Lucky 13 Read Free

have had to deal with that. She must be a strong woman to put up with it for so long, but she’s an even stronger woman for leaving. That takes bravery. My grandma will help her, and you, I promise. She’s very good at what she does, and the Foundation will make sure that your father never finds you.”
    “How can you promise me that? You don’t know my father.”
    “Because I know my grandma.”
    “But my father is a cop. He has connections. He will find us again. I just know it. That’s why we kept going. It felt like he’d find us if we didn’t.” His voice is shaky, the fear Joshua holds for his father very real in every word he speaks. There is nothing I can do or say to calm those fears.
    “I need you to trust me, trust my grandma.” I hope he hears the sincerity in my words.
    “My mother does. I can tell. She’s not nearly as on edge as she was before you showed up this afternoon.”
    I noticed that earlier, too. She had a small smile on her face when I asked if we could go into town. I can’t imagine she would have let him wander that far away from her if she didn’t feel confident he’d be safe.
    “Here,” I say as I reach into my pocket and pull out the friendship bracelet I found in my drawer when packing my bag last night. I don’t remember who it’s from. I can’t even remember what city I was leaving when it was given to me. What I do remember is the feeling that I wasn’t alone in this world when I shoved it in my pocket. Someone cared about me. Someone was thoughtful enough to give it to me. I wish I could remember her name. I’d write her a letter and thank her. “Take this. I may not be around, but anytime you get worried that your dad is going to find you, just remember what I said. You can trust my grandma.”
    After placing the bracelet in Joshua’s free hand, I close it tightly. When I look up to smile at Joshua, I’m met with a look that I can’t quite describe. I don’t have time to think about it as his lips descend upon mine, and the butterflies that had gone dormant in my stomach come to life. My eyes close, my heart skips a beat, and I’m lost at what to do next. Both my hands are occupied holding his.
    I’ve never been kissed before, but I can only imagine, as far as first kisses go, this is pretty amazing. Joshua’s lips are gentle against mine. I feel his warm breath against my cheek, and even that sends my heart into overdrive.
    It doesn’t last long enough. Not for me. When he pulls back, I let out a breath and slowly open my eyes. Joshua is staring at me, grinning. The look he was giving me before is gone and has been replaced with one I can describe. Happiness.
    Turning, I focus on the sunset that’s begun without us noticing. I can’t stop smiling, and out of the corner of my eye I can see he’s smiling, too. When I arrived here today, I felt empty and alone. I don’t feel either anymore. I feel alive.
    It’s not until we’re at the end of Grandma’s driveway that he breaks the comfortable silence that has descended upon us. Turning toward me, he takes both of my hands in his and looks directly into my eyes. What I see causes me to draw in a swift breath.
    “How did I get so lucky at only thirteen? I found the girl of my dreams, and I wasn’t even looking for you. Do you really have to leave?”
    Knowing I do and we won’t ever see each other again, I lay all my feelings out on the table. “People always tend to find each other when they least expect it. I never expected to meet you or to feel this way only days after losing my mother, but I do. I wish I didn’t have to leave. I’d love to spend more time with you, but that’s not in our cards. Neither of us will be here tomorrow. I’ll be headed to the beach with my grandma and then off to Germany. You’ll be headed to your new life with your mom, a better life, where you’ll be happy and safe. I’d never want to take that away from you. Even if it meant seeing you again.”
    “Do you