“Yeah, and all decide on one conspiracy theory,” Tico said.

“What’s the best one you’ve heard?” I asked.

“That there was no meltdown,” Tico said. “That the government wanted us out so they could do some crazy stuff to us and this town. It’s like a big reality show, with secret cameras everywhere, and we can’t get out.”

“Like The Truman Show,” Jordan said.

“The what?” Tico asked.

“Forget it.”

“I was thinking more like Big Brother if it were an entire town.”

“Tomato, to-mah-to,” Jordan said.

Tico gave me a puzzled look. “You taking care of this guy?”

“Doing my best,” I said.

The ice cream tasted especially good, though we had to race to eat it before it melted off the cone and dripped onto our shirts and sandals. Jordan and Tico chatted some more, and I could see Jordan’s body relaxing.

“Is it terrible that I miss math class?” Suzanne asked me. “I really do. I’m looking forward to algebra because I like cracking formulas.”

“Well, I’m more of a word gal, but I get it for sure,” I responded. “Something normal would be nice.”

“Yes. Normal,” she said in her sweet voice. “I’m a little stressed out because I have a low tolerance for fucking bullshit.” A dark cloud passed over her face, then gave way to sunshine again.

As Jordan and I walked back to my house, I took his hand and asked, “So how are you?”

“Good,” he said, kicking a stone on the road’s shoulder. “Maybe not so good.”

“I get it,” I said, nodding. I still was haunted by Hannah’s cries for “Mommy and Daddy.” I’d cried a few times, usually in the bathroom with the water running. I didn’t want to share any more of this with Jordan, who I knew was missing his mother and brother—and dad—on top of the trauma he experienced at the fire and the loss of his house.

“I keep seeing my mom’s face as they wheeled her away,” Jordan said. “I keep remembering how Charlie’s little hand felt in mine. He’s such a funny kid. I miss his laugh and the way he’d spit back my dorky pop-culture references. No offense, but I feel really alone.”

I wanted to stop and hug him so hard. I wanted to do more as well, but taking romantic advantage of such a situation felt wrong.

“I appreciate that you’re willing to share your feelings with me, Jordan,” I said. “It’s one of the things I love about you. It makes me think you’re that much stronger.”

I wasn’t intending the word “love” to come out of my mouth in relation to anything involving Jordan, but there it was. I wasn’t taking it back.

He stopped, my words appearing to register with him in a significant way. “Thanks, Maggie. I mean it. I feel like I can tell you anything. I’ve never felt that way with anybody, including my family. I hope you feel the same with me.”

“I do,” I said. “I have cancer.”