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“Yeah! My dad used to take me with him all the time.” It was fun and put food on the table. “Although we haven’t gone in years.”

“Let’s go this weekend! You’ll love it there. The only other people we’ll see will be in the sky. Uh, because there are still planes flying overhead. But not many. And it’s not like you can reallyseethose people. Right?”

Silvia fought down a smile. Omar had a knack for chasing away her worries, despite being unaware of them. Although shewasconcerned, ever since they’d felt each other up, that he was hoping to take things further than she was ready for. He always backed off when she asked him to, so she didn’t worry much. But she didn’t want to spend her weekend fending off his advances if that was what he had in mind.

“Up to you,” Omar said when she failed to respond. “Think about it. We can have a picnic. It’ll be cool. Hey, who was the little guy that answered the phone earlier?”

“My brother.”

“Really? Gosh, you are secretive. I had no idea. Bring him along if you want.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. “He’s eight years old.”

“Yeah, why not? We can teach him to fish, if he doesn’t already.”

Hugo didn’t know how. Her dad had been too busy or exhausted to teach him. “I’d love that,” she admitted.

“Rad!” Omar replied. “Only one catch. Can you get the truck? It’s a long bike ride otherwise. I’m up for it either way.”

They discussed plans before hanging up. Silvia got her brother ready for bed. By the time he was settled, the trailer was quiet. But it wasn’t enough. Silvia put on a jacket, walked across the field to the woods, and stood there basking in the silent simplicity. By the time she was ready to return home, she kept thinking of Omar’s call, and how nice it had been to hear from him. Sure, he’d broken the rule, but if he hadn’t, the evening would have ended on a stressful note instead of one that was hopeful.

CHAPTER 23

October 17th, 1992

Anthony sat on the concrete steps in front of his house, fidgeting in anticipation. The weekend had arrived, and once again, Omar had decided to spend the best part of it—Saturday—with his girlfriend instead of him. He’d invited Silvia to go fishing, and to Anthony’s complete disbelief, she had not only agreed but seemed genuinely excited. He wished her the best. More than once he’d sat beside a murky pond while bored out of his mind, or grossed out when Omar actually managed to catch a fish. It didn’t matter anyway. Anthony had plans of his own.

He only wondered what exactly those plans were. Usually they agreed to meet somewhere between their houses, but much like their first date, Cameron had insisted on picking him up. Anthony was watching the sidewalk so carefully that he ignored the wood-paneled station wagon that slowed and parked next to the curb. Until it honked and the window rolled down.

“Need a ride?” said a familiar voice.

Anthony stared. Then he laughed, got up, and ran to the car. “What are you doing?” he asked when he saw who was behind the wheel.

“Taking my boyfriend on a date.” Cameron reached over to pop open the passenger-side door. “Hop in.”

Anthony glanced around before climbing inside. “Whose car is this?”

“Principal Preckwinkle’s.” Cameron said, putting the car in drive. “I left her in the dust a few blocks back, but she’s running this way, so we’ve really gotta go!”

He hit the gas pedal. The station wagon lurched forward and picked up speed, but it slowed again when reaching a stop sign.

“My mom let me borrow it,” Cameron explained along the way. “Pretty hot, huh?”

“You have your license already?” Anthony asked.

“Yup!”

“Wow! I didn’t realize that you’re sixteen.”

“I am. As of today.”

Anthony’s jaw fell open. “It’s your birthday?Today?”

“Yeah,” Cameron said a little bashfully.

Anthony swatted his arm. “You should have told me! I don’t have anything for you!”

Cameron brought the car to a stop at the next intersection. “Getting to spend the day with you is the perfect gift. Trust me. There’s nothing I want more.”