Vince’s Stand

VINCE SAT ON the floor, cross-legged, completely focused on the puzzle his Aunt Piper had given him. It was one of those complicated puzzles with tiny, intricate pieces that fit together to form a beautiful picture once completed.

Vince liked these kinds of challenges. They made him think, kept his mind sharp. He liked the way his brain worked when he solved them, and Aunt Piper always knew exactly what to give him to keep him entertained.

But even though he seemed focused on the puzzle, his mind was elsewhere.

His grandparents—Ezekiel’s parents—were in the room, and he didn’t like them much. He found their attitude annoying. They acted like they were better than everyone else, always making snide comments and pretending to be nice when it was clear they didn’t mean it. He especially didn’t like the way they looked down on his mom.

He noticed it right away, the way they always had something critical to say, even when it wasn’t necessary. Vince didn’t like that.

He shifted slightly,