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"We're going to take care of it, don't worry."
Her mom resigned, and the three of us headed into the hotel. I set Lia's mom up for a two-week stay at the hotel and told them anything she needed to eat or drink she could have, and anything she needed to be comfortable she could get. With my black card, they were more than agreeable and accommodating.
Sarah was quiet, which was the most gratitude I'd noticed from her since we met.
The hotel staff took her up to her room, 606, and Lia and I headed back out. The sky was orange, pink, and dusky purple. There wasn't much light left. Soon, the sun would set on our day together.
Lia worried her lip the whole ride over to her childhood home, not saying a word while she clasped her hands in her lap. I couldn't blame her. The day had been intense.
I didn't know what to expect, but the house looked pretty normal from the outside. Just a regular house in a sleepy little neighborhood.
"I'm sorry. I just have to go in and get something."
"Don't apologize, Lia. I get it."
"I understand if you want to stay put…"
"Do you want me to stay put?"
After a pause, Lia shook her head and wrapped her arms around me. After a deep breath, she pulled back and met my eyes.
"I'm glad you're with me today. This day was a lot."
"I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else."
And I meant it. There was nowhere else I'd rather be than with her. I had no idea what I was about to walk into, but whatever it was, I would handle it for Lia.
She took my hand and led me to the front door. When she unlocked it, it opened about a foot before hitting something inside. The smell that came out the gap in the doorway was atrocious. I recoiled, and better understood what lay on the other side.
"It's okay. Let's go."
Lia smirked. "All right. Let's go."
She wiggled through the gap in the door and closed it behind her. I heard muffled rustling, then nothing. Did she decide she didn't want me with her after all?
The door opened a little wider.
"Can you squeeze through there?"
It was tight, but I got in with her. The only light in the space came from her cell phone flashlight. I got mine out of my pocket and turned on another light. I looked around at dusty mountains of debris. It looked like an indoor landfill.
And the smell. It was overwhelming. I lifted my arm to cover my nose. One corner of Lia's mouth hitched up.
"Welcome to my childhood home."
"Please tell me this isn't how you lived when you were growing up," I asked.
"It wasn't this bad back then," Lia said noncommittally as she moved toward the old, wooden staircase. "This way," she added over her shoulder.
I followed behind her, keeping my hand over my mouth so I wouldn't gag. Something dead was probably rotting in a corner somewhere. The sooner we could get what we needed and leave, the better.
At least walking was easier on the second floor, but we were still navigating in darkness. Did Lia's mother have no electricity?
Lia opened a door at the end of the hall to reveal a beautifully clean room still kissed by outside light. A neatly made bed sat in the corner, and posters of monster trucks and women were taped on the walls.
Her brother's room.
She looked around the room with sad eyes before turning around to face me.
