AmbroseLa’[email protected]:
Even the fire?
She nods, tucking her burns away. “I’ll be okay.”
AmbroseLa’[email protected]:
It’s okay to have scars. Inside and out.
Silently, she nods again.
The buzz of her phone interrupts the peace settling around us.
AmbroseLa’[email protected]:
So, slasher, ghosts, or creature feature?
“God, um… slasher, I guess. I see enough ghosts, and I do not need nightmares about giant spiders.”
Neither do I.
Glancing up, I notice an intruder on the web I spotted earlier. As long as it stays up there and has no plans to venture down here, we’ll all be fine.
I take the tablet and make a selection from Shane’s streaming accounts.
Dollie does well with the opening, but Duggan’s tie almost decapitates him around the first kill.
Feeling my eyes on her, she shifts nearer and steals the edge of the fluffy comforter to tuck her toes in. Toes that are no longer in those ugly slippers.
“Why are you so far away? All bunched up at the other end of the sofa, harboring all the snacks. I’m out of popcorn.” She watches her phone for my reply before I even attempt to type.
AmbroseLa’[email protected]:
We can’t share now. My germs are all over the bag.
“I’m not as bothered about germs as you are. Siblings are meant to share.” Sidetracked by that word—siblings—she steals the bag from me. “And on the subject, you can share this too, if you insist on having the window open, even if that thing is on.”
She pulls the blanket higher up over her legs, settling in the middle of the sofa.
“And why are you still emailing me? Why not just mouth or sign like usual?”
I stare at her, mouth wide open, because I’m honestly not sure. The awkwardness has passed for me, and she has no idea I know she even saw me. Maybe it’s brain fog from the headache or the pills that are starting to suppress it.
I choke on my silent answer when she tosses a piece of popcorn between my open lips.
She bursts into hysterics, her laugh so loud in the tiny room as she leans in close and pats my back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think you’d choke.”
Sadist.I use my lips this time, and I know she’s close enough to see because her body presses against mine.
“I really am sorry. Do you want one?”
She offers the bag back to me, and honestly, what’s the point in refusing. She’s already touched the bag and all my germs. She’s touching me right now, tight fingers around my tense bicep.
I accept her offer, taking a handful.
I’d be lying if I said I don’t think the sugar is helping. Either that, or the pills I’m taking are finally kicking in, as I feel much better than earlier. Maybe it’s the company. Maybe Dollie is all I need to heal.
In every way.
