page20 (1/2)

“Kettle!” Viddy said “He can’t have that!”

“He can when he’s not popping those pain pills,” Kettle interjected “And it’s not just for hi alcoholic…like me”

I grinned at the newcomer

I’d seen him in the hospital He was Oakley’s uncle and I’d found in the short time that I knew him that I liked him

Viddy rolled her eyes “They’re letting my baby out tomorrow”

I smiled

“Did you know that she’s two blocks over from you?” she asked “This’ll be totally convenient That way I can check on you both!”

Iat her back and held my hand out to him “I don’t think we’ve met My name is…”

“Pace, I know” He took , I’m there Oakley means a lot to us”

I grinned

“I’ to understand everyone’s adoration,” I admitted “I was almost sad to leave her behind in the hospital today”

Viddy made a sound in her throat “She was sad when you left, but happy that you didn’t have to be shackled there anyo home it’s not even funny Hey, is this your phone?”

I looked over at the phone “Yeah”

She started typing so on it, and snickered when she read, “Maybe Viddy?”

I shrugged “My phone’s smart, what can I say?”

She shook her head and started to type on the screen She did this for a full five minutes before she said, “There, done”

She held it back out to erly

Viddy, realizing hed

“I was progra numbers into it Just in case,” she said “Mine, Ford’s, but you already had his Trance’s There are a few hter so she’d have yours”

Kettle and Torren shared a knowing look

I decided to keep my mouth shut and instead, shoved ht I’d left it

That hen Banner ca a plate of food

Real, home cooked food

My stomach rumbled

“I estured to the counter “Sit down and eat I can hear your belly gru from here”

I didn’t argue Instead, I walked to the draith the forks and pulled one out, then took a seat at the stool that was next to the counter

Then, I ate her delicious food—macaroni and cheese and baked chicken—and watched the e-stamp-sized yard, then walked in and put his hands on his hips