,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#A ,,LINDA ,,CREW ,PUBLISHED BY ,DELL ,PUBLISHING ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK ,COPYRIGHT1 #AIIA1 BY ,LINDA ,CREW ,,ISBN #J-DDJ-DJGHH-E ,FURTHER REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OTHER THAN A SPECIALIZED FORMAT IS PROHIBITED4 ,TRANSCRIBED1 #BJJH1 BY ,LADYBUG ,BRAILLE ,PORTLAND1 ,OREGON ,IN ,THREE ,VOLUMES ,VOLUME #A ,BRAILLE PAGES P#A-P#E AND #A-GH ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#B ,FOR MY SON ,MILES1 WITH LOVE AND SPECIAL THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION OF HIS OWN BOOK1 ..,SON OF A .,NUT4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#C ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOL ,,USED ,,IN ,,THIS ,,VOLUME @ 7#D7 ,ACCENT MARK ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#D ,,CONTENTS ,VOLUME #A ,PAGE #A ,CAUGHT AND ,CORNERED """""""""""" #A #B ,MY ,DAD1 THE ,COOK """"""""""""" #AI #C ,ALARMING ,NEWS """"""""""""""""" #CD #D ,PIG ,SNOUTS AND ,OTHER ,WORRIES #DE #E ,ON THE ,HOT ,SEAT ,AGAIN """"""" #FE ,VOLUME #B #F ,THE ,SPAGHETTI ,DISASTER """"""" #GI #G ,PLAYGROUND ,SHOWDOWN """"""""""" #IB #H ,HARD ,HATS AND ,DUCKY ,DIAPER ,PINS """"""""""""""""""""""""""" #AJF #I ,HALLOWEEN ,SHIVERS """""""""""" #AAE #AJ ,TOUGH ,TIMES FOR A ,FAILED ,HERO """"""""""""""""""""""""""" #ACD #AA ,LITTLE ,PURPLE ,FINGERPRINTS #ADG #AB ,GREAT ,WHOPPING ,LIES """""""" #AEH #AC ,A ,HECK OF AN ,HONOR """"""""" #AFD ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#E ,VOLUME #C #AD ,PLEASE ,PASS THE ,KAZOOS """"" #AGJ #AE ,BELLYFUL OF ,TROUBLE """"""""" #AGH #AF ,AMBUSH6 """""""""""""""""""""" #AHD #AG ,PUMPKINS ,EVERY ,TIME """""""" #AIB #AH ,A ,BEAUTIFUL ,DAY IN THE ,NEIGHBORHOOD """"""""""""""""""" #BJJ #AI ,A ,KID'S ,GOTTA ,DO ,WHAT A ,KID'S ,GOTTA ,DO """"""""""""""" #BAF #BJ ,ONE ,LAST ,CHANCE """""""""""" #BBA #BA ,THE ,FANCY ,ROMANCEY ,DINNER #BCH ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #A #A ,CAUGHT AND ,CORNERED 8,SO THAT'S WHERE YOU'VE BEEN HIDING60 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS'S VOICE JERKED ME RIGHT OUT OF MY PAPERBACK AND BACK TO THE REAL WORLD4 8,ROBERT ,HUMMER40 ,SHE PRESSED HER LIPS TOGETHER AND FROWNED INTO THE OLD DORY WHERE ,I'D BEEN HUDDLED DOWN READING4 8,WHAT AM ,I GOING TO DO WITH YOU80 ,A HORRIBLE GLOOM CAME OVER ME4 ,THIS PEELING BLUE BOAT1 BEACHED IN A PILE OF SAND AT THE EDGE OF THE PLAYGROUND1 HAD GOT ME THROUGH A MONTH OF RECESSES4 ,WHY'D SHE HAVE TO COME MARCHING OUT HERE AND FIND ME NOW8 ,I THOUGHT ,I WAS SAFE1 WHAT WITH THE STRETCH OF LONG WET GRASS BETWEEN ME AND THE MERRY-GO-ROUND4 ,I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WET GRASS WOULDN'T BOTHER OLD ,MRS4 ,PERKINS IN HER THICK- SOLED SHOES4 ,NOW WHEN ,I SAY OLD1 ,I DON'T REALLY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #B MEAN YEARS4 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS WAS PROBABLY ABOUT AVERAGE AGE FOR A GROWN-UP4 ,BUT SOMETHING SEEMED OLD ABOUT HER1 LIKE MAYBE SHE'D BEEN THINKING THE EXACT SAME THOUGHTS1 OVER AND OVER1 FOR A REAL LONG TIME4 8,WELL1 COME ON OUT NOW40 ,I CLIMBED OVER THE SIDE AND STOOD IN FRONT OF HER1 CLUTCHING MY WELL-WORN COPY OF .,ENCYCLOPEDIA .,BROWN .#E4 ,SHE PUT HER HANDS ON HER HIPS4 ,I WON'T SAY HER .FAT HIPS4 ,SHE WAS BIG BUT SHE WAS SOLID4 8,WHATEVER IS A HEALTHY BOY LIKE YOU DOING SITTING HERE READING WHEN YOU OUGHT TO BE OFF PLAYING WITH THE OTHER KIDS80 ,I SIGHED4 ,I'D ALREADY TOLD HER ABOUT FIVE TIMES--,I HATE RECESS4 ,NOW ,I KNOW THAT SOUNDS WEIRD4 ,THE OTHER FOURTH GRADERS ALL RIP OUT LIKE THEY'VE GOT ROCKETS ON THEIR HEELS WHEN THAT BELL RINGS4 ,SIXTY SECONDS FLAT AND THEY'RE LINED UP FOR TETHERBALL OR ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #C FOURSQUARE4 ,BUT ,I'M NOT BIG ON SPORTS4 ,WE'D BEEN THROUGH ALL THIS BEFORE THOUGH1 SO WHY ANSWER8 ,SHE DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR IT1 JUST LIKE SHE DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR HOW ,I WISH SHE'D CALL ME ,ROBBY1 HOW ,I THINK THE HOKEY POKEY IS TOTALLY DUMB1 HOW THE STORY PROBLEMS IN MATH SOMETIMES DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE4 8,IF ,JOHNNY HAS FIFTY-FIVE STAMPS10 SHE'D READ OUT LOUD THIS MORNING1 8AND HE PASTES FIVE ON EACH PAGE1 HOW MANY PAGES WILL HE NEED80 8,BUT THAT'S SILLY10 ,I SAID1 FORGETTING TO RAISE MY HAND4 8,HE COULD FIT A LOT MORE THAN FIVE ON EACH PAGE4 ,AND BESIDES1 YOU DON'T .PASTE STAMPS IN THE BOOK4 ,THAT WRECKS THEM4 ,YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO USE STAMP HINGES40 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS JUST LOOKED AT THE CEILING AND TOOK A DEEP BREATH LIKE SHE WAS COUNTING TO KEEP CALM4 ,I GUESS EXTRA TALKING LOUSED UP HER SCHEDULE4 ,FIFTEEN MINUTES FOR THIS1 TWENTY MINUTES FOR THAT4 ,SHE HAD TO BE TOTALLY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #D ORGANIZED4 8,ROBERT10 SHE SAID NOW1 8,I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU DO THIS40 ,I SHRUGGED1 LISTENING TO THE CREEK RUSHING BY AT THE EDGE OF THE PLAYING FIELD4 ,I WASN'T THE WORST KID AROUND BY A LONG SHOT4 ,I DID MY ASSIGNMENTS4 ,UNLESS YOU COUNTED ASKING QUESTIONS1 ,I DIDN'T GOOF OFF IN CLASS4 ,SO WHY'D ,MRS4 ,PERKINS WANT TO PICK ON ME8 ,RIGHT NOW1 OVER BY THE GYM DOOR1 TWO EIGHTH-GRADE GIRLS WERE HAVING A SHOUTING MATCH--TRADING NAMES YOU WOULDN'T DARE REPEAT TO YOUR MOM AND DAD4 ,WOULDN'T YOU THINK ,MRS4 ,PERKINS'D WANT TO HUSTLE OVER AND BREAK IT UP8 ,BUT NO--SHE WAS TOO BUSY WITH ME4 ,I SIGHED4 8,I JUST DON'T LIKE SPORTS40 8,OH1 COME NOW4 ,ALL BOYS LIKE SPORTS40 ,WAS ,I SUPPOSED TO CALL HER A LIAR OR WHAT8 ,I STARED AT THE GRASS4 ,MY SHOES ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #E WERE GETTING SOAKED4 8,THIS BOOKWORM BUSINESS IS GETTING COMPLETELY OUT OF HAND4 ,I SAW YOU TRYING TO READ DURING THE FILM STRIP THIS MORNING4 ,IT'S GOT TO STOP60 ,SHE WAS RIGHT ABOUT THAT4 ,READING IN THE DARK WAS HARD ON MY EYES4 ,I'D HAVE TO SMUGGLE IN THE TINY FLASHLIGHT ,I USED UNDER THE COVERS AT NIGHT4 ,SHE HELD OUT HER HAND4 8,LET'S HAVE THE BOOK1 PLEASE40 ,I HELD IT OUT4 ,SO LONG1 ,ENCYCLOPEDIA4 ,I SIGHED4 ,I'D BEEN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A CASE4 8,MRS4 ,PERKINS8 ,DIDN'T YOU EVER FEEL THAT WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN A BOOK YOU WERE READING WAS MORE INTERESTING THAN REAL LIFE80 ,SHE SQUINTED AT ME LIKE ,I WAS SOME WEIRD BUG IN A BOX4 ,WELL1 GEE4 ,SEEMS TO ME LOTS OF PEOPLE LIKE BOOKS OR MOVIES OR TELEVISION PROGRAMS BETTER THAN REAL LIFE4 ,WHEN YOU'VE ONLY GOT ONE LIFE1 IN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #F ONE PLACE1 IT'S FUN TO GO OFF IN YOUR MIND TO OTHER ADVENTURES4 ,AND BOOKS ARE BEST1 ,I THINK4 ,,TV ONLY SHOWS YOU THE STORY--A BOOK TAKES OVER YOUR WHOLE BRAIN4 ,IT MAY LOOK LIKE NOTHING BUT PAPER1 BUT OPEN IT AND START READING AND PRESTO--YOU'RE IN ANOTHER WORLD1 MAYBE THE PAST1 MAYBE THE FUTURE4 ,IT'S LIKE MAGIC4 ,REALLY4 ,THINK ABOUT IT--CHARACTERS MADE FROM LITTLE BLACK MARKINGS COMING ALIVE1 BARGING RIGHT INTO YOUR HEAD AND CARRYING ON THEIR BUSINESS THERE4 ,SOMETIMES THEY NEVER LEAVE4 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS OUGHT TO UNDERSTAND THIS4 ,EVERY TIME SHE OPENED HER DESK DRAWER TO PUT IN MY MILK MONEY ,I'D SEE A DIFFERENT PAPERBACK TUCKED IN THE CORNER--USUALLY THE KIND WHERE A LADY IN A SWIRLY DRESS AND TOO MUCH HAIR IS RUNNING AWAY FROM A SPOOKY CASTLE ''' ,SHE'D BEEN LOOKING OFF TOWARD THE CREEK4 ,NOW SHE TURNED BACK TO ME4 8,WHY DON'T WE GO SEE WHAT ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #G THINKS ABOUT THIS80 ,I GROANED4 ,NOT THE NEW SCHOOL COUNSELOR4 ,WHAT WOULD ,MOM AND ,DAD SAY8 ,AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING1 THEY'D STOOD UP ALONG WITH SOME OF THE OTHER NEWER FAMILIES AND ARGUED HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS FOR ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK ,SCHOOL TO HAVE A COUNSELOR4 ,BUT ,I FIGURED THEY WANTED A COUNSELOR TO STRAIGHTEN OUT SOME OF THE WILDER KIDS4 ,I DON'T THINK THEY WERE PICTURING .ME GETTING DRAGGED INTO HER OFFICE4 8,I HOPE SHE CAN FIT YOU IN10 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS SAID1 HUSTLING ME TOWARD THE DOUBLE DOORS AT THE PRIMARY SIDE OF THE BUILDING4 8,IF NOT IT'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL .NEXT ,MONDAY40 .,BE .BUSY1 ,I PRAYED4 ..,PLEASE BE TOO .BUSY4 ,I GLANCED LONGINGLY AT THE THIRD-GRADE CLASSROOM AS WE PASSED4 ,MRS4 ,KASSEL NEVER SEEMED TO THINK ,I WAS A PROBLEM LAST YEAR4 ,SHE USED TO LAUGH AT MY JOKES4 ,SHE THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT HOW ,I LOVED TO READ4 ,SHE EVEN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #H HAD AN OLD CLAWFOOT BATHTUB FULL OF PILLOWS IN HER ROOM JUST FOR FLOPPING IN WITH A BOOK WHEN YOU FINISHED YOUR OTHER WORK4 ,FUNNY--WITH ,MRS4 ,KASSEL IT WAS LIKE ,I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG1 BUT WITH ,MRS4 ,PERKINS ,I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT4 ,HAD ,I CHANGED INTO A DIFFERENT KID OVER THE SUMMER OR WHAT8 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS PARKED ME IN THE HALL AND WENT INTO THE LITTLE ROOM NEXT TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE4 ,I'D NEVER SEEN THE COUNSELOR BEFORE4 ,WHAT WOULD SHE BE LIKE8 ,AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THIS GIRL FROM MY CLASS CAME OUT4 ,AMBER ,HIXON4 ,SHE WASN'T CRYING1 BUT HER FACE HAD THAT PINK-TO-THE-EYEBROWS1 DARNED-IF-,I- WILL LOOK4 ,SHE SNIFFED AND STUCK OUT HER CHIN4 8,WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE80 ,HER SANDY- COLORED HAIR WAS ONE BIG COWLICK IN FRONT1 STANDING UP STRAIGHT AND STUBBORN FROM HER FOREHEAD1 THEN FLOPPING OVER4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #I 8,THEY'RE MAKING ME TALK TO THE COUNSELOR10 ,I SAID4 8,YOU TOO80 ,SHE NODDED4 ,I COULD TELL WHATEVER HAPPENED IN THAT ROOM WAS NO PICNIC4 8,PRETTY BAD1 HUH80 ,AMBER CROSSED HER ARMS OVER HER CHEST AND GLARED BACK AT THE DOOR4 8,SHE COMES ON REAL NICE1 BUT YOU BETTER WATCH WHAT YOU SAY4 ,THAT'S MY ADVICE40 8,WHAT DO YOU MEAN8 ,WHAT DOES SHE ASK YOU80 8,ABOUT YOUR FAMILY4 ,STUFF THAT'S NONE OF HER BUSINESS4 ,I'M NOT KIDDING1 SHE'S NOTHING BUT A BIG SNOOP4 ,MY MOM'S GOING TO BE SORRY SHE EVER GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO TALK TO ME40 8,WHY'RE THEY MAKING YOU DO IT80 ,SHE GLOWERED4 8,IT'S SO STUPID4 ,STUPID1 STUPID1 STUPID40 8.,WHAT80 8,OH1 JUST 'CAUSE OF THIS PICTURE ,I DREW40 ,I DIDN'T GET IT4 ,AMBER WAS A PRETTY GOOD ARTIST1 AND HER PICTURES WERE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJ ALWAYS THINGS LIKE UNICORNS SAILING OVER RAINBOWS OR PRINCESSY-LOOKING GIRLS PICKING FLOWERS4 8,IT WAS JUST SOMETHING ,I SCRIBBLED ONE DAY WHEN ,I WAS MAD AT MY MOM AND DAD10 ,AMBER SAID4 8,I NEVER MEANT ANYBODY TO SEE IT4 ,IT MUSTA FELL OUT OF MY DESK40 8,OH10 ,I SAID1 LIKE THIS EXPLAINED EVERYTHING4 8,SO IT WASN'T ONE OF YOUR UNICORN PICTURES80 8,HA4 ,NOT HARDLY40 ,WOW4 ,WHAT .HAD SHE DRAWN8 ,I WAS WONDERING IF ,I DARED ASK WHEN THE DOOR OPENED4 8',MEMBER1 DON'T TELL .NOTHING10 ,AMBER WHISPERED4 ,THEN SHE SPUN ON HER HEEL AND MARCHED OFF1 HANDS KNOTTED INTO FISTS4 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS MOTIONED ME INSIDE TO A CHAIR4 ,SHE GAVE ME ONE OF THOSE LONG1 GROWN-UP LOOKS THAT YOU KNOW ARE SUPPOSED TO MEAN SOMETHING1 ONLY YOU'RE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AA ,THEN SHE SIGHED4 8,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT IS HERE TO HELP YOU1 ,ROBERT4 ,PLEASE TRY TO BE HONEST WITH HER40 8,OKAY40 ,I HUNG MY HEAD4 ,I THOUGHT ,I .WAS ALWAYS HONEST4 ,I LIFTED MY EYES4 8,COULD ,I HAVE MY BOOK BACK NOW80 ,I WANTED SOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO4 8,WHY DON'T ,I JUST GO AHEAD AND RETURN IT TO THE LIBRARY FOR YOU80 8,BUT IT'S MY OWN40 ,SHE FROWNED AT THE BOOK AND CHECKED THE BACK FOR A LIBRARY CARD4 ,THAT MADE ME MAD6 ,I AM NOT A LIAR6 8,ALL THE SAME10 SHE SAID1 8,I BELIEVE ,I'LL KEEP IT AT MY DESK FOR NOW4 ,I DON'T WANT YOU PEEKING AT IT WHILE ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT'S TRYING TO TALK TO YOU40 ,MY FACE GOT REAL HOT4 ,GUESS SHE'D SEEN ME PULLING THAT IN CLASS4 ,SHE WENT OUT1 LEAVING ME TO THE COUNSELOR4 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT WAS A SERIOUS-LOOKING WOMAN WEARING A GRAY SUIT AND THOSE HIGH-HEELED KIND OF SHOES YOU SEE ON ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AB ,,TV BUT NOT VERY OFTEN AROUND ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK4 ,SHE WAS REALLY SORT OF PRETTY4 ,YOU COULD TELL SHE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THAT1 THOUGH4 ,SHE HAD BIG BLACK GLASSES AND BLOND HAIR TWISTED BACK INTO A TIGHT BUN4 ,SHE WAS DRESSED FOR IMPORTANT BUSINESS4 ,SHE RESTED HER REAR AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE DESK4 8,SO1 ,ROBERT '''0 ,I LOOKED UP4 8,COULD YOU CALL ME ,ROBBY80 8,OH1 SURE40 ,SHE CLEARED HER THROAT4 8,ROBBY4 ,WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR TEACHER WANTS YOU TO TALK TO ME80 ,I SQUIRMED4 8,UH1 BECAUSE ,I READ TOO MUCH AND ,I DON'T WANT TO PLAY WITH THE OTHER KIDS80 ,I WATCHED TO SEE IF THIS WAS THE RIGHT ANSWER1 BUT SHE WASN'T SAYING4 ,HER FACE LOOKED FRIENDLY ENOUGH1 THOUGH4 8,ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE MAKING FRIENDS80 8,NO40 ,I SCRATCHED MY LEFT SHIN WITH THE HEEL OF MY RIGHT SHOE4 ,A NERVOUS ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AC HABIT1 MY MOM SAYS4 8,I HAVE FRIENDS40 8,WHY DON'T YOU WANT TO PLAY WITH THEM1 THEN80 ,I SHRUGGED4 ,I HAD MORE FUN WITH MY FRIENDS WHEN THEY CAME TO MY HOUSE OR ,I WENT TO THEIRS4 ,THEN WE COULD PLAY ,CLUE OR BUILD THINGS WITH ,CONSTRUX OR PLAY SPIES IN THE WOODS4 ,BUT PLAYGROUND STUFF WAS ALL SPORTS4 ,BEN AND ,JASON AND THE OTHERS HAD GIVEN UP TRYING TO GET ME IN ON IT4 8,I GUESS ,I'D JUST RATHER READ10 ,I SAID FINALLY4 8,I GET PLENTY OF SPORTS IN ,,PE40 8,IT'S WONDERFUL THAT YOU LIKE TO READ SO MUCH4 ,IT'S TOO BAD WE CAN'T GET MORE OF THE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN BOOKS THE WAY YOU ARE40 ,RIGHT1 ,I THOUGHT4 ,AND THEN YOU COULD START BUGGING THEM ABOUT IT TOO4 8,PLAYING GAMES OUTSIDE IS ALSO IMPORTANT1 THOUGH4 ,WE LIKE EVERYONE TO BE WELL-ROUNDED40 ,HUH4 ,WELL-FLATTENED WAS MORE LIKE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AD IT4 ,I THOUGHT ABOUT THE LAST TIME ,I TOOK A TETHERBALL IN THE TEETH4 ,THE DOOR CONNECTING THE ROOM TO THE OFFICE OPENED AND ONE OF THE SECRETARIES HANDED ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT A FOLDER OF PAPERS4 ,SHE SAT DOWN AT THE EMPTY DESK AND STUDIED THEM4 ,AFTER A WHILE SHE LOOKED UP4 8,YOU'VE HAD A BIG CHANGE AT YOUR HOUSE RECENTLY1 HAVEN'T YOU1 ,ROBBY80 ,I THOUGHT4 ,THEN ,I NODDED4 8,SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN A BIT HARD ON YOU80 8,WELL1 ,I DIDN'T .LIKE IT WHEN MY MOM CAME HOME WITH HER HAIR ALL FRIZZED LIKE THAT1 BUT IT'S .HER HAIR4 ,I'LL GET USED TO IT40 ,THE COUNSELOR SMILED4 8,NO1 ,ROBBY4 ,I MEANT THE TWINS40 8,THE TWINS8 ,BUT WE'VE HAD THEM FOR TWO YEARS40 8,YES4 ,NOW ,I WANT YOU TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST WITH ME1 ,ROBBY4 ,HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR BROTHER AND ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AE SISTER80 ,I SHRUGGED4 8,I LIKE 'EM40 8,OF COURSE YOU DO4 ,BUT DO YOU LIKE .EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM80 ,WHAT WAS SHE GETTING AT8 ,LUCY AND ,FREDDIE ARE THE CUTEST BABIES IN THE WHOLE WORLD4 ,I THOUGHT OF THE WAY THEY'D WAVED ME OFF TO SCHOOL JUST THAT MORNING1 STANDING ON THE PORCH RAILING4 ,DAD HELD THE BACKS OF THEIR ,SUPERMAN AND ,WONDER ,WOMAN JAMMIES SO THEY WOULDN'T FALL OFF WHILE THEY JUMPED UP AND DOWN1 FLAPPING ALL FOUR ARMS1 TRYING TO OUTSHOUT EACH OTHER YELLING 8,BYE6 ,BYE6 ,BYE6 ,BYE6 ,BYE60 8,WELL1 THERE .ARE TWO THINGS ,I DON'T LIKE ABOUT 'EM10 ,I ADMITTED4 8,UM ''' WHAT THEY DO IN THEIR DIAPERS AND SPITTING UP40 8,THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE40 ,I NODDED1 REMEMBERING THE TIME ,I GOT CARRIED AWAY HUGGING ,FREDDIE--SQUEEZED HIM TO THE POPPING POINT4 ,HE URPED ALL OVER ME4 ,YUCK4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AF 8,OH1 AND ,I HATED HAVING TO GIVE UP GOING BAREFOOT AROUND THE HOUSE40 8,WHY CAN'T YOU GO BAREFOOT80 ,I LOOKED AT HER4 8,HAVE YOU EVER HAD SOGGY ,CHEERIOS STUCK BETWEEN YOUR TOES8 ,IT'S DISGUSTING40 8,AH4 ,I SEE40 8,BUT THE BABIES DON'T SPIT UP MUCH ANYMORE4 ,AND ABOUT THE DIAPERS ''' WELL1 ,I JUST TOLD ,MOM AND ,DAD RIGHT FROM THE FIRST1 ,8,HEY1 DON'T COUNT ON ME CHANGING ANY4 ,YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN40'0 ,SHE SMILED4 8,SO THESE ARE THE ONLY BAD PARTS ABOUT HAVING THE TWINS AROUND8 ,YOU DON'T EVER FEEL ''' A LITTLE JEALOUS80 ,AMBER WAS RIGHT4 ,THIS WAS GETTING AWFULLY PERSONAL4 ,BESIDES1 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT HAD IT ALL WRONG4 ,LUCY AND ,FREDDIE MADE ME FEEL SPECIAL4 ,NOBODY ELSE AT ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK HAD BABY TWINS4 ,I'D FELT ALMOST FAMOUS FOR A WHILE1 PASSING OUT CHOCOLATE CIGARS TO MY WHOLE CLASS4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AG 8,THEY MUST TAKE UP A LOT OF YOUR PARENTS' TIME40 8,YEAH ''' BUT MOSTLY WE ALL HAVE FUN TOGETHER4 ,I LIKE IT40 8,WELL1 GOOD40 ,SHE TOOK OFF HER GLASSES AND RUBBED THE BRIDGE OF HER NOSE4 ,WITHOUT HER GLASSES SHE LOOKED A LOT YOUNGER4 8,AND HOW IS IT NOW THAT YOUR MOTHER'S GONE BACK TO WORK80 ,GOOD GRIEF4 ,HOW DID SHE KNOW ALL THIS STUFF8 ,WAS SHE SOME KIND OF DETECTIVE ON THE SIDE8 8,THINGS ARE OKAY10 ,I SAID1 WISHING ,I COULD FIGURE OUT WHERE SHE WAS HEADING WITH THIS4 ,SHE HAD HER GLASSES BACK ON AND WAS LOOKING OFFICIAL AGAIN4 8,MAYBE A LITTLE WILDER THAN BEFORE40 8,OH80 ,SHE LEANED FORWARD4 ,I'LL BET SHE THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE THIS MOVIE ,I SAW WHERE THE MOM GOES BACK TO WORK AND THE DAD DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DO ANYTHING SO THE HOUSE FALLS APART4 ,BUT MY DAD KNOWS HOW TO USE A VACUUM CLEANER4 ,HE EVEN SHOWED US HOW TO RIDE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AH OURS LIKE AN INDOOR SCOOTER4 ,AND SO WHAT IF ,I HAVE TO WEAR DIRTY SOCKS ONCE IN A WHILE8 ,I SNEAKED A CORNER-OF-THE- EYE PEEK AT THE ONES ,I HAD ON NOW4 ,OOPS--ONE WITH RED STRIPES AND ONE WITH BLUE4 ,I INCHED MY JEAN LEGS DOWN1 PRETENDING TO BE VERY INTERESTED IN THE ,APPALOOSAS IN THE PASTURE BEYOND THE OFFICE WINDOW4 8,CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU MEAN BY WILDER80 ,I WAS TRYING TO CONCENTRATE ON THE HORSES1 THINKING HOW MAYBE ,I'D DRAW THEM SOMETIME4 8,ROBBY8 ,ABOUT IT BEING WILDER80 8,HMM80 ,I TURNED BACK TO HER4 8,OH4 ,WELL1 EVER SINCE THE TWINS IT'S BEEN WILD EVEN .WITH ,MOM4 ,THEY GET INTO EVERYTHING1 THROW THE LAUNDRY AROUND1 STUFF LIKE THAT4 ,I NEVER KNOW WHAT ,I'LL FIND WHEN ,I GET HOME40 8,I SEE40 8,IT'S .FUNNY1 THOUGH40 ,I WAS TELLING THE TRUTH AND SHE WOULDN'T BELIEVE ME4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AI 8,I .LIKE IT40 8,PLEASE UNDERSTAND1 ,ROBBY4 ,WE'RE JUST ''' .EXPLORING HERE1 TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT'S BOTHERING YOU40 .,YOU'RE BOTHERING ME1 ,I WANTED TO SAY4 ,I COULD HAVE BEEN THROUGH THREE MORE ,ENCYCLOPEDIA ,BROWN CASES IF ,I WASN'T STUCK IN HERE4 ,SHE MADE HER VOICE SYMPATHETIC AGAIN4 8,LET'S TRY THIS1 ,ROBBY4 ,IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH1 WHAT WOULD IT BE80 ,OKAY ''' ,I TOOK A DEEP BREATH4 8,I WISH MY MOTHER WOULD GET PREGNANT AGAIN0--,I STARED ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT STRAIGHT IN HER PRETTY BLUE EYES--8AND THIS TIME ,I WISH SHE'D HAVE TRIPLETS60 #B ,MY ,DAD1 THE ,COOK .,THUNK4 8,NOT NICE60 ,FREDDIE HOLLERED4 8,NOT NICE60 8,OH1 NO60 ,I SAID4 8,DAD6 ,LOOK WHAT ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJ ,LUCY'S DOING60 ,FROM THE PORCH1 MY SISTER SHOT ME THIS WICKED1 CAN'T-CATCH-ME GRIN4 ,SHE'D PUSHED A JACK-O'-LANTERN OFF THE RAIL AND ,I COULD TELL BY THE GLINT IN HER EYE SHE PLANNED TO GO STRAIGHT DOWN THE LINE1 SHOWING OFF EVERY LAST ONE OF THE PUMPKINS WE'D JUST FINISHED CARVING4 ,DAD GLANCED UP FROM THE PUMPKIN HE WAS WORKING ON4 8,WELL1 DON'T JUST STAND THERE1 ,ROBBY4 ,STOP HER40 ,I MADE FOR THE PORCH4 ,THRILLED1 ,LUCY SHRIEKED AND DANCED IN HER PINK BOOTS4 ,I BOUNDED UP THE STEPS PAST ,FREDDIE1 CHASED HER DOWN THE PORCH1 AND FLUNG MY ARMS AROUND HER MIDDLE JUST AS ANOTHER OF OUR WORKS OF ART WAS ABOUT TO BITE THE DUST4 ,OR MAYBE ,I SHOULD SAY BITE THE MUD4 ,ANYWAY1 ,I HAULED HER BACK1 GETTING A FACE FULL OF HER WISPY1 PEANUT BUTTER-SMELLING HAIR4 8,NO60 ,I SCOLDED HER4 8,BAD GIRL60 ,SHE YELLED AND KICKED HER HEELS AGAINST MY SHINS4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BA 8,FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD1 DON'T HURT HER10 ,DAD SAID4 ,SHE WRIGGLED DOWN FREE4 ,I SIGHED AND RUBBED MY LEGS4 ,I CAN'T WIN4 ,IF ,I LET THE TWINS ACT NAUGHTY ,I'M IN TROUBLE4 ,IF ,I STOP THEM1 ,I'M IN TROUBLE TOO4 ,I ZIPPED UP MY JACKET4 ,THE FOG HAD FINALLY BURNED OFF1 BUT THE BIG FIR TREES UP BEHIND THE HOUSE KEPT ALL BUT A FEW SUN RAYS FROM REACHING OUR YARD THIS TIME OF YEAR4 ,BESIDES1 DUSK WAS COMING ON FAST4 ,I'D HAVE TO HURRY TO FINISH MY WORRIED-FACE PUMPKIN4 8,NO1 ,FREDDIE10 ,I SAID4 8.,SHARP6 ,DON'T GRAB MY KNIFE ''' ,YEAH1 THAT'S IT4 ,YOU GUYS PLAY OVER THERE40 ,I WATCHED AS HE AND ,LUCY SQUATTED OVER A PILE OF SEEDY PUMPKIN GOO AND STARTED SQUISHING IT THROUGH THEIR FINGERS4 ,THEN ,I WENT BACK TO MY CARVING1 THINKING ABOUT THE COUNSELOR TODAY4 ,AMBER WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT4 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT WAS A SNOOP4 ,IT BUGGED ME THE WAY SHE TALKED1 HINTING THERE WAS SOMETHING ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BB WRONG WITH ME1 SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY FAMILY4 ,NO WAY WAS ,I GOING TO TELL ,MOM AND ,DAD ABOUT ALL THAT1 THOUGH4 ,THOSE CONCERNED LOOKS OF THEIRS CAN TURN A LITTLE WORRY INTO A GIANT ONE FASTER THAN YOU CAN SAY1 8,HEY1 IT'S NO BIG DEAL40 8,OH1 LOOK1 KIDS10 ,DAD SAID TO THE BABIES1 HIS VOICE CHANGING THE WAY IT DOES WHEN HE TALKS TO THEM4 ,HE POINTED TO THE OLD BLUE PICKUP CROSSING THE PLANK BRIDGE DOWN AT THE CREEK4 8,HERE COMES ,MOMMY40 ,THEY STOOD1 FACES LIGHTING UP4 ,THEN ,DAD ADDED A JOKE FOR ME4 8,YUP1 GOOD OLD ,MOMMY1 HOME FROM A HARD DAY'S WORK IN THE SALT MINES40 ,ACTUALLY ,MOM WORKED AT A PRINT SHOP IN ,DOUGLAS ,BAY1 DRAWING DESIGNS FOR STORES AND COMPANIES4 ,THE TRUCK RUMBLED UP THE WINDING GRAVEL DRIVE4 ,MOM SLID DOWN FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT1 BUT BEFORE SHE COULD EVEN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BC SLAM THE DOOR1 ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY WERE WRAPPED AROUND HER LEGS1 ALL TANGLED UP AND GIGGLING IN HER LONG SKIRT4 8,MOM10 ,I SAID1 8YOU SHOULD SEE WHAT ,LUCY JUST DID4 ,DAD AND ,I WORKED HARD ON THESE PUMPKINS AND SHE WAS JUST SHOVING THEM OFF THE RAILING40 ,MOM LASER-EYED ME4 8.,HI1 .,ROBBY40 ,IT BUGS HER NO END WHEN ,I LAUNCH INTO A BUNCH OF GRIPES WITHOUT AT LEAST SAYING HELLO FIRST4 8,UH1 YEAH1 HI4 ,BUT ,MOM1 LOOK WHAT SHE--0 8,DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT1 ,ROBBY10 ,DAD SAID4 8,WE'LL JUST MAKE MORE40 ,MOM CHECKED OUT ALL THE JACK-O'- LANTERNS ON THE PORCH AND LINING THE DRIVE4 ,EACH ONE HAD A DIFFERENT FACE ''' ,FIERCE1 HAPPY1 SCARED1 SURPRISED ''' 8,JUST HOW MANY MORE DO YOU THINK WE NEED80 SHE SAID4 8,COME ON1 WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED40 ,DAD GRINNED AT HER4 8,A MAN'S ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BD GOTTA DO WHAT A MAN'S GOTTA DO40 ,SHE ROLLED HER EYES4 8,THERE'S STILL A LOT MORE PUMPKINS IN THE GARDEN10 ,I POINTED OUT4 8,THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW10 SHE SAID4 8,I WAS WORRIED40 ,SHE LOOKED PAST ,DAD4 8,I GATHER YOU DIDN'T GET TO CLEANING OUT THE SHED40 8,BETH60 ,HE PRETENDED TO BE SHOCKED AND A LITTLE OFFENDED THAT SHE'D EVEN MENTION THIS4 8,WHERE'S YOUR SENSE OF PRIORITIES80 ,HE USES THIS WORD A LOT4 ,HE SAYS IT MEANS KNOWING WHICH THINGS ARE MOST IMPORTANT4 ,ON HIS LIST1 FUN IS USUALLY RIGHT AT THE TOP4 ,NOW ,I'M SORRY TO HAVE TO SAY THIS ABOUT MY MOTHER1 BUT SHE'S NOT LIKE THAT4 ,LOTS OF TIMES WHEN ,DAD THINKS UP SOMETHING NEAT TO DO1 SHE JUST ACTS TIRED AND SAYS1 8,OH1 BUT IT'LL BE SUCH A MESS TO CLEAN UP40 ,AT THE MOMENT1 SHE WAS TRYING TO BRUSH THE PUMPKIN SEEDS FROM HER SKIRT4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BE 8,YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE POTLUCK1 HAVE YOU80 8,NOPE10 ,DAD SAID4 8,CAKE'S ON THE COUNTER40 8,WELL1 WE'D BETTER CHANGE DIAPERS AND WASH FACES HERE40 ,DAD WIPED HIS KNIFE ON HIS JEANS4 8,WHY DON'T YOU FIND THE CANDLES1 ,ROBBY8 ,WE'LL GET THESE PUMPKINS ALL READY TO LIGHT AND GIVE THE LITTLE GUYS A THRILL WHEN WE COME HOME AFTER DARK40 ,EVERY YEAR ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK ,SCHOOL HAS A POTLUCK AND AN AUCTION TO RAISE MONEY FOR SPECIAL ACTIVITIES4 ,PEOPLE DONATE THINGS THEY'VE MADE OR DON'T WANT1 OR THEY PROMISE TO CHOP A CORD OF FIREWOOD OR TAKE SOMEBODY FISHING IN THEIR BOAT4 ,SOME THINGS ARE ALWAYS THE SAME4 ,MY FRIEND ,JASON ,CORWIN'S PARENTS ALWAYS AUCTION OFF A WEEKEND AT AN OCEAN-FRONT RENTAL CONDO THEIR REALTY FIRM MANAGES1 ,MRS4 ,DOWNARD OFFERS TO SEW A DRESS1 AND MY MOM DONATES ONE OF ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BF HER MINIATURE INK-AND-WATER-COLOR PAINTINGS4 ,THE AUCTION IS A BIG DEAL1 BECAUSE ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK IS KIND OF FAMOUS FOR HAVING SO MANY PEOPLE WHO DO REALLY GOOD ARTS AND CRAFTS4 ,SO LOTS OF PEOPLE COME UP FROM ,DOUGLAS ,BAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ,TILLICUM ,HEAD4 ,THAT'S THE CLOSEST REAL TOWN4 ,I THOUGHT ,DAD WOULD DONATE STORM WINDOWS LIKE HE USUALLY DOES--HE MAKES THOSE OUT IN HIS SHOP AND SELLS THEM TO PEOPLE4 ,SO ,I WAS REALLY SURPRISED WHEN ,MR4 ,DE,WEESE1 THE PRINCIPAL1 SAID THAT THE NEXT ITEM FOR AUCTION WAS A ROMANTIC GOURMET DINNER FOR TWO1 PREPARED BY ,BILL ,HUMMER4 8,ALL .RIGHT1 ,DAD60 ,I TURNED TO HIM4 ,FREDDIE WAS STANDING ON ,DAD'S LEGS1 PUSHING HIS NOSE TO MAKE IT BEEP4 8,BEEP60 ,DAD WHISPERED4 ,I THINK BEEPING HELPED HIM PRETEND ,MR4 ,DE,WEESE WASN'T TALKING ABOUT HIM4 ,WHEN HE FEELS SHY HE DOES THAT ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BG SOMETIMES--GETS REAL BUSY WITH THE BABIES4 8,THE DINNER10 ,MR4 ,DE,WEESE WAS SAYING1 8WILL FEATURE THE FINEST ,NORTHWEST CUISINE AND WILL BE SERVED IN THE RUSTIC ELEGANCE OF THE ,HUMMERS' HOME1 ON THE BANKS OF ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK40 8,I DIDN'T WRITE THAT10 ,DAD WHISPERED TO ME OUT THE CORNER OF HIS MOUTH4 ,IT SOUNDED NICE1 THOUGH1 ESPECIALLY IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT AROUND HERE1 BEING ON THE CREEKBANK WAS NO BIG DEAL4 ,I MEAN1 SO ARE AT LEAST HALF THE HOUSES ON ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK ,ROAD4 ,MOM AND ,DAD FIRST DISCOVERED THIS PLACE WHEN THEY WERE CAMPING THROUGH ,OREGON ONE SUMMER1 BACK WHEN ,DAD WAS A TEACHER AND HAD SUMMERS OFF4 ,THEY SAY THEIR WHOLE FUTURE CHANGED THE DAY THEY PULLED THEIR ,,VW VAN INTO THE GAS STATION DOWN ON ,HIGHWAY #AJA4 ,THE OCEAN LOOKED PRETTY THERE1 THE WAY THE CREEK SPILLED INTO IT BY ,PROMISE ,ROCK1 AND THEY DECIDED TO STOP AND GRAB A BITE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BH AT THE CAF@E4 ,A GUY THERE TOLD THEM ABOUT A GOOD CAMPGROUND UP ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK ,ROAD4 ,ON THE WAY TO IT1 THEY DROVE PAST THE HOUSES AND SMALL LIVESTOCK FARMS STRUNG UP ALONG THE CREEK VALLEY4 ,DAD STILL LIKES TO TELL HOW HE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES WHEN THEY SPOTTED THIS OLD DAIRY BARN WITH FIVE ACRES FOR SALE4 ,AND UP PAST THE COVERED BRIDGE1 THE GRAY-SHINGLED SCHOOL WITH ITS OLD-FASHIONED BELL TOWER4 ,MOM SAYS IT WAS AS IF A VISION HIT THEM4 ,THEY SAT BY THEIR CAMPFIRE LATE INTO THE NIGHT1 TALKING ABOUT HOW THE BARN COULD BE TURNED INTO A TERRIFIC HOUSE1 HOW THE KIDS THEY'D HAVE COULD RIDE THEIR BIKES THROUGH THAT BRIDGE TO THE SCHOOL ''' ,MOM ALWAYS SAYS THIS SHOWS THAT DREAMS .CAN COME TRUE BECAUSE HERE ,I WAS1 THEIR KID1 GOING TO SCHOOL AT ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK JUST LIKE THEY IMAGINED4 ,DAD LOOKED PLEASED AS THE BIDDING FOR HIS DINNER TOOK OFF4 ,HE'S A GREAT COOK BUT ,MOM'S ALWAYS TRYING TO DIET1 ,I'M ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BI SORT OF PICKY1 AND THE LITTLE KIDS THROW MORE FOOD THAN THEY EAT4 ,DAD WOULD LOVE A CHANCE TO SHOW OFF HIS FANCY RECIPES4 ,SO MANY PEOPLE WERE WAVING THEIR ARMS1 ,I COULDN'T EVEN TELL WHO FINALLY GAVE THE HIGH BID4 ,SIXTY DOLLARS6 ,EVERYONE APPLAUDED1 INCLUDING ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY4 ,LUCY LOOKED AROUND TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE WAS JOINING IN4 ,SHE LOVES ANY EXCUSE TO CLAP4 ,AFTER THE AUCTION1 ,MOM AND ,DAD STARTED TALKING TO THEIR FRIENDS1 ,BERK AND ,INGE ,FEIKART1 BUT THEIR SON ,WEST AND ,I JUST NODDED AT EACH OTHER AND TURNED AWAY4 ,WEST AND ,I USED TO PLAY TOGETHER A LOT4 ,WE EVEN HAVE A PICTURE TAKEN DOWN ON THE BEACH1 EACH OF US NOTHING BUT A LITTLE ROUND HEAD POKING OUT OF OUR MOTHER'S BACKPACK4 ,AT THEIR HOUSE1 WE USED TO HAVE FUN CHASING UNDER HIS MOTHER'S WEAVING LOOMS1 IN AND OUT OF HIS FATHER'S POTTERY STUDIO4 ,BUT NOW ,WEST ALWAYS WEARS CAMOUFLAGE CLOTHES1 AND HE NEVER WANTS TO PLAY ANYTHING ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CJ EXCEPT ,G4,I4 ,JOE4 ,SO ,I WAS LOOKING FOR SOME OF MY OTHER FRIENDS WHEN ,I SAW ,ORIN ,DOWNARD HEADING MY WAY4 ,I TENSED UP4 ,ORIN'S THE KIND OF KID WHO MAKES YOU FLINCH JUST WALKING PAST4 ,HE MIGHT POKE YOU OR HE MIGHT NOT4 ,EITHER WAY1 YOU CAN'T RELAX UNTIL HE'S GONE4 ,MY MOTHER SAYS HE'S BUILT LIKE A LITTLE BRICK OUTHOUSE4 ,I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A THING1 BUT ,I CAN PICTURE IT4 ,NO SIGN SAYING 8,MEN0 OR 8,WOMEN0 ON IT4 ,JUST 8,ORIN ,DOWNARD40 ,HE PLANTED HIMSELF SQUARE IN FRONT OF ME4 8,YOUR FATHER COOKS80 ,THE WAY HE SAID IT SOUNDED MORE LIKE1 8,YOUR FATHER EATS WORMS80 8,YEAH10 ,I SAID CAUTIOUSLY4 8,HE COOKS40 ,HE STUDIED ME1 CHEWING HIS GUM4 8,WOMEN COOK4 ,NOT MEN40 8,THAT'S NOT TRUE4 ,LOTS OF CHEFS ARE MEN40 ,I GLANCED OVER AT MY DAD4 ,HE WAS WEARING HIS BLUE BASEBALL CAP1 THE ONE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CA WITH THE ,MASTERPIECE ,THEATRE PATCH ON IT4 ,SUDDENLY ,I WISHED HE'D GONE WITH HIS USUAL STOCKING HAT4 ,ORIN LET OUT THIS BIG DISGUSTED SIGH4 8,I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT RESTAURANTS1 DUMMY4 ,I'M TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE'S HOUSES4 ,CRIPES1 ,I'LL BET MY DAD COULD POUND YOUR DAD40 ,I SQUINTED1 TRYING TO LOOK FIERCE4 8,COULD NOT40 ,BUT IT CAME OUT SOUNDING PUNY4 ,AND WHY WOULDN'T IT8 ,IT WAS A LIE4 ,I KNEW ,ORIN'S DAD4 ,EVERYBODY DID4 ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD4 ,ORIN'S ,GRANDMA HAD BEEN CRAZY FOR ,ELVIS ,PRESLEY1 SEE1 OR SO PEOPLE SAID4 ,ORIN'S DAD WAS A LOGGER NOW1 BUT EVERYBODY STILL TALKED ABOUT WHAT A BIG FOOTBALL STAR HE'D BEEN AT ,DOUGLAS ,BAY ,HIGH4 ,NOW HE DROVE A PICKUP WITH GUN RACKS AND A BUMPER STICKER THAT SAID1 8,SIERRA ,CLUB--KISS MY AX40 ,ORIN SNEERED4 8,YOUR DAD'S A WIMP40 ,I SWALLOWED4 ,I KNEW ,I'D NEVER HEAR ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CB THE END OF THIS4 ,MY DAD1 THE COOK4 8,DAD80 ,I SAID ON THE WAY HOME1 RAISING MY VOICE OVER THE ,RAFFI SONG THAT WAS PLAYING ON THE TAPE DECK4 8,DO YOU THINK IT'S WEIRD THAT YOU COOK80 8,IT'S .WONDERFUL THAT HE COOKS10 ,MOM SAID FIRMLY4 ,THEN SHE WHISPERED1 8,LET'S NOT BLOW A GOOD THING1 ,ROBBY40 8,IF IT WASN'T FOR MY COOKING10 ,DAD SAID1 8YOU'D ALL BE EATING ,RICE-,A- ,RONI FOR DINNER EVERY NIGHT40 ,MOM AND ,I TRADED A SECRET LOOK4 ,WE BOTH LOVED ,RICE-,A-,RONI4 ,ALSO BLUEBERRY MUFFINS MADE FROM A MIX AND CANNED ,CHINESE FOOD4 ,DAD WOULDN'T TOUCH THIS STUFF THOUGH1 SO WE ONLY HAD IT WHEN HE WASN'T AROUND1 LIKE WHEN HE WENT TO VISIT ,GRANDMA AFTER HER OPERATION4 8,BUT ,DAD8 ,IS IT USUALLY ALWAYS THE MOM WHO COOKS80 ,I KNOW THIS SOUNDS DUMB1 BUT UP UNTIL NOW1 ,I'D NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT4 8,ARE WE THE ONLY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CC FAMILY WHERE THE DAD COOKS80 8,NO10 ,MOM SAID4 8,LOTS OF DADS COOK40 8,DADS AROUND ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK80 ,NOBODY ANSWERED4 8,WHO80 ,I PERSISTED4 8,SAM ,LOGAN COOKS10 ,DAD SAID4 8,YEAH1 BUT THAT'S BECAUSE HE'S DIVORCED NOW4 ,HE HAS TO4 ,I MEAN DADS WHO COOK EVEN THOUGH THE MOM IS STILL THERE40 ,LUCY AND ,FREDDIE WERE HELPING ,RAFFI BELT OUT 8,DUCKS ,LIKE ,RAIN40 8,QUAAAA ''' QUA QUA QUA QUACK6 ,QUAAA ''' QUA QUA QUA QUACK60 ,FINALLY ,MOM MUMBLED SOMETHING4 8,WHAT80 ,QUACKING DUCKS CAN SURE MAKE IT TOUGH TO HEAR4 ,MOM RAISED HER VOICE4 8,I SAID1 THERE MUST BE A FEW MEN WHO COOK40 ,DAD LAUGHED4 8,LOOK1 ,ROBBY4 ,IN OUR FAMILY1 ,I'M THE COOK4 ,IF IT WORKS FOR US1 THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS40 8,QUAAA QUA QUA QUA QUACK6 ,QUAA QUA ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CD QUA QUA QUACK '''0 ,WELL1 IF IT WAS OKAY WITH HIM1 ,I GUESS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OKAY WITH ME4 ,BUT WAS IT8 #C ,ALARMING ,NEWS ,DAD STOPPED THE VAN AT THE TWO BIG FIR TREES THAT STOOD LIKE GATEPOSTS AT OUR DRIVEWAY4 ,HE MADE THE REST OF US WAIT WHILE HE DISAPPEARED INTO THE DARK DIP WHERE OUR LITTLE BRIDGE CROSSED THE CREEK4 ,ONE BY ONE1 STARTING FROM THE HOUSE1 HE LIT THE JACK-O'-LANTERNS4 8,OKAY10 HE