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Friday came fast.

Hollis spent all night struggling over what to wear before settling on a soft brown sweater and black trousers.

He thought about stealing his pa’s cologne but got too anxious at the last minute.

Hollis took their sleeping bag to the laundromat, and even skipped visiting the train that morning so that everything would stay fresh and good smelling.

He stumbled through the school day distracted—even lunch was a blur. Yulia watched him with sharp eyes until the bell rang. Then she tossed him her keys.

“Don’t make mistakes,” she warned.

“I’d rather die than owe you a new car.” Hollis opened the trunk and stuffed his sleeping bag inside.

Yulia folded her arms. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Annie wriggled underneath them to force Yulia into a hug, then slid into the passenger seat.

“Bye! We love you,” she shouted.

Yulia nodded sharply, then turned and started her long walk home.