"Yes," I tell her. "But I didn't bring any of her toys."
Her expression drops. "Oh…"
"Did Mom leave already?"
"Yeah, she left like…one episode ago. She told me to go to Sandy's house if I needed anything."
"That's our next-door neighbor," Nolan explains.
"Ah…I see."
Still, I would have been terrified if my parents had left me alone when I was eight…even if it were only for an hour.
"Avery, this is Saige," Nolan says. "She's going to hang out with us, too."
"Why? Are you his girlfriend?"
"Because I'm not allowed to stay home alone, either," I tell her.
Nolan laughs. "Unfortunately, that's true."
"Why not?" she asks. "You're a grown-up."
"Her brother said no."
"So? Why is he your boss?"
"That's areally goodquestion," I say. "I don't know why he's my boss."
"Mmm, yeah, you do," Nolan says. "Saige is Elias's sister."
Avery makes a face. "Uncle Eliashas asister?!"
Uncle? Ew. "Not really. I'm his stepsister…technically. My mom married his dad two years ago."
"Why doesn't he talk about you?"
"Umm…because he's a really mean brother. Yours is nicer."
Avery laughs. "Mine is mean, too."
"Shut up," Nolan says. "Do you want some water or something, Saige?"
"No, I'm okay."
"Amanda has just given birth in a grocery store without even knowing she was pregnant."
"Avery, what the fuck are you watching?"
"Mom lets me!"
"Yeah, right." He takes the remote and opens a Netflix Kids account instead.
"See what I mean?" she asks. "Worst brother ever."
"Yeah, I don't know about that. I'm pretty sure I've still got you beat," I tell her. "Speaking of my terrible brother, I have some biology homework I need to get started on. Is it okay if I turn on the light in here?"
"That's fine," Nolan says.
