Page 26 of This Life and All the Rest
“She? Didshegive her name?”
“No,” Payton says, shaking her head. “But she looked to be about our age. She probably would have volunteered with you, but she didn’t ask about you at all.” She shrugs, trying to mask her interest and failing. “And she kind of looked like the woman in yo—”
“Okay,” I say, cutting her off, “thanks for letting me know. Anything else?”
“No, not really,” she says with a confused smile. “Just that, when I found her, she was poking around in the ceramics room. She was touching all the vases and stuff in the back.”
My composure slips, then. My eyes widen and my body goes stiff.
“Do you know if she went anywhere else? Maybe down to any of the other art rooms?”
“I don’t know,” Payton says slowly. “I don’t think so? She left through the front doors after I caught her with the vase.”
“Okay.” I nod. “Okay, good.” I’m already moving past Payton and toward the door, with one foot in the hallway, when I turn and face her. “Payton, did you happen to tell this woman who the owner is?”
“No...” She cocks her head to the side and watches me warily.
I flash her my best, most charming smile and her shoulders loosen immediately.
“Thanks, P. I’ll see you tomorrow. And if you need anything while I’m gone...”
“...figure it out myself,” she finishes with a laugh. “Hey wait! You still coming out for my birthday?”
I wave over my shoulder. “I wouldn’t miss it!”
I hear her giggle. I don’t turn around to wave goodbye or see her smile, though. I just walk as fast as I can without all out running to the last room at the end of the arts hall. The one with all the easels and paints. The Lennon Room.
That was a close fucking call.
I’m not ready to reveal my cards, yet. I don’t know if I’ll ever be.
I showup to Mom’s in the afternoon.
This has become our routine. I go spend an hour or two with Trent in the morning, then swing by the house to watch Evie, so Mom can spend the rest of the day at the hospital. I’m not sure how much longer she’ll be able to stay off work, so as long as Trent is still hospitalized, I want her to have as much time with him as possible.
This whole situation fucking sucks.
When I stopped by to see Trent this morning, there were flowers and a book on the table that weren’t there yesterday.Lennon. I was hoping she’d already been by, and those were my signs that she had.
I recognized the book, too, because it’s mine. I’ve read it probably five times, and I accidentally left it at the house last time I was watching Evelyn.
I don’t know what compelled Lennon to pick it up and bring it to the hospital but knowing she’s reading it makes me feel a little lighter. A bit more connected to her than I was yesterday. It shouldn’t feel as good as it does.
I park my car at the curb, noting an unfamiliar red CR-V with Louisiana plates in the driveway. It must be Lennon’s rental. I hop out and walk by it slowly, peeking in the windows. No personality. No signs of life. Yep, it’s definitely a rental.
I head to the house and let myself in without knocking, kicking my shoes off on the mat.
“Mom,” I call into the house, heading toward the kitchen. “I’m here.”
“She’s in the shower,” a voice says from the living room.
My nerves spike because I’m an idiot. I knew Lennon would be here. I knew I would probably see her, even though she did a great job of evading me yesterday. I don’t know why my fucking body still decides to react this way.
Calm the fuck down.
I take a second to get my shit together, then walk into the living room. Lennon is sitting on the floor with Evie, and they’re taking turns stacking blocks. From the looks of it, Evie’s not afraid of Lennon anymore, and Lennon is loving it.
“She’s warmed up to you,” I observe, leaning on the wall and shoving my hands in my pockets.
