Crane nods gratefully, wincing as he rubs his cheek.
“Thanks, man. You know I appreciate it.”
I nod, wondering what this means for Crane going forward.
“Just don't ask me about last night,” I say, trying to lighten the mood with my fuck up.
Crane isn’t with it, his eyes glazing over with memories I know he won’t share with me.
“Sierra isn’t very well,” I continue, determined to get a reaction out of him. “Which we both know is bullshit. I saw her crumpled dress on the floor; she snuck out again.”
Crane nods, finally looking up at me.
“I’m sure she’s fine.”
“How was your night?” I ask, feeling guilty for leaving him. “At the party, I mean.”
Crane shrugs, staring at the floor.
“I got drunk. The end.”
“Sounds good.”
“It was alright.”
A silence fills the room as I point to the bedroom door.
“I’ll go speak to Mom. Help yourself to whatever you need.”
I leave him staring into space, just as Mom skips up the stairs with a pile of laundry in her hands.
“Kai.” Mom grins, handing me a small pile. “Here’s your laundry.”
“Mom.” I take the laundry, shoving it under my arm as Mom smiles at me, moving to Sierra’s room. She stops at the door, an eyebrow lifting expectantly. “Crane said things got bad at home. Can he stay here for a bit?”
Mom studies me with a sad expression, her eyes softening.
“Is he okay?”
I shuffle on my feet, nodding.
“Yeah he will be.”
Mom taps her finger on her chin before clicking her fingers.
“I’ll get the spare room set up.”
A rush of love flows through me for my mom, and I’m truly grateful for my family at that moment.
It must be pretty lonely to be alone, that's for sure, and I’ve a feeling my best friend is so used to it, he’s forgotten what normal feels like.
TWELVE
SIERRA
There’s zero fucking hope of getting any sleep during the day here.
My mom isvacuumingin the room beside mine—also known as Dad’s shithole.
