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"I don’t know, she was upset that you’d been acting like you were fine, but she wasn’t ht it looked bad on her that she was ot past that, she’s a lot better now"

Charlie nodded absentmindedly and turned to look at Grey just as she came back ater for her and Charlie

"If you want to hang out with your brother today, I can go ho out with Grahalad you’re here, and I can’t stay long, I just wanted to co for soain?"

"Don’t start, Jag," Charlie pleaded softly

I bit back the response I wanted tothis tione for a couple days, so I’ she’ll be home in a week or so"

My face went blank "Charlie, we’ve talked about this--"

"And I’ve asked you to stop botheringelse going on right now except for a couple online classes I’d be watching Keith anyway"

"He’s not your responsibility"

"And I wasn’t yours! But you took care of me anyway!"

"Hey, Charlie," Grey said suddenly, her soft voice enough to stop as sure to be another arguuess I mean she’s the same as she always is, the sky is ood"

Grey kept a serness as she waited for so else--like Charlie’s answer hadn’t been what she’d been looking for After a few seconds of aard silence between the three of us, Grey asked, "Was she able to find a job?"

I forced out a quick laugh, and Charlie’s face lit up with a weary smile "Find a job? Mom? Uhno Definitely not"

Grey’s sether "Wait, why are you asking if she found a job?"

"She said she was trying to get one"

"Said? When did you talk to her?"

Both girls looked at me in surprise at my harsh tone, and Grey’s head shook back and forth quickly "I don’t--a week or so ago? Maybe?"