SAID1 FINALLY CLIMBING BACK IN4 8,ARE WE ALL READY FOR A SPOOKY RIDE80 ,HE CUT THE HEADLIGHTS4 8,BILL60 ,MOM SAID4 8,DON'T WORRY1 ,I CAN SEE40 ,IN THE DIMNESS ,I WATCHED ,FREDDIE'S EYES GET BIG4 ,DAD INCHED THE VAN UP THE DRIVEWAY THROUGH THE DRIFTING GROUND FOG1 PAST THE GLOWING FACES4 ,HE TOOK IT AS SLOWLY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CE AS HE COULD1 BUT STILL1 IT WAS OVER TOO SOON4 8,WA MO TINE60 ,LUCY SAID4 ,THAT'S ,LUCY-TALK FOR 8,ONE MORE TIME60 8,HEY1 WHY NOT80 ,DAD SAID4 ,HE CRANKED THE CAR AROUND1 DROVE OUT OVER THE BRIDGE1 AND HEADED BACK IN4 ,WE REPEATED THE LITTLE PARADE1 EVERYBODY OOHING AND AHHING4 ,I GOT IN ON IT TOO1 AND AT THE TOP OF THE DRIVE ,I SAID1 8,ONE MORE TIME60 8,NO1 THAT'S ENOUGH10 ,DAD SAID1 UNBUCKLING HIS SEAT BELT4 ,HUH4 ,SOMEHOW THE BABIES' MAGIC WORDS NEVER WORKED FOR ME4 ,MOM OPENED THE FRONT DOOR AND GROANED4 8,I ALWAYS FORGET WHEN WE'VE LEFT IT LIKE THIS40 ,TOYS COVERED THE FLOOR OF OUR BIG MAIN ROOM4 ,THE BABIES HAD DONE A SHREDDING JOB ON THE DAY'S NEWSPAPERS AND MAIL4 ,SOFA CUSHIONS AND EXTRA BLANKETS WERE STREWN AROUND--THEIR ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CF MORNING FORT4 ,OVER ALL THIS THE CEILING FAN TURNED SLOWLY1 TRAILING CREPE PAPER AND A GLOB OF LIMP BALLOONS FROM ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY LAST MONTH4 8,YUP40 ,MOM PICKED UP A SPROUTED POTATO SOMEBODY'D BEEN PLAYING WITH AND TOSSED IT TOWARD THE KITCHEN END OF THE HOUSE4 8,LOOKS LIKE RUSTIC ELEGANCE TO ME40 ,DAD LAUGHED4 8,LIKE ,I SAID1 ,I DIDN'T WRITE THAT4 ,BLAME IT ON THE AUCTION COMMITTEE40 8,HEY ,DAD8 ,ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO SERVE THIS FANCY ROMANCEY DINNER .HERE80 8,ROBBY1 UNDER ALL THIS STUFF IS A PERFECTLY CHARMING HOUSE40 8,ARE YOU SURE80 ,MOM SHRUGGED OUT OF HER JACKET4 8,WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE LOOKED80 8,IT'S NOT THAT ,I DON'T LIKE OUR HOUSE '''0 ,I SAID4 ,IT WAS PRETTY NICE1 REALLY1 ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU THOUGHT ABOUT IT STARTING OUT AS A BARN4 ,NOW IT ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CG LOOKED LIKE MOST OF THE OTHER HOUSES ALONG HERE--WEATHERED SHINGLES BLENDING INTO THE WOODS4 ,THE INSIDE WAS FIXED UP WITH ALL SORTS OF RECYCLED STUFF--LEADED WINDOWS FROM A CHURCH IN ,ASTORIA1 MAPLE FLOORS FROM THE OLD ,COOS ,BAY ,HIGH ,SCHOOL GYM1 AND ANTIQUE BRASS LIGHT FIXTURES FROM EVERY PLACE IN BETWEEN4 ,I PICKED UP A STRAY RUBBER BAND AND SHOT IT TOWARD THE SECOND-FLOOR BALCONY4 8,IT .IS KIND OF MESSY1 THOUGH40 8,JUST LOOKS LIKE WE LIVE HERE10 ,DAD SAID4 ,MOM MADE A FACE4 8.,WALLOW HERE'S MORE LIKE IT40 8,RELAX1 ,BETH10 ,DAD SAID4 8,WE'LL CLEAN IT ALL UP AND LIGHT SOME KEROSENE LAMPS4 ,IT'LL BE FINE1 YOU'LL SEE40 8,IT BETTER BE10 SHE SAID4 8,FOR SIXTY DOLLARS40 ,DAD AND ,I LOOKED AT EACH OTHER4 ,MAYBE ,MOM WAS SORE BECAUSE HER PAINTING ONLY WENT FOR FIFTY4 ,MOM PULLED ,LUCY AWAY FROM HER STUDIO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CH DOOR4 8,DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT1 KIDDO40 ,LUCY FLASHED HER WICKED GRIN4 ,SHE WAS COMING DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO MASTERING DOORKNOBS1 AND YOU COULD TELL SHE WAS DYING TO GET BUSY ON THE ONLY TIDY ROOM IN THE ENTIRE HOUSE4 ,MOM'S STUDIO HAD TO BE NEAT4 ,HER PICTURES WERE SMALL AND DELICATE4 ,ONE FINGERPRINT COULD RUIN AN ORIGINAL WORTH A HUNDRED DOLLARS OR MORE4 ,SO IT WASN'T LIKE AN ARTIST'S STUDIO YOU MIGHT IMAGINE1 WITH MESSY OIL PAINTS AND MY MOM IN A SPLATTERED SMOCK4 ,MORE LIKE A NICE1 ORGANIZED OFFICE4 ,SOMETIMES WHEN SHE GOT SICK OF TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE MESS IN THE REST OF THE HOUSE1 ,MOM WOULD YELL1 8,I CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE OF THIS60 ,THEN SHE'D GO IN THERE AND SHUT THE DOOR4 ,I WATCHED ,LUCY CLIMB UP TO JOIN ,FREDDIE IN LEAPING FROM THE SOFA ARMS INTO THE REMAINS OF THEIR FORT4 8,WHEN YOU HAVE THIS DINNER10 ,I SAID1 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #CI 8WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THESE GUYS80 ,DAD DRAGGED ,FREDDIE FROM THE PILLOW PILE AND UNZIPPED HIS JACKET4 8,THEY'LL BE THE WAITERS1 OF COURSE40 8.,DA-AD40 8,DON'T YOU THINK ,LUCY WOULD LOOK CUTE IN A LITTLE WHITE APRON80 8,MOM1 HE'S KIDDING1 ISN'T HE80 ,WITH ,DAD1 YOU NEVER KNEW4 8,FREDDIE COULD WEAR A BOW TIE '''0 8,YOU CAN ALL GO OVER TO ,MRS4 ,LUKES'S10 ,MOM SAID4 8,WHY DO YOU THINK ,I BID SO HIGH ON THOSE BABYSITTING COUPONS80 8,OH40 ,THEY'D HAVE TO CLEAR ME OUT1 TOO4 ,SOMETIMES ,I FORGOT THAT ,I WAS ONE OF THE KIDS INSTEAD OF A GROWN-UP4 ,I GUESS THAT COMES FROM HAVING BEEN AN ONLY CHILD FOR SO LONG4 ,I MEAN1 ,I'D BEEN HERE FOR .SEVEN .YEARS BEFORE THESE LITTLE GUYS SHOWED UP4 ,AND BELIEVE ME1 ,I'D BEEN WANTING A BROTHER OR A SISTER4 ,MY MOM SAYS BEING ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DJ AN ONLY CHILD WAS OKAY FOR HER1 BUT ,DAD HAD FOUR BROTHERS AND THAT SOUNDED A LOT BETTER TO ME4 ,THEIR HOUSE WAS WILD4 ,DAD USED TO FAKE NIGHTMARES WHERE HE'D FALL OFF THE UPPER BUNK ONTO ,UNCLE ,FRED AND POUND HIM1 GOING 8,OH1 HELP6 ,MONSTERS6 ,I'M FIGHTING MONSTERS60 ,I WANTED A BROTHER TO TRY THAT ON4 ,MOM AND ,DAD KEPT TELLING ME THEY WERE DOING EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO GET ME ONE4 ,MOM TOOK SPECIAL PILLS4 ,WHEN THAT DIDN'T WORK1 ,DAD HAD TO GIVE HER SHOTS OF SOME SUPER POWERFUL MEDICINE THEY GOT IN ,PORTLAND4 ,STILL NO LUCK4 ,THEN ONE DAY WHEN ,I'D PRACTICALLY GIVEN UP1 ,I CLIMBED DOWN THE LADDER FROM MY SLEEPING LOFT AND FOUND THEM HUGGING IN THE KITCHEN4 ,I WAS JUST HEADING FOR THE STASH OF LEFTOVER ,CHRISTMAS CANDY1 MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS1 WHEN THEY KIND OF GATHERED ME INTO THE HUG WITH THEM1 THEIR FACES ALL GLOWY4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DA 8,GUESS WHAT80 ,MOM HAD TEARS IN HER EYES4 8,YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A BABY BROTHER OR SISTER40 ,AND THEN IT TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF EACH6 ,BOY1 DID WE EVER HIT THE JACKPOT6 ,FIVE IN OUR FAMILY4 ,THAT WAS MORE LIKE IT4 ,I CLIMBED INTO MY LOFT NOW4 ,I HAD A PICTURE ,I'D DRAWN AT SCHOOL TAPED TO THE WALL UP THERE--ME WITH THE TWO OF THEM4 ,WE WERE ALL THREE DIFFERENT4 ,FREDDIE HAD ,DAD'S DARK CURLY HAIR AND BROWN EYES1 ,LUCY HAD ,MOM'S GREEN EYES1 AND SO FAR HER HAIR WAS NOTHING BUT CRAZY TUFTS OF YELLOW FUZZ4 ,AND ME ''' WELL1 DRAWING ME WAS THE HARDEST BECAUSE ,I'M JUST KIND OF AVERAGE4 ,AVERAGE BROWN HAIR1 AVERAGE GRAY EYES4 ,AVERAGE HEIGHT4 ,A LITTLE ON THE SKINNY SIDE4 ,IN THE PICTURE WE'RE PLAYING ONE OF OUR FAVORITE GAMES--,MOUNTAIN ,CLIMBERS-- WHERE WE CRAWL UP THE STAIRS AND GO AVALANCHING DOWN IN A PILE OF BLANKETS AND PILLOWS4 ,I HAD OUR EYES ALL BUGGING ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DB OUT AND SURPRISED AS WE TUMBLED TO THE BOTTOM4 8,FOREVERMORE60 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS HAD SAID WHEN SHE SAW MY DRAWING4 8,YOUR FOLKS LET YOU DO THIS80 ,NOW1 IN THE LOFT1 ,I FLOPPED INTO THE PILE OF STUFF ,I SLEEP WITH--A ZIPPED- OPEN SLEEPING BAG1 A WOOL BLANKET1 MY OLD BABY QUILT1 AND A WADDED-UP SHEET THAT HAD PROBABLY STAYED TUCKED AROUND THE MATTRESS FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS WHEN ,MOM FIRST PUT IT ON4 ,I PULLED A BOOK OUT FROM UNDER MY PILLOW4 ,DOWN BELOW1 ,I COULD HEAR ,DAD TALKING TO ,MOM IN THE BATHROOM WHILE THEY WRESTLED THE BABIES INTO THEIR JAMMIES4 ,HE SOUNDED PRETTY JAZZED UP ABOUT HIS GOURMET PRODUCTION4 8,I THOUGHT SALMON1 FOR SURE4 ,AND THAT SAUT@EED MUSHROOM RECIPE8 ,THE ONE THAT CALLS FOR THE SPENDY CHANTERELLES8 ,THAT'D BE IMPRESSIVE4 ,THEY DON'T HAVE TO KNOW WE WENT OUT AND PICKED THEM OURSELVES6 ,LUCY1 STOP WRIGGLING6 ,WE HAVE PLENTY OF FROZEN RASPBERRIES1 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DC RIGHT8 ,AND WE OUGHT TO GET A LOCAL WINE '''0 8,HOW ABOUT SOME FANCY DESSERT CHEESES80 ,CHEESE FOR DESSERT4 ,NOW THERE'S AN IDEA THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SQUASHED THE FIRST TIME SOME LAME-BRAIN PUT IT INTO WORDS4 ,I DON'T CARE IF ,TILLAMOOK CHEESE IS A BIG DEAL AROUND HERE4 ,DESSERT OUGHT TO BE CHOCOLATE4 ,PERIOD4 ,OH WELL1 ,I WOULDN'T BE EATING IT ''' ,AFTER THE KIDS WERE DRESSED1 ,MOM STARTED READING THEM ..,HOME FOR A .,BUNNY1 ONE OF MY OLD BOOKS4 ,I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS TOO SAD ''' THAT BUNNY GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND DOWN THE ROAD1 LOOKING FOR A HOME4 ,I NEVER LET ,MOM READ LONG ENOUGH TO FIND OUT HE GOT HIS HOME IN THE END4 ,BUT ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY LIKE IT4 ,I LAY THERE ON MY QUILT1 STARING AT THE CEILING1 LISTENING4 ,FUNNY1 ,I'D HEARD HER READ THIS STORY TO THEM HUNDREDS OF TIMES BY NOW1 BUT ,I'D NEVER NOTICED ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DD BEFORE HOW MUCH THAT MEAN OLD GROUNDHOG SOUNDED LIKE ,ORIN ,DOWNARD4 8,NO1 YOU CAN'T COME IN MY LOG60 ,AFTER THE STORY1 ,LUCY AND ,FREDDIE PADDED OVER AND HOLLERED FOR ME TO CLIMB DOWN AND GIVE THEM THEIR GOOD-NIGHT HUGS4 8,WELL1 ,ROBBY10 ,DAD SAID WHEN WE HAD THEM ALL TUCKED IN4 8,THIS IS KIND OF EXCITING1 ISN'T IT8 ,A FANCY DINNER FOR THE NEW ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK COUNSELOR40 8,WHAT80 8,THE NEW COUNSELOR10 ,MOM SAID4 8,DIDN'T YOU NOTICE SHE WAS THE ONE WHO BOUGHT YOUR DAD'S DINNER80 ,MY EYES BUGGED OUT4 ,I FELT MY JAW WORKING BUT NO WORDS CAME4 8,WHAT'S THE MATTER80 ,MOM SAID4 ,DAD WAS WATCHING ME WITH A PUZZLED SMILE4 ,HE LEANED TOWARD ,MOM4 8,LOOKS LIKE A FISH THROWN UP ON A STREAMBANK4 ,WHAT'S THE MATTER1 ,ROBBY8 ,DON'T YOU HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN YOUR OLD DAD80 ,THEY LAUGHED AND TURNED AWAY4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DE 8,MAYBE THIS IS HER WAY OF THANKING YOU10 ,MOM SAID TO ,DAD4 8,SHE PROBABLY REALIZES IT WAS .YOUR IMPASSIONED TESTIMONY THAT CONVINCED THE SCHOOL BOARD TO HIRE A COUNSELOR IN THE FIRST PLACE40 8,YOU THINK SO80 ,DAD SAID4 8,NO1 ,I'LL BET SHE'S JUST INTERESTED IN FINE DINING40 ,NOBODY SEEMED TO NOTICE THAT THE GASPING FISH ON THE BANK--ME--WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK4 ,BECAUSE ,I KNEW THE REAL REASON ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT WANTED TO COME HERE4 ,SHE WANTED TO SPY ON OUR FAMILY6 #D ,PIG ,SNOUTS AND ,OTHER ,WORRIES ,A SHADOW FELL ACROSS MY DESK4 ,I LOOKED UP FROM THE PICTURE ,I WAS WORKING ON4 8,AW1 AIN'T THAT CUTE60 ,ORIN SAID4 8,LOOK AT ALL THEM LITTLE ANIMALS40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DF ,I WENT STIFF4 ,HE AIMED A PRETEND RIFLE AT MY PICTURE4 8,BLAM6 ,BLAM60 ,I JERKED MY ARMS ACROSS THE PAPER AS IF HIS MAKE-BELIEVE BULLETS COULD REALLY HURT4 8,RUN1 LI'L ,BAMBI6 ,RUN60 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS WAS FROWNING OVER SOME PAPERS4 ,SHE HAD A WAY OF ACTING REAL BUSY WHENEVER ,ORIN GOOFED OFF4 ,SOMEBODY SAID SHE WAS HIS MOM'S SECOND COUSIN OR SOMETHING4 ,COULD BE4 ,LOTS OF PEOPLE WHOSE FAMILIES HAVE LIVED AROUND HERE A LONG TIME ARE RELATED TO EACH OTHER4 ,SO MAYBE THAT'S WHY HE GOT AWAY WITH STUFF4 ,MAYBE SHE LIKED HIM4 ,HE CACKLED ALL THE WAY BACK TO HIS SEAT4 ,ROSE ,WINDOM AND ,I TRADED LOOKS4 ,ROSE HAD ONLY STARTED AT ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK THIS YEAR1 AND ALREADY SHE'D HAD HER FILL OF ,ORIN ,DOWNARD4 ,NO WONDER4 ,ON THE FIRST DAY1 ,ORIN SIZED UP HER ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DG CLOTHES AND SAID1 8,OH1 GREAT1 ANOTHER HIPPIE40 ,HE CALLED A LOT OF US HIPPIES-- ANYBODY WHOSE FATHER WASN'T A FARMER OR A LOGGER OR A FISHERMAN4 ,HE WASN'T NICE TO KIDS LIKE ,JASON1 EITHER1 THE ONES WHO LIVED IN BIG SPLIT-LEVEL HOUSES AND HAD PARENTS WHO WORKED IN ,DOUGLAS ,BAY4 8,CITY BOY60 HE CALLED ,JASON4 ,WHY WAS HE LIKE THAT8 ,BEATS ME4 ,MOST OF THE KIDS DIDN'T MUCH CARE WHOSE PARENTS DID WHAT4 ,THEY HUNG AROUND WITH CERTAIN PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY BOTH LIKED BASEBALL OR ,NINTENDO4 ,BUT ,ORIN KEPT WANTING TO SORT PEOPLE OUT AND DIVIDE THEM UP4 8,YOU THINK YOU CAN COME HERE AND TELL US HOW TO RUN THINGS10 HE WAS ALWAYS SAYING4 8,8,DON'T CUT DOWN THEM TREES1 DON'T GO HUNTIN' NO MORE40'0 ,I NEVER SAID ANY OF THAT TO HIM4 ,THOSE WERE THINGS THE GROWN-UPS ARGUED ABOUT4 ,BUT ONE TIME ,I GOT MAD AND ,I DID SAY1 8,HEY1 ,I'VE BEEN HERE AS LONG ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DH AS YOU HAVE4 ,I'VE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE TOO40 8,SO8 ,YOUR ,GRAMPA WASN'T BORN RIGHT HERE IN ,TILLAMOOK ,COUNTY1 WAS HE80 ,HE HAD ME THERE4 ,I HAD ONE GRAMPA IN ,SOUTHERN ,CALIFORNIA AND ,I USED TO HAVE ONE IN ,YAKIMA1 ,WASHINGTON4 ,THEY WEREN'T BORN HERE AND THEY WEREN'T LOGGERS4 8,HE'S JUST SPOUTING WHAT HE HEARS HIS FATHER SAY10 MY FOLKS TOLD ME4 8,IGNORE HIM40 ,PARENTS ALWAYS SAY THAT4 ,HAVE YOU EVER TRIED DOING IT8 ,LATELY1 ,I COULDN'T IGNORE HIM4 ,BECAUSE NOW IT WASN'T JUST HIS USUAL LINE--..,NOBODY'S AS TOUGH AS A .LOGGER4 ,NOW IT WAS3 ..,YOUR DAD IS A WIMP AND SO ARE .YOU4 ,EVER SINCE THE AUCTION1 ,I'D BEEN THINKING ABOUT DADS WHO COOK4 ,ABOUT DADS IN GENERAL4 ,I SHOULD HAVE JUST SAID 8,OH1 WHO GIVES A RIP WHAT ,ORIN ,DOWNARD THINKS80 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #DI ,BUT IT BUGGED ME ENOUGH THAT ,I MADE THE MISTAKE OF BRINGING IT UP TO MY FRIEND ,BEN ONE DAY IN THE CAFETERIA AFTER ,ORIN HAD WALKED BY AND SHOVED ME4 8,ORIN'S SUCH A JERK10 ,I SAID4 8,TRIES TO MAKE A FEDERAL CASE OUT OF IT JUST BECAUSE MY DAD DOES ALL OUR COOKING40 ,NOW THIS IS WHERE ,BEN WAS SUPPOSED TO SAY1 8,THAT'S DUMB40 ,INSTEAD HE SAID1 8,YOUR DAD DOES ALL THE COOKING8 ,THAT'S WEIRD40 8.,BEN40 8,WELL1 DON'T YOU THINK IT IS8 ,A LITTLE80 ,BEN'S OPINION MATTERED A LOT MORE THAN ,ORIN'S4 ,SO CALLING US WEIRD KIND OF HURT4 ,EVEN IF HE HADN'T MEANT TO BE MEAN4 8,WHY DOESN'T YOUR MOTHER COOK80 HE ASKED4 ,MY PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH STUCK TO THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH4 8,SHE DOESN'T LIKE TO40 ,I SWALLOWED HARD4 8,AND SHE'S NO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #EJ GOOD AT IT1 EITHER40 8,WHAT .DOES SHE DO1 THEN80 8.,BEN4 ,SHE'S AN ARTIST1 YOU KNOW THAT4 ,YOU'VE SEEN HER STUDIO AT THE HOUSE40 8,YEAH1 BUT '''0 8,AND LAST MONTH SHE WENT BACK TO WORK AT THE PRINTING SHOP40 8,YEAH80 ,HE TWISTED THE TOP OFF HIS ORANGE ,SQUEEZIT4 8,SO WHO'S TAKING CARE OF THE TWINS80 8,MY DAD4 ,MOSTLY40 8,OH40 ,HE LOOKED LIKE HE WASN'T SURE ABOUT THIS4 ,I STUCK OUT MY CHIN4 8,WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH THAT80 8,NOTHING10 HE SAID QUICKLY4 8,NOTHING1 ,I GUESS40 ,WERE WE WEIRD8 ,I WATCHED HIM BITE INTO ONE OF THOSE YUMMY CUPCAKES HIS MOTHER MAKES4 ,I GUESS WE WERE DIFFERENT FROM HIS FAMILY1 ANYWAY4 ,THEY RAN THIS DAIRY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ,TILLICUM ,HEAD--GREEN PASTURES FULL OF BLACK AND ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #EA WHITE COWS4 ,HIS DAD DROVE A BIG OLD TRACTOR AND WORE A BASEBALL HAT WITH A ,JOHN ,DEERE PATCH ON IT4 ,I LIKED GOING TO THE ,HAMMONDS'4 ,IT WASN'T A WILD KIND OF FUN BECAUSE ,BEN'S DAD WAS USUALLY BUSY WORKING4 ,BUT ,BEN'S MOM WAS NICE AND THEIR HOUSE WAS ''' .ORGANIZED4 ,AND QUIET4 ,YOU COULD READ THERE4 ,STAYING OVERNIGHT WITH THEM WAS LIKE VISITING ANOTHER PLANET4 ,BUT JUST BECAUSE WE WEREN'T LIKE ,BEN'S FAMILY DIDN'T AUTOMATICALLY MAKE US WEIRD1 DID IT8 ,NEXT ,I TRIED ,JASON ,CORWIN4 ,HIS FOLKS WERE BOTH REALTORS4 ,THEY LIVED IN A HUGE HOUSE PERCHED UP WHERE THEY GOT A TERRIFIC VIEW OF THE OCEAN4 ,THEIR PLACE WAS QUIET TOO1 COMPARED TO OURS4 ,SO MANY ROOMS1 YOU COULD NEVER FILL THEM UP WITH NOISE OR MESS4 ,NOT THAT ,I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE TRYING6 ,EVERY TIME ,I WALKED IN THE FRONT DOOR1 ,I GOT THIS STRANGE URGE TO START THROWING PILLOWS AROUND OR SOMETHING4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #EB ,AS FAR AS FOOD1 MOST OF WHAT ,I SAW AT ,JASON'S HOUSE WAS TAKE-HOME STUFF BROUGHT BY ONE OF HIS PARENTS AFTER WORK4 ,THIS TIME ,I DIDN'T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH4 8,JASON10 ,I SAID1 8DOES YOUR DAD COOK80 8,SURE40 ,GOOD4 ,THEN MY DAD WASN'T THE ONLY ONE4 8,HE DOES ALL OUR BARBECUING IN THE SUMMER40 8,OH40 ,I SIGHED4 ,THAT WASN'T THE SAME AT ALL4 ,RIGHT THEN ,AMBER ,HIXON CAME BY WITH HER EMPTY LUNCH TRAY4 ,SHE STOPPED4 8,DON'T WORRY1 ,ROBBY40 ,SHE LEANED IN CLOSE TO ME4 8,MY DAD DOES ALL OUR COOKING TOO40 ,SHOCK ZAPPED THE ROOTS OF MY HAIR4 ,SHE'D BEEN LISTENING FROM THE NEXT TABLE6 ,WATCHING HER WALK AWAY1 ,I WISHED SHE'D NEVER SEEN ME AT THE COUNSELOR'S1 BECAUSE THIS NEW BUDDY- ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #EC BUDDY BUSINESS GAVE ME THE SHIVERS4 ,I MEAN1 WAS IT SUPPOSED TO PERK ME UP THAT .HER DAD COOKED8 ,WELL1 IT DIDN'T4 ,NOT IF HER FAMILY WAS THE REASON SHE HAD TO GO TO