Quebec, Colorado

"No, don't touch that", is what Andrew heard when his fingers grazed the cover of the Archie comic he fancied. A horror themed one, Archie and the gang battling a cult.

Andrew turned to Laura, fingers still hovering above the comic.

"I'm barely even touching it, I'm just lookin-"

"Lookings how they get you", Laura replied, taking the phone from her ear and looking at the screen.

"Goddamnit, I know Matt's there."

"It could be he just doesn't want us", Andrew replied, attention returned to the rack.

"What? Why would you say that?"

Andrew shrugged. Laura walked over, grabbing Andrew's shoulders.

"Did he say that to you?"

No", Andrew replied, shaking himself free and returning to the comics. "I just think it. Or more like know it."

Laura observed Andrew a moment more before returning to the corner of the connivence store, as if the conversation contained information the outside world couldn't be privy to.

"Hello?"

There must have been a reply, as Laura's eyes widened.

"Matt, I've been trying to-no, okay, but listen though-yes I see, but listen, me and Andy are a little bit aways-no, like five miles away. Yeah, yeah, the plane got here faster than we expected. So you'll be-okay, okay. Thanks, Matty."

Laura hung up the phone, slipping it into her ebony, coach purse that was a decade or so too old. Still, beyond the creases, wear and tear, vestige of its former beauty was still there. Andrew thought his mom and her purse were similar in that aspect.

Laura walked to the door, a ring emitting as she opened it and stepped outside. She looked up at the ashen skies and twirled a moment. Afterwards, she came back in. Andrew donned a old and tattered San Francisco Giants baseball cap, Laura giving it a slight shake.

"You need another hat", she said. "Not a cap, something more suitable for the weather here."

"I like my hat", Andrew responded.

"And you like your ears, too" Laura said, already moving through the small store. She came to a rack that held a minuscule collection of beanies. Her fingers danced over them.

"Which color do you like?"

Andrew sighed, walking over. He wanted to protest again, but studied the available options.

"...the navy's kinda cool."

"Here", Laura said, taking it off the hook. "Try it on."

Andrew put it on his head and stood limply in front of Laura.

"I like it", she said. "Goes well the brown of your eyes.

"My heads getting hot", Andrew said.

Laura snagged the beanie off his head.

"That's because you're not outside yet."

Laura proceeded for the front, exchanging brief conversation with the clerk who Andrew thought seemed nice enough, though his eyes kept crawling down.

"Have a good evening", Laura said, departing back for the door with Andrew.

"Your Uncle Matt should be here any second."

Sure enough, after a minute of silence, a black, Suburua Outback pulled into the lonely lot. Andrew could tell by the look of the car that it was new. Maybe not that year, but new nonetheless.

"Let's go", Laura said, pushing open the door and letting out one last thank you before departing.

Laura turned around, stopping Andrew.

"I almost forgot", she said, grabbing the beanie out her purse and putting it over Andrew's head.

"Matt probably has the heat on, but still."

After this embarrassing break, they continued for the car. Laura opened the back door for Andrew, Andrew stepping in. A burly, bearded man with black hair and green eyes sat in the front. His face was handsome, but weathered. A pair of dirty work gloves and filthy cream baseball cap (that one could mistake for brown at this point), sat in the back and Andrew could understand why he looked like that. Matt looked back.

"Andrew", he said, outstretching his meaty hand. "I haven't seen you since you were what? Four? Five? How old are you now?"

"Twelve", Andrew said, shaking his uncles hand.

"Well goddamn", Matt said with a laugh. "Next Christmas, I should get you what? A gun? Some condoms? Definitely not dino toys anymore right?"

Laura jabbed Matt in the side.

"Matt, no."

"I'm joking, I'm joking", Matt said, starting the car and pulling off the lot. He glanced up at the sky.

"We're probably due for some snow any minute, exciting stuff."

They drove in silence for a little over two minutes, Matt inching up the radio which played 'Ghost Riders in the Sky'.

