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We walked a dozen steps in silence, while h to tell

“He could go to the University, Andrea,” I said “You’re both students, both in subsidized housing If he took this up with theet thrown out of school”

Her head spun my way She looked suddenly terrified

“Would he… Is he…”

“No, Brody’s not like that,” I said dismissively “You know he isn’t”

The girl walking alongside , deep breath In the bitter cold, the steaon’s fire

“I… I know,” Andrea adreat That’s part of whathim with you”

I nodded in acknowledgment “He doesn’t knohat to say to you, Andrea He doesn’t kno to act around you It’s uncomfortable for the both of you, not just yourself”

“I… I can’t afford to ood chunk of the rent, and—”

“Brody isn’t happy there either,” I said “And not because of you,” I added quickly, “he just needs h! How do you ever decide what to watch?”

More silence More walking We were almost out of the park

“You both need to et better until you’re not in each other’s faces anymore”

Andrea jammed her hands in her pockets Her expression was still miserable

“He’s staying with you, isn’t he?”

“Yes,” I replied “But whatever happens next, he probably needs to get out of that apartment For your sanity as well as his”