Comeback by Vicki Grant

away. It seems so safe and cozy. There’s something about the smell, too, that’s nice.
    At first, I think that’s because it reminds me of Christmas, but then my heart thuds and I know that’s wrong.
    I’m not smelling Christmas.
    I’m smelling Colin and that pine soap he uses. I suck back a big gulp of air and even still, I feel like I’m not getting enough oxygen.
    Elliot says, “Ria?” and I can tell I’ve scared him. I shake Colin out of my head. He was from my old life. This is a new one.
    â€œRemember Dad showing us how to make a mattress in the woods?” I say. “Should we make one now?”
    Elliot helps me sweep the pine needles into a pile. I put my purse on the ground for a pillow. I spread the blanket over the needles.
    â€œCrawl in,” I say to Elliot.
    He lies down on the blanket. I take off my glasses and undo my ponytail, and then I snuggle in beside him. I pull the blanket over us. He nuzzles into my side and is asleep before I close my eyes.
    I used to hate it when Elliot came into bed with me, because he gives off so much heat. Now I’m glad. He keeps me warm. I look after him. We’re a team.
    We’ll be okay.

Chapter Fifteen
    I’m freezing and my back is killing me. I open my eyes. I sit up and blink. For a second, I have no idea where I am—then the tree comes into focus, the red blanket, Elliot’s Superman suit. I know where I am—and I don’t like it.
    I flop back down on the ground. My whole body is pounding.
    What have I done?
    The wind blows, and pine needles sprinkle down on us. I smell Colin again, and I have to open my eyes really, really wide to keep the tears from coming.
    â€œDad,” I whisper.
    I don’t know if he’s here or not, but just saying his name helps. I picture him, his arm around me. He’d do that. He’d comfort me.
    At first. Then he’d tell me to get on with it. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
    I don’t move. I’m not sure how tough I am.
    â€œFake it until you make it.” He also used to say that.
    Right. What choice do I have?
    I put on my glasses. I part the branches and look outside. No one’s around. My guess is it’s about 7:00 am.
    Breakfast time. I remember passing a convenience store on the way here. I hope it’s open. I’m suddenly starving.
    I give Elliot a shake, but he just puts his thumb in his mouth and rolls over. The poor kid is beat.
    I’m going to let him sleep. We’ve got a big day ahead of us.
    I ease my wallet out of our “pillow.”
    I check to make sure no one’s around, and then I bolt out from under the tree. I’ve got to move fast. If Elliot wakes up while I’m gone, he’ll totally freak out.
    An older lady is just opening the store when I arrive. I pick up the big bundle of newspapers for her and carry them inside. I’m trying to be nice so she won’t get suspicious.
    Why would she get suspicious? I’m just a kid picking up some stuff for breakfast. It’s not that unusual. Relax.
    I wander up and down the aisles. Elliot likes yogurt, but it’s a dollar for one little tub. We can’t afford it. I grab a loaf of whole-grain bread instead. It’s almost three dollars, but at least it will last a while. I look for the smallest jar of peanut butter I can find—but even that’s too expensive.
    I’m starting to get frantic again.
    I put the bread back.
    I grab a small bottle of juice, a box of granola bars and two bananas. I do the math in my head. It’s over six dollars. That only leaves four.
    I’ll worry about that later.
    The lady is putting the newspapers in the display case when I go to pay.
    She wipes her hands on her smock and steps behind the counter to key in my stuff.
    That’s when I notice a big color picture of Elliot and me splashed over the front page of the newspaper.
    Missing Stockbroker’s