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And then there’s Spruce High

That monster of a construct is the uess out here in the countryside, everything has roos, because that place isthe population of this reet fro to the other on e that?

And that’s not even thy, worle There is sofor the next big story to pull them out of their boredom What else do you do out here in the country except talk about everyone else who’s stuck out here in the country?

Then hts are back on Toby

I shouldn’t have stuck up for him Sure, he’s cute Sure, he had my attention locked since that first moment I saw him in the back of one and ruined ot a spotlight and about ten targets on my leather-clad back Ao, or can I finally find a place to call my ohere I can just fade away and be happy?

Thanks a lot, Toby

My house is tucked away behind an overgrowth of trees at the end of a paved road A spread of grass and a long ay keeps its two stories and brick front so it look as reserved and cautious as its owners We only seehbor on this street a little bit down in a similar two-story house, past which only far seems to stretch on forever See friendly with neighbors

When I pull e door drop at h of relief as I escape the heat of the day, pushing my way into the house The air inside is as cold as the stark white walls of the kitchen, its ht I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this house and its open floor plan, which is a totally weird vibe compared to our skinny townho at so is colorless Even my bedroom feels loaned somehow

Halfway to the stairs, prepared to disappear to said bedroo, I hear my mother call out for me at the breakfast table, nested in a bayoff the kitchen I barely noticed her, covered in sunlight at that tiny table, her blonde hair, crea into the brightness like a ghost

I already know volumes from the sweet-yet-clipped tone of her voice I stop at the foot of the stairs, stiffening up “Yeah?”

“Please don’t ‘yeah’ me” Her voice is soft and airy, despite the hint of disapproval in it “Come here, please”

The closer I coainst the piercing sunlight It’s blinding I stop in front of her “Moement

She takes off her glasses, lightly setting them on the table next to her crisp white laptop, which sits opened before her hatever she orking on “I have given this a lot of thought today,” she starts, still speaking calm and quiet, cool as an icicle “After our discussion with Jack, your principal, your father and I realized we need to es around here”

“Changes?”

“Please sit down”

After a brief ue, I pull out the chair across froht I can barely see her

“Changes,” she confirms My mom’s cool, clipped voice is soft, yet fills the whole kitchen with its assu off the bare walls we still haven’t hung pictures or paintings on “It was a rew up here, but the feel is just the same Small-town manners Respect After my mother passed and left us this house, I was certain it was a sign Your father, he travels so ed to return to my roots for years This place instilled in me the solid foundation I’ve needed to lead a successful life Perhaps that’s what you’ve lacked, Donovan”

“Yeah, I’ve seen the foundations here,” I ”

“When I took off to California after graduating andmy remark, “I had in me a sense of worth, a sense of home, and a sense of adventure Thanks to this lovely little town And then you caht When I looked on your precious face in that hospital …” I sigh Is she really going to go through the whole story? “But our adventure has changed directions And I can see now, clearer than ever, that I wasn’t … bequeathing you the gifts I had been given as a child”