Barrett kissed her on the temple. "Take Billy Ray back home. I'm going to stay here and help if I'm needed. Your mother will be worried sick."
Mary Jo took Billy Ray's hand and walked away. Once again she trekked through the forest, back to the trailer. She was suddenly exhausted. It was over. Barrett was right. Ma would be worried. She would have no idea what was happening - whether her children were alive or safe.
They were safe, all right, thanks to Barrett, but she had broken more rules and laws in the last two hours than she had in her entire life. No doubt there would be some fines involved, but if she had it to do over again, she'd do the same thing.
She put an arm around Billy Ray. "I'm glad you're safe, but don't ever leave the house like that again without telling someone. You might have got us all killed."
"You said you were worried about Mr. Monroe, and then those ATV's went by. I thought he might need my help."
"But instead, you needed hishelp. I know you meant well, but what you did made it dangerous for Barrett."
"I'm sorry. Next time I'll tell you."
"I hope there isn't a next time."
She mounted Ol' Ned and put a hand down to help Billy Ray up. Once they were both on the mule, they headed for home.
When they reached the house, Ma was on the porch, hanging on to the post. When she saw them, she hobbled down the steps to greet them.
"I was so worried about you! What in the world happened?"
Mary Jo helped Billy Ray down and then dismounted. They both hugged her before Mary Jo spoke. "It's a long story. I'll tell you in the house where I can sit down. I'm exhausted."
After she put the mules in the barn, she went into the house. Ma made them some hot chocolate and sat down with them while Mary Jo told her everything - even the part about driving Barrett's car without a license and running from the police.
"I know I did wrong, Ma, but I couldn't think of any other way."
Ma stroked her hair the way she used to when Mary Jo was a little girl. "You didn't do wrong, child. There weren't no legal way to do it. Pa will be proud of you."
"We need a phone and a car, Ma. I don't want to live like this no more." Without warning, she began to cry. "I ain't never been that scared in my life."