Katie and Tim

Finding Osborne

"Katie, I got a higher score now :)"

"Katie, I can type 25 words per minute now :)"

"Katie, dad says that I type super fast and I'm really good at it :)"

I smile down at my phone, which has been blowing up with messages from Timmy since I left. Before I can send a response, he sends another question.

"Katie, what's your favorite song? :)"

My favorite song? I don't think I've ever had a favorite per se. Don't get me wrong, I love music — I probably love it a little too much — but the song that I listen to most often changes every week (and sometimes, every day).

"The song that I'm listening to most this week is Lazy Eye by Silversun Pickups."

Typing...

"I've never heard that song"

"I'll play it for you next time I come over"

"Yay :)"

***

Another day, another lunch period spent by myself under a tree. Not that I mind it — I quite like the peaceful quiet that I get. Sometimes, I just wish that I fit in a little more.

It's a silly wish, really.

Next year, I'll be out of here and it won't matter if I had 100 friends or no friends in high school because I'll be in the real world. I'll have a real job and a real life away from whatever kind of a dream I'm in right now.

Because that's all this feels like: a dream. It feels like I'm going to wake up one day with a house and two kids and think, "Well, that was a pleasant little time filled with its ups and downs, but now it is time to get back to reality."

It's a bit depressing to think about, actually, because it feels like nothing I do now will change the reality that I wake up to. I'm just in a silly little dream world that doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things.

Luckily, the homework that Ms. Lewis assigned is fairly easy and I finish it in 20 minutes, just in time for the bell to ring. I head to class without another thought.

***

"Okay, Timmy, we have three hours until your dad gets back. Did you finish your homework at school?"

He nods as he takes his shoes off.

"So what do you want to do now?"

He puts his backpack away in his closet and sits down at the computer.

"Have you ever read the Magic Tree House Books?"

I text back, "Yeah, I love them."

Timmy starts typing with two fingers. "I have up to book 20. I like reading them. I want to read today."

"Okay," I tell him. "We can read today, but have you already read all of those? Do you want to read the rest of them?"

He looks confused. "There are more?"

"Yeah, there are more. I know the library has a few of them. Do you want to go check them out? I can ask your dad if we can spend the afternoon there."

"Yes"

He takes the fidget cube out of his pocket and starts pressing buttons while he waits for me to text Mr. Stevens.

"Hey, Mr. Stevens. Katie again. Could Timmy and I go to the library? It's not too far from the school."

After a few minutes, I get a response. "Sure, you guys can go to the library. Maybe only spend an hour. Just tell them to use my library card-they have it in the drawer."

"Will do. Thanks."

***

Timothy and I leave within a few minutes and, after an 8-block walk, we get to the library.

"Okay, the shelves here are sorted alphabetically by last name, so Mary Pope Osborne would be in the O..."

We go to the "O" shelves and Timmy immediately finds where the Magic Tree House Books are. He picks up book #21 and reads the first page.

He laughs. His laugh is so contagious that when looks up at me with a boyish grin wide on his face, I can't help but laugh too.