“Some of this is complicated.”
Mason sat straighter.
“I know what complicated means.”
Tyler’s face crumpled for half a second.
“Mase—”
“Don’t call me that.”
The words were quiet.
They landed harder than shouting would have.
Tyler looked away.
Mason reached into his backpack.
He pulled out his drawing.
BEST PILOT EVER.
He unfolded it once.
Then twice.
The smiling picture of Tyler stood beneath the crooked letters, one hand resting proudly against a bright blue airplane.
Mason stared at it.
Then he turned it facedown on the table.
“I made that for you.”
Tyler covered his mouth.
“Mason, I am so sorry.”
“Did you know I was on the plane?”
“No.”
“Did you want me to hear you ask her to marry you?”
“No.”
“Did you want Mom to hear?”
“No.”
“Were you going to tell us?”
Tyler opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Mason nodded as if Tyler had answered.
