Page 164 of Switch!

I invite her to quiz me. Whatever question she comes up with, I know the answer to. When a nurse comes to check on me, I watch my mother processing it all while my vitals are taken. I think I’ve gotten through to her.

“Can you switch back?” she asks when we’re alone again.

“I’m not sure. Do you know where Trixie went?”

“She ran off with the body I gave birth to.”

“Mom! Gross!”

She stares at me. “You sure sound like him,” she murmurs. Then she shakes her head. “That man, Jesse, he told me that Trixie had to hide when the paramedics showed up so the police wouldn’t find you. Or her. This is so confusing.”

“You have no idea.”

My mother studies me, struggling with another bout of doubt. “Youfeellike my son.”

“It’s me, Mom. I promise.”

She nods but adds, “You’ll be sorry if this is some sort of sick joke. If I was smart, I’d tell the police instead of you.”

“Tell them what?”

My mother takes a deep breath and sighs. “Your friends came up with a cover story. They said it was important you hear it before you’re interrogated or who knows what.”

I look to the door, expecting to see an officer stationed there, but it would seem I’m not that high on their wanted list. “What did they say?”

“You’re supposed to pretend that Travis was your long-distance boyfriend. Online dating or whatever kids do these days. He convinced you to come visit him, and your friend Jesse tagged along as a chaperone. When the detention center wouldn’t let you see Travis, it depressed you so much that you attempted suicide.”

“That works,” I say. “Nice and simple.”

“I only wish,” my mother continues, reaching for the cigarettes in her purse before remembering where we are. “I should have written the story down. Let’s see… You, that is, theotherTravis, he decided to break out that night to be with his girlfriend. By the time he succeeded, you had already attempted suicide. It’s all very Romeo and Juliette. Except instead of taking his own life, he ran off instead, and you don’t know where he went. Still think it’s nice and simple?”

I shake my head. “Why bother with any of that? She should have pretended not to know me.”

“There was a big fuss,” my mother says with a sigh. “The detectives reviewed the security footage of the detention center to see if anyone helped Travis get away. They’ve already spoken to Jesse. He’s back in Tacoma.”

My stomach sinks. “What about Trixie?”

“She said you would know where to find her. Or him.” My mother makes a face. “Is this how it’s going to be from now on? Do I have a daughter instead of a son?”

I laugh. I can’t help it. “I should be able to switch back when I find her again.” I think about it and swallow. “I won’t be able to live here anymore. I’ve made a mess of things.”

“Then I’ll come to you. Send for me when the time is right. I’ve had enough of this town.”

“Okay. I will.”

My mother eyes me. “What was the name of the beagle you had when growing up?”

“I never had a dog. Oh!” My face flushes. “You mean one I told you was a stray, even though I knew he wasn’t? He belonged to a family in the apartment building next to ours. It was their fault for letting him wander. Do you want the name I made up for him, or the real one?”

“Both,” she says firmly.

“Boney Tony, which waswaybetter than Tinkles. Who would name their dog that?”

“Considering how often he managed to pee on our carpet during a single night,” my mother says, “I’m surprised they didn’t name him Puddles.”

I laugh and so does she. We keep talking, not just about the memories we share, but what led to my current predicament.

“You should have told me the moment Raymond even looked at you funny,” she says. “I would have protected you.”