Page 57 of Devour

“It’s not so bad.”

It was, in fact, that bad, but hubby would drive through lava if it meant escaping on time.

“No one’s going anywhere,” Eli’s dad called from the living room. “Roads are closed.”

We wandered back into the depths of the house. Everyone had gathered around the living room while the news played on the television. I pulled out my phone and hey, look at that: a local weather alert and a driving ban. I lifted my phone to show hubs, but he stood with his hands in his pockets while he watched the local news channel reporting on the weather. We were fucked.

“No big deal, we’ll put you kids in your old bedrooms then figure out the rest,” his stepmom assured the group.

“What about Mary and Eric?” Greg asked.

“They can take our bedroom for the night,” his father assured.

“Then where will you sleep?” Mary asked.

“We’ll figure it out,” Eli’s stepmom repeated.

“Mary and Eric can sleep in my room.” Eli spoke while still watching the television, which gave everyone the impression he wasn’t listening to the conversation.

“Oh, Eli, no,” Mary began.

“Yes,” he interrupted. “Dylan will stay in his old room with his wife and the baby, Liz will share hers with her husband and their kids, and you two can take my room. Mom and Dad get to stay put. Rhory and I can argue over who gets the couch and who gets the recliner.”

Because there was only one bed. As if us staying in his room together would’ve ever gone over well.

The corners of hubby’s mouth twitched, but he turned his attention back to the local news, still glaring down at the television with his hands in his pockets.

“Well, that actually might work,” his father agreed. “So long as your friend doesn’t mind sharing the living room with you.”

And they were roommates.

Hubby smiled even more to himself.

“We definitely have enough blankets to make up the couch and maybe even a spare pillow or two,” his stepmom said to me.

“I’ve slept in worse places,” I assured. “I’m sure it will be fine.”

So, we stayed for pie. I’d never been more annoyed to see pies in my life, but here we were. Eli’s siblings retreated soon after dessert to get their kids ready for bed. Then his stepmom went hunting in the closets for pillows and heavy blankets for us to use in the living room. After all the food got put away and the dishes done, everyone went to bed while we retreated to the living room.

Hubs shut the lights off, but the television remained, casting a soft glow around the room. I noticed that before about him. He often had the television on late at night, even used it to fall asleep sometimes. I supposed it was a comfort thing. He settled on a Christmas special and set the volume so low it barely qualified as audible before leaving the remote on the coffee table.

“Couch or the recliner?” Eli gestured to the brown striped couch and matching recliner, neither of which appeared particularly inviting. Worn furniture in a living room as dated as his family’s ideals.

“Which is more comfortable?”

“Couch.” And Eli walked over to the recliner.

“Hey, I didn’t even get to pick yet.”

“Take the couch, Rhory. It’s okay.”

“But I don’t need nearly as much sleep as you, remember?”

“Fine, I’ll take the couch.” With that, he sat down and moved onto his side while pulling his legs up.

“You still didn’t let me pick.” I pouted.

“Rhory…” he sighed, holding the bridge of his nose.

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