a sob broke out from my chest。 I
threw my arms around his
waist and hugged for one too…short moment； burying my tear…wet face against
his chest。 He put his big
hand on the back of my hair； as if to hold me there。
〃Bye； Jake。〃 I pulled his hand from my hair； and kissed his palm。 I couldn't
bear to look at his face。
〃Sorry；〃 I whispered。
Then I spun and raced for the car。 The door on the passenger side was open and
waiting。 I threw my
backpack over the headrest and slid in； slamming the door behind me。
〃Take care of Charlie！〃 I turned to shout out the window； but Jacob was
nowhere in sight。 As Alice
stomped on the gas and—with the tires screeching like human screams—spun us
around to face the
road； I caught sight of a shred of white near the edge of the trees。 A piece
of a shoe。
19。 HATE
WE MADE OUR FLIGHT WITH SECONDS TO SPARE； AND THEN the true torture began。 The
plane sat idle on the tarmac while the flight attendants strolled—so casually
—up and down the aisle；
patting the bags in the overhead partments to make sure everything fit。 The
pilots leaned out of the
cockpit； chatting with them as they passed。 Alice's hand was hard on my
shoulder； holding me in my seat
while I bounced anxiously up and down。
〃It's faster than running；〃 she reminded me in a low voice。
I just nodded in time with my bouncing。
At last the plane rolled lazily from the gate； building speed with a gradual
steadiness that tortured me
further。 I expected some kind of relief when we achieved liftoff； but my
frenzied impatience didn't lessen。
Alice lifted the phone on the back of th