He looked at me.
“And it worked.”
I squeezed his hand.
“You can stand up for someone without becoming cruel.”
His expression changed.
Almost wonder.
“I didn’t know that.”
I leaned across the center console and hugged him.
“I’m proud of you.”
He laughed weakly.
“We didn’t even finish Spider-Man.”
“I don’t care.”
He looked at my hair.
“You still have popcorn in there.”
“I know.”
“A lot.”
“I know, Owen.”
He removed one piece.
Then, before I could stop him, he ate it.
“Owen!”
He grinned.
“It’s still buttery.”
For the first time that night, we both laughed.
When we arrived home, Mrs. Pham was sitting in the living room.
“You’re early.”
“Long story.”
“How was Frank?”
“He woke up about an hour ago,” she said. “He was confused at first.”
Owen paused.
“He kept asking for you.”
For me?”
Mrs. Pham nodded.
“I told him you had gon
