Read Mayday for Free Online Page A

name, in case we’re asked.”
    â€œOh, um . . .”
    â€œOwum?
    â€œOwen.”
    â€œWell, Midway Middle School, prepare to meet my half sister, Shane Owen Raine.”
    I dragged down the ladder and marched at Crow’s side, around the house and down the street toward the bus stop. Crow swaggered triumphant, beside her shivering, nappy-haired trophy. I knew that attitude; I had perfected it. She was up to something. I would be used, not displayed.
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    I sat, still and invisible, amid the mayhem that filled the bus. The kids were busy with screams and rumors and all things middle school. After all, summer approached, and even teachers conceded that learning was a memory. A bus driver’s mandate? Hang on for dear life.
    Then I saw her.
    Yeah, it was ten rows up and from the back, but the partial view thumped my heart.
    Adele.
    â€œShe has to sit toward the front, seeing as she’s still in elementary.” Crow cleared her throat. “But I don’t mind. Gives me a chance to keep an eye on her. Sounds like you know something about that.”
    I nodded, and we reached the next stop. Bus brakes hissed, and Adele moved toward the aisle. She leaped up and squeezed out in front of the ten kids waiting to board. Crow and I stretched our necks and followed her as she raced beneath an underpass and set down a brown bag. Addy spun and raced back toward the bus, climbing on just before it pulled out.
    â€œI don’t know why she cares about that no-good.” Crow smirked. “If Mom knew she was feeding a homeless guy beneath the Tenth Avenue Bridge, I don’t think Addy’s lunches would be half of what they are.”
    For all I remembered, there were entire chapters I’d forgotten, Addy’s 10th Avenue Bridge food distribution being one of them. She always had a heart for the least and the lost.
    Maybe that’s why she loved me.
    Maybe that’s why she would one day love
him.
    We finally reached the school parking lot. The middle school kids streamed off, except for Crow, and me. Crow grabbed my hand and pulled me up the aisle. She paused at Addy’s seat, bent over, and hugged her. Not a quick squeeze but an embrace. Addy’s eyes closed as she soaked it in. It was our routine, and its meaning flooded my mind.
    Don’t worry, sis. I’m leaving now, but I’ll be back. I’m always watching.
    Crow stood and clenched my arm. Addy stared at me with a confused grin. I waved, she waved back, and I exited the bus. Crow peeked left then right and veered out of the flow, sliding along the front of the school and dragging me behind.
    I’d also forgotten this little thirteen-year-old phase.
    We rounded the school and ran across the ball fields to the vacant garage belonging to Mr. Wendallis. One yank on the side door and we were inside. Cool, dank air slugged me in the face.
    â€œWelcome to one of my safe houses. I have a few.” She dug in her pocket. “You smoke?” Crow lit up. Rebel idiot.
    â€œI don’t know.” It was as close to honest as I could come.
    Crow handed me one of Jude’s Winstons. I inhaled deep and threw up. Crow nodded slowly and took another puff. “That’d be a no.” She finished her cigarette and tossed the butt into my vomit. “That’s all right. Everyone has one flaw. Just don’t have any more or I’ll disown you.”
    Crow folded her arms and sank back against the garage door. How hard I looked, how unbreakable, even at thirteen. But already stunning. Frighteningly so.
    â€œSay, Crow, in case they ask: Where does your dad live? Since I’m supposedly his daughter and all.”
    Crow didn’t flinch. “I don’t know. None of us do. He dropped off the map.” No emotion attached to her words. She offered no hint of sadness.
    â€œWhy’d he leave?” I whispered.
    Crow lit up, and in the flicker of the flame, she dropped