I should use that to get revenge against Wiley. That would show him! I can’t believe I ever felt sorry for him.

As soon as I thought that, the token shot heat through my body.

“Owww!”

Dad walked over and put his hand on my shoulder. “Arcade, I know it hurts. People can behave badly, and that sometimes causes innocent people to suffer. But we don’t have to let what they do stick to us. We ask God to help us rise above it, forgive them, then we keep living the way we know is right. If you do that with Wiley, he’ll see that you’re different from others. And then he may turn around! Remember, let kindness and loyalty never leave you.”

I nodded. “Tie them around your neck as a reminder.”

Dad smiled. “Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Exactly. Arcade, I think you’re the right kid to do just that.”

The token jumped inside my shirt.

“And I’m sorry about all your losses lately,” Mom said. “I lost something very valuable once.”

Butterflies flew around in my stomach. “What did you lose?”

“A piece of jewelry. I know, it’s not as big a deal as a dog or a friend, but it was really special, because your father gave it to me when we were dating.”

She stopped talking. I looked at her. “So, what happened?”

Mom folded her hands in her lap. “I was really upset. For quite a long time.”

“That’s not very encouraging, Mom.”

She laughed softly. “I’m sorry. I did get over it, finally.”

“How?”

She looked Dad in the eyes. “I focused on everything I hadn’t lost. And I learned to be grateful for those things. Plus, I figured that whoever ended up with that piece of jewelry needed it more than I did.”

“I’m not sure anyone needs Doug or Loopy more than me.”

Mom reached over and hugged my neck. “I agree. And that’s why I’m praying that we get them both back very soon.”

*  *  *

Later that night, I thought about what Mom said.

She’s praying we get them both back?

Are she and Dad considering adopting Doug? That would be awesome! But they have no idea that Loopy is lost in Picture Post.

That reminded me of something important! I was supposed to talk to Reagan Cooper today, but that whole cheating fiasco got me off track. I grabbed my phone and typed up a text.

Hi Coop. I’m not a cheater.

I clicked send.

She responded immediately.

I know. I’m sorry you got in trouble for it. Rotten Whiny Overton!

I texted back.

I have a question.

She responded.

Shoot.

Do you remember what street you lived on when you were in first grade?

Yeah. That’s easy.

WHERE?