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"Me too," he finally says "And I need to report the abandoned gear Reagan and Brett left behind Shall we?"

I nod and take a deep, steadying breath as we head to the door to the ranger station and step inside

The single-rooh the floor plan is sh wooden beaer There’s a small desk at the front and a rack of local wilderness travel books for sale In the middle of the roo stove, and in the back, near a giant wall er says with a quiet smile "We’re about to close for the day"

"We’ll be quick," Lennon assures hi o first?"

Ithe ranger about Reagan and Brett’s abandoned gear I’ alone But it seeeable, and the ranger is taking hiives o?

Go or stay?

If I stay, I don’t think Lennon and I can just forget about everything that’s happened and go back to being just friends That much I know There’s too much history between us, and that kiss prettyto bury old feelings Now I’ht back where I was, ribs cracked open and heart exposed

I wish I could ask Mom for advice, but if she kneas out here alone with LennonWell, it’s not so much her I worry about as my dad But he’d find out eventually I wish I had time to think out exactly what I need to say to her Maybe write out a script But the station is about to close, and if I’ to call her, it’s now or never

It takes ure out how to use the ancient pay phone, but after reading the posted instructions, I dig out some quarters and slip them inside Then I dial my mom’s cell phone

"Joy Everhart,"over the line

"Mom?"

"Zorie? Is that you? Are you okay?" She sounds frantic

"I’ing on the wall "I’’s Forest"

Her exhalation is loud "Dammit, Zorie I was so worried You didn’t answer my texts"

"No service out here," I say "We talked about that, reht," she says "But it’s a relief to hear your voice Wait, did you say you’re in the national park? Why aren’t you at the gla compound?"

"U to her But if I stay here with Lennon, I can’t tell her that’s what I’ Now that I’m forced to make a decision, I close my eyes and just let whatever comes out of my mouth be my choice

One, two, three--

"Reo on that backcountry trail?" I say "That’s where I a this I’hto Condor Peak?" Moht you were taking the bus Are you hiking alone?"

"It’s not that far and I’m not alone," I assure her "Dr Viraet there"

"Okay, but who are you with now?"

Crap on toast Why didn’t I write a script? "We changed our plans for the week And I’uide?"

"Soht noe’re in a caer station"

"Zorie--"

"It’s fine, I proer I’m completely safe Please trust me I need you to trust me, or I can’t enjoy this You told hs "But you are being sht?"