A Missing Peace by Beth Fred Page B

cross Baba brought back from a conference in Rome—and dropped it on the wounded soldier.
    And I ran.
    Caleb called and texted me constantly, so when my phone vibrated again with a text, I assumed it was him. I picked it up to silence it and found I was wrong. This message was from Morgan.
    U disappeared after lunch. What happened?
    Sick.
    It wasn’t even a lie.
    Should I bring herbal tea? Itz tha bomb.
    As horrible as I felt, Morgan made me smile. Her expressions were so silly, but she always had so much energy.
    No.
    I didn’t feel like seeing anyone.
    The next time my phone vibrated it was Caleb again.
    When you’re ready to talk, I’m here.
    I had no idea when that would be. I thought our talking was probably done. I hated myself for what happened to both of our fathers. I couldn’t imagine what he would think.
    After reliving what happened in Baghdad I remembered wondering if it would be worse to not know what happened to your dad or to watch it happen. Now I knew the answer. Caleb was better off not knowing. If I told him, it wouldn’t change anything. Except that he would hate me, and rightfully so.
    Abrahem woke me up for school the next morning, which was unusual. He was usually coming through the door from work, or sleeping when I left.
    â€œMirr, school.”
    I pulled the blankets up over my head. “I’m not going.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œSick.” Still not a lie, I felt like death.
    â€œHow was school yesterday?”
    â€œFine.” That was a strange question for my brother to ask.
    His eyes narrowed. “How where your afternoon classes?”
    Lying to Ommy was one thing. When Baba was living I could lie to him, but lying to Abrahem had always been harder. He knew I was lying.
    He knew something, but I didn’t know how. It wasn’t like he was there, so I decided to go for it. “Afternoon classes were awesome.”
    â€œAre you in trouble?”
    â€œIn trouble?”
    â€œMirr, are you doing something stupid?”
    â€œNo.” True, my brother’s definition of stupid differed from mine, but it was over now anyhow.
    â€œIf you’re doing something stupid, you need to tell me so I can help you.”
    â€œAbrahem, I said no. Now get out of my room. I’m sick.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Alright.”

Chapter 20
    Caleb
    Two days had passed since Mirriam flipped out on my floor, and I hadn’t heard from her since. She wouldn’t answer my calls or texts.
    I didn’t know what happened. We’d had a good day. One minute we were talking, and the next she lost her mind. Something was wrong. I knew that. I was tempted to go across the street and break her door down, so she would have to talk to me. But I was not going to be breaking doors down for a while, and I wasn’t sure if I could get across the street. Not to mention, Mirriam didn’t want her family to know about us.
    I sent one last text.
    Please call.
    And promised myself I wouldn’t send another.
    Josh and Matt came over after school. It was good to see them. It had been forever, and it took my mind off Mirriam, who I didn’t mention. Maybe, I was more okay with this being a secret than I’d thought.
    Matt pulled out a sixpack. “I hit my dad’s mini-fridge before we came.”
    He handed one to Josh and offered one to me. “No thanks. I can’t.”
    â€œOh yeah, the drugs. Sorry, man,” Matt said.
    Josh shrugged. “Well, you’re on better shit than this.”
    He didn’t notice when I rolled my eyes. For a second, I wondered how we ever became friends. Half the time I couldn’t feel most of my body. When I could, it meant the painkillers had worn off, and it felt like someone was making a pulled pork sandwich out of me. “Yeah, Josh, I’m on way better shit.”
    Matt’s phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket, looked at the screen, and chuckled.
    â€œWhat’s