Page 60 of Rumi: The Hawthornes

“It’s never going to fit,” I called over my shoulder as I started toward the door.

“Bet me.”

I shook my head and went inside to talk to my manager. Lying didn’t seem like the best way to get out of work, but I was surprised that telling her the truth actually worked. She sent me off with a hug and a grin, telling me to celebrate for her too. It was really fucking weird, but I happily raced to get my stuff so I could leave. When I got outside, Bird was sitting smugly in the front seat of my car and his bike was disassembled and stuffed into the back seat.

“I locked my car,” I said flatly as I climbed in beside him.

“There’s locking and there’slocking,” he countered.

“No, there’s only locking,” I replied, staring at him. “Did you break into my car?”

“I didn’t break anything,” he said defensively. “And look, I’m all ready to go and you don’t have to wait on me.”

“Stop breaking into cars,” I ordered, staring at him.

“Cars, plural?” He grinned at me. “Or just yours?”

“Do not break into anyone else’s cars.”

“I won’t.”

“I’m serious, you little criminal.”

“I only break into yours,” he conceded, lifting his hands in surrender. “And Nana’s when she locks the keys inside.”

“Pop never should have taught you how,” I grumbled, putting my key into the ignition.

“Don’t worry about me,” he said happily, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m too smart to get caught.”

As I drove out of the lot, I swung at him, smacking him with my free hand as he laughed hysterically and tried to dodge me.

“Pay attention to the road,” he yelled, pressed against the passenger side door.

I stopped swinging with a huff, but I couldn’t keep the answering smile off of my face. He drove me crazy, but I loved the little turd and I was in a seriously fantastic mood. I’d gotten in. After a year of saving and months of waiting to make sure I’d get a spot, I was finally going to start school again. I was almost giddy.

“Nana’s making a cake,” Bird said with relish, bouncing a little in his seat. “Pop’s at the club, but he’ll be stoked when he gets home.”

“She must’ve been sure that those letters brought good news,” I said, laughing.

“We never doubted it for a second,” Bird replied. “Though we weren’t sure that you’d leave work early. I thought I’d have to ride my bike all the way home again.”

“I should’ve made you do that anyway,” I teased. “Hey, you care if we make a stop on the way home?”

There was only one person I wanted to tell my news.

“As long as we don’t stay forever,” Bird replied happily.

“Just a quick stop,” I replied, turning down Rumi’s street.

His truck and his bike were both in the driveway, so I parked along the sidewalk.

“Seriously, No,” Bird called as I climbed out of the car. “Cake!Don’t take forever!”

“I won’t,” I assured him, slamming the door and then automatically bumping it with my hip. I hurried through the patchy grass, practically dancing toward the front door. When I reached it, I knocked and let myself in.

And everything inside me turned to ice. I stopped breathing. Stopped moving. I don’t even think I blinked.

It was impossible to look away.

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