Page 19 (1/2)

"Look, you can stay But when Naivingfor the last five years"

Jack stops, hand against the stairwell door "I apologize"

"Don’t It makes you see sos"

"Good Before you arrest hiles or whatever, let me punch him"

"Isis –"

"Just one punch In the eyeball With a spoon"

Jack considers it, then set the other eye"

I rateful than he knows Or maybe he does know, because his eyes are soft and ith the knife of his quiet blazing anger I’d seen it pointed at h times to know that this time, it’s not me it’s pointed at

It’s Naht not know details, but he knows enough He guessed enough And he didn’t pry His eyes have no pity, or guilt They are clear and they see ht is shared and divided and I try to say thank you, but all that comes out is a wry smile

I am half as dark as I used to be

Jack turns and opens the door We walk out of the stairwell and my jaw pops likeis all white stone andbetween eas and autu in fancy patio chairs near the covered glass fire pit, wood crackling and e A hot-tub and an enorrills, drunk college students flinging burgers and nasty jokes like they’re going out of style Charlie is talking to the black-bikini girl, looking gru on chips People shove each other in the pool and shriek with laughter in the hot tub Jack touchesto socialize I need information Stay where I can see you"

"I don’t need you to babysit me," I say "Do your job I’ll just be over here, you know, having fun You should try it so and sit on a lawn chair, near the hot tub A blonde guy with svelte abs and a friendly slances at me

"Hey,"

"Hi," I spew meat delicately on the patio tile

"No swimsuit?" He asks

"Left mine back home On Mars"

"Is that why you stand out like a sore thumb? Because you’re an alien?"

"Or, or, and this is a crazy theory – I’uy laughs "It’s true Your hair’s awesome"

"So is yours In that beachy I’m-definitely-froyets out of the hot tub to sit bywet

"Three days, thank you very much I’m not that much of a swole broski"

"Coulda fooledtoo ot no brains and no future, but I’ve got these babies"