Page 179 - My FlipBook

T R A I L O F C R U M B S

“No, no.” He waved his hand at her, shooing her away.
“I’ll be fine.”
Greta suspected Elgin’s definition of fine differed from the
rest of the world’s.
Alice and Greta helped Ash in the kitchen while Elgin
watched the setting sun out the front window. Snow dunes
and front lawns disturbed by boot prints and the odd spray
of dog urine.

“Ash and I are worried we’re putting extra stress on your
dad by being here,” Greta said, leaning in close to Alice. Ash
put down the cheese grater and stood on Alice’s other side.
“No,” Alice said, looking back and forth between them.
“In fact, you may have delayed the worst of it by being here, if
I’m honest. It probably helped him to have someone to look
after again.”

Greta’s chest loosened a bit. She couldn’t stand the thought
of her and Ash as tiny parasites, gnawing away at Elgin. “Why
don’t you live here with him?” she asked Alice. “You’re in
school. You could even stay in the basement and save him
having to get renters.” The rent money went to her anyway.
Dealing with Patty probably hadn’t helped his mental health.
“No way.” Alice held her hands up, motioning for them to
stop right there.
“Why not?” Ash asked.

“I cannot deal with…that…every day.” She looked toward
the living room, Elgin’s head silhouetted against the picture
window.
“That? Ouch,” Ash said.

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