If his battery died, why wouldn't he have plugged it in the charger? If his cell phone died, I think he might have called his mom on the landline and asked for his Christmas present of the new phone early. I would think he'd know the last names of most of his friends and called 411 until he found some parent with a landline. He probably knew where some of the parents worked, and he could have reached someone that way. He could have called his father's employer if he didn't have MR's cell number memorized. I know that is all a lot of work, but it's nothing compared to setting out on his own with all his belongings and a fishing pole hoping to hitch a ride. I just can't buy that because his cell wasn't working he was totally cut off from the world and his only recourse would be to leave instead of, simplest solution of all, waiting for his dad to return. All MOO