( When she woke up in the morning, John was out. There was a note on his pillow in his handwriting saying he'd be back before lunch and not to worry and Esme didn't worry. It was her day off and she was completely unphased by John's disappearance. She figured he had to go out and pick up paper for the printer or drop something off at the library or argue with his agent about a dumb book signing. He hated book signings with a fiery passion, no pun intended, )

"You can't reserve cots."

"Yeah, I can."

"It's not fair."

"S'no rule against it."

"...so?"

"So," Esme said, looking the other kid in the eyes. She was seated on one cot and had her feet on the other and this had apparently pissed off one of the shelters regulars. "Since there's no rule against it, there's nothin' wrong with doin' it."  Esme took a look ( Read more... )