Gabe gives me a look as he flips open his cell phone. His “hello” comes out stiff. I realize he must be talking to his mom and so I reach over and turn off the radio, knowing his mother would comment on something like that.

I try not to listen to the conversation, because I know that Gabe will fill me in when he is through anyways, but it is slightly distracting. Out of the corner of my eye I notice Gabe nodding his head mechanically. When he notices my glance, he rolls his eyes to the roof in annoyance. I stifle a laugh as I return my attention to the road, not wanting his mom to question who he is with.

His parents know that my family and I are not as religious as them. They also knows how often Gabe hangs out with me and are weary that I will have a bad influence on him. They would not be happy if they found out I had basically kidnapped their son and was now taking him to Cali with me.

Gabe flipped his phone closed with a loud “smack”. I shoot him a questioning glance and ask, “What was that about?”