COUNSELING SESSIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE4 ,NOW1 FINISHING UP MY DRAWING1 ,I WAS GLAD WHEN ,MRS4 ,PERKINS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ART TEACHER WAS COMING THE NEXT DAY AND WE'D BE STARTING A SPECIAL PROJECT4 ,WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BRING SHOE BOXES FROM HOME TO MAKE THESE LITTLE DIORAMAS4 ,YOU'D PEEK THROUGH A HOLE AND SEE THE SCENE INSIDE4 ,I THOUGHT IT SOUNDED GREAT4 ,I PUT ALL MY WORRIES RIGHT OUT OF MY MIND AND STARTED PLANNING WHAT KIND OF A SCENE ,I'D DO4 ,AFTER SCHOOL THAT DAY ,ROSE WAS WAITING FOR ME BY THE BIKE RACKS4 ,DARN4 ,I WAS HOPING SHE'D FORGET ,I PROMISED TO STOP BY HER PLACE ON THE WAY HOME4 ,I'D BEEN UP THERE WHEN IT WAS ,AARON ,STINGLEY'S HOUSE1 AND IT GAVE ME THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ED CREEPS4 ,PRETTY SAD LOOKING1 AS ,I RECALL1 AND IT SMELLED FUNNY4 ,I DIDN'T LIKE TO THINK OF ,ROSE LIVING THERE4 ,BUT SHE WAS ALL SMILES4 ,SHE OPENED THE BIG CLOTH BAG SHE ALWAYS CARRIED4 8,I FORGOT4 ,I BROUGHT THIS FOR YOU40 ,IT WAS A PAPERBACK OF ONE OF THOSE ,LITTLE ,HOUSE ON THE ,PRAIRIE BOOKS4 ,LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN READ ABOUT A MILLION TIMES4 8,THANKS40 ,OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY WAS NOT THAT HUGE1 SO ,I WAS ALWAYS GLAD FOR MORE BOOKS4 ,ROSE FELT THE SAME WAY4 ,I GUESS THAT'S HOW WE GOT FRIENDLY SO FAST4 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS THOUGHT BOOKS WERE IMPORTANT TOO1 AS LONG AS YOU READ THEM DURING ASSIGNED READING TIME4 ,WE HAD THIS BULLETIN BOARD WITH A PAPER TRIANGLE ICE CREAM CONE FOR EACH PERSON4 ,EVERY TIME YOU READ A BOOK1 YOU GOT TO PIN ANOTHER SCOOP ON YOUR CONE4 ,ROSE AND ,I HAD A LOT MORE SCOOPS THAN ANYBODY ELSE4 ,ONE DAY ,MRS4 ,PERKINS ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #EE TOLD THE CLASS THAT AT THIS RATE1 ,ROSE AND ,I WOULD PROBABLY BE THE ONLY ONES TO EARN THE REWARD OF REAL ICE CREAM4 ,ROSE AND ,I HAD LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND GULPED1 PARTLY PROUD1 PARTLY EMBARRASSED4 ,THINK HOW EVERYONE WOULD HATE US IF THAT HAPPENED6 ,EVER SINCE THEN ,I'VE BEEN READING TONS OF BOOKS ON THE SLY1 ONLY TURNING IN ENOUGH BOOK REPORTS TO KEEP ,MRS4 ,PERKINS FROM GETTING SUSPICIOUS4 ,BUT BACK TO ,ROSE ''' ,SHE HAS THIS LONG1 DARK1 TANGLY HAIR4 ,HER EYES ARE BIG AND ''' WELL1 ,I DON'T WANT TO SOUND MUSHY--,I'M ONLY TELLING YOU THIS SO YOU'LL KNOW4 ,HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SUNLIGHT SHINING THROUGH A #G-,UP BOTTLE1 SO GREEN AND PRETTY8 ,WELL1 THAT'S THE COLOR OF ,ROSE'S EYES4 ,SHE HAS A WHOLE BUNCH OF SISTERS4 ,YOU CAN RECOGNIZE THEM BECAUSE THEY ALL DRESS THE SAME--LONG FLOWERED SKIRTS AND BIG BULKY HAND-KNIT SWEATERS4 ,WHEN IT'S COLD THEY WEAR HATS MADE OUT OF LEFTOVER ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #EF YARN KNITTED IN FANCY PATTERNS--LIKE ,INDIANS OF THE ,ANDES IN .,NATIONAL .,GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE4 ,NOW SOME OF THE GIRLS IN MY CLASS SEEM KIND OF SILLY4 ,LIKE ,MONICA ,STURDIVANT1 WHO HAS TO HAVE THESE LITTLE MATCHING KITTIES ON ALL HER NOTEBOOKS AND PENCILS AND BOXES OF TISSUE4 ,WHENEVER ,I TELL SOME INTERESTING FACT ,I'VE READ1 SHE SCREWS UP HER FACE AND GOES1 8,NYUH UU-UH60 ,BUT ,ROSE ISN'T LIKE THAT4 ,ROSE EVEN LIKES ,ENCYCLOPEDIA ,BROWN4 ,KIDS WERE STREAMING PAST US NOW1 SOME LINING UP FOR THE BUS1 A FEW UNLOCKING THEIR BIKES4 ,ROSE'S TWO OLDER SISTERS HEADED DOWN THE ROAD1 AND HER YOUNGER ONE--THE FIRST GRADER WITH THE BAGGY TIGHTS--WAITED TO GO WITH US4 ,HER NAME WAS ,CASSIE4 ,WHEN ,AMBER ,HIXON WALKED BY SHE GAVE ME THAT SMIRK AGAIN1 THE ONE ,I WAS BEGINNING TO THINK OF AS THE ,I-KNOW- SOMETHING-ABOUT-YOU LOOK4 ,I WISHED ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #EG SHE'D QUIT IT4 ,SHE STARTED TO GO ON4 ,THEN1 LIKE SHE'D HAD A SECOND THOUGHT1 SHE STOPPED AND TURNED BACK TO US4 ,HER CHIN DID THAT LITTLE STICKING OUT THING4 8,I HAVE TO HURRY10 SHE ANNOUNCED1 8BECAUSE MY ,MOM'S TAKING ME TO BUY A PONY TODAY40 8,WOW10 ,I SAID4 8,I ALREADY HAVE THE BRIDLE10 SHE WENT ON4 8,IT'S PURPLE AND COVERED WITH JEWELS40 ,ROSE AND ,I GLANCED AT EACH OTHER4 8,WELL1 THEY AREN'T REAL DIAMONDS4 ,I NEVER SAID THAT4 ,JUST RHINESTONES4 ,BUT IT COSTED A LOT ANYWAYS40 ,WHAT COULD WE SAY8 ,WHAT COULD YOU .EVER SAY WHEN SHE BLURTED OUT STUFF LIKE THIS8 ,SHE PUSHED BACK HER COWLICK AND JERKED HER CHIN AGAIN4 ,THEN SHE HEADED TOWARD A LONG1 SHINY CAR THAT WAS PULLING UP4 ,SHE'D BARELY GOT IN BEFORE IT PEELED OUT4 8,I'M NOT SURE ,I BELIEVE THAT10 ,ROSE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #EH SAID AS ,I TWIRLED THE COMBINATION LOCK ON MY BIKE4 8,ABOUT THE BRIDLE40 8,SHE ADMITTED THEY WEREN'T DIAMONDS40 8,STILL '''0 ,WE STARTED DOWN THE ROAD1 ME PUSHING MY BIKE1 ,ROSE'S SISTER TRAILING BEHIND1 BANGING A RUSTY ,CARE-,BEARS LUNCHBOX ON HER KNEE4 ,IT WAS A PRETTY DAY1 THE SUN LIGHTING UP THE ORANGE VINE MAPLE AT THE EDGE OF THE FOREST4 8,LOOK OUT1 .GIRLS60 ,ORIN SWOOPED BY ON HIS BIKE1 MAKING US ALL JUMP TOWARD THE DITCH4 8,THAT JERK10 ,I SAID4 ,MY SHIN HURT WHERE ,I'D BASHED IT AGAINST MY BIKE PEDAL4 ,WE WALKED THROUGH THE COVERED BRIDGE WITHOUT TALKING1 THE .BAM .BAM OF THE LUNCHBOX ECHOING BEHIND US4 ,I'D BE GLAD WHEN WE WERE SAFELY UP ,ROSE'S DRIVEWAY AND OUT OF SIGHT4 ,I DIDN'T WANT PEOPLE NOTICING ME GOING HOME WITH HER4 ,MAYBE SHE FELT FUNNY TOO4 8,ROBBY80 SHE FINALLY SAID4 8,DO YOU ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #EI THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE AN EXTRA SHOE BOX ,I COULD USE8 ,FOR THE ART PROJECT80 8,PROBABLY40 ,I WAS PUZZLED4 8,WHY80 ,SHE KICKED AT A ROCK WITH THE WORN TOE OF HER BOOT4 8,WE DON'T GET MANY SHOES NEW4 ,IN BOXES40 8,OH4 ,WELL1 SURE4 ,I'LL FIND ONE FOR YOU40 8,THANKS40 ,WE WALKED SOME MORE1 THEN ,I DECIDED TO TRY HER ON MY QUESTION OF THE DAY4 8,ROSE8 ,DOES YOUR DAD COOK80 ,SHE TURNED THOSE BIG GREEN EYES ON ME4 8,I DON'T HAVE A DAD40 8,OH40 8,I MEAN1 ,I DID1 BUT HE'S GONE4 ,I DON'T REMEMBER HIM COOKING THOUGH4 ,WHY80 ,I LOOKED AT HER A MOMENT4 8,I JUST WONDERED40 ,BUT NOW ,I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT HAVING A DAD WHO COOKED4 ,I WAS THINKING ABOUT HAVING NO DAD AT ALL4 ,WITHOUT MY DAD1 OUR FAMILY WOULD HAVE A BIG HOLE IN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FJ IT4 8,MY DAD WAS OKAY10 ,ROSE SAID1 AS IF ,I'D ASKED HER4 8,NOT MEAN OR ANYTHING4 ,MOM SAYS HE JUST WOULDN'T SETTLE DOWN40 8,OH40 ,I HAD NEVER TALKED TO ANYONE WHOSE DAD HAD UP AND RUN OFF BEFORE4 ,I WASN'T SURE WHAT A PERSON WAS SUPPOSED TO SAY4 8,DO YOU KNOW WHERE HE IS NOW80 8,CALIFORNIA1 WE THINK4 ,MY MOM'S TRYING TO FIND HIM BECAUSE HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE SENDING MONEY FOR ME4 ,I HOPE SHE DOES4 ,IF ,I CAN'T HAVE A DAD1 ,I'D AT LEAST LIKE TO HAVE SOME NEW SHOES60 ,MY MOUTH TWITCHED1 TRYING TO SMILE4 ,NICE SHE COULD JOKE ABOUT IT1 ,I GUESS4 ,MAYBE HE LEFT SO LONG AGO SHE WAS USED TO THE IDEA4 8,INSTEAD OF A DAD AND MOM10 ,ROSE SAID1 8,I SORT OF HAVE TWO MOMS RIGHT NOW4 ,WHEN MY MOM'S FRIEND ,SHELLEY GOT DIVORCED1 SHE AND MY MOM DECIDED TO GO TOGETHER AND RENT A HOUSE UP HERE TO SAVE MONEY40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FA 8,WOW40 ,I PICTURED MY MOTHER DOUBLE1 TELLING ME TO PULL UP MY SOCKS1 PUT MY STUFF AWAY ''' 8,TWO MOMS4 ,DON'T THEY DRIVE YOU CRAZY80 ,ROSE THOUGHT4 8,NO1 NOT REALLY4 ,IT'S OKAY4 ,I'D RATHER HAVE A FATHER ''' ,IF ,I COULD HAVE A GOOD ONE1 BUT ''' ACTUALLY1 IT'S OKAY40 8,WAIT A MINUTE40 ,I GLANCED BEHIND US AND LOWERED MY VOICE4 8,WHAT ABOUT ALL THESE SISTERS80 ,SHE SMILED4 8,HAVEN'T YOU HEARD OF STEPSISTERS80 8,UH1 MOSTLY WICKED ONES40 8,THAT'S FAIRY TALES4 ,IN REAL LIFE1 MINE HAVE BEEN KIND OF FUN40 ,SHE TURNED TO CHECK ON ,CASSIE4 8,THEY'RE NOT FOR- REAL STEPSISTERS1 OF COURSE1 BUT IT PROBABLY FELLS ABOUT THE SAME40 ,I WATCHED HER STOOP TO TIE ,CASSIE'S SHOE4 ,FUNNY1 WHEN YOU THOUGHT ABOUT IT1 THE DIFFERENT WAYS A FAMILY COULD BE4 ,WE TURNED UP HER MUDDY DRIVE NOW4 ,I FELT BETTER WHEN ,I SAW THE HOUSE4 ,THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FB WEATHERED SHINGLE SIDING WAS THE SAME1 BUT THEY'D GIVEN THE TRIM A FRESH COAT OF RED4 ,WOOD SMOKE CURLED FROM THE CHIMNEY4 ,I WIPED THE MUD OFF MY SHOES AND FOLLOWED ,ROSE INSIDE4 ,I STARED4 ,THE PLACE LOOKED SO DIFFERENT4 ,THEY'D HUNG QUILTS ON THE WALLS AND DRAPED AFGHANS OVER THE SOFAS4 ,THIS WASN'T A HOUSE--IT WAS A NEST6 ,LITTLE EMBROIDERED PICTURES WERE EVERYWHERE4 ,I SWEAR1 ANYTHING YOU COULD DO WITH A NEEDLE AND THREAD1 THESE PEOPLE DID4 ,NOW FOR BEST SMELLS IN THE WORLD1 YOU HAVE TO PUT BAKING BREAD RIGHT UP THERE AT THE TOP1 AND THAT'S WHAT ,ROSE'S HOUSE SMELLED LIKE4 ,HER MOTHER WAS JUST TAKING IT OUT OF THE OVEN4 ,SHE CUT A THICK1 HOT SLICE FOR EACH OF US KIDS1 AND POURED GLASSES OF FRESH-PRESSED APPLE CIDER4 ,AFTER THAT ,ROSE SHOWED ME HER WOODEN CRATE BOOKSHELVES WHERE SHE KEPT HER BOOKS1 AND THEN WE WENT OUTSIDE4 ,NOW ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FC THAT WE WERE AT HER HOUSE1 AWAY FROM THE OTHER KIDS AT SCHOOL1 ,I DIDN'T FEEL SO SHY ABOUT TALKING4 ,ROSE STOOD IN THE TIRE SWING AND SPUN1 LEANING BACK1 STARING UP THROUGH THE TREE BRANCHES4 8,ARE YOU COMING TO THE ,HALLOWEEN PARTY NEXT WEEK80 8,SURE4 ,YOU80 8,MMM HMM40 ,SHE JUMPED DOWN4 8,HOW ABOUT YOUR DAD80 8,YEAH1 HE'S COMING TOO40 ,I CLIMBED ONTO THE TIRE4 8,HE SIGNED UP TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE APPLE BOBBING40 8,OH40 ,ROSE SEEMED PLEASED4 ,I THINK SHE LIKES MY DAD4 ,SHE SAT WITH US ON THE BUS FOR THE FIELD TRIP UP TO THE CHEESE FACTORY AND ,DAD HAD HER GIGGLING ALL THE WAY TO ,TILLAMOOK WITH THESE COIN TRICKS HE DOES4 ,I PUMPED THE SWING HIGHER1 REMEMBERING THAT4 ,THEN ,I REMEMBERED SOMETHING ELSE--,AMBER1 ON THE BUS WITH US4 8,MY DAD DOES THAT SAME TRICK10 SHE'D SAID4 8,AND HE STAYS HOME AND ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FD TAKES CARE OF MY BABY BROTHER JUST LIKE YOU DO1 ,MR4 ,HUMMER40 ,DARN4 ,I STOPPED SWINGING4 ,I WISHED ,I'D QUIT HEARING EVERYTHING ,AMBER ,HIXON EVER SAID COMING BACK TO ME4 ,AND WAIT A MINUTE--.BABY .BROTHER8 ,NOW THAT ,I THOUGHT OF IT1 ,I WAS SURE ,AMBER HAD SAID .HER MOM WAS GOING TO HAVE TWINS4 ,SHE'D WHISPERED IT TO ME THE DAY ,I GAVE EVERYONE CHOCOLATE CIGARS TO CELEBRATE ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY GETTING BORN4 ,WELL1 THAT WAS TWO YEARS AGO4 ,I'M NO EXPERT1 BUT SHOULDN'T THOSE TWINS HAVE BEEN BORN BY NOW8 ,SHE ONLY MENTIONED THIS BABY BROTHER1 AND HOW WAS ,I TO KNOW8 ,I COULDN'T REMEMBER SEEING HER FAMILY AT ANY SCHOOL PROGRAMS1 AND ,I'D NEVER HEARD ANYBODY TALKING ABOUT GOING OVER TO HER HOUSE4 ,AMBER ONLY MENTIONED HER FAMILY IN THESE LITTLE BULLETINS ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO OR BUY4 8,YOUR DAD IS SO NICE10 ,ROSE SAID4 8,YEAH40 ,I BET HE WOULD LOOK GOOD TO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FE SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T HAVE A DAD AT ALL4 ,AND ,AMBER SEEMED TO LIKE HIM1 ALTHOUGH ,I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SHE WAS COMPARING HIM TO4 ,BUT HOW WOULD HE LOOK TO SOMEONE LIKE ,ORIN WHO HAD A DAD8 ,A BIG STRONG ONE8 ,SUDDENLY1 BETWEEN THE SWING AND THINKING ABOUT ,AMBER AND REMEMBERING HOW ,DAD PLANNED TO DRESS UP FOR THE ,HALLOWEEN PARTY1 MY STOMACH FELT FUNNY4 ,BEFORE1 ,I ALWAYS FELT KIND OF PROUD WHEN HE WOULD COME IN A COSTUME AND MAKE EVERYONE LAUGH4 ,BUT NOW ,I HAD TO THINK3 ,WHAT KIND OF GRIEF WOULD ,ORIN GIVE ME WHEN HE SAW MY DAD WEARING A RUBBER PIG SNOUT8 ,AND WHAT WOULD ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT SAY ABOUT A GROWN MAN WITH A CURLY PIG TAIL ATTACHED TO THE SEAT OF HIS JEANS8 #E ,ON THE ,HOT ,SEAT ,AGAIN ,MRS4 ,PERKINS'S TIMING WAS PERFECT4 ,I WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF WORKING ON ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FF MY DIORAMA THE NEXT ,MONDAY WHEN SHE MOTIONED ME UP TO HER DESK4 8,IT'S TIME FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT WITH ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT10 SHE SAID WHEN ,I GOT THERE4 ,I STARED AT HER4 8,BUT ,I TALKED TO HER .LAST WEEK40 8,COME ALONG10 SHE SAID1 AND ,I HAD TO FOLLOW HER OUT INTO THE HALL4 8,ROBERT1 YOU HAVE TO SEE THE COUNSELOR MORE THAN ONCE TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT40 8,BUT ,I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY TO HER4 ,AND ANYWAY1 ,I ALREADY GOT THE MESSAGE ABOUT NOT READING SO MUCH40 8,I'M NOT SURE IT SANK IN4 ,MRS4 ,ELLIOT SAW YOU PULLING A PAPERBACK OUT OF YOUR JACKET ON THE PLAYGROUND YESTERDAY40 8,OH40 ,FOR ,PETE'S SAKE1 THIS SCHOOL WAS A SPY NETWORK4 8,BESIDES1 ALL THIS READING IS JUST A SYMPTOM4 ,WE THINK MAYBE ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT CAN GET AT YOUR DEEPER PROBLEM40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FG ,MY DEEPER PROBLEM4 ,THAT SOUNDED SO GLOOMY4 8,NOW RUN ALONG40 ,SHE GLANCED AT HER WATCH4 8,SHE'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU40 ,I TRUDGED DOWN THE HALL4 ,MY FEET FELT SO HEAVY ,I ALMOST THOUGHT ,I .WAS LUGGING SOME BIG PROBLEM4 ,GOOD GRIEF1 HOW COULD THIS BE HAPPENING TO ME8 .,ME1 ,ROBBY ,HUMMER1 WHO USED TO BE KNOWN 7,I THOUGHT7 AS A PRETTY GOOD KID4 ,THE DOOR TO THE LITTLE ROOM WAS OPEN AND ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT WAS ALREADY SITTING IN THERE4 8,COME ON IN1 ,ROBBY4 ,HOW'S IT GOING80 ,I GAVE HER A BLEAK LOOK4 ,HOW COULD THINGS BE GOOD IF ,I WAS HERE8 ,BUT AT FIRST IT WASN'T SO BAD4 ,SHE STARTED MAKING CHITCHAT ABOUT THINGS4 ,I SORT OF LIKED IT1 HER ASKING MY OPINION ABOUT A NEW MOVIE AND IF ,I COULD TELL HER THE BEST BOOKSTORE IN ,DOUGLAS ,BAY4 ,SHE GOT ME TALKING ABOUT A BOOK ,I WAS READING4 ,IN FACT1 SHE SEEMED SO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FH INTERESTED ,I LAID OUT THE WHOLE PLOT FOR HER4 ,I EVEN GOT UP TO ACT OUT A COUPLE OF SCENES4 ,THAT MADE HER SMILE1 AND SHE REALLY DID HAVE A NICE SMILE4 ,HER LAUGH WAS EVEN BETTER4 ,SHE LOVED THE PART WHERE ,I SHOWED HOW THE HERO WRESTLED THE PYTHON--,I WAS DOWN ON THE FLOOR--AND HOW IT GOT HIM AROUND THE NECK AND HE STARTED TO CHOKE ''' 8,ARGH ARGH ARGH6660 8,EVERYTHING OKAY IN HERE80 ,I OPENED MY EYES AND SAW ,MR4 ,DE,WEESE1 THE PRINCIPAL1 STARING AT ME4 ,I LET GO OF MY NECK4 ,I SAT UP4 8,YES1 FINE1 FINE10 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT SAID4 ,SHE CLEARED HER THROAT4 8,ROBBY WAS JUST ''' AH ''' DEMONSTRATING SOMETHING FOR ME40 8,OH1 ,I SEE40 ,I DON'T THINK ,MR4 ,DE,WEESE SAW AT ALL4 ,HE LOOKED AT HER4 ,HE LOOKED AT ME4 ,THEN HE PULLED HIS HEAD BACK INTO HIS OFFICE AND CLOSED THE DOOR4 8,WELL10 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT SAID AS ,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #FI CRAWLED BACK UP INTO MY CHAIR4 8,WELL40 ,HER LIPS PRESSED TOGETHER1 BUT HER EYES WERE STILL SMILING4 8,MAYBE WE'D BETTER GET DOWN TO BUSINESS40 ,NOW THINGS STARTED GOING DOWNHILL4 ,FIRST SHE WENT OVER WHAT WE'D TALKED ABOUT THE WEEK BEFORE--ME READING SO MUCH1 ME AVOIDING SPORTS1 HOW ,I HAD TO GET USED TO NOT BEING AN ONLY CHILD ANYMORE ''' ,THEN SHE BROUGHT UP SOMETHING NEW-- ,DAD BEING UNEMPLOYED4 8,THAT'S CORRECT1 ISN'T IT80 SHE SAID4 8,HE DOESN'T HAVE A JOB RIGHT NOW80 8,HE HAS A JOB4 ,HE TAKES CARE OF THE TWINS40 8,OF COURSE1 AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT4 ,BUT ,I MEANT A JOB OUTSIDE THE HOME40 8,IF HE HAD A JOB OUTSIDE THE HOME10 ,I SAID1 8WE'D HAVE TO PAY SOMEBODY ELSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE BABIES4 ,THAT WOULD BE A JOB FOR THEM1 RIGHT8 ,SO HOW COME IT ISN'T A JOB FOR MY DAD80 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GJ 8,GOOD POINT60 ,SHE BEAMED AT ME1 SURPRISED4 8,I CAN SEE NOT MUCH GETS PAST YOU40 ,FOR A MOMENT ,I FELT PRETTY GOOD1 BUT THEN SHE STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE STRESSES ON A FAMILY WHEN A FATHER IS UNEMPLOYED AND THE MOTHER IS WORKING1 HOW IT CAN BE SO HARD FOR EVERYONE ''' 8,BUT ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT8 ,I THINK MY DAD .LIKES TAKING CARE OF THE BABIES40 8,WELL1 OF COURSE HE DOES1 ,ROBBY4 ,I'M SURE HE LOVES THEM VERY MUCH40 ,BUT SOMEHOW ,I HAD THE FEELING SHE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND4 ,DAD DIDN'T JUST LOVE THE BABIES1 HE HONESTLY ENJOYED BEING THE ONE WHO TOOK CARE OF THEM4 ,THAT'S A DIFFERENT THING4 8,I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL HE'S WILLING TO PITCH IN LIKE THIS UNTIL SOMETHING COMES UP FOR HIM40 ,I SIGHED4 ,I JUST WASN'T GETTING THROUGH TO HER4 ,SHE SEEMED TO HAVE THIS PICTURE IN HER MIND OF HOW OUR FAMILY LIVED1 AND NOTHING ,I SAID COULD CHANGE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GA IT4 ,MAYBE THAT'S WHY ,I DIDN'T TRY TO EXPLAIN ABOUT ,MOM GETTING THE MONEY FROM ,GRAMPA ,BROOKS'S HOUSE WHEN HE DIED1 HOW WE WEREN'T RICH