Eventually, Luke takes Jovie home after many enthusiastic goodnight hugs. Mom and Dad say their own goodnights about an hour later, reminding us that whoever leaves last needs to lock up.
Mom gazes down at me as she passes. “You can stay in your old room tonight, if you want. I worry about you driving those empty roads so late at night.”
“I’ll be fine.”
She cups my cheek and gives it a pat. “You’d better.”
Mom and Dad retreat upstairs, leaving the rest of us “kids” in the living room. It’s long past time I headed home, but not because I share my mom’s fears about driving the forest roads at night. My social battery wore out a long time ago, and I’m running on fumes.
But none of the rest of my siblings make a move to leave, and I linger with them. There’s something nostalgic about sitting around downstairs after our folks have gone to bed that’s hard to resist, even if I don’t jump in to join their conversations.
Lucy swivels sideways in the chair opposite mine, sliding her legs across the arm. “If I wanted to tour the firehouse, who would I talk to about that?”
Nathan’s attention drifts to her. “You want your class to tour the firehouse?”
“Something like that?” She doesn’t sound especially sure that’s the reason.
“Why would an English class tour a fire station?” Graham asks.
Lucy frowns at him. “Maybe we’re readingFahrenheit 451.”
“That makes even less sense.”
“Or maybe…?” Nathan prompts.
“Or maybe what?” The edge in Lucy’s voice says he’d better not push it, but Nathan isn’t known for playing things safe.
“You have a crush on one of the firemen.”
I roll my eyes. That’s it. I need to get out of here. Can’t we all keep our private lives to ourselves?
My phone vibrates in my back pocket. I slip it out and swipe it open.
Rose: Are professional burglars quiet?
Rose: Probably, right?
An odd question, but I thumb in my response.
Reed: Seems like a job requirement
Rose: Yeah. I bet you’re right
I stare at my phone, waiting for that bubble to pop up indicating she’s typing out more information. It doesn’t come. I listen to Lucy regret asking Nathan anything about the fire station as they banter back and forth for a full minute. Two.
My patience fractures.
Reed: Why?
Rose: I keep hearing noises at the back door
Rose: It’s probably just the wind, though
Rose: Nobody would try to get in when I’m here
Rose: Right?
Rose: It’s fine