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Ronnie’s backpack. “So, are you guys just passing through?” Ronnie perched on the arm of Zach’s chair. “Actually, we were wondering if we could crash with you for a few days.”
    Joelle rummaged around in a cupboard and found a couple of mugs. “Um, yeah, sure. If you don’t mind the couch or the floor. I only have one bedroom.”
    â€œThat’s fine,” Ronnie said. “We really appreciate you letting us stay.”
    I looked around. It seemed to me we’d have to do a fair bit of work to find the couch and the floor, and the thought of sleeping on either of them was less than appealing. “What about Zach?” I said.
    â€œHe can sleep in his stroller,” Ronnie said. She had dark circles under her eyes, and her voice sounded strained. “He’ll be fine.”
    I nodded.
    Zach crumbled a Ritz cracker in his fist. “Dada,” he said. “Dada.”
    â€œNot now, Zach.” Ronnie looked at me. “I don’t have the energy to deal with him sometimes, you know?”
    This apartment was enough to suck the last dregs of strength from anyone. “Come on,” I said. “Let’s go do something. We’re in LA!” I bent down to ruffle Zach’s dark hair. “Universal Studios? What do you say?”
    â€œTheo!” Ronnie laughed. “You have any idea what that costs?”
    I shrugged. “Not a clue, actually. But we might as well get out for the day.”
    â€œYeah,” Joelle said. “I have to work tonight, so I need to sleep this morning.”
    â€œRonnie said you had a job in the movie business.”
    â€œUh, yeah. Well, I acted in a couple of films. But tonight I’m just waitressing.” She yawned widely. “I’ll give you my spare key, okay? But if you could stay out until, like, three or four, that’d be cool.”
    â€œSure,” I said. “I mean, thanks. For letting us crash here.”
    â€œRonnie and me, we go way back,” Joelle said.

Chapter Seven
    It turned out that Ronnie was right. Getting the three of us into Universal Studios would have cost almost two hundred bucks. Which was half the money in my bank account.
    â€œZach’s probably too young for the rides anyway,” Ronnie said. “Joelle said we should check out CityWalk. At least it’s free.”
    I’d never heard of CityWalk. It turned out to be several blocks of shops and restaurants and movie theaters, starting right outside the entrance to Universal Studios. Brightly colored signs were everywhere. A three-story-high guitar hung in front of a Hard Rock Café, and a massive King Kong leaned over the street, looking ready to grab passersby.
    Ronnie laughed and handed me her phone. “Take my picture, Theo.” She posed in front of the gorilla’s enormous hand, and I backed up, angling the camera so that it looked as though she was just about to be snatched up like the chick in the King Kong movie.
    Zach fussed in his stroller, squirming and whimpering. “You want to get out, little buddy?” I asked him. “Want to run around a bit?” I fumbled with the straps, which seemed remarkably complicated, until Ronnie came and took over. She freed Zach with a couple of quick clicks, and he clambered down.
    â€œWant to see?” I asked, showing her the photo on her phone.
    â€œHold it still.” She put her hand over mine, shading the screen from the sun. Her fingers were soft and cool against my own. “Oh, that’s awesome! It looks totally real. I’m putting this one on Facebook.” Then she frowned and pulled her hand away. “Or not, I guess.”
    â€œWhat?” I handed her the phone. “Oh, right. I guess that’d kind of let everyone know where you are. But your ex doesn’t still have access to your Facebook, does he?”
    â€œOf course not.” She watched Zach, who was running about in wildly