On Saturday, Mr. Sanchez calls me to let me know that Tony had arrived at their house in Kanab. The boy had tried to swear the old man to secrecy, but Mr. Sanchez is having none of that. “I told him a man doesn’t ask another man to lie. Secrecy is a lie.”

“Thank you. I’m going to see if I can fly down and get him. I just have to…”

“No hurry. He’s safe here. But, Justine, this is serious. A kid shouldn’t run away.”

“He’s still mad that I moved him.”

“How’s that worked out for you?”

“I’m sure he’s told you; the restaurant never even opened. I’m temping for now.”

“I’m sorry to hear it.”

For one second, I wonder if he’s going to offer me our apartment back. Would I take that awful motel job again? No. That ship has sailed. “I thought that he was okay here.”

“He’s a boy without a good male influence, a kid who has never had any stability in his life beyond a loving mother. Justine, sometimes you just need more than good intentions.”

Mr. Sanchez is breaking my heart with something I already know. I used to tell Tony that we were on a voyage of adventure, who knew what new and exciting things lay ahead of us. In the end, our voyage has hit the shoals and I have only one choice to make.

Chapter 45

45

“You missed your pals this morning.” Lil swipes the countertop with a rag. “They got worried.”

“That’s dumb. Now I have to call in sick if I miss a morning?” Ed goes past his usual stool and slides into a booth. Alice is across the street at the tiny town green with Buddy and a plastic bag. “I can’t spend Saturday with my wife?”

“Hey, I’m just saying they were looking for you.” Lil hefts the Bunn coffeepot. “Can I start you?”

“Thanks.” Ed sees Alice come back across the street and pop Buddy back into the minivan. She rolls the windows down just enough. She sees Ed watching her and waves.

Ed isn’t sure what’s happened, only that he feels pretty good today.

Alice slips into the booth opposite him. “He’ll be fine out there. We won’t be long.”

“He sits out there every morning waiting for me. He likes to keep tabs on all the comings and goings, the little mayor of Moodyville.”

“You won’t be able to do this in the summer, though. You can’t leave a dog in a hot car.”

“I know. Maybe I’ll do something else in the summer.”

Alice studies the plastic menu. Ed has it memorized. They both order grilled cheese—his with tomato, hers without.

When Lil comes with their order, she slips a little bag of bacon onto the table. “For my pal out there.”