For the first time, there is only one child in the Smith house.
Being an only child is strange for Alex, although he's starting to get used to being alone. His dad got him an old car to restore for his 15th birthday, and he's been working on it nonstop for months. John helps when he comes home for break; Alex appreciates the help, but he also knows that John needs a distraction when he's at home since John and Tom still aren't speaking to each other.
Sometimes his father helps...
but mostly he works on it alone.
He's pretty excited when it's finished. None of his siblings had a car when they were in high school, and Alex is really proud of himself for restoring his own.
Even though the kids are leaving home, the household is growing. After Max's death, the house seemed empty with only one dog, so when Jamie was a senior she adopted a stray dog named Tiffany.
It's the first time they've had a male and female dog, and it isn't long before Tiffany and George have puppies. Alex names them Jem and Scout after the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird.
"They're so cute," Alex says. "Maybe I could get an apartment when I go to college, and then they could come with me."
Anne laughs. "I think they'll be happier here with their mommy and daddy in this big yard. But you'll get to see them when you come home."
"Well someday I'll have my own yard," Alex points out, "and then they can come live with me."
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