“He keeps his word when he gives it.”

“He told the whole gym you saved his squad.”

“He told them what happened in 2017,” I said, setting the empty boot next to the porch railing.

“That was a long time ago.”

“It didn’t sound like a long time ago when he said it,” Matty said.

In the kitchen, the autumn sun came in through the little square window over the sink and bounced off the yellow laminate counter.

Matty opened his green canvas school folder and took out the silver attendance ribbon from the morning assembly.