Jeff went to his bedroom and read a book. Bad Brains by Kathe Koja. Mom had leafed through it awhile back, and she’d told him it might be “over his head.” But he didn’t care if he understood it or not. The words just felt good. Felt really good. Like every time he picked it up he slipped into a warm pool, bathwater, and the world hugged him, telling him things were crazy, yes, but we love you, kid, the world actually does love you.
