Kooper and I rounded the corner on our block, and I could not wait to get inside. We only had a few more feet to walk, but the house seemed so far away. Kooper was a much happier boy, but me? I felt like I’d just been in the fight of my life and lost. I hobbled down the block and up the porch steps, longing for my bed, but Alessia stood at the door, knocking, ready for her daily dose of gossip. Sitting on the couch would help my back, but I hoped I could stay awake until she released me.
I think she misses living right next door, even though she didn’t take full advantage of it when she was here. Her conversation was more like a string of random tidbits than actual content. She reminisced about our vacation and how much she needed a “mom break.” Hearing that surprised me. Of course, I didn’t think she was a bad mom, but I didn’t realize she was so involved with them. Whenever we’ve been together, she doted on Desiree. Plus, I always imagined as soon as their teen birthday came, she’d hit the streets and leave them to their own devices. I told her about my plans to learn more about our family, and how being in Sulani made me realize we had history there.
Something flicked on her face, like she just had an epiphany.
“That never even occurred to me,” she said. “Is that bad?”
“It is what it is.”
“I never cared about that stuff. I hated going to the cemetery. There was nothing to do!”
“I met Gammy a few times,” I said. “And I saw Mama and Dad a few weeks ago.”
“Really? That’s cool, I guess. Ghosts give me the creeps.”
“Like you’ve even met a ghost before.”
“Still!”
My back throbbed, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I desperately needed that nap.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked.
“Hopefully nothing,” I said, thinking about my other pains. “I just came from a jog. My back killing me. And I’m so tired.”
“Too bad the youth potion can’t stop those aging symptoms.”
“Seriously.”
“Well, I’ll get out of here, then. Be careful out there, old man.”
“Whatever.
Before heading upstairs, I refilled the dog’s bowls and had another one of those weird stomach cramps. A few piles of Rosie’s hair caught my eye, so I followed the trail upstairs to the guest room. I suppose I hadn’t brushed her in a while because she usually didn’t shed that much. I found in there, stretched out on her back as if she had a long night. An even stronger cramp crippled me when I stooped to pick up the hair. Forget this, I thought. The chores could wait because my body was begging for me to rest.
