Chapter 19

River arrived moments before them, but his timing was more like a cruel trick as he heard the three friends talking about him once he exited the car. The trio stood in front of Dale’s Accord, so River stayed hidden, leaning against his car’s closed door two cars over from them in the row. It sounded like it was an ongoing conversation before they pulled into the parking lot, and Jillian easily jumped in.

“You’re talking about while you were in the hospital? I know, he was so bent up—sorry, Dale, I know you probably don’t want to hear about that—but then he got over it. I thought maybe he went numb or something, but he didn’t act like someone with depression. He was acting weird and avoiding everybody, even the hospital. It got kind of annoying.”

“Yeah, Dale was just saying he’s acting funny! It’s been this whole time since you went back home, right?” Gio got more excited with Jillian’s energy, nudging Dale for agreement.