The House Above the Sea

12.

The house is dark when Neo reaches it again, all the lights flicked off save for a single yellow window: his and Joey's room. Neo breathes a sigh of relief, raking his rain-dampened hair back from his face and slowly placing his spare key in the slot.

There's a low click, and the foyer floods with light.

"Good to see you decided to come home tonight," says Aunt Vivian, leaning against the main staircase. Though she's in pajama pants and a robe, no casual garment can soften the stern, frightening raise to her eyebrow. "I wasn't sure you would bother."

"Aunt Viv," Neo starts, easing the door shut behind him. He stoops to take off his soggy shoes, keeping his eyes on her. "I can explain—"

"I was being generous, you know," she says, holding up a hand. "Letting you stay out with Joey. When Joey was sixteen his curfew was eleven PM sharp, but you know, I trusted you both. Why not, I thought. Why not let him stay out a little longer with the big kids!"

Neo scoots his shoes aside; he drops his head, until a flash of movement at the top of the stairs catches his attention. It's Joey, peeking out from the hallway, his face cloudy with guilt.

Neo wants to catch his attention, to beg Joey to help him out here, but Aunt Vivian starts again: "It's almost one. This is ridiculous, Neo. Nevermind that you worried the hell out of me and your father both—yes, I called him, don't you dare argue with me. It's too dangerous to be out at such an hour! You could've been kidnapped, or killed—"

"Aunt Viv, please. I wasn't that far away, believe me."

"I don't care, Neo!" she says, her voice rising enough to make Neo jump. She sighs, moving her neat, tightly-wound curls behind her ear. She approaches him, her house shoes shuffling against the wood. "Neo, listen to me."

He nods his head.

"You cannot—cannot, understand me?—go out and not tell me where you are," she says, patting his cheek. "Your father trusted me to take care of you; he would have my head if something happened. More importantly, you're my nephew, okay? I love you. I don't want you to get hurt. You get that, right?"

Neo nods again, his face burning with shame. He hadn't expected to make her worry so much. Guilt builds itself up slowly in his chest; it is not a pleasant sensation. "I know, Aunt Viv. I love you, too. I'm sorry."

Aunt Vivian sighs, stepping back. "You're soaking wet. Better hurry and dry off before you get sick. Do you want some tea?"

"No. I'm good, thanks."

"Then hurry and get to bed," Aunt Vivian says, pushing him in the direction of the stairs. Neo sees a blur of movement once again as Joey's head disappears behind the wall. "Oh, and by the way?"

Neo stops, turning halfway. "Yes?"

"You're grounded until further notice. Go to work tomorrow and come straight home, you got it?"

Kit's face flashes in his mind, the memory of the silent boy's trembling fingers as he filled the page with his words. Neo sighs, the guilt within him hardening like a stone and sinking deep into his stomach.

"Yes," he says. "I got it."

In their bedroom, Joey's waiting, sitting cross-legged atop his comforter.

"I'm sorry."

Neo bumps the door shut with his shoulder and heads straight for the closet. He's too tired to shower. "Whatever, Joey. It's fine."