Page 9 of Run Away Home: Tempered

“How did you do it, Peter?” Danny asks.

“How’d I do what?”

“I mean, a new school is scary, but a new country?”

“It was a relief, actually. Getting away. A fresh start. You should be excited too.”

“What’s for breakfast?” I ask.

“Eggs, cheese, bacon, whole wheat toast,” Peter answers.

“Coffee?”

“This isn’t a diner.” He smiles and brings me a plate and a cup of coffee. I smile too. He starts cleaning again.

“Anyway,” Danny interjects, “you weren’t scared when you left Scotland?”

“No.”

“Oh. Well, you were all beaten up. Did you get into a fight?”

“No, Danny, and stop your fixation with fights. No fighting.”

“Whatever,” Danny says. “What happened to you, then? You never talk about it.”

“Nothing.”

“Something happened, Peter. You had broken bones.”

“I’m clumsy. I fell.”

“Your parents didn’t take you to a doctor?”

“Didn’t I tell you they were both dead?”

“Yeah, well...no one took you to a doctor?”

“No, Danny. I was on my own.”

Peter’s story issostrange. It really doesn’t make much sense. I’ve come up with my own theories of what happened, but none of those make much sense either. I’m so curious.

It’s my turn to talk. I’m hoping for a miracle.

Positive change.

“So, let me get this straight,” I say. “You lived by yourself in Scotland because both of your parents died. You fell down and got really hurt. Then, you somehow came to the United States?”

“Bingo,” he says. “You’re so smart, Hayley.”

He’s being sarcastic again. I guess there won’t be anypositive changetoday, after all. Or maybe the change isn’t for him? Who else might make a positive change today? I look over at Danny.

“Yeah. Howdidyou get here?” Danny asks.

“What?”

“Like, did you take a plane?”

“No. No...” His voice is soft as he continues scrubbing the stove.

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