Auggie knocked Tox’s hand away. “What was the plan?”
Tox scrubbed at his face. “Well, not that. Ever heard the expression FUBAR?”
“Yeah,” Auggie answered.
Tox turned to the boy. “You have?”
“Fucked up beyond all recognition. My grandpa told me.”
“Well, what do you know? It’s not every day I meet a kid who knows that term. Or ever.”
“I know lots of stuff,” Auggie said.
Tox tipped his head down the driveway. “I’ll bet. Do you know if that diner’s still open?”
“Puck’s? Yeah,” Auggie replied.
“Fancy a milkshake?” Tox asked.
Auggie looked back at the woods, his face a picture of concern.
“They’ll be okay. Come on.” Tox took two steps toward the car then turned. “Want to know a secret?”
Auggie kicked a pebble.
Tox sank to a catcher’s stance and held his hand to the side of his mouth. “I got my wife pregnant, and I feel like celebrating.”
Augie scrunched his face. “Why you tellin’ me?”
Tox rose and threw his hands out in frustration. “Because I gotta tell somebody! I sure as hell can’t tell him.” Waving to the woods, he continued, “That leaves you.”
Auggie turned toward the SUV. “Gross.”
“Just wait, kid.” Tox ruffled Auggies hair.
“I’ll take that milkshake, though,” Auggie said.
“That’s all I needed to know.”
Pausing at the car, Auggie turned. “Finn shot seven apples and a melon. He’s awesome.”
Tox pulled open the passenger door, a swell of emotion cresting within him. “Yeah, kid. He is.”
Leaving a squirrel tail of dust in their wake, Tox gunned the Suburban and headed off into town.
Finn ran for a mile before collapsing to his knees at the base of an enormous elm. He rolled to sitting and fell back against the bark. He wanted to hit something. His head throbbed. Gripping his temples in his palms, he released a strangled cry. He needed May. Why the fuck did she have to leave him? What was he supposed to do now?
Ten minutes into his meltdown, Charlotte appeared above him, looking like a warrior fairy. She just needed wings and a sword. Finn almost smiled.
“Get up, McIntyre.” Charlotte loomed above him, arms akimbo.
“What?”
“You heard me. Get on your feet,” she repeated.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I’m going to punch you in the face.”