Chapter 46

“You’re not a burden,” he said. “Not to me or anyone else. Okay? You just remember that.” Finn remained silent, face blocked from the world. Julian gently pet his hair. “But sure. If you want to pay me some rent, we’ll start with two hundred dollars a month. That sounds fair for couch crashing, yeah?”

Finn sniffled and lifted his head. Even though he’d been crying for the past day and a half, the tears threatened again without fail. “And let me buy groceries.”

“Fine. And you can buy groceries. And do the dishes once in a while. Satisfied?”

Finn took a moment before nodding and going back to his pillow. The two friends sat there, quiet in the dark house. It was already nearing eight thirty, and the sun was gone from the horizon. Only the kitchen light, buzzing with old, incandescent bulbs, remained on. Finally, Julian spoke again, this time with more volume.