Joel smiled and nodded his approval. He had read enough comic books that the idea of creating a diversion clearly pleased him. “I know. I’ll put a dishcloth on one of the stove burners and start a fire in the kitchen. Then, while Mom’s trying to put it out, you could sneak her out the back.”

I looked at him. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Just ask her to help you with your homework.”

“What kind of distraction is that?”

“If the house is on fire, we’re all in trouble.”

“I don’t have any homework.”

“Make some up.”

The shower shut off.

“Just give us five minutes. Make sure Mom’s in the kitchen. I’ll take Grace out through our bedroom window.”

“I can’t believe you’re in there with a naked girl.”

“Just do it.” I shut and locked the door.

“Could you get me a towel?” Grace whispered.

I took one from the towel rack and turning my head handed it around the corner of the shower. “Joel got you some clothes.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll just put them on the floor. You can wear them until yours are dry. My parents think I’m showering, so I need to stay in here. I promise I won’t look.”

“Okay.”

A few minutes later she stepped out of the shower. “I’m dressed.” I turned around. She looked better, though it was odd seeing her in my clothes. She looked at herself in the mirror and grinned. “I’ve never worn boy’s underwear before.”

Joel knocked again on the door. He held some socks. His math textbook was under his arm.

“Hi, Joel,” Grace said.

“Hi.” He frowned at me. “I already know how to do all this.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said. He started to walk away. “Wait.”

“What?”

“Is Dad still in the living room?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Go.” We waited a few more minutes before I again peeked out the door. I could hear my mother talking. I turned back to Grace. She was wrapping her wet clothes in a towel. “Let’s go.”

Grace followed me around the corner to our bedroom. I locked the door behind us. “We’ll go out the window.”

“What about my shoes?”

I hadn’t thought about that. “You’ll have to wear my snow boots. They’re in the kitchen. You better hide in the closet while I get them.”

She went inside, crouching beneath a curtain of hanging clothes. I shut the door and walked out to the kitchen, trying my best to look like I wasn’t hiding a girl in my bedroom closet. Joel looked at me quizzically.

My mother looked up. “I thought you took a shower.”

“I did.”

“And you put the same clothes back on?”

“I mean, I’m about to take a shower.”