Page 56 of The Locker Room

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Finally, in August, they packed up the Toyota with bedding and

clothes, and Xander"s graduation gift from Andi and Jed, a complete set

of luggage.

“We know you"ll be leaving, sweetie,” Andi had said then, tearing

up because that"s what she did, “but you need to know that you"ll always

have a home with us. You never have to live out of a garbage bag again,

okay?”

Xander had nodded, speechless, and hugged her, and he hugged her

the same way as they were leaving. He had seen his mother, on occasion,

as she wandered through the neighborhood, high, or drunk, often with a

different man shouting at her to hurry. He could barely remember a time

when he had felt anything for her but fear and disgust. One night, not

long after he"d come to live with Chris"s family, Andi had heard him

crying, and when she"d sat by the head of the couch and stroked back his

hair, she asked him why.

I"m a terrible person. I don"t deserve to be here.

You"re a sweet boy. Tell me what you think you"ve done wrong.

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49

Shouldn"t I at least miss her? She was a good mom, once. She used

to feed me and stuff.

Andi"s hands had stilled on his hair.She deserted you, Xander. The

part that you should miss, she died, and you"ve mourned her and lived

without her. The part that"s left, that part doesn"t know you, and you

have the right to walk away.

The luggage had the Edwards"s family address printed on it. The

message was clear. He and Chris might have beengoingaway, but he

wasn"twalkingaway. He had a home. He had a family. And Andi was

right. He wasn"t going to live out of a garbage bag ever again.

Both of them had been hugged fiercely by Andi, and Jed, and even

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