Page 32 of Risk It All
Max laughs. “What did your parents do?”
“They told me to watch out for viper snakes.”
“Did you go?”
“Well . . .”
Max grins. “You tried to run away to the Amazon. How old were you?”
“I was ten, and instead of running away to the Amazon, I ran to the zoo in Washington, DC.”
“All by yourself?”
I glance at him over my shoulder. “You sound surprised.”
“Nah. I did a good share of running away when I was ten too.”
I know it's not the same. When I ran away, I was being a spoiled child, whereas Max probably ran away from abusive foster parents.
“Not to the zoo,” he adds. “I wanted to live in the Exploratorium.”
“I've heard about that.” I've been to San Francisco, though never as a tourist. But I'd heard of the hands-on museum of arts and sciences.
“It's very cool for ten-year-old boys.”
We continue to walk, careful to step over leaves and brush that can house snakes or other dangerous critters.
The heat and thirst begin to take a toll. “I've changed my mind. I still want a shower when we get home, but I'd also like an ice cream sundae.”
“I don't blame you. It's still early, but it's hot. And I'm out of water. What about you?”
I nod. Both of us being out of water adds another dangerous element if we don't get to safety soon. I force myself to stop looking at my watch. It's taking much longer than I thought to reach the road. The only consolation is that don't hear signs of other people.
Eventually, the jungle starts to spread out, making it easier for us to navigate. Max is able to walk by my side. He even takes my hand, as if we're out for a stroll. I like the feeling. Like I'm connected to another human being. I still worry about having a relationship with him even though I know he won't be like Chase. He could still end up upset at the amount of time I travel and I'd resent him for trying to make me choose between the two. But Max is different. Itcouldwork. I decide to focus on that.
“Look.” Max stretches out his arm, pointing head of us.
I glance to where he indicates and see a road through the trees.
“I think we've made it,” he says with a relieved smile.
“To the road, anyway.”
“What now?”
I stop to study the area. “Let's move to the edge of the trees. If a car comes, we can decide whether to flag it down or stay hidden.”
“Is there any chance that a car coming by will have the men that were searching for us last night?” he asks.
“Probably.”
He sighs. “The adventure continues.”
We sit in the tree line, and I try not to think about how thirsty I am. I have no idea where the nearest water can be found.
The road isn't a main thoroughfare, but a fair number of cars pass by. Yet I don't feel comfortable stopping any of them. Finally, I hear the rumble of a large vehicle. Standing, I step out of the tree line just enough to look at it.
“That looks like the van from the hospital,” I say.
