She’s going to find it. It’s on the internet, and she has a phone, and my mother’s name is unusual.”

“Then tell her first.”

“I know,” said Brenda. “I know. I’ve known for about two years. I just keep not doing it.”

Lia and Paige write about twice a month.

It is not a relationship of any depth and it is not a redemption. They talk about a video game and a series they both watch and, once, at some length, about a teacher Paige hates.

Max came up in the fourth or fifth message. Lia told me about it afterward, laughing slightly.