Chapter 75: I Don’t Have My Pompoms

James lounged opposite me in a large overstuffed chair, Miri on his lap. I watched the Coke fizz in my bottle, entranced by the zing and pop of the bubbles. Sitting on Lucy’s white couch ensconced in her grandmother’s quilt, I felt James staring at me. I ignored him.

“Des.” He didn’t have to ask. I knew what he wanted to know. I didn’t even need to read him - I only had to know him. And James would dig through all my crap until I told him the truth. He would have made a great Inquisitor. Or Gardian. He must have been a great Gardian.

But for now, he was just a guy starting out in life, with lots of junk in his past and lots of hope for his future. And me stuck in the middle. “Des,” he said again.

“What?” I’d still play dumb if it bought me some time.