Page 134 of The Infiniteness of Yesterday
I tuck my phone away and don’t reply. I need to pick up Roe from my parents’ house.
I park outside the familiar house and instead of texting my mom so she’ll send Monroe out, I decide to go in. I knock, despite having a key, so I don’t startle anyone.
My mom opens the door with a happy smile. Perry stands at her side, his tongue lolling. He’s gone white around his nose, but I think it makes him look like a distinguished gentleman. “You look tired.”
I groan. “Thanks, Mom. Just what every woman wants to hear.”
She laughs. “I’m sorry, but it’s true.”
“I didn’t sleep much last night,” I grumble.
“Let me make you some coffee,” she suggests.
“Mom.” I pause, seeing if the puzzle pieces click into place for her. When they don’t, I say, “I just came from a coffee shop. I think I’m good on caffeine.”
“Oh.” She laughs. “Right. Silly me. Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich.”
“Where’s Roe?” I ask, looking around. The house is eerily quiet.
“She’s in your dad’s office. He’s decided to build her a dollhouse.”
“Like … a real dollhouse?”
“Yeah.” I follow her into the kitchen. “He’s gotten this wild idea that in his retirement he’s going to become a master dollhouse maker or something. Whatever keeps him occupied and out of my hair is fine with me,” she titters. “Are you hungry? You didn’t answer.”
“A little.”
“Turkey sandwich?”
“Yeah, that would be good. Thanks.” I slide onto a chair at the kitchen table and stifle a yawn. Spencer really did keep me up practically the whole night and he’s right, I’ve felt where he was between my legs with practically every movement I’ve made today.
“You seem like you have a lot on your mind,” she remarks, pulling all the ingredients out for my sandwich.
“When do I not?” I reason. “Between school, work, and Roe my brain is always like a hamster on a wheel constantly spinning and getting nowhere.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
There’s no way in hell that I’m telling my mother what I was up to last night.
“Not really.”
“If you change your mind, I’m here whenever.” She adds some chips to the plate before sliding it in front of me. “Oh, this reminds me. Your sister said her and Jasper are coming up this weekend. I thought we could all go out for dinner. Jameson, too.”
“He’s been busy with work, but I’ll ask him.”
She smiles, eyes twinkling like she knows something I don’t.
“Well, I hope he can make it.”
After downing my sandwich, I collect Roe from my dad’s office and say goodbye to my parents.
On the way home, Roe talks my ear off. Everything from, “Are you sure we can’t get a cat?” to “Well, what about a fish?” and “Can we go to the store to look at toys?”
The answer is no, no, andno.
She sulks inside when we get home, and I shut the door behind me with a sigh.
My apartment is the same as it’s always been, but for some reason, after last night I see it differently.
