Katherine looked thrilled and was just about to thank me when Maya Finch, standing off to the side, gave a scornful little snort.
"Girl, if I were you I wouldn't stay at her place. I'd go stay with Dawn Gray."
"A minute ago she wouldn't take you in, and now that somebody else offered, suddenly she's playing the good soul."
Katherine was very good at putting on an act. "Hilary, no matter what anyone says, you're taking me in, and I'm grateful for that."
I pointed at the room she'd stayed in during my last life. "You can have that one."
The words had barely left my mouth when a hard slap landed across my face.
"You've got the nerve to let Katie stay in your house!"
Looking at the fury in Roland Simmons's eyes, I understood that he had been reborn too.
"Katie, you can't stay at the Swansons'. Homer Swanson will destroy you, that animal!"
Katherine took a startled step back. "Roland, what nonsense are you talking? Homer and I went out to the countryside together and came back to the city together. We're friends. Why would he destroy me?"
"He's an animal, he—"
"Enough! I won't let you slander Homer. Homer is the best person in the whole world!"
"I know you won't believe anything I say right now, but you absolutely cannot stay at the Swansons'! Here, come stay at my place, I can protect you!"
"Stay at your place? You've only got two rooms. Your parents in one, you in the other. Where exactly do you expect me to sleep?"
"I can share a room with my dad. You can stay with my mom."
The distaste on Katherine's face was impossible to hide. "No thanks. I barely know your mom. How am I supposed to share a bed with her?"
"Katie, just listen to me this once. I'm begging you."
"Stop it. I'm staying at Hilary's, and my business is none of your concern."
I looked at Roland coldly. "Doesn't seem like she appreciates the gesture."
Roland's face went black.
"Katie, if you insist on staying at the Swansons', then I'm staying too!"
"What's that supposed to mean? You want to stay here as well?"
"Yes. Tonight I'm staying right here!"
"Fine. Stay, then."
I'd been racking my brain over how to get Roland to move in, and he'd walked right up to the door on his own.
I went to my brother's room.
"Homer, there's something I need to tell you."
I leaned close to his ear and gave him careful instructions for a good while before I felt easy again.
Katherine settled happily into my house, and Roland took the room next to hers, still not forgetting to remind her.
"If anything happens, just shout for me. I'm right next door. I won't sleep tonight. I'll keep watch over you."
All his devoted guarding earned him was a roll of Katherine's eyes.
The night deepened, and one by one the lights in the courtyard house went out.
I lay on my little bed, and this life, without the torment of pain, I finally slept a good sleep I hadn't had in a long time.
The next morning, I was jolted awake by a scream.
"Ah!"
Exactly like my last life.
Everyone rushed out at the sound.
Katherine's door was flung wide open, and she was sitting up on the bed, the lower half of her covered by the quilt, only a red halter to keep her decent above it.
Seeing everyone crowd in, she quickly wrapped the quilt around herself.
At the sight of it, Roland broke down.
"Homer Swanson! I'll kill you!"
