Page 73

Because I had no idea how this would end.
SIXTEEN
The house transformedwith the return of electricity. All of the lights flickered to life, and Amma’s ceiling fan rotated in the corner, moving the stale air.
But Stella had barely moved. She still had that downtrodden expression on her face, one that I needed to know the reason for.
“So what were you saying?” I asked, closing up the stove.
“I ... We should check up on everyone.” She got up without another word and went for the phone.
Shit.She was upset—I could hear it in her voice. What the fuck had I done? The sex had been good and she was fine until we came out here. I looked around the room to see if there was something that could have caused it, but it was the same living room we’d spent the last few days in.
The photo she’d taken of me sat innocently on thecouch, but it only showed me smiling. I got up slowly, still lost.
I found her beside the phone, shuffling through Amma’s address book.
“Hank . . . Hank . . . Got it! Found her neighbor’s number.”
She dialed, still not looking at me. I moved close to listen.
“Hello? Stella, is that you?”
My chest loosened when we heard Amma’s voice.
“Yes, Amma,” she said. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, honey, we’re fine. Hank has a power generator, so I’ve been living a life of luxury. I barely missed anything.”
“Good,” Stella said. “I hated not being able to see you.”
“How are you, dear? Is anyone dead?”
“No. We had a couple of close calls, but we’re good.”
“And the stove worked for both of you?”
“Yes, it kept us warm. I’m glad you didn’t get rid of it.”
“And I’m glad you had Alden. Is he nearby?”
“I’m here, Amma,” I said.
“Good! I hope Stella wasn’t too hard on you.”
“It was nothing I didn’t deserve.”
Stella’s eyes flickered to me for one second before turning back to the wall.
“Is Hank’s house closer to the road? Can you see if they’re cleared?”
“It’s a little closer. I saw the electric company whenthey came by. They had those chains on their trucks, and they were still sliding. I think it’s good to stay put.”
Stella was probably disappointed, but I wasn’t. More time where I could be with her before all of this blew up? I’d take it.
I would have more time to figure out what had upset her too.
“Okay,” Stella said. “If you need me?—”