Page 34 of Run Away Home: Tempered

“I don’t know. Thank you.” He slowly takes his hands off of his ears. He grabs both sides of the long blue robe he’s wearing over his pajamas and pulls them tightly around his chest.

“What the fuck are you thanking me for?”

I hoist myself onto the countertop. It’s the only way I can reach the top cabinets. I grab a mug, close the cabinet, and jump back down. He doesn’t say anything about my feet being on the counter. Something is really off. I hand him the mug.

“I think I need to lie down.” He lets go of his robe and grips the mug. He takes a tea packet from the drawer and throws it into the cup. When he picks up the kettle to pour, his hands are shaking. He’s spilling hot water everywhere.

“What’s happening?” Danny appears in the doorway, rubbing his right eye.

Peter’s eyes dart directly toward me. They are big and wide. They’re telling me to shut the fuck up.

“Nothing. I just...spilled something,” Peter says. He grabs a spoon out of a drawer.

“Hayley was screaming because you spilled something?”

Peter looks at me again... Fine, but only because I have no idea how to explain what the fuck just happened.

“Yes. He spilled boiling hot water all over. See?” I signal to the counter and the floor.

Danny’s eyes dart back and forth between Peter and me. Peter puts his elbow on the counter and rests his head on his hand. He inhales and exhales.

“You want the TV, Danny?” I blurt out to break the silence.

“Now I definitely know something’s up. You’re asking me if I want the TV?”

“I’m done with it. I finished every season ofHoney Boo Boo,and...Peter’s going to bed.” I look at Peter in a demanding type of way. Feels good to be in charge for once.

“You bet I am.” He walks past Danny and out of the kitchen, mug in hand.

“Is Peter okay?” Danny whispers.

“Yeah. He’s...stressed out, but he’s fine.” I take a seat at the small table in the kitchen and put my head down.

“Yeah, well, I don’t want the TV. I’m going back to bed.” I hear him walk out of the kitchen.

“Good riddance.” I don’t lift my head up.

After a little while, I rest my chin on my forearm and push my hair out of my face. It’s quiet now.

I look over at the kettle, then at the cutting board. I’m not high, am I? No, I’m not.

Peter

MY EYES ARE OPEN. Icover them with my hand and close them tightly. They spring open again. I rip my palm from my face.

Are you gone yet?

No.

Stop watching me. Please, leave.

I need to go to sleep. Just go to sleep. Just go to sleep. Just go to sleep...

Every home I’ve ever lived in has been haunted. Or is it just me who is haunted?

Danny

IWAS GOING TO GO BACKto sleep. I really, really was, but I just can’t. I’m awake now!

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