Wade,
It's hard to get into more trouble when she's not even home. She's gone across the country, I couldn't go because it was for work. I really wish I was older. You'll never ever in a gazillion years lose me as a friend, your best friend! I promise you that. I know why, Wade. I hate that she blamed you for her mistake. Don't for a second think that I blame you because I don't, ok?
Zoe

With her mom gone, she was free to mail her letter by herself. She still wasn't allowed out of the house though. Her days consisted of staying in her room. She would only leave to eat and get the mail. There wasn't much else she could do. She couldn't leave the place and she didn't care much for TV, not that she could watch it anyway.


Zoe,
I really didn't wanna believe you when we started to write to each that your mom was like that, but now I can see, she really is. I would never think that Zoe. You'll be older soon enough. Why can't you live with Harley? A gazillion years sounds pretty good to me. My mom had been doing better, but something went wrong and my uncle Moe is here watching us. I spend most my day in this tree house I built with Jesse a few years ago.
Wade.

He head out to get the letter sent off. Coming back home he was told to be in the house before night fall for supper. With the all clear, Wade headed off to the tree house. He considered it his tree house now that Jesse thought he was too old for it. He had snacks, a little bed made up, playing cards and some comic books. He found it easier to sleep out in the woods than in his bed, in his home.


Wade,
I wish it was that easy. My mom has custody of me, Harley doesn't. They wont tell me more though. I'm just stuck here for now. I promise I wont run away but I'll think of something. Wade, I'm so so sorry to hear that, I hope she gets better. I'm here if you ever need anything, Wade. I mean it! I always wanted a tree house, but not enough trees in the city to build one. I really hate that I can't do anything for you.
Zoe

She fell back on her bed with a huge sigh. She wanted to give Wade a hug and tell him in person that things would be ok, no matter what. But she really didn't have any intentions of running away again. She shouldn't have done it the first time. It was a mistake really, she was allowed to make mistakes. How else was she suppose to learn?


Zoe,
They wont tell me what's going on, just that she's ok. You're here for me Zo, that's all I need really. Jesse is back to being distant again and my uncle Moe, well he's fun to play video games with. But he's not my best friend, you are. So your mom wont let you stay with Harley, who just so happens to be your father because she has custody of you? That's just stupid! Please don't run away Zoe, we don't need you in anymore trouble.
Wade

He placed the letter on the wood floor of the tree house. This place had easily became his new home ever since Jackie had went back to the hospital. Jesse was never home, so he didn't have his brother to talk to and Uncle Moe well he was alright, he just didn't know how to look after kids for days on end. When he was home, they played endless hours of video games. And Jesse when he did make the rare appearance he would be locked away in his room, Wade would try to talk to him but he'd be ignored. He finally gave up.


Wade,
I was actually scared when I did run away. I was alone out there. I have no desire to run away ever again. I may be young but not stupid. She says she needs to be there to supervise. I think it's stupid. I don't think I'm ready to face Harley now that I know the truth. I'm sure Jesse just needs the space. I have never met any of my uncles or aunts. I don't know if I have any. Always, Wade. You'll have to keep me posted on your mom, hope she gets better soon.
Zoe

She had found it beyond stupid that her mother had to be there. Candice had sat down with Zoe and told her what was going to happen. At the time Zoe didn't question her mom, just went along with it and the more she actually thought about it, it really seemed like her mother was treating her like a little baby instead of the young girl she really was. She really wasn't ready for the life she has known for the last 9 years to come crashing down around her.


Wade had wanted to go see his mom when Earl had come home for about an hour. He hated that he was told he had to stay home.

"I don't understand why I can't go see mom? I miss her, I just wanna see her," Wade told Earl following him around the house.

"Grow up, Wade!" Jesse shouted going upstairs.

"Shut up, Jesse!" Wade yelled back. "Why can't I go dad?"

"Soon, Wade, I promise. But not now," Earl told his son. "Be good and I'll see you soon." Wade sighed falling onto the couch as Earl walked out the door.

Zoe,
That's ridiculous, it's not like you need a chaperone with your father. Why don't you wanna see him for? He gets all the space he wants. That's good to know, Zoe. My dad did come home yesterday to tell us that things with my mom are going better than they have been, so that's a good sign.
Wade


Wade,
It means that everything to do with Harley and Ethan is actually true. The second I have to face all of this, means my life is truly over as I know it. Can you imagine what I get to tell my friends when I return to school next week? That's going to be bad enough. I'm excited for school, you? That's good, Wade. I just know that she'll pull through this. Jesse does need you, Wade. But he's older so he thinks he needs to be strong for you.
Zoe

She had spent a full day with her mom. Candice had taken her out to get her things for school. Zoe had actually enjoyed the day. Zoe wanted to ask about Harley and Ethan but she didn't know how to bring either one of them up without it turning out to be an awkward conversation or where her mom got mad at her.

"Gloria, is my mom home?" Zoe asked walking downstairs.

"Sorry, sweetie she's gone out for the afternoon, did you need something?" Gloria asked setting the laundry basket on the floor.

"Nope," Zoe lied. "I just wanted to check so I could mail, Wade's letter," Zoe explained covering her lie up further. She even pulled the letter out from behind her back. "Is she ever gonna be ok with me writing to Wade?"

"I don't know, Zoe." Zoe nodded and went on her way to get the letter mailed.


