Off Limits by Jules Barnard

Author:Jules Barnard [Barnard, Jules]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jules Barnard

The door to the cabin slams shut behind me, but my brother’s gaze remains fixed on the television. He hasn’t moved from his position on the couch. The only difference between when I left and now is that he’s watching a surfing flick instead of motocross.

“Tyler, I need to leave.”

“Okay,” he says without looking up. “I’m not planning on going anywhere. Take the car.”

“No. I mean I need to get out of town. I want to visit Mom. She’s been asking me to come.”

Tyler lifts his gaze. “Uh, okay. When were you thinking?”

I close my eyes briefly and inhale. “Now?”

“Now. As in, right now? This minute?”

I nod.

Tyler clicks off the television and sets the remote on the couch’s armrest. “What’s up, Cali? What’s going on?”

“Everything. Have you ever just needed to get out of town?”

Tyler looks past me. “Yeah.”

“Well, this is one of those moments. I can’t stay here another minute.”

He slaps his knees with his palms and stands. “Okay, then. Pack your stuff. We’ll call Mom on our way.”

Tears collect behind my eyes. I have an awesome brother. Tyler knows something’s up, but he’s not pushing for details. He’s giving me space.

If I cry, though, he will ask. I blink hard and swallow back the tears. I go into my room to pack.

An hour later, we pull into the drive of Mom’s single-level house in Carson City. It’s dark and there’s not much to see, but the neighborhood appeared quiet and safe when we drove in.

My mom opens the front door, then pushes open a metal screen. She takes the first step onto the cement stoop and clenches her cotton bathrobe closed. “Nobody’s sick or dying?”

“We’re fine, Mom,” I say as I walk up the driveway.

“All right, then. Tyler, show your sister to the guest bedroom. You can sleep on the couch.”

“The couch?” He groans. “Mom, last week I was in the guest room. Now I’m relegated to the couch?”

“Would you like to sleep on the floor? No? Then quit your bitching and help your little sister with her luggage.”

Tyler tosses my bag over his shoulder and disappears inside.

My mom grabs my hand before I pass. “We’ll talk tomorrow about what’s going on.”

She can always tell when something’s up. She knows me, and she’s intuitive. And I need her right now more than I care to admit.

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