Page 91 of Searching for Nova

“I’m serious.” I get up from the bed. “Let’s go.”

“Easton, we’re not buying a TV.”

“Why not? We need one. Since you won’t date me, that eliminates the activity that would’ve taken up our night.” I smile at the shocked look that came over her face when I implied we would’ve been having sex all night. We would have if she’d agreed to date me, assuming she was up for it. I’ve never done it all night, but I’m confident I could with a few naps in between.

Nova lays back on the bed. “Maybe we could get a puzzle.”

“A puzzle? Are you serious?”

She laughs. “No, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“We need a TV. Let’s go.” I pull her up from the bed. “Is that what you’re wearing?”

“Yes, because we’re not leaving.”

“Then I’ll go without you. I’ll be back in a half hour.” I walk to her door.

“Wait.” She races over to me. “You can’t just go out and get a TV. It’s late. Nothing’s open.”

“There’s a 24-hour Walmart a few miles from here. I’ll get the TV and come right back. Have some snacks while you’re waiting.”

“But I can’t pay for this. And I’m not letting you buy it for me.”

“It’ll be mine. I’ll take it to college. In the meantime, you can borrow it. You need an antenna too? I’m guessing you don’t have cable.”

“No.”

“So TV and an antenna. Anything else? Oh, I’ll get you a streaming stick. You can use my password to log into the apps. Do you have internet?”

“Um, yeah. I kind of borrow it from the neighbor.”

“Okay. I’ll be back in a half hour.”

I leave her room and hear her behind me. “Wait! I’m going with you. I just have to change.”

“Go ahead. I’ll wait out here.”

I didn’t plan on buying a TV tonight, but they’re cheap and I have more than enough money in my account. Ted better not try to take it. The living room TV is one of those old ones that sits on the floor. I’m surprised it still works.

While Nova’s changing her clothes, I go in the kitchen and open the fridge. Beer fills an entire shelf. The other shelves have packages of meat, labeled with Ted’s name. He labels his food so Nova can’t have it. That really pisses me off. What the hell does she eat?

I open up one of the cupboards and see some plastic cups and paper plates, but no food. I open another one and see a box of cereal and a loaf of bread.

“I’m ready,” Nova says, coming out of her room. She’s changed into jeans and a sweatshirt.

“You’re not wearing a jacket?” I ask, going up to her.

“I’m good in this.” She walks to the door.

“Nova, you’re gonna want a coat. “It’s cold out. They said it might snow.”

“I’m good. Really.” She fakes a smile. “Let’s go.”

I don’t think she has a coat. I didn’t see one in her closet, and she hasn’t worn one any of the times we’ve been out.

“You can wear mine,” I tell her. “It’s in the car.”

She pretends not to hear me as she goes out in the hall. When she gets outside, she shivers as the cold, gusty wind whips around her.

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