Chapter 10

Typically, she’d worried more about her son than her son’s friend. After Steve reassured her for the millionth time that he felt fine, she finally answered his question.

“If he was done with the illness over the weekend, I don’t think he should be coming down with it again,” she told him. “Why don’t you take him over to see the school nurse? She should be able to tell you both what’s going on. And, Steven, be careful. I don’t want you coming down with some strange flu because you’ve been hanging around with this boy.”

He knew she was only concerned with his well-being, but still he was thankful for the few miles separating him from her smothering care.

“How serious are you about this boy?” she asked before Steve could hang up. “You’ve never mentioned anyone you’ve worried about before.”

“We’re friends, mom. We haven’t known each other very long.”

Her silence meant she didn’t believe him and was concerned.

“Well, just be careful, Steven.”