Slipping into the closet, I unpacked my clothes onto the hangers. My parents had never been rich. We’d been firmly middle class—enough to buy a decent pair of sneakers once a year, but not well off enough to shop anywhere but Target for clothes. Once I grew up and got a job, I’d been even poorer, because no one ever tells you that adulting is so freaking expensive.

So I thrifted and hit the end-of-season sales, and had created a wardrobe I was happy with. But stuffed into one-eighth of this closet, it kind of seemed miserable. Shaking my head, I pulled out the remainder of my worldly possessions, placing them on shelves around the room. I held a photo of my parents in my hand, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t know what to do.

The smiling man in the photo, the one who’d loved me, taught me to ride a bike, come to all my volleyball games, sang happy birthday to me out of tune every birthday for my whole life… he was also the same man who’d abandoned Huey. Who’d inadvertently caused the death of his mother. If she hadn’t been alone, maybe she would have made it.

“You can put it up, if you like. We’re angry at him, but he’s Huey’s dad, and yours too. We wouldn’t deny either of you that.”

I spun quickly, clutching the picture to my chest. I hadn’t even heard River come into the room. With a sigh, I placed the photo on the dresser. “I’m mad at him too.” I didn’t look at River as I said it. “I miss him so fucking much, but I’m so angry at him.”

River hovered at the door. “Rigby tells me that feelings are complicated. If they weren’t, we’d all float around the world like Teletubbies. His words, not mine.” I snorted, because I could imagine Rigby saying that. “We have a therapist here in Ann Arbor. Both Dev and I go and see him, because… we are pretty fucked up.” He let out a humorless laugh. “He must be good, because there’s no way I would have admitted that ten years ago. Anyway, I know you were seeing one in Tucson, but I wasn’t sure if you were going to just video call in your sessions or if you need a new one. I’ll leave his number on the counter, just in case.” He wiped his palms on his sweats. “So, goodnight.”

Turning away, he headed back through the nursery and out the other door. “Night, River,” I whispered to his back. Then I got into my pajamas and climbed into a bed so soft, it was like a dream.

I didn’t lock the doors.

Chapter Nine

RIVER