Chapter 43

Terrence crept out of the room, unable to fall asleep. There was a heavyweight in his heart that kept him awake. He had heard the laughter from last night seep through the wall but he could not join them for fear of being downcast in their happy reunion.

He had feigned sleep when Charlotte walked in, afraid to burden her with his own weight. The staycation was meant to be thrilling for both of them, and he did not wish to sour it so soon.

He reassured himself that he was happy to finally reunite with his sister, but a part of him shunned him for betraying her before. Terrence sat alone at the bar, not bothering to turn the lights on. He took a shot for leaving his sister behind, another for being a coward and not being able to confront his step-father on his identity, and one last shot for not looking for his sister before this.

The alcohol went down his gut carrying with it all the pain in his head. He set the shot glass down and lay his head on the counter, going through the after