"Oh." Billy looked relieved, then crestfallen. "Can I have it back, then?"

"My mama said to give you this," Billy mumbled, shoving the tin into Sheldon's hand. "It's a caterpillar. Its name is Mr. Wiggles. He's dead now, probably."

Georgie grinned, a flash of teenage rebellion. "I'm gonna tell Veronica I caught the winning touchdown."

"She won't know!"

"Well, look at you," Mary said, her smile tight. "A cheerleader's jacket."

The Limits of Practicality

As Billy trudged off, confused but oddly satisfied, Georgie came clomping down the stairs. He was wearing a new, oversized letterman jacket that smelled of cologne and poor decisions.