The Souvenir Game by Christopher Renna

Author:Christopher Renna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: teen and young adult kidnapped, young adult thriller, coming of age thriller, coming of age book, teen and young adult suspense
Publisher: Christopher Renna
Published: 2021-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A hike through Borderland State Park wasn't what Dalton expected when I picked him up early Sunday afternoon. He didn't appear too excited by the spontaneous excursion through the woods. Yet once I explained that it would be nice to get out of the city for a while, he agreed with more enthusiasm.

I had an ulterior motive for driving Dalton thirty minutes away from home. In town, there were distractions. And I didn't feel comfortable asking about his home life or his relationship with his mother if strangers could overhear our conversation.

After walking a trail in the sweltering ninety-degree heat, we settled on a concrete bench near the Ames Mansion, a stone estate that reminded me of the homes in the English countryside. Vibrant green ivy stretched high along the boxy, castle-like structure. Although the mansion was closed to the public, tourists and hikers meandered about.

Biting into a granola bar, Dalton said, "That mansion is bigger than your house."

"Yeah. I think it's over twelve thousand square feet."

"I can't believe people lived in there."

"It was built by a husband and wife. Actually, I think she designed it. He was a botanist. And she was an artist and inventor."

"Cool."

I gave him a bottled water from my backpack. "Did you like hiking the trail?"

"Yeah, except for the mosquitos."

Agreeing, I replied, "I didn't even think about bringing bug spray."

We ate our granola bars in silence, then I asked, "How are things at home?"

"Fine."

"Good. And your mom?"

"What about her?"

"How's she doing?"

"Fine. Why are you asking me about her?"

I allowed a moment of silence to linger as I debated whether to be coy or up-front. I chose the latter. "Does she drink alcohol and do other things all the time? Or is just sometimes?"

Sighing, he fidgeted with the water bottle, crinkling the plastic as he stared off into the distance. "She does it a lot."

"I'm sorry."

He swigged the last of his water.

"Is that why children's services check up on you?"

"They haven't stopped by the house in a long time."

The tidbit of information surprised me. I assumed the authorities would visit until satisfied that all was fine in the household. "The day we met, you asked if I was checking up on you, so I thought that—"

"Do we have to talk about this now?"

"No." Crouching, I unzipped my backpack. "We won't talk about it now. But you can talk to me about any of that stuff, okay? It's good to have someone to talk to."

"Uh, huh."

I shoved the granola wrappers into a side pocket. "Let's go. We can stop by the bookstore first, then eat dinner somewhere before I take you home."

He walked a few steps ahead of me. Since I'd obviously made him uncomfortable, I let him take the lead for a while, and I followed.

* * *

The remainder of our time together resumed its usual pleasant vibe. Grateful to see his smiling face untainted by my probing questions, Dalton and I returned to his house soon after eating dinner. I could have dropped him

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