Page 29 of Speeding Hearts

“Anything.”

“I’m going to need you to check on Dad for me.”

I heard her sucking in a breath. Mom and Dad rarely spoke, and I knew the idea of going there was as thrilling to her as a root canal.

“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. I just don’t want to leave Stella alone right now.”

There was a pause, then Mom said, “Alright. But you have to promise to tell me everything about this Stella.”

It was a small price to pay.

* * *

An hourlater and with a fresh bandage covering a half-dozen stitches, Stella emerged from clinic, looking sheepish.

“This was so stupid,” she said, holding up her arm.

“The Back Track likes to leave its mark. It’s happened to the best of us.” I pulled up the sleeve of my t-shirt where a thin scar ran along my shoulder. “I got this one when I was Freddie’s age, doing exactly what you were doing, except with an illegally obtained stock car.”

“You stole a car?” Stella’s mouth hung open.

Good, the shock had displaced her embarrassment.

“Is it stealing when your uncle leaves the cars unlocked?”

“Yes.”

I laughed. “Okay, then yes, I stole the car.”

As we got into the truck, Stella’s stomach audibly growled.

“When’s the last time you ate?” I asked.

“I had some sandwiches…” She checked the time on the dash. “Eight hours ago?”

“Come on, I’m getting you a burger. Then I’ll take you to your new home.”

“Dean, I—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” I said, revving up the engine. “It’s no trouble, and we’ll figure out everything later. Right now, food. Then, rest.”

She yawned as if on command, bringing the back of her hand up to her mouth. “Iamtired,” she admitted.

On the way to Mickey’s, she told me about the party last night at the motel, and how the old man next door had warned her off of giving them a piece of her mind.

“Though I hope I would have clued in once I saw them. The news on the TV at the clinic said there were warrants out for half of them.”

“Arson in broad daylight,” I shook my head. “Bold choice.”

Stella laughed, and the renewed tightness in my stomach unraveled just a little. Even though things could have been so much worse, soon I was laughing too. It was the release we both needed.

* * *

“Dean! It’s so beautiful!”Stella said as I turned off the country highway onto the drive to Mom’s house, our bellies full with the Mickey Special: a cheeseburger, fries, and a shake. Stella had only made it halfway through her milkshake before saying she was going to burst.

The sun was just going down, and even amidst the chaos of the past couple of hours, I took in the view and had to admit, it was pretty. I was so used to it, having grown up here, but I sometimes forgot just how pretty it was.

I already told Stella she wouldn’t have to worry about meeting Mom tonight; she’d be by for breakfast.

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