Chapter 26
After a sleepless night, Alex loaded his luggage into the back of his parents’ station wagon, hugged all his relatives, and climbed into the passenger seat. Into a mild, hazy summer morning, his dad drove him out of Rancho Amantes and to the Bakersfield airport.
No text or email or visit from Damian. All communication cut off. Alex’s own fault.
Feeling that none of this was really happening, Alex hugged his dad at the drop-off curb for departing flights.
“If you meet some great foreign guy,” his dad said, “you be sure to set up one of those online video calls so we can meet him.”
Alex smiled, masking his pain. “You and Mom have sure come a long way on that front. I appreciate it.”
“We’re proud of you, smart guy.” His dad hauled him in again, kissed him roughly on the foreh
