Page 39 of Rock and a Hard Place

She let the floodgates open and mourned the loss of hermom and her sister. She cried because she would never get ready for a party with them. Her mom would never meet Peter and never see her graduate high school. She cried because of what her life had once been and would never be again.

She released tears of frustration at being dumped at her aunt’s lonely, loveless house. She missed her dad so much, but felt angry that he abandoned her. She cried for her lack of friends and freedom. She’d put on a brave front for so long, but now the façade crumbled. Finally, she cried for herself and Peter, both robbed of a normal childhood, for very different reasons. Tonight was to be their time, their turn, just a simple evening together.

Never in her life had she felt so alone.

The days following the botched homecoming dance and his dad’s heart attack flew by. The heart specialists assured the family that his dad was out of danger but needed to rest. In an attempt to force his dad to take it easy, Peter’s mom rented a house on Venice Beach in California. Life fell back into a normal pattern of concerts, interviews, and regular calls to Libby. Peter still felt awful about standing her up at homecoming, but she told him to stop apologizing; family should always come first.

If there was an upside to the heart attack, it was Peter’s sudden freedom from his parents. His mom spent all hertime hovering while his dad became more ornery over his new diet and restricted activity.

Peter pulled on a baseball hat, inserted his earbuds, and slid on a pair of sunglasses. “Going for a run,” he yelled as he left. After a few warm-up stretches, he stepped through the dry sand and punched in Libby’s number. When he hit the packed sand near the low morning tide, he broke into a jog. The salty scent of ocean air filled his senses. He loved spending time on the coast.

“You’re right on time,” Libby answered.

Peter smiled. The sound of her voice always made his day, like when a great song popped into his head. “Yeah, well, I’m still sucking up so you won’t dump me.”

“Stop it. I’ve told you a million times, it’s okay. How’s your dad today?”

“Better than ever. My mother’s been driving him nuts with all her attention. Every time he starts to work, she threatens to call 911. He sees the doctor for a follow-up tomorrow. I think Mom is loving every minute of control until the doctor gives him the okay to work again.”

“That’s great he’s doing so well.”

“Yeah, but he’s always blasting the TV. To annoy my mom, he’s been watching Charlie’s Angels movies over and over. It’s driving her nuts.” Peter loved his dad’s tactics.

“My mom loved the Charlie’s Angels television show. She used to watch it when she was a little girl. In fact, shewanted to name me Jill after Jill Munroe, one of the characters, but my dad wouldn’t let her.”

“You, a Jill? I don’t think so. Libby is much spunkier. Fits you better.”

“Plus, I don’t have the sex appeal of the actress that played her.”

“Now there I’ll disagree.” Libby was more beautiful than any movie star. She just didn’t know it, which he loved about her.

“You’re sucking up again.”

“Never!” He laughed.

“Okay, and now you’re breathing heavy. Where are you running today?”

He dodged a woman walking a fluffy little dog. “The beach. Where are you?”

“Just arriving at Parfrey’s Glen.”

“I wish I was there.”

“Well, I wish I was in Southern California on a warm beach, not blustery late November in Wisconsin. All the leaves are off the trees and everything looks dead and cold. It could snow any minute.”

He imagined her bundled up against the cold, holding the collar of her coat closed so the sharp wind wouldn’t bite so hard. He pictured her rosy cheeks and windblown hair. “I know, but hang tough. It won’t be long now, and you won’t have to live there anymore. Did you fill out thepassport forms yet?” He’d been hatching a plan to get her out. If things went his way, she’d join him on their European tour and finish high school via homeschooling like he did.

“They’re filled out, but I don’t know how we’ll get them signed without a parent.”

“Don’t worry. I’m working on it. Once my mom isn’t so freaked out about my dad, I’ll tell her everything. There is no way she won’t step forward and help. When she sees an injustice, she’ll move heaven and earth to fix it. She’ll deal with your aunt and take over guardianship.”

“Are you sure? She’s never even met me. Why would she do that?”

“Because she cares about me, and she always supports everything I do. You’re part of my life and living with your aunt can’t continue.” His mom had the biggest heart, and he knew she’d be moved by Libby’s situation. He hadn’t mentioned it before because he wanted to respect Libby’s privacy. But the more he learned about her home life, the more he worried.

“I can’t believe you’re going to get me out of here. It’s like a fairy tale and you’re going to rescue me from the evil queen.”

“Yeah, I’ll have to get my white horse out of the stable to make it complete.” He dodged a rogue wave that washed ashore and threatened to soak him.

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