A Heart in a Body in the World

Annabelle has been gone 107 days, and it has been 62 days since she and Grandpa left the Hutterites community. Annabelle is past the halfway point. She has read Luke’s book about the Antarctica explorers four times. Twice, Gina and Malcolm have flown out to visit Annabelle and Grandpa, giving them the opportunity to sleep in real motel beds.

Annabelle’s mind flashes back to her memories of The Taker. After the school dance, in which Annabelle felt The Taker’s erection against her, Annabelle tries to ignore The Taker at school. One day Annabelle finds The Taker waiting by her car after school, asking for a ride home. It’s raining and the busses have left, so Annabelle reluctantly agrees. As she drives, The Taker admits that he didn’t really miss the bus—he got out of class early—he just misses talking to Annabelle. Annabelle confesses that she saw her ex-boyfriend Will at Whole Foods over the weekend and it was nice to see him.

The Taker starts showing up by Annabelle’s car every Wednesday and Friday, the two days Annabelle doesn’t give Kat a ride; Annabelle realizes The Taker is intentionally trying to be alone with her.