July 23, 1983
It’s sweltering and the Swansons have only a large window air conditioner downstairs, where both boys have been camping out since it’s gotten miserable. The mornings are ok for a sultry bike ride but as soon as the sun starts to sting Nick heads inside to rejoin his regularly scheduled funk, already in progress, and there’s nothing on TV.
This summer has been...different.
In Vacation Bible School he actually sang during the program, somehow it came naturally, there were only four sixth graders for the program Sunday, although one had rehearsed with them but couldn’t make the consummation. Two guys and two gals, for once it’s not a cacophony but actually sounds decent when their voices blend and Nick found his place and went for it, it felt right to join in this time and not watermelon through it like his brother taught him early on.
His male counterpart was the one and only Jackie Ferree, chubby, bespeckled but outspoken, recently adopted by the Ferrees from the county orphanage and never shy, neither in a class setting or with the female types. The two girls, Kendra and Marsha politely ignored him most of the week but Nick wouldn’t have that option at school come fall.