Page 94 of A Hard Fit

“Where’s the bathroom?” Bryson squeaked, holding tight to his crotch.

“Uh…” Finn pointed down the hall, and Bryson was off like a shot. Finn stuck his head around the corner to make sure Bryson found the right room, then turned to head out onto the walk.

Liz was hunched over at the door Bryson had emerged from, collecting fast food bags and candy wrappers out of the backseat. Cali had not appeared yet. Finn shuffled forward to greet them.

“Liz. Hi,” Finn said.

His sister stood and turned to face him. She looked older than he remembered, hints of gray on the crown of her head visible in the strawberry-blonde waves, laugh lines deeper around her eyes. Of course, Finn supposed he looked older, too.

“Hey Finn. Did Bryson find the bathroom?”

“Yup.” He wondered if he should hug her, but the awkward pause stretched on until they had passed the acceptable window of time for initiating such an action, so instead he looked into the backseat. Cali was lost in a book.

“Earth to Cali!” Liz said. “We are actually here, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

Cali made an irritated noise and snapped her book shut. “I know.”

“Hi, Cali,” Finn said.

She sighed and unbuckled her seatbelt. “Hi.”

“What are you reading?”

She climbed out of the car, squinting at him and shouldering a backpack. “Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry.”

“Oh, that’s a good one.”

Her look was pure skepticism. “You’ve read it?”

“Sure have. It was one of your mom’s favorites. I saw it lying around so much that I gave it a go.”

Cali’s nod was solemn. “Cool.”

“Cali has promised not to read the entire weekend, haven’t you, Cali?” Liz smoothed Cali’s hair. “Engage in conversation, even. I told her she was only allowed to pack two books.”

Cali rolled her eyes and ducked out from under her mom’s hand, muttering a response that Finn couldn’t make out.

“Anyway,” Liz said, slightly strained, “give us a hand with the bags, Cal.”

“I can help,” Finn said, following them to the trunk. “Which one is yours, Cali?”

“It’s okay, I got it,” she said, reaching for a worn blue duffel.

“Please, let me.” Finn hefted it out and nearly pulled a muscle. It felt like it was full of rocks…or books. Cali stared at him, tight-lipped. He winked at her.

Cali and Liz collected Bryson’s things and other road trip shrapnel from the backseat, then the three of them headed into the house.

Bryson was rooted to the rug in the front hall, staring up at Finn’s painting.

“Oh my God, Bryson, I had to carry your bag,” Cali grumbled, shoving his backpack at him.

“What is this?” Bryson asked, attention not wavering from the canvas.

Cali rolled her eyes. “A painting, stupid.”

“Cali!” Liz said through clenched teeth. “What did we talk about in the car?”

“It’s calledHome,” Finn told him, trying to set Cali’s bag down without a thump.

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