Page 164 of Roadrunner

Arthur came back with the bag and one of Riley’s other boots.

“That’s not how boots work,” I said. “Find your father’s boots.”

Arthur actually flushed.

Riley looked at the boot in his hand as if it had betrayed a long professional relationship.

He slapped his pockets. “Keys.”

“On the hook,” I said.

“I checked the hook.”

“Check it like a person who wants to find the keys,” I said. “Now.”

He found the keys.

On the hook.

Arthur hovered.

“Should I get Martina?”

“Martina’s at Della’s,” I said. “You can get my water bottle. The one that doesn’t leak. Not the one that does.”

He brought both.

Riley kept checking his pockets.

Wallet.

Phone.

Pockets again.

It was graduation morning all over again, except this time I was the one who might throw up.

I gave him a look. “You look like you’re the one giving birth.”

Lips pursed, he gave me a look right back.

I would have kissed it off his mouth if standing hadn’t required a committee.

“I’ve got the bag,” Arthur said, holding it with both arms like it might try to escape.

“Good,” I said. “You’re in charge of the bag. Riley’s in charge of the car. I’m in charge of not having this baby on the tile floor.”

Another wave.

I breathed through it.

They watched me like I was a weather report they could negotiate with.

“Garage,” I said.

We made it to the SUV, which was the only vehicle that wasn’t a story.

Riley had the Jeep keys in his hand anyway.