Starlee's Turn (The Wayward Sons 2)

Charlie—Your grandmother had me come install wifi in her house and a Roku box. I think she wants to be able to stream all the Supernatural seasons. It only took me two hours to explain how to work the remote. I think she figured it out…

Dexter—Community service isn’t that bad. I’m mostly working with a prevention program for kids and the director is giving me some opportunities to lead. I got Jake to come and play football with them. George to do an art class. Charlie taught them all the tricks on whatever game they all think is so amazing. Maybe if they had a kitchen, I’d bake for them—haha. God, I miss you. Do you know that? Do you know how much?

That last one sent shivers up my spine, and I read those three sentences over and over again. I’m about to open one from George when my bus number is called and we’re told it’s time to board.

I feel better once I’m in my seat and I stare out the window, watching the luggage go underneath and feeling the rumble of the massive engine. Soon we’re on the road—it’s a long trip—a full seven hours, and this route is different from the one I took with my mother. We’re avoiding Death Valley, instead heading north. By tonight, I’ll be in Lee Vines. I’ll see my boys.

I’ll be back home.

5

Starlee

It’s dark when the bus finally makes the climb from the little town of Hawthorne to Lee Vines. Once I see the slope of the Sierra Mountains and the reflection of the moon in Mono Lake, I start to breathe easy. I’d made it three thousand miles on my own. After seven hours of travel and one waiting at the Hawthorne bus depot (AKA: the Shell Station) the bus finally rolls into Lee Vines at 9 p.m.—midnight back in North Carolina.

When I was here over the summer, things were still active at this time of night, but then it was still light, the sun sinking below the mountains. The boys had written that summer hours were over and things closed a bit earlier. I stepped off the bus into the much-cooler air, pulling my jacket close to my chest. Again, I’m struck by how clean the air is—no humidity--and I inhale deeply.

I’m the only one getting off the bus, and the walk to the Lodge is about two blocks away. I say goodnight to the driver, who’s headed south to June Lak

e and beyond. I start the short walk toward my grandmother’s lodge, feeling the stress fade away.

It takes everything in me not to stop at the Wayward Sun and let the boys know I’m here, but the shop lights are off and I know if I stop there before talking to Leelee, there will be hell to pay. For once in my life, I have time.

It’s not until I pass the lodge office, closed for the night, that I start to get nervous. What if Leelee turns me away? What if my mother called her and she’s already on her way? What if she beat me here? My heart hammers in my chest as I climb the steps.

I reach out my hand to the doorknob but stop myself. I can’t just walk in there. So, I wait and build up the courage and hold my hand over the wooden door to knock—it swings open just before my knuckles hit the surface.

My grandmother and I stare at one another for a long moment.

“I’m—”

“Thank god you’re safe, girl,” she says, pulling me into a tight hug. My Leelee is surprisingly strong for a woman her age. I’m so relieved to see her that I just hug her for a minute.

When we pull apart, she waves me into the house. With the door closed and bolted shut, I ask, “Did Mom call you?”

“Of course, she called me. She’s very upset.”

“I just couldn’t take it anymore. She had our whole next nine months planned. Nine months—just the two of us together. A trip to Europe.”

My grandmother grimaces. “She just can’t give you space, can she?”

“No. Not an inch.”

She sighs and ushers me into the kitchen. From the window I can see the lights of the boys’ bedrooms on the second floor of the boarding house. I want to go over so badly, but Leelee is putting the kettle on the stove. Now is not the time.

I look up and find my grandmother watching me. “So, you ran away.”

“Yeah, I guess. I’m eighteen.”

She nods. “You are, and it’s the only reason I haven’t called the police.”

“You’d call the police on me?”

“You’re putting me in a hard spot, Starlee.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I just…I couldn’t stay any longer. I felt like I was suffocating. Not that it was great before, but it’s been worse since I got back. You guys gave me a taste of freedom here, and going back home and returning to isolation and the life she wants me to lead…it’s like I’m drowning. All the time.”

The kettle whistles and Leelee pours water into two cups and drops a tea bag in each one. She walks back to the table and hands me mine. I warm my hands on the heat of the mug.