Page 65 of Tell Me You Love Me

“No.” I draw a deep breath, filling my lungs. “Not all doctors work in the hospital.”

“And I heard that Oliver ran down the street with no pants one time. But when I asked Caroline, she laughed and said she didn’t think that was true. That was a lie.”

“Yeah.” I choke out a bubbling laugh. “He really did that. And Caroline was there, so she definitely knows it’s true. She was probably just trying to retain Ollie’s modesty or something.”

“Everyone in this town lies,” he grits out. “Every single person. And sinceIdon’t lie, I thought maybe Chris wouldn’t because we’re kinda the same sometimes.”

“The same?”

“Yeah, like, we’re both autistic. Though Mom says he isn’t diagnosed, so I shouldn’t say so out loud.”

Curious, I cast my eyes around and stop on my brother.

“Chris doesn’t like to wear shoes, and I don’t like to wear shoes. He likes to read, and I like to read. He has fun facts, and I have fun facts. He likes math, and I like math. And my mom says he’s a really good chess player, too. I’m the best chess player I know. Mom says I remind her of Chris a lot, and we even have the same color hair. And we both like olives, but we hate cheese. Neither of us has ACHOO Syndrome.”

My heart thunders with a deep, dark ache as I slowly bring my eyes back around. “I’m sorry… ACHOO Syndrome?”

“Yeah. We don’t sneeze when we look at the sun.”

“You don’t?”

“Nope! And neither does Chris. I asked him, and then we tested it the other day.”

“Oh, well…”Can’t say I’ve ever noticed.“Alright.”

“Sometimes, I feel like I’m weird, and no one will want to be my friend when I start at my new school after the summer. And it’s not like I even want to hang out with other people. Kids my age climb trees or ride skateboards or whatever. I don’t enjoy doing those things. My mom said I’m not weird at all, that my personality is my personality, and my real friends will come along eventually, and until then, she’ll be my friend.”

She was that for me and Chris, too. Our friend, even when we had no others. Our safety, when no one else wanted to be near us.

“Moms aresupposedto say those things,” he insists. “That’s her job. And I know she gets sad when I’m sad, so I stopped talking about all of this ages ago. But then I met Chris, and I thought maybe that’s what my life would be like when I’m a grown-up. He has friends, and he likes his job, but he’s also quiet and still reads and doesn’t wear shoes if he doesn’t have to. I thought it was nice to meet a grown-up autistic person, even if I didn’t tell him he’s autistic.”

“Er… right.”

“But then he told a lie. Which means he’s not like me at all.” He exhales a long sigh. “He’s just like everyone else here.A liar. So now I think I’m weird again. And even if I don’t like people, it makes me sad that I’ll be the only kid at my new school with no friends. Sitting alone is no fun when it wasn’t your choice in the first place.”

“No…” Which is probably why he wants to be paired with Molly again. Or someone else.Anyoneelse. For the love of God, the boy just wants to make a friend before summer is over.

I push up to my knees again, but I twist and wait for my brother to tap under Molly’s assault. “Chris.” I lift my chin in summons when his eyes come up. But before he arrives, I bring my focus back to Franky. “I’m sorry I lied to you. And Chris will be, too. If he told a lie, it was because he was trying to do the right thing. And since we’re on the topic, I bet your mom is the same. He,” I point Chris’s way, “and her,” I point to Alana, “they were my best friends for a really long time. They’re still thebestpeople I know. Sometimes adults feel like they have to tell a lie because it’s our job to protect kids from grown-up truths. And I know that’s frustrating to you because you’re only nine, but your brain makes you feel a hell of a lot older.”

“Hey.” Chris stops on my right, towering over us until he moves into a crouch. “What’s up?”

“We’re gonna pair Franky and Molly together. And then Franky and Sean. Then Franky and Mike, since Mike is nine, too.” I meet my brother’s eyes. “The summer will be over soon, and he needs to know who his peers are so he’s not so lonely when school starts. Molly?” I wave her across. “I’ll keep close,” I whisper for Franky, “in case she tries to kill you.”

His eyes widen in terror.

“She’ll be on her best behavior, I promise. If you make Molly Jenkins tap before the school year begins, you’ll be the king of the cage.”

“King of theschool.” Chris chuckles. “We don’t call it a cage anymore. Principal Fowler specifically asked us to stop because it was creating anegative connotation in students’ minds.” He shuffles aside and gives Molly room to plop into our space. “You got this, Page. You inherited some of the toughest DNA known to man.”

“You’re gonna roll with him,” I tell Molly. But then I point two fingers at my eyes, then I do the same in her direction. “I’m watching you, girly pop. And I’m ready to throw down if you try to turn this into WWE.”

“You’re being silly.” She moves to her knees, knowing already what Franky doesn’t. That that’s where we initiate a round on the mats. Then she offers her hand and waits for him to tap it to get them started. “Fun fact,” she teases, taunting him with a grin. “I’m probably going to get you in an arm bar. So keep your chicken wings tight, and don’t give me your back. Follow those rules, and you’re gonna be just fine.”

“I changed my mind.” Franky’s panicked eyes swing back to me. “I’d rather sit alone.”

“Too late.” But I set my hand on his shoulder and gently coax him down to his knees. “I’m gonna be right here helping you. Molly’s ego is already too big, so I’m gonna tell you exactly what to do and how to humble her. We’ll tap this little turd out soon. I promise.”

“Little turd?” She dives on the poor boy and slams him to his back, taking mount and hooking her feet around his. Shecouldwhale on his face. Fists. Elbows. Shecouldgrab his arm and throw herself to the side, trapping him in an arm bar in less time than he takes to blink.

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