Chapter 21: Ask First

Dalton's POV

I woke up alone in a narrow bed, with a note on the pillow.

Gone to see your grandmother. Eat something. Do not buy anything. J.

I read it four times.

I put on yesterday's shirt and went into the kitchen.

I still didn't know what I was allowed to do with my hands.

The radiator under the window was knocking.

The back step outside the door had a crack across it as wide as my thumb.

There was a leak stain in the corner of the ceiling the size of a dinner plate.

I knew who to call.

I had the number of a roofer and a plumber.

I had the number of a man who could replace a staircase by Friday.

My phone was already in my hand.

I looked at it for a long time.

Then I put it face down on the table.

I took a pen from the jar by the toaster and wrote on the back of an envelope.

Radiator. Back step. Ceiling. Ask first.

It looked like a ridiculous list.

It looked like the only honest one I'd ever written.

The front door banged.

"Do not say anything," Teddy called. "I have bagels. I paid for them with my own money."

He paused in the hall.

"Which I'm going to owe you. But still."

He came around the corner in his hoodie with a paper bag, saw me at the table, and stopped.

"Okay," he said. "So that's happening."

"Good morning."

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