Over the Wall (13 page)

AFTER AN EXHAUSTING DAY
(and not getting to ride in any of the cars or the simulators), Jamie ate a boxed dinner in the dining area of the hotel with the others. Everybody wanted to talk about the video they'd seen and speculate on when they'd actually get to drive.

A girl with brown hair and big brown eyes leaned over to Jamie. “My dad told me Bud used to be a really good driver, but he never made it to the cup races because of an accident.”

“Did he break his personality bone?” the guy with the black hair said. “I'm Kurt Shibley,” he said, reaching out a hand.

Jamie's hand was greasy with fried chicken, so she grabbed a napkin.

The girl beside her seized the opportunity and shook his hand. “Rosa Romero. Nice to meet you.”

Jamie introduced herself, and the three talked about everything from their rooms to Connie and Glen to what size engines the cars had and how fast they might go.

When she'd finished her meal, Jamie excused herself and dialed her mom's cell phone.

Her mom sounded happy to hear from her, but she seemed stressed. “How did your first day go?”

Jamie told her a few details. “Mom, you don't sound like yourself. What's wrong?”

“Oh, I'm downtown with Kellen—he had a dental appointment—and Tim came along and ran off. He said he'd be back, but I can't find him anywhere.”

Jamie sighed. “Well, maybe he just got interested in something and lost track of the time.”

“I hope so,” her mother said. “Oh, there's another call coming in. I'd better take it. Call me later?”

“Yeah, right after I get done with my homework. Talk to you then.” Jamie shook her head as she hung up. When she was at home, she and her mom talked very little. Now, away and on her own, she couldn't wait to tell her mom everything about her day.

She was heading to the elevator when Connie stopped her. “Bud wants you back at the school. Pronto.”

“Are they sending a shuttle?”

Connie shrugged.

Jamie waited outside for 10 minutes, then decided to walk. She needed the exercise anyway. She took off in a jog and watched for the shuttle on her way. She made it to the school in 20 minutes without seeing the shuttle pass by, but the front doors were locked. She banged on them and rang the bell, but there was no answer.

Remembering where Bud's office was, she went around the building and peered into the tinted windows. He was on the phone, so she lightly tapped on the glass, and he motioned her to the back. She waited there a few minutes, watching the sun set over the trees to the west. The crickets and frogs were out at a nearby pond, and the sound reminded her of home.

Bud opened the door. “You're late.”

“I'm sorry. I waited for the shuttle, and when it didn't come, I jogged over.”

“Well, you'll need to go back to the hotel and pack your stuff.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Pack up your stuff. You're going home.”

CHRIS FABRY
is a writer, broadcaster, and graduate of Richard Petty Driving Experience (top speed: 134.29 mph). He has written more than 50 books, including collaboration on the Left Behind: The Kids, Red Rock Mysteries, and the Wormling series.

You may have heard his voice on Focus on the Family, Moody Broadcasting, or Love Worth Finding. He has also written for
Adventures in Odyssey
,
Radio Theatre
, and
Kids Corner
.

Chris is a graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. He and his wife, Andrea, have nine children and live in Colorado.