“I didn’t know. My dad stopped by the lumberyard on the way home from church, and he was there.”

“And he just told you? What did you say to him first?”

“I don’t know, we were just talking. But he asked about you. I told him about your parents—I hope that’s cool. I mean, it’s kind of a big deal.”

“It’s totally cool.”

“He seemed into you. Like, asking what you’ve been up to and stuff. I gave him your number and told him he should call you. But even if he doesn’t, Ryan’s going to be home for fall break next weekend, and Matt said he’d come by, so you’ll definitely see him.”

Katie spent most of the day writing a research paper, but her phone was never far from her side. When it rang at a few minutes past 7:00 p.m., throwing her stomach into a nervous flutter, she felt a flash of annoyance when she saw “Dad” on the display. She didn’t want to talk to him. He’d been gone all of one day, and it was the second time he’d called.

She begrudgingly answered and, like she’d been the evening before, was asked how she was doing, what she had done that day and what she was currently doing. “I’m working on a paper,” she said, hoping it would get him off the phone.

“Anything interesting?”

“Not unless you’re into eastern civilization in the fifteenth century. I should probably go now. I have other homework too.”

“How’s your brother doing?”

“I don’t know. Fine, I guess. He’s been playing video games for two days straight.” She closed her eyes as soon as the words left her mouth, wishing she could recall them. “I mean, not like all the time, but—”

“Put him on the phone.”

“What?” She didn’t want to give Logan her phone. What if Matt called? “Why don’t you just call his cell phone?”

“Because he’s not answering.”

“I’ll tell him to call you.”

“Put him on the phone, Katie,” he said in what she knew was his serious, don’t-argue-with-me voice.

She stomped out of her room and into the rec room, where Logan was sitting in front of the television wearing headphones, his hands clasping a controller, his body jerking from side to side as he stared intently into the television display. “It’s Dad,” she said, holding out her phone.

Logan lifted his eyes briefly before returning them to the display, continuing the battle raging on the screen. “Wait.” Twenty more seconds passed before he removed his headphones and looked up at her. “What?”

“Dad.” She again held out her phone.

“I don’t want to talk to him,” he said before again donning the headphones.

Katie brought her cell phone to her ear. “He said—”