The Crossroads

“That was pretty incredible, hunh?”

“Yeah.”

“Zipper wasn’t afraid when the tree came down?”

“Nah.” Zipper was on top of Zack’s bedspread, curled up against his legs. Zack was tucked in under the covers. “We’re both fine, Dad.”

“Good. I’ll call those tree men first thing tomorrow. Get the backyard cleaned up.”

“Cool.”

“Good night, Zack.”

His father flicked off the light. Closed the bedroom door.

Zack didn’t dare mention the shadow man he had seen because his father would assume he was making up another story with what his mother used to call his overactive imagination. The way she said it? She meant Zack was a liar.