第27部分(第4/7 頁)

？s　time　to　begin　the　next　great　adventure　of　your　life。？　Dan　held　onto　his　dad

for　a　long　moment。　He　knew　that　when　he　woke　up　tomorrow　morning；　that　wherever　he　was？no

matter　how　beautiful　and　picturesque　the　scenery　？it　would　feel　totally　bizarre　not　to　see　his　dad

padding　through　the　kitchen　making　brussels…sprout　pancakes；　wearing　his　long　white　nightshirt

and　purple　flip…flops。　？And　don？t　forget　to　write　it　all　down；？　Rufus　added；　slapping　his　shoulders

affectionately。

Vanessa　helped　Jenny　fit　the　last　suitcase　into　the　oversize　trunk　and　stepped　back。　Was　Dan

imagining　things；　or　did　he　see　actual　tears　in　Vanessa？s　eyes？　She　swiped　at　them　furiously；

refusing　to　look　at　him。　He　walked　over　and　took　her　in　his　arms；　running　his　fingers　over　the

stubbly　scalp　he　adored。　He　could　hear　the　rapid　sound　of　her　breathing；　and　he　hugged　her　even

closer。

？I？ll　call　you　every　day；？　he　said；　his　voice　trembling。　？I　promise。？　？Me　too。？　She　sniffled。

Jenny　slammed　the　trunk　of　the　robin？s…egg…blue　car　shut。　？Let？s　get　this　boat　on　the　road！？　？It？s

not　aboat　；？　Dan　snorted；　letting　go　of　Vanessa。　？It？s　a　1977　Buick　Skylark　convertible；　and　it

deserves　somerespect　。？　？Okay；　Mr。　Only　Got　His　License　like；Yesterday　。？　Jenny　gave　him　a

sweaty　hug。　？I　was　only　kidding。？　She　buried　her　head　against　his　chest；　her　curls　bobbing　up　and

down。　？I？m　going　to　miss　you　so　much；？　she　said　quietly　as　the　tears　rolled　down　her　round

cheeks。

Dan　closed　his　eyes；　squeezing　his　little　sister　tight。　？You　too；？　he　muttered；　trying　not　to　cry　any

harder。

？But　I　know　you　guys　probably　have　some　stuff　to　um　。　。　。　do。？　Jenny　looked　up　at　Vanessa

meaningfull