Page 118 of Switch!

“Huh? Oh. Of course. I thought that’s what you wanted.”

“It used to be. I was excited to study music, but part of me always …” She narrows her eyes, like I’m going to laugh at her. I keep my expression solemn and nod for her to continue.

Trixie does, but only when she’s standing in front of the ATM and her face is turned toward the screen. “You know on TV, how characters have new adventures every week? I always wished that was my life. Especially once I figured out what I can do. I wanted to become a superhero, but it’s not like I can teleport or turn invisible. When things fell apart with my family… Most teenagers who end up on the street are either upset or too wrapped up in bad stuff to care. I was excited. For real. I’m not kidding. That first night was scary, but all the good stuff in life starts out that way. I felt like I was finally setting out on my own adventure. It never became that though. I went to places like the psychic fair, hoping there would be something there to make mycompletelynaïve and unrealistic dreams come true.” She laughs humorlessly. “I was just about to give up hope.” Trixie looks over at me. “And then I met you.”

“You actuallylikewhat we’re doing?”

Her cheeks flush and she resumes pushing buttons on the screen. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because we’re struggling to pay off someone else’s debts while mourning the loss of a child we never had.”

“And it’s awesome,” Trixie says in tones that are dead serious. “Not the part about Serena. That breaks my heart, but we’re actually doing it. We’re having an adventure! I don’t know how long it’s going to last, but this is what I’ve been waiting for.” She takes her bank card from the machine and turns to face me. “I can get my shit together some other time. Right now, I’m exactly where I want to be.”

“With me?”

She nods. “Yup. Hanging with my best friend.”

I grin in response. “I love it when you say that.”

“I know. So let’s keep going, okay? I don’t want to think responsibly or plan my future. I want to see where this takes us.”

I struggle to hold back a smile as we resume walking. I’m glad I spent that extra time with Gary because it means I can offer her exactly what she needs. “You want an adventure? How about that, plus a well-deserved break. A vacation.”

“An adventure-cation?” Trixie says, skipping ahead of me and turning so she can walk backwards. “Yes! Count me in. What’s the plan?”

I try my best to sound enigmatic when answering her. “You’ll have to wait and see, but it involves riches beyond your wildest dreams.”

Twenty-eight ↔ Chapter

The house I drive Trixie to the next day is south of Tacoma and built on an incline, offering a view of Ketron Island from across a narrow expanse of water. The backyard blends into acres of natural woodland, and the front of the house has a U-shaped driveway that connects to a four-car garage. I can only imagine how lavish the interior is, but we haven’t gotten that far yet. After parking in the driveway, Trixie hops out so she can take in our surroundings.

“I don’t know what we’re doing here,” she says, “but I’m loving it so far.”

“Don’t get excited just yet,” I say as I move toward the house. “I used to have a good memory, but that was before I had to share it with so many people.”

I locate a keypad next to one of the garage doors. I got that much right. I’m too nervous to type in the code I’m onlymostlysure I know. What if I get it wrong? Or if someone is home? Plans can change. “Let’s um… Let’s try the front door first.”

“You want me to knock?” Trixie asks.

The second I nod, she sprints for the door and starts hammering her knuckles against it before ringing the bell.

“Are you crazy?” I hiss, hurrying to join her. “We haven’t come up with a cover story yet!”

“That’s true,” Trixie says, grinning at me, “but I’m sure we can wing it.” She cups her hands and presses them to the window near the door so she can peer inside. “I don’t see anyone. No lights are on. Want me to kick it down?”

“The door?” I splutter.

She laughs at my gullibility. “You tell me. This is supposed to be an adventure.” In a quieter voice, she whispers. “We’re gonna break in, right?”

“In a way,” I say, checking the window on the opposite side. Past a massive entryway, I can see a living room on the ground floor and a stairwell leading up. No signs of life. “Follow me,” I say, returning to the keypad next to the garage. I check the neighboring properties on the way, which are quiet aside from landscapers working farther down the street.

“This is how the maid gets inside,” I say, flipping the lid of the keypad and punching in six numbers that I tried to memorize before leaving Gary’s body.

Nothing happens after the final digit is entered. A light blinks yellow, but that’s it.

“Er…” I try again with the same result.

“I’m kicking down the door,” Trixie says.