I hear Carly saying goodbye to customers and then she comes back to the kitchen. We put our coats on.

“Whoo, today felt twice as long,” she says, winding her scarf around her neck as we walk to the front door.

All the words I need to ask are right there in my brain, ready. But Adam is waiting outside.

“Cold tonight,” he says as Carly locks the door. He blows clouds into the air. I want him to go away. In the shadow of the doorway his face is hidden and I can’t remember what his eyes look like.

“Yeah, you’re not kidding,” Carly says, shoving her bare hands in her pockets. “Where are you parked?”

“Oh, I walked,” Adam says, even though I’m sure Carly was talking to me.

“That way.” I point toward State Street, but with a vague gesture, so I won’t give Adam too much information.

“Well, I’m over there,” she says, jogging in place. “See you!” Before I can ask about her couch or Wal-Mart, she’s bounding away like she can outrun the weather.

I’m left with Adam and he ruined my chance and I shouldn’t go home with him. You don’t go home with men you don’t know. I am certain Margo would say that. I don’t want to ask him where Wal-Mart is, because if he knows about boondocking, he’ll know where to find me, and maybe asking will insult him. Margo would also say you have to watch out about making men mad.

“My place is up the hill.” Adam points in the opposite direction of my car.

“Have a good night,” I say, trying to keep my words friendly.

“Do you want—”

“I’ve got it figured out. Have a good night.” I run away at the same pace Carly did, so hopefully it looks like I’m running because of the weather, not because I’m trying to escape.

— Chapter 14 —

There’s a party four houses down from where I parked. I don’t have the energy to walk over and see if it’s a place where I could spend time. All the people who came into the coffee shop left words in my head and I just want quiet.

The streetlight flickers. We don’t even have streetlights in Little River. When it’s dark, it’s just dark, and if you need light, you bring your own. I get in my car and don’t start the engine.