When Dante comes outside, Mrs. Talonovich is
already at the back of the van with the doors open wide, rummaging
through Ryan’s suitcase. “Hey, Mrs. T,” he says, swinging his bags
onto the floor of the van beside his boyfriend’s. “Thanks again for
picking me up.”
She looks over her shoulder and gives Dante
a wide grin. “It’s no problem, hon. Hop on in—Ryan’s waiting.”
As Dante hurries around to the open side
door, Ryan’s voice drifts out to him, the first hint of anger
already in his tone. “Mom, I told you it’s in there. Just trust me,
will you?” When he sees Dante, he rolls his eyes and sighs
dramatically. “She’s looking for the f*****g camera.”
Laughing, Dante climbs over Ryan to slide
into the seat beside him, but he doesn’t make it that far—his
boyfriend catches him around
