10. When You Smile

These students who don’t have a clue move through hallways that are long bored with them, and in the middle of them I see Kelsey. Walking toward me, smiling.

And like that, I know.

This is my reason here, my meaning and my motive.

I have to do the one thing I haven’t been able to do so far.

I have to be her hero.

I have to save her.

For Jocelyn, it was too late.

For Lily, it was too late.

For my mother, the verdict is still out.

But Kelsey is still there, still smiling, still hopeful.

Don’t you dare let that hope die, Kelsey.

I want to box it up with her and mail it to a place with no forwarding address.

“Hi, Chris.”

I want to save that hi and be able to hear it many mornings from now when I can do something with it.

“Hi,” I say back.

I’m not letting you go or giving up or being stupid or being nonchalant.

Kelsey is not going to get away.

No way.

Not this time.