Unexpectedly, Milo - Matthew Dicks [113]
Or he could’ve told Emma about how Cassidy had entered his life just when he was feeling the most alone, and how even though her revelations were meant to remain private, he couldn’t help but admire the courage that she demonstrated in committing them to tape. He could’ve talked about the bond that he felt with Cassidy, a connection that was indescribably strong despite its improbability, and how he sometimes thought that she might be the only person in the world who was capable of truly understanding him and the inexplicable demands placed upon him. His secrets. Though it wasn’t a full-blown crush, he could’ve spoken about the affection that he felt for Cassidy Glenn, and how there was little in the world that he would not have done to secure and defend her happiness.
Milo said none of these things. He took two more bites of his pancakes, waiting for Emma to speak, but when the silence grew more protracted than he could stand, he finally spoke again. “Look, all I want is to convince Tess to call Cassidy and tell her that she’s okay. Alive and well. That the plan had worked and that Cassidy has nothing to feel guilty about. No need for details. No need for a location or a secret identity. I don’t even need to meet Tess. If you could just call her and explain things, or just take Cassidy’s phone number to her. I’m sure that when she hears this story, when she hears how much Cassidy has been suffering, and for how long, she’ll be willing to make the call. Please, can you just do that for me?”
“I’m afraid not,” Emma said with abject finality.
“Please,” Milo said, frantically searching for some other means of coercion. “Just take the number and go.” He held the slip of paper out for Emma, shaking it when she failed to reach for it. “Please. I don’t care if I never meet Tess. Just give her the number. Tell her to call. Call from a pay phone. Use a stranger’s cell phone. Whatever. Please, just take the number and convince her to call.”
“Relax, Milo. I don’t need the number. I’ve decided to go back to Connecticut with you.”
“What?”
“Milo, I’m Tess Bryson.”
chapter 27
The euphoria that Milo should have felt on learning that he was sitting across from Tess Bryson was immediately tempered by her declaration that she was returning to Connecticut with him. Once the shock of the moment had passed and the two had eaten a little food, Milo addressed his concern.
“I don’t understand. Why don’t you just call?”
“I haven’t been back north since I ran away as a kid. I missed my mother’s funeral and haven’t even visited her grave. It’s time for me to go back, Milo. And now I have a reason to go.”
“But I could just give you Cassidy’s address and you could drive up whenever you wanted? Wouldn’t that be more convenient for you?” The truth was that Milo did not want to be trapped inside a car with Tess Bryson for more than twenty-four hours, with no telling which demand might suddenly light up and force him to start smashing Weebles or tossing a bowling ball or singing karaoke.
“There’s no time like the present. And besides, I think I need to go now. And go with you. Just the thought of New England scares the shit out of me, even with my father in jail. I’m not sure that I could go alone even if I wanted to. And besides, you deserve some credit. Making the effort to reunite me and Cassidy was above and beyond the call of duty. I want you with me when I knock on her door.”
“What about your job? You can’t just up and leave. Can you?”
“Actually, I can. I’m a writer. I’m working on a book right now, but my deadline is four months away, and I’ve got two weeks’ worth of columns written for emergencies like this. Taking a few days off is no big deal. And besides, this is important. Even if my deadline were tomorrow, I think I’d still be going. This is something I’ve waited a long time to do. Today is the day.”
“Okay, but what about your car? And clothing and stuff. You’ll have to drive home to pack, and I really can’t wait for you. You said you live four hours away. That’s eight hours