levision. The sun lit the apartment, and I cringed when my back complained at any attempted movement.
America’s attention darted to me. “Abby?” she said, rushing to my side. She watched me with wary eyes. She was waiting for anger, or tears, or another emotionally charged outburst.
Shepley looked miserable. “I’m sorry about last night, Abby. This is my fault.”
I smiled. “It’s okay, Shep. You don’t have to apologize.”
America and Shepley traded glances, and then she grabbed my hand. “Travis went to the store. He is … ugh, it doesn’t matter what he is. I packed your stuff, and I’ll take you to the dorms before he gets home so you don’t have to deal with him.”
It wasn’t until that moment that I felt like crying; I had been kicked out. I worked to keep my voice smooth before I spoke. “Do I have time to take a shower?”
America shook her head. “Let’s just go, Abby, I don’t want you to have to see him. He doesn’t deserve to—”
The door flew open, and Travis walked in, his arms lined with grocery sacks. He walked straight into the kitchen, furiously working to get the cans and boxes into the cabinets.
“When Pidge wakes up, let me know, okay?” he said in a soft voice. “I got spaghetti, and pancakes, and strawberries, and that oatmeal shit with the chocolate packets, and she likes Fruity Pebbles cereal, right, Mare?” he asked, turning.
When he saw me, he froze. After an awkward pause, his expression melted, and his voice was smooth and sweet. “Hey, Pigeon.”
I couldn’t have been more confused if I had woken up in a foreign country. Nothing made sense. At first I thought I had been evicted, and then Travis comes home with bags full of my favorite foods.
He took a few steps into the living room, nervously shoving his hands in his pockets. “You hungry, Pidge? I’ll make you some pancakes. Or there’s uh … there’s some oatmeal. And I got you some of that pink foamy shit that girls shave with, and a hairdryer, and a … a … .just a sec, it’s in here,” he said, rushing to the bedroom.
The door opened and shut, and then he rounded the corner, the color gone from his face. He took a deep breath and his eyebrows pulled in. “Your stuff’s packed.”
“I know,” I said.
“You’re leaving,” he said, defeated.
I looked to America, who glowered at Travis as if she could kill him. “You actually expected her to stay?”
“Baby,” Shepley whispered.
“Don’t fucking start with me, Shep. Don’t you dare defend him to me,” America seethed.
Travis looked desperate. “I am so sorry, Pidge. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Come on, Abby,” America said. She stood and pulled on my arm.
Travis took a step, but America pointed her finger at him. “So help me God, Travis! If you try to stop her, I will douse you with gasoline and light you on fire while you sleep!”
“America,” Shepley said, sounding a bit desperate himself. I could see that he was torn between his cousin and the woman he loved, and I felt terrible for him. The situation was exactly what he had tried to avoid all along.
“I’m fine,” I said, exasperated by the tension in the room.
“What do you mean, you’re fine?” Shepley asked, almost hopeful.
I rolled my eyes. “Travis brought women home from the bar last night, so what?”
America looked worried. “Huh-uh, Abby. Are you saying you’re okay with what happened?”
I looked to all of them. “Travis can bring home whoever he wants. It’s his apartment.”
America stared at me as if I’d lost my mind, Shepley was on the verge of a smile, and Travis looked worse than before.
“You didn’t pack your things?” Travis asked.
I shook my head and looked at the clock; it was after two in the afternoon. “No, and now I’m going to have to unpack it all. I still have to eat, and shower, and get dressed …” I said, walking into the bathroom. Once the door closed behind me, I leaned against it and slid down to the floor. I was sure I had pissed off America beyond repair, but I’d made Shepley a promise, and I intended to keep my word.