The Journey Home Read Online Free PDF

get back there, though.”
    â€œThat’s the one thing I’m completely sure about.”
    The kid looked off for a second and then regarded Joseph with new resolve in his eyes. “I’ll go with you.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’ve been telling myself for weeks that it’s time for me to get out of here. I always find a reason to hang around, though. I think you’re my sign that it’s really time to go.”

    Joseph looked at the boy skeptically. Was the kid messing with him, trying to have some fun at the expense of a confused guy he met on the street? “How old are you?”
    â€œI’m seventeen.”
    â€œThat would mean you aren’t technically able to simply go with me.”
    The kid shrugged and tossed his hair. “Depends on what you mean by ‘technically able.’ I guess I’m officially a minor, but I don’t think anyone would give me a hard time about that.”
    â€œLike your parents?”
    The kid’s eyes softened a bit. “I lost my parents when I was a little kid. I’ve been living with these people. They’re very nice, but, you know . . .”
    Joseph gave the boy an opportunity to explain further, but the kid didn’t say anything more. Instead, he just looked at Joseph, as if he were appraising him, or testing him.
    Finally, Joseph broke the silence. “Amazingly, taking you along with me wouldn’t even be the strangest thing that’s happened to me in the past day. A couple of little problems, though: I have no idea where I’m going, and I have no way of getting there.”
    â€œI can help you with the second part.” The boy pointed to a blue Camry across the street. “That’s mine. You pay for the gas.”
    Joseph stared at the car for what must have been close to a minute. Then he turned to the boy and said, “This doesn’t seem ridiculous to you?”
    The boy offered a lopsided grin. “Yeah, of course
it does. But you need to get somewhere.” His brows furrowed. “And so do I.”
    Joseph looked at the car, then at the sky, and finally at the kid. “Then let’s go.”
    They walked across the street – had a single car even passed while they had been standing there? – and entered on their respective sides. The kid put his key in the ignition and then offered his hand to Joseph.
    â€œI’m Will, by the way.”
    Joseph took the hand. He hadn’t expected the kid to have such a strong grip. “Joseph.”
    Will started the car and checked the mirrors. He obviously hadn’t been driving very long because he took every precaution before he put the car in gear. “Do you want to pick a direction?”
    Joseph closed his eyes and tried to feel for his wife. As always, the sensation was there, though it didn’t take any palpable form. He opened his eyes and pointed at a thirty-degree angle from where the car was parked. “That way.”
    â€œThat way it is,” Will said, moving out of his parking spot.
    â€œI’m hoping I can be a little more specific as we get farther along.”
    â€œThat would be good. At least we’re heading somewhere, though.”
    Yes, Joseph thought, at least we’re heading somewhere.

FIVE
    Like Crazy
    Antoinette settled into the bed, hugging her pillow closer to her as she did so.
    . . . She jumped from the couch when the door-bell rang.
    â€œIs that Mr. Dreamboat?” her mother called from the kitchen.
    â€œMother, you promised that you’d never use that name in front of him. You still promise, right?”
    â€œOf course, dear.”
    Antoinette opened the door, grinning. She planned to assault Don with kisses. However, when she saw the tight expression on his face, she simply held the door to usher him into the living room. They sat on the couch and Don finally leaned over to kiss her. In the six months that they’d been dating, she couldn’t