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Kali hauled Theo along beside her and gave him a slight tug as he turned to wave toward Marvin. Before they had even crossed the street her pace slowed, her anger fading. She shouldn't have yelled like that. It wasn't Marvin’s fault he was broken, wasn't his fault some part of his grandson was.
But Theo was different. Marvin was a grown man. Yes, shit had happened. But shit happened to Kali too. And she kept it together. Kali may not have lost her son, but she'd lost a father—been abandoned by a father—she'd lost her mom. She'd lost a spouse. Not in the way Marvin had, not at all. But the end result was the same.
And what if she just decided to give up? She couldn't. She didn't have that luxury. And Marvin shouldn't either.
Kali trudged up the stairs, yearning for that happy feeling of just minutes before. A happy, worry free afternoon—destroyed. But she could have a happy life. A decent life. Maybe Marvin wouldn't be part of it, but her and Theo's life could be better. Would be better. Would be great. Kali looked to Theo and smiled. His eyes widened in shock. She looked ahead and clutched Theo against her.
“Hi?”
“Hey.” A man sat in the shadows on the top step outside Lincoln's apartment door. “You here to see Lincoln too?”
“No.” Kali stepped to the landing, keeping Theo behind her. She could see now that the man was dressed casually, but nice, like he was on his way to a party or coming from golf. His muscles bulged out of the sleeves of his collared t-shirt. His smile was easy, the smile of a man who was used to being smiled at.
Should she open the door with him standing there? He obviously knew Lincoln, but if he was sitting outside the door either Lincoln wasn't home or wouldn't let him in.
“Then what are you doing here?”
Kali raised her chin. “I live here.”
“You—?” The man looked shocked, frustrated, dejected. “He move?”
“No.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Then—” He looked from Kali to Theo and back again. “You live with Lincoln?”
Kali edged closer to the door. “I'm his roommate.” She held Theo against her. “We are.”
“Oh, uh, wow. Okay.” He nodded, a look of amazement washing over his features. “Well, uh, mind if I wait inside? I have another thirty minutes to kill before enough is enough.”
Kali stared at him.
“Sorry, uh, I'm his cousin. Andrew.” Andrew stuck out his hand. Kali hesitated. “I swear.” He raised both hands, wore a smile that was confident but kind. “I come in peace.”
“I guess.” Kali put her key in the door. “Just a half hour.”
Andrew stepped in after her with the casual, accustomed stance of someone who'd been there before. He didn't blink at the work table in the centre of the room or the cutouts of tree houses on the far wall. Kali's shoulders relaxed an inch or two. “The new furniture is yours, I take it. Lincoln didn't suddenly attempt to make this place a home.”
“I'd hardly call it new.”
“So he put an ad out or something? Single man requires young woman and child for roommates?” He chuckled.
Kali did not. She turned to Theo. “Why don't you grab your colouring?”
Theo scrunched up his nose at Andrew then walked across the room, glancing back every few steps.
“Cute kid.”
“Can I get you something?” Kali took off her satchel and stepped toward the kitchen. “Water? Lemonade? Milk?”
“Any beer?”
“No.”
“Lemonade, thanks.”
Kali returned to Andrew sitting on Lincoln's couch, legs spread like he owned the place. Kali passed him the glass and retreated to her own couch. “You're his cousin?”
“For as long as I can remember.”
She half-smiled. “I didn't think he had any family. At least not around here. He's never mentioned anyone.”
“Pretty sure I'm the only one who knows he's back in town.”
“He wasn't?” Kali sipped her lemonade. “I mean he left?”
“You guys don't talk much. Do you?”
“No.”
“Well, who am I to tell someone else's story?”
Kali swallowed. This was her chance to find something out about the stranger she lived with. “Well, you clearly don't visit often. Why?”
“He doesn't want visitors.” Andrew looked to Theo, who re-entered the room, and let out another small chuckle. “But I wouldn't have thought he wanted roommates either. So what do I know?” He turned to Kali. “Seriously, he put out an ad?”
“It's more like he's doing us a favour. We were in a tight spot.”
“Ah,” Andrew nodded, “that big heart he tries to hide away.” He leaned forward. “So, how's he doing? Is he okay?”
“I'm not sure.”
Andrew made a worried noise in his throat. “Guessing that's a no.” He gestured to the wall of tree houses. “He still all about that?”
Kali nodded.
“That where he is today?”
“Probably.”
“He tell you it's his birthday?”
“No.” Kali shifted. “Really?”
“Twenty-eight.” Andrew pulled a small thin package out of his pocket and set it on the arm of the couch. “In case I've got to go before he returns. A little something. A running joke.” He stared at the package, his jaw clenched, his brow knitted, then looked at Kali. “He a good roommate?”
“We're making do.”
“How old's your kid?”
“Almost four.”
“He's cute.”
Kali smiled. Andrew smiled. Theo coloured.
“No idea when he's returning?”
Kali tilted her head from side to side. “Usually by seven. Sometimes later.”
Andrew sighed. “I can't wait that long.” He stood and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Tell him I came? Tell him I wish him a happy birthday?” He nodded to the package. “And tell him to come to his mother's god-damn birthday party.”
“What?”
“Sorry. Sor—” Andrew glanced to Theo and gave an embarrassed shrug. “His mom's birthday party. Just ... tell him to get over himself and come.” Andrew paced toward the window and back. “His dad's getting a pass from the institution for a couple of hours and, yeah, Joseph and Lucy will be there but so will like fifty other friends and family. He can avoid them.” Andrew stared at Kali. “You have no idea what I'm talking about.”
She shook her head.
“It's probably pointless, but tell him to come, okay? He knows when it is. Convince him to come.” He looked to Theo. “Maybe you could do a better job than me. Use the kid. Tell him what it would feel like if your kid was a bridge away and didn't come to your sixtieth birthday party. Tell him what a selfish prick he's being.”
Kali stood. “I don't know.”
Andrew puffed out a blast of air. “Well, tell him I came. Maybe I'll try again sometime. Though I doubt he'd let me in. Been ignoring my emails.”
“He doesn't have internet.”
“Yeah, but he has the library, right? Isn't that his new hangout?”
Kali kept silent, feeling any answer would be a betrayal.
“Happy Natal Day.” Andrew lingered at the door. “You out to enjoy the festivities tonight?”
“Maybe.”
“Try to make sure he has some fun. I mean I don't know if you have any sway, but it's the guy's birthday. And he's out in the woods with no one but that mangy dog. Then what, a night at home picking his toenails?” Andrew shook his head. Angry? Sad? Both? “He deserves more than that.”
Kali made no promises, not bothering to tell him Lincoln didn’t even have the dog anymore, and watched Andrew leave. She closed the door behind him, more curious than ever, and formulated a plan.