Page 70 of The Fall Classic

Georgie

You said it first!

Logan

Maybe you are an exclamation point kind of girl.

Georgie

I think you’re converting me.

Logan

I’ll take the credit.

Georgie

Well, I have to defend the One True Soda somehow.

My mom was obsessed with Diet Coke. She said if she could bring one customer the same joy in a cup of coffee that Diet Coke brought to her, it would be worth it.

Logan

That’s adorable.

Did your mom work at Meant to Bean, too?

Georgie …

It’s a long story, but yes.

Logan

And your stepmom and stepsister run it?

Georgie

Another long story and not really worth getting into.

Logan

I bet the Tree said that a lot. Dismissed her own story to play a supporting role in someone else’s.

Georgie

…

Logan Fischer.

Logan

I’m just saying.

The Tree gave him everything she had—apples, branches, trunk—and every time, he left with it. And she was happy. You’re right that the book says she was happy. But I don’t think she knew she could say no. I think she thought, well, I’m an apple tree. I’m supposed to give and give and give, so I’ll be happy with my lot instead of being sad.

Is it really giving freely if she never knew there was another choice?

Georgie