Page 66 of Room to Breathe

“It’s more than that.”

“What?” I sat up, worried now. I could hardly see his grainy outline in the darkness; I definitely couldn’t see his facial expression.

“My location…” he said.

“Oh no.” I realized what he was saying. “Nobody will know where you are.”

“Exactly.” He reached out and grabbed my hand. Maybe he thought I was going to panic like I had earlier. And maybe now was a better time to panic, but my face didn’t go numb and my heart kept its steady beat.

“That sucks” is all I could think of to say. I wasn’t letting myselfprocess this. It was still dark after all. I couldn’t worry. I wouldn’t. We’d get out. We had to. When the sun came up we’d find a way out. Or someone would find us.

“What aboutyourphone?” he asked. “Do you think it still has any power in that bag?”

“I have no idea. I don’t remember what it was at when Mrs. Thiessen made me bag it. But either way, I turned it off. It’s useless.”

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure.”

“Why did she lock it up?”

“I was looking at it,” I said. “She caught me.”

“I swear she has eagle eyes.”

“I know,” I said.

“You couldn’t wait until after class to look?”

“I was waiting for a text from my mom. I was supposed to give her a letter that she was going to give to my dad’s lawyer if they were moving forward with charges. I’ve been supposed to give it to her for several weeks. Tomorrow…well, today…is my last chance. I need to write it today. I need to get out.”

“He finds out today?”

“I don’t know. But they need my letter. It will help.” It had to help.

“Do you think they’re going to charge him?”

“Six months ago, I would’ve said my dad could never do something like that, steal money, forge paperwork. He’s honest and moral. I have no idea anymore. Obviously I hope they haven’t found anything on him. That this was all the one partner, like everyone else is claiming, but maybe I’m prepping myself for the worst, just in case.”

“I wish you’d told me what was going on with you. Then maybe I wouldn’t have—”

“It’s still dark,” I blurted out. “Rule two. We’re not supposed to be worrying about anything.”

“True,” he said.

“Plus, I can’t see your face.”

“What?”

“I don’t want to have this conversation when I can’t see your face.”

“I do have a pretty nice face,” he said, probably trying to lighten the suddenly heavy mood.

“You do,” I said.

“Come here.” He pulled me back down next to him and kissed the top of my head. “I hope it’s only two o’clock.”

“Why?” I asked.