Page 91 of The Revenge

Once my laundry is in the large-load washer, I sit down on the bench and pull out my phone. I’ve not checked it since I set it charging, expecting to have a bunch of messages and calls from Syn, Royal and Gemini, but there’s nothing.

If it wasn’t for the message from Penny, I’d think it was broken; I was convinced that message wouldn’t be enough.

Perhaps William Keyingham had a word with Syn?

Whatever the reason they’ve not messaged, I shouldn’t care—Idon’tcare.

I turn my attention to the essay of a message Penny’s written…

Penny:Tor, it's been a few days, and I’ve heard nothing from you. I know the Gala was last night—did you find that guy? Is everything OK? I’m at Jake’s house in SoHo, and all we’re doing is watching Christmas movies with Nicole, so if I need to come find you, I’ve already got a small search party I’m not afraid to use. But Chanukah starts tomorrow, and if I’m not back by sunset, you’ll have Bubbe hunting us all down!! I hope it was good news, but if it was bad, and you need to be alone, that’s fine—just message me back and let me know you’re alive at least! But also, you’re welcome to come join us for Christmas movies. Let me know where you are, and I’ll send a car.

Tori:I’m fine, don’t worry. I’ve got a lot to tell you, but I need a minute.

Halfway through telling her what happened, the low battery warning flashes, and then the phone turns itself off.

The battery was low earlier, and I was distracted with cleaning so I never pulled my charging cable out of my bag. The phone is such an old model now that it barely lasts a full day without needing to be charged.

It's annoying, but I’ll call Penny later after I’ve seen Payne. She’ll be mad that I’ve made her wait all that time, but at least she knows I’m alive. I completely believe her when she said she’d come looking for me, and while I don’t mind her coming to my place, it’s a trek for her when she should be enjoying her time with her boyfriend and girlfriend.

Sticking my phone and my hands into my coat pockets, I lean back against the wall and stare out the dirty window. In the short time I’ve been in here, it’s gone completely dark outside. There's a few cars driving past, but very few people.

By time my washer finishes, and I’ve transferred all the sheets into a dryer, I’m still the only person in the laundromat. I’m wishing I’d brought a book with me, so I occupy myself by alternating between reading the notices and posters on the wall and pacing back and forth to keep warm.

Once the sheets are dried and folded, I head back home. “I’m back,” I announce as I walk into the living room.

Mom’s still on the couch watching television, but she moves quickly to look at me. “Where have you been?”

I pause in the doorway to her bedroom. “Laundry. Remember?”

“Oh, yes.” She nods.

“I’ll make the beds, and then I’ll get started on dinner. How does pasta sound?”

“Sounds good.” She doesn’t look at me, instead, sits back down on the couch.

Maybe I’m expecting too much from my mom. I’ve been away for a while, and even if I’ve returned with good news, I can’t expect things to return to the way they were.

XXXVI

Tori

Making my mom’s bed doesn’t take long at all, and because it’s a little too early to start making dinner, and because I’ve got enough time, I set my phone to charge and take a quick shower. Admittedly, the shower is quick because my mom used most of the hot water earlier, but I keep my hair tied back and clean my body before the water turns completely cold.

Although the small bathroom doesn’t have any heat in it, and I’m already shivering from the tepid water, I check my appearance as best I can in the mirror. Aside from the cut on my thigh, which is already scabbed over, there are more aches and pains than there are new bruises.

My face is almost back to normal—nothing a light layer of makeup won’t cover—but there’s enough yellowy skin that I’m surprised my mom hasn’t said anything.

Before I get too cold, I wrap myself in the towel, grab the bracelet and watch from of back of the sink, and head into my bedroom. Hidden under the sleeves of my sweater, I forgot I was wearing the jewelry.

I’ve done little to sort the room out after my mom searched through it. As long as I can sleep on my bed later, I don’t care about tidying it now. Instead, I lay down one of the suitcases,kneeling awkwardly over it as it takes up most of the floor, and find some clean clothes to wear.

Had I realized I was wearing the tennis bracelet sooner, I’d have taken it off rather than walk around this neighborhood wearing it. I stuff it in the bottom of my suitcase but decide to put the watch back on.

Once dressed, I start making dinner. It takes longer to make than I expected, and now, I’m going to have to eat quickly because it’s nearly time to go meet Payne. I carry the two plates to the living room, but instead of putting it on the table, I decide to carry it around to my mom. Once upon a time, I’d watch shows with my mom, and this might be a way for us to bond.

As I walk around the side of the couch, my foot hits something, sending whatever it is flying noisily over the floor.

“Be careful!” Mom shrieks at me, lunging off the couch. When she gets up, she’s got a bottle in her hands.

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