Page 128 of Goode Tidings

"No," Marco says, like don't be dumb. "But it would be nice if you'd read all those messages I left you."

"Those were blank pieces of paper," Callum says carefully.

"They were written in invisible ink," Marco half-yells. "I told you that the first time you took it off the tree." He rolls his eyes.

Did he pick that up from Oliver? If so, I'll need to apologize to Esme ahead of time.

"All that work for nothing," Marco gripes. "You probably threw them away."

Callum pushes off the counter. Strides out the back door without a word.

"Here," I say, setting the plate in front of Marco. He picks up a coin of carrot I've shaped into a heart and dunks it in ranch dressing. "I've never had a carrot shaped like a heart before. They taste better this way."

I smile at him as Callum blows back into the kitchen. He smacks a sheaf of papers down on the counter beside Marco. Then he holds up one finger, like he's saying give me a minute, and leaves the room again, this time going the opposite direction.

Marco and I look at each other, and I shrug. He digs into the strawberries drizzled with chocolate hazelnut spread.

Callum returns wearing Oliver's headlamp from his camping trip. Mr. Pettit had stopped by yesterday afternoon after they returned and left Oliver's belongings on the front porch.

"Why are you⁠—"

Callum presses a button on the side of the light, and it turns ultraviolet.

Ahh.

He grabs the top paper from the crinkled stack. Clears his throat.

Sad Man Hermit,

Knock, knock. Who's there?

Nona.

Nona who?

Nona your business, that's who.

Callum chuckles. Marco smiles shyly, a smear of chocolate at the corner of his mouth. Callum grabs the next paper.

Sad Man Hermit,

Why do bananas wear sunscreen?

Because they peel!

"Hah," I laugh, looking at Marco while I rinse my knife. "Good one."

Callum looks down at Marco, happily munching on my award-winning snack plate. "Are these all jokes?"

Marco nods. "You always looked so sad."

Callum nods thoughtfully. "I thought I was giving off more of a grumpy vibe."

Marco crunches through a pretzel stick. "No way. It's literally in your nickname."

"Sad Man Hermit," Callum murmurs.

"Not anymore." Marco grins slyly at me. "Happy Man Hermit. But you're not really a hermit anymore."