I laughed out loud at the thought of my sister with her short flippy hair and chest-high old-man pants and skinny wrists power lifting anything. Who needs power lifting when you’re as funny as she is? My dad gave her that at least. And anyone could see that even though she was just sitting in a parked car with me and my mom, she was awesome. All that anger and meanness was going to be useful when she figured out what to do with it.

And I hoped she was going to eat more.

“And you, Rodney?” asked Kate. “You okay back there?”

“Larry’s not allowed to talk to me because Isbell is suing Dad.”

“I’m sorry, baby,” said my mom. “You guys were good friends.”

And then, because there was really nothing left to say, she started the car back up. On the drive home, I thought about my dad, the power shamer, and felt bad for him and for all of us. I also thought about how I felt more bad things and good things in the last twenty-four hours than I’d ever felt. It’s very tiring, feeling things, but it’s not uninteresting.

I wonder if you feel the same.

Love you, man.

Rodney

30

Hey, Lar,

One more for the road. And thanks for the message last night. I’m glad your mom says we can talk as long as we don’t discuss the case. I can’t believe Mr. Gomez and Mr. Magellan are getting married! It must be so weird for Mr. Magellan to be marrying the principal of the school. And congratulations on being made the captain of the Circle Square Ping-Pong team. You deserve it.

I’m going to write you once more because it’s sort of a habit now. After this, I guess we can just text or message or whatever.

The morning after I saw you in Vegas and had the meeting with my dad, Ben showed up early. It was a professional development day for teachers and so we had the day off. No juvenile hall for me! He came up to the door and actually knocked. He’d never done that before.

My mom answered before I could get there.

“Hello,” she said. “You must be here for Rodney.”

Ben nodded but didn’t speak. I don’t think he’s comfortable around parents.

“Hi,” I said, standing up from the table, where we were about to have breakfast.

“I, uh,” he said, and he tilted his head like he wanted me to come outside.

“You’re just in time for breakfast,” said my mom. She looked around Ben. “Oh, hello. Come on in!” she called.

A minute later Fisherman and Ben were inside.

“Nice to meet you,” said my mom, holding out her hand.

“Mom, this is Fisherman. And that’s Ben,” I said, finally going over to meet them.

“Ma’am,” said Ben, when she shook his hand.