The Prescotts Thought My Uniform Was Decorative

called the desk six times.”

“Thank you.”

Inside, the room had been dimmed. The TV was on with no sound, showing some late-night cooking show where a man in a blue apron was smiling at onions like onions had rescued him from war.

I sat in the chair beside Janelle and did not wake her.

There was blood on my cuff.

Not much.

A rust-colored smear from where she’d continue reading …