Page 17 of Peach Tree Family

"We made an exchange. Nothing underhanded about that," Theo told him.

They went silent for a little bit, and Seth noticed that Theo was eyeing the fireplace. As cold as it was, he was probably tempted to get it going. "You're not thinking of lighting a fire in there, are you? You're likely to fill the house with smoke. That's if you're lucky."

"I know we can't have a fire until it's checked out," Theo said and gave him a look.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to lecture you," Seth said.

"It's fine. I'll make sure not to burn the house down," Theo said like Seth was nagging him, but he didn't sound too mad about it.

Now Seth was thinking about how they were going to sleep. It looked like there was only one sleeping bag for Ace. Last night Theo had covered himself with some kind of thin, thermal blanket. That guy was all about his little brother.

"You're not going to be awake all night long again, are you?" Seth asked but he didn't wait for the answer. "I know you have your little brother to think of, but..."

"I'll manage," Theo said.

Seth came up with an idea. "What if I close myself up in the bedroom with the boarded up window, you sleep against the door, and we can both get some sleep."

"Are you serious?" Theo asked.

"It's not a dumb idea, is it?" Seth asked since Theo was looking at him like he was crazy. "You'll know where I am, but you won't have to stay awake." Seth then added a request. "And in the morning, you think I could take a shower?"

"Sure. The water is running clean and we have soap."

"That would be great, thanks. Now I'll just move myself into that room," Seth said and got up off the floor and got his duffel bag. He didn't really want to go, but he didn't want Theo loosing another night's sleep because of him.

"What kind of light do you have with you?" Theo asked him as he got up too.

"I have a flashlight," Seth said and got it out of the duffel bag. He turned it on. The beam was weak and it flickered before he tapped it against his palm. "I won't need it much. The dark will suit me fine. I'm good and tired."

Theo nodded. "You did a full day's work, first at the café then helping me here."

"I was glad to pitch in." Seth then thought of something. "I don't have any way to wake myself up for work. I don't want to be late."

"I'll wake you," Theo said.

"At five?" Seth said and hoped it wasn't too early.

"That's fine," Theo said. "Wait. I got this blanket at the store today. It's cheap, but it's better than covering yourself just with your clothes."

"I'll be all right. You keep it," Seth said.

"Take it," Theo said and pushed it at him.

"OK. Thanks. You try and sleep, all right."

"I'll try," Theo said and rolled his eyes. Maybe he thought Seth was nagging him again. He did frown as he followed Seth to the bedroom door. "I feel bad, like you'll be a prisoner in there."

"I'll be asleep. But I wouldn't be able to sleep if I had a little brother and a stranger in the house," Seth said.

"You're not exactly a stranger any more," Theo said, but he wasn't ready to trust Seth and they both knew it.

"Good night," Seth told him.

Settling on the floor and listening as Theo did the same just outside, Seth didn't mind the arrangement. Theo was right outside and hopefully he would get to sleep. Maybe Seth might even hear him snore.

Before, when he was sitting in the dark with Theo, Seth had the funniest feeling. Like a long time ago when he and his friend Jake used to sleep under a tent in the yard. They would huddle close with a flashlight between them and try to scare each other. It was like that with Theo – a little excitement, a little fear and closeness in the dark.

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