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  We were about an hour into the drive. I had the ballgame playing quietly on the radio. Right in the middle of me staring at her, she started talking.

  “Alex, can I ask you a question?”

  I quickly shifted my gaze back to the road and felt my face growing hot. Was she awake the whole time? Did she know I was gawking at her?

  “Yeah,” I said, trying to play it cool. “What's up?”

  “What did you see in Julie?”

  I looked at her with curiosity. She was looking at me now from her seat, still reclined. A strange question, but I liked it. In the middle of everything that was going on, finding out I was adopted, seeing visions of Cindy in trouble, walking through walls, I needed something normal to focus on. As always, Cindy helped keep me grounded.

  I thought about the first night I met Julie. Our normal goofy crew was running around Baltimore Harbor. We saw Julie and a group her friends dancing right by the water. She caught my eye immediately. At first I thought she was interested in Dave, but it was Cindy who pointed out she was “giving me the look”. We ended up hanging out as one big group that night, and Julie and I connected.

  “She was hot, confident, nice smile, laughed at my stupid jokes. She used to love the way me and you acted.”

  Cindy sat up. “Ah, confident. So you like confident women? Julie used to always talk about how hot she was. She knew guys looked at her.”

  I reluctantly nodded. “Yeah, maybe confident isn't the right word.”

  “So what else do you look for in a woman?”

  I laughed at the question. “It'll be a long time before I date anyone now.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, first, I gotta make sure she doesn't mind that I work at a shipping dock. Then I gotta make sure she doesn't mind me being some kind of freak.”

  “You're not a freak.”

  “And then there's you.”

  “What about me?”

  “The woman's gotta be able to put up with you. Remember Marie? She used to always say she didn't want us being friends. Too damn jealous.”

  Cindy smiled. “Yeah, I've been through that too. My exes were always jealous of the white boy Alex.”

  “What? You're kidding.”

  “Nope, no kidding. Promise me something. We'll always be friends, regardless of who you date.”

  I looked at her. A weird request. She should know we'd always be friends.

  “Of course, Cindy. Come on now, who else is gonna look after you?”

  She smiled, but then she looked sad.

  “What's up?” I asked.

  “Nothing. Who's winning?” she said, pointing to the radio.

  I decided to let it drop, but there was something going on she wasn't telling me. And I would get to the bottom of it eventually.

  “Orioles. Three to one.”

  “Nice. Maybe we'll finally win one.”

  I drove the rest of the way to Blossom. Cindy offered to drive, but I didn't give the wheel up. If it was a longer trip I might have, but didn't need to. Blossom was a small town. It wasn't like a suburb where everything blended together and there was plenty to see on the way to the city. This was an isolated town out in the middle of Pennsylvania. It was ten o'clock when we got there, so I knew there was no use in looking for Heavenly Heart.

  I pulled into the first hotel I could find, which was a Holiday Inn Express. I was surprised. Given the way the town looked I didn't think they'd made it to Blossom.

  I met Cindy at the trunk to get our bags.

  “Is this place alright?” I asked her.

  “Hey. As long as there's a bed, it's perfect.” She looked around at the empty streets. “This place looks dead.”

  “Hey, this is my hometown you're talking about,” I said with a smile.

  “Yeah, no wonder you're an oddball.”

  The lobby was completely empty except for a bored elderly man behind the counter. His name-tag read Marvin. I already liked him because he had a ballgame on under the desk. I could hear it as we walked up. He reached down and lowered the volume.

  “Good evening,” he said simply.

  “Hi. I hope you have rooms open?”

  “Nope. We're all booked.”

  I stared at him. Words escaped me. Then he smiled.

  “I'm just funnin' ya. Don't think we've ever been full here. How long ya staying?”

  Good question. I didn't have an answer.

  “Uh, at least one night. Maybe two?”

  “That's no problem. Stay as long as you need to. Just remember to check out before eleven when you want to leave. It's seventy-two a night.”

  I handed over a credit card and signed a form. He gave me a key.

  “Thanks. Hey listen, do you know where Heavenly Heart is?” I looked at my directions. “It's an adoption center on Church Street?”

  He eyed up Cindy and me. “You two looking to adopt?”

  Cindy reached over and grabbed my arm. “Oh no,” she said. “We won't have to adopt, will we, my stallion?”

  I barely held in my laughter. I shook my head. “Nah, no adoption here.”

  Marvin didn't smile. “It's three streets over from this one.”

  “Thanks a lot. Goodnight.”

  We laughed all the way up to the room. Cindy could make me laugh so easy. I stopped laughing when I slid the electronic key through the lock and pushed the door open.

  “What the hell is this?” I asked.

  Cindy walked past me and dropped her bag on the floor. She gave the room a look over. Normal enough. Dresser with a mirror, tiny refrigerator, TV, bathroom in the back.

  “What's the problem?”

  “There's only one bed.”

  Cindy shrugged. “So?”

  “Don't these places usually come with two?”

  She sat on the bed and kicked her shoes off. “Don't know. It's been a while since I shacked up with a guy in a hotel room. What's the big deal? We have little sleepovers all the time.”

