In this story by Jason Reynolds, teenage lovers try to come to grips with being separated after the girl’s family decides to move interstate when their rented apartment of twenty years is sold and leased to a young white couple. The two have been close friends since childhood, and the controlling girl has insisted on burning her initial into the boy’s arm as a token of his enduring devotion. She refuses a tattoo, suggesting her level of commitment may not be as strong. Themes include teenage love, separation, memories, letting go and moving on with life, race and gentrification. More…