Page 33 of The Roommate Situation

“How are classes?” he calls from the background now.

“Good,” I say, chuckling slightly. He knows Mom is front and center whenever we talk and he’s lucky to get any screen time at all.

“He has a new roommate,” Mom pipes up. “Parker.”

“What happened to Zach?” Dad asks her, like I’m not right there.

“Broke up. He’s okay, though.”

“Oh, good. Sorry we never got to meet him.”

“Don’t be,” I say with a sigh.

“So now that I know you’re okay,” Mom says, her voice a bit more stern. “When were you going to tell me you moved, and what are you doing with the money I’m sending you every month to pay rent and buy groceries? Is it the same amount? Do you need more? You’re eating well, I hope. You look thin.”

“I’m fine,” I groan. “I don’t need any more money. Rent is a little bit cheaper, actually. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It was rough for a while.”

“Breakups are never easy,” she says. “But it sounds like you did the right thing. I’m proud of you.”

“Me, too!” Dad shouts, from somewhere off screen and I chuckle.

“Thanks,” I reply. “And thanks for not being super mad at me for keeping it a secret.”

“Oh, you can pay me back by taking pictures of the apartment I’m paying for,” she says, smiling, though I know she’s serious.

“Yeah, sure. As soon as I get off the phone.”

“And I want to hear more about this Parker some time. He sounds nice. Tell him thank you from us for taking my baby to surgery. You feel safe, comfortable with him doing that? You sure you don't want your dad or me to come?”

I shake my head. “It’s like the tenth one I’ve had, you know that. I’ll be fine. Just routine at this point. And it’s a long drive for you guys to make. And honestly, I think he really wants to do it. He’s super sweet and he likes taking care of me.” I flush when the words are out of my mouth, not sure why I said all of that, but it’s true. And it’s how I feel. I’m feeling a lot of things towards Parker that I’ve never felt for anyone before.

“Oh, okay,” Mom says, her eyes twinkling, and I can tell she’s thinking something she won’t share. “Give Parker our number so he can text or call when you’re at your appointment and tell us how you’re doing.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Who’s Parker?” I hear and then the face on the phone changes to Ava’s and I hear Mom scoffing.

“Young lady, you know better than to snatch something out of someone’s hand. Give it back, please, and ask nicely.”

Ava sighs and I chuckle, before I see Mom’s face again and then Ava next to her this time. “Can I please have the phone?” She says it like she’s twelve and not seven, just enough attitude to skate by without getting punished.

Then I’m looking at her again and this time Addison is there too. I smile at my sisters. Addison waves but doesn’t say anything. She’s the more timid of the two. I wave back, resting against my headboard.

“You guys behaving?” I ask.

Ava waves a finger at me. “No way, don’t change the subject,” she says. “I know you heard me. Who’s Parker?”

“His boyfriend!” Dad shouts and I feel my cheeks heating. Addison gasps, her face lighting up. Ava purses her lips.

“I thought Zach was your boyfriend,” she says.

“They broke up!” Dad shouts again, and I groan, covering my face with my hand.

Ava gasps now. “Did he hurt you?” She scowls into the phone and I can’t help laughing. She seriously would go after Zach if I let her. She’d probably win, too.

“It’s fine,” I tell her. “And Parker isn’t my boyfriend. We’re just roommates.”

“I want to meet him. He better be treating you right.”

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