32.JAKE

She's sent me an email, but I can't read it.

I found Tarun Singh sitting at the hotel bar that night. When a spot opens up beside him, I slide into it and offer to buy him a refill of his drink.

He accepts.

Later that night, I open the email. I re-read it. More than once.

My response:

I don't sleep a lot. My brain can't seem to slow down enough to rest. Maybe I should try your lavender?

So if flesh-eating zombies attack, all I have to do is outrun you? Easy.

Tell me there are childhood photos with blueberries all over your face. Send them all to me. I'm not kidding.

I purposely tried running away from home once after a hockey fight with Grant (my brother). My dad was the one who noticed first and drove around until he found me buying a gas station hotdog. I thought he would be mad, but he didn't yell. He hugged me.

Why can I talk to you about my dad, but to no one else?