Page 122 of Any Second Now
“Yeah. I can’t either.” Lucy leans back in her chair and crosses her arms.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I truly don’t understand.
“I’m just surprised you didn’t hop on a plane and come see us. There was literally nothing stopping you.”
I scoff. “I mean, well…” I search for a reason why that never occurred to me. Why didn’t I get on a plane to go see my friends in England instead of sticking around here? Getting into something I can’t seem to extract myself from?
Why didn’t that even cross my mind?
Lucy studies me, waiting.
“I had to take care of Megghen.”
“Your chicken.”
“Yes.”
“That is technically not even your chicken.”
“I mean, I guess that’s correct.”
“Aren’t you going to have to give her to a farm or something before you leave anyway?”
I let out a little squeak.
There’s been a few more responses to my posting, including offers to take Megghen if I don’t find her owner. But I’m afraid I’ll hand her over and they’ll immediately chop her head off and make her into dinner. How can I trust anyone else with that chicken, the one who trusts me with her very life?
Maybe I could drive her back to Connecticut. And then what? I guess I could keep the house, but the HOA might not approve of a chicken in the backyard. And an apartment certainly wouldn’t. She can’t live in my tub or free range in an apartment, leaving warm eggs hidden everywhere.
I groan and squeeze my eyes shut.
My decision making has been absolute shit. But there’s no going back. No fixing what I’ve done. Only making better decisions going forward.
Like finding a no-kill farm or a family with a backyard coop for Megghen.
Packing up the Pink Palace.
Going back to my job and my hometown.
That’s the plan.
“I’m leaving next weekend,” I say firmly. “I’d go sooner, but you just got here and I want to hang out.”
Lucy leans over and pats my hand, but doesn’t say anything else on the subject.
Then she starts telling me about her trip. I mostly listen, but a slideshow of the past month flies through my mind on repeat.
Atticus stars in every image.
I’ve done so much damage here.
I need to get back to the East Coast and let myself heal.
CHAPTER 26
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ATTICUS
