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He chuckled “Sorry I lad it wasn’t me”

“You think it’s funny we thought you were dead or shaking in a dirty bathroom somewhere?” I hopped from the sofa “What you do matters to me It matters to all of us So this time you left because of some happiness journey it sounds like? Your happiness led to my misery You should have seen Mom She’s a wreck”

He stared atYou live in DC You have your life Hoas I supposed to know they’d ask you to fly down?”

“Because when so that’s what you do!” I was flushed My head spun

“Calm down I’m sorry Really, I should have checked in Or out or whatever”

“I don’t knohat to say anymore” I pulled out my phone “They need to know you’re alive You can tell them your version of whatever it is that happened”

I realized in my hands was the decision to call one parent before the other To choose asI scowled I dialed my mother

“Elliott, I woke up and you weren’t here”

“Mom, I’m fine I’m with Garrett”

“Oh, God Thank you Thank you Where is he? I want to talk to him”

“Hold on” I glared at o”

“Hey, Mom Yep, I’m fine”

I listened while he explained that he and his new girlfriend had gone on soital world They had made a commitment not to use phones or the Internet He felt at ease with his decision

He handed the phone back to me

“Elliot, are you co back?” Mom asked