Page 110 of Such Sharp Teeth

“Yeah. Like beef jerky, turkey jerky.”

“Uh, no,” he says. “Sorry.”

“Bummer.”

I’m sitting on something. There’s a small, sharp object poking into my left butt cheek. Seems like too much effort to remove it. So I don’t. I don’t care.

I don’t care about anything anymore.

Anything or anyone.

I tried. I’m done.

I close my eyes and will myself to sleep.

XI

There’s something in my nose. I open my eyes, and Luca’s tiny face is there. He’s got his small grubby finger shoved up my nostril.

“Luca,” I say.

He removes the finger, then climbs onto my lap. He sports dinosaur underpants and what I presume is one of Ash’s tank tops. It’s lacy.

“Luca, I’m sleeping.”

“No sleeping,” he says. “My chair.”

“Luca,” I hear Seth say. “Luca, be nice to Aunt Rory.”

“No,” he says.

“Appreciate your candor.”

I yawn and rub my eyes. Last night comes back to me. The hurt is there, crawling out of the shallow grave I attempted to bury it in.

I’ve been fighting so hard for a future, and for what? For whom?

It was a mistake, letting my guard down. Giving in to my feelings for Ian. Allowing myself to have those feelings in the first place. I should have known better. I should have protected myself.

It’s on me.

Luca shoves his finger up my other nostril.

“All right,” I say, shifting so I can stand. I find a plastic block under my butt.

“That mine,” Luca says.

“If you really want it back,” I say. “After where it’s been.”

He does. He snatches it out of my hands.

Something smells amazing. “You making breakfast?” I call out.

I pick up Luca under my arm and let him hang there. He giggles. I carry him into the kitchen with me.

Seth multitasks. He flips pancakes, attends to a skillet full of an egg scramble with bacon and sausage and scallion.

“You’re a hero,” I tell him.