16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler

Author:Janet Gurtler
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

J A N E T G U R T L E R

for her daddy— a daddy who vanished on purpose and doesn’t

want to be found.

My phone bings that I have a new text.

I really need to talk to you. Please text or call.

My mom again.

I text Jake.

How’s Mom?

He texts back a minute later.

Fine. Ignore her.

I turn off my phone and tuck it under my leg. Jake said she’s fi ne.

Th is isn’t about her, I remind myself. Th is is about me. Finding my dad. Seeing him in person. Whatever she has to say can wait until

I get home.

Amy picks up my mood and stops talking and turns the radio

to a local station. An Eminem song comes on and I reach for the

volume and turn it up. Under his anger and aggressive rapping, I

feel his desperation and hope, and it feels similar to mine. Th e song works with my mood. I lean back, staring out the window as we zip

past colorful, vibrant fl owers sprouting from green grass on the side of the highway. It’s fragrant and lush. Th e island throbs with life.

Th e cuss words contrast with the sweetness. It’s perfect.

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1 6 t h i n g s i t h o u g h t w e r e t r u e

Eminem screams to a finish, and the car is silent with dead air.

Amy turns down the volume button as the DJ breaks into the

silence with a falsely cheery voice tinged with panic.

“We’re here,” she says.

Reality crashes back.

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