So beautiful. So peaceful …
No, that wasn’t quite right, not peaceful, more like … at peace.
Like she was more comfortable out of her shirt than in it. Like she was happy inside out.
When he opened his eyes, he saw her the way he’d left her in the RV – tense and resigned, so far gone that light wouldn’t even catch in her eyes.
So far gone, she wasn’t even thinking about him anymore.
Park waited until it was quiet.
Then he waited another twenty minutes. Then he grabbed his backpack and went through the motions he’d planned in his head.
He stopped at the kitchen door. His dad had left his new hunting rifle out on the table …
He was probably going to clean it tomorrow morning. For a minute, Park thought about taking the gun – but he couldn’t think of when he’d use it. It’s not like they were going to run into Richie on the way out of town. Hopefully.
Park opened the door and was about to step out when his dad’s voice stopped him.
‘Park?’
He could have run for it, but his dad probably would’ve caught him. His dad was always bragging about being in the best shape of his life.
‘Where do you think you’re going?’ his dad whispered.
‘I … I have to help Eleanor.’
‘What does Eleanor need help with at two in the morning?’
‘She’s running away.’
‘And you’re going with her?’
‘No. I was just going to give her a ride to her uncle’s house.’
‘Where does her uncle live?’
‘Minnesota.’
‘Jesus F. Christ, Park,’ his dad said in his normal voice, ‘are you serious?’
‘Dad.’ Park stepped toward him, pleading. ‘She has to go. It’s her stepdad. He’s …’
‘Did he touch her? Because if he touched her, we’re calling the police.’
‘He writes her these notes.’
‘What kind of notes?’
Park rubbed his forehead. He didn’t like to think about the notes. ‘Sick ones.’
‘Did she talk to her mom?’
‘Her mom’s … not in very good shape. I think he hurts her.’
‘That little fucker …’ His dad looked down at the gun, then looked back at Park, rubbing his chin. ‘So you’re going to drive Eleanor to her uncle’s house. Will he take her in?’
‘She thinks so.’
‘I gotta tell you, Park, this doesn’t sound like much of a plan.’
‘I know.’
His dad sighed and scratched the back of his neck. ‘But I can’t think of a better one.’
Park’s head jerked up.
‘Call me when you get there,’
his dad said quietly. ‘It’s a straight shot up from Des Moines – do you have a map?’
‘I thought I’d get one at a gas station.’
‘If you get tired, pull into a rest stop. And don’t talk to anybody unless you have to. Do you have any money?’
‘Sixty dollars.’
‘Here …’ His dad walked over to the cookie jar and pulled out a bunch of twenties. ‘If this doesn’t work, with her uncle, don’t take Eleanor home. Bring her back here, and we’ll figure out what to do next.’
‘Okay … Thanks, Dad.’
‘Don’t thank me yet. I’ve got one condition.’
No
more
eyeliner,
Park
thought.
‘You’re taking the truck,’ his dad said.
His dad stood on the front steps with his arms folded. Of course he had to watch. Like he was umpiring a goddamn taekwando bout.
Park closed his eyes. Eleanor was still there. Eleanor.
He started the engine and shifted smoothly into reverse, rolled out of the driveway, shifted into first, then pulled forward without a sputter.
Because he knew how to drive a stick. Jesus.
CHAPTER 52
Park
‘Okay?’
She nodded and climbed in.
‘Stay down,’ he said.
The first couple hours were a blur.
Park wasn’t used to driving the truck, and it died a few times at red lights. Then he got on the Interstate heading west instead of east, and it took twenty minutes to turn around again.
Eleanor didn’t say anything.
Just stared ahead and held onto her seat belt with both hands. He put his hand on her leg, and it was like she didn’t notice it was there.
They got off the Interstate again somewhere in Iowa to get gas and a map. Park went in. He bought Eleanor a Coke and a sandwich, and when he got back to the truck she was slumped against the passenger door, asleep.
Good, he tried to tell himself.
She’s exhausted.
He climbed up behind the wheel and took a few rough breaths, then he slammed the sandwich onto the dash. How could she be asleep?
If
everything
went
right
tonight, Park would be driving home tomorrow morning by himself. He’d probably be allowed to drive now whenever he wanted, but there was nowhere he wanted to go without Eleanor.
How could she sleep through their last hours together?
How could she sleep sitting up like that …