My mom was racing towards me as she clutched her purse. "Apollo! Mijo, are you okay? Oh my goodness, look at your beautiful face. You've got scratches. It's okay, I have face cream in the car. Where does it hurt? Should I call—"

"Mom, I'm fine!" I said, pushing her hands away from my face.

"Okay," she said, smiling. "You scared the crap oughta me! What were you thinking?" She said, smacking my head. That was a complete 180, but I expected it.

"Did they find Mr. Rogers?" I asked.

"Not yet. They're still looking, but don't worry, they'll find him," She said, hugging me tightly. I glanced over at Amory, who looked like he was getting lectured by some man in a suit. He was angry, and Amory seemed guilty. My mom turned her head towards the direction I was staring at.

"Stop eavesdropping. Don't look at a parent who's scolding their child," she said.

"He looks sad," I said.

"Well, his father seems kind of scary. When we both pulled in, he didn't even say hello," she said.

"Where's dad?" I asked.

"He's with the rangers. He's helping them look for your teacher," she said.

I looked back at Amory, he was sitting alone while his dad was talking to the park ranger. I walked over towards him, but he ignored me.

"You okay?" I asked.

"I'm fine," He muttered. He seemed so different right now than what I was used to. I glanced over at his dad. Amory looked nothing like him. His dad was a tall man with dark hair and eyes, they didn't share a face. Amory was on the shorter side, and unlike his father, he had dirty blonde hair and deep green eyes.

"Is that your dad?" I asked.

"I guess," he shrugged. "That your mom?" He asked.

"Yeah," I responded.

"She's pretty," he said, "She looks young."

"Yeah, she had me when she was twenty."

"You look like her," he said.

"Listen, I was wonder—" I was interrupted by a deep and raspy voice.

"Hey, let's go." Amory's father towered over him. Just by glancing at him I could tell he was seething.

Amory nodded, and I stuck out my hand to help him up. He lightly smiled and grabbed my hand as I pulled him up. My mom was suddenly by my side, greeting Amory.

"You've gotten pretty beat up too. Look at that lip! I've got some ointment in the car for—"

Amory's dad interrupted, "That won't be necessary, Ms..."

"Reyes-Perez," she said giving him the stink eye. "Well, if you're gonna handle this then you better have him looked at. I've seen way too many bruises on those arms and legs."

"Let's go," he said, pulling Amory alongside him.

"Amory, I'll see you," I said, waving. He didn't turn back.

"Oye, some people. Look at that boy, he's dragging him. Come on, let's get you something to eat You look like you haven't eaten in days," she said. She held on to my arm as we walked to the car. I turned back towards Amory and watched as he leaned his head against the passenger side window, avoiding his dad's gaze.

"Apollo, don't let this bother you, but I hope you stay away from that kid," my mom said, starting the car. I turned to her and raised an eyebrow.

"Why?" I asked.

"I overheard that he came on this trip without permission. His dad thought he was somewhere else," she said.

"So just because of that, I can't be friends with him?" I said, shrugging.

"He just doesn't seem good for you right now. Besides, did you see the man he was with. I'm surprised that kid was even nice to you. His dad looked angry when he saw you talking to him." She shook her head as she kept her eyes on the road.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Like the kind of face that says, "what's this brown boy doing with my son," that kind of look. I've seen it before. You'll see it a lot," she said.

"He didn't seem to hate me, Mom. He was actually really nice to me," I said. She smiled and patted my leg.

"That's good. You're right, maybe he liked you too," she said. I smiled and shook my head as I stared out the window.

"See, what did I say? I told you you'd make some friends," she said.

"Yeah, whatever."

This weekend wasn't exactly what I had planned, but I think it's what I needed.