Here, There, Everywhere by Julia Durango

Author:Julia Durango
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2017-11-07T05:00:00+00:00

TWENTY

I WON’T GO INTO GRAPHIC DETAILS, BUT I WILL SAY THIS: WHETHER ON a park bench or in the odd broom closet at Hilltop, Rose and I made the best possible use of our time together, which had increased exponentially since we’d visited the psychic. I’d hardly been home the past week except to sleep, since we’d started spending every evening together, too. I’ve never gone through so many breath mints and ChapStick tubes in my life.

Meanwhile, Grub and Blackjack had become nearly inseparable at Hilltop, making it easier for me to steal moments with Rose. Blackjack loved “playing army” with Grub, and Grub couldn’t have asked for a better partner. Blackjack had been having some really good days lately, and Mary allowed them a bit more freedom together while it lasted.

Admittedly, it was an odd sight—a little boy in army clothes pushing an old guy in a wheelchair, both rattling off battle cries and military jargon. People stopped and saluted them when they rolled by, all except for Missy Stouffer, who eyed them warily. But that seemed to be her typical reaction to everyone and everything.

Speaking of Ms. Stouffer, she’d finally backed off my case a bit since I’d proven my worth as a volunteer bunion rubber and puzzle assembler. Many of the residents knew me by name now, and my romance with Rose was quite the topic of interest. Being at the top of the social pyramid, Letty informed everyone of all new developments. I never gave her too many details out of respect for Rose’s privacy, but her incessant prodding during my volunteer time usually meant I told her more than I’d intended.

On Thursday, Rose and I stood outside the exercise room while a visiting instructor attempted to teach beginning yoga poses to those residents brave enough to try. The elderly Hilltoppers mostly giggled, groaned, and tooted, except for Letty, the lithest eighty-nine-year-old on earth. She achieved every single position, from half cobra to downward-facing dog.

The session ended with the room grapevining—an aerobic maneuver akin to line dancing—to Tom Jones’s “It’s Not Unusual,” requested by the usual suspect. When the song ended, everyone cheered and clapped, then began a slow exodus toward the door.

Rose and I rejoined Mary, Blackjack, and Grub in the common room.

“These two sure have a good time together,” said Mary, nodding at my brother and Blackjack, who sat side by side, perusing one of Grub’s homemade maps. “He’s such a creative kid, must run in the family! I think your Sunday surprises are so clever, Zeus. What’s lined up next?”

“Well, it’s a surprise. I can’t say.”

“Come on, no hint?” asked Rose with a “pretty please with sugar on top” face that nearly crumbled my resolve.

“Kailangan kong umihi!” declared Blackjack.

Rose and I shared a look, wondering what he’d said.

“I believe Sergeant Blackjack needs to use the restroom,” explained Mary.

“Take me to my bunk, nurse,” said Blackjack to Mary. He straightened in his chair, head held high, chin up.

“I’ll provide cover fire,” said Grub, diving behind the wheelchair.

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