"You don't have to help. Like, for real, you can go to bed if you want," Mae said.
"I like being here with you," Trent replied.
She stopped sweeping for a moment and looked at him, an expression on her face that he couldn't quite read.
"What?" he asked finally.
"I just...uh, I don't know. It kind of just hit me...this feeling. Do you know how many times I've laid in my bed at night and just stared at the ceiling or the window or nothing, imagining things? Wanting things? This was basically my life for the two years I was at college. I wanted things so fucking badly. I wanted to go home, I wanted my friends back, I wanted to be happy. But there were other things. I wanted to have my own place, but like...I didn't really have to deal with any of the bullshit that goes with that? And I wanted to have a significant other and do domestic things together, like cleaning and cooking. And I wanted a cool significant other who played video games and did something creative. I mean horror writer was pretty high up there, to be honest. And, like...you just waltz on in and gave me it all. It's...too much sometimes. Like, it's so much. It's amazing and it makes me feel really good but also sometimes it makes me feel like I'm never going to be good enough. I mean, you even agreed to date and live with my friends!"
"Mae," he said, walking over to her. He put his hands on her shoulders. "You're doing fine."
"I don't know, I got you shot."
"I mean, all things considered, I got out of that pretty well. And I still believe what I said, that you and what we have and our friends is worth fighting for. If you fight, chances are you're gonna get hurt. I accepted that. I still do. You're doing fine. It's not like I feel like I'm getting the shit end of the stick, you know? I'm so happy about this relationship. Don't feel bad! I know it's such shit advice but just...enjoy this! I'm not telling you not to be sad because that's impossible, but don't give in to those shit thoughts. And if you're having trouble, like now, then tell me. Or Ann. Or Bea. We'll listen to you. And offer you a hand."
"You're so awesome," she murmured, dropping the broom and then hugging him, squeezing him really. "You really know how to take care of me." She paused and then looked up at him. "For real, you know how to take care of all of us. Like...how are you so good at it?"
"Honestly I don't know," Trent replied. "I just...do things. I don't really think I'm doing anything special. I just...hug you guys when you're sad, listen to you, try to help…"
"No, you get it. You get us. I've seen you. You're different with Bea than you are me, and Selmers, too. I don't know, it's like you know what we need to hear, or just what we need. It's like an ability. And it's so awesome."
He shrugged. "I guess maybe it is an ability. Maybe you three just click with me super good or maybe it's something else."
"Maybe…" She pursed her lips suddenly. "You wanna ask me something uncomfortable." He blinked, then stared at her. "Sorry! I didn't read your mind, I'm not sure I can anymore, but I still get, like...flashes? Like just notions. It's okay, you can ask, whatever it is."
"You sure?"
"Yes. I feel better. Honestly I didn't feel like super bad to begin with, but the bad was creeping in and you pushed it away. Ask."
"Okay, are you sure about this whole Let's Play thing? Because I meant what I said, I want to support you, but you also have no filter, and this means that everything you say on camera is going to be on the internet forever. And we have...secrets, in our lives."
"I've actually thought about this, and I know it sounds like bullshit, but...I think I can handle it. I can shut up about our sex life, and Bea and Selmers, and anything related to the cult. I've kinda been practicing actually, with you guys as my test audience, and I think I'm doing pretty good. I don't know, playing games for an audience is just-it feels right. It's like my brain telling me 'yes! This is it! This is the thing you should do!', if that makes sense?"
"I mean, that's how I feel about writing. Jury's out if I'm right but, like I said, I support you. I just want you to do it safely," he replied. Then he yawned and rubbed one eye.
"I will be safe," she said, picking back up the broom and then sweeping up the pile of dust and trash that had remained after they'd just about cleared out the basement. "But you should go to bed, boyfriend of mine. You've had a long day, and you're still recovering, and you've got to get up before I do."
"You don't have to get up," he replied.
She snorted. "I know. But I stand by what I said."
"All right. You sure you're gonna be good down here in the basement all alone?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm almost done anyway. There's not a lot more I can do, really." She smiled as she looked over the mostly empty space. "It feels good down here, though."
"It does," he agreed. "It'll feel better with a fresh coat of paint and carpeting. Speaking of which, have you figured out what color you want?"
