Page 53 (1/2)

"I told her about all of the news outlets covering the fire She thought the hed "Fuck, Ellie, I’m sorry I know that has to hurt"

My chest felt heavy, and ain "I did it to ht"

He was quiet for a moment "I wish I was there"

"Me, too"

"Twelve days, Ellison I’ for you in twelve days"

"Tyler?"

"Yeah?"

"I’ve been thinking about drinking A lot" When he didn’t respond, I continued, "I don’t think this is going to be as easy as I thought it would be"

"Who is that woman who kicked you out of your house?"

"My mother?"

"No, the other one"

My cheeks flushed just thinking about her "Sally"

"Yeah Her You should call her You have her number, don’t you?"

I rubbed ers "She doesn’t work forher for help, Tyler I loathe her I refuse to give her the satisfaction"

"You’re saying it’s wrong for her to feel satisfied about helping you? I think that’s the nature of her job"

"Satisfied in the way a sche, rat-faced cunt would be satisfied, not a life coach"

"Well … maybe you can just try to stay busy Keep your estion, one project i to mind "Your apartment needs some work"

"Don’t you dare"

"I’m serious That will take me at least twelve days Can I unpack for you?"

"No"

"Please? It will look like a real apartet back"

"Absolutely not"

"Why not? Are you afraid of what I’ll come across in those boxes? What? Is there like … skin suits or shrunken heads or so? Don’t tell me you’re ashaht letting you do that"

"You’re letting e"

The line was quiet for a few seconds, and then Tyler sighed "You don’t have to, but if you want to, and it’ll keep your uest"