"So", Matt said, turning down the radio. "Andrew, how are you liking Colorado so far?"

Andrew thought for a moment.

"It's cool, I've only been here a few hours but I like it."

A hearty chuckle rose like chimney smoke from Matt.

"Yeah, yeah, it may be too soon to get a true feel of the place. I'll ask you again in fifteen years or so when you've become a true native."

After this, Matt inching the radio back up, they drove for a few more minutes before arriving at a two story house. The sun was beginning to set now, the neighborhood enveloped in a gold cast that didn't match the cold very well.

"Here we are", Matt said, opening Andrew's door. "Home sweet home."

Andrew hopped out the car, muttering a thanks before proceeding to Laura, who stood at the beginning of the walkway, observing the neighborhood like an actress on a new set.

"Let's head in", Matt said, walking up. "What's mine is yours, help yourself to juice, kombucha, some beer if you want Andrew-"

"Matt", Laura interjected.

"Joking, joking", Matt replied, glancing back at Andrew and giving a wink. Andrew grinned.

When they arrived in the house, a older, grey husky jumped to greet them. Andrew immediately knelt to greet him.

"Hey boy."

"That there is Jackson", Matt said, closing the door. "Found him wandering up around Morrison, that's a bit up in the mountains, about four years ago. Tried to find his people but couldn't so I just took him with me."

Andrew looked up from Jackson, observing the house. A staircase to the left, and the living room to the center and right, which lead to the kitchen.

"I'm gonna unload some stuff from work but you guys go ahead and make yourself at home. Your room is the one at the top, end of the hall. I'll probably grill us up some burgers in a bit."

After a stream of thank yous from Andrew and Laura, they went upstairs. Laura took her shower first, telling Andrew beforehand that when she finished for him to get in. When she came out, Andrew lay atop the bed, asleep.

***

Far into that obsidian slumber, Andrew awoke to a yell. He slowly rose up, wiping sleepy from his eyes.

"-no, that's not what I said", Andrew heard Laura yell.

"It's basically what you were saying", Matt replied. "Heavily implied, at least."

"God, you're-you're so fucking...neurotic. And obtuse. And just...mean."

Andrew strained his ears, waiting for a response.

"Yet here you are begging. Like a fucking dog."

Andrew leaned forward, ears as honed as can be.

"After all me and Harry did for you. What a disgrace. How you are, Matty, what you are now, if I wasn't so angry I could cry for you."

Andrew continued listening, hearing no wards but a series of thudding footsteps, eventually culminating in the bedroom door opening, Laura's figure appearing like light to the darkness of the room.

"Get your shoes on", she said. "We're going."

The next thing Andrew knew he was being dragged by the wrist down obsidian steps which seemed to twist and spiral and halls which forever descend further into dusk. Finally, Andrew feet touched frshly mopped hardwood, squeaking as he almost slipped but quickly regained stride at his mother's grip.

They reached the front door, Laura opening the door beofre Matt's voice rang out.

"Laura, you don't have to do this."

Andrew looked back to see Matt standing atop the upper floor, donned in a purple robe that made him seem strangely regal. A joint with smoke drifting away in the ebony sat in his left hand.

"Please, I'm sorry."

"C'mon Andy", Laura said, yanking Andrew's wrist. Before leaving, Andrew heard a mean chuckle emit from Matt.

After running down the lawn, light snow now falling, they proceeded rushed down the sidewalks for what seemed like a minute. Eventually Laura's stride slowed, and Andrew could hear his breath.

"W-what happened? Where are we going?"

"Uncle Matt didn't want us", Laura replied quickly.

"I heard him apologize, for whatever it was. He said I'm sorry. We should go ba-"

"What your uncle says isn't always what he feels. It's like you told me earlier, Andy. I should have listened to you."

After walking for a little more, now having left the safety and comfort of the winding residual streets and towards the city and vast desert saved for construction, they arrived at a bus stop.

