Chasing the Arrow. Charles Reid

school?”

      “Looks like it, Robbie. It says here that anyone north of the park will be going to Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe High School. But that won’t be too bad. You’ll still see Billy every day after school, right?” Emily knew how important Billy Hrdina was in her son’s life. She also understood, judging by the glum expression on Robbie’s face, that no matter what she said, he would only see this development as a disaster.

      Robbie listlessly shoved the remnants of his meal around his plate. “Can I go over to Billy’s house, Mom?”

      Normally Emily would have insisted that Robbie eat every morsel of his supper, but this time she tried hard to think of something soothing to say. Nothing sprang to mind, so she said, “Of course, but make sure you’re back here before dark.” Nervously she reached over to slick back her son’s wayward cowlick.

      Robbie usually squirmed when his mother fidgeted with his hair, but he was so depressed this time he didn’t even flinch. Instead he left the table, shrugged on his jacket, and shuffled morosely out the back door.

      As soon as Robbie saw Billy, it was obvious his friend knew everything, and the news wasn’t sitting well with him, either.

      “This is terrible, Robbie. It isn’t fair. We can’t be split up like this.”

      “It doesn’t look like we can do anything about it, so let’s make the most of the summer and worry about this in September.”