Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

Back in my own world that night, I curl up on my bed under the down comforter, almost as comfortable as Josefina’s sheepskins. I reach for my phone and thumb through the online school directory. There she is: Audrey Capella. I take a deep breath and dial her number.

I listen while it rings. When she answers, my stomach flutters, and I tell her it’s me. She says nothing. Remembering how Josefina reached out to me when I felt lost, I stutter out an invitation, come over after school, hike with us, Henry can drive. She still says nothing, and my stomach sinks. I wish I hadn’t called.

Then Audrey says yes, it’d be fun. A grin splits my face, and I feel like Josefina is watching me, applauding.