We hailed a yellow taxi cab, that much I remember.
"Winters."
"Hope."
"I just wanted to say your name."
We held hands, that much I remember, speckles of sugar on the Milky Way.
She asked the driver to take a turn down the street to Daniel's preschool.
Daniel hugged her and didn't say a word to me.
It was when we passed that hipster apartment block that it occurred to me.
"Where are we going?"
She laughed.
"Your mum."
"Stop."
"We're going to the flat. Or the box room? We got lucky anyway, it's better than nothing."
I squeeze her hand again, just because.
She looks out the window as if the city lights are compelling her to, and we are everything and nothing in that moment.
"I'm sorry I look different," she says flatly.
"Different? You're beautiful as ever to me."
Kennedy smiles but there is pain behind it.
"Art and music, you and me and Daniel? I weighed what was more important; my alter ego or being a good sister."
"Well if it makes you feel any better, I love you."
The cab pulls to a halt.
Kennedy counts the change in her pocket and thankfully it's enough. Daniel pulls her out onto the street.
There is a building in front of us, grimy and worn down. We climb stairs for what seems like aeons until we turn a couple corridors to the front door.
I can see the nervousness in her eyes, where the contacts hid it. Somehow I am comforted.
Kennedy fumbles with the keys and swings the door open.
"Welcome home."
Daniel immediately runs off, politely taking off his shoes first.
The room is about the size of my bedroom at home. There is a kitchen stall in the corner, tiny but spotless, another door in the corner to what I assumed was the bathroom, and a ceiling high shelf stacked with albums and books.
She kicks off her Doc Martens and walks over to the bathroom; I catch a glimpse of the tiny space, just enough room for a shower, sink, and toilet.
"I have to take a shit, make yourself at home."
"So welcoming."
The walls are painted like the galaxy, so Kennedy- I don't even marvel in surprise.
Their is a bunk bed in the corner.
Daniel is sitting in the bottom, blankets and pillows shaped like dinosaurs burying him.
The top bunk is another world.
A simple blue blanket and sheet with a pillow, sketchbooks and pencils scattered across it.
Fairy lights hang all over the ceiling, different shapes and sizes. The window has a view of a brick wall but she, being her, cascades the sides with make shift galaxy curtains.
"Josh?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you want to stay the night?"
YOU ARE READING
Mentions Of Kennedy
De TodoIt was like he blinked and then she was gone. He took her for granted; only noticed the shadow in the schoolyard when it was too late. She is. She was. She simply spat fire and gazed at him with piercing eyes. Would he be too late? Only you would kn...
