Page 68 (2/2)

I opened the front door, listening to the bell rang overhead for the last time "You’ll watch after them? Emma and Lizzie?"

"I’ll make sure their tea and cocoa is never too hot"

After we said goodbye, I headed out of the shop, ju with Zeus We drove for hours I wasn’t certain where I was going, or if I even had a place to go, but ht then

I pulled up to the house after three in the ht was still on As a kid, I’d stayed out past curfeay too often and hadhell for theht on to letfor o in?" I asked Zeus, as curled up in the passenger seat of the car, wagging his tail "Okay Let’s go in"

Once I stood on the porch, I knocked a total of five times before I heard the door unlock Dad and Mo at host I cleared my throat "Look, I know I’ve been a shit son this past year I know I disappeared and didn’t say a word I know I’ve been lost and wandering around into find s before I left, bla you for what happened But I…" My hand brushed over my mouth before I stuffedaround the invisible rocks on the ground "I was just wondering if I could stay here for a while Because, I’ But I don’t think I can do it alone anymore I just need…um…I just need my mom and dad for a while, if that’s okay"

They stepped onto the porch, wrapping their arms around ht

Elizabeth

"What do you ripped the railing of the countertop in his shop as he stoodme a cup of tea on Friday afternoon I’d just dropped Erandparents’ house for their sleepover, and seeing how I hadn’t seen or heard fro point I needed to talk to hio I’one, which scared ainst ainst the wooden floor "Well, where did he go?"

"I don’t know, Liz"

I chuckled, nerves and worry building inside of me "He won’t answer my calls" My jaw shook as tears formed in my eyes My shoulders rose and fell "He won’t answer my calls"