“I... I feel all gooey and warm inside when I’m with you,” I said. “Like I’m... like, I’m a... Pizza Pocket.” Okay, so this wasn’t exactly a scene out of one of my mom’s paperback romances, but I was hoping he would get what I was trying to say. Needless to say, I’m no Hallmark greeting card writer.
He cracked up. “A Pizza Pocket?” He laughed like I had just told him the funniest joke in the history of the universe. “I love those.”
Yet another thing we had in common. “Me, too. I wish we could have them.”
“Yeah, what I wouldn’t give for a Pizza Pocket right now. I’m sick and tired of all that yogi, health nut crap they feed us at RAMS.”
“Tell me about it,” I said and we both started laughing again. “And they’re nutritious, too. They have cheese…andpepperoni.”
Our laughter faded when Simone, Ace and Jenna returned. We both sat up straight and cleared our throats. We didn’t want to be disrespectful. Here was Mrs. Henderson, whose child was missing, and there we were, sitting on her sofa, laughing our heads off.
“We’re sorry,” I offered. “Leo was just telling me a joke to cheer me up.”
“We weren’t too successful, unfortunately,” Simone informed us.
“I’ve never met the woman,” Jenna explained. “I have absolutely no memories of her.” She seemed just about ready to completely give up.Don’t give up, I wanted to scream.
“Well, we still have a great lead,” Simone patted her on the shoulder. “I’m sure the police will find her soon.”
Jenna nodded politely and thanked us all. We quickly made our way out.
We followed Simone to the car. “Let’s grab a quick lunch and then we’ll leave,” she said as the driver opened the door for her. She motioned for the boys to climb in. “You kids can have your weekend back.”
I settled comfortably in the seat next to hers. “Please contact us as soon as you hear something,” I pleaded.
She smiled sweetly. “Will do, darling.”
Kylie: How was the Halloween party?
Me: The party was great. U should have seen all the decorations. There was a scavenger hunt… I didn’t win. :( I should have… it was about scary movies. I also went to Michigan again to work on Haley’s case.
Kylie: Are u getting closer to finding her?
Me: Yes. :)
Kylie: Good. Gotta go… going to the library with Dad.
Me: xx
Kylie: xx
Alicia was still pouting.Finally, on Sunday night, I couldn’t take it anymore. She was sitting on her bed, her face buried in a book, but I didn’t care. “What’s wrong, Alicia?”
I couldn’t read her because she wouldn’t even look at me. “Nothing.”
“It’s something.”
She groaned. And then a few seconds later, she plopped down her book, face down on the bed. “So… are you and Ace an item now?”
Oh… it was about Ace. I should have known.
“No, no. Absolutely not.”
“Liar.”
I was speechless for a second. Alicia had never uttered a single mean word to me before.
“Brianna told me she caught you kissing him in the yoga room,” she scoffed. “That doesn’t sound like nothing.”
