Free Unknown by J. L. Langley Page A

in the trash, retrieved the car seat from the foot of Sterling’s baby bed and gave one last glance at the clock—6:12—turned off the lights and shut the door. “Give me those.” He took the keys out of Sterling’s mouth. “Mom?”
    “In the kitchen.”
    It took a few moments, but he located her on the floor between the sink and the pantry. She was scrubbing something off the floor. “We’re going to Chay’s.”
    Coming to her knees, she looked at him and then Sterling. She stood and went to the pantry. In a few seconds, she emerged with two jars of baby food and put them in the diaper bag on Remi’s shoulder. “What time will you be back?”
    With any luck they’d be gone until Dirk was passed out drunk on the couch. Remi shrugged.
    Sterling started waving. “Bye bye bye bye bye.” He was right, they needed to go.
    “Well, have fun.” She glanced back at Sterling and held her arms out. “Give me a hug bye?”
    “Nooooo… Go. Me.” He grabbed Remi so hard his fingernails dug in.
    “Ow. Dude, you’re so getting your fingernails cut when we get to Chay’s.” Remi was fairly certain there were clippers in the bag.
    Mom sighed and stepped back as Remi pried Sterling’s fingers loose of skin. “Yes, you can go with Remi. I just want a hug, I’m not going to take you away.”
    There was no time for her to play mommy. Holding in a groan, Remi forced Sterling from him long enough for his mom to get a hug.
    Sterling wailed, but as soon as she handed him back he clutched Remi again and ceased his crying.
    Remi didn’t waste any time. He practically ran out the door. “Bye, mom.”
    “Bye, ma,” Sterling echoed.
    Once outside, Remi pulled the blanket up over his brother’s head. The air was chilly and the clouds loomed, making the remaining daylight scarce. It looked like it was going to snow. With any luck they’d get stranded at the Winston’s house for the entire Christmas vacation. Wouldn’t that be nice?
    Gibbering, Sterling pushed the quilted blue fabric off of his head.
    “I put that there for a reason.”
    Brow furrowed, Sterling shook his head.
    Whatever.
They were getting in the car anyway. Remi opened the door and shoved his seat foreword. He settled the car seat in and stuck Sterling inside and buckled him up.
    Sterling started babbling again as Remi shut the back door. By the time he got his mom’s ancient Nova started, snowflakes were just beginning to flutter down. Shit, they had to go now. If mom saw it was snowing she might call them back. He cranked the heater on high, hoping Sterling’s clothes and the blanket were warm enough, and put the car in reverse.
    “Oooh… Ahhhh…” Sterling cooed from the backseat.
    After backing out of the drive, Remi stepped on it trying to get away and gravel pelted the wheel wells. It was 6:18 already and the weather was less than perfect. A swarm of butterflies fluttered in his stomach and he swore his heart was going to beat right out of his chest. Dirk could come around the corner at anytime.
    “Ook, Me.”
    “I see it. It’s snow.” Remi glanced in the rearview mirror. The house was a speck and there were no car lights following them. They were nearly to Chay’s house.
    “No?”
    “Yes, snow. Sss-nu-oh,” Remi enunciated carefully still watching his surroundings for any sign of their father.
    “Sss…oh.”
    “Very good. Sss-no-oh.”
    “Sss. Oh.” Sterling practiced saying snow until they reached Chay’s house.
    Remi gave one last look around as he killed the engine.
    Obviously realizing where they were, Sterling let out a resounding yay and a series of claps. Or maybe that was an A for Chay.
Smart baby.
    The front door opened and Joe Winston appeared with the warm glow of lights behind him. He spotted Remi and waved.
    Waving back, Remi relaxed a bit.
    Joe trotted down the steps with a smile on his face. “Should you be out in this?”
    “Probably not, but I, uh—” Remi shrugged.
    “Say no more. You know you’re always