The Boy Is Back by Meg Cabot (4)

Becky, Nicole just told me about the Stewarts! Bloomville hasn’t been on the news in years. Not since that tornado over by the mall. And the Dumbbell Killer, of course.

Mom, where are you?

I’m at the park. I’d call but there’s such terrible reception here. I could barely hear Nicole when she called to tell me Jackie Monroe from Channel 4 was talking about the judge. Can you imagine? Jackie was talking about OUR town!

Mom, it’s going to get dark soon. Why are you at the park?

Sunset tonight isn’t until after 7. And I found so many wonderful sticks here the other day when I was helping the Girl Scouts clean up after that storm.

You also found a drunk homeless man urinating near your car, remember?

Oh, he was harmless. I only called the police because I didn’t want the girls to see him with his pants down. Although I’m sure some of them have seen worse.

Mom, they sell firewood at Home Depot.

Not firewood, honey. Sticks. Didn’t I show you my latest design? I’m spray-painting sticks white and then hanging little quilted letters from them that spell out the word BLESSED.

Why exactly are you doing this?

Because everyone uses the word BLESSED under the photos they post of themselves on vacation on Facebook. Or under their grandchildren’s photos.

I know what blessed means, Mom, and understand the connotation. I still use the Count Your Blessings Gratitude Journal that Grandma gave me for Christmas. I just don’t get what the sticks are for.

Oh, I’m so glad you still have the journal! Jackie Monroe says that journaling helps reduces stress.

But with my design, you can just hang the stick over your head and take your selfie. You don’t have to write the word BLESSED underneath anymore. It already says BLESSED above. So it saves a step.

It’s called a hashtag, Mom.

I’m calling them Blessie Sticks. You know like Selfie Sticks? I already made some Blessie Sticks for my craft booth at the farmers’ market last Sunday, and they ended up being my bestseller! Dr. McLintock’s wife bought 12 at $50 each to give to the nurses’ aides at the hospital. I couldn’t believe it!

I can’t believe it either.

So I’m going to make a lot more for the craft show in South Bend next weekend. I have plenty of fabric so all I need are sticks. But they need to be NICE sticks, not too dirty or with any leaves on them. And no bugs, either, obviously.

So I wanted to know if you’re going to call him?

Who?

Well, Reed of course. I’m sure he’ll be coming back now that his poor parents are convicts. Are you going to call him?

Why would I call Reed, Mom?

Well, the two of you used to be so close.

That was ten years ago, Mom. I’m an adult now and I’m in an adult relationship. Remember? My boyfriend, Graham?

Oh, I know. Reed was just so special. Even in high school he stood out from the other boys, so tall and polite, and he got along so well with your dad. Remember how he used to take Dad to the country club to play golf?

I remember, Mom.

None of your other boyfriends ever did that.

That’s because Dad died, Mom.

Well, I’m just saying, Reed was a very nice boy. And everyone makes mistakes, so you shouldn’t hold that little thing that happened on prom night against him. He’s obviously changed his ways. He’d have to, in order to win all those tournaments and endorsements! And maybe you could help those poor people.

What people?

His parents. They were so very kind to us when Dad got sick.

Mom, I don’t really have time for this now, I’m heading over to Authentic for the tasting tonight.

Oh, well, give Graham my love. Tell him I simply adored his Blue Log.

?!

You know, that cheese he suggested for my quilting group. It was delicious.

Oh. I’ll be sure to let him know. Don’t spend too long in the park, Mom.

Oh, I won’t. It looks like all the best sticks are gone anyway. I’ll probably try the empty lot by the firehouse next. Have fun tonight!