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bounced from activity to activity, never really settling on anything for very long. But Jericho knew what he loved: his trumpet.
    Josh thundered down the steps two at a time, heading for the rec room in the basement. He stopped short when he saw Jericho sitting on the sofa. “When’d you get here, Cuz?” he asked.
    â€œJust a few minutes ago.”
    â€œWhy you sittin’ in the living room like company?”
    â€œJust chillin’. I’ve always liked this room—makes me think back to when we were kids.”
    â€œYeah, remember when we were playing movie monster and broke that Ethiopian mask Mom liked so much?”
    â€œYeah,” Jericho said laughing. “She busted our butts for that one!”
    The doorbell rang then. Josh pulled open the door, letting in November, Dana, and a gust of cold air.
    â€œWhat you tryin’ to do, girl?” he said to November, who, as usual, was carrying her digital planner.
    â€œI figured if I bring the cold in with me, you’ll appreciatehow warm I am!” she said teasingly. Jericho watched as Josh grinned. He looked like a puppy, performing for a treat from its master.
    â€œDon’t you ever go anyplace without that calendar?” Josh asked as he took her coat.
    â€œThis is my life!” she replied cheerfully. “I’ve got everything in here*, my volunteer schedule with the kids at Children’s Hospital, the three second-graders I tutor in math, the parties I’ve been invited to—the works! Life gets complicated for a social butterfly like me if I don’t write it down.”
    Dana said nothing, but walked over to the fireplace, warming herself and looking carefully at each of the African artifacts on the mantle.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Jericho said to the girls. He looked out the front window, but there was no sign of Arielle.
    â€œDana’s got the right idea,” November said as she joined her in front of the fire. “I don’t know how your mother stands it, living up there in Alaska all the time,” she said to Jericho.
    â€œI guess you get used to anything after awhile,” Jericho said with a shrug. He walked into the kitchen, got a soda from the refrigerator, and drank it down in a couple of gulps. He burped loudly just as November and Dana walked in.
    â€œYuk!” said November. “Dudes are so gross!”
    â€œYou’ve never burped?” Jericho asked with a grin.
    â€œNot like that!”
    He tossed her a can of cola, and said, “I dare you to chug it and then not burp!”
    She tossed it back and said, “Grow up!”
    â€œHere, help me take this case of colas downstairs,” Jericho said. “I’m gonna make you burp before this night is over!”
    November laughed, but she grabbed the sodas and headed down the stairs to Josh’s rec room. Dana followed them, carrying a couple of bags of chips. Josh’s father had remodeled the basement so that the boys and their friends could dance or play video games or just sit around and watch TV. It was even soundproofed so that their music, which they played as loud as the machine would go, wouldn’t bother the adults upstairs.
    Jericho heard the doorbell ring again. He hoped it was Arielle, but he didn’t have the nerve to go back up and open the door.
    â€œHey, Cuz, Kofi’s here, and so is your girl Arielle!” Josh shouted down the basement steps.
    Jericho cringed. November and Dana hooted with laughter. Minutes later, Josh stomped down the steps, followed by Kofi in his heavy-footed army boots, and Arielle. As Jericho watched her come down the steps, she seemed to float, especially after all the noise that Josh and Kofi made.
    â€œDid you bring your CDs?” November asked.
    â€œYeah, I got some new ones—check this out,” Arielle said as she showed the girls her collection. They put a couple in the player and as the music began, Jericho relaxed a