Page 44 of Easy Reunion

“Ms. Angel, you know you’re not going to be able to stay away,” one of the older boys sasses from the back.

Angel laughs but admits, “Probably not. But see, Kee’s my best friend. I figure if anyone’s got a chance of keeping y’all in line, it’s her.”

“Kee? Thwat’s a pwetty name,” a girl with perfect pom-poms in her hair lisps. I give her a beaming smile.

“Thank you. I chose it for myself,” I reply.

That sets off a massive rumble around the room. “Cool! I want to be known as Dr. Ponch from now on. You know, like the lake,” a boy calls out.

“Don’t you mean Dr. Paunch? You know, like his stomach?” There are snickers around the room as a boy in the back is pointed at. The first boy cackles.

I don’t even crack a smile. “There’s something you should know about me. I’ll be your best friend or your worst enemy. But the thing that will slide you right from one side to the other is cruelty. People used to try to break me every single day of my life. Sadness was my constant companion. So, you want to hang with me? Drop the attitude toward each other.” I look over at Morgan, who’s nodding.

“I deliberately didn’t tell you about Kee because she’s going to do that herself tomorrow. But you should know she’s Kee Long, author of the Pilar Martell series.” All the kids in the room gasp. “These books are written from her soul, and now, they’re here because she gave them to us as a gift. Ms. Angel asked—and Ms. Kee agreed—that tomorrow, she’d talk about the inspiration behind that series to get to know all of you. It’s something she’s never done before.”

I break in, “But it’s about understanding and respect. If you don’t think that’s cool, then maybe it’s not the place you want to be.”

There’s a lot of “I’ll be here” and “Dude, you better not take my spot,” but for the boy who was taunted earlier, it’s like I’m standing in a mirror looking at myself fifteen years ago, but there’s something different. Something I’m not sure I know how to handle, but the look in his eyes when he dares to make contact with mine hurts me. I don’t know how to handle him without talking to Morgan. So, for now, all I do is take a deep breath and smile. “I hope you’ll all be back.”

When I turn, Lisa’s standing right behind me. “You have no idea the strength you’re about to give these kids.”

Turning around, I glance back at the boy who was mocked earlier. He’s touching the cover of my first book with a reverence I think I had when I saw it for the first time. “I think I understand better than you think.”

Angel and Morgan join us before we’re swarmed by kids. But out of the corner of my eye, I keep trying to make eye contact with the boy to let him know he’s not alone.

None of us are even if we have doubts.