give my dad so much shit. He's trying his best. It's just his best is a lot like mine—not good enough.
Allison sips her coffee as she waits. She's quiet. Still. A rock in a river.
But Luna is just as willful. She stays in her room without a peep.
"Let me ask," I say.
I'm not sure why I'm volunteering to help with the family reunion. Some wisdom that came with experience, I guess. If I can help Luna handle her parents' divorce better than I handled mine—well, that's something.
Allison nods thank you.
I finish my last sip. Set the mug in the perfectly clean sink. Move up the stairs. "Luna."
"What?"
I knock. "I'm coming in."
Luna mumbles some kind of okay.
I step inside. Leave the door half-open. "There's still coffee."
"I'm okay," she says.
"Your mom wants to talk to you."
She shakes her head I can't. "Not right now. Please."
"Just goodbye. If that's it?"
"She's the one fucking someone else. Did I tell you that?" Luna's grey eyes fill with hurt. "Why should I absolve her?"
"Don't absolve her. Just let her know you're okay."
"I'm not okay."
"That you're alive," I say.
"What would you do? If it was your parents?"
"You know what I'd do."
"So why are you suggesting this?" she asks.
"Does what I do work out?"
A laugh falls from her lips. "I guess that's true."
"You really want to be like me?"
She shakes her head. "Just goodbye. That's it. Then I'm out the door."
I nod. Offer my hand.
She takes it. Lets me help her up. Slides a tote bag on her shoulder. A backpack (another KanKen, this one teal) on the other.
I grab the suitcase and lead her down the stairs. To the door.
She stops in front of the kitchen. In front of her mother.
Her expression hardens. She does nothing to hide the sense of betrayal.
"I love you, Luna," Allison says. "I know you're upset. I know I deserve the anger. But I do love you."
Luna nods.
"If you need anything, please. Call. Please," Allison says.
Luna nods okay. She stares at the floor for a moment. Then she steps toward the door. As she pulls it open, she whispers, "I love you too."
She doesn't look back to see if her mom hears it.
But I do.
I watch relief, hurt, regret spill over Allison’s expression. Then I follow Luna to the car. Pack everything inside.
Drive her home.
Carry her stuff to the spare room.
She waits until I'm in the hallway to say, “Thank you, Oliver."
"Yeah. Sure." I run my hand through my hair. I don't know what to do with this kind of honest gratitude. "I meant what I said about dinner."
"You really need help?"
"Help? Fuck no. You're gonna make it for me."
She half-smiles. "I guess it's only fair." She pushes herself to her feet. Wipes her hands on her jeans. "But I am going to make what I like."
"I know."
"Unless you want to help. That's the only way you get a say."
I nod I know. And even though I know I should stay away—my body is already begging me to hold her—I follow her to the kitchen. Stay way, way too close.
Luna insists on more pasta. Arrabiata this time. With shrimp.
She asks me to prep the shrimp in a quiet voice. One that isn't at all her.
But her sadness fades the more she concentrates. She chops garlic and tomatoes, boils water, seasons sauce.
By the time we're sitting at the table, topping our arugula with Parmesan, she's at ninety percent. Not all the way to her usual badass, bossy self, but close.
Dad texts that he'll be home late. Then some shit about how I should keep an eye on Luna. And by eye he means keep the pants zipped.
For once, I think of the hurt on Luna's mom's face, and I let it go. He's trying. I'm not getting pissed about it today.
He's right.
Luna needs a friend.
And, fuck it, I do too. If I can actually help her—
That's something.
It's the best I can do right now.
Chapter Eleven
Luna
Allison's face stays in my head as I study for my chem test. All the hurt and regret and frustration.
No I'm sorry or I know I was wrong or even I promise I've apologized to my soon-to-be ex-wife for betraying her.
Only worry.
About my well-being? Or losing my respect?
Maybe I'm being uncharitable. It's not just respect with her. I know she loves me. Normally, I know my parents love me the way I know I need swimming.
My favorite dark roast.
The exact shade of eggplant shimmer of my Urban Decay Rockstar eye pencil.
Right now…
I finish the chapter. Check my cell.
A group