Kiss of Life (41 page)

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Sometimes the little things aren't enough, though, and, that's why I wish you the best of luck. If anyone can make a change you can.

I'm using your private e-mail address because I saw that the foundation already pulled the plug on
mysocalledundeath.com
. I hope my note finds you safe and sound.

So, good luck, Tommy. Give my best to Christie.

Love,

Phoebe

Phoebe hit send and checked the clock. There was just enough time to make a cup of coffee before the bus came. She'd been drinking a lot of hot coffee in the past few days, as though she needed it to keep her body temperature up after that nightImorning in the woods.

She was adding the sugar when there was a light knock on the door. She opened it and there was Adam standing on her doorstep, holding a candy cane and wearing a red Christmas elf hat. He was also wearing his enormous backpack, and coupled with the cane and hat the overall effect was that he looked like a goofy undead Santa Claus.

"Morning ...sunshine," he said, holding out the candy cane.

Phoebe laughed as she took it from him. "Silly. What are you doing over here so early?"

"Couldn't...sleep. Besides ...it's time ...for school."

She unwrapped the candy cane and stirred her coffee with it, peppermint mixing with the rich smell of the liquid. "Adam,

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you can't go to school--Principal Kim announced it on Monday, you know that."

He shrugged, the shoulder with the heavy bag rising and falling in slow motion.

"I...feel like ...going ... to school."

His grin was so much like the old Adam that her protests died in her throat. "That's a first," she said, reaching for her coat.

"Come on ...it's widely ...known ... I love ...school." She laughed. "Yeah, I seem to recall hearing that somewhere."

His face grew serious. "I'm not planning on ...taking ...things ...lying down ...ever again."

She touched his cheek, feeling for the first time as if she really had made good on her promise to bring him back. He gazed back at her with a steady confident intensity that made her think he'd come further than either of them would have expected.

Breath turning to vapor in the cold air, she took his hand and joined him outside, where the bus was just beginning to chug down their street, ready to carry them off to school.

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