  “Yeah, but that's with a couch and a bed. We're missing one here.”

  “Would you stop your bitching and get in here.”

  I stepped inside and shut the door. I was already stressed out. I didn't want to spend my first night in Blossom sleeping on the floor.

  I tried to ignore it. I started thinking about the general plan. I sat on the dresser across from Cindy. She leaned back and crossed her legs, looking very sexy.

  “Okay. So tomorrow morning we go to the adoption place. They tell me what I need to know. Then I go talk to my parents. I'm hoping we'll be heading home tomorrow night.”

  “They might not even live here, you know. Maybe they moved to Brazil, for all we know.”

  I never really thought about that. “Well, if they did, then we're still heading back. I'm not driving to Brazil.”

  “Sounds good. And I hate to cut this short, but that drive was rough. You mind if I go to bed?”

  “Go for it. I'll setup camp on the floor.”

  “Don't be a dumbass, Alex. You can sleep next to me. I promise I won't try to jump you in the middle of the night.”

  The sad part was if she did, I probably wouldn't stop her.

  My heart skipped a beat at the idea. I knew then this crush wasn't exactly fading away.

  But I could control it. Hell, if I could control my ability to walk through walls and turn invisible, I could control a crush on my best friend. It would go away. I would kill it, it would just take time.

  “I'll stay on my side of the bed. I promise.”

  She smiled. “I know, Alex. Man, stop throwing a fit. You can have the bathroom first.”

  I heard her changing clothes while I brushed my teeth. I knew I'd have a hard time sleeping. I was still wound up from the drive. But I knew I couldn't stay up late. Tomorrow was going to be a crazy day, and I had to get rest.

  I left the bathroom to see Cindy wearing flannel pajamas. She disappeared into the bathroom while I went through my bag, and immediately I realized so
mething.

  “Dammit.”

  When I packed, I thought I'd be alone. I didn't pack any kind of pajamas. I had sweatpants, but that was it. That would have to do. I quickly put them on. I even kept my shirt on. It would be a hot night.

  I crawled into bed and turned the light out on my side. A few minutes later Cindy joined me. It was probably a funny sight. I was all the way over on my side. Another inch and I would have fallen out of bed.

  “Jesus, Alex, you act like I have the plague or something.”

  “Just trying to give you space.”

  “Would you calm down? We're gonna bump into each other tonight, you know. What is your problem? Stop being a baby.”

  My problem was I was attracted to my best friend. But I quickly shoved that aside. I had to, or it would take over my thoughts.

  “No problem here,” I said as I gave myself some more of the bed.

  “Finally. Goodnight.”

  She turned her light off, and the room was covered in darkness.

  I was right. I couldn't sleep. I laid perfectly still with my hands behind my head and staring at the ceiling. Cindy was curled on her side with her back to me. After about ten minutes she started talking.

  “Alex.”

  “Yeah.”

  “No matter what happens tomorrow with your parents, just remember I got your back.”

  I smiled. I could tell by her voice that she was half asleep. She probably wouldn't remember a thing tomorrow.

  “Same here, Cindy. You know I'll be the best man at your wedding.”

  I couldn't hear what she said next. Something about a broom.

  “What? Couldn't hear you.”

  She didn't respond. She was already in dream land. I just laughed quietly.

  All of a sudden, without a single warning, Cindy turned over and threw a leg over my waist and an arm on my chest. I froze every muscle. I didn't even breathe. It took about ten seconds to realize she was simply moving in her sleep, and not trying to straddle me. I finally let my breath out and relaxed. Then she actually scooted closer and used my arm for a pillow. Her face was about an inch from mine.

  I smiled and wrapped my arm around her. She sighed quietly and squeezed me. I'd had my share of girlfriends, but never been so excited, just to have someone close. I knew I'd be on the floor before long, only because I was so tempted to run a finger along her cheek. And we couldn't have that. Besides, I knew she was probably dreaming about an old boyfriend, and not me.

  Chapter 12

  I'm not sure what time I woke up the next morning. It still felt early, but the sun was up. Cindy and I were in the same positions that we fell asleep in. I was on my back. Cindy was snuggled up close to me. I could feel her breathing, and it relaxed me.

  I felt my own heart beating hard in my chest, but for a change it had nothing to do with Cindy. This was the day. I knew it. It was the day that the mystery about me that had been building up would finally get some answers.

  Somehow, in the back of my mind, I knew I wouldn't like the answers I got. My biological parents abandoned me. There was no way that could have a good reason behind it.

  Cindy's breathing stopped, and I felt her body tighten up.

  “Alex?”

  “Morning.”

  “Oh, Christ.”

  She literally jumped out of bed. I did the same thing, not knowing what the hell was going on. She stared at me from the opposite side of the bed. Her eyes were wide, her hair a mess. Her eyes fell to the bed, then back to me.

  “Alex, I'm so sorry,” she said. She couldn't find words. “I didn't mean...you know...it was an accident.”

  I was confused. “Uh, Cindy, what was an accident?”

  “I didn't mean to get so close. You know, sleeping. I should have stayed on my side of the bed.”

  I held in my laughter. “Yeah, what the hell is your problem?”

