Running Scared by Brenda Chapman

Author:Brenda Chapman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2004-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

Seven

Sometimes it takes something bad almost happening to make you realize how good you have it. Those frantic moments of searching for Leslie made me understand that while Dad’s leaving wasn’t so great, at least we were all alive and well, with possibilities for things to work out for us. Without Leslie, my life would never have been the same. Well, I didn’t have to think about that, because we did find her, and she was going to be okay.

We all stood out in the hall, deciding what to do next. Mom would spend the night at the hospital on her last night shift, dividing her time between checking on Leslie and seeing to other patients. Since her ankle was broken, a doctor had to put Leslie’s foot into a cast. He decided to keep her there for observation. He also gave her something for the pain which helped her to fall asleep. Dad said, “Leslie’ll probably be home in the morning and hobbling around on crutches before we could say happy Hallowe’en.”

“She’s one little trooper,” agreed Uncle Phil. “Just how did you two decide to look down the path anyway?”

I looked at Pete, whose face got suddenly red. “A lucky guess.”

“Well, it’s a good thing Leslie wasn’t there all night by herself,” I said, angry at whoever had pushed her off the path and left her without seeing if she was all right. Once Uncle Phil mentioned it, I also began to wonder what had made Pete decide to look down that path. And why had he been hanging around me so much lately?

Uncle Phil said, “I think I’ll shove off and walk home now that Leslie’s asleep. I’ll come by tomorrow to check how she’s doing.” I really looked at him for the first time and noticed that his eyes were red-rimmed and his chin was covered with stubble. His hair looked like it hadn’t been combed in some time, and he needed a haircut. Overall, he looked kind of rough. I had wanted to talk to him alone, but he disappeared down the corridor before I got the chance.

Dad drove Pete to his house. Before Pete got out of the car, Dad said, “Thanks for all your help. We appreciate it more than I can say.”

Pete nodded quickly and tapped me on the shoulder from the back seat. “I’ll call you tomorrow to see how she’s doing,” he promised, but I felt something more behind his words. It almost seemed like he knew something or he wanted to ask me something. I wondered again why he had shown up just at the right time to look for Leslie and why he had suggested that we look down the bike path. Could he have pushed her earlier and then felt guilty when she got hurt? I didn’t want to believe in the possibility. Pete slammed the car door and darted up his front walk without turning around.

Dad put the car into reverse and started to back out of the driveway.

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