Page 24 of Love at First Ride

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‘Armando’s tried. He’s seeing if he can get a used model.’

In the dim light, I raise my chin to her, indicating we should go out into the yard. I’m not gonna risk saying anything to her indoors, not if the cops have already been sniffing around.

When we’re far enough from the house, out on the grass, Mom comes to stand by my side.

‘I know where he is,’ I say, under my breath.

‘Jesus, AJ.’ I hear her exhale.

‘He’s safe.’

‘Is he hurt?’

‘Not bad. Couple scrapes.’

‘Where is he?’

‘Somebody picked him up. A friend.’

‘Who?’

‘Ma, forget that. You know they’re not gonna let him off the hook this time. Final warning, remember? This time, they’ll press charges.’

She’s crying. It takes a moment for her to compose herself. ‘What do we do?’

‘I was thinking we try and get him to Santa Fe.’

In the darkness, I hear her gasp.

I’ve been thinking about it since I left Hollie Palmer’s apartment. Noah can’t stay here. And there’s no way I can turn him in. Mom’s older sister, Rita, lives on a farm, just outside Santa Fe in New Mexico. She had one child, my age, but my aunt’s a whole lot more put together than my own mother.

‘When was the last time you talked to Rita?’ I ask.

‘I guess… couple months back. You think she’d take him in?’

‘I was gonna ask you the same thing. You can’t ask her over the phone. I’d have to contact her somehow. Drive him over the state line.’

‘AJ,’ she breathes.

‘I’m serious, Mom. What’s the alternative?’

Mom breaks. She hugs her waist and starts to sob again. ‘I wanna see him.’

‘You can’t, Ma. Not right now.’

‘Would you take him?’

‘Yeah.’

‘How long would it be for?’

I stay silent, because I don’t have the answers to all the questions. He would need to lay low. Aunt Rita would need to school him. All I know is that, if he stays here in Rapture, he can kiss goodbye to his freedom.

‘Give it a little time. When the heat is off, maybe you can go visit him in New Mexico.’

I listen to her cry softly beside me. She was upset like this when Logan announced he was leaving.

‘I’ve failed him. As a mother.’

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