Chapter 20

Matthews Dunlop

I stared at the tray of a cheese sandwich, fries, and a carton of milk before me. I'd lost my appetite. Not today. Yesterday, after Elena had said what she said. I realized I'd lost it at night though when mom placed my favorite lasagna before me and I couldn't manage even a bite of it. And this morning as well, when the bowl of cereal I normally had right before I went to school was left untouched before me, the cereal got soggy by the second because of the milk soaking it up.

"Eat your cereal, Matt," my mom had said, "or you won't like it anymore and we'd have to throw it away."

"I'm not in the mood." I'd told her.

"And I've asked you already, what is the problem, but you've still refused to talk to me." She stood in front of me worriedly.

"It's nothing," I muttered.

She sighed. "Matthew, I'm your mother. If something is bothering you, you know you can always tell me. You know I'd and can never do anything to hurt you further, re