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I saw Ben through the glass before I understood why that was strange.

He was crossing the forecourt fast. He wasn’t looking at me.

He was looking at the man outside.

The guy had drifted back toward the entrance, still arguing through the glass. Ben stepped directly into the space between him and the door.

I couldn’t hear what he said.

Whatever it was, the man stopped coming.

Ben didn’t touch him. He didn’t posture. He just stood there for a few seconds, then looked past him.

Toward the road.

Like he was checking for somebody else.

A patrol car turned into the lot.

Only then did Ben come inside.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah.” I stared at him. “Aren’t you supposed to be at school?”

One eyebrow lifted. “Aren’t you?”

“I asked first.”

“I noticed.”

“Ben.”

“What?”

“What are you doing here?”

The patrol car stopped directly outside.

Ben glanced toward it. “Apparently making myself unnecessary.”

“That’s still not an answer.”

“No,” he agreed. “It isn’t.”

The officer was already getting out.

Ben looked at me once more. “Stay here until your dad comes.”

“That was already the plan.”

“Good.”

He left as the officer came through the door.

I watched Ben cross the lot. Just before he disappeared from view, he looked toward the road again.

Not back at me.