Page 63 of Run
She reaches over and picks up the pad of paper and pen. “It’ll be a few years before I can drive, and by then, who knows if I’ll be able to find her.”
“Well, I turn sixteen before you do, and I plan to get my driver’s license like, day one, so how about I take you to find your birth records? That way you don’t have to wait as long.”
Ari looks at me. Then down. Then back up at me. “You would do that for me?”
“Of course. You’re my friend. I would do anything for you. Well, OK, maybe not anything. Like, I wouldn’t kill anyone for you. Or break any major laws because I don’t want to go to jail. But most anything else, you could ask me, and I’ll say yes.”
Her cheeks flush and Ari smiles wide. “OK,” she says timidly. “Thanks.”
I want to ask what kinds of things she writes to her mom. I wonder if she’s asking questions, or sharing details about her day. I wonder if she writes about Axel.
I wonder if she writes about me.
While Ari picks the pen back up and continues to write, I tip my head back against the seat and close my eyes again, enjoying the quiet once more. After a while, my head lulls to the side and I startle myself awake.
A giggle comes from beside me. “What?” I ask groggily.
“You were snoring.”
“Was not.” I smack my dry lips together.
She nods and covers her mouth to hide more giggles, which makes me laugh.
Suddenly, the door at my side is whipped open so fast I almost fall out, but a hand gripping my coat is hauling me out and to my feet. Terror clouds Ari’s eyes as my hands flail out, trying and failing to grip the door frame.
Then I’m pulled face-to-face with someone I don’t expect.
“Dad!”
He holds me up to his face, gripping the chest of my coat with both hands. “What are you doing in there with that girl?” he asks through clenched teeth. “People are going to think you’re up to no good.”
Ari shuffles to the edge of the seat and peers out. “It’s not his fault,” she says meekly. Dad whips his head in her direction. “I asked him to come keep me company while I, um, while I did some homework.”
Boots crunch on the frozen gravel and all three of us turn our heads just as Axel comes into view, making his way around the side of the house.
“James?” he addresses Dad, coming to a stop a few feet away. “What’s going on? These kids up to trouble? Girl, I told you a hundred times to stay out of my car.”
Axel takes a step forward and narrows his gaze on Ari.
But she isn’t looking at him, she’s looking at my dad, silently begging him.
Dad swallows and releases me, taking a step back. “Actually, Axel, I asked Arlene if you had a tire pressure gauge, and she said there was one in the glove compartment. So she was just checking.”
Axel is quiet for a moment. “That right? Well, what is he doing here?” He points at me.
“Oh, he just came around sassing me, is all. And I’ve about had it with his mouth.” Now Dad is staring at me, and I know it’s my turn to speak.
“Sorry, sir,” I say through clenched teeth.
Axel huffs. “Yep, these damn kids need to be reminded who’s in charge around here.” He raises a hand in front of him and snaps his fingers, then points toward the house. “Get in the house, girl. It’s time you make dinner. I’m starved.”
Ari doesn’t hesitate as she jumps out of the car and makes her way toward the house while Dad grabs me by the scruff of my neck and starts heading toward our yard.
“Did she find one?” Axel askes behind us, and both my dad and I turn around. “A tire pressure gauge. Did Arlene find one in the truck?”
“Umm …” Dad pauses a moment. “No, there must not be one in there. No biggie, I’ll buy one at the store tomorrow.”
“Hmm, that’s weird.” Axel turns and approaches his house, and we make our way to ours. Once inside, Dad releases my neck with a shove.
