Page 131 of Slumming It
"And what? You don't get along?"
"We get along just fine," I said. "But why would I crowd in onthemwhen I can stay here?"
He smirked. "In a double-wide?"
I felt my eyes narrow. "It's a single-wide, and you know it."
"Hey, I'm being generous."
Reese spoke up. "No. You're being an ass."
Quickly, I said, "Actually Ilikeliving here. I mean, yeah, it's not luxurious or anything, but as far as trailers go, it's actually pretty nice."
I meant it, too. The trailer had been nearly new when Grandpa Joe had died suddenly of that heart attack, and it still reminded me of him, especially on rainy days when the sound of raindrops hitting the roof made me think of all those family poker games he'd hosted in the small space.
Slade said with a scoff, "You call this nice?"
Okay, now that was just insulting. With a jerk of my chin, I replied, "Yes, actually."
"Sure," he laughed. "Until a tornado hits."
I gave him an annoyed look. "That's what the storm shelter is for."
Next to him, Reese said, "Hey Slade."
Slade turned to look at him. "Yeah?"
"Since you're so chatty, why don’t you tell her whereyougrew up."
Slade's mouth tightened, showing his first real sign of irritation. With a stiff smile, he said, "You first, buddy."
Just then, my sister emerged from her bedroom, lugging a big suitcase and carrying a duffel bag slung over her shoulder.
To my surprise, Slade stood and met her halfway, relieving Vivian of both pieces of luggage. In spite of her repeated protests that she could carry them on her own, he insisted on doing it all himself – not just for the luggage, but also for the boxes she brought out afterward.
When Slade walked out the door for the final time, Reese followed after him, telling me over his shoulder, "We'll give you some time to say goodbye."
It was all so surprisingly thoughtful, and I felt my eyes grow a little misty – not just at their chivalry, but at the thought of being separated from my sister.
I reached out and squeezed her hand. "Are you gonna be okay?"
She gave me a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Well, I can hardly get much worse, right?"
Last night, she'd poured out her heart, telling me the whole story of how she and Jason had broken up. In the end, she'd chalked most of it up to the fact that they ran in different crowds.
It was true that she and Jason had both grown up in the same exact town, but he had always belonged to a rich clique of local snobs while Vivian was more down-to-Earth. Over time, she'd said, the gulf between them had only widened until it seemed like they were living in two different worlds.
I couldn’t argue withthat. And now, I better understood why Vivian had been so concerned about me and Reese. But shedidn't know him like I did. Reese and Jason were two totally different types of people.
Or at least,Iliked to think so.
And if I was wrong?
Well, I'd find out soon enough, wouldn’t I?
Chapter 49
Reese
