Chapter 19

In the days that followed, Elliot no longer showed up. Mabel figured that he'd probably given up. She began taking Luther to all the places they used to visit when they were young. They were childhood sweethearts, after all. One afternoon, Mabel took him to the park they used to spend countless days at as kids. Pointing at a swing set, she said, "There—I used to sit right there, and you'd always push me as high as you could. When it was your turn, though, I'd pretend I couldn't push you. "You'd tease me for being weak, then give me all your snacks to cheer me up. I bet you didn't know I only lied because I wanted it to be my turn sooner." Her cheeks flushed slightly as she gazed at the swing, which was faded after more than a decade of sun and rain. Luther walked over and gently motioned for her to sit. Mabel's face turned even redder. "Should I? I mean, I'm not a kid anymore. I shouldn't be playing with stuff like this." But even as she said that, she continued to sit. The swin