October 25
“Well, if you’re going to study,” Alex said, “I’d insist. Stay there, I’ll get you a Coke.” He stepped into the kitchen for a moment.
“I really can’t stay,” Jeanne said. “I just need to drop off the homework and go home before the rain starts. My dad’s worried about me.”
Alex came back into the living room; she saw an expression on his face that she couldn’t precisely identify beyond ‘terrifying’. “Well, all right, then,” he said, not meaning it for a second. “Let’s go upstairs. Quiet now, so we don’t wake him.” He gestured to the staircase.
Jeanne thought she smelled something foul as she walked up the narrow staircase. She didn’t comment on it, but her steps slowed as she realized what it was.
“He’s probably too weak to get to the bathroom,” Alex said. “Sorry. Promise you won’t tell anyone?” She lied an agreement as they approached the upper landing; the hallway was dark, with only the light filtering out from under one of the doors illuminating its entirety. “He’s right in there.”
Jeanne dashed ahead and tugged on the door. “It’s locked,” she said, not turning around to see the expression of rage cross his eyes.
“Yeah,” he said, as calmly as he had before. “I had to, you know, in case he fell down the stairs trying to get to the bathroom.” He made a weak gesture to the open bathroom door, on the other side of the small landing from the stairwell entirely. Jeanne figured that there was no way that Rob, even if he were feverish and disoriented, would get confused going to the bathroom in his own house. He’s just scrambling to cover up, she thought. He reached past her to unlock the door with his right hand.
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