BUT WE HAD ENOUGH SO ,DAD COULD STAY HOME WITH THE BABIES FOR A WHILE IF HE WANTED4 8,HE MUST REALLY HAVE HIS HANDS FULL10 SHE WENT ON4 8,DO YOU EVER FEEL HE DOESN'T HAVE AS MUCH TIME FOR YOU ANYMORE80 ,I LOOKED AT HER SITTING THERE1 SO NICE AND SYMPATHETIC4 ,SHE WAS .TRYING TO UNDERSTAND4 8,YEAH10 ,I SAID4 8,SOMETIMES40 ,I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW HE'D PROMISED TO PLAY CHECKERS WITH ME THE OTHER NIGHT AFTER THE BABIES WERE DOWN1 AND THEN KEPT FALLING ASLEEP RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME4 ,SO ,I TOLD HER ABOUT THAT1 AND BEFORE ,I KNEW IT1 ,I WAS SORT OF COMPLAINING HOW ,DAD AND ,I HADN'T REALLY BEEN ABLE TO HANG OUT TOGETHER SINCE THAT FIRST WEEK WHEN ,MOM AND THE BABIES HAD TO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GB STAY IN THE HOSPITAL IN ,SALEM4 ,I TALKED ABOUT WHAT A GREAT TIME WE'D HAD THEN1 SITTING BY THE WOOD STOVE AT NIGHT1 EATING CHOCOLATE CIGARS AND LISTENING TO THE RAIN BEAT ON THE CEDAR- SHINGLED ROOF1 HOW ,DAD TOLD ME AGAIN ABOUT MY BEING BORN RIGHT IN OUR HOUSE AND MY FIRST BED BEING A WOODEN APPLE BOX4 8,HE SAYS ,I'M LUCKY4 ,I CAN LEAVE DOORS OPEN ALL MY LIFE1 AND WHEN PEOPLE SAY ,8,WHAT'S THE MATTER8 ,WERE YOU BORN IN A BARN80' ,I CAN SAY ,8,YES60'0 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT SMILED AT THAT4 ,THEN ,I TOLD HOW ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS USED TO BE RIDING WITH ,DAD IN THE PICKUP1 COMING HOME WITH A LOAD OF FIREWOOD WE'D CHOPPED1 KNOWING ,MOM WOULD FIX HOT CHOCOLATE FOR US4 ,THESE DAYS ,MOM USED THE PICKUP TO GET TO WORK4 ,I HADN'T RIDDEN IN IT IN AGES4 ,BEFORE THE BABIES1 WE USED TO TAKE TRIPS AND VISIT MY COUSINS1 BUT THAT WAS TOO HARD NOW4 ,HECK1 WE COULDN'T EVEN GO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GC OUT TO EAT4 ,WELL1 WE DID ONCE1 BUT BETWEEN ,LUCY SPILLING ICE WATER IN MY LAP AND ,FREDDIE UNSTICKING SOMEBODY ELSE'S OLD CHEWING GUM FROM UNDER THE TABLE AND CHEWING IT1 ,MOM AND ,DAD GOT KIND OF CRABBY4 8,OKAY1 ,I ADMIT IT10 ,I SAID TO ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT4 8,I WASN'T EXACTLY ,MR4 ,CHEERFUL MYSELF4 ,BUT ,I STILL DON'T THINK MY MOM SHOULD HAVE MADE THAT CRACK ABOUT WISHING THEY'D ASKED FOR A TABLE IN THE ,NO-,WHINING SECTION40 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT NODDED SYMPATHETICALLY4 8,I MEAN1 HOW POLITE CAN A GUY BE EXPECTED TO ACT WITH ICE WATER IN HIS PANTS80 ,I SHOOK MY HEAD1 REMEMBERING4 8,THE LAST STRAW WAS WHEN ,LUCY GRABBED THE HAIR OF THE LADY IN THE NEXT BOOTH4 ,8,I'M SORRY1 ,BETH10' MY DAD SAYS TO MY MOM1 AND HE'S SAYING THIS LOUD ENOUGH FOR EVERYBODY IN THE PLACE TO HEAR4 ,8,I'M SORRY1 BUT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GD LAST TIME WE OFFER TO TAKE ,MONA'S KIDS ANYWHERE60'0 ,I RUBBED MY HEEL AGAINST MY SHIN4 8,WE HAVEN'T BEEN TO A RESTAURANT SINCE40 8,IS THAT SOMETHING YOU MISS80 8,NOT REALLY4 ,THAT DOESN'T MATTER AT ALL COMPARED TO OUR TRIP TO ,POWELL'S ,BOOKS4 ,YOU KNOW1 IN ,PORTLAND80 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT'S FACE LIT UP4 8,OH1 IT'S A WONDERFUL STORE4 ,ARE YOU GOING THERE80 8,WELL1 ,I WANT TO4 ,MOM AND ,DAD HAVE BEEN PROMISING ME WE WILL4 ,I MEAN1 EVERY TIME ,I SEE THE AD ON ,,TV AFTER .,READING .,RAINBOW ,I PRACTICALLY START DROOLING4 ,YOU KNOW1 WHERE THEY CALL IT A ,CITY OF ,BOOKS8 ,A WHOLE BLOCK8 ,WOW4 ,I'VE BEEN SAVING MY ALLOWANCE FOR MONTHS NOW40 ,I SIGHED4 8,WE'LL NEVER GET THERE AT THIS RATE1 THOUGH4 ,EVERY TIME WE PLAN TO GO SOMETHING COMES UP-- ,FREDDIE GETS ANOTHER EAR INFECTION1 ,MOM HAS TO WORK1 THE VAN BREAKS DOWN '''0 ,I GLANCED AT ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT4 8,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GE DON'T BLAME ANY OF THIS ON THE BABIES1 THOUGH40 8,OF COURSE NOT40 8,I MEAN1 THEY DIDN'T ASK TO BE BORN40 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT SMILED4 8,BUT SOMETIMES '''0 8,YES80 8,WELL1 SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE ,I'M ALWAYS GETTING IN TROUBLE OVER THEM4 ,THEY DO SOMETHING BAD AND ,DAD GETS MAD AT .ME BECAUSE ,I DIDN'T STOP THEM4 ,I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR60 8,NO1 ,I CAN SEE WHY YOU'D FEEL THAT WAY40 ,SHE GLANCED AT HER WATCH4 8,OH1 DEAR1 ,I WISH ,I COULD HEAR MORE ABOUT IT NOW BUT ,I'M AFRAID OUR TIME IS UP4 ,LET'S REMEMBER TO TALK ABOUT THAT NEXT WEEK1 OKAY80 8,UH '''0 ,RIGHT THEN THAT DIDN'T SOUND SO BAD4 ,NOBODY HAD LISTENED TO ME TALK THIS LONG IN AGES4 8,I GUESS10 ,I FINALLY SAID4 8,OH1 BY THE WAY '''0 ,SHE HANDED ME A PAPER4 8,I FORGOT LAST WEEK4 ,I'LL NEED ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GF TO HAVE YOUR PARENTS SIGN THIS40 ,I TOOK THE SHEET4 8,WHAT IS IT80 8,A PERMISSION SLIP FOR COUNSELING4 ,JUST A FORMALITY1 IN YOUR CASE4 ,I KNOW HOW SUPPORTIVE YOUR FOLKS WERE ABOUT THE IDEA OF HAVING A COUNSELOR AT ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK40 ,MY SMILE MUST HAVE LOOKED A LITTLE SICK4 ,I WAS THINKING THEY PROBABLY LIKED THE IDEA A LOT BETTER PICTURING ,ORIN ,DOWNARD IN THE HOT SEAT INSTEAD OF THEIR OWN KID4 ,JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR1 ,AMBER WAS WAITING HER TURN4 ,AS ,I PASSED1 SHE STUCK HER FACE UP SO CLOSE ,I COULD'VE COUNTED THE FRECKLES4 8,YOU DIDN'T TELL ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR FAMILY1 DID YOU80 8,WHAT DO YOU MEAN80 8,I MEAN ,I HOPE YOU DIDN'T GET TRICKED INTO SAYING THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE40 8,I DIDN'T10 ,I SAID UNEASILY4 8,AT LEAST ,I DON'T THINK SO40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GG 8,YOU DIDN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING8 ,ABOUT YOUR PARENTS OR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS AT YOUR HOUSE80 8,NO60 ,WHY WAS ,I LYING8 ,WHY WAS ,I FEELING SO GUILTY8 8,THAT'S GOOD1 BECAUSE SHE CAN BE SO SNEAKY4 ,TAKE IT FROM ME1 ,I .KNOW4 ,SHE ACTS SO NICE1 BUT IT'S JUST SO YOU'LL SPILL YOUR GUTS4 ,THEN THEY GET YOU40 8,GET YOU80 ,MY LEGS FELT WEAK4 8,YEAH1 THEY USE EVERYTHING YOU SAY TO PROVE WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR FAMILY40 8,WELL1 ,I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT MY FAMILY40 ,BUT AS ,I HEADED DOWN BACK THE HALL1 ,I WAS KICKING MYSELF4 ,ME AND MY BIG MOUTH1 COMPLAINING ABOUT ,DAD NOT HAVING TIME FOR ME1 ADMITTING HOW MAD IT MADE ME WHEN THE TWINS GOT ME IN TROUBLE4 ,I'D PROBABLY JUST TURNED MY WHOLE FAMILY IN4 ,I PICTURED ,MOM AND ,DAD SITTING IN THOSE LITTLE CHAIRS OUTSIDE THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE1 HANGING THEIR HEADS4 ,THEY'D HAVE TO WEAR THOSE POINTY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GH DUNCE HATS LIKE YOU SEE IN OLD MOVIES4 ,,BAD ,,PARENTS1 THE HATS WOULD ANNOUNCE IN BIG BLACK LETTERS4 ,AND IT WOULD BE MY FAULT4 ,BACK IN THE CLASSROOM1 IT WAS FREE READING TIME1 USUALLY MY FAVORITE4 ,ONLY NOW1 WHEN ,I OPENED MY BOOK1 THE WORDS JUST BUZZED AROUND THE PAGE4 ,NO WAY WOULD THEY LINE UP IN SENTENCES AND MARCH THE STORY INTO MY BRAIN4 ,ALREADY TOO CROWDED IN THERE WITH ALL THESE BAD THOUGHTS1 ,I GUESS4 ,NOW THAT REALLY MADE ME MAD6 ,IT WASN'T ENOUGH THAT THE SCHOOL PEOPLE WERE KEEPING ME FROM READING AS MUCH AS ,I WANTED TO--NOW THEY'D FIXED IT SO ,I COULDN'T CONCENTRATE ON READING AT ALL6 ,,END ,,OF ,,VOLUME #A ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#A ,,LINDA ,,CREW ,PUBLISHED BY ,DELL ,PUBLISHING ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK ,COPYRIGHT1 #AIIA1 BY ,LINDA ,CREW ,,ISBN #J-DDJ-DJGHH-E ,FURTHER REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OTHER THAN A SPECIALIZED FORMAT IS PROHIBITED4 ,TRANSCRIBED1 #BJJH1 BY ,LADYBUG ,BRAILLE ,PORTLAND1 ,OREGON ,IN ,THREE ,VOLUMES ,VOLUME #B ,BRAILLE PAGES P#A-P#B AND #GI-AFI ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#B ,CONTENTS ,PAGE #F ,THE ,SPAGHETTI ,DISASTER """"""" #GI #G ,PLAYGROUND ,SHOWDOWN """"""""""" #IB #H ,HARD ,HATS AND ,DUCKY ,DIAPER ,PINS """"""""""""""""""""""""""" #AJF #I ,HALLOWEEN ,SHIVERS """""""""""" #AAE #AJ ,TOUGH ,TIMES FOR A ,FAILED ,HERO """"""""""""""""""""""""""" #ACD #AA ,LITTLE ,PURPLE ,FINGERPRINTS #ADG #AB ,GREAT ,WHOPPING ,LIES """""""" #AEH #AC ,A ,HECK OF AN ,HONOR """"""""" #AFD ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #GI #F ,THE ,SPAGHETTI ,DISASTER ,RIDING MY BIKE HOME AFTER SCHOOL1 ,I FELT WEIGHED DOWN WITH DREAD4 ,IF ,I DIDN'T HAVE A BIG HEAVY PROBLEM BEFORE1 ,I SURE DID NOW4 ,THE SCHOOL WOULD BE WANTING THIS PERMISSION SLIP BACK4 ,I HAD TO TELL ,MOM AND ,DAD ABOUT THE COUNSELOR4 ,BY THE TIME ,I COASTED DOWN OVER OUR OWN LITTLE BRIDGE1 ,I HAD MADE UP MY MIND TO COME CLEAN1 TELL ,DAD EVERYTHING1 EVEN ADMIT HOW ,I'D RATTED ON OUR FAMILY BY COMPLAINING TO THE COUNSELOR4 ,I HATED TO DO IT1 BUT HE NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT WE WERE UP AGAINST4 ,I TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND FLUNG OPEN THE FRONT DOOR WITH A BANG4 8,DAD6 ,I HAVE TO TALK TO--0 8,SHH6 ,THE BABIES ARE STILL ASLEEP60 8,OH4 ,SORRY1 ,I FORGOT4 ,BUT ,DAD--0 8,WILL YOU KEEP IT .DOWN80 ,I WINCED4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HJ ,DAD SOFTENED HIS VOICE4 8,I'M SORRY1 ,ROBBY1 BUT THE KIDS HAVE BEEN .EXTREMELY CRANKY TODAY--0 8,I KNOW1 ,I KNOW4 ,AND THEY REALLY NEED THEIR NAPS40 8.,I REALLY NEED THEIR NAPS40 8,OKAY1 BUT ,DAD80 8,DADDDEEEEE60 ,THE THIN WAIL CAME FROM THE BABIES' ROOM4 8,DING-DONG IT40 ,DAD THREW DOWN HIS DISH TOWEL4 8,I S'POSE ,I BETTER GET HER4 ,IF ,I DON'T1 SHE'LL WAKE UP ,FREDDIE AND ,I'LL HAVE BOTH OF THEM ON MY HANDS40 ,HE HURRIED UP THE STAIRS1 LEAVING ME STANDING THERE WITH MY STORY STILL STUCK IN MY MOUTH4 ,I CLIMBED UP INTO MY LOFT AND THREW MYSELF ONTO MY PILE OF BLANKETS4 ,I LAY THERE1 WATCHING THE RAINDROPS SLIDE OVER MY HALF-CIRCLE STAINED-GLASS WINDOW4 ,DAD .DIDN'T HAVE ANY TIME FOR ME4 ,MAYBE ,I WAS WRONG TO COMPLAIN TO THE COUNSELOR ABOUT IT1 BUT IT WAS TRUE4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HA ,DIDN'T SEEM FAIR1 GETTING IN SO MUCH TROUBLE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH4 ,BUT ,I GUESS ,I SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO ,AMBER WHEN SHE TRIED TO WARN ME LAST WEEK4 ,AMBER ,HIXON4 ,EXACTLY WHY WERE THEY SENDING HER TO THE COUNSELOR1 ANYWAY8 ,COULDN'T BE ROWDINESS4 ,SHE WAS QUIET4 ,SULLEN1 YOU MIGHT SAY4 ,EVEN WHEN SHE READ ALOUD SHE BARELY MUTTERED4 ,SHE WAS ALWAYS TELLING ME SHE HAD A SHELF FULL OF BOOKS AT HOME1 BUT ,I DON'T THINK SHE EVER READ ANY4 ,SHE DIDN'T HAVE ONE SINGLE SCOOP ON HER READING ICE CREAM CONE4 ,WERE THEY BUGGING HER FOR NOT READING ENOUGH JUST LIKE THEY BUGGED ME FOR READING TOO MUCH8 ,I SIGHED AND ROLLED OVER IN MY BLANKETS4 ,I WISHED ,I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING LIKE THAT--DUMB1 BUT NOT SO SCARY4 ,BUT WHEN ,AMBER CAME OUT OF THE COUNSELOR'S THAT FIRST DAY1 SHE SAID IT WAS ABOUT SOME PICTURE SHE'D DRAWN OF HER FAMILY4 ,I LOOKED AT MY DRAWING ON ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HB THE WALL1 THE ONE OF US KIDS TUMBLING DOWN THE STAIRS4 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS HAD BEEN SO SHOCKED WHEN SHE SAW IT4 ,GEE1 MAYBE ,I SHOULD'VE STUCK TO ANIMAL PICTURES JUST LIKE ,AMBER SHOULD HAVE STUCK TO UNICORNS4 ,THIS .WAS ABOUT OUR FAMILIES4 ,AND NOW WASN'T ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT ASKING THE EXACT SORT OF NOSY QUESTIONS ,AMBER WARNED ME SHE WOULD8 ,HOW DID ,I EVER GET MYSELF INTO THIS8 ,HOW WAS ,I EVER GOING TO GET OUT8 ,I THOUGHT OF MY PYTHON WRESTLING MATCH AND MY CHEEKS WENT FLAMING HOT ALL OVER AGAIN4 ,HAD ,I REALLY DONE THAT8 ,BUT THE THING IS1 WHEN YOU'RE MAKING SOMEBODY LAUGH1 AND THEY'RE ENJOYING IT SO MUCH1 IT SEEMS ONLY POLITE TO KEEP IT UP1 RIGHT8 ,DOWNSTAIRS1 BOTH KIDS WERE AWAKE4 ,I GUESS ,DAD HAD DECIDED IF HE COULDN'T KEEP THEM QUIET HE MIGHT AS WELL CRANK THEM UP4 ,I HEARD MY FAVORITE ,ZYDECO RECORD START4 ,THAT'S ,CAJUN MUSIC--LOTS OF ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HC FIDDLES AND ACCORDIONS AND SINGING ABOUT THE SPOOKY BLACK BAYOUS OF ,LOUISIANA4 ,WE LIKE TO SCREAM ALONG WITH THE WEREWOLVES AND ZOMBIES IN THE BACKGROUND4 8,ZYDECO6 ,ZYDECO60 THE BABIES ARE ALWAYS YELLING4 ,THAT AND A LOT OF ,FRENCH WORDS NONE OF US UNDERSTANDS4 ,WELL1 ,I DOUBT THERE'S A PERSON ALIVE WHO COULD KEEP FROM DANCING WHEN THEY HEAR THIS MUSIC4 ,I HURRIED DOWN THE LADDER AND SWEPT ,LUCY UP4 ,NOW REALLY1 ,I THOUGHT1 SOMEBODY OUGHT TO CLUE ,MRS4 ,PERKINS IN TO ,QUEEN ,IDA AND HER ,GOODTIME ,ZYDECO ,BAND4 ,BEATS THE HECK OUT OF THE HOKEY POKEY4 ,MAYBE ,I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THE COUNSELOR AT DINNER1 BUT BY THEN ,I DIDN'T FEEL SO DETERMINED ABOUT IT1 AND ,I HATED TO SPOIL EVERYBODY'S GOOD MOOD4 ,AS USUAL1 ,DAD STARTED THE GOOFINESS4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HD ,WE WERE HAVING SPAGHETTI1 SO HE LAUNCHED INTO THAT MUSHY ,ITALIAN SONG FROM ..,LADY AND THE .,TRAMP4 ,YOU KNOW1 WHERE THE TWO DOGS HAVE A ROMANTIC DINNER AND THE WAITERS COME OUT WITH VIOLINS AND ACCORDIONS8 8,THEES EES THE NIGHT1 EETSA BEAUUUUUTIFUL NIGHT '''0 ,FREDDIE CROONED ALONG1 BATTING HIS EYELASHES1 MUGGING LIKE ,DAD4 ,WHAT A HAM4 ,SO ,LUCY DECIDED TO COMPETE FOR ATTENTION WITH NOODLE TRICKS4 ,FLIPPING THEM1 TWISTING THEM4 ,BEFORE LONG BOTH KIDS WERE THROWING NOODLES1 THEIR LITTLE ARMS JERKING OUT LIKE SPRING-ACTION CATAPULTS4 ,I CRACKED UP4 8,ROBBY10 ,MOM SAID IN A WARNING VOICE4 8,DON'T ENCOURAGE THEM40 8,I CAN'T HELP IT10 ,I PLEADED1 CLAPPING MY HANDS OVER MY MOUTH4 ,PARENTS ARE SO WEIRD4 ,ONE TIME SOMETHING MAKES THEM MAD1 ANOTHER TIME ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HE THEY'LL THINK IT'S HILARIOUS4 ,HOW'S A KID SUPPOSED TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT WHETHER THEY'RE IN A FUNNY MOOD OR A MAD MOOD8 ,RIGHT NOW ,DAD LOOKED SERIOUS4 8,WE'VE TOLD YOU OVER AND OVER1 ,ROBBY4 ,JUST IGNORE--0 .,WHAP4 ,A GLOB OF NOODLES SMACKED HIM IN THE EYE4 ,I SUCKED IN MY BREATH4 ,DAD REACHED UP1 WIPED IT AWAY4 ,FREDDIE1 FLINGER OF THE NOODLES1 WAS WAITING WITH A HOPEFUL LOOK4 ,DAD'S EYES NARROWED4 ,HIS BLACK BROWS WENT TOGETHER4 ,OH1 NO1 ,I THOUGHT4 ,HE REALLY .IS MAD4 ,BUT ,FREDDIE WAS STILL SMILING4 ,SLOWLY1 CAREFULLY1 ,DAD PICKED UP A NOODLE FROM HIS OWN PLATE4 ,THEN HE TOSSED IT AT ,FREDDIE6 ,FREDDIE SHRIEKED WITH DELIGHT4 8,OH1 ,BILL40 ,MOM LOOKED AT THE CEILING4 ,LUCY STOOD UP AND SQUAWKED FOR ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HF ATTENTION1 THEN SHE DUMPED HER WHOLE BOWL OVER HER HEAD4 ,WE ALL ABOUT FELL OFF OUR CHAIRS4 ,EVEN ,MOM STARTED LAUGHING IN A TIRED1 ,I-GIVE-UP SORT OF WAY4 ,THROUGH STRANDS OF ORANGE SPAGHETTI1 ,LUCY GRINNED AT EACH OF US IN TURN4 ,MOM AND ,DAD WERE LAUGHING4 ,HOT DOG6 ,THAT MEANT ,I COULD LAUGH TOO4 ,I WISHED THE COUNSELOR COULD SEE THIS4 ,MY NUTTY FAMILY6 ,I WANTED TO MAKE THEM LAUGH TOO4 ,I PICKED UP .MY PLATE OF SPAGHETTI AND TURNED IT OVER .MY HEAD4 ,THE LAUGHING STOPPED4 ,MOM AND ,DAD JUMPED UP4 8,ROBBY6 ,FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD60 ,WARM NODDLES WERE SLIDING DOWN MY NECK4 ,MOM ATTACKED ME WITH A DISH TOWEL4 ,I GUESS THERE WAS A LOT MORE SPAGHETTI ON MY PLATE THAN IN ,LUCY'S BOWL4 ,MOM DRAGGED ME TOWARD THE BATHROOM4 8,WHAT ON EARTH WOULD MAKE YOU DO SUCH ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HG A THING80 8,I DON'T KNOW10 ,I WAILED AS SHE MADE ME KNEEL DOWN AND PUT MY HEAD UNDER THE TUB FAUCET4 ,THINGS HAD GONE FROM GOOD TO BAD SO FAST4 8,ANYWAY1 ,DAD STARTED IT40 ,SHE MUTTERED SOMETHING ABOUT BAD EXAMPLES1 THEN LECTURED ME ABOUT ME BEING NINE AND HOW ,I SHOULDN'T ACT LIKE ,I'M TWO1 ET CETERA ET CETERA ''' ,BUT ALL ,I COULD THINK OF WAS HOW MUCH ,I HATED SHAMPOOS1 ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SHAMPOOING PERSON IS MAD4 ,BESIDES1 A FAUCET FULL OF WATER BLASTING OVER YOUR HEAD IS PRETTY DISTRACTING ''' ,DAD HAULED ,LUCY IN1 SWUNG HER UP ON THE CHANGING TABLE AND STARTED WIPING HER HEAD4 8,POOPY60 SHE CRIED4 8,OKAY10 ,DAD SAID4 8,BUT ONE END AT A TIME40 ,FREDDIE TRAILED IN WITH HIS FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL1 ,BUDDY ,WABBIT4 ,MOM STARTED ROUGHING UP MY HEAD WITH ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HH A TOWEL4 8,HEY1 TAKE IT EASY60 8,SPAGHETTI ALL OVER YOUR HEAD40 ,SHE STOPPED TOWELING AND LOOKED AT ME4 8,WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU1 ANYWAY80 8,I DON'T KNOW10 ,I SAID MISERABLY4 8,MAYBE YOU OUGHT TO ASK THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR40 ,DAD DROPPED ,LUCY'S DIAPER IN THE TOILET AND LOOKED AT US4 8,WHAT'S THIS80 ,A LITTLE WARNING SIGN POPPED UP IN MY BRAIN4 .,DANGER3 .,CONCERN .,AHEAD4 8,OH1 NOTHING40 8,ROBBY10 ,MOM SAID1 8WHAT ABOUT THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR80 ,I WAS ALREADY KICKING MYSELF4 ,WHY DIDN'T ,I KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT8 ,SURE1 THAT WAS NEAT FOR A SECOND THERE1 