130. Stay Away

Jacob couldn’t stop thinking about River Foster and the comments he had made about his mother. He knew he should ask his mother about it eventually, but he hadn’t had the chance. She had been coming home late from work and going right to sleep. So when she was finally home early tonight, he had to ask. “Hey, Mom,” Jacob said, his voice steady but cautious. He leaned against the doorway, watching her turn the TV on. “Can I ask you something?” His mother, Shelly, looked up, pausing her show. “Sure, honey. What is it?” “Do you know a guy named River Foster?” Jacob asked, watching her expression closely. At the mention of River’s name, his mother’s face went pale, and her hands froze mid-motion. The dish towel slipped from her grip and fell to the floor. “River Foster?” she repeated. Jacob’s heart raced. “Yeah. Do you know him?” Shelly quickly composed herself, but the fear in her eyes didn’t escape him. “How do you know him?” she asked, her voice shaky. Jacob narrowed his eyes. “I know hi