That’s not exactly a surprise.
I inch away from the door, not wanting to intrude.
We’re supposed to go to Lake and Nova’s tonight and since my life right now is working with the physical therapist team, building back strength, and trying not to go out of my mind with boredom, I’ve been taking the liberty of driving Kylie to school and picking her up when the day is done.
I slip outside the building, plunk down on a bench by someone else who’s trying not to intrude.
“Hey, bud,” I say, bumping my shoulder gently against Adrian’s.
Considering the workout Ivy just put me through—all of her attention laser-focused on me (to the benefit of my shoulder and the detriment of every other aching muscle in my body)—gently is about all I can manage.
“Hey,” he mutters, not looking at me. Instead, he’s grinding the toes of his shoes into the concrete, the little rocks that have escaped from the planter beds making soft, scratching sounds.
Well, I guess that answers the question of whether or not he knows what’s happening in the classroom.
And how unhappy his parents are.
I debate what to say, know any of the platitudes I might come up with won’t make a difference.
Not when most middle schoolers want to just be normal.
Not when Adrian’s health means that he won’t ever be able to fully turn off his brain and just be a kid.
So, I call the only one I know who’s been through that.
Blake’s face appears on the screen after a single ring. “Bro!” he says, his eyes dancing with mirth. “Your girlfriend dump you yet?”
Adrian jerks.
“Not yet,” I say dryly.
“Eh.” A shrug. “It’s only a matter of time.”
I shake my head and sigh, though it’s with my mouth tipped up—mostly because Adrian’s shock has transformed into humor, his giggle in the air.
“You know, here I am calling my brother to check in and he just gives me grief.”
“It’s my love language.”
Adrian laughs outright.
“Is that your illustrious girlfriend I hear laughing in the background?”
“Nah,” I say, “she’s in a meeting.”
“Then who am I amusing?” he asks.
“My friend, Adrian.” I point the screen at him. “He’s in Kylie’s class.”
“Yeah?” Blake says.
Adrian hesitates then nods. “Yeah, Ms. C is the best teacher in school. She always tells us stories and gives us quizzes with candy and when I was in the hospital she did special Zoom meetings just for me so I wouldn’t fall behind.”
Blake’s eyes come to mine for a heartbeat and I know he clocks the situation because he turns his focus back to Adrian. “You spend a lot of time in the hospital, A-man?”
A long hesitation, Adrian’s face falling.
Then he nods. “Yeah.”
