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How she’d feel at thirteen if presented with this news.
Then she told herself there was no way she could do it because she hadn’t lived that life.
Couldn’t even comprehend what it was like.
And when dinner was done and cleaned up, Colson said, “Why don’t we go into the living room so we can talk?”
“Are you moving in?” Bella asked her. “Or staying overnight? Stupid question on my part. I bet your place is much nicer than here.”
“Hey,” Colson said. “What is wrong with this house?”
“Nothing,” Bella said, elbowing her brother. “I just meant you said she lives downtown in a condo so I think it’s probably fancy and new. Has a gym in the building, all those things you see on TV.”
“Is that something you’d like?” he asked.
Bella shrugged. “I think it’d be rad when I’m older, but now, not really. I like having all this space. And sitting on the porch and on the deck to read and drink my iced coffee. There isn’t any yelling from neighbors or through the walls like before.”
Marly smiled. “Those are nice things to have. Nice memories also.”
And she hoped hearing those words helped Colson get through this.
“Yeah,” Bella said. “It’s great here. Much better than anything I’ve ever had before. So if you aren’t moving in, then what is going on?”
Colson leaned forward, his hands clasped together like he was trying to steady them.
Like he might be wishing this night could just be over with already.
Maybe she felt the same way.
She sat beside him on the couch but left enough space that Bella wouldn’t feel cornered. She kept her body relaxed, quiet, letting Colson take the lead the way he needed to.
Bella dropped into the armchair across from them, her eyes moving back and forth between the two of them. Sensing that something good wasn’t going to happen.
“You’re both acting weird,” Bella said. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” he said quickly. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Just remember that.”
“Then why does this feel like when teachers say they ‘want to talk’ before you find out someone cheated on a test or something? That they are trying to corner you into confessing something you didn’t do or know what was even happening.”
He exhaled slowly. Marly watched his movements. She saw maybe he wanted to grin over what Bella said in that dry, sarcastic teenage tone. But he held firm because this wasn’t the time for jokes or laughter.
“It’s nothing like that,” he said. “You’re not in trouble. I promise.”
Bella’s shoulders relaxed a little, but her eyes stayed wary.
“Okay…” The word dragged out as if Bella was chatting with Tiff and they were just having fun with each other.
Colson looked over at her for just a second.
Not asking permission. Maybe just gathering strength.
She gave him the smallest nod.
The, “you’ve got this” look that said more than words could.
He looked back at Bella and took a breath. “There’s something I need to tell you,” he said carefully. “And I wanted Marly here because… well… she cares about both of us. She wanted to be here for you, and for me.”
Bella looked at her, then back to him.
