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Even days later, when I peer at the calendar and realize it’s just one fucking week until the Spruce Ball

In my last-minute desperation, I finally suck it up and drive out to his house I coht around the house to the back door—not the front, since no one whoor isn’t a solicitor or Girl Scout Cookie Pusher comes to the front door—and I knock until Mrs Parker’s sweet face is hovering in front of rimace on her face that breaks my heart when she says, “I’ well and isn’t up for visitors”

“Please,” I beg her “I’m his best friend I’ around her and into the house, for a second foregoing my manners in an act of desperation “C’mon, man! I said I’m sorry! Bobby, just come talk to me!”

She comes out of the house and closes the door behind her “I know you care about him, Jimmy You love him more than anyone else in all of Spruce I know you do But—”

“You’re darned right I do!” Then I remember my manners “I mean, y-yes, I do, Mrs Parker, ma’am,” I add more meekly

“He’s hurt about losing his job, but he’s also … confused about his … you know …” She leans in and, in a scandalous whisper, adds: “about his feelings for you”

“Confused?” I stare at her, worried “How is he confused?”

“You’ve got to give him some time, sweetie”

“This isn’t fair This is all that f—” I s a curse word My ht “This is all Anthony Myers’ fault Did you know he’s been oes and starts a fight with me in the lobby, and I’m up to here with that moron, and then—”

“Jimmy” She puts her hands on my shoulders “I don’t blame you one bit for standin’ up for my boy I don’t You’re so brave and … valorous I just think …” Then coain “Perhaps this time it just went a step too far”

“A step too far?”

“Just give him time, Jimmy He needs time”

For a second, I’e runs up toaround to hisand banging on it Then I feel defeated and sad and wanting to drop on the dusty ground

I close my eyes, take a breath, then slowly nod

Mrs Parker’s ar,” she says as she hugs ood boy”

And that’s how I leave Bobby Parker’s house, being sweetly consoled by hisfroiant, curious eyes

I spend the afternoon in the arcade playing Mortal Koain, fro himself better than me

Another hour later, I’ roo who-the-fuck-knohile I just stare ahead at the fireplace we use one month out of the year