Isat on the top step with my face pressed against the railing of the stairs. Downstairs, Dad and Raquel argued and yelled about me helping at the wedding.
“I mean it, William. I don’t want him embarrassing us at the wedding.”
“What? Are you afraid he’s going to say something?” Dad laughed.
Was he laughing at me?
“Go on and laugh, you asshole. But having a little mute aimlessly wandering around won’t look good.”
“Fine, fine, fine. We’ll arrange for him to go somewhere or someone to come watch him.”
I frowned. I was supposed to carry the rings.
I didn’t look behind me when I heard footsteps coming out of Sebastian’s room. I tried not to look at him unless it was necessary. As Sebastian walked by with his friend, he hit me in the back of my head, making my forehead smack the spindle of the stairs. Sebastian sat on the step beside me.
“Hey Patty, since you still don’t have your new room set up after you switched rooms, Eli and I want to help you.”
They wanted to help me?
I looked at Sebastian and then up at Eli.
“Man, he really doesn’t talk, huh?” Eli asked.
Sebastian smiled and shook his head.
Why was he smiling? He always made fun of me.
“Come on, Patty. Eli and I will help you with your room,” Sebastian offered again.
“Sebastian!” Raquel yelled as she walked into the entryway.
“What?” Sebastian yelled.
“Watch your tone, young man! William and I have some errands to run. Don’t open the door while we’re gone.”
“Whatever, you fucking bitch,” Sebastian mumbled as soon as Raquel and Dad went into the garage. “Come on, Patty, we’ll help you with your room while they’re gone.”
I stood and led them to my room. I was actually glad to have some help, even if it was from Sebastian. When Sebastian and Raquel moved in, I had to move rooms. Sebastian wanted my room because it had a big window that faced the street. I didn’t mind taking another bedroom. They boxed my stuff up and put it in my new room but just left it while they helped set up Sebastian’s room. His room was all set up now, but my stuff had been in boxes since school started.
I ran to my walk-in closet and pointed at the hangers I couldn’t reach. All of my pants and sweaters were in drawers and some in boxes, but my closet was empty.
“You can’t reach?” Sebastian asked as he walked toward me.
Why was he smiling?
Why was Eli shutting the door to my room?
I decided I no longer cared about the hangers and wanted out of my closet. I started for the door, but Sebastian was already in the doorway.
“Relax, Patty. I’m just getting the hangers down for you,” Sebastian said.
I backed out of his reach while he stretched his arm upward for the hangers. As he collected a handful, Eli appeared in the doorway. He and Sebastian looked at each other, and then Eli stepped into the closet and kicked the door shut.
“Oops,” Sebastian said as he dropped some hangers.
“Oops,” Eli said as he flipped the light off.
* * *