"Yeah. I actually texted Bea's phone of what color I want. I did research online."
"Wow."
"I know, right?! Scary, I'm almost responsible. I'm sure I'll break a window or something on accident soon...goodnight, babe. I'll probably be up before too long. I want to play some more KOTOR. That game is amazing. Also, I might just crash on the couch. If I do, please don't take it personally or think I'm feeling neglected. Like...I didn't realize it'd be such a hassle to get into bed with three other people but I guess I should've realized that."
He laughed and kissed her. "I know what you mean, and whatever makes you happiest."
"Thanks. Goodnight, Trent."
"Goodnight, Mae."
"You are like a machine, Bea," Trent said as they drove through Possum Springs.
"Why do you say that?" she replied.
"Like...we got up at eight in the morning, then fucked. Twice. Grabbed breakfast and straightened the place up a bit. You checked in with your dad and did that like thirty minute question and answer session about the Pickaxe. We got gas. Just...you keep going. Like a machine."
She laughed. "I've had to be. For awhile now. But I do like being efficient. Honestly I'm impressed with you. You were up pretty late with Mae last night, or at least I think you were."
"Yeah it was like...pushing two when I crawled into bed."
"Jeez, we could've slept in a little more if you'd wanted," she said, glancing at him.
"No, it's fine. I mean I feel kinda shitty but whatever, I like getting things done, too. And it's for Mae."
"You really love that girl, don't you?" she murmured.
"Yeah. I really love you too, you know."
She sighed and blushed. "Yeah, I know." She smiled after a moment. "I love you, too." Then she lost her smile. "Also, like...I wanted to ask. I mean, I know we already talked about it, but I wanted to touch on it again now that some time has passed: are you okay? With the whole Chris thing? Because that was fucking scary."
"I'm...a little shaken up," he admitted. "I had a nightmare last night, but I can't remember anything beyond it being intense. Although I don't know if that's from Chris, or the cult...but I mean, yeah, I'm mostly okay, but kinda fucked up about it. Mainly I'm just paranoid he's gonna show up when I'm at the Ham Panther or something and try to finish it."
"Well...you've got a switchblade and good reflexes," Bea replied. "That'll take you a ways."
"Yeah, but I've always heard the best way to not get stabbed is to just avoid knife fights altogether."
"Oh yeah, absolutely."
"On that note, I've also been meaning to ask, what exactly was going on? Or was it as bad as it sounded?" he asked.
She sighed heavily. "It's as bad as it sounded. He was hassling me, had been a little here, a little there all last month, but I don't know, something happened and it was like he just cranked up the asshole dial over the past several days."
"Why didn't you mention it?" Trent asked. "I mean, I don't want to come off like a possessive asshole, but you are my girlfriend and I do love you and-"
"I know, and I'm sorry, and you don't sound like a possessive asshole. It's a reasonable request. I just...thought I could handle it. Honestly it was just sad for awhile. It wasn't really bugging me that much. And I was hoping to avoid...well, exactly what happened." She was silent for a few seconds. "Do you forgive me, for keeping you in the dark?"
"Yeah, of course I do, just...I'd like to be kept in the loop on stuff like this."
"Very reasonable and I'll keep it in mind."
"Thanks. So...what, he just started coming onto you all of a sudden?"
"He'd been hitting on me awkwardly all February but then suddenly Monday he, like, asked me out. Like directly. And I said no. I mean, not like in a mean way. I mean, I hope so. But he...didn't take it well. But my dad came back into the shop so he had to kind of fuck off. And every time we were alone he'd just press the issue. It went several weird places, like he was convinced there was some ulterior motive for me rejecting him. Like I was secretly a lesbian or something."
"Well, I mean, there was a reason…"
"Yeah, but also no. I'd turn him down if I was single. I'm not fucking into him."
"Hmm."
"What?"
"I guess...I'm curious if you'll date another guy."
She was silent for a few seconds and they pulled into the parking lot of the Pickaxe before she spoke again. "Would you be cool with that?" she asked finally.
