“I agree, and I’m certainly not condoning a sexual relationship, but as long as she’s happy and you don’t see signs of increased anxiety or depression, you should let the relationship go forward. Show her you trust her judgment, and before long she’ll be confiding in you instead of your mother.”

“How come you always know what to say? I was upset all day, and in the matter of a minute, you made everything so clear.”

“I’d love to take credit, but I think given time, you would have come to the same conclusion.”

“I don’t know if that’s true.”

“Start trusting your own instincts. You may surprise yourself.”

Lina was halfway through the drive home from Logan’s bus stop the following day when she realized he hadn’t spoken since his mumbled greeting after getting in the car. “How was school?”

“Fine.” He was sunk low in his seat and staring out the window.

“Sweetie, is something wrong?”

He shrugged. “I didn’t make the all-star team.”

“The all-star team?” she began in confusion and then realized what he was talking about. He hadn’t made the team he had tried out for over the summer. “That’s okay. You’ll make it next year.”

“That’s the best I’ve ever played. I’m just not good enough,” he said in a voice so downtrodden it broke Lina’s heart.

“You did your best. That’s all you can do. Coaches aren’t perfect. They’re not always right.” She patted his thigh. “I know you’re disappointed and it seems like a huge deal right now, but I promise you, it isn’t.”

“I’m never going to be as good as he was, am I?”

Her heart sunk. “Oh, Logan, you’re not your father and you’re not supposed to be.”

“That means no.”

“It means you shouldn’t be comparing yourself to him. You’re your own unique person. You’re kind and honest and—”

“I don’t care about that stuff. I wanted to make the team. He would have. At my age, he would have made the team.”

“It was one tryout. You can’t let it define you. If you really want to be on that team, you can work hard and make it next year.”

“Maybe his new son will be as good as him.”

She took her eyes off the road momentarily and looked at his profile. “Don’t say things like that.”

“Why not? It’s true. I know I’m a disappointment to him.”

“That’s not true! Your father is very proud of you.”

“It doesn’t matter.” He turned his body towards the window, effectively putting his back to her. “I don’t want to be his son anyway.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Yes I do.”