She’s in the living room and immediately gets up to meet me at the door. “Everything go well with your father?” she asks. “Yep,” I lie. “I’m going to bed. Night, Mom.” I can tell she wants to say something, but she doesn’t. I keep going to my room, grateful for the distraction Keelan and his mom provided, but now that I’m home, I’m overwhelmingly bummed. Just once, why can’t Dad show up like he says he will? I change, climb into bed, and let the tears fall. The second day of school is as boring as the first and my English class gives out the first assignment of the year. Keelan walks me to most of my classes, but he’s quiet today. At lunch, when we sit down in the same seats, I angle myself toward him. He’s picking at his food, looking lost in his thoughts. “Everything okay?” I ask softly. Keelan lifts his head and looks at me.
