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When I looked at hiht his eyes were fixed ? My nerves were frazzled as it was Now they felt like they were snapping like strained wires My heart pounded I felt Harley slide his hand intoI didn't think I had ever seen him as happy as he was these past hours, and on the tip of ue were the words that would wipe that happiness out of histhe words I love you from a blackboard

I stared ahead thinking only of Mommy and what I would say

We stopped at a garage and Harley's father pointed to the pay phone

"If that one don't work, none of em work here," he remarked

Harley jumped out to see if there was a dial tone and waved

His grandfather caet out of the truck

He handed me the crutch and smiled "Thank you"

"No problem," he said I went to the phone Harley handed the receiver to me and our eyes locked for a moment

"I want to go home tomorrow Harley," I said

He nodded "Fine," he said "Just don't tell theed

My heart felt so heavy I glanced back at his grandfather, who stood by his truck, watching us I could blurt it out right here and now I thought, but ould it be like afterward? I was afraid for both of us

I nodded and dialed the operator to place a collect call Moments later I heard Daddy's voice

"Su on?"

"I'm fine Daddy I really am We're with Harley's fa home tomorrow I'll fly to Richmond," I said

"Your mother's beside herself here This was just crazy, just crazy"