“That’s a lot of degrees,” Mr. Walker stared at the wall of the home office during the tour Alan was giving his guests.

“See that,” Mrs. Walker whacked her son on the arm. “He might be able to get you into Harvard.” They didn’t bother to mention it to their daughter, Madison. They’re hoping she gets into real estate. Beyond sharing the same blonde hair, Mrs. Walker didn’t go to college as well and married a businessman.

Alan half-smiled. “The universities in Colorado are great too. Most of my colleagues went to post-grad here.”

“See that mom,” the son whacked her back in the arm, “not everything is about an Ivy League school.”

The daughter was on her phone uninterested in the tour or of the Shoemakers. She’s not even sure why she’s there, especially on a Saturday. Her disinterest went beyond a phone as her body language made her parents cringe.

The Shoemakers only prayed with guests from their church. Corra and Alan were both atheists, but they needed to have some sort of social life in one of the most religious areas in the country. Leaving was not an option, Alan would never leave his job, wherever that was.

After they rose their heads, Mr. Walker said, “Do you think you’ll go all the way like your parents? Become a doctor?”

“If it helps me sleep at night.”

Both of the Shoemakers chuckled. “Nah, he might have a good thing going for him,” the mother said.

“And what’s that?”

Jasper swallowed. “Mowing lawns.” Madison rolled her eyes at him. “I’m considering investing in a ladder for some horizontal integration for gutter cleaning.” He grinned at himself for trying to sound like a business book he had read a few weeks ago.

“You have a truck?”

“Nah, I’m gonna buy a telescoping ladder and tug it along in my cart with the mower and weed whacker. A few clients have asked for it, so why not?”

“He won’t use a gas-powered mower either.” His dad chimed in.

The Walkers seemed impressed, at least the two adults. “Is it lucrative?” Mrs. Walker said.

“About a hundred an hour.”

A fork dropped, Madison didn’t believe him. “How many hours a week?”

“Eight or so. Plus one more that doesn’t pay.” Jasper glared at his parents.

“He’s good at saving, too.”

Mr. Walker swallowed some food. “Oh yeah? Saving for college?”

“I spend it on drugs.”

Both sets of parents laughed at what they thought was an obvious joke. The Walkers being business owners themselves were impressed. And then it dawned on them on why Jasper was in such great shape.

“A neurologist and a cardiologist spawned a brawny young man.” Jasper didn’t respond to Mrs. Walker’s comment.

The fourteen-year-old boy has been quiet the entire meal so far, he didn’t have anything to add. But his parents wanted the Shoemakers to know they were grateful someone stood up for their son. Goodness knows Madison never would.

“Anyways,” Mrs. Walker looked to Jasper. “Our son is grateful for what you did yesterday. We would have hosted but your parents said you’d probably stay home.”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“Don’t mention it.”

“That was a good backhand,” Mr. Walker said as Jasper tilted his head. “A few students caught it on video.”

“Oh.” He looked down and finished his plate, eager to leave the dinner table.

“That was him?” Madison looked up.

“Learn to listen, dear,” her mom said.

“Why don’t you show Madison and John your room?” Alan said. Jasper just stared at him with a please no look. “Go ahead.”

Jasper pushed his chair out and nodded towards the upstairs. “Sure, come on.”

John was quick to get up, and Madison rolled her eyes as she put her phone in her back pocket as they followed him up. The most obvious feature was the view of the mountains. Pikes Peak, and Cheyenne Mountain, all in a stunning array with the sun setting behind the Rockies.

“Your parents certainly got a good location,” Madison said as she paced to the wide window, John following behind her. She stepped over to the window on the adjacent wall and her foot tapped on the easel. “Whoa, who is this?”

The drawing of Sonya, he’s keeping it up on the easel until he finds a frame for it. “My girlfriend.”

She had to stop herself from laughing hysterically. “Does she live in another country?”

“I have no idea.”

“At least she looks real. Nice drawing by the way. John here likes those anime girls.”

“Stop,” John breathed.

“Whatever,” Jasper said, “My drawings, some books, my laptop, and my gym equipment. Tour complete, let's go.”

“Wait,” she quieted down. “Some of my friends are coming over tonight. If you want to go.”

“Did your parents ask you to do this?”

“Maybe.”

He thought about it. “Um. No.”

That surprised her. Everyone wanted to hang out with her as far as she was concerned. She raised her voice. “You don’t have many friends, do you?”

“Sure I do.”

“He has no friends,” Alan yelled up the stairs.

“I’m busy.”

“No you’re not,” Alan yelled again.

“I have an early curfew.”

“No, you don’t.” His dad again.

Jasper sighed now knowing his parents set this up to get him out of the house more. As if working almost every day wasn’t enough. Maybe they want him to socialize more? If they only knew he spends time with his best friend every night then this wouldn’t be an issue. He has tried to tell them about Sonya, but they chalked it up to nothing more than a dream. And Jasper deep down fears that may be true.

That father-son bantering almost got a smile out of her. “You can just go and hang out for a bit, no one will bother you.”

Well, at least she had the same rock-bottom level of enthusiasm he had about it. “Alright, whatever.”

***

And no one seemed to care that he was at Madison’s party. More like a large get-together, everyone eventually went outside by the pool, a few even changed in the pool house and jumped in. He was offered a few drinks, but he turned it down as he didn’t want to wake up to use the restroom. He spotted John, a blue light illuminated the front portion of his face in the darkened room. The photos along the hall showed the exact moment John was introduced to the family, right around one the Walkers looked to have adopted John, a cute black baby with the happiest smile he’s seen. Madison looked to be about four also giving off a playful smile. He kept going and intruded on John playing a first-person shooter. “Can I join you?”

“Yeah!”

John’s excitement got Jasper into the game. He does play the occasional game, but he finds it keeps him up at night. After a few rounds together a commotion rose outside, Madison’s voice rose and after a beat a pair of footsteps left the house and the door slammed. Jasper saw through the window some of his peers looking upset by the pool house, a few of the boys were consoling Madison.

“Does that happen often around here?”

“Nah,” John didn’t take his eyes off the screen.

His typical bedtime came and went, and he began to drift, without saying a word to John, he fell asleep on the couch.

***

She materialized his most recent yearbook. Jasper occasionally brings in photographs of his parents and even of his room to share with her.

He looked over her shoulder as she opened the book. “Walker.” She flipped near the end. “That’s her.”

She scowled. “She’s pretty.”

“Pretty annoying. So I’m over there right now. And that’s probably why I came from over there.” He pointed. “Over there?” Wait a minute.

***

Jasper bolted up from the couch, startling John as if waking up from a nightmare. I know how to find her.