Now That You're Here (Duplexity, Part I) Read Online Free Page A

there.”
    “Oh?” she says. Danny looks up at us. His bruised eye appears even worse from this angle.
    “Oh,” she says again, but this time it’s in surprise. Then her face changes to resolute. “Take him next door. He’ll stay there tonight. I’ll call your father to let him know.”
    I turn so Danny can’t see me, and mouth,
Are you crazy?
    “It’ll be okay.” She motions me toward him. “Go.”
    She is crazy. She’s completely lost her mind this time.
    I take several steps backward, still making a face at her, then turn when I get close to Danny. “Come on. We’re going to my dad’s.” He stuffs crumpled money and ID cards into his pockets, and we walk together through the shadows that crisscross the driveway.
    “Your dad lives next door?”
    “It’s a long story,” I mutter.

Over at her dad’s place, she reaches for the door, but I stop her. “You believe me, right?”
    “I don’t know what to think,” she says. “But I do know you shouldn’t have to stay where people give you black eyes.”
    She knocks twice and opens the door. I follow her inside. The place is spotless. Like a picture from a magazine. Leather couch and chairs. Glass coffee table. Bookshelves lined with hardcovers. Her dad sits in the far corner under a reading lamp. Thinning hair. Glasses. He stands when he sees me. He wears slippers with business casual.
    “Dad?” Eevee says. “This is Danny.”
    I extend my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Solomon.”
    He gives me a once-over, then shakes my hand. His grip is strong, like a warning. “Call me Sid.”
    “Did Mom call?”
    He nods. “Danny, will you excuse us for a moment?”
    Eevee follows him to the kitchen. I can hear their voices but can’t make out what they’re saying. The books on the shelves are all statistics, statistics and more statistics. There’s one about the brain. And another book on statistics. Finally, they walk back into the room.
    “Have a seat, Danny.” He motions to the couch and sits again in the chair in the corner. Eevee sits across from me.
    “Are you a friend from school?” he asks.
    I clear my throat. “I met her at the—”
    “English,” she says. “Danny’s in my English class.”
    “Then you’re a sophomore as well?”
    My brain is running on empty. Eevee gives a small nod and I stammer, “Y-yeah. Yes, sir. Sophomore.”
    He takes a hard look at me. “I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble at home.” He continues to scrutinize. Deciding if I’m trouble or not.
    I sweep the hair out of my eyes. Try not to look like a freak. “Thanks. It’s…uh…”
    “No need to divulge.” He holds up a hand. “You’re welcome to stay here. If you can follow the rule. Eve, will you please tell him the rule?”
    She angles her body so he can’t see her roll her eyes. Keeps her voice straight, though, and says, “My actions will not have a negative impact on myself or others in this home.”
    “Thank you.” Sid leans back, crosses his arms. “Does that sound reasonable, Danny?”
    Is this guy for real? “Yes, sir.”
    “Then we’re agreed. You may stay in Eve’s room.”
    “Oh,” she says. “I thought he’d stay on…” She looks at the couch.
    “Most people don’t have the luxury of two bedrooms to call their own.”
    She nods.
    “Will you show our guest the way?”
    She stands, so I stand, too, and follow her past the kitchen to the hallway. She pushes open the first door on the right. “Bathroom.” And the next door on the left. “My room.” She holds it open for me. “I mean,
your
room.”
    I stop before going in and look at her. Same dark hair. Same eyes. Same girl, but so different. A gazillion thoughts tumble through my brain, everything I should say to her, but all I get out is “Thanks.”
    Her head tilts to the right and she smiles. “We can talk more tomorrow.” Her voice sounds tired or sad. Can’t tell which.
    “Sounds good.” I walk into her room.
    She starts to leave, but turns