And China, she was probably in Penticton by now. I wished I could call her but I didn’t know her last name. Penticton should hold a Welcome Home parade for China. They should hoist her up on the roof of a souped-up Cadillac and cover her with confetti. Hail the conquering hero. Why not? They always had those parades for men who’d fought in wars.

I couldn’t keep my thoughts straight, and I wasn’t even high.

Raising my head, I saw the sky caught halfway between black and blue. The American mountains, rising from the fading fog, looked just like a faint, jagged white wall.

End-of-day traffic started up in the streets; rows of cars heading back to suburbia. I bet Dirk wasn’t driving anymore because his license was gone. He was probably pacing Yates Street with brass knuckles and a brawny buddy he’d recruited from the bar at the King’s Hotel. Maybe he was with those two burly loggers who had talked about putting Justine over their knee.

Little red-haired bitch, she owes me. She owes me big time. I’ll smash her slutty face. I’ll do damage to her, damn right. I’ll make her pay.

When I was sitting alone on the roof, all the things I’d noticed about Justine suddenly made sense.

I understood why she hacked and dyed her hair. I understood the toothbrush around her neck, the way she’d rushed down the streets.

You little red-haired bitch. I’ll find you.

I ran my hands through my hair, and it was worse than Medusa’s, but still not enough of a disguise.

I decided I’d steal some scissors and cut my hair and tear my skirt. That way I wouldn’t have to hide up here for the rest of my life. I’d find Justine now, and this time I wouldn’t be afraid. Because I understood her in a way I hadn’t before. I understood everything, even Ming’s advice. Everyone hates you. Stay off the streets.

She hadn’t stayed off the streets, and I wasn’t going to either. I knew that I’d committed a crime and Dirk could beat me up or tell the cops to throw me in jail. I didn’t really care.

China said juvie was fun.

Inside, she called it. Standing on her bed, belting back Bacardi and dancing, she’d just laughed about how they called her crime solicitation for the purposes of. Big words for a little girl, she said, ha, ha, ha. Waving the bottle in the air like a sword. Juvie is summer camp, man. The food’s good, all my friends are in there. It’s like high school without the cheerleaders and the bops. That’s what China said about jail.

I had this sudden urge to punch someone in the face.