“Where is my nephew?”
“He’s still asleep.”
“Go wake him up and I’ll take him round to Dad’s.”
“Why?”
“Do you trust me to help you?”
She nods.
I stand and hold my hand out. She takes it and she offers me a small smile.
She passes by JJ and my brother asks, “What the fuck are you up to?”
I shrug. “Do you want your old lady back?”
“You know I do.”
“Then I’m not sorry for what’s about to happen.”
Gunner still sleeps against Harper but wakes when she passes him over to me.
“Go pack what isn’t tarnished.”
“Seriously, Leo, what are you up to?” JJ demands.
“Taking Gunner to see his grandparents.”
I’m out of the door before he can ask any more questions and knock at my parents’ door when I find it locked.
Mom answers and surprise covers her face seeing me with Gunner on her doorstep.
“This is different.”
“I need you to watch him.”
I pass him over and without another word, I jog down the porch steps and grab two cans of gasoline from the garage.
Making my way back to Harper’s, Dad is now sat on his porch.
“Leo,” he drawls. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Helping my sister.”
Harper dumps two cases on the porch overflowing with clothes while JJ brings out piles of framed photos.
After a few more trips, she turns to me and says, “There’s nothing else I want to keep.”
I hand her a can of gasoline and her eyes light up. The small smile I received not half an hour ago transforms into a full-blown grin.
Sweeping my hand toward the house, I ask, “Shall we?”
She nods enthusiastically and together we walk into the house and dowse the place. She heads upstairs, and I make my way around the downstairs.
“This ain’t fuckin’ happening!” JJ roars, not sure whether to come at me or go up to his old lady.
“It’s what she needs.”
