A Hint of Normalcy
thirteen
Dexter
My clothes were covered in dirt. Dojo had found something to roll around in and then proceeded to jump up in my lap. But it was my own fault. Marlowe kept telling me not to let him do it.
People were cheering and shouting “body shots” when I walked in.
Marlowe was wiping Dojo off with a pool towel and followed in soon after.
Brushing past Bunny, I went to my bedroom to change.
People were still shouting out in the main part of the house, but I didn’t pay much attention.
As I made my way back to the kitchen, Bunny shoved a guy away from Marlowe, and she stood timidly behind Bunny.
Had that guy just done something to Marlowe?
“Everyone get the fuck out!” Bunny looked crazed as he raised his voice. My eyes shifted around the room, but no one moved. This was my house. I was staying. “I said everyone get out! Now!” His voice was even louder this time.
When the crowd scattered, Dojo began barking, and Marlowe crouched down to soothe him. She scooped up the pup and began walking. “You’re not leaving,” Bunny said with finality.
My feet carried me over to where they stood. “What happened? Are you two okay?” My hands reached out, touching each of them. Bunny pulled away from me and walked into the now empty kitchen. When my eyes met Marlowe’s, she just nodded that she was okay.
“What’s going on with you two?” Bunny asked quietly from the kitchen.
Looking down at Marlowe, her eyes widened.
“Answer me. I’m not fucking stupid.”
I took a cautious step toward the kitchen. “Bunny, you’ve been a little…”
“You’ve been a huge jerk lately.” Marlowe cut me off and shot a glare at her.
She placed Dojo on the floor and walked to stand beside me.
“I’m sorry, Dexter, but I can’t do this.
Bunny, we have been agonizing for days wondering where the hell you’ve been.
Then you just show up here tonight like everything is fucking fine.
Fuck you. Do you know how worried we’ve all been?
We’re your friends, Bunny. Did you not think we’d fucking care if you were just gone out of nowhere? ”
She stormed off, walking down the hallway.
“What was that about?” Bunny pointed down the hallway as he took a shot from the liquor bottle in front of him.
“You just said you aren’t fucking stupid, Bunny. Figure it out.”
When I walked into my room, Marlowe was pulling on sweatpants and putting her hair up in a bun. “You care if I just stay here again? I don’t have my car. I feel bad if you have to drive me home.”
“Stay as long as you want.” A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she started walking toward the hallway. “Sleep in here. Where are you going?”
“Relax, Dex, I’m going to get water.” She patted my chest as she walked by me.
Letting out a long breath, I relaxed. For half a second, I thought she might be going to sleep out in the living room, even though she had been sleeping in my bed the past couple of nights while we waited to see if Bunny came home.
Settling into sleep, Marlowe rested her head on my chest. Everything felt comfortable. Bunny being home was a relief, but trying to relax with all of these questions still unanswered was rough.
A soft thud against a wall shook me from my light sleep.
Marlowe was passed out, snuggling a pillow when I looked over at her.
The sound hadn’t bothered her at all. Dojo didn’t stir either.
The sound of soft snores met my ears from the foot of the bed.
When I looked up, Bunny stood gripping the doorway.
“You good?” I kept my voice quiet, but I hoped he could still hear me. He started walking over to my side of the bed, but didn’t say anything. “Bunny?” I asked, reaching out to him as he approached. He just shook his head and lifted the blanket to climb in next to me.