Read Online Comeback by Vicki Grant - Free Book Online Page A

midnight, or it could be 4:00 am.
    I can’t take Elliot. The rain will just make him worse.
    I can’t leave him here either. He’d be terrified.
    And anyway, how much do puffers cost?
    What if I need a prescription?
    I’ll have to find a doctor. I’ll have to make up a fake name.
    I turn and look back into the cabin. It’s too dark to see Elliot, but I can hear him breathe. He sounds like a rocking chair with a squeaky joint.
    I don’t have a choice. I’ve got to call somebody for help.
    Sophie.
    Could I trust her?
    I don’t know. It’s too dangerous.
    That thing—the Kid’s Helpline. It just pops into my head. I remember the commercial. They don’t make you give your name. They’ll know what to do.
    I fumble back across the room. I stub my toe hard against the bed, but don’t swear. I deserve the pain. I crawl onto the mattress and rub my hands over the blanket. I find my phone hidden under my purse and turn it on.
    The screen lights up: 5:40 am. Well, there’s one question answered. It won’t be long before daybreak.
    I’ve got ten more messages. Six are from Mom. Three are from “Private Caller.”
    One is from Dad.

Chapter Twenty
    â€œHoney,” he says, “I’m so worried about you. Call me.”
    I can’t believe my ears. I jump up, screaming, shaking.
    Is this for real? Am I hallucinating?
    I need proof. I replay the message. “Elliot,” I say. “Who’s that on the phone? Who is it?”
    â€œDaddy! It’s Daddy!” Even his asthma can’t stop him from bouncing.
    I check the date of the message. Last night. Just before midnight.
    Is this a trick? Did some technical genius at the police department rig this up to fool us into calling?
    I don’t care. I dial the number.
    Dad picks up on the first ring. “Ria?”
    My hand slaps over my mouth. I can’t answer for the longest time. “Is that you, Dad?”
    Dad laughs. “Yes, it’s me, honey.”
    â€œBut…but…” I’m suddenly overcome by sobbing. “I thought you were dead. They said you were dead.”
    â€œCalm down, sweetie. It’s a long story. I’ll explain it all later. It’s you we’re worried about now. You and Elliot. Your mother says he needs his medicine.”
    I try to pull myself together. “He does. Please help me.”
    â€œDon’t worry. We will. Tell me where you are. Someone will come and get you, right away.”
    â€œI want you to come, Dad,” I say. “I want you to do it, Daddy.”
    I sound like a baby, but I don’t care. I have to see him. I won’t believe this isn’t a trick or a hoax or just my wild imagination until I actually see him again.
    He’s talking to someone. I can’t hear what he’s saying. Is my mother there? Maybe they’re back together. Maybe she was so happy to find out he’s alive that they’re back together again.
    My old life. My family. My house. Maybe this was all just some big misunderstanding, and everything will be okay again. Mom and Dad and Elliot and me.
    And Colin.
    â€œI’m coming for you, Ria,” Dad says. “Just tell me where you are.” It’s only about an hour before we hear the first thwack-thwack-thwack overhead. Elliot and I run to the cabin door. The rain has stopped. The first glint of sun hits the blue and white police helicopter like a spotlight. Only Dad could have arranged that. It makes me think of an angel coming down from the clouds.
    Elliot looks at me, confused. “Why are you crying, Ria? It’s Daddy!” He says something else, but I can’t make it out. The sound of the helicopter landing in the playground is deafening.
    A policeman jumps out and races over to get us. We crouch down and run under the blades with him. I can see Dad sitting in the helicopter with that big beautiful smile of his. I’m so happy to see