“That kid with the bike is out there,” said Kate, who actually ate yogurt with a few quinoa puffs sprinkled on top. Like about seven. It was a start.

“It’s Rodney’s friend,” said my mom. “Want to ask him in for breakfast?” she asked me.

“No. We’re going for a ride,” I said. Ben didn’t seem like the kind of friend who would want to come in to meet my mom or sister. He was too wild.

“Okay, honey. Be safe and have fun.”

Before I could get out the door, she asked about protective gear. “I noticed that some of the kids wear knee and elbow pads. Should I get that for you? I’m getting paid soon.”

The grateful and excited way she said it made me feel sort of sad.

“It’s okay. We’re just bombing around.”

“I know some kids like to do tricks and things on their bikes. I want you to be safe.”

“We will. And I’m not good enough to do tricks yet.”

“Oh good,” she said. “That’s a relief.” And then she laughed.

Ben and I rode over to meet Fisherman, who was waiting for us by the school.

“Hope you guys brought a lunch this time,” said Fisherman. “We can’t go into my aunt’s kitchen again. She’ll tell my dad and then I’ll get it.”

“Your aunt and uncle at home?” asked Ben.

“They’re at an auction. Farm equipment.”

The morning was like every morning in Stony Butte. Bright and cool. The sky was crossed with pink and orange streaks. If I had no brain filled with memories and wonderings and worries, I’d have been bright green. When my brain forgot to think, the way it did when I was riding a bike, or stealing, or petting King, or talking to Ben or Rigmor, I even felt sort of happy. That was a surprise. How things can be terrible but then they can change to be not-terrible just by thinking about something else or doing something else.

We didn’t talk while we pedaled. They were on mountain bikes and I was on my BMX, so I was even slower than usual. Finally, Ben told me to hang onto his seat and he towed me. Fisherman had a bottle of water stuck in a cage on the frame of his bike, and Ben wore a little backpack with a hose running from it that he drank from. I totally forgot to bring water. Not a smart thing to do in the desert. I guess I was still getting used to being the kind of person who goes outside without an adult and does adventures.