"Go ahead, sit", Laura said, moving Andrew towards the bench, the rusted overhead providing some reprieve from the snowfall which had steadily picked up. Laura dialed a number in her phone, moving away from Andrew and out into the snow.

"Bridget, hi it's Laura, I-yes, yes, we're here in Colorado. Thornton. Uh-huh, no that's good, but listen, we're coming to Denver. Yeah-right now. It's-no it's okay, but you were talking about your friend who helps people find a place for a bit. No, no, nothing like that. It'll just be temporary, me and Andy always get back on our feet fast. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Thank you Bridget. Yes I'll-no, please don't. We'll be fine. Uh-huh. Thank you again so much, I'll talk to you soon okay? When we're in Denver. Alright, you too."

Laura came back to the bench, Andrew watching her.

"Well, looks like we're headed to Denver. In a way, this is better, you know. Denver's what Colorado's known for, not fucking...Thornton. It'll be like Seattle, except maybe not as big, I'm not sure."

Laura stepped toward, Andrew silent and still just watching. She outstretched a hand, rubbing his chin.

"What's going on in that noggin?"

Andrew sighed, shaking his head.

"Nothing, I mean...I don't know. Uncle Matt I guess. But also The Santos."

Laura nodded, observing Andrew.

"You can still visit Haru. This isn't the last time you'll see him."

Andrew nodded.

Laura sat beside Andrew.

"You're thankful for the hat now?"

Andrew chuckled.

"Yeah, I guess."

And so they sat in silence, until eventually, snow now feet deep, two headlights emerged from the white.

***

The bus trip, or really the two bus trips, were fine. Everyone on it just seemed tired and...well, just tired. Except for the first bus, a man in the back coughing and cursing to himself every few moments. At the end of the second bus, they arrived at a brown building.

"Welcome to Denver", Laura said, stepping down the bus steps.

"What is this?", Andrew inquired.

"Like a hotel, but not as expensive."

They proceeded inside, a old-ish woman at the receptionist desk. She looked at Andrew and smiled, Andrew returning a half-smile. After brief pleasantries and conversation, the woman handed Laura a form which she filled out. Andrew observed the room.

"...what type of hotel is this?"

"Shh", Laura said, eyes on the paper.

After a moment, she returned to the front desk, giving the woman the forms. She disappeared to a back room, after a couple minutes hobbling back out.

"Alright, I'll show you two to your room."

They walked down a hall, then another, eventually stopping at a chipped and fading maroon door. The number read twenty-five.

"Here we are", the woman said, unlocking the door and opening it. A small room with two beds, desk and bunny ears TV sat inside.

The woman shuffled inside, Laura then Andrew following.

"The sheets are fresh, throughly cleaned and changed every time a guest leaves. The TV may be a little old, but if you wiggle around the atenas enough you'll discover a decent amount of channels. Breakfast starts at seven, and lunch at noon sharp. Dinner starts around six usually. Any questions you have for me? Feel free to ask."

Laura shook her head

"No, thank you. You've been incredibly helpful."

The woman smiled.

"Of course, I'll leave you two be and allow you to settle in. If you think of anything, don't be hesitant to give me a ring."

"Thank you."

The woman departed, once the door closed, Andrew falling backwards to the bed with a thud.

"Shower first", Laura said.

"I'm too tired", Andrew responded.

"Don't you want girls to like you? If you smell like a garbage truck that won't happen."

Andrew laughed.

"Maybe a female garbage truck driver will. I'll smell familiar."

"Is that what you want?"

Andrew started at the ceiling, which was a calming, baby blue, despite the peeling paint and fading colors.

"I don't know."

Laura locked the door, proceeding for her bed and sitting down.

"Well, I would offer you to sleep with me, but since you refuse basic hygiene consider the invitation unsent."

"I'm twelve", Andrew replied, slightly indignant.

"Alright then, suit yourself."

And Laura proceeded to turn off the lights, Andrew hearing her pull back the covers in the dark and get in.

