Thirteen Years Later, Two Blue Competition Badges Answered Every Question

“You can take it Thursday.

Monday you take your lunch and your gym shoes.”

“Thursday’s the assembly.”

“Then Thursday.” She unlocked the car.

The house was cold when they came in at eight, the thermostat still set where she had turned it down on Friday.

Owen put both medals on the kitchen table and squared them up like plates.

“Now can I wash my hands?”

“Now you can.”