Page 88 of The Even Odder Couple

Come back.

Nope. Nothing but the wind rustling the trees. Man, I blew it. In every way possible. I hurt Tess and myself in one fell swoop. And now I have to spend the rest of my life knowing for sure what I’m missing.

By the time I arrive at the cabin, the boys already have their teeth brushed and their pajamas on. As they climb into bed, the counselors take a final head count in each of the four smaller cabins. It’s a routine they do every night, even though it’s easy to tell at a glance who’s in their bunks. But the kids love it. They usually shout back something goofy to prove they’re in bed and accounted for.

“Avengers Assemble!” Daniel belts out. He’s my favorite of the head counselors, and Tess told me I’d like him from the beginning. She knows me. She already knew. I listen as he and the rest of the counselors take turns calling the boy’s names one by one.

Aaron. Will. Roman. Oliver. Jack. Branson. And on and on.

Everyone is present. Right where they should be.

Except me.