Chapter 129

“I’m happy…for you,” Mathias said.

“And I’m sad for you.”

“On the best day of your life. I know.”

“I should go,” my mother said.

Mathias stopped her, though. “It’s because of you…and Mr. Watson. Remember, Reed…?” He took my hand. “Remember when I was trying to figure out what love was…what tangible thing? Love is wanting to give the other person everything they need to be happy. Everything you thinkthey might. That’s the money part, and the part that doesn’t always go well. What else it is…It’s giving me back my light-up watch in case the strange, new dorm room is dark. It’s teaching me how to make my favorite food, and keeping a color you think is ugly all up on your walls so you don’t hurt someone’s feelings. I asked your mom. That room is still ocean fog.”

My mother smiled. “Part of it.”

“You know which picture was mine up on that bulletin board in fourth grade?”

“What one?”

“The one with the mom and dad and the young boys…the boys our age.”