Miss Amy is blushing and doing her best to avert her eyes when we look at her. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“Everything okay?” Summer asks.
“Not exactly. Henry’s freaking out and Blake is nowhere to be found, and I don’t know what to do!”
I was so wrapped up in this moment I hadn’t asked how I could help.
“I’ll find Blake,” I tell them both as Summer leaves my side for a hand-flapping Henry who is repeatingI can’t do itover and over again. If there’s anyone who can calm him down, it’s her.
I don’t have to look far. A rhythmic hum of rolling wheels leads me right to Blake. His back is pressed against the brick exterior of the school, the heel of his Vans creating the repetitive motion of a bent, then straightened knee.
“Is everything okay?” I sit beside him.
“Yeah. It’s fine.”
It’s not fine.His phone is trapping his attention in his lap. Even though it’s a weekend, I should have never assumed he wouldn’t need a ride.
“Come on, Blake. You wouldn’t be out here if everything was fine.What’s going on?”
There’s a rattle to his sigh that suggests he’s more hurt than angry. “He said he would be here.”
Dammit.I want to make promises for a guy I’ve never even met. Wishing I could tell Blake his dad is just running late. I want to say that sometimes our parents are trying to do what they think is best for us. Maybe for him that means making it possible for his son to go to this school or own a cool skateboard. The man might believe working and providing is enough to show that he cares. But the truth is, I have no idea if his father meant it when he said he’d be here. All I have to offer is my truth and hope it helps him feel seen.
“Can I tell you a secret that I’ve never told anyone else before?”
That gets him to look at me.
“Sometimes I resent music. I wish I didn’t need to be great at it for people to notice me.”
Permission. That’s what my words offer as he sends his skateboard sailing across the sidewalk. It tips off the curb, stopping at an angle.
“I want you to know that there are people out there who will show up for you no matter what. Whether you’re a great skateboarder with cool shoes or an awesome friend. I’m lucky to know you, Blake.”
Seconds later, Quinn proves my point. She runs up to him with Summer trailing behind her and tugs on the sleeve of his black sweatshirt. “Tum on, Bwake. Let’s doe!”
“Duty calls,” I whisper to him and wink.
“Thanks,” I hear him say before he takes Quinn’s hand and retrieves his skateboard. A small ray of light bounces off a tiny ladybug sticker on the bottom of his board as they disappear inside the school.
The house lights dim. The buzz of noise settles. A small hand slips into mine.
The final act.
“Are you ready?” I whisper.
She answers with the confident clomp of rain boots as she leads me on the stage, black glitter flakes off and sparkles in a trail from the dots on her wings. She sits on the short stool beside mine, her grin the first thing I see when the stage lights beam. Whoops and whistles draw our attention to the first two rows. Mom and Dad, Caroline and Wade, Emma and Nathan, Julia and Jake, Todd… they’re all there. I know Will would have been too had I told him about this. Not spending more time with him is my one regret from the last five weeks.
I look at my little girl as she looks up at me. She hums along as I start to sing.
Little girl, head of curls
Beneath the big blue sky
Imagine things and spread your wings
I know that you will fly
A long long way from home, is where you belong,
