Thirteen Years Later, Two Blue Competition Badges Answered Every Question

“Read it out loud and tell me it’s a dent.”

Owen read it.

“State Champion.

Two names.

Yours is over mine.”

“Alphabetical.” Eli got in and pulled the door shut with his hip, and his foot started tapping, slow, the way it did when he had a fact he liked.

Arthur came last with his briefcase against his chest and his glasses in his free hand.

He polished them on his sleeve, put them on, and took them off again.