Just wait until I got my hands on the backyard！ Then
maybe I'd even paint the house。 I could do it。 I could。
Chet the story； and when Mom brought us out sandwiches at
lunchtime； we sat on the porch and ate without saying
a word。 Then he broke the silence by nodding across the street and saying； “I don't know
why he doesn't just e out and say hello。”
“Who？” I asked； then looked across the street to where he'd nodded。 The curtain in Bryce's
room moved quickly back into place； and I couldn't
help asking； “Bryce？”
“That's the third time I've seen him watching。”
“Really？” My heart was fluttering about like a baby bird trying to fly。
He frowned and said； “Let's finish up and get that seed sown； shall we？ You'll want the
warmth of the day to help with the germination。”
I was happy to finally be planting the yard； but I couldn't help being distracted by Bryce's
window。 Was he watching？ During the rest of the
afternoon； I checked more often than I'd like to admit。 And I'm afraid Chet noticed； too；
because when we were all done and we'd congratulated
each other on what was sure to be a fine…looking yard； he said； “He may be acting like a
coward now； but I do hold out hope for the boy。”
A coward？ What on earth could I say to that？ I just stood there with the hose in one hand
and the spigot valve beneath the other。
And with that； Chet wav