Page 81 of High Hopes

Birdie agreed to meet me.

On the Bad side:

Birdie’s been sad for too long.

Birdie thought she had to go through all this alone.

I laugh, the sound bubbling up before I can stop it. “You’re so . . . silly,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.

“And yet, here we are,” he says, his grin soft and steady. “I made one for you, too. Thought it might help.”

My eyebrows lift. “Let’s see it, then.”

Liam pulls a second folded napkin from his other pocket, offering it with the same flair someone might use to present an Oscar. I take it, already bracing myself for whatever ridiculousness he’s scrawled this time.

Unfolding the napkin, I find another Glad/Bad list, this one tailored just for me.

On the Glad side:

Liam Donovan.

Pottery.

Birdie’s dad.

Sour candy.

On the Bad side:

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