* * * * *
She had to confront her dad.
As in yell, scream, and demand answers confront. If that woman was going to schools looking for her now, she had to know the truth.
She’d just tell him what happened today. He’d believe her and then maybe, finally, he would tell her whatever she needed to know. It might even get him to move away from here.
The final bell rang and Janelle gathered her Trig book, threw it into her locker, and headed out the door to where the buses waited. She could walk, but maybe it was best not to if Gary’s guardian was around. She headed out the door to where they waited.
“Hi, Janelle.”
“Huh?” She spun around.
A youth of about sixteen leaned against the brick wall of the school, black bangs hanging in his face. A bit of stubble had appeared on his chin, his skin seemed a bit tighter around his cheekbones, and he now wore a gray shirt instead of a purple one, but the same freckle stood out on his nose.
“Gary,” Janelle exhaled. He'd found her. Remembered where she said she lived. And better yet, he was okay. How had he gotten away from his guardian? Now maybe she wouldn’t have to confront her dad. “You’ve got no idea what a relief this is. You’re alone, aren’t you?” She looked around the lot. No woman in gray.
“You think I’d bring my guardian along? I managed to get away from her right after you left the hospital. I’ve been wandering around here for a week, trying to stay away from her. I’m glad you took my advice.”
“Well, your guardian was just here looking for me.”
Gary’s eyes got big. “I swear, I told her nothing about you. I don’t know where she got your name. She might have figured out your town because you found me here, though.”
“She also knows my birthday.”
“That is weird,” Gary said. “I can’t think of an explanation for that one. Sorry.”
He didn’t look away from her. Janelle couldn’t see a trace of a lie on his face. Not like with her father.
The buses waited, rumbling near the front of the school. Screw them. “Okay. This is going to sound stupid. But I need to talk to you. Bad.”
“I kind of figured that. Nobody’s walking home with you?” His eyes were searching as he studied his surroundings.
“No. I’ll text my dad and tell him I’m staying late to try out the chess club or something.” Janelle barely heard her own words as she plucked out her phone and typed out the words. “He’ll be expecting me to do that, anyway.”
“Come on,” Gary said. “I changed my mind. You want the truth, so I’m going to give it to you. It’s only fair.”
They walked off the school grounds and Janelle’s palms tingled with nerves. “Where are we going?”
Gary walked faster, like he was anxious to get this done. “To the beach.”