SUDDENLY GETTING THEIR ATTENTION IN A REAL DRAMATIC WAY4 ,BUT NOW THEY'D WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON IT AND THIS WAS NOT THE GREATEST TIME4 ,I SIGHED4 8,THEY'RE MAKING ME TALK TO THAT NEW COUNSELOR AT SCHOOL4 ,THE ONE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #HI .YOU .GUYS THOUGHT WE OUGHT TO HAVE4 ,THEY THINK ,I'VE GOT PROBLEMS OR SOMETHING40 ,MOM AND ,DAD LOOKED AT EACH OTHER4 ,THEY LOOKED AT ME4 ,I GROANED TO MYSELF4 ,WHEN THEY ACT WORRIED1 ,I START THINKING MAYBE THERE'S REALLY SOMETHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT4 8.,DO YOU HAVE PROBLEMS80 ,DAD SAID4 8,WELL1 SOME4 ,LIKE ,I HATE THAT NEW JACKET YOU BOUGHT ME40 8,COME ON1 GET SERIOUS40 8,I AM SERIOUS4 ,IT'S TOO PUFFY40 8,WELL1 IF THAT'S YOUR WORST PROBLEM--0 8,IT'S NOT1 THOUGH6 ,UM ''' ,ORIN GAVE ME A HARD TIME WHEN ,I BROUGHT A BOOT BOX INSTEAD OF A SHOE BOX FOR OUR DIORAMA PROJECT4 ,HE GOES1 ,8,YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE BETTER THAN EVERYBODY1 DON'T YOU80'0 8,THAT'S NOTHING NEW10 ,MOM SAID4 8,ORIN TEASING YOU40 ,OKAY1 .THINK4 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO UPSET ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #IJ ,DAD1 TELLING HOW ,ORIN KEPT TALKING ABOUT HIS DAD BEATING HIM UP4 ,AND ,I DIDN'T WANT TO HURT HIS FEELINGS ABOUT HIS PIG COSTUME4 ,I HAD TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING SAFE4 8,I'M DREADING FIFTH GRADE10 ,I ANNOUNCED4 8,BECAUSE THEY HAVE THIS PLASTIC MODEL OF THE HUMAN BODY IN THE FIFTH GRADE AND ,I CAN'T STAND THINKING ABOUT THE INSIDES OF BODIES4 ,YOU KNOW THOSE WORMY THINGS8 ,INTESTINES8 ,YUCK60 ,DAD FROWNED4 8,AND THAT'S WHAT THE COUNSELOR WANTED TO TALK ABOUT80 ,LUCY HAD TOPPLED THE DIRTY CLOTHES HAMPER4 ,SHE STUCK A PAIR OF MY UNDERPANTS ON HER HEAD AND PARADED AROUND LIKE A QUEEN WITH A CROWN1 CRACKING ME UP4 8,ROBBY80 ,MOM SAID4 8,HOW ABOUT AN ANSWER80 8,OH1 SORRY40 ,I WAS STILL GIGGLING4 8,WHAT WAS THE QUESTION80 8,DADDY FUSS IT DOWN60 ,FREDDIE YELLED4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #IA 8,ALL RIGHT1 ALL RIGHT10 ,DAD SAID1 WRINGING OUT THE DIAPER4 ,THE BIG DEBATE OVER WHETHER ,I HAD PROBLEMS OR NOT HAD TO WAIT WHILE ,FREDDIE ENJOYED HIS FAVORITE SPECTATOR SPORT--TOILET FLUSHING4 ,HE HELD HIS RABBIT UP FOR A BETTER VIEW4 ,EVERY GOOD THING IN LIFE ,FREDDIE DISCOVERED1 HE WANTED ,BUDDY ,WABBIT TO GET IN ON IT1 TOO4 ,LUCY JOINED THEM AT THE TOILET BOWL4 8,WATCH GO DOWN60 ,FREDDIE ORDERED THEM4 ,DAD SIGHED4 8,WHAT WERE WE SAYING80 ,MOM SHOOK HER HEAD4 8,WOULDN'T IT BE AMAZING IF JUST ONCE WE COULD HAVE A DECENT DISCUSSION ABOUT SOMETHING80 8,HEY1 ,LUCY10 ,I SAID4 8,WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR CROWN80 ,LUCY GRINNED AT ME4 8,UH OH4 ,DAD1 ,I THINK SHE TRIED TO FLUSH MY UNDERPANTS DOWN THE--0 ,WATER4 ,WATER AND WORSE4 ,OVER THE SIDES OF THE TOILET4 ,ALL OVER THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #IB FLOOR4 ,THE BABIES SCREAMING AND RUNNING IN CIRCLES4 ,SLIPPING IN IT4 ,MOM GRABBING THE PLUNGER FROM UNDER THE SINK4 ,DAD LUNGING FOR THE TOILET4 ,DAD SAYING WORDS HE SHOULDN'T SAY ''' ,THANK GOODNESS ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT COULDN'T SEE THIS6 #G ,PLAYGROUND ,SHOWDOWN 8,NOW REMEMBER OUR DEAL10 ,DAD SAID AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER4 8,WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TODAY80 ,I PUSHED A CHUNK OF ,FRENCH TOAST THROUGH THE SYRUP AND REPEATED MY PROMISE IN A TIRED VOICE4 8,WHEN ,I'M OUT ON THE PLAYGROUND ,I'LL PLAY WITH THE OTHER KIDS40 8,GOOD40 ,MOM AND ,DAD HAD DRAGGED IT OUT OF ME WHY ,I'D BEEN SENT TO THE COUNSELOR1 AND THE NEXT DAY ,DAD PUT THE BABIES IN THE WAGON AND HAULED THEM UP FOR A TALK WITH ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #IC ,MRS4 ,PERKINS4 ,HE CONVINCED HER ,I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO TALK TO ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT IF ,I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT4 ,BUT HE ALSO AGREED ,I SHOULDN'T BE READING ON THE PLAYGROUND4 8,BUT WHY CAN'T ,I80 ,I SAID WHEN HE AND ,MOM LAID DOWN THE LAW4 8,I THOUGHT YOU'D BE ON MY SIDE40 8,HONEY1 WE ARE10 ,MOM SAID4 8,AND ,MRS4 ,PERKINS MEANS WELL10 ,DAD SAID4 8,SHE'S ACTUALLY KIND OF A NICE LADY10 ,MOM SAID4 8,DON'T YOU THINK80 ,I SCOWLED4 ,WHY WERE ,MOM AND ,DAD ALWAYS SO QUICK TO POINT OUT THE GOOD SIDE OF EVERYBODY .,I HAD TO GET ALONG WITH8 ,WHY COULDN'T ,I JUST SPOUT OFF AT SOMEBODY ,I WAS MAD AT1 LIKE ,MOM DOES WHEN SHE COMES HOME UPSET ABOUT A CRABBY CUSTOMER AT THE PRINT SHOP8 ,DO YOU THINK SHE'D APPRECIATE ME LECTURING HER ON HOW THE GUY WAS PROBABLY JUST HAVING A BAD DAY AND HE'S REALLY A WONDERFUL PERSON UNDERNEATH IT ALL8 ,NO WAY6 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ID 8,BESIDES10 ,DAD WENT ON1 8SHE'S PROBABLY RIGHT--YOU SHOULDN'T SPEND YOUR WHOLE LIFE WITH YOUR NOSE IN A BOOK4 ,WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE YOU LOVED TO KICK A BALL AROUND THE YARD40 8,WELL1 ,I DON'T NOW10 ,I SAID4 8,BUT WHY NOT80 ,I SHRUGGED4 ,MAYBE IN A WEIRD WAY IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH HAVING ALL THOSE SCOOPS ON MY READING ICE CREAM CONE4 ,IF YOU'RE THE BEST AT ONE THING1 IT BUGS YOU TO BE THE ABSOLUTE WORST AT SOMETHING ELSE--LIKE MAYBE PEOPLE WOULD JUST BE WAITING FOR A CHANCE TO MAKE FUN OF YOU4 8,I THINK IT'S STUPID10 ,I SAID1 8SCHOOL PEOPLE PUNISHING A KID FOR READING40 8,GOING TO THE COUNSELOR ISN'T A PUNISHMENT10 ,MOM SAID4 8,OH YES1 IT IS40 ,BOY1 ,MOM AND ,DAD DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT ALL THE PERSONAL STUFF ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT WANTED TO PRY INTO4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #IE 8,WELL10 ,DAD SAID1 8WE AGREED YOU DON'T HAVE TO TALK TO HER AT THIS POINT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO1 OKAY80 ,OKAY1 SO ,I'D PLAY ON THE PLAYGROUND4 ,BUT THEY COULDN'T EXPECT ME TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT IT4 ,IN FACT1 IT WAS MAKING ME FEEL CRABBY ABOUT ALL SORTS OF THINGS4 ,I FROWNED AT ,MOM4 8,DID YOU FIX THE ZIPPER ON MY BACKPACK YET80 8,OH1 ,HONEY1 ,I'M SORRY1 ,I FORGOT4 ,BY THE TIME ,I FINISHED THE ,HALLOWEEN COSTUMES ,I WAS JUST SO TIRED '''0 8,MO-OM6 ,I'M SICK OF HAVING TO FASTEN IT WITH THOSE DUCKY DIAPER PINS60 ,MOM SIGHED4 8,I NEVER SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME '''0 8,ORIN .SAW THOSE PINS YESTERDAY4 ,YOU SHOULD'VE HEARD HIM4 ,HE MADE FUN OF ME IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY40 8,OKAY1 OKAY1 ,I'LL FIX IT TONIGHT4 ,REMIND ME1 ALL RIGHT80 ,I GLOWERED FOR A MOMENT4 8,AND ,I'M NOT GOING TO WEAR THAT JACKET1 EITHER40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #IF 8,YES1 YOU ARE10 ,MOM SAID4 8,OH1 ,BILL1 LOOK OUT1 ,LUCY'S--0 8,DING-DONG IT60 ,DAD PULLED ,LUCY'S BOWL AWAY FROM HER4 8,WE DON'T PUT ,FRENCH TOAST IN OUR HAIR40 8,I HATE THAT JACKET10 ,I SAID4 ,DAD ROLLED HIS EYES4 8,HAVEN'T WE BEEN THROUGH THIS ENOUGH TIMES ALREADY80 8,DA-AD6 ,IT'S TOO PUFFY4 ,I FEEL DUMB IN IT4 ,PEOPLE'LL MAKE FUN OF ME4 ,I WON'T WEAR IT AT RECESS4 ,I'D RATHER FREEZE40 8,OH1 FOR ,PETE'S SAKE60 ,MOM BANGED DOWN HER COFFEE CUP4 8,I HAVEN'T HAD A NEW COAT IN THREE YEARS40 ,SOMEHOW ,I SENSED THIS WAS NOT THE TIME TO SAY .SO .WHAT8 ,BUT ,I FELT LIKE IT4 ,DID ,MOM NOT GETTING A NEW COAT MAKE MINE ANY LESS PUFFY8 8,THAT JACKET COST PLENTY10 ,DAD SAID1 8EVEN ON SALE4 ,WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE BUYING THINGS AND THEN DECIDING WE WON'T USE THEM4 ,BESIDES1 IN THE STORE YOU SAID YOU LIKED IT40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #IG 8,BUT ,I WAS TRICKED BY ALL THOSE FANCY POCKETS6 ,I DIDN'T WEAR IT LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW IT WOULD FEEL40 8,TOO BAD40 ,I DREW MYSELF UP4 8,THAT JACKET10 ,I SAID1 8MAKE ME FEEL LIKE THE GIRL IN ..,WILLY ,WONKA AND THE ,CHOCOLATE .,FACTORY4 ,THE ONE WHO PUFFS UP INTO A GIANT BLUEBERRY80 ,MOM AND ,DAD LAUGHED4 8,IT'S NOT FUNNY6 ,YOU GUYS JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND40 8,OF COURSE WE DO10 ,DAD SAID4 8,WHEN ,I WAS YOUR AGE IT WAS FLUBBY SHOES4 ,THAT'S WHAT ,I CALLED THESE HORRIBLE SHOES MY MOM MADE ME WEAR4 ,THICK SOLES1 LEATHER4 ,HEY1 ,I WANTED ,RED ,BALL ,JETS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE40 ,I HAD TO STOP A MOMENT TO GET THAT PICTURE IN FOCUS--,DAD AT MY AGE4 8,SO WHAT'D YOU DO8 ,FIGHT HER80 8,OF COURSE40 ,HE PICKED UP A CHUNK OF ,FRENCH TOAST FROM THE FLOOR AND FLUNG IT TOWARD THE SINK4 8,AND THEN ,I WORE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #IH THE FLUBBY SHOES40 8,OH40 8,AND LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT4 ,AND NOW1 AS A MATTER OF TRADITION1 IT'S MY JOB TO MAKE YOU WEAR THINGS .YOU HATE60 8,DA-AD60 8,AND ''' BEING THE DUTIFUL SON YOU ARE1 YOU'RE CARRYING OUT .YOUR PART OF THE TRADITION BY GIVING ME A HARD TIME ABOUT IT4 ,SO1 ISN'T THIS NICE80 ,HE SLAPPED HIS THIGHS AND STOOD UP4 8,NOW4 ,GET GOING OR YOU'LL BE LATE FOR SCHOOL40 ,IT WAS COLD ON THE PLAYGROUND AFTER LUNCH WITH NO COAT4 ,I STOOD SHIVERING IN THE FOURSQUARE LINE1 WISHING ,I HAD A NICE1 WARM1 BROKEN-IN JACKET LIKE ,BEN4 ,DAD SHOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD THAT4 ,HE'S THE SAME WAY HIMSELF4 ,HE .NEVER LIKES NEW CLOTHES4 ,A NEW COAT JUST LOOKS SO ''' .CLEAN4 ,IT STICKS OUT4 ,AND THEN IF IT'S DUMB AND PUFFY ''' ,I SAW ,AMBER ,HIXON HUNCHED UP BY THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #II JUNGLE GYM4 ,SHE LOOKED COLD TOO1 EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD ON THIS FAKE FUR VEST4 ,SHE SAW ME WATCHING AND STARED BACK4 ,I TURNED AWAY1 TRIED TO SHAKE OFF MY BAD THOUGHTS4 ,I WASN'T GOING TO THE COUNSELOR ANYMORE AND THAT WAS THAT4 ,BUT A MINUTE LATER ,I WAS WATCHING HER AGAIN4 ,KIND OF SICK1 ,I KNOW1 GIVING MYSELF THE SHIVERS ON PURPOSE1 BUT ,I COULDN'T HELP IT4 ,REMINDED ME OF COMING ACROSS A SCARY MOVIE AD IN THE NEWSPAPER AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP MYSELF FROM TURNING BACK TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN AND AGAIN4 ,IT WAS FUNNY ABOUT ,AMBER'S CLOTHES4 ,SHE HAD FANCY THINGS4 ,HER JEANS HAD THE SAME LABEL AS ,MONICA ,STURDIVANT'S1 AND ,I KNEW ,MONICA WOULDN'T WEAR ANYTHING BUT THE BEST4 ,BUT SOMETIMES ,AMBER'S CLOTHES WERE DIRTY4 ,OR LIKE TODAY1 SHE'D BE WEARING SLIP-ON SHOES WITH NO SOCKS WHEN IT WAS WAY TOO COLD FOR THAT4 ,THIS WAS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF ,ROSE1 WHOSE CLOTHES NEVER HAD ANY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJJ LABELS BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL HOMEMADE4 ,BUT THEY DID THE JOB4 ,HER MOM KNIT THOSE SWEATERS WITH THE IDEA OF KEEPING HER WARM4 ,I DON'T KNOW .WHAT ,AMBER'S PARENTS WERE THINKING ''' ,I INCHED FORWARD IN LINE BEHIND ,BEN AND ,JASON1 RUBBING ONE SHIN WITH MY HEEL1 THEN SWITCHING AND RUBBING THE OTHER4 ,I DIDN'T EVEN WATCH THE GAME4 ,MOSTLY ,I STARED AT THE PAVEMENT4 ,HMM --AN INTERESTING LITTLE ROCK4 ,I PUT IT IN MY POCKET TO USE IN MY DIORAMA4 ,MY DIORAMA SCENE WAS GOING TO BE ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK1 WITH A TINFOIL CREEK AND OUR HOUSE IN THE BACKGROUND4 ,I WAS USING YELLOW TISSUE PAPER OVER THE CUTOUT WINDOWS TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE COZY LIGHTS WERE ON INSIDE4 ,I STUDIED THE RIDGES CIRCLING US1 THE WAY THE FOG DRIFTED IN SO THAT ONLY THE JAGGED LINE OF FIRS AT THE TOP STOOD OUT SHARP4 ,I WANTED TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THAT IN MY DIORAMA4 ,I WOULDN'T SHOW THE HACKED-OUT PART THOUGH1 THE PART WHERE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJA THEY'D CLEAR-CUT THE OLD-GROWTH TREES AND NEVER REPLANTED4 ,MY SCENE WOULD FACE WEST1 WHERE THE ,V IN THE RIDGELINE SHOWED THE WAY THE CREEK RAN DOWN TO THE OCEAN4 ,FOR THE FOREGROUND ,I WAS MAKING LITTLE CLAY ANIMALS1 PEEKING OUT FROM BEHIND THE TWO BIG FIRS THAT STOOD BESIDE OUR DRIVEWAY4 ,DAD'S BIRTHDAY WAS COMING UP AND ,I THOUGHT IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT PRESENT4 8,WELL1 CHECK IT OUT10 ,ORIN ,DOWNARD SAID1 GETTING IN LINE BEHIND ME4 8,HOW COME .YOU'RE HERE80 ,I SHRUGGED4 8,FREE COUNTRY1 ISN'T IT80 ,WHAT A JOKE4 ,THE ONLY FREEDOM .,I HAD WAS THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE WHICH GAME TO GET CREAMED IN4 ,ALL TOO SOON IT WAS MY TURN4 ,I STEPPED IN THE SQUARE AND RUBBED MY HANDS ON MY THIGHS4 ,JASON SERVED IT UP EASY TO ME4 ,I RETURNED IT4 ,ACTUALLY ,I HIT IT THREE OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE ,I WENT OUT4 ,NOT GREAT1 BUT NOT TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT EITHER4 ,I GOT IN BACK OF ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJB THE LINE1 GLAD TO SEE IT WAS LONGER NOW4 ,ROSE CAME AND GOT IN LINE1 THEN ,JASON TOOK HIS PLACE BEHIND HER AFTER ,ORIN PUT HIM OUT BY SLAMMING ONE ACROSS HIS CORNER4 8,SO WHAT'RE YOU GONNA BE TONIGHT80 ,JASON ASKED ME4 ,EVERYONE WAS EXCITED ABOUT THE SCHOOL ,HALLOWEEN PARTY4 8,IT'S A SURPRISE10 ,I SAID4 ,ORIN SNEERED4 8,THE REAL QUESTION IS1 WHAT'S YOUR .DADDY GOING TO BE80 8,THAT'S A SECRET TOO10 ,I SAID COLDLY4 8,GEESH4 ,HOW COME HE ALWAYS HAS TO DRESS UP1 ANYWAY8 ,NONE OF THE OTHER PARENTS DO40 8,IS HE REALLY GOING TO WEAR A COSTUME80 ,ROSE ASKED4 ,I HUNCHED MY SHOULDERS4 8,YEAH40 8,BUT ,I THINK THAT'S NEAT40 8,YEAH1 ,ORIN1 SO LAY OFF10 ,BEN SAID4 8,WHAT'S IT TO YOU1 ANYWAY80 ,BUT ,ORIN WASN'T FINISHED4 ,HE COULD PLAY AND TALK AT THE SAME TIME4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJC 8,REMEMBER THAT STUPID ,STAR ,WARS BIRTHDAY PARTY THEY HAD80 ,THIS WAS BACK WHEN ,ORIN WAS INVITED TO MY PARTIES BECAUSE HE WAS A NEIGHBOR1 BACK BEFORE OUR PARENTS STARTED ARGUING WITH EACH OTHER AT COUNTY MEETINGS4 8,HIS DAD ACTUALLY DUG A HOLE IN THEIR YARD FOR THE ,RANCOR PIT AND HID INSIDE PLAYING ,RANCOR ,MONSTER4 ,GEESH1 THAT WAS DUMB40 ..,YOU WEREN'T TOO PROUD TO STUFF YOURSELF WITH OUR .CAKE1 ,I THOUGHT1 MY FACE BLAZING HOT4 8,I LIKED IT10 ,JASON SAID4 8,AND REMEMBER HIS ,OLYMPICS PARTY8 ,THAT WAS EVEN BETTER40 ,GOOD OLD ,JASON4 ,NICE OF HIM TO REMEMBER4 ,MY FOLKS WENT ALL OUT FOR THAT ONE--A TORCH-LIGHTING CEREMONY1 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS AROUND THE YARD1 A FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY COMPLETE WITH CHOCOLATE MEDALS FOR EVERYONE4 ,ONLY ONE PROBLEM--,I LOST EVERY EVENT4 ,MAYBE THAT WAS THE DAY ,I DECIDED ,I DIDN'T ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJD LIKE SPORTS4 ,STILL1 IT WAS A FUN PARTY4 8,SO1 ,ORIN10 ,JASON SAID1 8IF YOU'RE SO COOL1 WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE80 ,ORIN PUT A SPIN ON HIS SERVE4 8,NOTHING1 PROBABLY4 ,ANYWAY1 ,HALLOWEEN'S NOTHING BUT DEVIL WORSHIP40 ,WE ALL GAVE EACH OTHER WHAT'S-HE- TALKING-ABOUT LOOKS4 ,THEN ,ROSE LAUGHED4 8,THAT'S FUNNY4 ,MY MOM SAYS IT'S NOTHING BUT .CANDY WORSHIP40 8,YEAH80 ,ORIN CHOMPED HIS GUM4 8,WELL1 THAT'S 'CAUSE YOU'RE JUST A BUNCH OF HIPPIES WHO DON'T KNOW ANY BETTER4 ,YOU PROBABLY DO WEIRD1 SICKO THINGS YOURSELF40 8,OH1 SHUT UP1 ,ORIN10 ,I SAID4 8,SHE DOES NOT40 ,ORIN DROPPED THE BALL AND BELLIED UP TO ME4 8,WHAT'D YOU SAY80 ,I SWALLOWED1 WANTING TO STEP BACK BUT NOT WANTING TO LOOK SCARED4 ,I WAS1 THOUGH4 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO PUNCH IT OUT WITH ,ORIN4 ,HE'D POUNDED ,WEST ,FEIKART ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJE DOWN BEHIND THE ALDER TREES JUST LAST MONTH AND ,WEST WAS A LOT BIGGER THAN ME4 ,STILL1 HE SHOULDN'T TALK TO ,ROSE THAT WAY ''' 8,REPEAT WHAT YOU SAID1 WIMP60 ,I GLANCED AROUND AT THE OTHERS AND TOOK A DEEP BREATH4 8,I SAID1 SHUT UP4 ,IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DRESS UP1 THAT'S YOUR BUSINESS4 ,BUT ,I'M SICK OF YOU PICKING ON ,ROSE40 ,ORIN FELL BACK4 8,OH '''0 ,HE MADE HIS VOICE ALL SWEETSY4 8,ROBBY'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND40 ,THEN HE STARTED SINGING IT4 8,ROBBY'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND6 ,ROBBY'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND60 ,MY FACE BURNED4 ,ROSE .IS A GIRL AND SHE'S A FRIEND4 ,BUT HE MADE IT SOUND LIKE SOMETHING TO BE ASHAMED OF4 ,BUT IF ,I WENT 8,DO NOT60 ,I'D HURT HER FEELINGS4 ,SO WHAT ,I DID WAS ''' NOTHING4 ,I JUST PRETENDED ,I WAS SUDDENLY INTERESTED IN FOURSQUARE AFTER ALL4 ,THIS WORKED1 IN A WAY4 ,AT LEAST ,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJF WASN'T GETTING POUNDED4 ,ORIN KEPT IT UP4 8,ROBBY'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND60 ,HE LOOKED AROUND1 TRYING TO GET THE OTHERS TO JOIN HIM1 BUT NOBODY DID4 ,FINALLY HE GAVE UP AND WENT OFF AFTER ,CODY ,RIDDLE AND ,NATHAN ,STECKLER1 THESE TWO FIFTH-GRADE GUYS HE ALWAYS TAGS BEHIND4 8,BUNCH OF BABIES60 HE YELLED BACK OVER HIS SHOULDER4 #H ,HARD ,HATS AND ,DUCKY ,DIAPER ,PINS ,TWO O'CLOCK THAT AFTERNOON--EVERY PAIR OF EYES