in bloom [rodrick heffley]

chapter 6: details of a life

Jo's POV

The tumultuous ride came to an abrupt stop in front of the Heffley House. I would have hit the dash if it weren't for my seat belt. That same, amazing feeling was back, and my nerves were jolting.

While Rodrick and I were in a fit of laughter, Greg shouted, "You guys are insane!" before he and Rowley climbed out the back.

I liked those boys, despite their questions of my sanity. They didn't want to accept Rodrick's offer, but he forced them, claiming he needed the 'mom bucks.'

"Thanks for the ride," I said once we emerged from the messy van.

"No problem. I'll just give you rides from now on," he said.

"Oh, okay. Thank you," I smiled, adrenaline still coursing through me.

He looked at me with his studying eyes, his mouth curving. "Why did you try that cigarette?"

Well, that certainly wasn't what I was expecting. "I don't know. I was curious. I don't know much about them."

He nodded, beginning to walk to his house. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you."

Before I even took a step, he spoke once again.

"By the way, cigarettes give you cancer," he called over his shoulder.

"They what?!"

"Only if you keep smoking them. Quit while you're ahead," he laughed, continuing to his front door.

I shook my head, rapidly blinking. So cigarettes were bad for you. My mother hadn't lied.

Once inside, I was greeted by Jill from the couch. She had the day off, and it was nice to come home to her presence.

"So, Rodrick gave you a ride home," she said, indirectly telling me to explain.

"Yeah, he offered since, you know, he's right next door."

"Uh-huh. And what changed? You were against the idea completely."

"I just didn't know him. He and Danielle are friends, so I guess now we're friends," I said, taking a water out of the fridge.

"I see," she said, averting her eyes. She was terrible at hiding her feelings.

"Aunt Jill, why don't you like Danielle?" I asked as I sat beside her. I was desperate to know why the mere mention of her name could sour her mood.

"I don't know her, Jo."

"What do you know about her?" I pressed.

Aunt Jill was bothered, and after my question, she didn't hide it anymore, allowing the poor facade to fall. She sat her phone down on the table before crossing her legs.

"Well, a family named the Harrison's used to live in Plainview. I came to know the father, Michael, pretty well through work. Back in January, their house burned down, just a few streets over. Their son, Sawyer, was the only one home at the time. He made it out fine, but the fire marshall saw it wasn't an accident. Sawyer already had a rap sheet for fighting and vandalism, so the police arrested him."

I was interested in the story, but I was confused about what this had to do with my friend.

"When they interrogated him, he claimed it was Danielle Davenport who set the fire."

My eyes widened, but I kept quiet, waiting for Jill to continue.

"Her parents lawyered up, and the police had no evidence connecting her to it, so nothing came from it. Sawyer was sent to the juvenile detention center and his family moved. I'm not sure where. Most people think he was just lying to get out of it, even his parents, but there's a few people who believe it was Danielle."