Morningside Fall by Jay Posey Page A

and then quickly made his way back to the front room. Too afraid to face Painter, terrified by what he’d overheard.
    When he reached the front room, Mouse had joined the others. Wren’s mind was flooded with emotion and thought. Surely he had to tell someone. Or did he? Was there anything to Painter’s words besides the raw emotion anyone would feel in his situation? Had he even heard him right?
    “Didn’t want it?” Cass said. Her words called Wren to the moment, but meant nothing to him.
    “What?” he said.
    “The water. He didn’t want it?”
    Wren shook his head and paused, trying to figure out how much of the truth to tell them. But they didn’t give him a chance.
    “We need to get up to the Council Room,” said Cass. “Everyone else is already there.”
    “What about Painter?” Wren asked.
    “I’ll keep him company,” Mouse answered. His cheek had a sheen where he’d sealed the lacerations. Now they were just two thin red lines running along his high cheekbone, maybe half an inch from his eye. “And I’ll walk him back when he’s ready.”
    “Able thought maybe we ought to keep him here for a day or two. Make sure he’s not going to hurt himself.”
    Or anyone else, Able added.
    Mouse ran a hand along his jawline, scratched at the coarse stubble while he mulled it over. “I guess we could put him up on our floor.”
    Able nodded.
    “Alright, I’ll talk to Swoop about it. See what we can work out.”
    “Thanks, Mouse,” Cass said. Mouse just dipped his head in something between a nod and a bow. She looked back at Wren. “Why don’t you leave that with Mouse, sweetheart?”
    Wren handed the canister of water to the big man, who in turn placed a huge hand gently on top of Wren’s head. A momentary reassuring touch, like a priest offering a blessing. He didn’t tousle Wren’s hair, though, and Wren always appreciated him for that. Cass stretched out her hand to Wren. He reached up and took it, warm and soothing. But just as they were turning to go, Painter appeared in the doorway.
    “Hey,” he said, head bowed, staring down at the floor.
    Wren was glad for that. He knew he couldn’t have met Painter’s eyes. “I’m suh-sorry… for all of th-th-that,” Painter said.
    “We all understand, Painter,” Cass answered. “You don’t need to apologize.”
    He shook his head. “I do. I do nnnn-need to.” He raised his eyes, glanced around at them. Wren started to look away, but caught himself. Painter looked calmer, softer. More like his usual self. “I sh-sh-shhh… I shouldn’t have l-lost control like that. I’m real sorry. Especially to you, Mouse.”
    Mouse walked over and laid a hand on Painter’s shoulder. “All’s well with us, son.” He squeezed Painter’s shoulder once, dipped his head in a meaningful nod, and then let go and propped himself against the nearby wall.
    “We were just going up,” Wren said, finding himself starting to feel better. “I have to give an address. Want to come with us?”
    Painter smiled at him a little sadly. “Actually, if you d-d-don’t mind. I was wuh-wuh, I was wondering if I could buh-buh…” his lips tightened as he fought to force the word out. He closed his eyes and took a breath. “…I’d like to bury my sister.”
    “Why don’t you wait?” Cass said. “After the address, we’ll all do it together.”
    Painter shook his head. “I’d like to d-d-do it alone, Miss Cass. There’s a p-p-p-place we used to go as k-kids. Just us. Our secret place.”
    “Burying’s hard work, son,” said Mouse. “Harder when it’s your own.”
    “I, I think… I think she would’ve w-w-wanted it, this way. And I’m a l-l-luh, I’m a lot stronger than I look.” He added a little smile, but there was no humor in it. Mouse, Cass, and Able all exchanged looks, and all seemed to agree.
    “Alright,” Mouse said. “You all go on. I’ll make sure he’s got what he needs.”
    “Come on back to the compound when you’re done,