Page 204 of Finding Us

“It was there. I’m telling you, it was the exact same rock. ”

Garret gets up and takes our empty bowls to the sink. “What are you trying to say here, Jade?”

I meet him by the sink. “Gleason saved that kid on the beach behind Harper’s house. Why would Kent Gleason and that server from the party be hanging out behind Harper’s house? That’s a private beach. And you can only access it from their backyard.”

“Maybe Kiefer had a fundraiser at his house for Kent Gleason and maybe that woman was working as a server that night.”

“Then why was her kid there?”

“Maybe it was a barbecue and people were allowed to bring their kids.”

“They wouldn’t let the hired help bring their kids. And why would the news say this happened in La Jolla if it really happened in Malibu?”

Garret hesitates, then says, “Because it’s probably a fake story.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you’re right, and that video was filmed behind Harper’s house and that woman was a server, then that whole story was fake. Kiefer filmed it just like he’d film a movie scene. That woman and the kid were probably actors. That whole thing was just a made-up story to make Gleason look like a hero so people will vote for him.” Garret walks off toward the bedroom. “Come on. If you want to run, we need to get going.”

I stand there, thinking about what he said. I guess I should’ve known it was a made-up story. I’ve seen Gleason being interviewed on TV and he doesn’t seem like the type of guy who would save a kid on a beach. He seems completely self-absorbed, not interested in helping anyone but himself. I can see why he’s not appealing to voters. That’s why the organization needed that fake story. They need to get Gleason ahead in the polls so they can rig the election and have him win without people questioning it.

“Jade, let’s go.” Garret’s yelling at me from the bedroom.

I meet him in there. “So if Kiefer made that video, it means he’s involved with the organization and he knows about the election fraud.”

Garret’s in his shorts and t-shirt and putting his shoes on. “We already knew that about him.”

“Not really. Before we were just guessing. Now it’s confirmed.”

“Jade, it doesn’t matter what Kiefer’s doing because we’re staying out of all that shit, so stop thinking about it.” He walks out of the bedroom. “I’m getting some water. You want some?”

“No, I’m good.”

Sometimes I wonder if Garret knows more about Kiefer than he’s telling me. Pearce knows what’s going on with Kiefer and maybe he told Garret. If so, he’d tell Garret not to tell me because he’d worry I’d tell Harper. I’m sure she doesn’t know what her dad is involved in. I wonder if Harper’s mom, Kelly, even knows.

I hear Garret open the back door that leads to the beach. “Jade, we have to go.”

“Yeah, I’m coming. Hold on.”

Garret and I go on a short run, then shower and head to class. I have chemistry this morning. I took chemistry last spring but this is part two. I should’ve taken it last year, but back then I hadn’t declared a major so didn’t know what classes to take. I also had calculus last year but have to take another semester of it. So now I’m stuck taking chem 2, organic chem, and organic chem lab, along with advanced calculus and my psych class. I’m not looking forward to this semester.

After class, I go to the coffee shop, which is where Garret and I are meeting for lunch. He’s not there when I arrive, so I find us a table and sit down.

I see Sara behind the counter. She looks really tired.

“Were you up all night?” I ask when she comes over.

“Yeah.” She lets out a laugh. “You know what’s funny? For most people my age, that question would refer to partying. But for me it means I spent the night massaging baby gums with teething ointment.”

“So he’s not getting any better, huh?”

“The stuff I put on his gums seemed to help. Poor little guy. I feel bad he’s in so much pain. I went online and found some other things to try. I kind of figure it out as I go, you know?” She frowns. “That makes me sound like a terrible mom, doesn’t it?”

“Not at all. I’m sure there’s a lot to learn about taking care of a baby.”

She sighs. “There’s so much to learn. I have some books but they don’t tell you half the stuff you need to know.”

The door to the coffee shop opens and Garret walks in. Sara straightens up and smooths her apron as he approaches the table.

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