Page 142 of Sterling Stone

“What do you think Violet was going to tell you?”

He pauses a second, tilting his head again. Terms like ‘precarious’ and ‘precocious’ are often used to describe Simon. He’s giving me a look that fits the words.

“I think she’d tell me to go home.”

I purse my lips. “Sounds like a plan.” Slowly, I rise from crouching in front of him.

“Ready?” I hold out my hand for him.

“What do you think Violet would say to you?” he asks, going for a sucker punch.

I hope she’d say she was proud of me. That she knows I did the best I could. That I didn’t screw up too much.

I chuckle softly, swallow thickly.

But what would Mama have said if I ran away? She’d probably have laughed, telling me to be home before supper, and invite Cort to stay, too. For a second, I think I hear a laugh. A familiar tinkling sound. Something carefree and easy.

Then I decide it was only the breeze playing tricks on me. And I tell Simon what I hope my mother would think.

“She’s proud of me. You’re doing the best you can. And people love you, no matter what.”

He stares at me. Maybe I got a little too deep there. I clear my throat, preparing to go with my other thought.

“I don’t want to disappoint anyone,” he admits. “And I am trying real hard to be good for Trudy and do well in school.”

I lower back to his level. “You’re doing amazing, buddy.” He’s a great student from what I’ve heard, and he is a good kid.

“I don’t want Trudy to send me away.”

“No one is sending you anywhere,” I tell him, gripping his shoulders and jostling him a little bit.

“The only place you’re going is home, okay? Back to Trudy. Back to everyone who loves you. We’ve missed you these past few hours.”

He glances up at me, through the broken lens. “I was only right here.”

I chuckle. “Only right here,” I repeat, bringing him back to me and hugging him once more, before holding him at arm’s length.

“How about we get out of here now?”

“Sounds like a plan.” He takes my hand, and relief washes over me.

Maybe Violet . . . Mama . . . had been in these woods after all, watching over this boy who is so special to so many.

Thank you, I mouth to the treetops before leading Simon to my truck.

And the first call I make as I get back in the truck is to Taxi.

47

[Taxi]

The second Stone pulls into Trudy’s driveway, I’m rushing to his truck. I’ve been pacing outside since he called me. A phone tree of calls went out after I spoke to him.

The department was notified. The school informed. Stone’s family told the joyful news.

They’re so relieved that many of them are here, showing up unexpectedly.

Full of relief, they arrived with a breakfast casserole, baked goods, and booze, although it’s only ten in the morning.