“She said you were charming.”Verycharming. And Claire was pretty and confident and far cooler than I would ever be.
“Yeah. Bit like dating the help for her, though, isn’t it?”
“That’s ridiculous and snobby and classist.”
“Realistic.” He glanced down at me, a smile tugging his crooked mouth. “What about you?”
My heart thumped. “Whatabout me?”
Sam’s grin broadened. “Any special... plans?”
“Are you asking me out?”
“Janette is cooking Christmas dinner for half the neighborhood. You’re welcome, if you’ve nowhere else to be.”
Which didn’t really answer my question. Or maybe it did.
“Thanks. I wish I could. But I’m going away with the Nortons.”
I didn’t want to be Sam’s pity date. I’d had enough of existing on emotional crumbs.
I watched Glenda hug Sophie after the game. Trailing after them on the way home from the bus stop, with buskers on every corner and Christmas shoppers all around, I was swamped by a wave of homesickness. It was probably snowing in Kansas this time of year. I wondered how Toni was doing. I regretted how we had left things. Hated disappointing her. Maybe we would have time for a nice long video chat tonight.
A thin figure huddled on the town house steps, shoulders hunched against the cold, a backpack at his feet. Her feet? My heart tugged in sympathy. It must be awful to be homeless at any time of year, but especially at the holidays.
At our approach, the figure stirred. Stood.
“Who is that?” Glenda asked.
Even before she looked our way, I knew.
“Toni!” I cried.
Fourteen
What are you doing here?” I couldn’t believe my sister was in my arms again. I hugged her skinny little body before pulling back to look at her, her dancing black eyes, her got-to-love-me grin. “Oh, I’m so glad to see you! Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s great.” She tugged off her knit cap, releasing her silky dark hair. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“Well, you did.” We were in the library, snatching a moment of privacy while Glenda and the girls were in the kitchen. I should be in there making lunch. But for now... “When did you get in?”
“This morning. It took me a while to find a ride from the airport.”
“There are taxis. You should have called.”
“I met some guys from University College. I grabbed a ride with them.”
I swallowed the usual scolding about getting into a car with strangers. It never worked with my sister anyway. I hugged her again. “How long can you stay?”
“I’m not going back.”
“What?”
Her gaze met mine, bright and defiant. “I dropped out.”
Oof.The air left my lungs. “Toni... Why?”
A shrug.
