Twisted Roots (DeBeers 3)

to regret this.'

"What difference does it make what I regret and

don't regret? I just want to do something good for someone and you're right: Taking Uncle Linden out of there is the best thing we can do for him. At least

someone really wants me, needs me."

"Two someones," Heyden said. "Don't forget

me."

"I won't," I said, smiling through my fury and

drying my eyes. "I'll get right on it." he promised. "Oh. I can't use the car anymore. Heyden. How

are we going to get back to Uncle Linden to tell him

we're really going to do it and he should get his

money transferred?"

"We'll use my moped. It will take us longer, but

we can get over there. When we have to take him to

the bank, we'll get a taxicab. These aren't big

problems. Hannah. Trust me. I'll solve it all and take

over from here."

"How can I do that? Mommy and Miguel are

going to be sure I come right home from school. I've

been forbidden to set foot off the property." "So go right home. You can sneak out

afterward, can't you?" "Yes. I suppose I can." All these little acts of disobedience were like

little lies. tiny leaks that soon gushed and took over

completely.

"Then there's no problem. We'll plan it all out

in school tomorrow. Start packing," he said. And that was just what I thought I would begin

to do.

.

The following morning Heyden and I met like

two conspirators in school, keeping ourselves far

enough away from anyone else so no one could

overhear any of our conversation. Half the time I