Chapter 5

I said, "Besides, our family's been sent down, too. If we keep in touch now and the higher-ups catch wind of it, it could end up hurting my parents and your folks."

My words finally made Leon's parents, who'd been against burning the letters, nod in agreement.

Leon, worried I'd be feeling down, took half a day off and headed to the beach. He dug out a big tub of oysters and picked a whole basket of fresh seaweed.

Susan pulled out a sugar coupon and traded it with the team leader for three pounds of mixed grain flour.

That…