Page 19 of Pretty Thing

Grabbing the supremely uncomfortable walking aide, I limp out of my bedroom. I know it’s there to help. As annoyed as I am, I’m also not an idiot. I can’t help but glance toward my parents’ master bedroom. The hallway is dark like a black void. Very appropriate.

A flicker of light from the television downstairs gets my attention. I grip the railing and make the difficult trek down. Each step is as much a loss as it is a victory. A painful reminder that I’m still here but my parents are gone.

Reaching the bottom, I see Felix sitting on the couch. I don’t recognize the movie playing, but it casts an eerie glow in the otherwise dark room.

I shuffle closer and realize that he has my phone in his hand. I’d know that green-and-turquoise turtle case anywhere.

“Hey.”

He looks up from the screen and smiles as he stands.

“Hey, you’re awake,” he says, stepping closer. “Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

I shake my head and point at the phone.

“What are you doing?”

He glances at his hand.

“Oh, I got your phone charged and was just letting your friends know what happened and that you’re okay. I also got you set up with your physio. You start tomorrow at a place only ten minutes from here. They have the best rating close by.”

I blink.

“You…you’re texting my friends?”

He nods and holds my phone out to me.

“Yeah. I figured you’d want them to know you’re alright. Once it had battery again, it started dinging nonstop. Did you want them to call the cops or something?”

“Don’t you think they’ll find it weird you’re texting when they don’t know you?”

Taking my elbow, he guides me over to the couch.

“Don’t worry, I messaged as if I were you. I made some chicken pasta if you want some.”

I look at the message to Kyle.

Eden: Hey, Kyle. I just want to let you know my parents and I were in an accident. I’m home and will be okay, but my parents were killed. I can’t talk right now, too upset. Will call soon.

Kyle: OMG, Eden, I’m so sorry. Do you want me to come over? To call? Do you need anything? Does Kris know?

Eden: No, but I’ll be okay…I think. Can you tell Kris and make sure she doesn’t storm over here?

Kyle: Yes, of course. Shit, are you sure you don’t want me there?

Eden: I’m sure. I just want to be alone. Talk soon.

I look at a few others. I don’t have many friends, but he has managed to make the texts sound like me.

“Eden, are you sure you’re okay? You’re…quiet.”

My eyes find his.

“I can’t believe you did this. Or that you called my PT. That…that wasn’t your call to make.”

His smile falls. “Oh…I’m…shit…I’m sorry, Eden. I just wanted to help, make some of this hard stuff a little easier. I wish someone had done this kind of thing for me when my mum died. I just thought…”

Rejection and sadness cross his face. My gut twists. Felix starts to turn away from me, but I grab his hand.