Chapter Sixteen: Getting to Know You:

She still tries to get to know me. I don’t understand why. We are not that close. I don’t want to know her.

“Well, if I am going to stay here,” she said. “I have to get to know you.”

“You don’t have to stay here, you know?” I asked.

“And where am I supposed to go?” Nancy asked with her hands on her hips. I pointed around my head.

“There are plenty of empty houses you can stay in,” I said. “It doesn’t have to be with me. You can even live next door.”

“Aren’t you sweet?” she asked. I didn’t mean to sound nasty. I just want my space back. This wasn’t a big house. Most of the time Nancy didn’t try to bother me. Even Ava didn’t try to play with me. But they are still in the house. That’s too much for me. I like to be alone. Well, I wasn’t completely alone. There was Marshmallow. He’s a good boy. He doesn’t try to bother me at all.

Things were much easier when it was him and me. I just had to get food for one person and food for the dog. Now, he had to deal with another person, a kid, and a fetus to deal with until she could be rescued. (“Rescued”. That sounds like she was being kidnapped.)

I noticed that her face was inches away from my face.

“Gah!” I shouted as I stumbled backward. “Don’t do that!” Nancy said nothing as she stared at me. I sighed and dropped my shoulders.

“What do you want from me?” I asked.

“To get to know you,” Nancy said. “Come on. Give me something.” She just doesn’t give up, does she? There was only one way to stop this.

“I’m not good with people,” I said. Nancy gave me a puzzled look.

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“I am not a people person,” I said. “I like being alone.” Marshmallow whimpered across the room. I looked over at him.

“Not you, mate,” I said. “You’re fine.” The dog lay down on the floor. Nancy looked like she didn’t get what I was saying.

“How did you manage to do it?” she asked. I frowned.

“Do what?” I asked. Nancy held out her hands as she looked around the house.

“This,” she said. “Stay here alone.”

“I just do,” I said. “I’ve always been alone.” She shook her head at me.

“I couldn’t do it,” she said. I know you can’t. Why else would you be trying to cling to me? Does that sound harsh? That’s just how I feel right now.

“That’s just how I am,” I said. I leaned back and folded my arms across my chest.

“Tell me about yourself,” I said. “Why are you so determined to know about me?” She stared at me for a moment. I don’t know what I was expecting. Maybe if I throw it back at her, she might shut up.

“Fine,” Nancy said. “I am in an unhappy marriage.” My face dropped. What did I just do? No! Abort! Abort! She sighed and dropped her shoulders.

“That bad, how?” I asked. I think I was wincing when I asked that. I almost felt sorry for even pushing back. Nancy pressed her lips together as she nodded. We stood there quiet for a moment.

“Can I go back to my room?” I asked at last.

“Yes!” she said quick to say. I turned and walked down the hall. We’re going to try this again later. That’s how well I know her. I just have to brace myself for the next day. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day…