Rebel's Tag by K. L. Denman

differently for you guys.” He lifts his hands, palms up. “I’m really sorry.”
    â€œWhy didn’t Henry say anything?” I yell. “He knew Grandpa was dying, didn’t he? You knew. Why didn’t you tell me? You’re supposed to be his friends, aren’t you?”
    â€œYeah. We are. And believe me, we argued with him about it. But he made us promise not to tell. He hoped you’d see him because you wanted to, not because you felt sorry for him.”
    I pull the watch out of my pocket and drop it on Eli’s counter. “That’s not good enough. It’s not right.”
    Eli nods. “Maybe so. You think we should have broken our word to him and told you?”
    I stare at him.
    Eli shakes his head. “He knew you were mad at him when he didn’t hear from you. He said he understood that. But now...Well, I hate to come down on you at a time like this, but who are you most angry with now? Him, for taking too long to get over the past? Or yourself, for doing the same thing?”
    â€œNobody told me there was a time limit!”
    â€œThere’s always a time limit, Sam. Always.”
    I can’t think of anything to say. We stand in silence, and then I hear them. The ticking of clocks. Lots of clocks. Marking off the seconds, the minutes, the hours. Clocking life. I find myself staring into the face of a tall, wooden clock—a grandfather clock. And the anger drains out of me as fast as it took hold.
    I feel that breath again, on the back of my neck, but I don’t turn this time. I know he’s not there. Not in the way I want him to be. “Come on, Indi,” I say. “Let’s go.”
    â€œWhat about the watch?” Eli asks.
    â€œKeep it,” I say.
    â€œSam, wait. He wanted you to have it. I’m going to repair it. And I have one more letter for you.” Eli dives behind the counter and pulls out a familiar-looking envelope. He holds it toward me. “Please. Take it.”
    I can’t take it. But Indi reaches out and Eli hands it to her. “I’ll give it to him later,” she murmurs.
    â€œGood. And one more thing. Just so you know. He didn’t want a funeral, but he’ll be buried on Monday, next to your grandma and your dad.”
    I start walking. I burst outside and march down the street, my feet pounding the pavement double time.
    â€œSam!” Indi calls.
    I walk faster, harder, my arms pumping at my side.
    â€œWait up, will you? Sam, please stop.”
    I don’t want to stop. What does she want from me? There’s nothing to say. I just want to be alone right now. I need to be alone. Buried next to my Dad? I seethat deep, black hole in the ground. My father’s grave. Grandpa walking away. I start running. I’m not looking back.
    Not looking back.
    Not looking.
    Not.
    Grandpa Max, when he left Dad’s grave, and left me...He never looked back.
    I stop.

chapter fourteen
    Indi is crying when she catches up to me. “I’m sorry, Sam! I’m so sorry.”
    I just shake my head.
    â€œIt’s my fault,” she sobs.
    â€œWhat? What are you talking about?” I ask.
    â€œI should have made you come down here sooner. But I let you wait, even though I had this bad feeling...I’m sorry!”
    I can’t say anything for a minute. My thoughts are spinning. Her fault? “That’scrazy, Indi! It’s not your fault. I wasn’t ready.”
    She hiccups. “But I should have talked you into coming.”
    I take hold of her arm and give it a little shake. “Indi, I don’t know who to blame, but it’s not you.”
    She sniffles. “But the way you took off from me...”
    â€œIt wasn’t you,” I say.
    â€œOkay.” She takes a deep breath. “I know that. But it’s not your fault either, Sam.”
    I take a big breath too. “Does it matter whose fault it is? It doesn’t change anything. Maybe