Page 87 of Genesis

“From what?”

“You sure are nosy all of a sudden,” he says to me.

“Just never known you to need space.”

“What, you’re the only one who can be secluded?”

I shrug. “Whatever.”

“Anything new come up about our boy?” he asks moments later.

“No. Still nothing.”

I want to go into more detail about it with him, but honestly, Trig has been acting weird lately and disappearing for hours at a time. Now he comes here with mud on his tires and boots. I didn’t even know his dad had a cabin.

Wait?I didn’t even know about his dad.

“You said your dad?” I ask.

He nods, offering me back the joint, but I shake my head. “You’ve never talked about your family.”

“Well, I am now.”

“Why were you in the foster home if you had a dad?”

“He’s no longer here.”

“So, he’s dead?”

“That’s correct,” he says, dropping the joint and putting it out with his boot. “I’m heading in. I need a drink.”

I nod, sniffing as he opens the door.

___________

Three days later, I’m heading out of my house. It’s early, and the sun has yet to blister the sky with orange and blue light. I stand by the car, breathing in, and then without thinking, I hop into my car and head to Trig’s house.

It only takes me moments. He doesn’t live far from where I stay. Placing my coffee in the cup holder, I grab a smoke and light it. Rolling the window down a bit, I hit my brakes when I see Trig walking out to his truck with what looks to be coats.

Pulling over, I place my cigarette between my lips and watch as he cranks the truck. His reverse lights come on, and he backs up, hitting the curb before taking off down the street.

And I don’t know why—call it a gut feeling, one that has me feeling sick. One that makes me ask myself,What am I doing? What am I thinking?

But regardless, I hit the gas and follow him.

To be continued…