I came in with two mugs of warm cider and set one on the wooden coaster by his elbow.

“How did social studies go?”

Matty didn’t reach for the mug.

He wiped the corner of his wire-rimmed glasses with his thumb before putting them back on.

“Bobby Higgins said you’re not coming Friday.”

I sat down next to him on the couch and rested my hands on my knees.

“Bobby Higgins isn’t in charge of the schedule at Shoreline Middle School.”

Matty looked down at his binder, where Form 2841 lay flat against the blue paper backing.