Page 105 of Better Than Revenge

She tilted her head, as if she had forgotten that part of the story until now. And maybe she had. Maybe the more traumatic part of the story, when Cheryl borrowed it, was what had stuck in her memory originally. “I guess I did.”

Did that mean she really did lose that surfboard in the housefire? Or that it was unfindable now? “How did he even know you were going to show up that morning?”

“He didn’t. He hoped.”

“Hope,” I said. “That’s a good feeling.”

“It is.”

MY PARENTS WERE IN THEkitchen when I walked in that evening, talking quietly to each other. They stopped when they saw me.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “For lying to you for the past month. And that you went out to Pismo yesterday and wasted your morning searching for me with your costumes and your signs. I didn’t mean to make you worry. I wish I had been there. Your support would’ve meant a lot.” I brushed at an escaped tear. I told myself I wasn’t going to cry. “The universe has helped me learn some pretty big lessons, but if you feel like you want to pile on some parent-specific punishments for my actions, scrubbing toilets or weeding flowerbeds or whatever, I understand.”

My mom pulled out the chair next to her, and I sank into it.

“We’re not horrible parents, are we?” she asked. “Pretty understanding and reasonable.”

“Very understanding and very reasonable.”

“Then why didn’t you feel like you could tell us everything that was going on?” Dad asked.

“Probably because in the back of my mind, I always knew whatI was doing was wrong, and I didn’t want you to talk me out of it. I was angry.”

Mom nodded and then placed her hand over mine on the table. “If the universe has taken care of the lesson portion of your actions, we’ll forgo any further punishments.”

Dad met her eyes like that was not what they had previously discussed, but he didn’t say anything, just joined Mom in patting my hand.

“I’ll do some extra chores this week for good measure,” I said.

Mom pulled me into a hug. “I know you’re hurting and I’m not entirely sure why, but when you want to talk, we’re here.”

“It’s mainly stupid boys,” I said. “Being stupid.”

She squeezed me tighter. “I’m sorry.”

Chapter

thirty-five

I GOT TO SCHOOL EARLYMonday morning because I had a mess to clean up.

The athletics office was on the back side of the front office, but when I tugged on the handle to let myself in, it was locked. I knocked on the door.

The volleyball coach, Ms.Linus, came to greet me. “Hi, did you have paperwork you need to turn in or something?”

“No, I’m looking for Coach Wallis or Coach O.”

“They’re probably in their office.”

“They said they were going to post a list of who made the team here.” I scanned the door and window to the right to make sure I hadn’t missed it. They were full of flyers announcing fundraisers and game schedules and tryouts. No list of who made the footballteam.

“They must not have done that yet. Try their office.”

“The one in the boys’ locker room?” That was the only one I knew of.

“Or just wait here.”

“Okay, thank you.”