Chapter 16: Future ResolveMy heavy footsteps echo around the empty café as I finish dragging any plants and furnishings off to the side. Anything that could get broken is moved out of the way. There’s a pile of sandbags in the corner, leftovers from treating the winter sidewalks. I pick up the ball I’ve found and tuck it under my arm as Ne traipses through in a T-shirt and boy shorts.
“More training?” asks Ne. “I can help you with the mats and the bo staffs.”
“Nope,” I say, “untucking the black and white ball from under my arm and dropping it on the ground in front of my feet. “Don’t need ‘em. But I do need your help with one thing that’s been bothering me.”
“What’s that?”
“Do you call it soccer or football here?” I give the ball a sharp kick in Ne’s direction.
She stops it, and dribb
