Page 199 - My FlipBook

T R A I L O F C R U M B S

Watching her, Ash’s face relaxed. “Good. I’m glad you
could talk to her.” He cleared his throat and didn’t seem to
know where to put his hands. They settled on his hips. Greta
told him about Nate’s sleepover invitation.
“Why? We live right across the street. Why do we need
to sleep there?”
“Because he’s our friend—our only friend—and he asked.
I think he’s worried about us,” she added. Was Priya her friend

now too?
“Yeah. Okay.” She knew Ash couldn’t deny they owed
Nate big-time.
That evening they made tuna sandwiches and salad,
leaving some in the fridge for Elgin and a note on the table.
He shuffled out of his bedroom as they hauled pillows and
blankets to the door.

“Moving out?” The alarm on Elgin’s face matched his
disheveled hair and puffy eyes.
“Sleeping at Nate’s tonight,” Greta said. “He invited us.”
She felt the need to smooth his hackles, that unstable worry.
He didn’t want them to move out?
“Sandwiches in the fridge,” Ash said, pointing with his
chin because of his full hands.
“Well, enjoy yourselves,” Elgin said. “And your friend
Nate can come here sometime too.” He examined the over-

watered fern on the table.
They tromped across the street to Nate’s house, Greta
dropping her pillow in a snowbank on the way. Nate swung
the front door open before they knocked. He had made plans.

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