Chapter 128: Reconciliation

He didn't take me home like I expected and though I figured I was in for a reaming or at least considerable I told you so's, I was still glad. I couldn't face Mom just yet. She figured I'd be out until at least midnight and I knew it was hours before that.

Quaid pulled into the small park down the street from my house and switched off the engine. He slid off his helmet, hanging it from the handlebars, but didn't try to get up.

I let go long enough to tug my helmet from my hair, shocked when it came free that the updo still felt reasonably secure.

Mom certainly knew what to do with bobby pins.

I slid off the back of the bike, dropping my shoes in the grass, letting the now too-long hem of my skirt hit the ground.

"Thanks for the ride."

Quaid watched me as I shuffled my bare feet and tried to come up with something else to say, some defense for my actions. I had none. I'd done the best I could with what was left to me. My silence dragged out so long, mind wrestling with words and e