Gary Schmidt

“Maybe angels aren’t always meant to stop bad things.”

“So what good are they?”

“To be with us when bad things happen.”

Joseph looked at him.

“Then where the hell were they?” he said.

Christmas is the season for miracles, you know. Sometimes they come big and loud, I guess—but I’ve never seen one of those. I think probably most miracles are a lot smaller, and sort of still, and so quiet, you could miss them.

I didn’t miss this one.

“Where the hell were they?”

I had his back.

And he had mine.

That’s what greater love is.

Jupiter stared at my parents—her parents too, now.

“Jackie,” said Jupiter.

“That’s right,” I said. “Jackie.”

“Jupiter,” I whispered back. “Jupiter. I promise I’ll always know where you are.”