Page 27 of The Two Last Moments

I laugh louder than I meant to. I like this lady, I really do. Somehow, her curiosity is endearing because it’s wrapped up in sarcasm. That might be my love language. “Nope. The hospital put me down as Lark D-o-e. What’s with that, anyway?Doeas a substitute last name?”

“I’m sure Danny could tell us, given that he was a college boy. Just as well he’s not here because I’ve got enough facts in my brain.”

I almost ask where Danny is, but I don’t want Nina to think I’m not interested in talking to her. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Starla,” Nina goes on, “what do you think Lark’s last name could be?”

“Hmm.” The nurse scrutinizes me, though she’s still sorting through supplies. “Looks like she could have Irish heritage.”

“Lark O’Malley?” Ryan supplies.

Nina scoffs. “You’re not getting the point of this game. Give us some more interesting options. How about Lark Van Stiltskenhammer?”

My nose wrinkles. “That’s a terrible name.”

“Exactly. Memorable, though. Which would be ironic.”

“Ha, I see what you did there. Ironic because I forgot it?”

“I knew you’d catch on quick.”

For a while, Starla, Ryan, and I come up with increasingly ridiculous last names for me. Nina chuckles along with us, closing her eyes for longer intervals. She’s wearing out.

We’re entertaining her so that she can relax, and I’m happy to oblige. Nina and Danny are doing a ton for me, so I want to pay them back in any way I can. But besides that, this is fun.

Starla leaves the room to show Ryan the laundry, and then it’s just Nina and me. “You slept well yesterday,” Nina says. “You must’ve needed it. Has Danny given you a tour of the house? Shown you where everything is?”

“Kind of, the night I got here. He gave me some clothes of yours to wear. I hope that was okay.” I didn’t see her yesterday, between my own exhaustion and Nina’s frequent naps.

“That was more than okay. That wasmyidea. I expect the credit. And I ordered a bunch of bath stuff too. Hope you’ve got what you need?”

“More than enough. Thank you.” I wondered where all the shampoo, deodorant, and tampons in the bathroom had come from. I’d assumed they already had it stocked for other hypothetical guests. “You have such a big house. Do you have people staying here a lot?”

“I did. Before, you know,thismess.” She gestures at the bed, the equipment, herself. The whole shebang. “I boarded high school exchange students from overseas.”

“Really? That sounds…like a lot of work.”

She laughs. “It was the kind of work I enjoyed. I’m retired, but I needed something to keep me on my toes. I always loved traveling and meeting people. This way, I could stay close to Danny and have the travelers come to me. You’re providing me with the same service, so thank you.”

“I don’t have many interesting stories, though.”

“Then make shit up, I don’t care.” She shrugs. “Fact or fiction, all the same to me.”

I mirror her grin.

“If you have food preferences,” she says, “just speak up. We use a meal delivery service and it’s easy to make adjustments.”

Ah. The breakfast fairy. I noticed that someone dropped off meals in my room while I was sleeping yesterday, too, but does she meanevery mealis delivered? I didn’t know that was a thing. How rich are these people? “I’m easy. If there’s anything I don’t like, I can’t remember it. Guess we’ll find out.”

“Sounds good. Also, you’ll need the security code from Danny so you can come and go as needed. We’ve had some break-ins here in the past.”

“Did they take much?

“Cash, mostly. Loose valuables. Now, I keep the security system set at night. We’ve got cameras too.”

I’m glad to hear it. I feel safe here, but it’s nerve-racking to think that such a nice neighborhood would still have crime.

Well, I already knew that, didn’t I? I was the victim of a crime not far from Nina’s door a few nights ago. It’s surreal to think about it.

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