Her adoptive parents had died years ago, and she'd lived with the Fletcher family ever since.
The moment she walked through the door, she announced she wanted to sleep in our master bedroom. Her old room hadn't been used in so long, she said, that it smelled like mildew. She asked Paul and me to spend just one night in her room instead.
I didn't want to. That bedroom held so many memories between Paul and me, every small and precious one.
The thought of handing it over to a complete stranger I'd never even met sat wrong in my gut.
I was sure Paul would say no. Instead, he ruffled Eleanor's hair with an indulgent smile. "Fine. But just one night."
Right in front of me, Eleanor hooked her arm through Paul's and pressed herself against him. "I knew you'd be the best to me, Paul."
Then she turned to look at me. "You don't mind, do you, Jess?"
I opened my mouth, ready to say that I did mind.
Paul cut me off. "Of course she doesn't mind. You think everyone's as petty as you?" He gave Eleanor a gentle push toward the stairs. "Go on up and get some rest. You're still jet-lagged."