Yesenia was just putting her clothes back on when the doorbell rang. Steve pressed the button. “Who is it?”

“Sergeant Whalley, with the State Police.” was the answer.

Steve and Yesenia looked at each other, astonished. Steve buzzed the buzzer. Then he told Yesenia, “Wait in my room. Keep the door closed. I have no idea what they want or how they know you’re here.” Yesenia sat down in Steve’s room, trembling.

Steve went to the door.

“Are your mom and dad home?” the cop asked.

“No, they’re in Concord.” Steve said.

“I need to talk to them.” the cop said. “Do you know where in Concord?”

“They’re at my aunt’s house, with my older sister. Wait here. I’ll get you the phone number, because I don’t have the address.” Steve said. He went to the phone and found the number on the corkboard. He recited it to the cop.

“That should be enough. I can look up the address with the phone number.” the cop replied. “Thank you very much for your help.”

Steve closed the door as the cop left. Then he went to his bedroom. “I wonder what that was about.” he said.

“I thought they might be looking for me. I mean, we are fifteen, and I never did go home last night.” Yesenia said.

“If the cops are on their way to my aunt’s house, I’d better call them to let them know.” Steve said. He phoned that number.

“Hello, Dad?” Steve said, “It’s Steve. Some cop was just here, looking for you and Mom. I don’t know what it was about or anything, but I told him you were in Concord, and I gave him the phone number there. Just so you know.”

“Well, we were just about to head out anyway, but we’ll stay put. It might be something important. Nowadays, we don’t have as much to worry about when a cop is looking for us.” Steve’s father replied.

Steve said, “That’s right. I forgot. Anyway, I just called to let you know. Good-bye now.” Then he turned to Yesenia and asked, “How are we going to get you back home, anyway?” Steve wondered.

“Can you call me a cab?” Yesenia asked.

“Very well, then. You’re a cab.” Steve joked.

“Wise guy! No, really, that’s how I’ll get home.” Yesenia said.

“Well, I’ll call now. I guess we’ll meet again tomorrow, in biology.” Steve said.

Steve called a cab and then he sat down with Yesenia and waited. He smiled at her. “Thanks again.” he said.

Yesenia smiled and kissed Steve. “You’re welcome.” she replied.

“Oh, yeah, let me get your phone number, before you go.” Steve requested. Yesenia wrote down the number and handed it to him. Steve wrote down his phone number for her.

The cab arrived. Yesenia put her coat on, and then kissed Steve good-bye. She got in, and rode away, waving to him as she left.