08-14 samnote*

I don't remember who wins. I go get groceries. Tyler doesn't want to leave. Whatever.
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I don't remember all the discounts. I don't use the coupons Tyler finds. I get the paper bags. Plastic is awful. I never know what to do with plastic bags.
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I get to my room with an armful of food. I turn the key.
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Finn is in the living room. He makes tea. Some smell I don't know. He says hello.
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This is my apartment.
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"No, it's mine. You see the tree growing in the corner?"
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I do see the tree growing in the corner. Floor to ceiling, a dark wood as wide as my arms. Branches reach along the lights. Leaves droop on the drywall.
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But it looks like my apartment.
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Finn grins. "You're right." He takes a sip. "But this isn't yours."
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How do you have a tree in here?
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"It's a nice decoration." Finn looks and considers the tree. "Something to make the room a little more ours."
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Brandon knows about this?
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He looks at me like I've grown whiskers, one slow foot in front of the other towards me. "He takes care of it, just like I do."
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I back away. He can't be here. This is my room.
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Finn reaches a hand out to me. "Don't worry. You'll be right as rain in a second." I clasp his hand. In a flash, he's behind me, left arm out against my chest. My feet fall out from under me as he pushes and
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I'm on the floor. Tyler's there. He helps me sit up. This is my room. The couch is there. No trees. The groceries sit in a bag next to me.
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I tell Tyler my key didn't work.
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"Of course it did. You're in here."
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He takes the key and goes outside. I hear the key slide into place and turn. The door opens. Tyler.
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I stand up on my own. In place.