"I mean, it'd really take some adjusting, but I'd be a hypocrite if I said no, given I'm dating two other women…"
"Yeah, that's a good point." She stared down at the steering wheel for a long moment, then finally gave her head a little shake. "I don't have an answer. Right now my answer is: fuck no, because this relationship is enough for me. Both in terms of responsibility, and in terms of love, and lust, and fun. I feel like I won the fucking lottery with you and I don't want to fuck that up, but I'm also just too busy. And I'm going to be too busy for awhile. I mean I'm finally getting freed from this miserable, wretched, godforsaken place, and I'm already thinking about college and then my career after that, and you're actually cool enough that you'll be able to handle it if I'm busy for big stretches of time...right? Or is that assuming too much? Shit, I shouldn't have said 'cool enough' because then that implies that if you speak up about feeling neglected you aren't a good boyfriend-"
"Bea, I appreciate the thought, and I think I'll be okay, but I'll let you know if I'm feeling neglected. I didn't think you meant that," Trent replied.
"Okay...thanks. But, yeah, right now, and for fuck knows how long: way too busy. Anyway, uh, time to pretend we aren't more than just friends."
"All right. But before we do, let me just say this now: I used to feel at least kinda bad for Chris because I actually was with you on the down low, but now, I don't at all. Like, he can go fuck himself, entitled 'alpha' asshole. I am glad that I am absolutely fucking railing you every chance I get," Trent replied.
Bea stared at him with a smile that fell somewhere between shocked, amused, and embarrassed. "Oh my lord, Trent, I didn't think I'd ever hear something like that out of your mouth, but now having heard it...I'm so glad I did." She laughed loudly. "Wow, dude. I'm glad you're railing me, too. Now, let's get that carpet and padding, and then go pick up the paint and primer, and make Mae happy." She opened the door and got out.
Trent followed her, stepping out into the chill morning air. It was another gray day, something that he was actually enjoying. There was rain coming, and he was looking forward to that. They walked in through the front entrance to the Pickaxe and looked around. The place was a bit more alive than he usually saw it. Several people were spread out across the store, perusing the aisles. Someone was chatting up Bea's dad, who was behind the register. And a pair of handymen were installing some vending machines and a cold case.
"Dad…" Bea said, staring at the new machines.
"Hey, Bea," he replied. Then, a bit more stiffly, "Trent."
"Mister Santello," Trent replied, inclining his head slightly.
"Dad, like, I love you, but holy shit, why did you wait to get these until my last freaking month? Like, I would've killed for this," Bea groaned, despairing before the new food-dispensing machines.
"Well, some of your advice finally got through my thick skull," Allen replied. "I'm finally investing in a few other things."
"Well...thanks. For taking my advice. Uh, we're here for the carpet and padding."
"It's in the back. What's it for again?" he asked as they came behind the counter. Trent wondered if Allen would take issue with it, and he hesitated for just a second, but didn't say anything.
"Trent's basement," Bea replied.
"All right. Well, you know how to do it at this point," he said. "Maybe you could hire yourself out as a carpet installer…"
"I'm done with physical labor, dad," Bea replied. "I'm probably going to have lower back problems and I'm like twenty." She hesitated as she walked through the door into the back room and looked back over her shoulder. "Sorry, didn't mean anything by it."
"It's fine," he said, "just, uh, be careful."
"I will. Love you dad."
"Love you too, Bea."
They went into the back as Allen resumed his conversation. She led him over to a stack of rolled up carpets and a stack of flat boxes.
"Should probably be able to fit this in my trunk, the carpet at least. The boxes can go in the back," Bea said.
"Guess we'll find out," Trent replied.
They each grabbed a roll of carpet and left through the employee's entrance, getting back over to her car and popping the trunk. It wasn't a perfect fit, but they managed to get the rolls pushed into the trunk without too much trouble. After that it was a matter of rinse and repeat, going back and forth and loading the rest of the carpet, then the boxes of padding in the backseat.
"That was my life for the past two years. Just...unloading stuff. And organizing it. Holy shit," Bea grumbled as they got back into the car.
"Sucks, I'm sorry," Trent said.
"It's fine, I'm just bitching. Anyway, I saw Mae sent me a text of the actual paint color code she wants. I'm not actually sure of places that might sell paint in Possum Springs. There was a place, but it went out of business…" She sighed as she started using her phone. "Settle in, this might take a little bit to research."