If it wasn't for the terrifying meeting and the annoying cricket that lived somewhere deep in his walls, Kai would have slept like a baby.
He dragged himself out of bed, eyes red and heavy from a night of restless sleep. As he stumbled into the tiny kitchen, he muttered, "At least I don't have to work the grill today."
He grabbed a half-empty bottle of milk from the dusty shelf, then opened his busted fridge, wincing as it creaked. Inside were a few eggs and not much else. Jerry had promised to fix the fridge months ago. So much for being a loving guardian.
With the restaurant now a run-down husk and Jerry telling him to come by the apartment at noon, Kai figured work was closed until further notice. That was probably the only good thing to come out of the chaos yesterday.
Still, one question gnawed at him.
What in the world was Jerry planning? Kai had stayed up most of the night tossing around guesses.
"No," he said aloud, firming his voice. "If Jerry doesn't tell me what he's up to, I'm out."
He cracked the eggs into a pan and fried them until they were golden brown. He poured himself a glass of milk, then took his breakfast to the living room and flopped onto the rugged couch.
While he ate, he flipped through one of the same old books he'd read a thousand times—The Physics Behind Magic. He barely read the words anymore, just scanned the pages out of habit.
These books are getting old, he thought, chewing slowly. I wonder if Jerry would still take me book shopping... even after burning down his restaurant?
Of course, that question didn't need an answer.
Just as he stood to take his plate to the sink, there was a knock at his nearly broken door.
His heart sank. Please don't be Jerry, he thought. Then a voice rang out—firm, but calm, like a man selling a home he knew you'd never afford.
"Hey Kai, you home?"
Kai sighed. "Oh no…" he muttered.
It was Umar.
Umar was a government contractor. A month ago, he'd warned Kai that the land beneath his RV had been claimed for development. Kai had pleaded, but Umar wasn't a decision-maker, he just knocked things down and built them up again. All he could do was delay the inevitable.
Kai tried to beg Jerry, but the old bum kept saying "I'll see to it" and shove him off. Adoptive dad of the year
"You there, Kai?" Umar called again.
"One minute!" Kai shouted, scrambling to tidy up.
He opened the door. "Good morning, Mr. Umar. What can I get for you?" he asked, playing dumb.
"Morning, Kai. Don't worry, I won't be long. I just need to know. are you ready to move out?"
His tone was sharper this time. He wasn't here for small talk.
Kai's stomach twisted. "But sir, I don't have a place to go. And… the RV can't drive anymore," he added, pointing to the front seat. The steering wheel was completely missing.
He'd told Jerry about it months ago. Like everything else, Jerry brushed it off.
Umar's voice softened. "Look, Kai. I know money's tight for you, and I've done everything I can. But this land? The district chief found out there's oil under it. The government wants it bad. And when they want something, I can't stop them."
He paused, then added, "You need to get your things ready by Monday."
Kai's heart dropped. "But that's in three days. Where am I supposed to go?" His voice cracked as tears began to sting his eyes.
"I'm sorry, kid. I tried. But oil gets people like you off the streets, they say. What about that orphanage downtown? I hear they're planning to renovate it."
Kai shook his head. He'd tried that route, but Jerry refused. It was too far from work, and Jerry wasn't willing to hire anyone else.
"I know about the orphanage," Kai said, voice breaking. "But the renovations'll take at least five months…"
Umar reached into his pocket and handed Kai a clean handkerchief, gently wiping a tear off the boy's cheek.
"Kai…" he began. "If you want, I can let you stay at my place in the neighboring district. Just until you figure things out. You're a good kid. I don't want to see you out on the street."
Kai almost jumped at the offer. But then… Jerry. Jerry would never let him go. Still, what choice did he have?
"Thank you," Kai said quietly. "I'll think about it."
"Great!" Umar smiled. "I'll come back tomorrow for your final answer." Then he turned and left, into the now lively district.
Kai stood in the doorway, dazed. In just three days, the same day as the summit. His house would be torn down. Not only did he have to deal with Jerry's shady plan, now he was about to be homeless too.
"What am I gonna do…" Kai whispered, flopping onto the couch.
He was torn leave Jerry and lose the only home and routine he had, or stick around and risk being dragged into something dangerous and possibly illegal.
All he could hope for now was that Jerry's plan wasn't criminal.
Before long, it was noon the time of reckoning.
Kai got dressed in the best outfit he had: a slightly faded red shirt and a pair of torn brown leather pants. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.
He stepped out of the RV, locked the door behind him, a
nd made his way toward Jerry's apartment.