bed, walked over to her computer, and sat down. “Don’t keep her long. We’re going to shop online for a bathing suit.”

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