It seemed like this day could go in so many directions, like a spiderweb shooting out toward endless possibilities.

“Even if you do make tons of new friends,” I told him, “try not to forget where …”

“I looked at the sweatshirt again. "'You swim' is a philosophy?" He shrugged. "B…”

“I tried to hold myself apart, showing only what I wanted, doling out bits and p…”

“There was no short answer to this; like so much else, it was a long story. But …”