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My heart broke a little thinking of Reed’s reaction "Was he angry?" I asked, suddenly feeling sick and leaning into Sarah’s counter to holdto tell you Nolan, he was so upset over you and everything you were going through," she said, stopping herself short when I snappedthrough?" I asked, praying she hadn’t told Reed every detail oflife

"Yeah, Nolan Reed and I, we’ve been talking A lot You’re going to get pissed and find this out eventually, so you ht as well kno I’m worried about you Sienna’s worried about you You’re flunking out, losing your scholarships You’re a ," she said, her shoulders sagging again with the weight of it all

I heldto her words, embarrassed and asha it I was the together one I didn’t fall apart And the thought that Reed was just being nice tohahead of yourself, I can tell," Sarah said, forcing s out It’s not pity"

"Sarah, how do you know? What if it’s all just guilt?" I said,a little rab your shit; we’re going hoet another word in It was her style Tough and to-the-point, and I kneas better off following her directions I also knew I’d continue to worry silently

Sarah and I were just turning onto theme out of my self-pity funk for just a moment I reached into my console and pushed until I found the talk button and put the phone to my ear

"Hello?" I asked, not sure as calling

"Hey, honey,"a little flat and depressed

"Oh, hi I didn’t see the number Sarah and I are on our way I just have to drop her off then I’ll be ho ho…"in a million directions over what her next round of news could be I was slowing down on the highway now, and Sarah was staring ata bit with panic

"No, no…honey, don’t worry Everyone is fine Everyone is just fine," she continued, knowing that I was i the worst "It’s the house We…we had a s It was the laundry roo about the dryer vent"

I relaxed i co "Oh, thank God Well, do I have to sleep on the sofa or so I shared a ith the laundry rooer than that, I’m afraid The fire destroyed your entire roo me the news I was just so relieved that everyone was okay, and that it was only a fire, only stuff

"It’s okay, really lad you and Dad are okay," I said, trying to calain when I spoke "Well, what’s the plan then? Are we going to a hotel for a bit? Do they just board it up?"

"Ohhh, nooooooo Honey, it’s bigger than that,"as she spoke "We’re going to need to live with grandrandpa for a while Your dad and I have the truck packed, and the insurance adjusters are cos out Work will be slow over the holidays, but we should be back in by spring"

Suddenly, the gravity of everything hit s--it was Reed I wouldn’t be near hiht now "Do…do we have to?" my voice broke a little as I spoke

"I know it’s really awful tiht now," my mom said "Hold on…" I heard herin the background At this pause, Sarah slapped at ri on"