He shuts himself in his room like Annie used to. He doesn’t participate in dinners, and I don’t see him around at school—except once, when he had an arm around Susan. He needs some time to cool off. He’ll come to you when he’s ready. Why doesn’t he come already? The night of the dance arrives, and before Bert and Ernie arrive, I slip a folded note under Jace’s door. I linger, crouched in the hallway, hand pressed to the wood for a few moments until I hear the sound of footsteps and rustling paper. I’m about to turn away when the door creaks as if Jace is resting against it. I lean forward, my head against the cool door too. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. Sniff. I’m not certain but I think I hear a murmur. “Me too.” “Jace, I—” The doorbell chimes, ripping me out of the moment. “Dammit.” I curse Bert and Ernie for their punctuality as I go downstairs to let them in.