Around an hour in, Andrew got up from his bed and came to Laura's bed.

"I can't sleep."

Without words, she pulled back the covers and Andrew got in.

***

It had been a week at, what Andrew had only recently discovered (he held an itching suspicion however) The Denver Homeless Shelter, and though it was a far cry from home, Andrew found himself at home. His day's activities had now fallen into a routine: he'd wake up, usually around ten, go get breakfast, take a walk around the nearby park, go back and watch TV, if he fixed the antennas enough able to get Cartoon Network or Comedy Central. After a couple hours of this, he'd go back to the park and play basketball by himself. After this, he'd come back for lunch, watch more TV (usually old late night reruns) then go to a mall and walk around. After this, he'd maybe play basketball again or watch more TV before going to dinner. Afterwards, more late night reruns or, if he got lucky, Adult Swim. Then bed and repeat the next day.

This all changed when Laura suddenly appeared to him one morning saying he's going to school.

"You've been out for too long" she said, getting ready for work (a basic receptionist job). "I don't want you to fall behind."

"Can't I...I don't know, just read books here?"

"No, she replied, planting a kiss on his forehead before leaving. "You can't."

The place was called "Greybridge Point Elementary", which was on Quebec street, and as Andrew walked to it with Laura come Monday morning, he felt a certain dread build up within him.

"You know", Andrew said as they walked across the street. "Kids that receive a home education are statistically likelier to succeed in life. And you are a teacher."

"Was a teacher", Laura responded, pulling Andrew back as a truck drove by. "And did you know, kids that don't pay attention while crossing the street are statistically likelier to die an early death."

"Ha."

In the school, after getting checked in, Andrew stood in the hall, looking up at Laura with the eyes of a puppy being dropped at the pound.

"You'll be fine", Laura said. "More than fine. You're a funny boy, Andrew. People like that."

"I don't feel like being funny."

"That'll change."

Laura leaned in to kiss Andrew on the forehead, Andrew pulling back. He sighed, leaning forward, and Laura planting the kiss.

"I'll be here at five sharp to get you."

"Okay."

Laura looked at Andrew a moment, before departing.

***

"Class before we start the day, we have a brand new student I want to introduce. Andrew, step forward and introduce yourself", Mr. Jefferson said.

Andrew gulped, coming toward. The class looked at him, a few interested, most bored.

"Um, I'm uh, I'm Andrew."

Andrew looked at Mr Jefferson, who motioned to go on.

"I'm from Seattle. Um...yeah."

"Alright Andrew very good, why don't you take a seat next to Mr Aksoy. Aksoy, raise your hand so Mr Hoffman knows where to go."

A boy with dirty, blonde hair raised his hand without much enthusiasm, hazel eyes tracking Andrew as he approached. When at the chair, Andrew simply nodded, sitting down.

"Alright, who can tell me where we left off last Friday? Anyone? I'll give you a hint, it concerned the beginnings of the Civil War."

A boy raised his hand.

"Connor", Mr Jefferson said.

"I forgot, but my dad always says the civil war was about state's rights."

"Alright Connor, go ahead and put your hand back down please. Class, this is actually a perfect leeway into what we will be learning about this week. Misconceptions about the origins of the civil way, like the one Connor's father holds. Take our last weeks folders concerning the-"

Andrew looked at the boy as he pulled out his papers.

"C-can I look at yours?"

The boy looked at Andrew.

"Sure."

He scooted the folder over so they could both see it.

"-now, it's important to realize the sheer amount of wealth the south had amassed from slavery. Before the outbreak of the Civil War, Mississippi, now one of the poorest states in the nation, was the wealthiest state not only in the south, but the country. There were more millionaires per capita in Mississippi than any other state in the nation-"

"Halil", the boy said, outstretching his hand. "But all my friends just call me Hal."

"Andrew", Andrew responded, shaking Hal's hand. "But my friends call me Andy."