Even though the mouth of the Monroes' basement wasn't dark like it usually was, my heart still pounded as I looked down into its depths. When I'd seen Callum's car parked out front, my stomach had flipped itself inside out. He was never here after school.

I pressed my lips together as Jo flew down the stairs, her skirt swinging wildly. She wanted to continue her recycling crusade with me, and I said I would go because I felt better about Mom staying buried after yesterday's ...