Eventually April woke up and groggily peeked over Katia's shoulder. She looked at me, and then at her, and then at me. Then she rolled her eyes and said, "God . . . get a fucking room," and dropped her head back down to go to sleep.

***

It was late in the school year as I sat back on the bleachers, watching Darien Jacobs tossing air balls to Barnaby Barnes, who the guys were calling Barnes. The year had been filled with trying days as well as successful ones. The two boys actually connected on a personal level, and I was thrilled to have played such an important role...