Free Three Little Words by Harvey Sarah N. Page B

twice in one day, Sid thinks. That would never happen at home.
    â€œI used to ask Megan to make these all the time,” Sid says. “She didn’t use English muffins—no white flour in our house—and we had them with applesauce. But apple boats are good too,” he hastens to add. “If the apples aren’t mushy.”
    â€œAgreed,” Elizabeth says. “There’s nothing worse than a mushy apple.”
    They eat in silence for a few minutes. Elizabeth hasn’t yet asked about his morning. She seems very calm for someone whose daughter and grandson are missing. Maybe she’s a naturally calm person or maybe she’s had to learn to be calm, with a crazy daughter and an outof-control grandson. Sid isn’t used to taking the lead in conversations, but he wants her to know that he made a bit of progress, if you can call it that.
    â€œI met a girl today who says she’ll help me look for Wain,” Sid says. “Her name’s Amie. She works at the bakery where I got the cookies.”
    Elizabeth nods.
    â€œSo could I have some more copies of Wain’s picture? And I need a contact number for people too.”
    â€œYou should have a phone while you’re here,” Elizabeth says. “One of those throwaway phones criminals always use on TV .” She smiles. “Although you don’t look like much of a criminal to me.”
    â€œA burner phone, you mean?” Sid says, thinking of his shrinking two hundred dollars.
    â€œIs that what they’re called? I’ll ask Phil where to get one. And don’t worry. I’ll pay for it.”
    Sid starts to stutter that he can pay, but he doesn’t sound very convincing, even to himself.
    â€œI’m a rich old lady, Sid,” Elizabeth says. “And you’re my grandson. I have some indulging to catch up on.”
    â€œOkay. But I don’t need, like, an iPhone or anything. There’s no service on the island. And I’m not going to be here very long.”
    â€œI understand,” Elizabeth says, and Sid believes her.
    Phil buys Sid a phone at a 7 -Eleven, and when they get back to the garage, Sid goes up to the loft and calls Chloe. He knows it’s long distance, but he doesn’t care. He needs to talk to her. Of course, she doesn’t answer her cell; even if she is in an area that gets service, his number will show up as Unknown . He leaves her a message. “It’s me. I have a cell. Yeah, I know. I said I’d never get one, but I need one down here. Call me. Please. I miss you. I know you’re mad at me for leaving, and I’m sorry.” He leaves his number, disconnects and then phones home. Megan doesn’t pick up either. He leaves his number again, feeling lonelier than he has since he left the island. He climbs down the ladder and watches Phil sand a chest of drawers.
    â€œNo luck?” Phil looks up and stops sanding.
    Sid shakes his head. “Is there a bike I could use?” he asks. “I thought I’d go for a ride. Check out the ’hood.”
    â€œMy bike has two flat tires—I don’t use it much—but you can take Devi’s sit-up-and-beg or Wain’s BMX .”
    â€œSit-up-and-beg?” Sid has never heard of such a thing. It sounds like a dog, not a bike.
    â€œYou know, a ladies’ bike with a low bar, high handlebars and a chain guard. Devi’s bike is hot pink and it has a wicker carrier basket. And a bell.” Phil grins.
    Sid shudders. He’d rather crawl on his hands and knees than ride a bike like that. “What about Wain’s bike? He’s big for thirteen. Should be okay.” Sid wishes he’d thought to bring his dirty gray mountain bike with him. BMX bikes always feel strange to him—as if he’s stolen a bike from a six-year-old.
    â€œIt’s on the back porch,” Phil says. “He loved that bike. For a while he talked about getting into competitive