Page 65 of Places We've Never Been

CHAPTER 16

I wasn’t sure if the Huttons wanted to sleep longer, or needed a break from us, but the next morning, my mom declared she was driving and that we were eating breakfast on the road to save time.

“Save time for what?” Ezra asked as Mom started the engine.

“We were supposed to leave last night,” she said. “If we don’t stick to the schedule, we’ll run out of time to see all the things we planned to see before Norah’s school interview.”

“It’s okay if we don’t do everything on the schedule,” Ezra said.

“No, it’s not,” Mom snapped.

“I’ll get breakfast started,” I said, giving Ezra theAre you sure you don’t need to tell me anything?look.

“There’s oatmeal packets in the cupboard,” she said, a little softer, possibly realizing how she sounded.

Ezra joined me, pulling some bowls down from the cupboard as I peeled open the box of cinnamon and spice instantoatmeal.

“Talk,” I said.

“Honestly, Nor, I told you before, I have no idea.”

“Then I’m calling Dad and asking him.”

“Okay.”

That was too easy.Is he calling my bluff?“After we eat.” I dumped two packets into each bowl and Ezra covered them all with water and plopped them one at a time in the microwave.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket. It was a selfie of Willow with her hand over her eyes.

I’m glad you’re alive,I responded.

Barely. And I only remember pieces of last night. My phone shows I facetimed you a couple times. Tell me who this is:

A blurry picture of a cute Black guy came on my screen.

I studied him. He didn’t look familiar. Then I remembered something she’d said.Your soul mate?

OH! That’s right! But he looks nothing like that picture you drew.

I laughed.Yes, you were out of it.

I may have had more than I intended to.

So you weren’t drugged?

You thought I was drugged?!

You don’t drink, Willow.

I know, I was feeling anxious without you there.

Since when?

Since I normally go everywhere with you.

It’s my job to feel anxious.

Ezra set a bowl of oatmeal on the table, where I had wandered while texting. “I thought you were making this,” he said.