A Heart in a Body in the World

Annabelle is checked in to a room at the Best Western, where she waits for her mom and her brother Malcolm. Annabelle tries to write in her journal but gives up and watches the rain out the window. Waiting alone, she remembers a former classmate whom she refers to only as The Taker. The Taker is the culprit of the still-unnamed incident that occurred nine months earlier. Annabelle and The Taker, a new student at Annabelle’s high school, met in Annabelle’s Mixed Media Art class. Annabelle remembers how “[h]e slides into the seat in front of her, but first, he gives her a shy smile” (16). Before the memory can continue, she shouts “Stop!”—a coping technique for intrusive traumatic memories she learned from Dr. Mann.

Gina and Malcolm arrive at Annabelle’s hotel room. Annabelle tells Gina and Malcolm of her plan to run across the country to Washington, DC. Annabelle explains that she will turn 18 in five days and that she has enough college money to get herself across the country. Annabelle’s long-distance running coach, Coach Kwon, told her about a man who ran across the country in four months, and Annabelle believes she can do something similar. Annabelle asks Gina if she brought Annabelle’s suitcase, but Gina says no, insisting Annabelle come home. Malcom announces that he left something in the car and leaves the room. When Malcom returns, he has a suitcase packed for Annabelle with clothes and other essentials. He also has a map where he has mapped out a route for Annabelle. Finally, Malcolm convinces Gina that they should go home, leaving Annabelle to spend the night in the hotel. Gina insists that she is agreeing to go along with Annabelle’s plan for tonight only.

Annabelle wakes up at the Best Western and eats at the breakfast buffet. It is a beautiful morning, and Annabelle feels excited and optimistic about her plan to run across the country. As she leaves the hotel and begins her run, Annabelle remembers how she’s loved to run since she was a kid. Annabelle has used running to cope with anxiety throughout her life; she remembers how “in junior high, she learned that the long-distance run, tiring herself out, soothing herself with the rhythm of the pace, helped the anxiety” (27).

Eventually, Annabelle realizes she will have to check the GPS on her phone, even though she is reluctant to use her phone too much and drain the battery. Annabelle decides to name the woman’s voice on the GPS Loretta, telling Loretta, “you’re going to be with me on the biggest trip of my life” (29). Annabelle continues running and eventually encounters hills. She realizes for the first time how challenging it will be to run across hills and mountains along her journey. Finally, after a tiring day, Annabelle reaches the Secret Garden B&B, a room she booked online that morning. The owner of the B&B is surprised to see someone so young but is nevertheless friendly toward Annabelle. Annabelle realizes that there won’t always be nice places to stay along her route, that “There will be long stretches of the country without any motels in sight” (33). Annabelle remembers that the man who previously ran across the country had planned for months and had a team that followed him in an RV, with food and supplies at the ready. Annabelle starts to worry that her plan may be impossible.

At the B&B Annabelle discovers blisters on her feet from her new tennis shoes. What’s more, her clothes are filthy, and she has several missed calls from her mother. Annabelle imagines a conversation between herself and Kat, her best friend since sixth grade. Annabelle imagines Kat encouraging her to keep going, despite her doubts. Annabelle borrows a pair of scissors from the B&B owner and cuts her long brown hair short in the bathroom mirror, feeling that her hair “has to go” (37). When she is finished, her new haircut looks awful, like “a sad, ragged helmet, like she’s a loser in the war” (38). Back in her room, Annabelle starts to cry.

Annabelle receives a call from Zach, one of her best friends. Zach is dating one of Annabelle’s other friends, Olivia. Zach supports Annabelle’s plan to run across the country, telling her, “You need this. […] This is a reason to, you know, go on” (40). Zach explains that he and Malcolm, Annabelle’s brother, set up a Facebook page called “Run for a Cause” and a GoFundMe to raise money for the trip. Olivia is making T-shirts.

Annabelle hears a knock at the door and ends her call with Zach. At the door is Annabelle’s Grandpa Ed. Grandpa explains that he has his RV and he will be driving alongside Annabelle while she runs. Grandpa has also convinced Gina to let Annabelle continue the journey, though she still thinks Annabelle will give up after a few days. In his RV Grandpa has freshly cooked food and a suitcase packed for Annabelle. Annabelle checks out of the B&B and joins her grandpa for dinner in the RV.