Chapter 5: Tenny

It was pouring when I came out of the Night Heron's back door at seven in the morning.

Gray rain, empty alley, and no cab in sight.

A black car sat at the end of the block with its engine off.

Carlisle leaned against the passenger door in a coat soaked dark at the shoulders.

"I'm not following you," he said, before I could speak. "I'm not asking where you live. I'm standing in an alley."

"You've been standing in an alley for five hours."

"Four. I went and got coffee."

He held out a paper cup.

I took it, because it was warm, and because he hadn't made it a favor.

"I'm going to Mount Pleasant," I said. "A hospital. Harbor Pines."

I hadn't decided to say it.

It just came out.

"Then you'll want a ride," he said.

"I'll want you to drop me at the gate."

"Done."

The car smelled of leather and clean wet wool.

In the back seat, I peeled off the platinum wig and pinned my curls flat.

I wiped the stage makeup off with a baby wipe from my bag.

He drove with his eyes on the road, and did not once look in the mirror.

At the gate of Harbor Pines I stopped with my hand on the door.

"My brother is in there," I said.

His hands tightened on the wheel.

"He's seventeen.

"He fell from a quarry ledge two years ago.

"His back, and his head."

I swallowed.

"He's the reason for the mask.

"And the gown.

"And all of it."

Carlisle didn't say sorry.

He didn't say anything for a moment.

"What's his name?"

"Tenny."

"Does he like visitors?"

"He likes insulting them." I took a breath. "Come in. Meet him. He'll ruin you."

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