Chapter 27
“So much for catching our ticket out of here,” Al said softly, and I could swear that I heard her sigh, even if it wasn’t physically possible. Leaning over, I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and tried to smile in a way that I hoped was encouraging. Being homeschooled by private tutors does have its disadvantages, and among them is a lack of social development, an awareness of one’s conveyed presence. Even the lessons in etiquette and comportment that I’d had only partially compensated for that ultimate distance I always felt around others, no matter how hard I tried.
Al reached up, though, and put one of her hands on mine, leaning into my touch. While I might not be the most socially aware person, I thought that was a good sign.
“This place is so kitsch,”
