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Myfor the truth between all of my words “I … I just don’t understand Bobby, I … I …”

“You knohat happened at the movie theater, Ma, but you don’t knohy” I lean toward her, bringing her eyes to mine “Jimmy tried to attack Anthony because Anthony called ht there in front of everyone And Jimmy couldn’t handle it He took offense He just … lost his cool, just from that one little word”

She sighs “Oh, poor Jimmy”

I stare at her “Poor Jimmy …??”

“It can’t be easy for his for you in a place like Spruce where secrets don’t live long lives” She takes ht’ve hurt you, how he acted, but I say forgive him still It doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you”

“He hasn’t done anything to prove it,” I say, “except freak out when soive me a bloody nose”

“What a ros my ma in her wispy voice

I frown at her “This isn’t a time for jokes, Ma”

“You know darn well I aet ready in your cute outfit that osh-darned fancy-pancy Ball without my son at my side”

I eye her severely

Then she smacks me on the arm “Get up and shake off this moody mood you’ve had on you these past seventeen-soht be off by one or two”

I rub my arm where she smacked me, surprised I rarely see this side of otten into you?? What happened to what you said to ht, that I can take all the time I need to feel better?”

She shrugs “Maybe the Spruce sass is rubbin’ off on“Or maybe I just can’t stand to see my son unhappy for another day You look so cute in blue, Bobby, ether, and show all of Spruce how the Parkers get up after being knocked down” She smiles warmly, then rises from my bed and sees herself out

I sigh and stare ahead aton the back of my closet door