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He frowned but didn’t try to defend them. And as I watched their interaction, that was exactly what was happening. Our parents were talking to the professor but not each other. Ridiculous.
“Your sister?” Henry asked as he watched Star skip up and down the hall.
“Uh-huh. Her name is Star. Short for Starling.”
“Another unique name.”
“Birds, remember?” I replied as Star approached and latched our fingers together. “My mom loves birds.”
“We have bird feeders outside our windows,” Star said, staring up at Henry.
Afraid she would bring up the trailer park, I went for a diversion. “Let’s go inside the classroom and see the crazy equations written on the board.”
I steered her inside, but not before she looked over her shoulder. “Is your friend coming?”
“No, he doesn’t have to—”
“Definitely,” he said, following us inside, maybe needing his own diversion.
I’d admit, having the opportunity to hang out with him like this made my stomach feel fluttery.
Inside the classroom, Star wrote her own nonsensical equations on the smaller whiteboards provided at the table as we watched. I dug into my pocket for a Jolly Rancher, sliding one across to Star, then offering one to Henry. He blinked. “What?” I asked.
“You still eat these? Watermelon, right?”
I smiled because he remembered. “My favorite.”
We talked and laughed and played tic-tac-toe with Star until his dad cleared his throat at the door and signaled it was time to go.
“See you tomorrow,” Henry said, heading toward his father.
“Bye!” Star called out, making him snicker as he winked over his shoulder.
* * *
“You have some explaining to do,” Mom said on the way home.
“Did they recognize you?”
“They pretended not to in front of the professor, but I know they did. Come to think of it, they were snobby to me back then too, which was pretty rich considering both our children were suffering.”
“Imagine being raised that way,” I pointed out. “That’s why I’m so lucky to have you and Star.”
“I’m sorry we struggle so much and can’t afford more nice things. Being around those parents really brought home our differences.”
“Don’t apologize, Mom. I wouldn’t trade my family for any of them.”
She reached over and squeezed my hand. “Now explain.”
So I did, telling her about football and expectations, and after meeting his parents, I thought she got it even more, though it was hard to understand why it was so important to them.
Mom said, “When the professor walked away, Mr. Albrecht followed him into the classroom. I got Mrs. Albrecht’s attention and privately told her some things.”
“Mom, you promised.” Warily, I asked, “What did you say?”
“It was the right thing to do,” she said with a sniff. “I told her Henry had grown into a fine young man and that I was happy he’d gone into remission.”
“And?”
