Even Through the Storm

19. Would You Rather

It's ten o'clock, and Peter has left. Dri is staying over, so she and I are up in my bedroom. "So, would you rather, eat a handful of ants, or bathe in elephant dung?" Dri asks.

"Depends. Live or dead, and wet or dry?"

"Live, and wet."

"God, I hate you. Okay, um, a handful of ants."

"Ew! Gross!"

"Better than bathing in elephant poop!"

"Okay. True. Your turn."

"Um, would you rather, kiss a senior citizen..."

"Wait, where?"

"The lips."

"Lips?"

"Yep."

"Ew!"

"I know. Or, throw away a perfectly good chocolate bar?"

"Easy. Kiss the old dude."

"Really? You're disgusting."

"Hey! I like my candy."

"I know. But an old dude?"

"Knock, knock, knock!" Says Ash, opening the door. He's in his pajamas.

"Hey, no boys allowed!" I yell, throwing my pillow at him. He dodges it, and it hits my floor.

"Shhhh! Your brothers are sleeping."

"Oh, yeah, sorry. Now, what's up?" Ash sits down on the floor next to my bed.

"Ugh, nothing. I just couldn't sleep."

"Why not?" I ask.

"Does someone need snuggles?" Dri teases.

"Actually, yes." Ash and I laugh. "I'm just, worried about my mom. I mean, my Dad is still out on bail. And there's no way they can prove that he started the fire. What if he gets into her room or something?"

"Ash, really?" I ask. "One, there's security, two, visiting hours are closed, and three, only me, you, and my dad are allowed in. And if you wanted to play would-you-rather, you could've just asked."

"Okay, you caught me."

"Really?"

"No. But now I do, so go."

"Fine. So, chocolate or old dude?"