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Joanie came back in then and Leah turned the screen slightly, so that she wouldn’t see the open email.
“You get it all figured out, hon?”
“Yes,” Leah said. “Just reading over this assignment. It’s... confusing.”
Joanie opened a drawer and took out a tin of Band-Aids. “You must go through a lot of these at your house.”
“Oh yeah,” Leah said. “Tons.”
Joanie went back out as Leah opened the second email, sent only two hours earlier.
Leah,
Are you OK? My mom says there was some trouble at the Rampart? And that your mother is missing and you and your brother got taken away by your grandfather? And something about a crazy cop getting shot? What’s going on there?!?! I hate those militia dudes my dad has hanging around all the time. He’s freaking out (more than usual!) and thinks the FBI is going to raid the Rampart. Both of my parents are acting so weird these days. Where are you? I haven’t heard from you in days. I’m driving home now. Please write and tell me what’s going on!
Davy
She typed quickly.
Davy,
I am fine except my family is seriously imploding. Mom ran off and Shane went to find her. I’m stuck in a trailer in a little town called Ford. My Grandpa Rhys went to get Mom, who’s in Canada with my real dad. It’s so crazy. Shane thinks she’s in Oregon and so he’s down there trying to find her and Asher is being a total pain and I can’t believe I don’t even have a phone! I would call you, but you know my mom’s stupid rules. I hope I can see you when you’re—
She heard footsteps on the porch and looked up. Joanie and Asher were coming back inside. Leah hit send, even though she hadn’t finished the email, as Joanie ushered Asher in the door. He had a bandage on his forehead, just above his left eyebrow, where he always seemed to need a bandage. Leah closed her Gmail.
“That dog is strong!” Asher told Leah. He turned to Joanie. “Are all German shepherds that strong, do you think?”
“Hard to say,” Joanie answered. She turned to Leah. “Are you getting your homework all squared away, hon?”
“What home—” Asher started to say, but Leah pointed at him and shot him eye-daggers.Don’t. You. Dare.
“Yes, thanks, Joanie,” Leah said. “Getting all caught up.” She narrowed her eyes again and mouthed to her brother:Be quiet.
“We’re gonna walk to the creek and see if we can see any frogs,” Joanie said. “It’s just up the road a piece. You want to come?”
“No, that’s okay,” Leah said. “I think I’ll finish this up.”
“Sure,” Joanie said. She walked into the back bedroom.
“What homework?” Asher whispered. “Mom left us reading assignments is all.”
“Asher. Don’t say a word about it. It’s none of your business.”
He looked suspicious, but when Joanie came out of the bedroomwith a leash, Asher turned his attention back to the dog. “Ooh, can I hold the leash?”
Joanie glanced over at Leah, who shook her head slightly.
“Why don’t I hold the leash for now? Maybe you can on the way back, when Billy’s more tuckered out.”
“What’s tuckered out mean?”
“Tired.”
“Is that a Salish word?”
“No, it’s American.”
“What’s doe?”