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“See you next month in class?”

“Yes. Yes, of course.”

“Or maybe here in the park again?”

My heart did a somersault. “We’re... we’re going to my grandparents’ in Quakertown for two weeks.” I had been looking forward to our trip home to see the family, but I suddenly wished we were not going.

“Then at school,” he said, tipping his hat to me as he and the little dog walked away. He turned after he was a few yards away, as if he knew I was still watching him walk away. He smiled.

I’ll be counting the days until classes start up again.

There had been talk at the end of the term that I might be advanced to the next level when I return to school, which would put me in line to graduate a year early. Mama and Papa said the decision was mine to make.

If I made the jump, I wouldn’t be in the same art and music classes as Gilbert anymore.

I hadn’t decided what I wanted to do until today.

I see no need to rush things. I will stay right where I am.