Fallout (60 page)

FOR THREE DAYS

I try to settle in, try to feel

like part of this not-family,

to ignore my gut feeling.

Three days of

listening to Eliana and

Rosa argue and laugh.

Real sisters

acting like

all real sisters do,

I suppose. Who knows?

Maybe, just maybe,

everything

would be different

between my real sister

and me. The fact

is,

it could very well be

hate at first sight.

The fact is,

just

because you’re related

doesn’t mean you

want to be. So,

fine.

Forget that ridiculous

fantasy. Who needs

family, anyway?

DAY FOUR

Tanya has taken the girls Christmas

shopping. We drew names to get gifts

for. Stupid, if you think about it. None

of us has any money. It’s all pretend.

I drew Rosa. Figured a Barbie would do

for her, but couldn’t stomach the idea

of traipsing around Wal-Mart. So I faked

sick. Asked Tanya to pick one up.

Walter is puttering around the garage,

playing with his tools (or something else).

This is what I’ve been hoping for—a few

private minutes to try and call Kyle.

But when I dig out my cell, there’s

a message waiting for me. From him.

Summer. Call me. Please. Can’t stand …

Can’t stand not having you with me.

His voice trembles. Crying? My own

tears start to fall as I think about

his arms around me. The comfort

of his kiss. All this love, wasting …

I speed dial his number. He answers

almost immediately, as if waiting

for my call.
Summer? How are you?

Oh God, I’ve missed you so much.

“I’ve missed you, too. I’m okay….”

We spend a few minutes talking.

I tell him about the blonde and the bear

and my faux sisters. He tells me about

coming to Fresno to visit his aunt

for the holidays.
I have to see you.

Maybe we can get together

while I’m there. What do you think?

Get together? How? I’m pretty sure

dating is a solid foster care taboo.

“You know I want to, but I don’t

know how to make it happen.”

You can sneak out, right?
His voice

trembles.
I have to see you, Summer.

I’ll come early. Tomorrow. Give me

the address there. I’ll MapQuest it.

I hear a door close, bear-heavy

footsteps. “I’ve got to go! Call me

when you’re getting close.” I hang

up, just as Walter clunks down

the hall. His face pokes through

the doorway, all feral eyes and licking

lips. I pretend I’m waking up from

a flu-induced nap. “Ugh. Gotta puke.”

THE REST OF THE DAY

Is filled with

excited squeals

peals of laughter

sisterly whispers

Bear growls and

Tanya squeaks.

I lie in bed

trying not to listen

trying not to get up

trying not to obsess

about seeing Kyle

in just a few hours.

My head spins

dizzy with love

dizzy with hope

dizzy with strategy

dizzy with dreams

of tomorrow.

A
LBUQUERQUE
J
OURNAL
 
 

Working with the FBI and the Bernalillo County sheriff’s department, Albuquerque police accomplished a major sting, arresting five members of a marijuana smuggling ring. Lieutenant Rocky Schneider said if not for an unrelated incident, the smuggling operation might have continued unimpeded indefinitely.

“It started with a simple speeding ticket,” said Schneider. “The officer noticed a definite odor of marijuana and upon questioning the driver, discovered a quarter pound under the front seat. Rather than face a more severe charge, the driver decided to cooperate with authorities.”

Albuquerque resident Wayne Allen Snow led police to a house in Rio Rancho. Upon entering, officers found almost ten pounds of highgrade marijuana, imported via runners for a major Mexican cartel. Arrested there were Adam “Buddy” Grimoir; his wife, Lince; and three Mexican nationals. All five were bound over to await trial.

“This is only a small glimpse of a much larger picture,” Schneider said. “Nevertheless, it was a righteous bust, and perhaps the beginning of a positive trend.”

Hunter
BACK HOME

Indefinitely.

Nikki won’t

even talk to

me, let alone

forgive me.

She pisses

me off. My

fault? Maybe.

But I deserve

a chance to

explain. I

could say it

isn’t so bad.

But that’d

be a lie. I’m

home, yes,

but with the

boys still in

my old room,

I’m in the

guest room.

White

on

white

with

white

trim.