Page 45 of Class Act

“How did you know how to get here?” I asked, shocked.

“We have a spare phone at home to use for emergencies,” Henry answered while Hillary sniffled. “I know how to use the maps.”

I was completely confused about how he’d have gotten my address, but now wasn’t the time to be asking too many questions. I crouched down and took Hillary in my arms, careful not to bump my hurt wrist, and patted her little back as she sobbed against my shoulder. I wanted to lecture them on the big mistake they’d made, but I quickly realized that the terror she was feeling was punishment enough. As for Henry, I didn’t believe for a minute that he hadn’t been a little frightened when he’d realized how far from home they’d come and that his little sister was melting down. I didn’t see either of them repeating this misadventure. The next order of business was to get them home, immediately.

“Does your dad know you’re gone?” I asked as I set Hillary slightly away from me, keeping my good hand on her shoulder.

“No. Daddy will be so mad,” she wept.

“He might. It’s because he loves you. He’s probably so worried.”

Hiccups sounded as she sniffled. “I know. I was so scared. That was a long ride.”

“Why didn’t you turn around when you saw the big roads?” I asked, brushing at the hair that was stuck to her face with tears. I looked to Henry, who shrugged.

“I don’t know,” she replied shakily, answering for them both.

“Okay. Well, I’ll call your dad.”

This was a terrible time to not have my car. I’d planned to have one of my parents take me up to Ford’s tonight, but that didn’t solve anything right now.

“I dropped your cookies three times.” Hillary pointed at the bag next to her bike. “Now they’re crumbs.” Big tears spilled again, and I patted her back.

“I love cookie crumbs.”

“You do?”

“Sure. They’re really good on ice cream.”

She wiped her nose on her sleeve. “Really?”

“Definitely. Come on inside, you two.”

We left the bag of cookie crumbs outside as I ushered them in and found my phone. I was scrolling through my phone, looking for the number I needed, when my own phone rang, and I jumped to answer it before looking at the caller ID. Maybe Ford had realized they were missing and was calling me to see if I knew where they were.

“Hello?”

“Hey, when did you want to go grab your car?” My dad asked. “I’m driving past your street now on my way home, if it’s a good time.”

“Yes!” I practically yelled it. “That’s perfect. I need a ride immediately.”

“Um, okay.” He sounded confused, which was zero surprise. “Everything okay?”

“Ford’s kids are here, he doesn’t know it, and I need to get them home.”

“I’ll look forward to hearing that story later,” Dad replied, unruffled as ever. “I’m two minutes out.”

I hung up and smiled at the two blonde adventurers. “My dad is coming right now. He’ll give us a ride to your house.”

Hillary teared up again. “It was a long ride.”

“I know, honey,” I soothed, rubbing her upper back in light circles.

“Now two dads will be mad at us,” Henry mumbled.

I shook my head and moved my hand from Hillary to him. “That’s not true. My dad won’t be angry. He’s happy to help you. Let’s wait outside for him, okay?”

I put on shoes and grabbed my purse so I could lock up the condo. We gathered up their bikes, and as we did so a headache began to form behind my eyes. I was technically supposed to be resting through the remainder of this day, but Hillary and Henry were far more important than my stupid head trauma. I kept thinking that even after Dad arrived it was still going to take us ten minutes to get there by car thanks to traffic and stoplights. I couldn’t imagine how long it had taken their little legs to pedal the distance.

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