Page 32 (1/1)

"I mean it," I say "Please Just, like, threeto follow the house rules and stop doing weird shit?"

I hesitate "I can’t say for sure," I say quietly "And I also don’t think I’m crazy, Trey Not anyreat"

"No, I knohat you’re thinking, but I feel perfectly nor to sound really weird, I know, but I think I’ that’s going to happen Like a psychic thing" I pause, trying to gauge his reaction "So when this event does happenit should hopefully all be over for good" Unless there’s another crash after thisBut I don’t say that I can’t stand the thought of that Besides, I need to get through this one first

Trey looks dubious Finally he says, "How do you know it’s happening on Valentine’s?"

I bite my lip and look down at the carpet Shakeit out But I prohs heavily and throws his hands in the air "Sure, whatever Okay So Sunday, we’re telling Morin wide "Yes Thank you"

"Justbe safe, okay? I’ me Or, I knohy don’t you just stay home like you’re supposed to"

I nod to appease him, and for the first time in my life, I look my dear brother, my best friend, in the eye, and I lie et a free otti’s using star 67 to hidelike I have to try Luckily, a wo I need a reservation for eight people this Saturday night at seven," I say, trying to sound rich and ihs "For Valentine’s Day? We’ve been booked solid for weeks The only ti I’m very sorry"

I squinch my eyes shut "I can assure you we’ll make it worth your while I need the t tables, please Seven pm Six forty-five would also work if seven isn’t available"

She hesitates "I’m very sorry, ma’a customer," I say "May I please speak to the owner? Perhaps we can work so out so I don’t have to take my business elsewhere"

She clears her throat impatiently, and I kno it’s Sawyer’s mother and I’m toast "I am one of the owners," she says, and I hear the authority rising in her voice, yet she remains calm "And I’m sorry, but as I said, and as I continue to say, we are booked solid I am unable to fulfill your needs at that particular ti instead?"

Trey peeks his head out the door and I wave hi up before she can respond, and then I go back inside My mind won’t stop

• • •

At one thirty in the ure out all the pieces of the puzzle And all I know is that I just have to try one more time to convince Sawyer to believe ht now

By two I’veanybody up, and I’ the beat cop doesn’t decide to coht nohip , andup to the low thirties or so, according to the forecast, and the weekend snow is about to start Out here, before the snow falls, it’s so quiet that you’d never knoe’re in a suburb of the third-largest city in the United States

I’ three feet from thethat will shatter Four fro I can see the clock inside thanks to the e, and I synchronize my old Mickey Mouse watch

Out here, a few feet to the left of the , there’s an old gasI hadn’t been able to get close enough to see before now--and I guess that the kitchen is on the other side of it It’s where the truck hits That explains the explosion I wonder what ignites everything once the gas flows freely Or does it happen inside, as lines

I stare at the back of the building,and hoill happen

Init for practically an hour, debating, not daring to intrude again and risk rejection oncehe keeps his phone on all night like I keep s five times in my ear, and then it clicks He says in a deep, sleepy voice, "Yeah?"

"Hi," I say softly, and I realize I didn’t plan this out "It’sit’s me Can you, um, come down? Out back?" I’m an idiot

I hear a whoosh of breath, and feedback like his phone jostles, like he’s sitting up in bed, like he’s confused and thinking, and I expect a multitude of exasperated questions like "Who is this?" and "Are you insane?" But those don’t come