Page 159 of Finding Us

Garret comes in with more grocery bags.

“Sean’s on the phone.” I hand it to him.

“Hey, Sean. Can I call you later?” He listens. “Yeah, I haven’t had time to get out there.” He nods. “Okay, bye.”

Garret gives me the phone and takes off again.

“Got any plans for when Garret’s dad is there?” Harper’s back on the phone.

“We’re going to dinner tomorrow night. Friday we’ll show him the campus. He has to leave on Saturday.”

“Ask him if I can babysit Lilly.”

“I’ll ask, but I already know the answer. Pearce will be okay with it but Katherine will say no. She doesn’t let anyone babysit Lilly.”

“What is her problem?”

“I don’t know. So are you staying with Sean until classes start next week?”

“I’m staying at his place through the weekend and maybe Monday night. But I’m moving my stuff in the dorms on Saturday. I didn’t want to move in later, when everyone else is. It’s too crowded.” I hear Sean saying something to Harper in the background. “I guess we’re heading out to dinner. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay, bye.”

I end the call just as Garret walks in.

“Harper really liked hanging out at the dairy farm. Crazy, huh?”

Garret doesn’t answer. He’s standing there in a daze, holding a grocery bag in each hand.

I jump off the couch and take the bags. “I think she even misses being on the farm.” I go in the kitchen and start unloading groceries. “How funny is that?” Garret still hasn’t moved. “Garret? Did you hear me?”

“Yeah, it’s funny,” he says, still frozen in place.

“Why aren’t you moving? Is something wrong?”

He finally snaps out of it. “No. Nothing.” He comes over and unloads groceries with me. I tell him what else Harper said but he doesn’t seem to be listening.

When the groceries are put away, I go in the bedroom and change into my running clothes. I have tons of energy and feel the need to burn some of it off. I feel really good today. Garret and I are back on track and I’m looking forward to seeing Pearce tomorrow. I wish Lilly was coming, too, but Katherine wouldn’t allow it.

“Where are you going?” Garret walks in as I’m lacing my shoes.

“I’m going for a quick run.” I look up and see the worry on his face. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m not running from anything. I just want to be out on the beach and run for a half hour.”

“I’ll go with you.” He says it really fast and goes to the dresser to get his workout clothes.

“Garret, I won’t be out there long. You don’t have to go.”

“I’m going.” He searches the top drawer, then shuts it and opens the one under it.

“Bottom drawer,” I tell him.

He finds his clothes and changes, then sits on the bed to put his shoes on.

I take a seat next to him and kiss his cheek. “Thanks for going with me. This’ll be fun. We can race.”

“Sure, whatever you want.” He’s talking fast again.

“You’re acting strange. You sure you’re okay?”

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