“Thanks?”
Gramps nods. “You have thirty minutes to vacate the premises.”
He disappears down the hallway and I’m not sure what he’s working on, but I’m just glad he seemsexcitedabout something. Grams had to leave the house during Gramps’s project days too, so this feels like more movement in the right direction.
I’m free. What to do with this freedom? Ishouldgo to the library and continue working on my essay. Instead, I send a message to my group text with Le Crew.
I’M FREE
12:32 PM
Molly Jacobson
OMG FINALLY
12:33 PM
Autumn Williams
12:35 PM
Molly Jacobson
??
12:37 PM
So I spend my first hours of freedom dress shopping at the Middleton Mall.
Winter formal is two weeks away, and I don’t know how many times I have to tell Molly I’m not going before it sinks in. She’s had her dress for weeks, of course, but Autumn still needs one. I agree to tag along because I need to get out anyway, and for the first time in almost two weeks, Ican.
“In and out,” Autumn says. “I need to pick up Marcy and Max at four.”
“Dogs have no concept of time, Autumn.”
“Marcy knows when I’m late.”
Autumn is the most popular dog walker in Middleton, with a client list that continues to grow. There is a winter chill in the wind—signaling that Autumn’s peak season is about to begin. At thirteen, she started the business when no place else would hire her because, well, child labor laws. She managed to charm most of the neighbors into paying her to walk their dogs with USC fliers and her perfect smile.
If Autumn is on a mission to be in and out, Molly’s mission is to take her sweet time. She scours H&M’s sales racks and pulls no less than half a dozen dresses for Autumn to try on in a variety of colors and styles. Autumn rolls her eyes but takes the stack of dresses into the nearest fitting room.
“You’re not wearing black,” Molly says to Autumn’s only pick, a trademark black A-line cut with lace sleeves.
“Why not?” Autumn asks.
“You always wear black!” Molly says.
“Is senior year really the time to go off-brand?” Autumn counters.
Molly holds out a fitted jade dress. “Just try this one.”
Autumn takes the dress. “That is going to be way too tight.”
“Just try it—and toss that one over for Halle to try on.”
“How come Halle gets to wear black?” Autumn asks.
“Halle isn’t going,” I say.
