Read Heartland Junk (Part II): Sanctuary for Free Online Page A

Theo pushed through the dining room door and ran up to me. He gave me a hug around the waist. Abby trailed after him. She looked a little better, but her eyes still never seemed to focus on anything.
                  "Wait a minute," I said, rounding on Rivet. "You knew? You were pretending this whole time?"
                  Rivet laughed again. "Not bad, huh?"
                  "And that fucking line about the psycho meth heads finding us?" I shouted. I felt like strangling him. "I thought Jennie was dead. My heart is fucking pounding. " I leaned against the doorjamb. Rivet, Jennie, and Theo were watching me nervously. I took a deep breath and, aw, fuck it. I smiled. Rivet cheered. Jennie stepped over the ruined cake and gave me a hug.
                  "Happy birthday, Ray," she said.
                  "I can't believe you guys remembered. Hell, I'd forgotten about it."
                  "What are friends for?" said Rivet.
                  "And where the hell did the cake come from?" I asked.
                  "Jennie and I picked it up the first time we went to the store. Now stop asking questions and let's grab that booze from the Jeep. We'll leave the rest of it until tomorrow. This is a celebration!"
                  "Hold on!" Jennie said. "I have another surprise." She disappeared into the dining room and came back holding the dustiest boombox I'd ever seen.
                  "I found it in the basement," she said. "It's battery operated. Only one tape, though. I hope you like Jimmy Buffett."
                  "I'd listen to Bjork right now if it meant music," I said. "Dammit, Jennie, I could kiss you."
                  Jennie's eyes narrowed like a cat's and her lips curved into a smile. "Go for it, birthday boy."
                  "Don't assume I won't kick your ass just because it's your birthday," Rivet said, grabbing my bicep. I didn't think he was entirely joking. "Come help me with the booze."
                  When Rivet and I came back inside, the tropical tones of "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" were struggling valiantly through the speakers of the little cassette player. We unloaded bottles of wine onto the kitchen counter while Jennie went around lighting candles and battery camping lamps in the kitchen and living room. Our little pocket of the house blazed with yellow light and scratchy music, and I found myself loosening up for the first time in days.
                  "Here's to staying alive." Rivet raised his water glass full of red wine, sloshing a bit over the rim and onto the white linoleum floor. I raised my own glass to his, and Jennie trotted across the room to join in on the toast. Theo stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room, and I waved him over. He was smiling so big I don't know how he got the Oreo through his teeth, but he shoved a whole cookie into his mouth and hopped over with a glass of grape juice.
                  "To friends, no matter what," I said. I tousled Theo's hair and added, "New friends, too." In the living room, Abby leaned forward on the edge of the couch, skeletal hands clasped around a glass of untouched white wine, staring at us.
                  "To finding beauty in the world, no matter how shitty it may seem."
                  "Good one, babe." Rivet slid his arm over Jennie's shoulder.
                  "To all the mommies and daddies," Theo chimed in. "Like Ms. Abby."
                  "Nice, buddy," I leaned over and murmured to Theo. He grinned up at me, teeth full of chocolate. "Come on over here and join us, Abby," I called to our spectator.
                  "Yeah, Abby! Get over here and have fun," Jennie said. "We're so glad you're here. Both of you."
                  "Eh, what the hell. Get your skinny