Kissing Brendan Callahan by Susan Amesse Page B

name.”
    â€œWell, sure,” I say, but I’m thinking about Antonia and how she told that interviewer at the bookstore that she’s an orphan. “Who’s Aunt Edna?” I ask.
    â€œAntonia’s mother.”
    I look over at Antonia. “But—”
    â€œIs she still telling people she’s an orphan? It drives poor Aunt Edna nuts.” Charlene walks over to me and pats my shoulder. “Take my advice and find yourself another judge.”
    She walks into the other room. I follow this woman who wrote my favorite book. She picks up a bag and leaves, slamming the door behind her.
    I stare at the door. Antonia didn’t write Enraptured Thorns in My Heart! I can’t believe this. And she doesn’t seem to care at all about Mom’s plays. She’s supposed to care deeply about things.
    â€œIt’s getting late,” says Brendan. “We’d better go.”
    â€œI have to find those plays!” I’m almost screaming.
    He shakes his head. “We’ll look tomorrow. Right now, we need to go home.”
    I look at my watch. It’s 10:40. How did it get this late? I run back into the bedroom. “I’ll call you first thing tomorrow,” I say, even though I know she can’t hear me. I want to shake her—not just awake, but into the Antonia she’s supposed to be.
    â€œCome on!” yells Brendan. I throw my play in my backpack. We run down the stairs to our bikes.
    Brendan rides with me to my house. He follows as I walk the bike along the side of the house and put it in the garage. “See you tomorrow,” he says. Just then the backdoor light comes on.
    â€œWhere have you been?” screams my mother.

SEVENTEEN
    â€œHow could you sneak out of the house without telling me?” Mom is simultaneously scolding me and telling the police that I’ve been found.
    I look down at the floor. “We just felt like going out for a ride,” says Brendan.
    â€œUntil 11:00 at night?” she asks.
    I look at Brendan.
    â€œIt’s good exercise,” he says.
    â€œYou’re always saying that I should go riding with Brendan,” I chime in.
    â€œDuring the day is what I meant,” says Mom. She pulls at her hair. “Where were you?” I hold my breath. If she is this mad because I stayed out late, I don’t want to be around for the explosion when she finds out the plays are missing.
    â€œWe were just riding around,” says Brendan.
    â€œYou weren’t visiting that DeMarco woman, were you?” says my mother, her eyes narrowing.
    â€œWho’s she?” asks Brendan.
    â€œIt has nothing to do with her,” I say.
    â€œI’m going to have a word with her, just to make sure.”
    My heart sinks. What if I can’t find the plays before she talks with Antonia? Why is this happening? I trusted Antonia.
    â€œYou can’t leave without letting me know where you are going. You scared me. You could have gotten hurt.”
    â€œBut we didn’t, Mrs. Simmons.”
    â€œThat’s not the point. Parents make rules for a reason. I’m very surprised by your behavior tonight. I thought I could trust you to act sensibly. You’re grounded for two weeks.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œNot another word or I’ll make it longer. I’m going to have to tell your father about this.”
    Mom picks up her cell and dials. “Beth, they’re here. Come and get Brendan.”
    â€œI don’t need her to come and get me,” says Brendan.
    â€œWell, I do.” She dials another number.
    â€œWho are you calling now?” I ask.
    â€œAntonia DeMarco. I have a feeling all this has something to do with her.”
    I cross my fingers, hoping Antonia won’t pick up.
    â€œHmmm, no answer,” says Mom. She hangs up and I sigh with relief. “I’ll visit her tomorrow.” Mom turns to me. “If I find out that woman has had anything to do