“You’re dartin’ around early!” Joyce said, setting waiver forms and pens on the lobby counter.
“I’m real sorry. Truly. I promise I won’t do that again.”
She squinted down at me with her bottom lip pushed out, then nodded. “Bueno!”
“I’m gonna grab a couple lunches.” Climbing onto a stool, I took two green apples from the glass bowl. Worried that taking two of whatever fruit every day might seem obvious, I grabbed one more.
“All that food, you should be growing before my eyes! Don’t forget waters!” Joyce took a swig of her own water.
Mom rushed into the lobby, just as Gus pulled up with the day’s guests. He whooshed open the van’s side door, grinning as they climbed out.
“Mom,” I said, “do we have a map of Mexico?”
She looked at Joyce like Do we?
Joyce shook her head.
“I don’t think so. Maybe try the library?” Mom kissed the top of my head as guests streamed into the lobby. “Welcome to adventure!”
I crossed the big garage to the counter beside the refrigerators. Clifford followed right on my heels, making sure I didn’t disappear again. Eddy was stacking foil-wrapped sandwiches into a box. Stepping around him, I grabbed two.
“What’s in your pack, dork?” he said.
I almost spat, “None of your business!” but I remembered Pablo, Perla’s twin brother left behind in Mexico. “You know,” I said, “I think I get now why you call me a dork. And a baby.”
Eddy looked puzzled. His eyes landed on the whistle hanging from my neck.
“You still going to Fort Kruse?”
I shrugged.
“Jack and I will have to swing up there.” He waited for me to explode.
“Suit yourself,” I said instead. Clifford rubbed against my shins. “Have a good day.” I grabbed three bags of chips and started away, but I surprised myself by turning back. I surprised Clifford, too, because that crazy cat trotted right past me.
“Eddy?” I said. “Do you ever wonder why, that day, Dad didn’t just stay away from the edge? I mean, it’s what he would’ve told us to do.”
His mouth fell open. He didn’t say anything, just stood there.
I could not believe I’d asked that, but I tried not to let it show. After a minute I felt like a dork for real, so I said, “Okay, well, seeya.” I turned and headed for Fort Kruse.