Chapter 4: Allocation

After Ms. Kumar left, Leah and Andrew realized it was time to start making some changes. The family had been tightly crammed into a modest three-bedroom house. With the parents in the master, the other two bedrooms were uncomfortably divided by gender.

In the month since they died, there haven’t been any big changes. They all continued to attend the public schools. Two of them were using their rudimentary skills to make dinners. They had cereal for breakfast and sandwiches (or school lunches) during the day. There was a little money available for deliveries (pizza, chow mein, tacos, etc.) when cooking didn’t happen.

The previous sleep setup wasn’t working. In the second bedroom, Ted (Carla’s middle child, 15) and Tim (her youngest, 10) were above and below in a bunk bed, while Andrew’s twin bed was set against the bunks at 90 degrees. The bunk beds were accessed by climbing in from the foot end. It was ridiculously crowded in there with just eight drawers in two dressers for the three boys.

In the third bedroom, Nia (Oliver’s, now 9) and Leah (17, Carla’s) were joined by Val, 15, Oliver’s middle child.

In these circumstances, obviously, the master bedroom could not remain vacant. Leah brought it up.

“I know this is not ideal, Drew, but you and I are going into the master. We need to donate the clothes in there and get out their other things too. I think you and I will be more comfortable in there if we can change things around. Maybe move the bed, new paint, whatever.”

“You mean, you and I are sleeping in there. We share the same bed? I don’t know...”

“It’s a tough situation, I know. But for sure, it’s better for the boys, you’ll agree. And Nia loves me but Val, well, she already ... Drew, Val has said she’s gonna move away at 18, and never speak to any of us again. Already, she doesn’t speak to me. She rages, she shouts, or she’s giving me the silent treatment.

“She tried routing everything through Mom. ‘Mom, tell Leah to stop stealing my socks.’ But Mom blew up at her instantly. ‘I’m not your mouthpiece. I’m staying out of your crap.’ She was good about that.

“It’s really hard when two girls of our ages have to live almost on top of each other. It’s way beyond ‘quarreling’ and I’ve been doing my very best not to provoke her.”

“I’m sorry, Leah. I understand. Ted and I fight sometimes too. He’s 15, just like Val.”

He looked up at the ceiling, then sighed.

“I guess you’re right, we’ll have to try it. I’ve never shared a bed before, I hope it works. And I’ll ask Val to put a lid on it.”

After dinner that night, Andrew explained the plan. Ted and Val were happy, Tim was more or less indifferent. Val blurted out her feelings.

“So, then get rid of Nia, and I’ll finally...”

Nia burst into tears.

Andrew whirled on his sister.

“Valerie! Don’t ... Just don’t.”

She quailed, just a little. Never before had she seen her brother so angry. At her! Grown to his full 6 foot height, he was looming over her and obviously furious.

“I’m sorry, Nia,” said Val quickly.

Nia had run to Leah’s side and was nestled against her side. Andrew stepped over, fell to his knees, and spread his arms.

As he intended, Nia rushed in for a hug from her big brother. He didn’t say much to her, but his voice was warm and soothing while he was thinking.

“That was so wrong. We all miss them, and ‘get rid of’ is a terrible thing to say to a little girl who’s lost her parents. Valerie ... Val has to have more self-control so we can keep all of us together.”

“Are you feeling better? Can Leah hug you too?”

Nia nodded her head, and he glanced up at Leah with an implicit request. Leah stepped over and embraced her.

“If you feel bad, just come find me, Nia. I’m here for you.”

Over Nia’s shoulder, Leah shot a look at Val, who managed to look abashed. Then, in response to Leah’s “get over here!” head shake, Val came close and spoke softly.

“Hey, it’s good, Nia, we’ll have more room now. I promise, you and I will get along better. I’ll be a good roomie.”

Nia looked at her with wet eyes, hopefully.

“Sister?”

Leah held her breath, watching Val closely. This could go either way, she thought.

Val closed her eyes and took a moment to sort herself out. Then she looked at Nia with a warm smile on her face.

“Yes, sister. C’mon, help me get Leah’s crappy clothes out of our room.”

“Oh, well,” thought Andrew, “that’s one sister Val’s getting along with. It’s a start.”