rea

Atlantic, Bon

nd she was tired of her games. She squirmed on

ome, to have Auntie Dan

orried frown cre

o

was back f

th Auntie Danika. Mom got quiet and her face got t

her. It would be so much better if Mom

ats. The screen lit up with a message from Mrs. Sulli

s list. An idea, sneaky and brillian

low tones about something boring, Bonnie q

sscode. It was

She would call Mom. Just for a second. To see if she answer

e call button

shed over her. What if Mom did answer? What would she say? She d

'end call' button w

ment in California, it

amless sleep, the fi

my phone on the night

disorientation. The screen glowed with a name I

ton

could even process it enou

d call.

racing. Braxton never called.

nn

was wrong

ed me. I started to hit redial, then st

had planned. A panicked call at three in the morning would tell Braxton

d behind my eyes. I couldn't breathe around the th

lenched.

t re

t straight t

ed is unavailable or has trave

as in Switzerla

ng of my heart. My mind spiraled, conjuring images of skiing

noticed Bonnie fidge

ed, gently taking it from her. He saw

l but sharp, went through him. He had been so caught up, he

o Mommy?" he asked, his

ok her head, mumbling into her che

uestion. He was used to her childish whims

cing my small living ro

't just sit here, drowning in anxi

lled through my contacts, my

Sul

and dialed, praying

ond ring, her voice war

ep my voice from shaking. "I'm sorry to call so ea

ther end of the line. Mrs.

message not long ago. They're on the plane, on their way ba

t me like a

on their

fa, the phone stil

re comi

wasn't