Page 178 - My FlipBook

L IS A J. L A W R E N C E

Alice arrived before supper, slipping through the front
door without knocking. Ash was frying chicken for quesa-
dillas, while Greta was curled up in the chair near Elgin, her
book fallen to the side. She sat up as Alice approached.
“He’s been there, sleeping, all day,” Greta said, standing
next to Alice. She swayed as the weight of her body dropped
to her limbs. “Think something’s wrong?”
“Well, whatever it is, it’s always wrong,” Alice said,

looking over Elgin’s sleeping form. “He goes through some-
thing like this every January and February.”
“Is that when your mom died?” Greta asked.
“No. It’s just when he loses all hope.”
February. A test of endurance. How did any of them
survive? Greta nodded. She felt it too—each day rewound to
the beginning and repeated itself. The longest short month ADVANCE READING COPY

of the year.
“Dad.” Alice leaned over and rubbed his head like a lucky
penny. “Dad.” Her hand rested on his cheek for a moment.
Greta startled at the tender gesture.
Elgin opened his eyes and smiled at Alice, stretching his
body long before deflating again. “I didn’t know you were
coming.” He blinked, sleepy.
“Well, your roommates here were concerned you were
dying.”

Elgin still smiled at Alice. She could say anything, real-
ly—I’ve come to mutilate you—and he would smile. “Just tired
lately. I’m not sleeping at night.”
“Want me to make an appointment with your doctor?”

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