Free Jumping Puddles by Rachael Brownell Page A

don’t have to stay with us, and we don’t want to influence your decision.” Scott’s voice cracks, giving away the fact he’s concerned I may change my mind.
    “Okay. I’ll let you know in the morning, then.” I smile at Scott, but he doesn’t seem to get my sarcasm. “I’m kidding. Let me make myself clear. You are stuck with me as long as you’ll let me stay. I love you guys, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
    Scott breathes a sigh of relief, and Alice lets the tears fall. The conversation turns lighter as our food arrives followed by a group of singers with our dessert. As embarrassed as I am that the attention of the entire restaurant is on me while a handful of people sing to me, I couldn’t be any happier, either.
    After our meeting with Beth in the morning, Alice takes me out for a girl’s day, letting me skip school, a tradition, now that it’s happened two years in a row. We go to the salon, where we get our hair and nails done, before Alice drags me to the mall and forces me to pick out a few new outfits. The place is almost empty, so it’s not nearly as scary as it was the last time we went shopping.
    Thinking about it makes me realize Blake hasn’t called me yet to wish me a happy birthday. I check my cell phone to make sure the ringer is up just in case he does call. We’ve talked a few times since he and Emily went back to Santa Barbara after Christmas. A few short conversations here and there. I’ve managed to avoid talking about anything important. Important meaning us or my declaration at his parent’s Christmas party.
    After stopping for ice cream, Alice and I head home to start dinner. She’s cooking my favorite tonight, spaghetti with homemade meatballs, and she’s letting me help. Actually, she’s going to teach me how to cook. I’ll need to know how when I leave at the end of the year. I’m still not sure where I’m going to end up, but I know, for sure, I’ll have to eat. Eating out is expensive, and I probably won’t be able to afford it.
    I’m surprised to find Blake sitting on the front porch when we pull in the driveway. So surprised, in fact, I blink a few times, expecting him to disappear. When he doesn’t, I leave my bags and run to him, jumping in his arms. He wraps them around me tightly, lifting me off the ground and spinning us in circles.
    “I see you were able to keep my secret, Alice. Thank you,” Blake says as Alice walks past us and up the steps.
    “You’re welcome. I expect her home at a decent hour.”
    “You knew! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” I holler at Alice, and she walks away from us.
    “He wanted to surprise you,” she replies, turning around. I see Blake smiling at her out of the corner of my eye just before Alice winks at him. “Now, you two, go have fun. I’ll leave your bags in your room.”
    I mouth the words ‘thank you’ to Alice as Blake drags me away. I have no idea what he has in store for us, but I’m sure it’s going to be a blast.
    “I can’t believe you’re here.”
    “It’s your birthday. Where else would I be?” His smile warms my heart. After everything we’ve been through, the ups and down, I’m so lucky to be able to call him… Damn! I still can’t answer that question.
    “Did Emily come with you?” I tread carefully as I climb in the passenger seat of his mother’s car.
    “Um, no.”
    He’s hiding something from me. I can tell. He’s avoiding eye contact, and his grip tightens on the steering wheel the farther we get from the house.
    “Does she know you’re here?”
    “Who?”
    “Emily!” I exclaim. I hate it when he plays dumb with me.
    “Oh. Probably not.”
    He broke up with her. He’s not going to tell me. He’s going to make me ask.
    “When did you two split?”
    “What makes you think we split?”
    “Well, for starters, she doesn’t know you’re here. Then, there’s the fact you were surprised I asked if she was here. Or it could be the fact you seem so