Free The Journey Home by Brandon Wallace Page A

hung almost to her knees, with designs of moose and other animals woven into it.
    â€œThis is Jake, and this is Taylor,” Kim said. “They’re in the school wilderness club. We were going to go fishing together, but we, um, played in the snow instead. We had to dig Taylor out of a snowdrift.”
    Jake exhaled loudly. He suddenly realized he’d been holding his breath.
    Kim’s mom sighed, shut the door, and hung up her coat. “Kimama, why don’t you ever tell me when you’ve invited your friends over? We’ll have to have the salmon tonight, and you know I was saving it.”
    â€œMom, don’t—”
    â€œYour friends are always welcome, but I need to know in advance. Last time, I came home to your rock band rehearsing in my own living room! Would it kill you to ask permission once in a while?”
    Kim rolled her eyes. “I did tell you! I told you last week, remember?”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œYou were on the phone. You probably didn’t hear.”
    There was something a little disturbing about how easily Kim was lying to her mom, Jake thought. She’d clearly had a lot of practice.
    â€œWe don’t want to be any trouble,” he said, feeling guilty.
    â€œIt’s no trouble,” the woman said, looking right through him. “Jake, you said? Kim’s never mentioned you before.”
    â€œUm, we only moved here recently,” Jake said helplessly.
    â€œMom, give them a break,” Kim said, sounding weary. “Is it okay if Jake and Taylor sleep over?”
    For the first time the woman smiled at Jake. “I’m Haiwee. Of course you’re welcome to stay the night. As long as your parents are okay with it.”
    â€œThey already called their mom and asked for permission,” Kim said quickly.
    â€œGreat. Best not to go out in this weather,” said Haiwee, “especially after getting stuck in the snow. Tomorrow, oncethe plow’s opened the roads back up, I’ll drive you straight down to Riverton.”
    â€œThanks!” Taylor beamed. “So . . . can we still go fishing tomorrow?”
    Jake just laughed and rolled his eyes at Kim.

    The boys awoke the next morning to a fog of heavenly smells—frying bacon, eggs, toasting bread.
    And fried potatoes? Jake asked himself, still lying on the floor in his sleeping bag. He opened his eyes and sat up.
    Haiwee glanced over from a small propane range next to the sink. “You’re awake,” she said cheerfully. “Did you get some rest?”
    â€œYeah,” Jake muttered, rubbing his eyes. Taylor also stirred next to him, but Cody sat over by the range, keeping a careful eye on Haiwee’s cooking.
    Kim burst through the front door carrying half a dozen pieces of firewood. “Here you go, Mom. I split the logs. Is breakfast ready?”
    She began to enter the room, but Haiwee snapped, “Those boots are caked with snow! Go clean them off!”
    Kim rolled her eyes. “It must have snowed another six inches last night,” she said as she stomped her boots free of snow.
    Haiwee tutted. “If that’s true, that plow might not get the road open today after all.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” Kim said, leaning on the table. “Jake,Taylor, and Cody can just stay an extra night, right?”
    â€œHmm,” Haiwee answered. “Maybe. But first things first. Who’s hungry?”
    Taylor sat up suddenly, like an electric jolt had passed through him. “I am!”
    Everyone laughed.
    â€œYes, well, the cold mountain air can give you an appetite,” Haiwee told him.
    Jake wasn’t sure if it was the avalanche, or months of eating lean meat and roots, but he and Taylor ate so much, they thought they might burst.
    â€œYou look like you haven’t eaten in about a year,” Kim said, and laughed.
    â€œWe’ve eaten,” Taylor said. “Just nothing as good as this.”
    Haiwee