Page 1 of Unbound

Prologue

Walker

Twenty-Six Years Ago

“How about we order pizza for dinner?” My mom flops down on the couch next to me, the flowery smell of her perfume settling around us as she leans close to peer over my shoulder at the book I’m reading. “Maybe watch a movie?”

“Sounds good.” I keep my eyes on the story, distracted by the adventure playing out across the pages.

She continues talking, but I don’t really register any of it. I’m too busy figuring out who’s following the kid trying to save the world from a group of aliens.

“Good. I’m glad you agree.” My mom slaps both hands onto her knees and stands. “I’ve been dying for anchovies.”

“What?” My brain finally bounces away from the book I can’t read fast enough. “No. Gross.”

“Too late. You already agreed.” She gives me a grin over one shoulder as she goes to the phone mounted on the wall, pulling the receiver free. “I guess you’ll just have to pick the little fishies off your pieces.”

I’m pretty sure she’s teasing me. But not sure enough to keep from panicking that my glorious cheese pizza is about to be tainted.

Jumping up, I toss the book to one side as I plead my case. “I’ll clean my room and vacuum the house. Just please, no anchovies.”

My mom holds one arm out for me, whisking my body against hers in a tight hug. With a dramatic sigh, she says, “I suppose we can skip them this time.” She presses a kiss to my forehead, her free hand sliding over my hair. “But only if I get to pick the movie.”

I have to seriously consider the deal, because I know which movie she’s going to pick. And I’ve already watched that guy and girl drive a bus full of people around an airport a million times. It was fun the first couple of times we watched it, but without dragons or aliens to make it interesting, it got pretty old, pretty fast.

“Fine.” My agreement is muffled by the fabric of her shirt, but she still laughs victoriously, the sound continuing until I hear the pizza place answer her call.

“Yes, I’d like a large cheese pizza and two side salads with ranch.” My mother places the same order we make at least once every two weeks now that her job’s gotten busier. After rattling off our address for delivery, she hangs up and squeezes me with both arms, rocking us from side to side. “How was your day at school? Anything exciting happen?”

“Not really.” School is school. I only like two parts of it. Seeing my friends, and—”We went to the library and I got new books.”

“That’s wonderful.” Mom plants another kiss on my forehead. “Pick out one for me to read and we can have a book talk all about it.”

“Okay.” She doesn’t see me smile because my face is still smashed against her shirt.

My mom loves books as much as I do, and almost always reads one from the stack I get each week at the library.

At least she did until they gave her a special project at work. Now, I get to read while she goes through papers and makes notes almost every night. But I miss our book talks. I miss having her all to myself.

While we wait for the pizza delivery, Mom packs my lunch for school tomorrow and tells me all about the party we have to go to for my Aunt DeeDee and Uncle Ted’s anniversary this weekend. I do my best to listen, but I don’t really care about their parties. They’re loud and crowded and the food is weird. I’d rather eat pizza on the couch, just the two of us. Even if she makes me watch the same boring movie over and over.

When the food arrives, we spread the box open on the coffee table. I pile a couple pieces onto a plate with some salad, and set my cup of milk on the old table next to the couch where my mom stores the matches she uses to light the scented candles all over our house.

“Coaster, please.” She doesn’t even have to look to know I didn’t use one. I think she’s psychic.

I grab the top cork and stone circle from the stack and put it under my drink, then wiggle a little closer to where my mom sits before digging into my food.

After filling my stomach and adding my plate to the dishwasher, I plop back onto the couch, doing my best to watch the terrible movie my mom loves. But it’s so boring I can’t stand it, and my head gets heavier and heavier until I can’t hold it up anymore and have to rest it on her shoulder.

When Mom’s voice wakes me up, the movie’s over and the room is dark. She pushes back my hair with a gentle touch. “I’ve got to run an errand real quick, Walkie Boy. Do you want to come with me, or would you rather stay here?”

I yawn, blinking a few times as I try to decide. “I’ll stay here.”

“That’s what I figured.” She presses a kiss to my forehead. “I won’t be gone long. Brush your teeth and get in bed. I’ll check on you when I get home.”

“Kay.” I rub at my eyes while she collects her keys and work bag from the hook on the wall, blowing me one more kiss as she opens the door leading to the garage.

“I love you more than anything, Walkie.”