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MOM THROWS A CURVEBALL

The next morning, Mom made really good French toast for breakfast. It’s Georgia’s favorite, with bananas and maple syrup. And extra cinnamon on mine.

“Rafe, when you’re done, I want you to put on the shirt I left out for you,” Mom said. “And clean pants, please.”

That stopped me with a mouthful of everything. Nothing good ever happens in clothes your mom picks out for you.

“What’s going on?” I said.

She just smiled and slid me some seconds. “It’s a surprise,” she said.

“Where’s Rafe going?” Georgia said. “What’s happening? Can I come?”

“Everyone’s coming,” Mom said, but that’s all she would tell. A little while later, we were piled into the car and headed up Killarney Avenue.

Mom really knew her way around the city. She pointed out the science museum, the IMAX, the ballpark, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I knew she was trying to get us excited about living here.

What I didn’t understand was why my shirt had to be tucked in right now.

Finally, I said, “Mom—please. Just tell me where we’re going.”

“Okay, okay. We’re almost there anyway,” she said. “Now, don’t be nervous—”

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“What do you mean?” I said. “Why shouldn’t I be nervous?”

“Well, I know how disappointed you were about not going to Airbrook,” Mom said. “But this morning, we might be able to do something about that. You’ve got an interview, Rafe. At Cathedral School of the Arts.”

I don’t know what I was expecting her to say, but that wasn’t it. I kind of thought Airbrook was a one-time opportunity.

“You mean there’s more than one of these places?” I said.

“Cathedral’s even better,” Mom said. “It’s a public school, so it’s free. But you do have to be admitted. That’s what the interview is for.”

And that’s when I realized what she meant about being nervous.

I hadn’t even seen this Cathedral place yet, and I already knew I wanted to go there. If it was anything like I was imagining, it could be the greatest school on Earth.