The first sandwich is gone in seconds, then Sam digs out another one. Once he swallows the last bite, he looks at me and a real smile appears on his face. “What’s your name?”
“Zilphia.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
“Thank you,” I mumble, the unexpected compliment starting a fire in my cheeks. “You-you have pretty eyes.”
He lowers his eyes and rummages through the bag, a flush creeping up his pale face. “Whose clothes are these?”
“My brother’s. I snagged them from the dryer, so they’re clean, but probably a bit too big for you.”
“Wow!” he exclaims, whipping out the expensive sneakers. “These are the new Thunderbolts.”
“Can you fit them?”
“Maybe, they’re a half size smaller than my shoe size, but they’ll work.” He looks happy and carefree at that moment, but then his smile suddenly melts into a thin line. “But I can’t take them.”
“Why?” I frown, confused.
“Brandi will just sell them to buy crank. She’s the daughter of my mother’s boyfriend.”
“Oh.” What is crank? It’s obviously something bad. Concern for his safety twists my belly into knots, but I don’t ask any more questions.
We watch the rest of the movie in silence while I clean and bandage his wounds. I feel his eyes on me, but every time I glance at him, he looks away. All too soon, the credits start to roll, but I want my new friend to stay a little longer.
I offer him the remote. “You choose the next movie.”
About an hour into the movie, my eyes get too heavy to keep open. I doze off and on until the sky begins to brighten. Next to me, Sam is fast asleep, the blanket tucked around his shoulders.
I gently nudge him on the arm. “Sam, it’s almost morning.”
He stretches and lets out a big yawn before his sad eyes land on me. “Well, I guess I better get going.”
I don’t want him to leave, and I can tell he doesn’t want to go either. I’m scared for him.What if we never see each other again?My tummy aches at the thought.
“You can come here whenever you need a safe place to hide,” I tell him.
His eyes fly to mine. “Really?”
“Of course. Do you have a cell phone?”
“No.” He looks down at his clutched hands.
I take his hand and lead him to the window. “My bedroom’s the one with the pink curtains. If you ever need me, just throw a rock.”
“Okay. Thank you for helping me.”
I hesitate. “Do you want to come back tonight?” If he’s here with me, I won’t have to worry about him being hungry or hurt.
He nods.
I smile and pull him into a tight hug. He doesn’t move at first. But then his thin arms slowly wrap around me, like he’s afraid he’ll break me—or himself.
Five years later
I sigh, pressing closer to the warm body beside me. Sam shifts in his sleep, his hand brushing mine, and for a second, I pretend we don’t have to get up. The sharp chatter of birds shatters my peace, and my eyes fly open. Beyond the tree house window, streaks of color stain the sky, signaling the approaching sunrise.What time is it?
My gaze shifts to the clock hanging on the wall.Holy crap! What the heck happened to my alarm?I reach down and snag my cell phone off the floor.The freaking battery’s dead.Dang it! I fell asleep last night and forgot to charge my phone.
