BRIDGER Read Free Page B

into one of his signature bear hugs, the kind only a varsity football player could manage.  “You know I’m here no matter what, right?”
    “Yeah, I know. I appreciate it.”
    “You mean the world to me.”
    I buried my face into his shoulder. “You know you mean the world to me, too.”
    “I’m serious, though.  If we could make some money off of you…”
    I grabbed the foam finger sitting on top of his overflowing trashcan and whacked him with it.  He sprinted out of his room before he could receive a more respectable flogging and headed to the kitchen.
    It was there we found a gigantic spread of food.  Reese’s mom was always doing things like that; filling us up until we were about to burst.  Tonight she had pulled out all the stops.  She put her hand on my back, smiling sympathetically. “Ash, don’t you think you should go home for the evening? You know, after everything that’s happened? I’m sure your family needs you right now.”
    Mrs. Williams was right, but there was no part of me that wanted to face what going home meant. I choked on my words, mumbling most of them unintelligibly. “No, I’m okay here. They’ll be there after dinner. I just need time.”
    She nodded, going back to the countertops to wipe things down. “Alright then. Just make sure you don’t pull away from your family. They’re what you need the most right now. By the way, all the food is egg-free, so you should be good to go. I know you’re allergic to them.”
    I blushed. Having an allergy to a ridiculously common food caused problems for everyone around me. I tried not to be embarrassed by the extra work she had to put in when I was around.  “Thanks, Mrs. Williams.  I appreciate it.”
    We all sat down and had dinner together.  They were merciful and allowed me to eat in silence.  My phone had vibrated nonstop through the meal; no doubt Mom trying to call.  I ignored it.  After we’d finished the meal, Jamie smiled sympathetically at me. I was starting to feel like a charity case, and I knew better than to be here. Chris needed me right now and I’d just bailed on him. It was a pretty crummy move to come here, but I’d been selfish and wanted Reese to make things all right for at least a moment.
    Jamie smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. It seemed she was finally taking in the day for herself. “Ash, the cookies are for you.  You can take some home for your family, if you want. You might need something sweet for…you know…” She trailed off. She was never good with emotions.
    “Thanks, Jamie.  You’re awesome.”
    She left to get the cookies from the counter, then began passing them out at the table.  She handed me a Christmas tree, still smiling.  Breaking off a large chunk, I popped it in my mouth.  “You know, this isn’t half – ”
    My tongue cut off the sentence halfway through.  Suddenly my throat was too thick.  Gagging, I fell to all fours on the way to the sink. 
    The room began to spin.  Where had all the air gone?  My lungs burned as I tried to breathe.  What once were my hands had swollen to the size of small dinner plates.  I looked up to find that Jamie’s eyes were full of shock. Suddenly, a look of comprehension swept across her face and she sprang to life.  At that moment, I doubled over, succumbing to the heaves sweeping my body. 
    Reese began to yell. I couldn’t breathe.  I was going to die.
    There was a crushing blow against my back.  A pair of arms appeared around my waist, thrusting up and into my stomach.  Another pound crashed down between my shoulder blades.  Why was I being beat to death from the inside and out?  There was no way to figure out what was going on, why there was no air in my lungs.  For a second the blows rescinded, leaving me weak and disoriented.
    Reese was still yelling.  “Jamie, where’s her EPI pen? Go get it! It should be in her bag in my room! We can stop the reaction if we use it in time!”
    Jamie gave no