Matty sat on a log and watched a large Heron spear a fish in the shallow waters of Dumas Bay. She regretted ditching school, but a sense of unease threatened to overtake her, and she had to get away.
Matty stayed at the park until the sun began to set and knew that she had to go home. As expected, her mother was angry that she had skipped school and once again Matty had to hear how irresponsible and careless she was.
The next morning, Matty loaded her clothes and other belongings into her old Corolla and headed for the interstate with a vague plan about going to California. As Matty drove through downtown she noticed a girl about her age wearing a skimpy outfit and pacing back and forth on the sidewalk.
The hopelessness in the girl's eyes disturbed her and Matty turned her car around and headed home. Her mother was waiting for her on the porch of their tiny house.
"I'm sorry you missed work because of me" Matty said.
Her mother smiled and held Matty close. "Everybody needs to play hooky once in a while."
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