laptop in my room, I can’t Google it right now. I’ll have to wait until later.
I continue reading, looking for more clues. Mom has a few handwritten notes scrawled in the margins of the file. I turn it sideways, attempting to read her chicken scratch. “Corn noon Thurs. CoD poss GSW? Pull & send to balls”
I deduce that the autopsy is scheduled for Thursday at noon, and the victim was shot. This pretty much confirms for me that Daniel Everett is the man I saw last night. They dumped him in the river after they killed him. Unfortunately, the police have little to go on so far, which only fuels my urge to tell my mom what I know. I have always been a seeker of the truth, and holding in this secret is rotting a hole in my soul. Fear is the only thing keeping me quiet.
A creaking on the stairs startles me. I hastily close the file and shove it back in the briefcase. I sit and listen for a second before opening the door but hear nothing. I flip the light to off before slowly creeping out.
I barely make it back to the dining room to replace the bag where I found it when I hear my mom in the den. “Reagan? Why are you up, sweetie?”
Feigning a yawn, I head into the kitchen and open the fridge, removing the gallon of milk and grabbing a glass from the cupboard. “Just thirsty. Go back to bed. I’m sure you must be exhausted after working all day.”
“You have no idea. I have a feeling the next several weeks are going to be just as long, if not longer.” She pauses, pulling me into an embrace. “I thought I took us away from all of this. I thought we were done with having to worry about you at school and all that craziness. I guess this goes to show nowhere is immune.”
“Mom?” I manage to breathe out, though she’s holding me tighter and tighter. “What are you talking about?”
She stiffens slightly and releases me. “Nothing, honey. I shouldn’t have said anything at all. I’m just tired and let my mouth get away from me. Forget I said anything.” She turns and pours some milk in a glass, spilling some down the side, where it puddles on the counter. It’s clear that she’s rattled, and I don’t need three guesses to figure out why.
“Here you go. You go on up to bed, and I’ll clean this up. Sleep well.” She kisses me on the forehead and grabs a sponge from the sink before sopping up the spill.
I grab my phone as I climb the stairs. I almost press Kally’s number, not wanting to be alone. Tonight of all nights I’d love a sleepover, but I know that’s not possible. Instead I type out a quick text that simply reads, “Up?” I need to talk to Charlie. My mind is spinning out of control with worries and possibilities. Just when I think I know what to do, I get thrown another loop. I know talking to him will both calm me down and provide me a great sounding board. He always knows just what to say and always gives the best advice.
I don’t have to wait long to get a reply. My phone starts to play “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry, Charlie’s ringtone. He set it one night while we were watching a movie. He said that if he were straight, I’d be the only girl he’d ever consider kissing. I told him he was gross, and then spent the next ten minutes giggling hysterically as he tried to plant one on me.
“I found five hundred dollars stuffed in one of my cousin’s sneakers. I’m pretty sure he made it selling weed, so screw him. I bought a bus ticket, and I’m leaving in the morning. I gave my family a shot, but I need to come home.”
I exhale and close my eyes as relief floods through me, but I’m aching for him. “I’m sorry, Char. I really wanted it to be different this time for you.”
“Oh, it was. Mom is miraculously still sober, but she’s already invited her new boyfriend—whom she met a week ago—to move in, and let’s just say we don’t get along. But this time around I’m not taking crap from anyone about my life or whoever I choose to love.”
I smile. “Good
I continue reading, looking for more clues. Mom has a few handwritten notes scrawled in the margins of the file. I turn it sideways, attempting to read her chicken scratch. “Corn noon Thurs. CoD poss GSW? Pull & send to balls”
I deduce that the autopsy is scheduled for Thursday at noon, and the victim was shot. This pretty much confirms for me that Daniel Everett is the man I saw last night. They dumped him in the river after they killed him. Unfortunately, the police have little to go on so far, which only fuels my urge to tell my mom what I know. I have always been a seeker of the truth, and holding in this secret is rotting a hole in my soul. Fear is the only thing keeping me quiet.
A creaking on the stairs startles me. I hastily close the file and shove it back in the briefcase. I sit and listen for a second before opening the door but hear nothing. I flip the light to off before slowly creeping out.
I barely make it back to the dining room to replace the bag where I found it when I hear my mom in the den. “Reagan? Why are you up, sweetie?”
Feigning a yawn, I head into the kitchen and open the fridge, removing the gallon of milk and grabbing a glass from the cupboard. “Just thirsty. Go back to bed. I’m sure you must be exhausted after working all day.”
“You have no idea. I have a feeling the next several weeks are going to be just as long, if not longer.” She pauses, pulling me into an embrace. “I thought I took us away from all of this. I thought we were done with having to worry about you at school and all that craziness. I guess this goes to show nowhere is immune.”
“Mom?” I manage to breathe out, though she’s holding me tighter and tighter. “What are you talking about?”
She stiffens slightly and releases me. “Nothing, honey. I shouldn’t have said anything at all. I’m just tired and let my mouth get away from me. Forget I said anything.” She turns and pours some milk in a glass, spilling some down the side, where it puddles on the counter. It’s clear that she’s rattled, and I don’t need three guesses to figure out why.
“Here you go. You go on up to bed, and I’ll clean this up. Sleep well.” She kisses me on the forehead and grabs a sponge from the sink before sopping up the spill.
I grab my phone as I climb the stairs. I almost press Kally’s number, not wanting to be alone. Tonight of all nights I’d love a sleepover, but I know that’s not possible. Instead I type out a quick text that simply reads, “Up?” I need to talk to Charlie. My mind is spinning out of control with worries and possibilities. Just when I think I know what to do, I get thrown another loop. I know talking to him will both calm me down and provide me a great sounding board. He always knows just what to say and always gives the best advice.
I don’t have to wait long to get a reply. My phone starts to play “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry, Charlie’s ringtone. He set it one night while we were watching a movie. He said that if he were straight, I’d be the only girl he’d ever consider kissing. I told him he was gross, and then spent the next ten minutes giggling hysterically as he tried to plant one on me.
“I found five hundred dollars stuffed in one of my cousin’s sneakers. I’m pretty sure he made it selling weed, so screw him. I bought a bus ticket, and I’m leaving in the morning. I gave my family a shot, but I need to come home.”
I exhale and close my eyes as relief floods through me, but I’m aching for him. “I’m sorry, Char. I really wanted it to be different this time for you.”
“Oh, it was. Mom is miraculously still sober, but she’s already invited her new boyfriend—whom she met a week ago—to move in, and let’s just say we don’t get along. But this time around I’m not taking crap from anyone about my life or whoever I choose to love.”
I smile. “Good
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