She spun me around to look at her, and I could see in her face that she had no intention of letting me leave. I could think of only one way to escape, and it involved hurting her so much that I hated myself for even considering it. But I had no time, and I had to keep her and everyone safe.

I glared up at my mother, fresh tears in my eyes for what I was about to do.

"I do like her, that’s the problem. I can’t do this anymore! I can’t put down any more roots here! I don’t want to end up trapped in this stupid, boring city like Dad! I’m not going to make the same dumb mistake he did. I fucking hate it! I can’t stay here another minute!"

Her hand dropped from my arm like I’d electrocuted her. I turned away from her shocked, wounded face and headed for the door.

"Spence, you can’t leave now. It’s nighttime," she whispered behind me.

I didn’t turn around. "I’ll sleep in the truck if I get tired."

"Just wait another week," she pled, still shell-shocked. "Arthur will be back by then."

This completely derailed me. "What?"

Paula continued eagerly, almost babbling with relief as I hesitated.
"He called while you were out. Things aren’t going so well in China, and if they aren’t able to adopt by the end of the week, they’re going back to Ohio. Their adoption agent said if they have to they can try to foster.”

I shook my head, trying to reassemble my now-confused thoughts. Every passing second put Paula and the boys in more danger.

"I have a key," I muttered, turning the knob. She was too close, one hand extended toward me, her face dazed. I couldn’t lose any more time arguing with her. I was going to have to hurt her further.

"Just let me go, Paula." I repeated my father’s last words as he’d walked out this same door so many years ago. I said them as angrily as I could manage, and I threw the door open. "It didn’t work out, okay? I really, really hate Los Angeles!"

My cruel words did their job, Paula stayed frozen on the doorstep and I could see the boys on the staircase behind her, stunned, while I ran into the night. I was hideously frightened of the empty yard. I ran wildly for the truck, visualizing a dark shadow behind me. I threw my bag in the bed and wrenched the door open. The key was waiting in the ignition.