Page 26 of Room to Breathe

“In her human form,” I said.

“What?” he asked. I thought he’d get the joke, since he was the one who’d started it.

“Out of costume?” I clarified.

“Oh, right.” He jumped and landed on the board. Over his shoulder, parked on the street, was a dark sedan. It wasn’t the same one I’d been seeing…or was it? Nobody was sitting inside. No, it wasn’t the same. Why would it be?

Another jump caused Cody to lose his balance and he ran forward, propelling his arms to keep himself from falling. The move brought him closer to the fence. He gave me a slow smile.

A woman, in yoga pants and a high ponytail, and a kid, carrying a backpack, got into the dark car I’d been suspicious of moments ago. It wasn’t the same woman I’d seen in the other car, which made me sigh in relief. I was getting in my own head.

“You know them?” Cody asked, nodding to the woman and kid.

“No,” I said.

“The look on your face made it seem like they killed your cat.”

“I don’t have a cat.”

“Because they killed it?”

I rolled my eyes but laughed.

“Indy!” Ava was waving at me from the top of the bleachers, where she was peering over the back side.

I held up the Gatorade.

“Coming!” Back toward Cody I said, “See ya.”

“Will you?” he asked.

“Bring it, then!” she said.

“Maybe.” I backed away, then ran to join my friends.

“You flirting with the skater again?” Ava asked as I handed the bottle of Gatorade to Caroline.

Beau, who stood next to me, tilted his head as if listening for my response as well.

“No,” I said, but didn’t explain. “You did so good, Caroline. Congrats!”

“Thank you.” She held up the drink. “And thank you.”

Beau nudged my shoulder with his as if he was waiting for the real answer to the flirting question. I thought I’d given the real answer.

Chapter 11

Now

“Is the bathroom water gross?”

It had been quiet for so long that his voice made me jump. He picked up the empty jar I’d used as a cup earlier. The mints were still piled on the counter to the right of the sink.

“It had a minty tang to it. Not sure why,” I deadpanned.

He exhaled a single breath that sounded like it was the start of a laugh but didn’t go beyond the one sound. He used to laugh at my jokes.

I turned my attention back to the open binder on the floor in front of me. I was supposed to be writing, thinking of stories about my childhood that would make us seem like a happy, normal family, but every story I thought of felt warped now.