Chapter 32

“Noah…I can’t get over how big you’ve gotten.”

“Blame Troy Holiday. It’s because of his pastries and cookies.”

Miss Mahon was still teaching. “Nothing makes a teacher happier than to see one of her students enjoying life.”

“Thanks.”

“Angel Ramos is back in town.”

“Oh? I mean…” I’d shifted from brown boot to brown boot, somewhat uncomfortable, suddenly six again despite my “big” grown-up body. “I know.”

“I always thought, from when you were little, you two made a cute couple.”

“You did?”

“Me, too, Noé…when you were not so little.”

I was surprised to see my former Spanish teacher, Ms. Alvarez, come out of Miss Mahon’s kitchen. I almost fell over when they kissed.

“?Sigues hablando Espa?ol, Noé?” Miss Alvarez asked.

“?Um…uno poquito?”

“Very good!” Miss Alvarez had reached for Miss Mahon’s hand, who’d held out a wrapped box for me to take.

“Merry Christmas.”

“Thank you.”

“Stop in sometime when you’re not busy,” she’d suggested.