“It’s you.” I point toward her back pocket, and she slaps her hand on her ass and grabs her phone.
“I need to take this. Make yourselves comfortable,” she tells us distractedly while looking at the phone and rushing from the room.
Oswald makes his way over to me while eyeing the archway she left through and whispers, “Roommate?”
At the same time, I ask, “What the hell happened?”
“I have no clue. One second, we were in the utility room and she was looking at me like she wanted me to kiss her, and the next, she jerked away from me. Maybe we’re coming on too strong. Tell me about the roommate thing,” he urges in a hushed whisper.
“She didn’t want the lady next door knowing she lived alone. She told her I was her roommate so she would stop asking where her parents are.”
“Don’t you think it’s strange she lives here alone? How rich do you think she is?” He lowers his voice even more.
“I wouldn’t like her living alone anywhere. I’m fucking glad she has a nice house and an alarm.”
“How much do you think a house like this costs?” He scans the living room.
“I don’t know,” I tell him. It’s not that I don’t recognize that Waylynn must come from money, it’s just that I don’t care.
“Do you think we could ever afford a place like this?” Why is he so hung up on her house?
“Did you say something to her about it? Like ask her shit like that?” I snap in a harsh tone.
“No,” he scoffs. “It’s just… Why would she want us if she already has all this?” He lifts the vacuum in the air when he widens his arms, showing me the room.
Damn it, this is probably my fault. I’ve been telling him to watch out for people trying to take advantage of him since middle school. “I’m pretty sure any hope she might have had at us being secret heirs to a fortune were doused when she saw the truck,” I deadpan.
“How come you act like you know her so well? You weren’t as comfortable at Uncle Steve’s as you are here, and we lived there for two years.”
I dart my eyes away from his and look for Waylynn. “I don’t know. It’s like I know she needs me or something. Don’t ask me to explain it, because I can’t do a better job than that.”
Oswald nods his head. I have a feeling he gets what I’m saying, and I’m glad. Thinking about the whys of shit doesn’t get you anywhere anyway. “I’m going to put this away. Who do you think was on the phone?” Oswald jiggles the vacuum.
“I don’t know. Think we should go find out?” I arch one eyebrow, and Oz grins.
Waylynn
I holdoff answering the call until the fourth ring. I didn’t want to answer it in front of Oswald and Memphis. Who knows if they would have stayed quiet if I asked them to, and I don’t want them to hear my one-sided conversation with my mom, where she asks me how I’m doing twenty different ways.
I’m a little breathless when I reach the top of the stairs. “Hello.”
“Hey, Waylynn, is everything okay?” I don’t know if she’s reacting to the way I answered the phone or if this is just her first inquiry into my well-being.
“Yep, just running up the stairs. I left my phone in my room.”
“Oh, okay, so how’s your weekend been? Are you ready for your classes next week?” I’m sure she assumes I spent my weekend studying. That’s how I usually spent them.
“I went grocery shopping today,” I offer.
“Oh, that reminds me, Beth made lasagna. I should send you some.”
“That’s okay.” I chuckle, thinking about my mom figuring out how to ship something and keep it frozen.
“Are you still liking it there?” she asks airily. I’m starting to think she was planning on me hating it here and running back to California.
“Yeah, I like it. I like my classes. I’ve even made a few friends.” I plop down on my bed and look out the window. Friends might be a slight exaggeration, but I feel like Oswald is pretty close. I don’t know about Memphis though. He’s confusing.
“You have?” she chirps. “Tell me about them.”
