When the speed limit slowed and we’d made it to town, I checked every corner, expecting the yellow-scarf-wearing man to be wandering the streets, looking for me. As much as I knew that was a silly thing to think, I thought it anyway.

I bit down hard on my finger, until I realized Kane was watching me with concern.

“Sorry,” I said, gripping the armrest.

“No more owies, Teth,” Kane said. Aunt Maureen glanced at me in the rearview mirror but didn’t say anything as she took a right turn off of Pine.

Camp took place at the local library. I’d insisted that Aunt Maureen drop me off outside, but when we pulled up in front of the barn-red-and-wood modern-rustic building, inside I screamed, COME WITH ME!

On top of that, I felt sick about having to meet new people.

I’d met my best friend in kindergarten and had only made one new friend in middle school, this girl named Mia. But Colette had brought Mia into our friend group—I hadn’t done anything.

Like Kane could hear my thoughts, he reached across the space between his booster seat and my regular one to put his kind-of-sticky but super-soft hand on mine, careful to touch the back of my hands and not my bloody fingers.

“Don’t worry, Teth, it’s okay. Just smile and be nice, and everyone will like you and want to make a playdate. Just don’t tell them you like ketchup.”

“Thanks, Kane,” I said.

“Bring me a picture?” he asked, blinking at me with cartoon eyes. “I like green but not purple so no purple okay thank you please, Teth.”

“I don’t know if we’re going to do that kind of art today,” I said.

Blink blink. “Okay, but will you bring me a picture?” Kane asked. “One with green?”

“But—”

“I want a picture please okay, Teth, thank you.”

I wondered if he was going to grow up to be a professional negotiator. Aunt Maureen had turned around in her seat and was smiling like she thought the whole thing was adorable.

“Okay, fine,” I said, “I’ll bring you a picture.”

“With green.”

“Yes, with green in it.” I pushed the button on the sliding door and stepped out. “Thanks for the ride,” I said to my aunt.

“We’ll be back to get you at three,” she said. “You got your sack lunch, right?” I nodded once. “Okay, try to have fun, Tessy Bear. I know it’s hard right now, but just give it a shot.”

“I will.”

“BYE, TETH!!!” Kane shouted at the top of his lungs, even though I was still standing next to the car. He flapped both hands like he was trying to wave and fly away at the same time. “HAVE A GOOD DAY, TETH!!!”