Chapter 15 - Six in the Morning

Mark was at the field at 5:42.

Austin arrived at six with two gloves and no smile.

Mark held up the folded card.

"Brought it."

"Good."

They played catch without talking.

The first throws were stiff.

Then harder.

Austin fired one at Mark's chest.

Mark caught it.

Another came faster.

He caught that too.

"You mad?" Mark asked.

Austin threw again.

"What do you think?"

"I think yes."

"Great therapy skills."

Mark almost laughed.

The next throw went wide.

He chased it.

When he came back, Austin was holding the crossed-out card.

"Why did you keep it?" Mark asked.

"I was going to throw it away."

"Why didn't you?"

Austin stared at the words YOU DON'T HAVE TO PRETEND.

"Because part of me wanted you to prove I was wrong."

Mark's throat tightened.

"I'm going to try."

"Don't say try."

Mark nodded.

"I'm going to prove it."

Austin looked at him.

"Then start with something you don't know."

"Like what?"

"What's my favorite class?"

Mark opened his mouth.

Closed it.

"History?"

"Science."

"Favorite teacher?"

"Mr. Patel."

Mark failed five questions in a row.

Favorite song.

Favorite lunch.

Dream college.

The name of the kid Austin had stopped being friends with last year.

Mark's shame grew with every answer.

Finally Austin asked, "What's the thing I'm most scared of?"

Mark stared at him.

"Losing your mom?"

Austin shook his head.

"Being temporary."

Mark stopped breathing.

Austin looked toward the empty bleachers.

"Dad died. Mom almost died when I was seven. We moved twice. Then you came in and everything finally felt permanent."

He swallowed.

"Then you said I was only your stepson."

Mark sat on the bench.

Austin sat beside him, leaving space.

"I'm not asking you to forget what I said," Mark whispered.

"Good. I can't."

"I'm asking for the chance to build something bigger than it."

Austin picked at a loose thread on his glove.

"Maybe."

For Mark, maybe felt like oxygen.

His phone rang.

Sarah.

He answered.

Her voice was urgent.

"Mark, come home. Now."

"What happened?"

"Lily is gone."

Mark stood so fast the bench scraped backward.

"What do you mean gone?"

Sarah inhaled.

"She left a note. She went to meet Jason's parents by herself."

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Austin grabbed his backpack.

And this time, Mark did not tell him to stay behind.