“I… I’m fine.”I focus on my plate and continue playing food hockey.
“You have a good heart,” my father tells me like he feels sorry for me.“And I like the boys.But Jonathan needs to learn to look the other way.He’s like his father used to be when I went to school with him, never able to back down from a fight.It could get him in serious trouble someday.”
I nod, not knowing how to answer.My dad and Hal Reeves grew up together.I think they might even have been friends when they were younger.Hal is respected in town.But from the little Dad has told me, he used to have the same affliction Jonathan does now.Which is why I think my dad helps Jonathan and Collin—because he knows they’re more than the trouble they get into.He keeps saying he wants Jonathan tolearn, to not be part of the cycle.
I’m the first to walk away from conflict, so I may have learned too well.I get anxious, listening toother peopleargue.I don’t have a problem standing up for what I believe in.It’s when passion tips to anger—it’s like there’s too much emotion to process.I get overwhelmed.Which is why I’m the first one out the door when a situation gets intense.
“I know your mother asked you to distance yourself from the boys,” Dad continues.I peek up at him, not wanting him to say more.Because ifheasks me to stay away from them, I don’t know what I’ll do.He doesn’t ask much of me.And I know how important this election is to him.
My dad has only ever been concerned about being honest.That I live life by a moral compass that allows me to respect the person looking back at me in the mirror.And if I had to lie to him so I wouldn’t have to give up Jonathan and Collin, I’d be disappointing us both.
“I don’t feel the same way.”
I exhale.
“I understand she only wants what’s best for me and the campaign, but I chose this profession to represent the voices who are too often silenced.And I don’t regret any of the cases I’ve taken or the people I’ve represented.That includes Jonathan and Collin.I won’t turn my back on them now.”
“Thank you, Dad.”I smile warmly.“I didn’t want to have to give them up, even for a few months.”
“I know.I’ll talk to your mother,” he says, placing his hand on mine.“Feel any better?”
I nod.Except I don’t.
Iwake the next morningto a text from Collin:Don’t freak out when you see him.
Why would he send this?BecausenowI’m freaking out.
Jonathan is waiting for meby my locker with his right arm fastened to his body in a blue sling.I search his face for any sign of pain or distress.He gives me a tight smile that reveals nothing.I want to ask what happened.At the same time, I don’t know if Iwantto know what happened.The thought of him being in another fight makes me feel queasy.
“I’m okay,” he assures me, easily reading my face.“Just a dislocated shoulder.It was an accident at one of my dad’s job sites.I’ll be fine.”
“Does it hurt?”I want to touch him, to comfort him in some way.Instead, I bite my lip and give him a pathetic look.
“Not too bad, as long as I don’t move it.Guess my football season’s over.Not that they’ll miss me.”He releases a light laugh, like he’s relieved.
“What about swimming?”I ask in a rush, knowing how important that is to his future.
“I’ll be okay by then.”
“Good.”I blow out a breath, trying to release the anxiety that’s held me captive for the past couple of days.“I’m glad you’re okay.”I glance at the sling.“Mostly.”
“I should’ve called you, but the pain meds knocked me out, and I was really out of it all day yesterday,” he says quietly.“I’m sorry I worried you.”
I dismiss it with a shrug and lift the latch to open my locker.
“I still want to do something on Friday, if you do.”
I nearly forgot about Friday.“Definitely.”
“You’ll have to drive.”He gestures to his arm.
“How’d you get to school this morning?”
Jonathan laughs.“Collin drove.”
I grimace, feeling even sorrier for him.Collin never drives.He had to take his driving test three times.And I think the only reason he passed was because the instructor didn’t want to see him again.For someone who loves working on cars, he doesn’t know much about driving them—safely anyway.
“Yeah, it was rough.”Jonathan looks tortured, just remembering it.
