Chapter Ten: Nancy:

I have been trying to understand her for weeks now. I mean, we live separate lives. We have nothing in common. She was just stranded here with her daughter. I was left behind. She wanted to get back to her home. Meanwhile, I had gotten used to my situation. Still, I couldn’t leave her out there. I don’t know. It just wouldn’t be right. Now, I just want them to leave.

But that isn’t right.

I frowned to myself as I sat on my bed. This is why it’s better to be alone. You don’t have to deal with headaches and you just have to care about yourself. Okay, animals are fine. They don’t talk and they only harass you when they want food or attention. Ava isn’t too bad. She doesn’t try to harass me either. (She’s only a toddler.) I rubbed my forehead. That isn’t really an excuse. They can’t stay in my house. But where were they going to go? I haven’t figured that part out yet. Nancy and Ava can’t go back to where they came from. I don’t even know where that is. Maybe I could put them up in one of the other empty houses in this neighbourhood. That could work. I could go and check in on them from time to time. I would still have my house and I wouldn’t feel guilty about kicking her out. But how was I going to convince her it was going to work?

I looked up when I heard knocking on my door.

“Yeah?” I asked. The door opened and Nancy poked her head inside.

“There you are,” she said. I frowned at her. Really? Where else was I going to be?

“What is it?” I asked. Nancy quietly walked into the room.

“I’m just here to say I’m sorry,” she said. I shrugged.

“Fine,” I said. “It’s fine.”

“Oh,” Nancy said. She stood in my room for an awkward moment. I was tempted to tell her to leave.

“Is that all?” I asked. That probably came out ruder than I had intended. I sighed and leaned back against my wall.

“Did you want anything else?” I asked, trying to sound nicer. Nancy shook her head.

“No, that’s all I wanted to say,” she said. She turned and walked out of the room. I put up my hand and waved. I slid down to my side on the bed. What was that? I couldn’t even stand talking to her after a couple of minutes. It wasn’t even her fault. She just came in here to apologize. Looks like I am going to have to fix this. I leaped off the bed and stuck my head out the door.

“Hey!” I shouted. Nancy stopped and turned her head in the hallway. I took a breath.

“Let me help you,” I said. “It’s the least I can do.” She turned around to face me.

“Please,” I said. I didn’t know what I was doing. It was just coming out of my mouth.

“Fine,” she said. “Fine.” I bowed my head.

“Cheers,” I said. We just stood there with nothing to say. I don’t know how this is going to work or what I am going to do. I don’t know why I have to do this but here we are.

“I do need to get some more things for Ava and the dog,” Nancy said. “I still don’t know my way around this town too well.”

“I’m on it,” I said. “When are you going?”

“Can we go now?” she asked. I shrugged with a dull look on my face.

“Sure,” I said. “I know where the best places to go.” Nancy raised her eyebrow.

“There are more places?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I said. “I know so much about this town.” Maybe I won’t have to move her and Ava out of my house just yet. I could hold off a little bit longer.

“Let me show you,” I said.