I didn’t blame Dad for working so much. Maybe his work and renovations to him were his Karla—the things that kept the dark thoughts at bay. In one of the books I’d been reading during lunch period, a character said that grief showed up differently for every person who met it.
When Dad asked me to help him, I grabbed the hammer.
I considered asking him about the divorce comment I overheard.
I didn’t, though.
14Karla
Landon:How’s your heart?
Karla:Still beating.
Lately, when Uncle Landon asked me that question, the answer felt happier. Not only did I have a new friend, but Ellie had also connected me with her cousin Shay. Shay was a brilliant screenwriter, and she agreed to give me some tips on my own writing. I never thought I’d be able to publish any of my work, but Shay convinced me that I could if I really wanted to.
Ash believed in me the same way. I was grateful for that. I was grateful for him.
Ash was turning out to be the one highlight of my day, every single day. Each time I walked into first period and saw him at his desk smirking my way, I felt my favorite wordlets fluttering inside me. Those two things went together like the best of friends: Ashish Banks and Butterflies.
One day, I’d tattoo his butter and flies drawing onto my skin.
That afternoon during lunch, Ash mentioned his dad.
He didn’t talk about his parents often, so I leaned in a little closer.
“I bring in the mail every day, since I’m the first one home,” he said. He stared at the open book that he was supposed to be reading. “I saw divorce papers.”
My chest tightened. “Oh, Ash, I’m sorry.”
He stayed quiet.
“Do they love each other?” I asked.
“They used to.”
“What happened?”
“Death. That kind of changes everything.”
That was the truth.
***
Another day, he gave me a book that he loved. He asked me to read it. I read it in one night.
“So?” He beamed as he unpacked his lunch.
I smirked. “It was one of the worst books I’ve ever read.”
“Bullshit!” Ash said, slamming his hand against the table.
“Language, Mr.Banks,” Mrs.Rivers said as she peeked out from behind the book she was reading.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. R, but you gotta understand. What Karla just said was totallybullshit!”
Mrs.Rivers placed her book down and arched an eyebrow. “And what is it that Karla said?”
Ash grabbed the novel from my desk. “She saidthisbook was one of theworstbooks she’d ever read! Even though I told her it was one of thebestbooks ever.”
