“Is your dad working tonight?” I ask Adam as the credits roll. It’s almost nine on a Saturday night, and on Mr. Silver’s nights off, he usually wanders to wherever we’re hanging and tries to get us to play Boggle with him. Adam always wins. “Actually…he’s on a date.” Adam’s lips twitch, and my jaw drops. “Wow. Is that weird for you?” He cocks his head toward me. “That my dad has been out more in the past two months than I have in my entire lifetime? Yeah…I’d say I feel a little pathetic.” “I didn’t say pathetic,” I say, adjusting myself on the couch so I’m sitting upright. “I asked if you felt weird.” Adam should never feel pathetic. He’s a genius, has lots of close friends, and even if he doesn’t go out a lot, I know there are girls who like him. He stands, reaching over me to the lamp above my head and snaps it on.
