Rodney goes all slack-jawed as he grasps what most twelve-year-olds would intuitively understand. "Oh," he says, and flops back against the wall. "Oh." Then he blinks over at John. "So, uh. Carter or Keller?" Rodney's speaking too quickly, hurrying to get it right.

oh, Rodney! You break my heart! This was just wonderful--Rodney working so hard, and so pleased and proud of his success when he gets it right and John watching him in exasperation and also Completely Head Over Heels. This story is a beautiful distillation of what is so wonderful about these boys. Wonderful!