Everything We Never Said by Sloan Harlow

Author:Sloan Harlow [Harlow, Sloan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2024-05-28T00:00:00+00:00

chapter 21

sawyer

I stop to get some gas after dropping Ella off at her house.

“Look at you,” Ralphie says, leaning forward on the counter. “You’re smiling again.”

“Am I?” I do a little skip-hop in front of the small basket of junky toys Ralphie keeps near the packets of gum.

“Yeah, you are. Cut it out, you’re gonna scare my other customers,” Ralphie harrumphs, twitching his white mustache.

“You don’t have any other customers,” I say cheerfully, unable to take my eyes from the jumble of crappy toys. I’ve never spared this basket a thought before, but something catches my eye today. I pluck out a toy, a metal jeep, painted clumsily to look like a safari vehicle.

I peek my head beneath the plastic barrier, rolling the little toy back and forth.

“How much is this, Ralphie?”

He runs a bloodshot eye over it. “Five.”

“Cents?”

“Dollars. You idiot.” He takes a hit from his vape, filling the air with grape-scented smoke.

“Fine.” I slap my debit card on the counter. “I’ll take this piece of junk, and twenty bucks on four. Card reader out there’s messed up, FYI.”

Ralphie looks at me like I’m losing it. “Really? Just like that? No bargaining? No digging in your car seat for pennies? No yelling at me for extortion?” His purple-veined fingers slide my card under the partition.

I shrug. “I dunno, Ralph. I think things are on the up-and-up.” I shut my eyes. Ella’s too incredible to mention to Ralph, so I change the subject. “You ever been to the Atlanta zoo, Ralph?”

He grumbles, poking at the register one button at a time.

“Yeah, me neither. And neither has Callan.” I roll the safari car back and forth on the counter. “He’s gonna love it, though. You know what?” I point to him. “Mom’s gonna love it too.” And so would Ella.

Ralphie grunts and hits a final button, the cash register ringing, high and musical. I pocket the card and drum the counter before striding to the door.

“Have a beautiful night, Ralphie!” I call over my shoulder, laughing at his bewildered stare.

I’m still whistling when I walk into the kitchen. Mom’s standing at the kitchen table rummaging through her purse, her back to me.

“Well, if it isn’t my wonderful mother.” I give her a big hug, squeezing her from behind. “Question. Which do you think is more fun, gorillas or pandas?”

“Sawyer,” Mom says.

“You’re right. Too hard to choose.” I grab her hands and twirl her to my side, a dance move we used to do together as a joke. “Other question: Which snack is better to eat while watching the elephants? A snow cone or an ice cream sandwich?”

“Sawyer—”

“Again, you’re right, too hard to choose!” I turn her to face me. “But guess what, Mom? You won’t have to choose! All my tips are now going to go toward fun! Or, hell, maybe I can just join cross-country again. The options are endless!” I let go of her and pull the toy safari jeep out of my pocket. “Listen, let me know when you get your offer letter.

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