He isn’t big on metal. Bryce
downs his giant burrito faster
than I can finish my taco. I grin.
What? he says. But he knows
why I’m smiling. He shrugs.
Guess I was hungrier than
I thought. Must be hormones.
THAT MAKES ME LAUGH
Unfortunately, my mouth is full.
I lift my hand, barely in time
to save the windshield from
a spray of chicken taco.
Hey, now! he says, laughing too.
I just detailed this car, you know.
He starts the Acura, aims it toward
school. And anyway, what’s so funny?
Somehow, I manage to swallow what’s
left of my lunch. I shake my head.
“It’s just the hormone thing reminded
me of something Aunt Cora might say.”
Why do you live with your aunt?
The blunt question catches me
by surprise. “Uh … actually,
we both live with my grandfather….”
But that’s not what he wants to know.
What happened to your parents?
I SHOULD HAVE AN ANSWER READY
But I never expected
I’d need one. I pretty
much figured Bryce