Page 55 of String Boys

Ah!

Air-conditioning!

Seth used to tell him that his dad put it on a timer, so if people were gone for the day, it got cooler an hour before they got home.

Not something his dad would think of, but then, his mom stayed home and did books for a local restaurant now so she could pick everybody up and drop everybody off and make sure everybody was okay.

But this was cool—coolness not breathed in by six other human beings all day.

With a grateful little whimper, Kelly wandered inside, making himself comfortable in front of the television, like he always did. There was a pile of mail on the end table, and he moved it slightly so he could lean some of his weight on the arm of the couch.

And his own name caught his attention, written in Seth’s spidery, erratic handwriting.

Kelly Cruz, C/O Craig Arnold.

It was a mailer—a big envelope with squishy bubbles inside to keep things safe. Kelly picked it up and squeezed it, and could feel the tiny stuffed animal inside and the little metallic weight.

A key chain.

He’d sent Kelly a key chain.

Kelly didn’t open it. He’d ask Seth’s dad’s permission later.

He just held it, close to his chest, and turned on the stupid TV.

That’s where he was forty-five minutes later when Seth’s dad walked in.

Craig wasn’t even surprised. First thing out of his mouth was “Can I get you a soda?”

“Yeah,” Kelly said, smiling. “Something light. The caffeine is supposed to irritate my throat.”

“Ah. Got it.”

He had his uniform shirt for the warehouse over his arm, and he blew by the couch on his way to go drop it in his bedroom. Then he went to the kitchen and came back with some Sprite and some of that presliced fruit you got at the grocery store, all cold and ready-made.

Kelly ate and drank happily and then remembered his manners.

“This is really human of you,” he said at the commercial break. “Thank you.”

Seth’s dad shrugged. “Thank you for being here. I….” He let out a sigh. “I knew it would be lonely once he left, but I didn’t count on… on….”

“On your heart being so sad,” Kelly said, because that’s how he felt.

“Yeah. That. Did you find your packages?”

Packages?“Only one.” Kelly sat up, but Craig was already heading for the main table.

“No, no—here. He’s been sending you a letter or something for the last three days. I was going to take them up tomorrow.”

“My stupid brother,” Kelly grunted, taking the other two big mailers from him. “He deleted my emails. I got no idea how long Seth’s been trying to get hold of me.”

“Fuck.”

Kelly blinked, because Seth’s dad didn’t usually let out expletives.

“Sir?”

“I was trying to give your family some space. Goddammit. I didn’t count on Matty being—”