Imani is African American, with braids pulled into a ponytail and big brown eyes that for some reason look cautious. “Imani Walker,” she says, without getting up. “I had fun today. Sorry, but I don’t feel like talking. Maybe later.”

Sky says, “That’s okay. Whenever you’re ready.”

Something makes me think Imani has secrets like I’ve got secrets, but what hers are, exactly, I have no idea.

Which is sort of the opposite of Tony. He’s just out there, being his silly self and wanting to make friends. He grins at me. “Dude, what did one toilet say to the other? You look a bit flushed!”

“Ha. Good one.”

“Nah, it’s stupid, but I like stupid jokes. Does that make me stupid?”

“No, it makes you funny.”

“Thanks, dude! Cool. We’re here to have fun, right? Like numerous adventures and stuff. Death-defying feats.”

If we’d known how right he was about death-defying feats, we’d have bailed right then.

Supper is hot dogs on sticks toasted over the fire, and corn on the cob cooked in aluminum foil, and baked new potatoes that taste amazing with salt and pepper. Dessert is little cups of half-melted ice cream from Sky’s backpack cooler. Nobody complains, not even Deke, and we eat till our stomachs are bursting.

After, Sky tells a funny story about his first time camping out, and all the mistakes he made. Then he talks about what to expect on the river tomorrow. Cindi tells what it was like scoring the goal that won the big game, and how it was all instinct and muscle memory. By then we’re all yawning and Sky calls it a night, and warns us we’ll be up at first light.

“We may get some rain,” he says. “Looks like a weather system is coming in from the west. If need be, I’ll break out rain gear in the morning.”

The way it works out, with five tents for seven people, I get a tent to myself. Which is a huge improvement on double bunk beds, and little brothers who have fart contests on a regular basis.

Lying there in my new sleeping bag, listening to the splashy murmur of the river, I figure I’m the luckiest kid in the world.

I fall asleep dreaming that Dad is taking his medication and acting normal, and there’s nothing to be worried about anymore. What wakes me is rain pounding the tent, and the ground shaking, and a thundering roar in the distance, coming closer, and Sky Hanson screaming our names.

Day Two

4. Gone, Gone, Gone

I jam my baseball cap on my head and stumble out of my tent into the crazy dark. Scared to death because I don’t know what’s happening, or why the adults are so frightened. Instantly the rain drenches through my clothes, right to my skin.