Page 80 of Places We've Never Been

CHAPTER 19

As I passed one RV, my eyes focused on the other, I heard the moms talking inside the rental. I slowed, then paused at the door, pressing my ear against the glass.

“We can tell the kids that we need to ride in our separate RVs again,” Mom said.

“They seem to be enjoying themselves,” Olivia responded.

Why did the moms want to separate us? Had something happened? Had I been right about my mom and Olivia fighting? What were they fighting about?

“And besides,” Olivia continued, “Skyler and Norah are finally getting along.”

No, we really aren’t.

There was a long pause. “It’s nice to see the kids together again, isn’t it?” Mom said.

“This won’t be the last time,” Olivia said.

“No, of course not. I didn’t mean to make it sound that way.”

“I know. Sometimes it feels that way, though.”

“Don’t think like that.”

“You’ll come my way next?” Olivia said.

“Yes, as soon as I can.” There was some shuffling inside and it seemed like one or both of them were moving, possibly about to discover me.

I stumbled back and away from the door. I wasn’t sure what I just overheard, but it did nothing to ease my worry. Why were they talking like the world was ending?

The distance between the two RVs wasn’t more than thirty feet, but it seemed to take forever to cross it, as I was trying to be both fast and quiet. I reached the door, let myself in, and pressed my back against the wall. I stood very still and listened for my mom. Everything was quiet. My eyes drifted to the back room that was open. After several more long moments, I glanced once over my shoulder, then tiptoed toward it. I flipped on the main room light switch but when I got to her room, I left the light off. I didn’t want her seeing it through the windows.

Her suitcase sat on the bed. I bit my lip. I really wasn’t a snooper, but this felt really important and she refused to tell us anything. I opened the lid before I talked myself out of it. Her clothes were all folded neatly and tucked beneath the elastic strap. In the top, behind the zippered mesh section, was her toiletries bag. The zipper sounded like it was opening through a megaphone as I pulled it along its track. Once open, I retrieved the bag and plopped it on top of the clothes. I stared at it forever before opening it. And then I stared at the contents before I blew out a breath and went digging. Past the shampoo bottles and razor, cotton balls, face wash, night cream, lip balm, myfingers hit the plastic bottom. I felt all around, shifting everything multiple times, but only found a bottle of melatonin. Nothing incriminating about that.

I put my hands on my hips and stared at the rest of the unassuming suitcase. I felt around in the corners, opened zippered pouches, and— The outside handle on the door rattled. I gasped, shut the suitcase without zippering up all the zippers, and flew out of her room. I climbed up into my bed and yanked the curtain shut just as the door opened.

“Hello,” Mom called out. “Is someone in here?”

I sat, my heart beating in my ears, trying to decide which response might make her leave: me being in here or me not being in here.

“I know someone is in here,” she said, making my decision for me. “I didn’t leave the lights on.”

“It’s just me, Mom. Sorry, I had my earbuds in.” I peeked my head out of the curtain.

“Oh, hi. How was the dance? Are you already back?”

“It was fine. You were right, I was cold.”

“I have a cardigan that would look nice with your sundress if you want to—”

“No,” I interrupted as she walked toward her room. “I’m fine. I was done anyway.”

She stopped. “Okay.” She changed her route and went to the fridge instead, where she pulled out a bottle of wine. She held it up, pointed to the door with it, then said, “You good?”

“Yes, of course. Go drink the whole thing with your friend.” I sucked in my cheeks.Stop acting weird, Norah.

“You make it sound so irresponsible,” she said.

“No, sorry. I’m not sure how to wish someone well when they are going to drink in an RV.”