I have never found myself so flabbergasted by someone before. As we walk to the parking lot, I try to think if I’ve ever even been around anyone like Maddie Parker in my life. My brother Cal is flaky and people consider him fun. He’s not perplexing like Maddie.

He doesn’t ask probing questions, shirk protocol or eat crackers in cars. Perhaps it’s unfair to say she shirked protocol. My uncle never specifically said she wasn’t supposed to insert ...