Gap Life by John Coy

Author:John Coy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

COMPLICATED

JUST BEFORE NOON, I walked up the driveway of our house. Nobody would be there, but I still checked around to make sure. I unlocked the back door and felt like I was sneaking into somebody else’s place. “Hey,” I called.

Nobody answered. Nothing moved. But an uneasy feeling gnawed at me as I thought about Dad’s warning. I couldn’t guess what he’d come up with. And that itself put me on edge.

My stinky shirt indicated I needed clean clothes as I entered the living room, which felt more like a museum than a room where people lived. No stray glasses or coffee mugs were out. Everything was perfect and in its proper place. I felt uncomfortable, like I didn’t belong.

I looked up at the yellow jaguar mask on the wall and remembered how Dad had made me negotiate in Spanish for it when we were in Mexico for spring break. On the other wall, a black-and-white picture of the four of us from last year stared back. Mom had insisted we dress up and go into a studio, and she debated the pros and cons of different shots before selecting one. I looked goofy in it, but Mom loved it because everyone was smiling. It was weird to display a big picture of ourselves in our own home, but that was Mom’s image of us, what she desperately wanted to believe.

I charged my phone in my room and shoved clean boxers, T-shirts, and shorts into my backpack. In my bathroom, I shaved, took off my clothes, and got in the shower. I stood under the hot water and thought about Rayne confiding in me and then cutting me off.

As I dressed, I tried to figure out where to go for the afternoon. Jett was working. The coffee shop reminded me too much of Rayne. Nothing good popped into my mind as I gathered up my toothbrush, toothpaste, body spray, phone, and charger.

I closed the back door with a thunk and slung my backpack over my shoulder. I was leaving home with no place to go. Pretty pathetic.

* * *

I STOPPED FOR PIZZA.

“Did you find a job?” Sam asked.

“Yeah, I’m working nights with adults with developmental disabilities.”

“Good for you.”

“I’m still looking for another job during the day.”

“Sorry, I don’t have an opening,” she said.

As I ate my slices, I remembered Dad demanding I get another job. I hadn’t done anything on that. I wished I had so I’d have a place to go.

My phone buzzed and I grabbed it. The name on the screen filled me with excitement: Rayne. “Yeah.” I attempted to sound calm.

“Sorry for being a bitch last night.”

“You weren’t a bitch.” An old woman at the next booth glared at me, so I grabbed my plate and moved outside.

“I need my Oakcrest job, Cray. I can’t jeopardize it.”

“I know. I need mine, too.” I sat on the bench in front of Sam’s. “I’m sorry. What I did was stupid. I should have listened to you.”

“It can’t happen again,” Rayne said.

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