Chapter 54: Asher
I’m sitting in the living room with a meg of tea that’s long gone cold, one hand wrapped around it like it might still do something. Across the mom. Tyler is mid pitch, practically glowing with self satisfaction as he keeps tambling on alesst his “brilliant” plan – like he’s just invented shelter or sliced bread.
Our parents are nodding, upping drinks, rory and content. Our mom’s got a these blanket draped over her legs, eyes soft with that easy kind of pride pest another plece of the parents wear when their kids aren’t actively setting something on fire. My dad Team back in his chair, holding a mug
And there she is.
Penny, Cross–legged on the couch, a mug between both palin like it’s keeping her ofthered. She looks right at home–tou at home. Laughing at something Tyler said, eves crinkled, cheeks pink from wasmth or wine or bring full of something other than stress he once.
She fits here way too easily.
I hate how normal it looks.
Like this is a future I have no business being in.
Tyler’s still selling it, talking fast with big hand gestures. “I’m telling you, she’s got no car, no backup, no one making her dinner. We’re going to help her her, not just survivor ”
And they’re all eating it up.
And honestly?
He’s not wrong.
It’s not a terrible idei.
Not brilliant, either. But safr.
For her, at least.
But I’m not hearing most of it. Not really. My head’s still stuck on something she said fifteen minutes ago,
“We got robbed a few years ago.
She said it like it was a grocery list item. Just another thing that happened.
But her hands tightened around the glass. Her voice went st
nt ställ. Her eyes glazed just enough to make me notice and nose I can’t sanatice it.
That wasn’t just a bad story. That’s trauma
That’s something with claws and teeth and memories that don’t stay buried.
And I know what that looks like.
Hell, I carry it in every scar on my body.
She d
doesn’t need me asking about it. Not now. Not in front of everyone.
But later? When she’s gone, and Tyler’s mouth isn’t moving a probably pick up with the same enthusiasm.
And if what I find out is even half as dark as what I think it is
someone’s going to regret ever stepping foot in her house.
a minute? I’m going to get the truth to him. It seemed eager to tell it emilien and
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Chapter 54: Asher
“Penny,” Dad says, buraking the silence in my skull. “Do you have clast tomontow?”
She nods, her voice still soft. “Juid jen Morning
“Well,” Mom saya, “Why don’t youu come here aftert Help the boys pack and you can all head moet to your place together.–
trane a brow. “We don’t need help parking.
Tyler scoff “Speak for yourself, I can’t even find my cleats, let alone my changers.
Penny laughs, light and effortless. “T’ll come supertise. Make you’re not packing your dirty torks with your calculer notes“.
She tilts her b
head “Can you?”
“No,” he admits. “That I color code new. I’m motuning.
- Dad chockles and shakes his head. “We’ll call your patents in the morning, Penny, Just to make tone they’re okay with the arrangement.”
She nods. “I think they’ll be relieved, honestly.
And there it is again that quiet kind of gratitude.
The kind you only learn after too many nights of doing everyth
on your own.
She exhales through her nose, barely a sound, but it speaks volumes.
“And
know what else we should do?” Dad adds, glancing at Mom. “Group chat. All of That way, if someone needs something, we’re all connected.”
“That’s actually a good idea.” Penny says, already reaching for her phone.
Tyler grans like he’s being asked to sign over his freedom. “That’s micromanagement disguised as love.”
“It’s called care,” Penny says sweetly.
“It’s called control.”
“You’re about to be controlled into remembering laundry day.
“That was ONE TIME.”
She raises an eyebrow. “You smelled like it was ten
Everyone laughs. Even 1 almost do. It almost slips out before I can stop it. She’s ridiculous. And sharp. And so fast with her comebacks I wonder how anyone keeps up with her.
“Tyler,” Mom says, tapping the table, “Phones. Group that. Now
He groans, but obeys, collecting our phones like a tyluctant middle school hall monitor. Five minutes later, all our phones but at once.
Hages House
Cham
smile, again.
The comessation drifts after that. Quirter now, Everyone solter around the edges. Mugs half full. Shoulders celased. The kind of silence that feels
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Chapter 54: Asher
Then Dad asks, “You okay to walk home, seethem!?! |
She nods. “Totally. It’s not far.”
She gets up, tugging her sleeves down, and starts her goodbyes, Hugs Mom tight, then Dad. Tyler kisses her cheek, his hand reiting low on her back like it belongs there.
She turn
turns to me.
Doesn’t hug. Doesn’t say much.
Just a wave. Small. Soft. Her fingers wiggle once.
And then she’s gone.
The door clicks shut behind her,
and I don’t realize how long I’m staring at it until the quiet starts to it
to itch.
“She shouldn’t be walking outside alone,” I say, more to the room than anyone.
Mom waves a hand. “She’s fine, baby. It’s not far.”
Dad adds, “And starting tomorrow, she won’t have to walk anywhere alone anyway.”
They smile at each other like this was the plan all along-
I stare at the door,
And I wonder how the hell I’m supposed to share a roof with her without completely unraveling
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