This Much is True - Tia Louise Page 0,64

double glass doors, I take off jogging, cutting a quick left down an alley in case he’s chasing me, and pressing my back to the wall. I whip off my mask, breathing hard, and my fingers tremble as I search for the video recording.

It’s in my photos, a long one. I draw it up and hit the red button, and immediately it starts to play back…

I don’t have much time.

You’ve got time for me. Clyde Shaw, right?

Yes, that’s my name…

“Ha!” I shout, pumping my fist.

I fucking got it, the evidence I need to get my conviction overturned. I’ve got to get this to my lawyer. I don’t bother trying to text, I hit his number.

“Yo.” My brother is too relaxed for how I’m feeling.

“I got it.”

“Fuck, yeah, you did!” He shouts. “Send it to me!”

“How the hell do I do that?”

He quickly talks me through the steps of sending a video via text, but it bounces back red. “It says the file’s too big.”

“Shit.” Scout’s teeth are gritted. “Shit shit shit.”

My stomach is in my throat. “What?”

We’re too close for fuckups.

“Do you have access to a computer? You’re going to have to hardwire and email it.”

“How would I have access to a computer?” A bead of sweat runs down my torso, and my throat constricts. “Scout…”

“It’s good. It’s all good. The video is fine. It’s only your phone until you can send it to me. Maybe you could go to the library?”

“I don’t know where there’s a library—”

“You know what? Let’s don’t sweat it.” I hear him smiling, and my tension eases a notch. “You got it. That’s the most important thing. Now, just don’t let anything happen to your phone until you talk to your lawyer.”

Rolling my shoulders, I look up at the sky. This fucking tension is too much. “I can do that. I only use this thing to call you and Jesse.”

“You’re almost free, bro.” The ease in his voice helps me breathe. “We’ve just got to get that confession to your lawyer and clear your name.”

Hearing those words is like a rush of warm water on my insides. “I’m going to beat this.”

“Yeah, you are. Then we’re going to find Hope.”

Scrubbing my fingers on my eyelids, I exhale a loose laugh. “One step at a time.”

We disconnect, and I’m walking fast in the direction of my apartment. I’m so full of adrenaline and gratitude and anticipation, I’m never going to sleep. The sun is dropping towards the horizon, and I feel so good, so full of hope.

Hope.

Digging in my pocket, I pull out the metro card. The bus doesn’t go to her beach house, but it gets close. I’ve got to try one more time…

Hope

I park Metallicar on the street in Cannery Row.

I’ve never been to Monterey, but a little quick research last night told me this part of town is a hot spot for young families and tourists. It’s where the aquarium is located and some specialty shops.

It’s not high tourist time, but a few sets of what look like parents and kids are walking along the sidewalk towards an elevated walkway. It’s beige and has Cannery Row Company painted in huge white letters on a maroon background.

A little more research before I got on the road this morning told me the area is named after a John Steinbeck novel called Cannery Row, and I was immediately plunged into a memory of being on the road, Scout explaining to me the history of their names… John Steinbeck and Phillip Roth… John Roth…

God, that feels so long ago. The ache in my chest tells me it’s only been a month, but thinking about those few days, the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair. Did it really happen?

Resting my forehead on the steering wheel, I wonder how long it will take before I stop aching for him, before I stop wondering where he is and what he’s doing.

It’s been four long weeks since I saw him, kissed him, traced my fingers along the lines of his torso. I can still see his dark hair pushing around his temples in the wind. I can still feel the press of his lips against mine. At night, when I’m sleeping, I can still feel the weight of his body holding me down in the most delicious way.

I’ll never forget his scent of soap and sweat, the salty taste of his skin on my tongue. He took me like I always wanted to be taken, like a