Page 17 of Summer Holiday Lifeline

“But at what cost?” Jet asked, throwing a hand against his brow dramatically.

“’S’okay,” Shelly said through another yawn as she patted his cheek. “We like cereal. And the hot dog cart down the street.”

“Cereal.” Kreed slow-panned to look at Myles. “Hot dog cart?”

“Well, it’s—we’re a work in progress.”

“Mmm.” Kreed rubbed his forehead. “Then it’s a good thing you came to us. Cooking lessons all round while you’re here, I think.”

“You don’t have to⁠—”

“Yes,” Jet spoke over him. “Yes. That’s a good idea. I’ll even take them too.”

“Then that’s settled.” Kreed turned back to his pot. “Good deal.” He stirred a bit, then cocked that eyebrow again, “I have some stew left, if you’re interested, Myles.”

Myles’s stomach growled. “I am. But maybe after I put Shelly to bed.”

“I’ll do it.” Jet took her hand.

“You sure?”

“She’s my sister,” he said again.

Myles nodded and watched them straggle to the bottom of the stairs, where Jet picked her up. “Jet.”

“Yeah?” He stopped on the bottom one to look at him.

“Thanks.”

“Sure.”

“Do you mind if I take the room down here?” He lifted his cane slightly. “For now.”

“Whatever.”

“Okay. Well, you two settle in. Text if you need anything. Take whatever beds you want.”

“Sure.” He turned, whispering something to Shelly as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Myles watched until even Jet’s feet were out of sight.

“You’re good with them,” Kreed said.

A speculative noise escaped before Myles could contain it. “That’s the closest thing I’ve had to a conversation with Jet in weeks.”

“He’s what? Sixteen?”

“Yeah.”

“Then maybe one conversation every couple of weeks isn’t so bad. And he loves his sister. So there’s that.”

“I guess, yeah.”

“Come through,” Kreed said, voice soft, head tilting towards the swinging door leading into the kitchen. “Have a seat.” He set the steaming bowl he held on the counter across from one of the comfortable-looking high stools.

The door swung on silent hinges without Myles having to put much effort into it, then stayed open long enough for him to shuffle through before it swung gently shut behind him.

He turned to watch it, feeling like he should be thanking it for being so helpful. “Your house is really…”