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“Well, if you need some insight into small towns, you should talk to Nina. She’s lived here her whole life.”
“What about you? Have you always lived in Kansas?”
“Yeah, but not in a small town. I grew up in Kansas City and I go to—orusedto go to—college not far from there.”
“You said you only have a semester left?”
“Yeah, and I’m definitely finishing. I just don’t know when.”
He nods. “How much do you need?”
“For what?”
“College. How much money?”
“Eight thousand, which means I need to get a better job than working at a garage. When my mom moves back to Kansas City, I’ll go live with her and have more options for jobs. I’ll get three if I have to. Whatever it takes to get the money I need. I want to go back to school in the spring.”
“When’s your mom moving back?”
“Late August, right before school starts. She’s an art teacher. But when I talked to her the other day, it sounded like she’s not too excited to come back.”
“After living in New York? Yeah, it’ll be hard, especially if she likes it there.”
“She loves it. And she loves being able to paint every day instead of teach. Not that she doesn’t like teaching but she’s done it forever and I know she’d like a change. Her dream was always to be an artist so this summer she’s living her dream, but in a few months it’ll end.”
“Maybe she could stay there. If the art community embraces her, she could have a big future ahead of her.”
“You sound like you know about this. Are you an artist as well as a writer?”
“No.” He chuckles. “I can’t even draw a straight line. But I appreciate art and I go to museums and the occasional gallery opening.”
“You’re not going to fit in at all around here,” I say, jokingly, but it’s true. “Most people in this town think art is a waste of time, both creating it and going to see it.”
“Are you saying I won’t be making many friends?”
“Not if you bring up art or use fancy words. Do that and they’ll say you’re a snob. But you have me as a friend. And maybe Nina, if she approves of you.”
“Are you thinking she won’t?”
“She will, but she’ll give you a hard time before she does. She’s kind of protective of me, but that’s a good thing. She keeps people from harassing me. They used to come up and say stuff to me, like call me a thief like my dad. I still overhear them talking about me sometimes but they don’t say it to my face anymore, thanks to Nina. She’s been a good friend.”
“Those are hard to find.”
“Believe me, I know. Do you have many friends back home?”
“A few, but they’re not the type I could count on.”
“Did you grow up in LA?”
“No.” He looks out at the yard. “You need help with the lawn? Because I could help if you need it.”
“Thanks, but I can handle it. So um, that’s it?”
“What?” He looks back at me.
“You didn’t elaborate on where else you’ve lived. You changed the subject.”
“I told you, I don’t like talking about myself.”
