Exchange Rate Read Online Free PDF Page B

gone into the water for fun. The seaweed had been a trial meal. We wanted to see if the underwater version had any taste or made us feel fuller than the on-land plants. Anything was worth trying.
    No showers. No solid meals. No clean clothes or walls. A chair at a table was so far off I had stopped looking at them at the houses. I never had time to sit and enjoy just being because our days focused on finding our next sleeping place and food and resources. And escaping Charlie.
    Always what was next, what was next?
    I hadn’t had a period in almost fifteen months. Well, I’d spotted once or twice, but I remember my mom mentioning there would be a lack of a period when there was severe diet restrictions or stress on the body. We didn’t eat enough for our hormones to be regulated. With my weight loss, I had left the chest bindings behind. No hips, no breasts, nothing to define me as a woman of nineteen. Like I’d gotten stuck at twelve like Mom wanted.
    Bodey didn’t seem to mind. I told him once I’d have more curves, if I could get more food in me. He’d grinned and commented he’d have more muscles with more protein. I believed him. We both were shadows of our former selves.
    Bodey shifted back to rest on his rear, moving his leg so his knee bumped mine. We always touched, even little bits casually.
    I couldn’t wait anymore. Screw it. “Did you think about what Bodey said earlier?” I didn’t even have the grace to blush. Enough was enough. I loved John, but if he didn’t respect me or his son, there was nothing I could do to change it at this point. At least bitterness made me feel that way. I could believe anything with an empty stomach and hopes dangling by a blade of grass all day long.
    Cracking open the bag of jerky, John handed us each a strip. I bit into the chunk of dry meat, uncaring that the toughness was almost unbearable. I would chew and work on a small piece in my mouth for a couple hours. We could make the bag last a few days, knowing how sparse protein was in our lives then. In our reusable mugs, Bodey spooned oatmeal and passed the steaming dishes out.
    The first bite was unbearably sweet and I craved more before I’d even swallowed. I couldn’t figure out which I needed more – John’s answer or food.
    John paused before scooping a bite into his mouth. He motioned at us with his spoon. “I figured something like this was coming. I’m not going to pretend I didn’t expect it, I just didn’t expect it so soon.” He chewed, watching the fire while he thought more. “You’re both so young, nineteen soon and twenty even sooner. I can’t imagine getting married so young.”
    But I didn’t feel young. I felt older than... I stared into the glowing coals. I couldn’t remember reckless or impulsive. Both could kill me now. Did loving Bodey fall into either of those categories? I glanced at him.
    I couldn’t remember a time when I didn’t care about Bodey in some way. I’d had a crush on him since freshman year. Discovering him alive sixteen months ago had been more invigorating than anything else I’d done, like my hope had exploded after swimming in such intense despair. I’d lost Mom and found Bodey and John.
    “I don’t feel young.” Bodey murmured, jerking another bite of his share of the meat. He and I always seemed connected, like we felt what the other felt and understood. I was crazy and he was practical but when we got together we became half of the other.
    Hot oatmeal and jerky settled in my stomach, replacing the aching emptiness. Now, all I had to do was make it through the turmoil, waiting for John’s answer.
    He sighed, carefully dropping his empty mug to the ground. “There isn’t any way to perform a legal ceremony. I doubt any judges or preachers are around to marry you two.”
    Bodey brought his gaze up, pinpointing his dad with his stare. “Dad, you could do it. You have all kinds of military and legal background.”
    John lifted his hands, firelight