RESTED ON ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD1 SITTING UP THERE IN FRONT OF THE CLASS FOR ,JOB ,DAY LIKE A VISITING FAMOUS PERSON4 8,LOGGING10 HE SAID1 8IS THE MOST DANGEROUS OCCUPATION THERE IS4 ,THEY GOT FANCY STUDIES NOW THAT SAY SO4 ,BIG SURPRISE4 ,MORE GUYS GET KILLED OUT IN THE WOODS THAN IN ANY OTHER JOB4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJG ',COURSE ANYBODY WHO'S WORKED ON A LOGGING SHOW COULD TELL 'EM THAT4 ,THEY DON'T CALL THOSE DANGLING SNAGS WIDOW- MAKERS FOR NOTHING40 ,HE TURNED HIS HARD HAT OVER IN HIS BIG1 SCARRED-UP HANDS4 8,Y'SEE1 A HARD HAT'S ONE THING4 ,A BIG OLD ,DOUG FIR COMING AT YOU'S ANOTHER40 ,YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP4 ,NO SMART REMARKS TO ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD4 ,NO WAY4 ,EVERYBODY HAD BEEN COMPLETELY RESPECTFUL THE WHOLE TIME HE TOLD ABOUT HIS JOB4 ,HE WAS A FALLER1 THE GUY WITH THE CHAIN SAW1 THE ONE STANDING BY THE TREE WHEN IT STARTED TO GO4 ,I STOLE A PEEK AT ,ORIN4 ,HE SAW ME AND RETURNED A LOOK OF CALM SATISFACTION4 .,TOP .THIS1 HIS SMIRK SAID4 ,I WENT BACK TO THE TREE ,I WAS DOODLING ON THE BACK OF AN OLD MATH DITTO4 ,IT WAS CHOPPED AND FALLING OVER4 ,,TIMBBBEEERR6 ,I LETTERED4 ,I GLANCED AT THE BACK OF ,ORIN'S BUZZ-SHAVED HEAD4 ,I'D FIX HIM4 ,I DREW HIM INTO THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJH PICTURE AS A LITTLE GROUNDHOG1 RUNNING AWAY FROM THE TREE1 LOOKING BACK OVER HIS SHOULDER1 EYES BUGGED OUT AND SCARED4 8,BESIDES TRUSTING THE GUY WORKING BESIDE YOU1 THE NEXT THING US LOGGERS COUNT ON IS OUR EQUIPMENT40 ,MR4 ,DOWNARD HELD UP HIS CORK BOOTS WITH THE HOB NAILS FOR WALKING IN THE WOODS4 ,HE EXPLAINED HOW HIS PANTS WERE CUT OFF WITH NO HEM THAT COULD CATCH IN THE BRUSH4 ,AND OF COURSE HE SHOWED OFF HIS CHAIN SAW4 ,BACK WHEN ,I WAS LITTLE1 ,I HEARD ,WEST'S DAD1 ,BERK1 CALLING SOMEONE A LOGGER LIKE IT WAS A NASTY NAME4 ,FOR A WHILE1 ,I EVEN THOUGHT IT WAS SOME SORT OF SWEAR WORD4 ,BUT MY FOLKS FINALLY SET ME STRAIGHT4 ,THEY SAID ,BERK JUST GOT CARRIED AWAY SOMETIMES4 ,THEY WORRIED ABOUT TOO MANY TREES BEING CUT DOWN TOO1 THEY SAID1 BUT IT WASN'T FAIR TO BLAME THE LOGGERS THEMSELVES4 ,DAD SAID LOGGERS WERE JUST TRYING TO DO THEIR ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AJI JOBS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE4 ,NOW1 WHILE ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD WAS TALKING1 ,I TRIED DRAWING HIM4 ,I'D NEVER SEEN HIM UP CLOSE BEFORE4 ,HIS SKIN WAS TANNED TO LEATHER AND CRINKLY AROUND HIS EYES--ALL THAT SQUINTING UP AT THE TREETOPS4 ,HIS CHEST WAS BROAD BEHIND HIS RED SUSPENDERS1 AND HIS ARMS --WELL1 HE LOOKED LIKE HE COULD WRESTLE AN ELK TO THE GROUND BY ITS ANTLERS4 ,OF COURSE ,I'D SEEN HIM LOTS FROM A DISTANCE4 ,I HAD TO PASS THEIR PLACE IF ,I RODE MY BIKE DOWN INTO ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK4 ,SOMETIMES ON THE WEEKENDS ,I'D SEE HIM TAKING A CHAIN SAW TO A PILE OF FIREWOOD LOGS IN HIS TURNAROUND4 ,NOW A CHAIN SAW GETS THE JOB DONE ALL RIGHT1 BUT IT SOUNDS AWFUL4 ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD LIKED NOISE1 THOUGH4 ,HE HAD A RIDING LAWNMOWER TO USE ON THEIR TOWN- TYPE YARD4 ,ALSO A MOTORCYCLE1 AN ALL- TERRAIN VEHICLE1 A DUNE BUGGY1 AND A BUNCH OF SNARLY DOGS4 ,SEEMS LIKE THE ,DOWNARDS DIDN'T FEEL THEY COULD WORK ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAJ .OR PLAY RIGHT UNLESS EVERYBODY ON THE ROAD COULD HEAR THEM4 ,SO THERE WERE THINGS ,I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD4 ,ON THE OTHER HAND1 ,I HAD TO ENVY ,ORIN THIS3 ,IF YOU HAD A DAD LIKE ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD AND SOMEBODY SAID1 8,MY DAD CAN WHIP YOUR DAD10 YOU COULD SAY1 8,NO1 HE CAN'T60 AND SURE AS HECK MEAN IT4 ,I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE IN AWE OF HIM1 EITHER4 ,THE WHOLE CLASS WAS4 ,AND AT LEAST FOR TODAY1 ,ORIN WAS GETTING A SHARE OF THIS RESPECT TOO1 JUST FOR BEING THE SON OF SUCH AN IMPRESSIVE GUY4 ,PEOPLE HAD BEEN UNUSUALLY QUIET WHILE ,ORIN READ HIS PART OF THE ,JOB ,DAY REPORT4 8,THAT WAS WONDERFUL1 ,ELVIS10 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS SAID WHEN HE'D WRAPPED IT UP4 8,ANY QUESTIONS1 CLASS80 8,MR4 ,DOWNARD10 ,BEN SAID1 8HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY CLOSE CALLS YOURSELF8 ,I MEAN WITH ROLLING LOGS AND LIKE THAT80 ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD SHOWED HIS TEETH IN A ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAA SLOW SMILE4 8,DON'T KNOW ANYBODY WHO'S BEEN IN THE WOODS AS MANY YEARS AS ,I HAVE WHO HASN'T40 ,DARREL ,MISKOWIEC STUCK UP HIS ARM1 FINGERS SPREAD WIDE4 8,MY DAD'S A LOGGER1 TOO10 HE SAID4 8,NAME'S ,ED ,MISKOWIEC40 8,SURE1 SON40 ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD WINKED4 8,I KNOW YOUR DAD4 ,CHOKER SETTER1 ISN'T HE8 ,RISKY BUSINESS40 ,DARREL FLUSHED WITH PRIDE1 HIS EYES MAKING A QUICK SWEEP OF THE ROOM4 ,HE WANTED IT UNDERSTOOD THAT HIS DAD WAS THE SAME KIND OF TOUGH GUY AS ,ORIN'S4 ,BUT ,I REMEMBERED ,DARREL'S DAD AS NICE MORE THAN TOUGH4 ,LAST YEAR HE TOOK OUR CLASS ON A HIKE TO SEE WHERE THEY WERE PLANTING THE NEW TREES4 ,HE TOLD HOW ,DARREL'S MOM WORKED AT THE TREE FARM1 PACKING UP SEEDLINGS THAT WERE SENT OUT TO START THE NEW FORESTS4 ,THAT STUCK IN MY MIND4 ,THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF BABY TREES4 ,NOW THERE WAS A JOB TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE PART OF ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAB SOMETHING BIG6 ,AMBER RAISED HER HAND4 8,MY DAD DRIVES A LOG TRUCK40 8,DOES NOT10 ,DARREL SAID4 8,WELL1 HE USED TO10 ,AMBER SHOT BACK4 8,I'VE EVEN RIDDEN IN ONE40 ,CALMLY1 QUIETLY1 ,ROSE PUT UP HER HAND4 8,ARE MANY WOMEN BECOMING LOGGERS THESE DAYS80 ,SOME OF THE BOYS SNICKERED4 ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD JUST KIND OF CHUCKLED AND SCRATCHED THE BACK OF HIS HEAD4 8,FRANKLY10 HE SAID1 8,I DON'T THINK THERE'S TOO MANY WOMEN COULD HANDLE IT4 ,NOT TOO MANY MEN1 EITHER1 FOR THAT MATTER40 ,I SLUMPED LOWER IN MY SEAT AND STARTED ANOTHER DREARY DOODLE1 PICTURING .MY DAD1 STANDING IN FRONT OF THE CLASS1 EXPLAINING HOW TO DO DIAPERS4 ,I CRINGED AT THE THOUGHT4 ,AND THEN ,I FELT CRUMMY ABOUT BEING EMBARRASSED4 ,I MEAN1 CHANGING DIAPERS IS A PRETTY IMPORTANT JOB TOO1 RIGHT8 ,JUST THINK WHAT WOULD ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAC HAPPEN IF THEY .DIDN'T GET CHANGED6 ,STILL1 WHEN ,MRS4 ,PERKINS ASSIGNED A REPORT ON EITHER A JOB WE'D LIKE TO DO SOMEDAY OR A JOB OUR PARENTS DID NOW1 IT DIDN'T EVEN OCCUR TO ME TO WRITE ABOUT BEING A DAD4 ,AND ,I WAS THE ONE WHO'D ARGUED TO THE COUNSELOR THAT TAKING CARE OF BABIES WAS A REAL JOB1 RIGHT8 ,MY REPORT WAS ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST1 BOTH BECAUSE OF MY MOM AND BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT ,I WANTED TO DO4 ,I BLINKED AT MY DOODLING4 ,I'D DRAWN A DUCKY DIAPER PIN WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT6 ,I QUICKLY SCRIBBLED IT OUT4 ,ROSE MADE A WARNING FACE AT ME4 ,I WAS GETTING TOO OBVIOUS WITH MY DRAWING4 ,I SNEAKED A PEEK AT ,MRS4 ,PERKINS4 ,NO PROBLEM THERE4 ,SHE WAS DEVOTING HER FULL ATTENTION TO ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD AS HE WENT ON WITH MORE STORIES4 8,WHY1 ONE TIME WE HAD A GUY UP THERE TOPPING A BIG OLD FIR AND IT STARTS TO SPLIT '''0 ,I'D NEVER SEEN ,MRS4 ,PERKINS LIKE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAD THIS--CHEERFUL4 ,I SIGHED4 ,SHE WOULDN'T BE WONDERING IF ,ORIN'S FAMILY WAS OKAY1 IF HIS FATHER WAS THE WAY FATHERS OUGHT TO BE4 ,HER HUSBAND WAS PROBABLY A LOGGER TOO4 ,I WAS STARTING TO WISH ,I'D LIED AND SAID ,I WANTED TO BE AN AIRPLANE PILOT OR SOMETHING WHEN ,I GREW UP4 ,BEFORE1 ,I'D BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO SHOWING OFF SOME OF ,MOM'S PRINTED-UP GREETING CARDS4 ,IT ALWAYS BOTHERED ME THAT ONLY A FEW GIFT SHOPS CARRIED THEM4 ,I WANTED MORE OF THE KIDS TO SEE THEM4 ,BUT NOW1 AS FAR AS MY REPORT WENT ''' ,WELL1 TELLING ABOUT PAINTING PICTURES FOR ART GALLERIES WAS GOING TO SOUND AWFULLY WIMPY AFTER THIS4 ,A NICE THING FOR A MOM TO DO1 MAYBE1 BUT NOT A GOAL ,I FELT LIKE BRAGGING ABOUT FOR MYSELF4 ,I MEAN1 IT ISN'T THE LEAST BIT DANGEROUS4 8,THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN10 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS TOLD ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD WHEN HE'D FINISHED4 8,CLASS80 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAE ,AN ENTHUSIASTIC CHORUS OF THANK-YOUS FOLLOWED HIM OUT THE DOOR4 8,NOW40 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS TURNED AROUND1 ALL FLUSHED4 8,WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE REPORT4 ,LET'S SEE ''' ,ROBERT ,HUMMER80 ,OH1 NO4 ,I KNEW ,I COULDN'T DO IT4 ,NOT RIGHT AFTER THIS4 ,I MUMBLED THAT ,I WASN'T READY4 8,WHAT'S THAT1 ,ROBERT8 ,SPEAK UP40 8,I SAID ,I'M SORRY BUT MY REPORT ISN'T FINISHED40 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS'S EYEBROWS WENT TOGETHER4 ,SHE TAPPED THE ERASER END OF HER PENCIL ON HER DESK BLOTTER1 HER GLOW FADING4 ,GO AHEAD1 ,I THOUGHT4 ,GIVE ME ANY KIND OF LOOK YOU WANT4 ,IT'S BETTER THAN HAVING ,ORIN AND EVERYBODY LAUGHING AT ME4 ,I HUNG MY HEAD4 #I ,HALLOWEEN ,SHIVERS ,I WAS STILL FEELING KIND OF BUMMED ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAF OUT WHEN ,I WALKED INTO THE CAFETERIA THAT NIGHT FOR THE PARTY1 BUT ,I STARTED TO CHEER UP WHEN ,I SAW MY COSTUME WAS A HIT4 8,HOW'D HE .DO THAT80 ,I HEARD ,WEST ,FEIKART WHISPER4 ,I WAS WEARING A ROBOT SUIT OF TOY ,CONSTRUX PIECES4 ,DAD HELPED ME RIG UP THE LIGHTS ON IT WITH BATTERIES SO ,I NOT ONLY GLOWED IN THE DARK1 ,I FLASHED6 ,FOR A MINUTE ,I CHECKED OUT EVERYBODY ELSE'S COSTUMES WHILE THEY CHECKED OUT MINE4 ,ALL ,WEST HAD DONE WAS ADD GREASY GREEN CAMOUFLAGE MAKEUP TO THE CLOTHES HE ALWAYS WORE4 ,ALSO A HELMET WITH FERNS STUCK IN IT4 ,BEN WAS A MUMMY4 ,WILLOW ,DALEY HAD TURNED HER HAIR PUNK- ROCKER PURPLE4 ,MONICA ,STURDIVANT LOOKED TOTALLY SILLY AS A KITTY1 OF COURSE1 TIPTOEING AROUND1 MEOWING AT EVERYBODY4 ,SHE SOUNDED LIKE THAT PUPPET ON ,MR4 ,ROGERS4 8,MEOW1 LIKE YOUR MEOW COSTUME MEOW40 ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY--OR MAYBE ,I SHOULD ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAG SAY ,MICKEY AND ,MINNIE ,MOUSE--WERE BUG-EYED AT ALL THIS4 ,THEY CLUNG TO ,MOM'S LEGS WHEN SOMEBODY IN A RUBBER GORILLA MASK STUCK HIS FACE DOWN AT THEM AND MADE SCARY NOISES4 8,KNOCK IT OFF1 ,ORIN10 ,WEST SAID4 ,SO THAT WAS ,ORIN4 ,SHOULD HAVE KNOWN4 8,IT'S JUST PRETEND10 ,MOM SAID SOOTHINGLY1 GLANCING AT ,ORIN4 8,LOOK4 ,SEE1 THERE'S ,DADDY1 OVER BY THE CORNSTALKS40 ,DAD HAD COME EARLY TO FILL UP THE WASHTUB FOR APPLE BOBBING4 ,SPOTTING US1 HE GAVE THE LITTLE TWO-FINGERED OINK- OINK SALUTE HE'D BEEN PRACTICING EVER SINCE HE PUT ON HIS RUBBER PIG SNOUT4 ,THEN HE TURNED AROUND AND WAGGED HIS CURLY PINK PIPE-CLEANER TAIL4 ,I ROLLED MY EYES4 ,WHAT A NUT4 8,DADDEE6 ,DADDEE60 ,THE TWINS LET GO OF ,MOM AND HEADED TOWARD HIM4 ,MOM FOLLOWED4 ,BY NOW ,I DIDN'T FEEL SO WORRIED ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAH ABOUT ,DAD'S NUTTINESS4 ,FOR ONE THING1 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT WAS NOWHERE IN SIGHT4 ,ALSO1 LOTS OF PEOPLE HAD CRAZY COSTUMES4 ,EVEN SOME OF THE TEACHERS4 ,BUT NOT ,MRS4 ,PERKINS4 ,SHE WAS SELLING TICKETS FOR THE GAME BOOTHS4 ,LOOKED LIKE HER IDEA OF GETTING WILD AND CRAZY WAS TO WEAR PANTS INSTEAD OF A DRESS4 ,THE REFRESHMENT TABLE WAS LOADED4 ,I'D START WITH A PUMPKIN-SHAPED SUGAR COOKIE AND GO ON FROM THERE4 ,CARAMELED APPLES1 DOUGHNUTS1 POPCORN BALLS ''' 8,ROBBY1 YOU LOOK TERRIFIC60 ,IT WAS ,MRS4 ,KASSEL1 MY TEACHER FROM LAST YEAR4 ,SHE WAS LADLING PUNCH1 WEARING A HEADBAND WITH TWO BOBBLY EYEBALLS BOINGING FROM WIRES4 ,SHE GAVE ME A BIG SILVER GRIN4 ,I DON'T KNOW WHY1 BUT ,I LOVED THOSE BRACES OF HERS4 ,OR MAYBE IT WAS JUST HER SMILE ,I LIKED1 WITH OR WITHOUT BRACES4 ,SHE HAD A NEAT VOICE1 TOO1 A LITTLE HUSKY1 LIKE SHE WAS COMING DOWN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AAI WITH LARYNGITIS4 8,SAY10 SHE SAID1 8DID YOU SEE ,8,THE ,FAR ,SIDE0' THIS MORNING80 ,I GRINNED4 8,YEAH1 THAT WAS A GOOD ONE40 ,WE BOTH LIKED THAT COMIC STRIP4 ,SHE ALWAYS SAID ,I HAD A WEIRD SENSE OF HUMOR FOR A KID4 ,SOMETIMES LAST YEAR WHEN SHE DIDN'T GET THE JOKE1 SHE'D ASK ME TO EXPLAIN IT4 8,HOW'S FOURTH GRADE GOING FOR YOU80 8,OH1 PRETTY GOOD40 ,AT THE MOMENT THAT SEEMED TRUE ENOUGH4 ,NOBODY MADE FUN OF ME FOR NOT BEING A CHAMPION FOURSQUARE PLAYER AT RECESS1 MY DIORAMA PROJECT WAS TURNING OUT NEAT1 AND EVERYBODY LIKED MY COSTUME4 8,IS THAT YOUR LITTLE BROTHER AND SISTER OUT THERE8 ,WHAT A RIOT60 ,THE TWINS HAD JOINED THE BIG KIDS ON THE DANCE FLOOR4 ,IT WASN'T THE POLKA OR ,ZYDECO MUSIC BUT IT HAD A BEAT--THAT'S ALL ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY CARED ABOUT4 ,MOM HAD MADE ,LUCY A RED-AND-WHITE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABJ POLKA-DOT DRESS OUT OF SOME CURTAINS SHE GOT AT THE THRIFT SHOP1 AND ,LUCY WAS REAL EXCITED ABOUT TWIRLING HER STIFF PETTICOATS4 ,FREDDIE HAD RED SHORTS WITH TWO BIG BUTTONS4 ,HE WAS MORE INTO STOMPING4 ,MRS4 ,KASSEL WATCHED THEM1 HER LADLE POISED IN MID-AIR4 8,HOW DID YOU DO THOSE NOSES8 ,THEY LOOK SO CUTE60 8,STOVE BLACK4 ,THAT WAS MY IDEA40 ,SHE SHOOK HER HEAD1 HALF READY TO RUN OUT AND SCOOP THEM UP FOR HUGS4 ,I WASN'T JEALOUS1 THOUGH4 ,I ALREADY KNEW SHE LIKED ME4 ,MAYBE THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE4 ,SEE1 SOMETIMES ,I .DO HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE CARRY ON OVER THE TWINS4 ,WHEN WE FIRST STARTED TAKING THEM OUT TO THE STORE AND STUFF1 IT WAS SHOCKING1 HOW MUCH ATTENTION THEY GOT4 ,LADIES WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WOULD COME UP AND GUSH ON AND ON ''' 8,HOW CUTE6 ,HOW DARLING6 ,AND .TWO OF THEM60 ,THEN THEY'D PUSH THEIR GROCERY CARTS PAST WITHOUT EVER ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABA ONCE EVEN LOOKING AT ME4 ,WHAT .WAS ,I ALL OF A SUDDEN1 THE INVISIBLE KID8 ,IF ,MOM TRIED TO KIND OF DRAW ME INTO THE PICTURE1 POINT OUT THAT ACTUALLY SHE HAD .THREE CHILDREN1 THE OTHER LADY WOULD ALWAYS SAY TO ME1 8,MY1 ,I BET YOU'RE A BIG HELP TO YOUR MOTHER40 ,I GOT SO SICK OF THAT6 ,SOMETIMES ,I FELT LIKE SAYING1 8,NO1 ,I'M NO HELP AT ALL4 ,ACTUALLY ,I'M A BIG PAIN1 OKAY80 ,THERE WAS ONLY ONE THING WORSE--THE PEOPLE WHO PAID NO ATTENTION TO ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY AT ALL ''' 8,HEY1 ,ROBBY40 ,IT WAS ,JASON1 DRESSED AS A FOOTBALL PLAYER4 8,LET'S GO DO THE DARTS AND STUFF4 ,ASK YOUR DAD FOR SOME MONEY40 ,I ROBOT-WALKED OVER TO THE APPLE- BOBBING CORNER4 ,DAD WAS OINK-OINKING ALL OVER THE PLACE1 ADDING APPLES TO THE WASHTUB WHILE THE KINDERGARTENERS LAUGHED AND SPLASHED AND HELD THEIR STOMACHS LIKE THEY ACHED WITH GIGGLING4 8,DAD1 ,I NEED MONEY FOR THE GAME ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABB BOOTHS40 8,OINK1 OINK60 ,ANOTHER BURST OF GIGGLES4 8,IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE10 ,I REMINDED HIM AS HE PULLED OUT HIS WALLET4 ,AFTER THE PARTY WAS PAID FOR1 THE EXTRA MONEY WOULD GO TO THE SCHOOL'S ,THANKSGIVING ,BASKET FUND4 ,ONE OF THE SAWMILLS IN ,DOUGLAS ,BAY HAD CLOSED1 AND THIS YEAR WE WANTED TO HELP THE FAMILIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO'D BEEN LAID OFF4 ,AFTER ,JASON AND ,BEN AND ,I HAD DONE ALL THE DIFFERENT BOOTHS1 WE DECIDED TO GET IN LINE FOR THE HAUNTED HOUSE4 ,BUT FIRST ,I DETOURED BY THE REFRESHMENT TABLE SO ,I'D HAVE SOMETHING WHILE ,I WAITED4 ,I WAS SNAGGING A POPCORN BALL WHEN ,ROSE CAME UP TO ME4 8,YOUR COSTUME LOOKS GREAT10 SHE SAID4 8,UH1 YOURS TOO40 ,SHE WAS ,PRINCESS ,LEIA1 WITH A SHEET GATHERED INTO A FLOWY DRESS AND HER HAIR IN COILS OVER HER EARS4 8,WHERE YOU GOING80 SHE ASKED AS ,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABC TURNED TO LEAVE4 8,THE HAUNTED HOUSE40 8,I'LL GO WITH YOU40 ,SHE TOOK A POPCORN BALL FOR HERSELF AND FOLLOWED4 8,UM1 ,ROBBY8 ,THANKS FOR ''' YOU KNOW1 WHAT YOU DID ON THE PLAYGROUND TODAY40 8,I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING40 ,SHE SMILED4 8,YES YOU DID4 ,THAT'S THE FIRST TIME ANYBODY'S EVER TAKEN MY SIDE IN FRONT OF ,ORIN ,DOWNARD40 8,OH40 ,JASON AND ,BEN WERE ALREADY FARTHER AHEAD IN LINE4 ,ROSE AND ,I GOT STUCK BEHIND THIS EIGHTH-GRADE ALIEN WHO KEPT BUGGING THE BALLERINA IN FRONT OF HIM4 8,HEY1 ,ROSE10 ,I SAID1 HOPING TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT4 8,HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THIS HUGE BOOKSTORE IN ,PORTLAND CALLED ,POWELL'S80 ,SHE SHOOK HER HEAD NO4 8,WELL1 IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE GREAT4 ,A WHOLE BLOCK OF BOOKS4 ,ANYWAY1 MY PARENTS PROMISED TO TAKE ME UP THERE ,SATURDAY AND ,I WAS WONDERING IF ''' ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABD WELL1 