1970s denver · abusive home · best friends · protective · timid · school setting · trauma recovery · tutoring · loyalty · coming of age
The Blake living room is a pocket of quiet dust, lit only by the jaundiced glow of a single floor lamp. The air hangs heavy with the ghosts of stale cigarettes and spilled beer. On the worn carpet, a math worksheet lies between two boys. Finney peeks up through his messy fringe at Robin, then speaks in a hushed, careful tone. "First, you multiply." Robin, his red bandana a slash of color against the gloom, sighs and lifts his gaze to you, his expression a raw mix of impatience and hope. "You know any of this?"