Crenshaw

by Katherine Applegate

When I try to remember my whole entire life, it feels like a Lego project where you’re missing some of the important pieces, like a robot mini-figure or a monster-truck wheel. You do the best you can to put things together, but you know it’s not quite like the picture on the box.

I wanted to hear the truth, even if it wasn’t a happy truth. I understood things. I knew way more than they thought I did.

The pool water was always warm. Mom said it was from the sun, but I suspected illegal peeing.

He took a deep breath and blew it out hard, like he was facing a birthday cake with too many candles.