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“Uh, do you actually expect an answer to that?”
“Nope.” He plopped down on the couch. “Wanna play video games?”
I still had English homework to finish, but I also wanted to hang out with my best friend for a while. Pete made me feel normal, accepted, and usually gave good advice.
“But hey,” Pete said with a laugh once I beat him in aCall of Dutygame, “maybe you’ll learn something about football through osmosis.”
“You never know.”
10
HENRY
“Hey, Mom…Dad,”I said over a video call before class. I knew they’d be in the middle of coffee and breakfast before starting their day, so maybe the call would be short and sweet. “I need to tell you something. It’s about Parents’ Day this week.”
“What about it?” Mom asked as she poured Dad another cup from the pot. “Has the schedule changed?”
“No, not that. I just keep meaning to talk to you…about Lark Levitt.”
The name didn’t register for them at first. But then I saw the moment it dawned as Mom’s expression changed to concern.
“Am I supposed to know who that is?” Dad asked.
“It’s the boy from the hospital,” Mom said gently.
A deep groove formed between his brows. “What about him? Have you heard something after all this time?”
“Well, yes. He’s alive and well…and attending Roosevelt.”
It grew so quiet on their end I could hear my father’s harsh breaths.
“Why haven’t you told us about this?” He was clenching his jaw so hard I hoped his teeth wouldn’t break.
“Because I wanted to have the chance to talk to him myself and make sure he knew that I…that you…anyway, he understands and said he won’t break my trust. But I’m sure his mom will be at Parents’ Day too.”
“Had you not told us, we might’ve never recognized that family,” Mom said with a faraway look. “It’s been years.”
“True, but I thought I’d warn you anyway.”
“Our family life is private. They would have no business telling—”
“They wouldn’t, I’m sure of it,” I said, hoping it was true. “Just be kind. Nobody has to know anything.”
“I know perfectly well how to conduct myself in public. I just hope they do as well. I’m assuming he’s there on scholarship?”
I winced. “I thought someone’s family life is private.”
“Very funny,” Dad said, standing from the table. “I need to get to work.”
After the call ended, I stared at my cell for far too long before heading to class. I had to think of a way to get Lark alone to talk to him about this.
During pre-calc review, Lark and I worked at the whiteboard again, but it was difficult because almost all the markers were drying out. When I mentioned it to the professor, he sent me to the supply room to get a new pack.
“Come with me,” I said to Lark. He narrowed his eyes before shrugging and following me out the door.
Inside the supply room, it was difficult to locate the markers, so we took opposite sides of the long shelves to search for them.
“I need to talk to you about Parents’ Day,” I said, and Lark grew motionless. “Our parents will likely see each other, and I didn’t know how it might all go down.”
