Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

The next day, I spot Audrey down the end of the hallway. I call out to her and she eyes me warily. I tell her that I looked for her after English, but I must have missed her. She gazes at me steadily, but says nothing. I swallow. This won’t be easy, but I summon up Josafina and Mariana’s faces in front of me. They made friends with me when I needed it. Now it’s my turn.

I tell Audrey that I wasn’t very nice yesterday. I explain that moving here has been hard. I thought I wouldn’t have anything in common with the people here at this school, but I don’t think that anymore. I think of skipping across the plaza with Josefina and Mariana, holding hands. So, how about if Audrey and I go out for ice cream together after school? Maybe they have peach.

Audrey grins. She says they do have that flavor. Side by side, we push open the school doors and head out into the fresh New Mexico afternoon.