Chapter 4: Shadows in the Crate

The flicker of I Love Lucy reruns played over our faces. Marissa’s eyes darted to the shadows, then to me. She swallowed hard, her voice trembling. “Eli, that crate... it wasn’t really for a raccoon, was it?”

I blinked, confused. “It was for Buddy, of course. Why?”

She hesitated, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her voice wavering. “But in that crate... there’s clothes, and a bowl... Would a raccoon need those? And those things—they used to be yours, didn’t they?”

I tried to explain, “Yeah, they’re my old clothes and bowl. Mom didn’t want to throw them out, so she gave them to Buddy.”

I forced a shrug, trying to sound casual, but my fingers twisted the edge of my sleeve. “You know how moms are—can’t stand to waste anything. Buddy was like family, so she figured he might as well have my hand-me-downs. He loved curling up in that old flannel shirt.”

She frowned, chewing her thumbnail, glancing at the window as if expecting something to be watching. She wanted to say more, I could tell, but she just asked, voice barely audible, “Do you remember... when you were little, your childhood nickname... Was it also Buddy?”

“Was Buddy my name too?” I echoed, picking at a loose thread on my jeans, avoiding her gaze. I thought for a long moment before shaking my head. “I don’t remember... Maybe after I stopped using the name, Mom gave it to the raccoon.”