Jasper jumped up. “Thank you. Seriously, this place is so much better now. I really appreciate everything.”

“Oh, sure,” I said. “It was fun.”

We stood there for a second, like neither of us was sure what to do next. I didn’t want to leave, but I knew I had to. I almost wanted to hug her, but I knew that would be weird. “Hey,” I said at last. “One more thing. Before I go, can I get your number?” I pulled out my phone.

Jasper shook her head. “I don’t have a phone,” she said. “Wish I did.”

“Really?” I asked, puzzled. “I could’ve sworn I saw you checking a phone earlier, at the bus stop.”

“Yeah,” said Jasper. “But I don’t have a number or any cell service. It’s just an old phone of my sister’s. She gave it to me so I can check in with her when I’m near free Wi-Fi. Like at a coffee shop. And I have some dumb games on it.”

“Oh. So that means that when you’re here, you have no way of calling or emailing or anything at all?”

“Nope,” said Jasper, grinning. “I’m super-extra old school. If I need you, I’ll just have to scream real loud.”

I laughed. “Well, feel free to scream any old time.”

“Will do!” said Jasper. “And maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Definitely,” I said. “Come over!”

“I will,” she said. “But also, you can come here too. Now that you know everything.”

“I will too!” I called out as I scrambled down the hill and pushed my way through the vines and brambles to the creek bed. I picked my way carefully down the creek as the pink sky deepened above, and then sprinted hard once I hit the pavement.

Now that I knew everything? I didn’t feel like I knew anything at all. As full as the day had been, I’d barely scratched the surface. But even so, what a day it had been. A filthy, sweaty, magical, confusing day.

Back at home, I stepped up to the front door and peered through the glass. My parents were in the living room, sitting on the sofa. Plates on the coffee table in front of them. Mom with her salad. Dad with what looked like a frozen pot pie. It was strange to see them like that. Through glass. Almost like I was watching a movie about them.

They sat together, but apart, at opposite ends of the couch, facing the TV. It was funny, how a TV let you be with someone even if nobody touched or said a word. I wondered if either of them was even paying attention to the show. They both looked lost in thought.