What friend?
She avoids answering my question.
I’ll tell you about it when you’re home.There’s too much to type, and I don’t want to worry her. Besides, what exactly would I text, that I stumbled onto a handsome man being murdered and left for dead?
Sighing, I don’t want to admit, even to myself, that he’s handsome. Because that’s not somewhere I’m willing to go.
I’ve avoided anything serious with a man since Allie was born. The thought of introducing her to a man makes my stomach flop, and I don’t want her to get attached and heartbroken if it doesn’t work out.
Allie is and has always been my priority. Above all else, I want her to be happy. And while she’s older now and not around nearly as much, especially this summer, throwing myself into a summer fling seems like a bad idea.
A nurse steps into the hospital room, taking his vitals. “Are you family?” she asks, glancing me over. Her eyes are filled with hope.
I stall. If I say no, they likely won’t let me stay. And why should I even be here?
My silence is answer enough.
She sighs softly and taps at the keyboard, recording his vitals. “It’s nice he has someone at least,” the nurse says, offering a weak smile.
I avert my gaze, glancing down at the gentleman lying in bed, asleep. His arms are covered in ink and at the top, peeking out from behind his gown, is a star tattoo. It’s distinct. Bold. Unforgettable.
I’ve seen that star before. The image burns through my memory. It has to be a coincidence.
“Please, Aunt Sadie,” Olivia begs, pushing the virtual reality headset into my hands.
“I’d rather watch you play.”
“That’s boring.” Allie rolls her eyes. “No one wants to watch someone else play a video game.”
Allie isn’t wrong, but I’m terrible at video games. It’s been years since I sat down with a Nintendo in front of a television. This is foreign to me. I take the white headset and place it over my head. Olivia comes up from behind, tightening and adjusting the straps for a snug fit.
“Is that good?” she asks.
The headset no longer bobs up and down. It’s secure. “Yes. What am I supposed to do?” I ask.
She pushes the controllers into my hands. “Click on the box for Orc Hunter.”
Orc Hunter happens to be her favorite game. Shooting orcs, dragons, and other mythical creatures with a bow and arrow. Olivia has managed to convince Allie to play as often as possible with her when they’re together.
“Mom, can we get a headset too? It’d be so much fun to play with Olivia when we’re not together,” Allie says.
I knew she wasn’t just letting me play because sitting and watching is boring. The girls always have some scheme concocted. Even as kids, they tried to set me up with my next-door neighbor. He was the closest male in proximity who was single. The only thing we had in common, we both liked dating men.
I click the box for Orc Hunter and wait for the game to load. “Are you sure you don’t want to play?” I ask, trying to pawn the headset back on Olivia or Allie.
Olivia chuckles but doesn’t back down. “Nope, it’s all you. We can cast onto my phone, so I can see what you’re doing when you play.”
“Wonderful,” I mutter under my breath. The girls will be able to make fun of me.
“Click on Multi-Player,” Olivia instructs as she watches from her phone.
“Seriously?” I haven’t even learned how to play, and she’s throwing me in with other people.
“You have to learn sometime.” Allie giggles.
“Just pick a room that is open,” Olivia says. She’s been playing Orc Hunter for a while.
Four games are open, and I jump into one on wave 34. That is the lowest wave I see, which I assume means level.