Page 84 of After Anna

So there are advantages to having no parents

Take mine

Maggie felt a wave of guilt. “The poor kid. How much does it suck to be on Parents’ Weekend with no parents? I should’ve been there for her.”

“You can’t own everything. Sometimes people are working against you, and Florian did that, and he won.” Kathy put the book back, and another note fell to the rug.

Maggie bent down to pick it up.

I’m so over this place and my family. I’m leaving

For real?

Yes

When

Tomorrow night after dinner. PG and Connie are getting me a bus ticket. My parents would know if I put it on the amex.

Don’t go

I have to. I’ll be happier. PG agrees.

Don’t. You’re my one and only friend

I’ll stay in touch

Promise

I promise

“Oh no,” Maggie said, taken aback. “This must have been between Anna and Jamie, and it looks like Jamie ran away. I didn’t get that impression from Anna when we talked about it.”

“Maybe she didn’t want you to know?” Kathy arched an eyebrow.

“I wonder if Jamie has been in touch with Anna since she ran away.”

“She might have lied.” Kathy pursed her lips.

“I hate to think that.”

Kathy shrugged. “It happens. Jamie was her only friend from school, right?”

“Yes, but she said they weren’t that close.”

“They look close from these notes.” Kathy shot Maggie a knowing look. “Maybe Anna lied to you about that too.”

“Right.” Maggie had to admit it made sense. “We don’t know if Jamie got in touch with Anna after she left.”

“But she promised to. That matters with kids.”

Maggie mulled it over. “If Anna knows where Jamie is, we should tell Jamie’s parents.”

“Agree. Also, Connie or PG, whoever they are, might know where Jamie is, since they bought the bus ticket for Jamie.”

“Right. They’re probably on the poetry magazine. That was the circle of friends. PG has to be initials, doesn’t it? Unless it’s a nickname.”

“We can look for the Congreve Poetry Club on Facebook. Maybe they have a page.” Kathy slid her phone from her pocket.