Page 64 of Actions and Reactions
“Oh,God,” I groan, remembering that conversation with painful clarity.
It only makes Dad laugh harder.
“Youweretraumatized.” He mocks us, even pointing at our faces.
I shudder and share a disgusted look with Lex, but we let Dad laugh as long as he wants.
“To answer your questions,” he says, finally getting back on topic. “Corey is pretty cool. He’s an art major at UCLA, twenty, so right between you two, and he illustrates and writes comic books.” Now that reallyiscool. “As far as becoming your stepbrother, things are going well with Ally.”Aww, he calls her Ally.“Which is why I’m telling you guys, but we’re not quite at the marriage stage, so let’s hold off on that.”
“If you’re going to be at a place with lots of cameras, then I guess Mom already knows?” I’m pretty sure I know the answer already, but I still think I have to ask.
“Of course she knows,” Dad scoffs at me. “I told her the night I met Ally, Ivan. She’s happy for me, and they’ve FaceTimed a few times, mostly this last week since Mom and I were talking about you three times a day.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I murmur.
“I wanted to go, son, but?—”
“I know why you didn’t.” I cut him off before we get into it again. We already talked about this a few days ago. “You’re dealing with the network’s shit over here, and you know Mom’s got me under control.”
“I know.” There’s a lull for a moment, and then I force the conversation back to a happier topic.
“So we’re meetingAllytomorrow,” I muse, and againshare a look with Lex. “That’s going to be fun,” I quip, and Lex’s smile grows as Dad groans.
“Veryfun.”
16
Silas
I thinkI identify the two patients who love hockey during my brief appearance at the cafeteria-like room when I go in search of food.
It’s one man and one woman, she looks to be around middle age and he’s somewhere in his thirties, both sitting at one of the far tables—which are all covered with tablecloths.
I don’t know exactly why, but that really surprises me enough to keep thinking about what kind of place this is for the rest of the night instead of dissecting their stares and how they try to look away really quickly.
Besides them, I count four other people who are wearing the same uniform as me. A tough looking guy who looks like he’s in his twenties, a young woman—girl maybe? Shelooks really young and is wearing pigtails, so maybe a teenager or bordering on early twenties?
There’s an older woman who’s knitting something bright yellow, and lastly another woman, maybe in her forties, and she’s just staring blankly at the wall.
It’s an unsettling thing, so I eat my roasted chicken and veggies quickly then get back to my room.
Not having my phone with me is annoying, truly frustrating, and I’m very grateful that Dad gave me his watch, because being able to look at the time—as useless as it is to me to know the time in here—gives me a sense of control.
It’s the only thing I can know right now.
I have no clue how my parents like their rental, if Lottie’s staying with them, if they went out to dinner, if I’m actually going to be able to see her in three days when the family day happens.
I forgot to text Vinny about the rules here and how often I’m going to have my phone, but I’ll do that tomorrow at three.
I grab the pen and paper Dr. Jody gave me, and think about what I want them to get from my luggage.
I found a toothbrush and toothpaste here, but I want my own, as well as pajamas. I want my shampoo and the moisturizer Aunt Lyla sends me every other month.
I look at the very short list for a long time, and then I decide to write what I want my parents to bring me on Sunday on the back so I can send them a picture tomorrow when I get my phone.
It’s basically only a few books I’ve been meaning toread but haven’t had time—all fiction, because I’m not interested in reality at the moment—but I also want some framed pictures. I know exactly which ones, so I’ll send those over too. Hopefully I can find them quickly enough in my gallery so I won’t waste the whole fifteen minutes on that.
I also make a note to send a text to Gab and to grandpa Rich. I have no clue what my parents have told him, but he didn’t change his attitude toward me at all when I fucked up my future, so I’m hoping that having a fucked-up head because of it won’t really make a difference to him either.
