Jude

As he headed for his front door, something caught his eye.

His white pine.

A green shoot.

The tree was growing again! Like, Think you can kill me? Think again. Like, Dude, did you really believe I’d give up?

Like, I forgive you.

Could trees come back from the dead? Jude’s hand went to his pocket before he remembered he’d given Pook his book. The afternoon sun made the tip of the branch shine like a green star. He whipped out his phone, took a picture.

Some moments you wanted to stretch out as long as possible. He could still feel Pookie’s head warm on his knee, still see her looking at him like she knew exactly who he was, and who he was was exactly right.

What if his pine tree was a sign? Like Mom said. People can knock you down, but it’s your own fault if you don’t get back up.

Maybe it was a signal. Things could turn around. Things were going to work out.

He sent the photo to Gladys. Lightning Fingers texted right back.

Verdant

That girl. What did she even mean? Smiling, he opened the door and went in.

“Mom? Mom, I’m home!”