Page 114 of Within These County Lines

She stiffens. “You’ve what?”

“Talked. Hung out. All summer.”

She pushes back from the table and yanks aside the curtains, scanning the front yard. “Where is he?” Her voice rises two octaves. “Why haven’t you said anything?”

“It’s not like that,” I say quickly. “He’s . . . I’m the only one who can see him.”

She clutches her arms and begins pacing the kitchen. “Excuse me? Is he in hiding?”

I rub my temples. “No, like, he is invisible to everyone except me . . . if that makes sense.”

“Of course that doesn’t make any sense!” Her voice shakes. “You came here to tell me this? Why? Why would you do this?”

“Because I have a message from him.”

I stand. The chair bounces back and topples to the floor. My legs are jelly. She doesn’t believe me. I have one shot at changing that. I yank the note from my pocket so fast the paper rips. I start reading.

“Hi, Mom. I love you.”

A hiccup leaves the back of her throat.

“A lot has happened since the day I went missing,” I continue. “I’ve watched you second-guess how you raised me, wondering if you made a mistake somewhere along the way. I want to take that uncertainty away from you. Because I am certain of two things. You knew who I was, and I’m certain you were fine with it.”

Maggie stumbles back.

“I was only taking my time. I knew you’d wait for me because you loved me.”

She gasps for breath and trudges to the front door, then throws it open. “This is very disrespectful, Stetson. I’m going to politely ask that you leave my home.”

“But I’m not done!” My voice breaks.

She grips the doorknob. “If this were really Xander, he would come here himself.”

I flip the note over, searching for something—anything—that only she and Xander would know.

“Please, it’s time for you to go.” Her voice is steady.

“Thank you for adopting Toby!” I blurt.

Maggie stops cold.

“I’m thankful you gave him a good home to spend his final days.”

Her body sags inward as she drifts back to the kitchen table. “How do you know about Toby? Toby is gone. He’s been gone. How do you know?”

“I don’t. Who is he?”

She sinks into a chair, limbs shaking. “He was . . . an old dog at the Four Paws Animal Hospital. Xander wanted him, but I always said no.” She wipes her eyes. “I adopted him after Xander went missing. It was an ugly thing. A mutt. But Xander had a soft spot for him. I felt so bad for never getting that dog.” She wheezes. “Toby only lived for about a year after that.”

I smile. “Xander loves dogs.”

“Is there more?” She nods at the note.

“Um.” I press my brow and skim the final paragraphs.

“He says he’s sorry for how he acted before prom.” I raise an eyebrow.

She chokes on a sob, pressing her hands over her mouth.