Page 119 of Dark Endures

Ottilie ignores the fracas, pulls a chair over next to Kyle, and takes out her notebook. “What’s your name?”

“Kyle.”

She immediately jots it down.

“What’s that for?”

“The meeting minutes. It’s my job.”

Kyle’s blank expression speaks to the confusion that’s my life is right now.

“What meeting? You work for these people?” He definitely thinks we’re crazy.

“Of course not. I have a real job. But I take notes for all our club meetings.” Ottilie’s hand never stops moving.

“This isn’t an official meeting,” I say to her.

“We’re all here. I don’t see why it doesn’t count.” She doesn’t stop.

Kyle sits and stares at Ottilie, completely ignoring the other women.

Winnie stops arguing suddenly and turns to Ottilie. “Who’s winning?”

“You have seven points, Cordelia has six, and Leonie is trailing with three since I arrived. I can read back the points. Greer's points aren’t recorded because she isn’t a member of the club.”

“That’s not fair. I’m a founding member. I should be able to take care of my friend.”

“Fair point. But according to the bylaws—” You don’t mess with Ottilie when she quotes the bylaws. We were way too specific when we wrote them all those years ago.

“I want to take care of my friend.” Greer starts crying.

Winnie rushes over to hug her and starts crying too. “Of course, you should have the chance. We all should take turns.”

Kyle leans over and whispers, “What do I do?”

The grin that spreads across my face isn’t my fault. “I warned you.”

“That you did.” He doesn’t make a move to leave or even seem at all phased by our nuttiness.

“You know, you could just let Mindy decide.” It seems Kyle doesn’t really appreciate living that much.

All the women turn to him in shock.

He shrinks back like any sane man would, regardless of his armed status.

Then, completely ignore him and go back to fighting it out.

Kyle turns to Ottilie. “Why aren’t you in on that fight?”

“Because Mindy wouldn’t want to live with me.” Ottilie looks down at her notebook.

It’s more like Ottilie wouldn’t be able to handle the changes to her space and schedule caring for me would require. “I know you love me, Ottilie, and I love you.”

Five Words

Maddox

Jacko’s driving back to Willow Street because my hands won’t stop shaking. “You should have let me punch him.”

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