Her mother began to speak then, quickly and very quietly. She had managed to sneak into Taured’s office one night and call Summer’s grandparents. They’d gone to the bank and put money in Lorraine’s account so she could buy plane tickets. They were going to board a flight to Albuquerque, where they’d be picked up in her grandparents’ minivan. Lorraine told her the rest of the details in a voice that didn’t sound like hers at all.

“What did they say when you spoke to them?”

Lorraine looked at her hands, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

“That I was in a cult. That they’d help me.”

Summer frowned considering her mother’s words. A cult? Could that be true? What was a cult, anyway—rules and religion?

“Aren’t they in a cult, too?”

Her mother cracked a smile, her dimple flashing. “You’ll have a hard time convincing them of that.”

They drove in silence the rest of the way. Up front, the cabbie listened to R & B, turning it up when Biggie came on. He didn’t speak except to ask what airline they were flying. When he dropped them at the curb, her mother paid him in twenties, thanking him profusely. Where had she gotten this cash? Summer felt like she didn’t know anything anymore.

“Come on.” Lorraine grabbed her by the wrist and walked her through the doors. Summer trotted alongside her mother until they reached a trash can at the far end of the passenger drop-off area.

“What are you doing, Mama?” She stumbled over her own feet as it dawned on her exactly what she was doing.

Her mother was looking down into her bag when she said: “Sometimes, the key to not being seen is being seen.”

Then, with a flick of her wrist, her mother tossed the gun inside and dusted off her hands. Summer looked around to see if anyone had noticed. Her mother had done it fast enough—hadn’t she?

All around them, the airport was being the airport, an endless hustle of bodies and luggage.

“Let’s go.” Lorraine grabbed her hand this time and led her through the doors, the air-conditioning as violent against her skin as the heat had been moments ago. They fell into step, walking toward the counter, Summer’s heart pattering like a frightened animal. She was as tall as her mother now, her legs longer; she wished they could run instead of walk.