"Wade?" Earl asked popping the door to the tree house open. "Wade, it looks like you've been living in here." Wade shrugged his shoulders looking up from the comic book he was reading. "Do you know where your brother is?"

"How should I know?" Wade asked back annoyed that his dad only wanted to know where Jesse was.

"As soon as we find him, you can go visit your mom." Wade jumped up hearing that. He would scour all of Bluebell for Jesse if he had too. He was going to go see his mom, no matter what. It had only been a week since he was told he couldn't go see her yet again.

"We'll find him," Wade shouted over his shoulder running off.

Jesse was actually just coming home when Wade made it out of the woods. The car ride to Mobile was a quiet one. Wade couldn't stop fidgeting in his seat making his brother annoyed at him. But yet again no one said anything. Wade wanted to run into the hospital but Earl held onto him. Earl led them to the room Jackie was in. She was sitting up in bed, waiting for her boys.

"MOM!" Wade yelled running into the room. He was careful not to be so rough when he got to the bed to hug her.

"Wade, Jesse," Jackie replied hugging her boys. They had spent the day in the hospital having as much fun as you can really have in a hospital.

Zoe,
I don't need him to be strong for me. I just need him. I guess I understand that. Harley is an awesome guy though, you'll see. You can brag about your awesome best friend named Wade Kinsella. I actually got to see her yesterday and she's looking better. I've never been a fan of school, but at least I'll have something to keep my mind from my mom.
Wade


"Are you going to come for my birthday?" Zoe asked pacing around the living room, cordless phone in hand.

"I'm gonna try my best, sweetie," Harley answered back sitting at his desk at the practice.

"Can you bring, Wade with you? I really do miss him. And I wanna spend my birthday with him. That is if he can come," Zoe said sighing a little knowing that Wade might not be able to come.

"I'll have to check with Wade, Earl and Jackie on that one, Zoe."

"Ok," Zoe replied sitting on the couch.

"How's school going?" Harley asked.

"4th grade is pretty tough. It's not as easy as 3rd grade," Zoe explained, making Harley chuckle.

Zoe told Harley more about school and the paper she had to write about a historical figure in time. She was writing her paper on Nelson Mandela. Soon enough Zoe had to go so she could start working on her paper. Harley had patients he needed to attend to.

Wade,
More like my awesome best friend that gave me stitches! I've talked to him a few times on the phone, now. How can you not love school? Wade that's amazing news! Why's that Wade? He thinks that, or at least I think he does. But what do I know? I'm just a big city girl!
Zoe


Zoe,
What did I do to make you so mad? School is fun and all but I hate being told what to do, I get enough of that at home. Cause I can be strong enough for me. I just need my brother. I said I was sorry for that and got you ice cream! Do you think you'll be able to come visit this summer?
Wade

He had fun when Zoe was there for a few days. He wanted to be able to hang out with her more over the summer. Where they could go do a few more things. He loved having Zoe as his best friend but only being able to communicate through the mail was starting to get hard for him. He wanted Zoe to be there, so all he had to do was knock on her door. And he could apologize in person, for whatever it was he had done to Zoe. Everything with Jackie seemed to be going better. She was able to come home from the hospital and she was almost back to her normal self. She still got tired out during the day and Wade made sure that he was there with whatever his mom needed.


"Why can't I go stay in Bluebell for the summer?" Zoe asked Candice one night over dinner.

"We have been through this before, Zoe. He needs to get to know you here in New York first. After a couple of years, then maybe you can spend the whole summer in Bluebell. But as your mother, he needs to come here. That's how it's going to be."

"But why?" Zoe asked irritated.

"Not only is Bluebell miles and miles away from here, but that boy is there as well. He may be your best friend now, but sweetie, he's just not good for you. He's already got you to run away."

"Wade, did no such thing! You made me run away!" Zoe yelled standing up.

"Non-sense, Zoe," Candice replied brushing it off.

"You just don't trust him! Either one of them!" Zoe shouted storming to her room.

Wade,
I didn't mean to flip out like that on you. Sorry! I don't think so. Harley has to come here. My mom is trying to keep me away from you. Says you're a bad influence on me. I really don't get it because she doesn't know you. You are strong Wade, I know that.
Zoe


"Harley, what are you doing here?" Wade asked opening the door.

"I need to speak with your parents. Are they home?"

"Have a seat and I'll go get them," Wade responded racing up the stairs to inform his parents that Harley was here to talk to them. Wade made it look like he was going to his room, but after his parents were downstairs, Wade sat at the top of the stairs so he could hear what was going on.

"Harley, what brings you by?" Earl asked. Wade couldn't see what they were doing.

"As you guys know, Zoe is my daughter and her birthday is coming up. I'm going to be flying out to New York for it and well I was wondering if it would be ok if, Wade came along. I wont be leaving until Friday after school and I'll be back early Sunday night so it wont interfere with school," Harley explained. Wade was excited about the idea of going to New York to see Zoe. "I figured it would nice for the kids to see each other again."

"We need to discuss it alone. We'll get back to you, Harley." Wade sighed hearing the answer Jackie gave him.

"Can I please go?" Wade asked coming downstairs hearing the front door shut.

"Maybe," Earl told his son. Wade sighed and headed up to his room. He really hoped his parents trusted Harley enough to let him go.

Zoe,
It's alright. That's a bummer. But hey your birthday is next month. I do have your present and I know you'll love it. Knowing you the way I do, no matter how many times you ask, I'll just ignore it until it's time to send it. Hey, I can be a bad influence!
Wade