  It took her a moment to realize I was joking. Then she smiled. “You ass.”

  I laughed. “No biggie, Cindy. Hell, I saw you naked. I guess we're even.”

  “Not really. I call shower first.”

  “Go for it.”

  It took about an hour to get ready. During that time I kept peeking out the hotel window, trying to get a small view of daytime Blossom. We were right across the street from a restaurant. A few people walked the streets, but not many. I did notice that everyone stopped and said hi to each other. Interesting. I thought you only saw stuff like that in the movies.

  We eventually left the hotel room and climbed in her car. It took us about half an hour to find Heavenly Heart. It was very close to the hotel, but we went the wrong way once, adding to some travel time. We parked across the street and I gave it a hard look.

  I'm not sure what I expected to see. I'd never seen an adoption center before. It looked a lot like a school. Lots of rooms, lots of windows. A large gate enclosed the place. I saw a few guys mowing the grass and trimming the bushes. A sign saying Heavenly Heart stood near the front sidewalk.

  I took a breath. This is what I came for.

  “Are you okay?”

  I nodded, then looked at her. “Cindy, if I forget to tell you, thanks for coming with me.”

  She smiled warmly. She didn't say anything, just put her hand on mine. Which I'm almost embarrassed to say sent little bolts up my arm.

  “Okay,” I said. “Let's get this done.”

  We left the car and walked across the street. I saw a middle-aged woman walking her dog. She gave me a long look. I guess they weren't used to visitors in Blossom. She finally gave me a half smile and wished me a good morning. I did the same.

  We opened the front door and stepped into a rather large lobby. There was a set of stairs going up to the left. There was a large desk in the center with a bored-looking woman on the phone. Behind her and to the left and right were doors leading further into the center. A boy probably around ten was sweeping the floor, and not looking too happy about it.

  The woman ended her call as Cindy and I sat across from her.

  “Good morning,” she said. “How can I help you?”

  I pulled out the certificate from my folder.

  “This is me,” I explained. “This place handled my adoption. I'd like to know who my parents are.”

  You couldn't get any more direct than that. She looked over the certificate.

  “Alex Teague,” she said. “Do you have your driver's license and a second form of ID? A lot of records are in the computer, but I'll have to look. And who is this with you?”

  “Cindy Marshall.”

  “Are you two married?”

  I tried not to laugh. Strange question. I can only guess the woman was just nosy.

  “Nah,” Cindy said. “We're sex buddies.”

  I turned to make sure the ten-year-old couldn't hear. Apparently Cindy didn't like the nosiness either.

  The woman only smiled uncomfortably. I handed over my license and a credit card. The woman started typing quickly at the computer while she talked.

  “Back then all records were paper, kept in file folders,” she said. “We have been shifting over to computer files though, but I'm not sure if we've hit that year yet. Ah, this might be it.”

  I actually saw her face turn white before she pushed a few more keys on the keyboard.

  “Nope, I was wrong,” she said. “Looks like that record isn't in the computer. Which means it's in a box in storage. If you come back tomorrow I can have it pulled for you.”

  I didn't believe her. She suddenly looked sick.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  She nodded quickly. “Yeah, just not feeling good. In fact, I'm gonna run to the bathroom.”

  She got up and went through the door behind her, leaving us alone with the ten-year-old.

  I looked at Cindy and shrugged. We got up and left through the front door.

  “Sex buddies?” was the first thing I said to her.

  “Hey, she was sticking her nose where it didn't belong. What the hell do
es that have to do with adoption? She wanted to jump your bones.”

  I stood by the driver's door while Cindy circled around. We looked at each other over the roof a moment.

  “Do you believe what she said?” I asked.

  “Not at all.”

  I turned back toward the center. Something weird was definitely going on. “Me neither. Stay here a sec. I'll be right back.”

  With that, I vanished. I stuck my fingers into the driver's side door, just to double check. Before I could cross the street, I heard Cindy.

  “Wow. My sex buddy is a freakin' ninja.”

  I laughed, knowing she couldn't hear me.

  I walked through the front door to see the same woman who helped us sitting at the front desk once again. This time the ten-year-old boy was gone. There was an older man standing behind her. They both stared at the computer monitor. I circled around them and listened.

  “He was right here,” the woman said. “Can you believe that?”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him to come back tomorrow. I don't want to get involved. He was so cute, too. But shit, Mister Simmons, I grew up hearing that crazy story.”

  “That may be, Denise. But we can get in serious trouble for withholding information.”

  Denise shrugged. “I'll just say I made a mistake. That's all.”

  Mister Simmons smirked and stared at the monitor again. “The town would talk if they knew he was here.”

  “Hell, what do you think I'm telling my family as soon as I get home?”

  I looked over their shoulders. On the monitor was a wealth of jumbled information that I'm sure they could figure out at first glance. To me, though, it was Greek. I only saw my name once, but I did see something that caught my attention.

  Previous Guardian: Elizabeth Fields.

  Was that my mother?

  I left the center with a few phrases bouncing in my head. Crazy story. The town would talk.

  What the hell is going on?

  Cindy was reclined back in her seat. I walked right up to her window and reappeared.