Answer the call, and stick to Chloe's story.

Only pausing long enough to see who's name pops up on the phone, "Hey mom," You do your best to make yourself sound tired.

"Chloe said you wouldn't let her take you home?" She asks, concern clear in her voice.

"Yeah, Chloe dropped me off across the park from home and I just wandered around for a little bit. Ran into Todd and let slip what happened. My sisters, . . . . well, I just don't want to deal with them right now after what happened later."

"What happened?" Your mother cuts in, sounding curious and just a little mad.

"Mom," The exasperation in your voice is real, "I don't want to talk about it," You sigh, "Anyway, I'm going to spend the night over at Todds, play video games."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Your mother says, "You should come home."

"Noted," You say, a little heat in your voice, "I'll call you in a day or two."

She starts to say something more, but you hang up the phone and toss it on the bed beside Chloe's

"Cousin!" Chloe says, clearly surprised, "I never knew you could stand up to your mother like that!"

You fidget, then look at her. Chloe has a distant look in her eyes as she looks back, "What?" You ask.

"Its not fair," She gives a sad smile.

"What my sisters did?" You venture.

"No, you've got bigger boobs than me," She states matter-of fact.

The blunt nature of the statement is enough to make you laugh unexpectedly.

Chloe's expression turns serious suddenly, "So, you're staying the night. You're welcome to stay as long as you want, but you're going to help out a bit."

You nod, but don't reply.

"I've got to get up at five in the morning, I've got a class I take in the mornings that I take before work. You'll get up with me, fix us breakfast. I get home about six in the afternoon, if you want to cook, great, if not, order us a pizza or something. Other than that, you're responsible for yourself, and you help out a little bit if I need anything. Fair enough?"

"You aren't going to ask too much from me are you?" You ask a little cautiously.

She waves dismissively, "No, just bag the trash in the morning if its full and I'll take it out when I leave. That kind of thing. I ask for too much, you can leave whenever you want."

"Ok," You say after thinking about it for a moment.

As you watch, a mischievous smile finds its way onto her lips. In a small voice, not quite meeting your eyes, "Maybe we should get ready for bed? Its a little late."