Page 180 - My FlipBook

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

“Look,” Alice said, “I know this sounds cold, but I cannot
deal with all his stuff on a daily basis. Whether he lives or
dies, even,” Alice continued, “can’t come down to me. Don’t
ask me to be responsible. It’s not fair. Could you fix your
mother’s cancer?”
Both Ash and Greta looked down at the counter, studying
the diced tomatoes in front of them. This level of honesty
didn’t sit in a nice compartment. Alice’s words rang true

to Greta—harsh out loud, but true. At the same time, how
often did the presence of Ash, doing nothing but existing,
buoy her up?
“I hear you,” Greta said. “I really do. What if you came a
little more often?”
“Not just once a month to collect his money,” Ash added.
Alice wagged a finger at him. “Don’t even.” All the ADVANCE READING COPY

honesty cards were on the table now. To Greta, she said, “I’ll
think about it. I’ve worked hard to get some distance from
him and create stability in my own life. I guess I always felt I
had to keep him at arm’s length.”
“He’s definitely bat-shit crazy,” Ash said. Only Greta
blinked at that. “But he’s a good man. I envy you, to tell the
truth.”
Alice’s head snapped to look at him, but he’d already
turned back to the chicken on the stove.

Bat-shit crazy. Funny. Lately Elgin was the only one who
made sense to Greta.
Elgin waved away their offers of food. While Ash and
Greta cleaned the kitchen, Alice took him a plate and sat in

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