I take that as a good sign. Grace walks right in and leads us straight to the kitchen, which is empty. She dumps the bag of ice into the freezer. “They'll be outside. They have a little patio area out there.” I follow along behind her, trying to squelch the panic I feel rising. I shouldn't have come. This was entirely too much for my first night here. I should have taken smaller steps. The roommate, the shopping, the general socializing I had done today, that was enough. This? This was way too much for me to handle. But I was here, and there was no way out without looking like a freak. The rising sound of voices can be heard as we get closer to the back of the townhouse. Loud boisterous male voices. Maybe looking like a freak would be worth it. Grace pushes open the back door. “Uh-oh!” I hear someone say loudly. “Trouble’s here. There goes fun Grant.” “Shut up asshole.” Grace laughs. “And behave. I brought my new roommate with me, so be nice. Or as close as you can be.”
