Chapter 50

“Senior year.” Rip, who’d taken the day off from work, sniffled a couple of times, as if he’d been with Carrie on the journey since the first day of kindergarten. “Call one of us anytime during the day, if you need us.”

Why were Goose and I there? Well, we’d made up some lame excuse about Goose leaving his phone behind the day before, but he’d done that on purpose, just so we could rush over the moment he got off work.

“Can we take pictures?” he asked. “Or would you not go for that?”

“Maybe one.” If Carrie could smile again, like she had, it would be a great one.

“We’ll get prom photos next May,” Shelby said. “And senior portraits, and a ton at graduation.” She was fixing Carrie’s collar. “You’re sure you’re ready? College might be a better time to…”