Page 221 of ClickBack

She takes a sip, allows him that it is acceptable, and gives him a bag of bathroom things to put in Rae’s trunk. He checks the tag before he moves it. Rae has put bright green stickers on everything that stays in the car, and she has already explained the system twice. The third explanation included names.

Inside, the movers are taking apart the bed frame while Rae stands in the kitchen holding two plastic cups.

“Why do I have seventeen lids and neither of these has one?” she asks.

“Because you gave birth,” I say.

She looks up. For a moment I don’t know whether I’m allowed to be funny with her this morning. Then she snorts and puts both cups in the donation bag.

I carry the green-stickered box near her feet outside. I don’t open it to see whether she has packed it correctly.

Ms. Kandy pulls up with Zion and his breakfast, giving instructions through the open passenger window while he tries to shut the door.

“And do not eat all those snacks before you get to Delaware.”

“We’re not going through Delaware, Grandma.”

“Then you ought to have plenty left.”

Jeremy hears that and laughs. Zion waits until his grandmother gets out before he rolls his eyes, then spots Jarrett coming down the ramp.

“J, you know how to put together a gaming chair?”

“Probably. Where is it?”

“Still in the box. Mom said I can’t open it until we get there.”

“Then you better ask your father.”

“He said I have to read the instructions.”

Jarrett looks toward Jeremy. “Sounds like he knows how.”

Zion gives him the wounded look of a boy who expected an ally. Jarrett reaches out and turns his backward cap around, then takes the box Jeremy hands him.

I go back inside to retrieve the last ice packs from the freezer. Rae is writing on a carton while Jarrett holds the flaps together. She lowers her voice, and I slow at the kitchen entrance.

“She said you drove her home,” Rae tells him.

“Yeah.”

“Did she tell you what we talked about?”

“Not yet.”

Rae pulls the cap off the marker with her teeth. “I don’t want her thinking I hate her.”

Jarrett stops working on the tape.

“You tell her that?” he asks.

“I told her I love her. I’m still mad.”

“She got both parts.”

“Good.” Rae writes another word, then presses too hard on the marker. “I just don’t want her up there by herself deciding I never want to hear from her again.”

“I’m with her.”