"Dad, please," I said. "You know, I can do this."
"That doesn't mean I'm not scared," he said.
"I'll go the speed limit and call every two hours."
Dad searched my face, saw my resolve, and finally said, "Okay."
"Okay?" I echoed.
"Yeah, you can go."
I was out of my seat and hugging him in the next instant. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He hugged me back. "Yeah, yeah. When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning," I said. When I felt him freeze, before he could object, I added, "You already agreed remember? Can't take it back now."
"Well played," he said grudgingly.
"Thanks."
"It's a good thing I love you, kid."
"I know. I love you too, Dad. So much."
When I pulled back, his eyes were shiny, but he was wearing a smile. "Doesn't Tolliver get back tomorrow?"
"You know, I think so," I said, acting as if I hadn't been counting down the days. "But he's coming in at night, so I guess I'll just miss him."
"That's too bad," he said.
I shrugged.
"Did he ever call?"
"Not once," I said.
"But he sent you that text."
Yeah, I thought. Just the one.
I'd read it too many times, could recall it verbatim from memory.
Hey Freya,
It's Tolliver. They're really strict about phones. I'm using mine during a break while hiding in a closet. Everyone here is amazing. But I'm doing what you said. Squeezing that lemon juice into eyes, giving it everything. I hope you're good. Have you played your violin? Or is it too soon? Read any good books? Anyway, someone's coming. Bye, I'll see you soon.
Miss you.
T
The message wasn't long, but it was enough to make me think of him near constantly.
That last part.
Miss you.
I could practically hear him saying it, and yeah.
