“I’l see how Indy and Jet are doing with that bed. You want me to send them in here?”
“No!” I said it louder than I needed to but I liked these people and spending any more time with them would make it harder to leave. “No. I want to be alone. I haven’t been alone in three days.”
She nodded, but I could tel she stil didn’t agree.
“I’l knock on the door when the coast is clear.” I took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you,” I said.
She reached up, kissed my cheek, then slid out the door, not opening it any more than she needed to. I found myself hoping, again, that Uncle Tex and Nancy worked out.
I turned out the lights and resumed my position on the floor, shoulders against the door.
I heard Nancy talking to Indy and Jet, their voices a murmur and I couldn’t hear what they said.
Then there was quiet.
I waited.
A long time passed and there was a knock on the door.
“Roxie?”
It was Uncle Tex.
“Yeah?”
“It’s just you and me, girl. Everyone’s gone.” I didn’t answer.
I closed my eyes and rested my forehead on my knees.
It wasn’t with relief, it was with heartbreak.
* * * * *
I sat in the dark for a little while longer and, when I felt ready, I came out. Uncle Tex made me eat half of a frozen pizza and made me drink three shots of hooch. The whole time he watched me silently. I could tel he wanted to say something but he kept his peace.
I left him in front of the huge, old console TV in his living room and went to the second bedroom.
The double bed was made with fresh sheets, an old, mint-green, chenil e blanket smoothed over the top. My suitcases were on the floor against the wal , my pajamas had been cleaned and were folded and resting on the pil ow.
I fought back the tears (again), changed into my pj’s and slid into bed.
I stil had my plan and tomorrow, I was going to carry it out.
I didn’t know what was happening to Bil y and I didn’t care. He was dead to me.
I didn’t know where Hank was and I tried not to care. He wasn’t dead to me but we were over. This I knew like I knew MAC cosmetics were the best quality for the price by a long shot.
Final y, I slept.
* * * * *
I woke when the covers moved and it wasn’t me that moved them. For a moment, I thought it was one of Uncle Tex’s cats, then the bed moved in a way that it would have to be the biggest cat in history.
Or a human.
Then, a strong arm slid around me and I was pul ed back against a warm, hard body.
I froze, then I tried to pul away.