Page 151 of From Nowhere

My parents eye me while standing at the counter, eating their breakfast.

Maren: Thank you for the love note. I’m never replacing the door

It takes a few minutes for Ozzy to reply.

Ozzy: How are you feeling?

Maren: Conflicted

Ozzy: ?

Maren: Someone rode her bike to my house but she doesn’t want me to tell on her. So I’m conflicted

Ozzy: WTF? Why would they let her do that? I have to call them

Maren: If you’re talking about her grandparents, they don’t know

Ozzy: I’m going to kill her

Maren: What if you don’t? What if you let her stay here for the day and stop by to get her after work?

Ozzy: I’m so sorry

Maren: Don’t be. I’m looking forward to spending the day with her

Ozzy sends me the unamused emoji.

I send him the kiss emoji.

“You need groceries. Will you be okay if your dad and I go shopping for you?” Mom asks.

“I can watch her,” Lola says like such a grown-up.

My parents have to suppress their snickering.

“That would be great,” I say. It would give me some time alone with Lola.

Maren: Don’t forget to tell her grandparents

Ozzy: I just did. Thx

When my parents leave, Lola sits beside me on the sofa, playing with Bandit. “I should get home.”

“Actually, you’re spending the day with me,” I say.

Lola freezes, except for her eyes, which shift her gaze to me. “You told him?”

“I had to, because it’s more important that he and your grandparents know you’re safe than it is for you not to get into trouble.”

“Did you at least tell him not to ground me?”

“I didn’t, but if you help out today, I’ll put in a good word for you when he gets here after work.”

“Are you going to fly again?” She changes the subject so quickly that it takes my brain a few seconds to catch up.

“I’m planning on it.”

Lola drops her chin and traces the stripes on Bandit’s back. “Aren’t you afraid of crashing again?”

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