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Don’t spend it al at once.”
    “That was worth going back for,” Nelson remarked, as they waved good-bye and finaly headed toward Jason’s.
    When they arrived, he was in the driveway shooting baskets, his duffle and sleeping bag on the stoop.
    “What took you so long?” he asked Kyle, and then did a double take as Nelson emerged from the car in his straw hat, loud shirt, and ’50 movie-star sunglasses.
    “Hi, guys!” Mrs. Carrilo came out of the front door, along with Jason’s little sister.
    “Don’t forget your Lacey!” She ran up to Jason, carrying the dol she’d given him.
    “Aw, is she yours?” Nelson smiled at Jason. “I remember my first Barbie.”
    “She’s not mine,” Jason clarified. “She’s my sister’s. Let’s get going.”
    “I’l help you with your stuff.” Kyle walked up to the stoop with Jason. “Sorry we took so long.”
    “Why’s he wearing those goofy clothes?” Jason asked, but Kyle wasn’t sure how to answer, except to say, “That’s just the way he is.” As Kyle helped Jason carry his stuff to the car trunk, Nelson played with Melissa, redoing her dol’s hair.
    “You’d better take that flag off,” Jason told Nelson, pointing to a rainbow flag bumper sticker. “We’re going through redneck country, you know.”
    “So?” Nelson gave a defiant shrug. “I’m not taking it off.”
    “It’l be al right,” Kyle intervened. It seemed like they were already getting off on the wrong foot, before they’d even left the driveway.
    Jason hugged his mom and sister, then his mom hugged Kyle. It was the first time Mrs. Carrilo had ever done that, and it made Kyle feel even more a part of Jason’s life.
    After hugs were done, Nelson announced, “I’l drive first,” and hopped into the driver’s seat. “You two decide who rides shotgun.”
    “You can,” Kyle told Jason. “I’l sit in back and navigate.” Kyle’s dad had gotten him auto club maps for al the states along the route and Kyle had carefuly organized them.
    “Woo-hoo!” Nelson turned the ignition and cranked the stereo up. “We’re off!”
    “You trying to blast us out?” Jason reached over and turned the volume down.
    “Yeah,” Kyle agreed as they puled out of the driveway. “Can you turn it down?”
    “Not so much!” Nelson nudged the volume back up. “I love this song.” He began bouncing in the seat, clapping his hands above his head.
    “Hey, would you keep your hands on the wheel, please?” Kyle protested. Why was Nelson acting like such a dork? Jason glanced over his shoulder at Kyle, his eyes dark and annoyed. And then Nelson shook a cigarette from his pack.
    “You’re not going to smoke that,” Jason stated flatly.
    “’Course not.” Nelson glared back. “I’m going to stick it up my butt.”
    Jason smirked. “I’m not spending two weeks breathing in your secondhand smoke.”
    “Then don’t breathe.” Nelson lit up his cigarette.
    Kyle leaned over the seat. “Can’t you wait til we stop for a break?”
    Nelson scowled into the rearview. “Smoke at a gas station? Briliant, Kyle. Look, guys, it’s my car and if I want to smoke, I’l smoke.”
    “Then at least open your window,” Kyle suggested, trying to find a compromise.
    But Nelson wouldn’t. “It’s too hot.”
    Instead Jason roled down his window. In response, Nelson flicked the AC on ful blast. In back, Kyle felt the cold stream of air, but inside, his blood was boiling.

chapter 11
    Jason watched the Virginia suburbs blur past the window as they drove out I-66. The tension between him and Nelson hung thick as smoke.
    Stop the car! he wanted to tel Nelson. This won’t work Just drop me off at Dulles Airport. I’ll catch the next plane to L.A.—alone.
    But instead he sat silent, wishing the road trip could’ve been just Kyle and him. As the stereo played none of the boys spoke, til the first sign for Shenandoah National Park came into view.
    “Hey.” Kyle nudged Nelson’s shoulder. “Remember