Chapter Twenty-Two

 

Inside Grandpa’s bungalow, no lights shone. Bone-tired, AJ pushed open the front door. He’d hoped to talk to his grandfather. He was the only one AJ could talk to these days.

When he walked to the kitchen, candlelight flickered on the patio. Grandpa sat in the glider and stared out toward the sea.

AJ slid open the door. “Hey.”

Grandpa’s gaze snapped to AJ as he sat straight. “I was worried about you. How did it go?”

AJ slumped beside his grandfather. “I’m worried about her. That damn kiddie pool is too shallow, and Chaz dumped too much chlorine in it.”

His grandfather’s look was grave. “Such an environment could be toxic for her.”

“I know. There are so many things that could go wrong. I’m going crazy.” AJ rested his head in his hands. “I need to get her away from there. Get her home again.”

Grandpa rested his hand on AJ’s back. “You will.”

He turned to his grandfather. “How?”

A smile crept across Grandpa’s face. “With a little help from your friends.”