“What’s he do?” Chomps asks.

Shit. What does he do? I shrug. “I don’t know. He works from home, but he wanted peace and quiet. To get away or whatever.” Which is true. I know the stuff he writes for his magazine is done over the internet.

“Hmm,” Penny says. “And you wanted to come with him? That surprises me.”

“What is this? Twenty Questions?” I try to push a hand through my hair, but then I remember I’m wearing a stupid hat. Are all Alaskans this nosey? The only thing I know about the state is it’s cold, full of trees, and Sarah Palin can see Russia from here.

“So-rry.” Penny says, her cheeks a little pink, making me feel like a jerk. There’s no doubt in my mind it takes a lot to embarrass this girl.

Chomps breaks the tension when he starts to tickle her. Penny lasts about two seconds before she gets the best of him and they’re all laughing. I sit back and watch them. From there, they launch into talk about hockey and school. I lose track after a while, and they don’t try to include me anymore. Crazily, not answering questions becomes more annoying than answering them.

About thirty minutes later, I get up and walk away. I’m not even sure they notice I’m gone. My door is closed long enough for me to walk to the bathroom before someone knocks. I put some toothpaste in my mouth real quick before pulling it open.

“Aren’t we the little joiner?” Gary teases. “I’m glad to see you’re making friends.”

“I’m not making friends. Can I help you with something?”

Gary actually says, “tsk, tsk,” at me. “So grumpy. This Alaskan air isn’t helping your mood at all.” When I groan, he gets serious. “You feeling okay? You still haven’t gotten sick or anything, have you? How are you sleeping?”

Didn’t we already go over this? “Shit,” I turn, stalk over to the couch, and fall down on it. “No, I’m not going through withdrawals or anything. I’m not a drug addict, Gary.” Part of me wonders if I should tell him I can’t sleep, but it’ll probably make him think it’s because I don’t have pills. That’s not it. I’m sure of it.

He walks over and sits down across from me. “I know this isn’t easy, and I know you’re pissed, but you can talk to me, okay?”

I groan again, and he holds up his hands before continuing. “I’m not saying you have to. I’m telling you the option is always here, okay? You know I’ve been through this years ago with Troy, but I’m not sure if you realize this is what I used to do. I can help. I want to help. Now, I’ll ask you again. You okay? Do you need one of your anxiety meds?”

He used to do this? No, I didn’t know that, but it explains why they sent him here with me. Makes me wonder how he went from therapist to writing for a magazine, though I don’t know what kind of magazine he writes for. Maybe it does go together.

The shakes try setting in, but I don’t tell him that. The more they think I’m okay, the faster I should be able to get out of this place. That beer should have helped me relax. “No, I’m cool. I don’t need anything.”

“Tomorrow’s our chat day, okay? We can talk about anything you want. Maybe you’ll have thought of something for you that’s like Troy’s trees were for him.”

Yeah fucking right. Instead of letting those words out, I nod. Gary stays for a few more minutes before he tells me goodnight and leaves. Once he’s gone, I pick up my cell phone and make a quick call to Maryanne. Maybe if I have her get me some stuff, I won’t have to take my anxiety meds at all.

The rest of the night is spent trying to sleep, going outside and chain-smoking the cigarettes I hate, and wondering if Penny has drowned any of her friends yet. When I finally do fall asleep, I dream about climbing trees.

…

I’m standing on the porch the next morning, dreading my talk with Gary later, when I see lights going on and off in the big house. I figure it must be Penny getting ready for school. I probably slept a total of three hours last night. Every time I fell into a deep sleep, something forced my dry eyes open. They’re burning today. Each time I blink, it’s like someone rubbing sandpaper over them.

Soon, Penny runs outside and starts up her monster truck before heading back in the house. It’s bizarre. I could never leave my car running in L.A. like that, or it would be gone. Or my motorcycle. Damn, I miss that, too. I have this friend Ryan I used to go riding with before things got crazy busy. Those were good times. Is that when things were easier? The question popping into my head pisses me off.

The truck. It’s something I don’t mind thinking about. Just like with her friends last night, the lack of security is new to me. This town is almost like one of those shows you see on TV that don’t seem real. Where nothing bad happens, everyone is finish-each-other’s-sentences kind of friends. I almost expect everything to be black and white. Like it takes place in the fifties or something.

Her truck continues to warm up, and I have the biggest urge to drive off in it. I don’t know if it’s just to teach her a lesson or if I hope I can run away and not come back.

When she comes out again, she’s all bundled up and scraping the windows. Her hair is hidden under a hat and another screwed up urge hits me. This time I want to take the hat off so I can see her hair. It’s such a killer color.

“Hey!” she yells to me and waves. I’m still kind of pissed off about last night so I don’t do anything back. Penny shakes her head at me before climbing in the truck and pulling away. Her hand shoots out the window and she flips me off before she’s gone.

I can’t help but chuckle. That girl is no joke.

…

“You have something hanging out of your lip.”

The old man smirks at me. He’s got long gray hair and a long gray beard, and I am pretty sure if there are bodies in the freezers, he’s the one who put them there.

“Thanks for letting me know.” Penny left about twenty minutes ago, and I still haven’t managed to leave the porch. I really don’t want to be a jerk to some old man, but I’m not in the best mood, either. I look away from him.

The old guy laughs. “I’m giving you a hard time, Rookie. It’s nice. Think I could get one?” My head snaps his way, and he winks at me. It’s crazy, but I don’t doubt this guy for a second. He would totally get his lip pierced.

“Got any plans today?” he asks me.

“Nope.” I pull out another cigarette and light it.

“You afraid to get your hands dirty?”

“Huh?”

“Nah, I don’t think you are.” He laughs again. “Know anything about cars?” He’s practically bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Yeah. A little.” A lot, actually.

“Wanna work on one with me?” This guy is all huge eyes, crazy beard, and twitchy movements. It’s like he’s high on something, though I highly doubt he is.

My body perks up a little, suddenly not tired anymore. If he wants me to work on the Corvette I saw the other day, the answer is hell yes. Actually, I’d pretty much jump at the chance to work on any car. My hands itch to keep busy. “I guess.”

He holds his hand out to me. “I’m Gramps.”

“Bishop.” I shake his hand and then follow him. He leads me to the Corvette. Without Penny here, I get the chance to admire it even more. It’s buffed smooth but mottled gray, primed and ready for paint. I’m almost positive it’s a 1975. It’s—

“A beauty, isn’t she?” Gramps says. He sounds like a kid he’s so excited.

“She’s awesome. I love cars like this.” And I can’t believe I actually get to work on her. Not just because she’s incredible, but because I have the time to.

Gramps and I dig in, leaning over the engine. He tells me about some trouble they’ve been having with the engine and getting the wrong carburetor, so they’re almost at a standstill aside from some minor gaskets. I guess Penny has some huge plans for fixing her up. “This is Penny’s ride?”

“Yep.”