I was at the kitchen counter watching a video when Mom came home, but since I was plugged in, I didn’t hear her, so when she touched my shoulder, I jumped and nearly knocked over the water bottle I got at Attie’s older brother’s bar mitzvah last spring.
“Nice catch,” she said.
I flicked out my earbuds. “You scared me.”
“I see that.” She placed the groceries on the counter by the sink. “Do you think you can put some clothes on?”
I was only wearing my boxers. “Why?”
“Because I said so, that’s why. I don’t need to give you a reason.”
“But there’s no one else here.”
“I’m here.” She opened the fridge and loaded the vegetables into the bottom drawer. “You know I don’t like it when you walk around the house in your underwear.”
Mom’s always telling me to put clothes on around the house. Just like she’s always telling me to pick up the clothes from my bedroom floor. Just like she’s always telling me not to dribble in the kitchen. Just like …
“What are you watching?” she asked.
I wrapped my ankle around the footrest and swiveled toward her. “These wheelchair basketball guys.”
“A wheelchair team played an exhibition here last year.”
“Clifton High?”
“No, my school. That’s one tough sport.” She pointed the celery at me. “Mr. Acevedo posted some items about the project. Have you checked the page?”
“We went over it in class.” I shut the laptop.
“I love how organized he is.”
“I know you do, Mom.”
“Rubrics, checklists, reflection questions, due dates,” she said. “It’s wonderful. If only some of the parents would back off.”
“They’re still complaining about Mr. Acevedo?”
“The man’s been a teacher for less than a month. Everyone’s so quick to hit the testing panic button.”
I swiveled back and forth. “We haven’t done any test prep.”
“So I’ve been informed. A number of times. Some of the parents want me to say something, but if I say something, it’s not going to be what they want me to say.” She closed the fridge. “You and Avery are on top of everything?”
“I hope so.” I spun off the stool and grabbed an apple from the bag next to the sink.
“Rinse that off before—”
I took a bite.
“Never mind.” She reached over and picked a piece of lint from my hair. “We’re still on for tomorrow night?”
I nodded.
Mom was re-locking my hair tomorrow night. We were going to watch a movie while she did.
“Have you and Avery decided on your topic?”
“We’re working on it.”
“Don’t take too much longer. You have your conference on Tuesday.”
I hopped back onto my stool and swiveled around. “I know.”
“I was reading through the conference expectations. There are several steps you need to complete. This project is really about process. You do know that.”
“Yes, I know, Mom.”
“You don’t want to fall behind on something like this, Rip.”
“I know.”
She placed the grocery bags in the reusables drawer. “You want my advice?”
“You’re going to give it anyway, right?”
“Yes, I am.” She walked over. “I think you should extend an olive branch.”
“What does that mean?” I took another bite.
“It means do something nice.”
“She doesn’t deserve it.”
“Honey, it’s not a question of whether she deserves it or not. You two need to figure out a way to work together.” She sat down across from me. “One of you needs to make the first move.”
“Why does it have to be me?”
“Honey, it’s about picking your battles. It’s something I tell my students and my teachers all the time.”
I took another bite, slid off the stool, and faced the compost. “For the win.” I lined up the apple.
“Please don’t.”
I took the shot anyway. It landed in the middle of the bin.
“Boo-yah.” I crow-hopped back onto my stool.
“Honey, I want you to try with Avery.”
“I am.”
“Make the extra effort. Like you do with Red.”
“What does Red have to do with this?”
“You don’t think you help bring out the best in him?”
“We are who we are. That’s what you always say to me.”
“Yes, we most certainly are, and Red’s an amazing kid with or without you. But there’s no denying you help bring out the best in him. You don’t think that has something to do with why Mr. Acevedo has you working with Avery?”
“No.”
Mom smiled her knowing smile. “Okay.”
“It’s different with Red,” I said.
“You gave him a chance before anyone else did.”
“What choice did I have? You and Suzanne are like sisters.”
“Neither one of us has forced you to stay friends.” She fingered my hair. “Are you having regrets?”
“No.” I ducked away.
“Your locks are so ratty.”
“Red’s my best friend,” I said. “Avery’s just—”
“Honey, you help bring out the best in Red. Help bring out the best in Avery.” She squeezed my fingers. “That’s just my two cents. Take it or leave it.”