Excerpt 6

Aunt Beth is sitting on the couch with her bare feet resting on the coffee table in front of her. Her arms are stretched out on the couch. She looks very comfortable. I settle in beside her.

“I just want to catch up with you before we start our tutoring session,” she says. “How does that sound?”

“Okay,” I say.

“Is there anything on your mind?” she asks. I have to think about this. Aunt Beth waits patiently, smiling at me. Her arm comes off the couch and she rubs my shoulder to reassure me. She’s not rushing me. She makes me feel safe.

“Boys,” I blurt out. “Boys are on my mind.” There! I said it! It feels good to let it out.