40 Not the Only One...(Joey)

"What?" Ed says, baffled, the coffee mug paused in his hand. "What did you say?"

I ruffle my hair awkwardly, mumbling, "I said that I want....I need to leave. This place. I think I over-stayed my welcome."

But that's not it, is it? The voice claws at the back of my head. You're just afraid to face them now that you know how close they are to know the truth about you?

Are they? Really? If I keep my mouth shut then they won't find out-

They will! the voice hisses. You have to run away before they find out. What if they hand you to the police? Miller will find you in an hour if they do.

"Over-stayed?" Ed repeats, still in shock. Resting his elbows on the kitchen table, he looks at me unconvinced. "With the work you've done? You've made my life easier. You haven't slacked off or anything. Not even once. You didn't over-"

"Then think of it this way." I scratch the back of my neck, irritated. "I've worked longer than the days I was sick, right? Doesn't that mean that I did my part?"