My mom looked like someone had squished all the shine and fun out of her. “My daughter is waiting outside in the car. I don’t think we’ll be visiting any more today,” she said.

“I understand. We’ll make a plan for the next time. We want to develop healthy lines of communication.”

The lady was dressed in a long gray dress and it made me feel calmer just to look at her. She was a cloud lady. Cool and calm in this dark hallway with the little lights hidden in the walls and soft carpets under our feet.

“My name is Elizabeth,” said the woman. “We’ll all meet together next time, Rodney.” I wasn’t sure how she knew my name.

“Sure,” I said. I liked talking to her. I almost always like talking to people or at least listening to people talk. It’s more fun than thinking my own thoughts. Next time we came to visit my dad, I would find people to talk to. People who are not in my family. If you’re free, I could maybe FaceTime you or something.

My mom had her giant purse over one shoulder and the bag she’d brought to my dad was empty. He still hadn’t come out of the little room. Maybe he was in there watching TV.

“We’ll be in touch,” said the woman, Elizabeth, as my mom and I walked down the hallway.

“Thank you,” said my mom.

She didn’t look back at the meeting room, but I did. The door didn’t open. My dad didn’t come out. The ride home sucked rocks.

So that’s my story.

I hope you get in touch soon. I want to know how your first week of school went. Oh, and if I was sending this, which I’m not, I’d tell you to say hi to your mom for me.

Rodney

7

Hey, Lar,

So you know how you always say I’m too cautious to ever make it to the top level in Death Spawn? Well, I might be getting bolder. I think you’ll be impressed when you hear about today. Level 72, baby! I’m coming for your crown. So here’s what happened.

Ben showed up at our house at, like, eight in the morning. Eight! On a Sunday!

“Rodney,” said my mom. “There’s someone hopping around on his bike in front of the house. Where is that boy’s helmet?”

I told her he was here for me. I’d been ready since half past seven because I was kind of nervous about biking and because I heard somewhere that adventure people are also morning people. I wore my gym shorts and sneakers and a T-shirt. They seemed like the best clothes for doing sports outside. If I fell, at least I wouldn’t wreck my good clothes. I might not get any more now that we’re broke.