Cooper followed me home in his car. Mom wouldn’t be home yet, she didn’t get off work until 8.
I hopped out of the car and ran in to write a quick note:
Hey Mom. Sorry, I’m at Dad’s, helping out with some gardening stuff. I took some clothes with me, so don’t worry about anything. I’ll see you tomorrow after school. Call me if you need to.
Love you,
Brit.
She wouldn’t call. Mom was always way too busy trying to figure out her own life to see how messed up mine was. I wondered how many times I’d left notes like this, claiming I was at Dad’s. It’s a good thing they hate each other’s guts or I’d never get away with this.
I grabbed some extra clothes and headed back out, Cooper still tailing me. I dropped my car off at my cousin’s house (she never minded) and then slid into Cooper’s.
The whole process was rather systematic. I’d been doing this for a long time.
Cooper smiled at me, taking my hand, “You ready to go?”
I nodded, “Where to?”
He shrugged, “I was thinking movie, then dinner at Jalf’s Cafe.”