DO YOU WANT TO GO TOO80 8,GO WITH .YOU80 8,WELL1 YEAH40 ,FOR CRYING OUT LOUD1 IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE A DATE4 ,IT'S JUST THAT ,DAD SAID ,I COULD BRING A FRIEND1 AND ,I KNEW ,ROSE WOULD APPRECIATE IT4 ,I MEAN1 IT'D BE WASTED ON ,JASON4 ,ALL HE READS IS COMIC BOOKS4 8,I'LL ASK MY MOM10 ,ROSE SAID4 8,BUT ,I'M SURE IT'LL BE OKAY40 ,SHE BIT INTO HER POPCORN BALL4 ,I COULD TELL SHE WAS EXCITED4 ,BUT THEN A SHADOW WENT OVER HER FACE4 8,I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BUY MUCH1 THOUGH40 8,WELL1 WE'LL PROBABLY GO TO THE ZOO AND THE SCIENCE MUSEUM1 TOO40 8,REALLY8 ,WOW6 ,AND EVEN IF ,I COULDN'T BUY ANY1 JUST SEEING ALL THOSE BOOKS '''0 ,AS THE LINE INCHED FORWARD1 WE WATCHED THE EIGHTH GRADERS DANCING AND FINISHED OUR POPCORN BALLS4 ,GETTING CLOSER1 WE COULD HEAR THE SPOOKY SOUNDS COMING OUT OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABE ,JUST AS WE REACHED THE ENTRANCE1 ,ROSE TIPPED HER HEAD TOWARD MINE4 8,DID YOU HEAR ABOUT ,AMBER ,HIXON80 ,MY SCALP PRICKLED4 8,HEAR WHAT80 8,THEY TOOK HER AWAY FROM HER PARENTS40 8.,WHAT80 8,MY MOM HEARD THESE SOCIAL WORKERS CAME AND GOT HER RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL TODAY4 ,NOW SHE'S PROBABLY GOING TO A FOSTER HOME40 ,SHE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE SOCKED ME IN THE GUT4 8,BUT HOW COULD THEY JUST TAKE HER AWAY FROM HER FAMILY80 8,I DON'T KNOW4 ,MY MOM THINKS IT WAS THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR'S IDEA40 ,A HAND REACHED OUT FROM THE CARDBOARD DOOR OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE AND PULLED ME INTO THE DARKNESS4 ,IT WAS HOT AND STINKY AND ,I COULD HARDLY BREATHE4 ,SOMEBODY STUCK MY HAND INTO A BOWL OF WHAT WAS PROBABLY SPAGHETTI4 8,HEEEEERRRREEE ''' FEEL SOME NICE GUTS60 ,THEN A WEREWOLF POPPED UP IN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABF FRONT OF ME4 8,AARRRGGGHH60 ,I WASN'T A VERY GOOD CUSTOMER1 THOUGH4 ,ALL OF A SUDDEN ,I WAS TOO BUSY BEING SCARED ABOUT REAL THINGS TO SWEAT THE PRETEND STUFF4 ,I WAS JUST STUMBLING ALONG1 THINKING OF ,AMBER'S TRYING-NOT- TO-CRY FACE1 THE WORDS SHE'D MUTTERED TO ME AFTER SHE CAME BACK FROM ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT'S OFFICE THE OTHER DAY4 8,I SWEAR1 ,ROBBY10 SHE'D SAID1 8FAMILIES DON'T MEAN NOTHING TO THAT WOMAN40 ,A FOSTER HOME4 ,I'D READ ABOUT THOSE4 ,THAT'S WHERE KIDS GO IF THINGS AREN'T RIGHT AT THEIR HOUSE4 ,IN ONE BOOK A BOY GOT TAKEN AWAY BECAUSE HIS FATHER ACCIDENTALLY RAN OVER HIS LEGS WITH A CAR4 ,BUT ,AMBER DIDN'T HAVE BROKEN LEGS OR ANYTHING4 ,HER PARENTS HAD BOUGHT HER A PONY1 FOR CRYING OUT LOUD4 ,AHEAD OF US1 THE BALLERINA SQUEALED4 ..,I HAVE TO GET OUT OF .HERE1 ,I THOUGHT1 MY ,CONSTRUX SUIT BANGING AGAINST THE CARDBOARD WALLS4 ..,I HAVE TO HEAR THE REST OF .THIS4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABG 8,ROSE80 ,I SAID INTO THE DARKNESS4 8,ROSE1 ARE YOU THERE80 ,I FELT A HAND TAKE MINE4 ,SPAGHETTI SAUCE GOOSHED BETWEEN OUR FINGERS4 8,I'M RIGHT HERE4 ,ISN'T THIS SCARY80 8,ROSE10 ,I WHISPERED1 8HOW COULD ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT GET ,AMBER TAKEN AWAY80 8,WHAT8 ,OH1 WELL1 ,I GUESS THEY JUST THOUGHT HER FAMILY WAS TOO WEIRD40 8,EEEEEKKK60 ,A VAMPIRE WITH A FLASH- LIT FACE LOOMED IN FRONT OF US4 ,THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE4 ,I CONCENTRATED ON PULLING ,ROSE THROUGH THE MAZE AS FAST AS ,I COULD4 ,FINALLY WE BROKE INTO THE COOLER AIR OF THE GYM4 8,THAT WAS FUN60 ,ROSE SAID1 HER CHEEKS PINK4 ,SUDDENLY ,I REALIZED WE WERE STILL HOLDING HANDS4 ,I DROPPED HERS AND WIPED SPAGHETTI GUNK ON MY JEANS4 8,BUT ,ROSE1 WHO'S THEY80 8,WHO'S THEY WHO80 8,AMBER ,HIXON10 ,I SAID IMPATIENTLY4 8,WHO THOUGHT HER FAMILY WAS WEIRD80 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABH ,ROSE BLINKED LIKE SHE'D ALREADY FORGOTTEN ABOUT IT4 8,OH4 ,WELL1 MAYBE IT STARTED WITH ,MRS4 ,PERKINS AND THE COUNSELOR4 ,MY MOM SAYS TEACHERS HAVE TO REPORT IT IF THEY THINK A KID'S IN TROUBLE4 ,IT'S THE LAW4 ,AND THEN THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED ,CHILDREN'S ,SERVICES4 ,THAT'S THE GOVERNMENT40 8,THE .GOVERNMENT8 ,CAN THEY DO THAT8 ,JUST TAKE A KID AWAY FROM HIS--0 ,I CAUGHT MYSELF4 8,I MEAN .HER FAMILY80 ,ROSE PEERED AT ME4 8,ROBBY8 ,HOW COME YOU'RE SO UPSET ABOUT THIS80 8,I'M NOT UPSET40 8,YOU ACT UPSET40 ,SHE GAVE ME A ,CONCERNED ,LOOK4 8,WAS ,AMBER YOUR GIRLFRIEND80 8,NO60 ,IT CAME OUT MEANER SOUNDING THAN ,I MEANT IT TO4 8,I JUST--IT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR1 THAT'S ALL40 ,SHE NODDED4 8,MY MOM DOESN'T THINK IT IS1 EITHER4 ,IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE KID'S OWN GOOD1 BUT SOMETIMES ''' ,WELL1 SHE HAD A FRIEND WHOSE KIDS WERE TAKEN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ABI AWAY AND MY MOM SAID IT WAS JUST BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T LIKE HER LIFESTYLE40 8,WHAT DO YOU MEAN1 HER LIFESTYLE80 8,YOU KNOW1 THE WAY THEY LIVED4 ,THIS SOCIAL WORKER WAS ALWAYS COMING AROUND1 CRITICIZING HER HOUSEKEEPING1 SAYING THE KIDS WOULD GET SICK IF SHE DIDN'T KEEP THINGS CLEANER4 ,STUFF LIKE THAT40 8,JEEPERS40 ,THE TEACHERS1 THE COUNSELORS1 AND SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT4 ,I NEVER REALIZED THEY HAD SO MUCH POWER4 ,TOO BAD ,I DIDN'T HAVE ,MRS4 ,KASSEL ANYMORE4 ,SHE THOUGHT MY FAMILY WAS OKAY4 ,BUT MAYBE ,MRS4 ,PERKINS FIGURED WE WERE HIPPIES4 ,MAYBE SHE HATED HIPPIES AS MUCH AS ,ORIN'S FAMILY DID4 ,SUDDENLY ,I HAD AN AWFUL THOUGHT4 ,I'LL BET SHE SUSPECTED MY FOLKS HAD SOME TERRIBLE SECRET TO HIDE1 ,DAD MARCHING INTO THE SCHOOL LIKE THAT AND TELLING HER THEY DIDN'T WANT ME TALKING TO THE COUNSELOR ''' 8,I DIDN'T MEAN TO SPOIL THE PARTY FOR ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACJ YOU10 ,I HEARD ,ROSE SAY4 8,I'LL GO FIND MY MOM AND ASK ABOUT GOING TO ,PORTLAND1 OKAY80 8,YEAH1 SURE40 ,SUDDENLY ,I JUST WANTED TO BE NEAR MY PARENTS4 ,I HEADED FOR THE APPLE BOBBING AS FAST AS MY ROBOT SUIT WOULD LET ME4 8,OINK1 OINK10 ,DAD SAID4 8,HOW WAS THE HAUNTED HOUSE80 8,OKAY40 8,MUST HAVE BEEN SCARY4 ,YOU'RE SHAKING40 ,LUCY AND ,FREDDIE WERE HANGING OVER THE EDGE OF THE WASHTUB1 POKING THE APPLES DOWN WITH THEIR FINGERS1 GIGGLING AS THEY BOBBED BACK UP4 ,A SECOND GRADER PUSHED HER FACE THROUGH THE WATER1 TRYING TO CORNER AN APPLE4 ,HER BRAIDS WERE GETTING WET4 8,BRRR6 ,LOOKS AWFULLY COLD40 ,I TURNED AROUND4 ,IT WAS ,MRS4 ,PERKINS1 WATCHING US4 ,DAD GRINNED4 8,DOESN'T SEEM TO FAZE THEM1 DOES IT80 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACA ,SHE SHOOK HER HEAD4 8,AT MY LAST SCHOOL1 ,BEAVERDALE1 WE ALWAYS HUNG THE APPLES FROM STRINGS4 ,MORE SANITARY1 THE PRINCIPAL SAID40 8,MR4 ,HUMMER60 ,ANOTHER KID TUGGED AT ,DAD'S SHIRT4 8,IS IT MY TURN YET80 8,HANG ON60 ,DAD GAVE HIM THE LITTLE OINK-OINK SALUTE AND TURNED BACK TO ,MRS4 ,PERKINS4 8,ACTUALLY1 ,I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT4 ,MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE--0 8,DAD1 LOOK OUT60 .,SPLASH4 8,LUCY60 ,IN A FLASH ,DAD SCOOPED HER FROM THE TUB4 8,FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD60 HE SAID1 STANDING HER TO DRIP ON THE WOOD FLOOR4 ,LUCY SPUTTERED WITH SURPRISE1 THEN GRINNED TO FIND HERSELF THE CENTER OF ATTENTION4 8,LUCY1 ,LUCY1 ,LUCY40 ,DAD SHOOK HIS HEAD LIKE HE DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER TO LAUGH OR BE MAD4 ,HER POLKA-DOT DRESS HUNG LIMP OVER HER STIFF PETTICOATS AND HER STOVE-BLACK ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACB NOSE WAS SMEARED4 ,WET STRINGS OF HAIR WERE PLASTERED TO HER CHEEKS4 ,DAD FISHED HER ,MOUSEKETEER EARS FROM THE WASHTUB1 SHOOK THEM OUT1 AND SET THEM ON HER HEAD4 ,EVERYBODY LAUGHED4 ,EVEN ,MRS4 ,PERKINS4 8,FOREVERMORE10 SHE SAID BREATHLESSLY4 8,I'M SURE GLAD YOU PULLED HER OUT SO FAST40 8,MY REFLEXES ARE GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME10 ,DAD SAID4 ,MOM CAME HURRYING UP4 8,OH1 DEAR4 ,I SHOULD HAVE BEEN WATCHING HER CLOSER4 ,I GOT TALKING TO ,INGE '''0 ,SHE SIGHED4 8,WELL1 ,I'LL JUST HAVE TO TAKE HER HOME4 ,I GUESS WITH ,LUCY ,I SHOULD ALWAYS FIGURE ON SPARE CLOTHES40 ,THEN ,MOM NOTICED ,MRS4 ,PERKINS4 8,LUCY GETS INTO TROUBLE LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME10 SHE SAID LIGHTLY1 WRAPPING HER JACKET AROUND HER4 8,DON'T YOU80 ,SHE MADE A PRETEND FIERCE FACE AT ,LUCY AND KISSED HER FOREHEAD4 ,THEN SHE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACC SMILED AT ,MRS4 ,PERKINS4 8,I'M JUST AMAZED WE'VE NEVER HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM YET40 ,THIS WAS WHERE ,MRS4 ,PERKINS WAS SUPPOSED TO LAUGH AND SAY SHE UNDERSTOOD AND AREN'T KIDS THE DARNEDEST AND ALL THAT4 ,INSTEAD HER EYEBROWS WENT UP4 ,MOM AND ,DAD GLANCED AT EACH OTHER1 SOME LITTLE MESSAGE GOING BETWEEN THEM4 ,MAYBE THEY WERE SCARED TOO4 ,MAYBE THEY WERE STARTING TO CATCH ON TO HOW DANGEROUS IT COULD BE TO GET ON THE BAD SIDE OF SOMEONE LIKE ,MRS4 ,PERKINS4 ,SOMEONE WHO HAD MORE POWER OVER US THAN ,I EVER REALIZED4 ,SUDDENLY ,I WANTED TO CRAWL UNDER THE PUNCH TABLE4 ,I HAD THE STRANGEST URGE TO JUST SIT THERE AND READ SOME ,ENCYCLOPEDIA ,BROWN4 ,WHY COULDN'T ,I BE LIKE HIM8 ,HE'S SMART AND ALL HE DOES IS SOLVE CRIMES4 ,HE NEVER WASTES TIME WORRYING ABOUT PERSONAL MUDDLES4 ,NO WONDER ,I LIKE BOOKS BETTER THAN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACD REAL LIFE4 #AJ ,TOUGH ,TIMES FOR A ,FAILED ,HERO ,ALL THE NEXT MORNING ,I SAT THERE IN CLASS1 STARING AT ,AMBER ,HIXON'S EMPTY DESK4 ,FUNNY4 ,UNTIL SHE CAME OUT OF ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT'S OFFICE ALL RED-FACED THAT FIRST TIME1 ,I'D NEVER THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT HER AT ALL4 ,OF COURSE THERE'D BEEN TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WHEN YOU COULDN'T HELP NOTICING HER1 LIKE IN FIRST GRADE WHEN SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAME TO SCHOOL ON ,HALLOWEEN WITHOUT A COSTUME4 ,OUR TEACHER TOOK OUT SOME SCARVES AND BRACELETS AND HELPED HER DRESS UP LIKE A ,GYPSY4 ,BUT ,AMBER JUST STOOD THERE1 NOT EVEN CRACKING THE TEENSIEST SMILE1 NEVER THANKING ,MRS4 ,MURPHY4 8,MY MOTHER MADE ME A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE DRESS10 WAS ALL SHE SAID1 8BUT IT TURNED OUT TOO NICE TO WEAR TO SCHOOL40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACE ,IN THIRD GRADE SHE SAT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME4 ,I SPENT A LOT OF TIME LOOKING AT THE BACK OF HER HEAD1 WONDERING IF SHE KNEW HER HAIR WAS ALL SNARLED UP4 ,WHY DIDN'T HER MOM MAKE HER COMB IT8 ,DON'T GET ME WRONG--PERSONALLY1 ,I HATE TO BE NAGGED ABOUT THAT KIND OF STUFF4 ,IT'D BE WEIRD1 THOUGH1 IF MY PARENTS DIDN'T4 ,NOW ,AMBER WAS GONE1 AND ,I WAS THINKING ABOUT HER A LOT MORE THAN ,I EVER HAD BEFORE4 ,WHAT WAS HAPPENING AT HER HOUSE THAT MADE THE COUNSELOR THINK SHE OUGHT TO LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE8 ,WHEN ,I GOT HOME THAT AFTERNOON1 ,DAD SAID THE KIDS'D HAD A ROUGH DAY4 ,AT FIRST HE THOUGHT MAYBE THEY'D JUST GOTTEN INTO TOO MUCH ,HALLOWEEN CANDY1 BUT NOW THEY HAD FEVERS AND IT LOOKED LIKE THE FLU4 ,HE'D ALREADY CALLED ,MOM AND TOLD HER SHE'D BETTER COME ON HOME IF SHE COULD4 ,SO WE WERE ALL THERE WHEN ,FREDDIE FIRST GOT THAT STRICKEN1 CROSS-EYED ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACF LOOK4 ,THEN HE REARED BACK AND HEAVED ALL OVER ,BUDDY ,WABBIT4 ,SHOCKED SILENCE4 ,MOM WAS THE FIRST TO SPRING INTO ACTION4 8,GRAPE JUICE10 SHE SAID1 PICKING UP THE BUNNY WITH TWO FINGERS4 8,YOU GAVE HIM GRAPE JUICE40 ,SHE YANKED A LONG STRIP OF PAPER TOWELING OUT OF THE HOLDER AND STARTED SWABBING AT EVERYTHING1 INCLUDING ,DAD4 8,THIS'LL STAIN LIKE CRAZY40 ,HOLDING ,FREDDIE1 ,DAD WIPED HIS DRIPPING HAND ON A TOWEL4 8,THE CLINIC SAID LIQUIDS40 ,I CAME TO ,DAD'S DEFENSE4 8,FREDDIE WANTED IT1 ,MOM4 ,REALLY4 ,THAT'S ALL HE'D TAKE40 ,MOM LOOKED AT ,FREDDIE AND HER FACE SOFTENED4 8,YOU POOR LITTLE GUY4 ,DON'T YOU WORRY4 ,WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU ALL FIXED UP40 8,BUDDY60 ,FREDDIE NOTICED HIS BUNNY WAS SPLOTCHED PURPLE4 ,HE STRETCHED HIS ARMS OUT AND SCREAMED4 8,BUDDY ,WABBIT60 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACG 8,LET ME GET HIM CLEANED OFF1 ,HONEY10 ,MOM SAID1 8AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE HIM BACK40 8,NOOOOO6 ,BUDDEEEEEEE60 8,OH1 LET HIM HAVE IT10 ,DAD SAID4 8,IF IT'LL STOP HIM CRYING40 ,BUT WHEN ,MOM TRIED TO HAND IT TO HIM HE GOT EVEN MORE UPSET4 8,BUDDY ,WABBIT6 .,NO ,BUDDY ,WABBIT60 ,HE WANTED HIM BUT HE WAS GROSSED OUT AT THE SAME TIME4 ,FINALLY ,DAD CARRIED ,FREDDIE OFF TO THE BATHROOM TO CLEAN HIM UP4 ,LUCY TODDLED IN WITH THE END OF A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER AND STARTED MOPPING AT EVERYTHING1 JUST LIKE ,MOM4 8,OH1 NO60 ,I SAID4 8,LOOK1 ,MOM4 ,THE OTHER END'S STILL ATTACHED IN THE BATHROOM6 ,SHE'S UNDOING THE WHOLE ROLL60 8,FINE4 ,WHATEVER4 ,I DON'T CARE RIGHT NOW40 ,MOM WAS FRANTICALLY WORKING ON ,BUDDY4 ,AFTER A MOMENT1 SHE STOPPED AND GAVE ,LUCY A QUICK SMILE4 8,YOU'RE A GOOD LITTLE HELPER1 AREN'T YOU1 ,HONEY80 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACH 8,HELPER10 ,LUCY SAID4 ,THEN .SHE THREW UP4 8,OH1 NO60 ,I SHRIEKED1 MAKING FOR THE BATHROOM4 8,DAD60 8,FOR ,PETE'S SAKE1 ,ROBBY4 ,YELLING LOUD ENOUGH FOR THE NEIGHBORS TO HEAR DOESN'T HELP4 ,HOW ABOUT GIVING US A HAND80 8,I'M TRYING60 ,I PROTESTED4 8,BUT HOW'M ,I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO80 ,MOM CAME IN WITH ,LUCY AND STARTED PEELING OFF HER CLOTHES4 8,BUDDY60 ,FREDDIE SCREAMED4 8,BUDDY ,WABBIT60 8,GO CLEAN UP ,BUDDY ,WABBIT1 WHY DON'T YOU10 ,DAD SAID4 8,ME8 ,BUT ''' ,DAD1 HE'S ALL ''' VOMITY40 8,I .KNOW1 DING-DONG IT6 ,THE WHOLE HOUSE IS40 8,I'M NOT10 ,I OFFERED1 LIKE MAYBE THIS FACT WOULD EXCUSE ME4 8,GO60 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ACI 8,ALL RIGHT1 ALL RIGHT60 ,HE DIDN'T HAVE TO BE SO MEAN ABOUT IT4 ,I PICKED ,BUDDY ,WABBIT UP BY HIS COTTONTAIL AND CARRIED HIM TO THE KITCHEN1 SCRUNCHING MY NOSE SIDEWAYS TO KEEP OUT THE STINK4 ,I SET HIM ON THE COUNTER AND STUDIED HIM4 ,YOU'D HARDLY RECOGNIZE HIM AS THE SOFT1 FLUFFY FELLOW ,I'D PICKED OUT IN THE HOSPITAL GIFT SHOP THE DAY ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY WERE BORN4 ,AMAZING1 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIM AND ,LUCY'S BUNNY1 WHO STILL SAT CLEAN AND UNLOVED ON THE SHELF4 ,MOM WORRIED THAT ,LUCY WASN'T VERY MOTHERLY1 BUT MAYBE HER BUNNY'D LUCKED OUT4 ,BECAUSE ,FREDDIE BEING SO SUPER-FATHERLY HAD BEEN PRETTY ROUGH ON OLD ,BUDDY ,WABBIT4 ,WHEN A KID NEVER LETS GO OF A BUNNY1 EVERY POSSIBLE THING GETS SPILLED AND SMEARED ON HIM4 8,YOU'RE GROSS10 ,I SAID4 8,YOU KNOW THAT80 ,NOW ,I KNEW BETTER THAN TO DUNK THAT BUNNY IN THE SINK4 ,DAD TRIED THAT ON A ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADJ BEAR OF MINE ONCE AND HE NEVER DID GET DRY INSIDE4 ,POOR OLD ,BUNKY ,BEAR4 ,ROT ,CITY4 ,NO1 THIS WAS DEFINITELY AN OUTSIDE JOB4 ,I FOUND THIS CAN OF UPHOLSTERY CLEANER ,MOM USES1 SHOOK IT UP AND LET 'ER RIP4 ,I LAID A LONG BLOB OF FOAM DOWN HIS BACK AND THEN1 LIKE THE DIRECTIONS SAID1 WENT AT HIM WITH A DAMP RAG4 ,THAT STUFF WORKED PRETTY WELL4 ,WHEN HE WAS CLEAN ,I TOOK HIM INTO THE BATHROOM AND GOT OUT MY MOM'S BLOW DRYER4 8,GOOD THINKING1 ,HONEY10 ,MOM SAID4 8,NOW WE'RE COOKING WITH GAS10 ,DAD SAID4 8,SORRY ,I YELLED1 ,ROBBY40 8,IT'S OKAY40 ,I UNDERSTOOD4 ,WHEN BABIES YELL1 IT MAKES EVERYBODY WANT TO YELL4 ,FREDDIE HADN'T LET UP ON WANTING HIS ,BUDDY1 BUT NOW IT WAS MORE LIKE A STEADY WHIMPER4 8,BUDDY ''' ,WABBIT ''' ,BUDDY ''' ,WABBIT ''' ,BUDDY ''' ,WABBIT '''0 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADA 8,HANG IN THERE1 ,FREDDIE10 ,I SAID AS ,I BLASTED ,BUDDY WITH HOT AIR4 8,HE'LL BE READY IN JUST A MINUTE40 ,MOM AND ,DAD GAVE EACH OTHER THIS LOOK THAT MEANS THEY'RE FEELING PLEASED WITH ME4 ,ALL RIGHT4 ,THE BABIES WERE CLEANED UP AND THE GENERAL HUBBUB HAD CALMED DOWN QUITE A BIT4 ,WITH ME PITCHING IN1 THINGS WERE UNDER CONTROL4 8,NOW ,MOM10 ,I SAID4 8,WE'VE GOT TO VACUUM THIS GUY4 ,I READ THE DIRECTIONS4 ,YOU'VE GOT TO SUCK ALL THE DRIED SOAP OFF4 ,IT'S STRONG STUFF4 ,MAKES YOU COUGH4 ,WE DON'T WANT THE BABIES BREATHING IT OR EATING IT OR ANYTHING40 8,OKAY4 ,WHATEVER YOU SAY40 ,WE ALL WENT OUT IN THE MAIN ROOM AND SHE ATTACHED THE HOSE TO THE VACUUM4 8,DO YOU WANT ME TO DO THIS PART80 SHE SAID4 8,NO6 ,NO1 REALLY40 ,JUST LOOK AT ,FREDDIE THERE1 WATCHING ME WITH THOSE PUPPY DOG EYES1 COUNTING ON .ME1 HIS BIG BROTHER1 TO SAVE THE DAY4 ,WAS ,I GOING ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADB TO LET MY MOTHER HAVE THE FINAL GLORY8 ,NO WAY6 ,FREDDIE SEEMED DOUBTFUL WHEN HE GOT THE IDEA SOMETHING SERIOUS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN BETWEEN HIS ,BUDDY AND THE VACUUM CLEANER4 ,BUT ,I GUESS HE HAD A LOT OF FAITH IN ME BECAUSE ALL HE DID WAS PULL HIS FINGER OUT OF HIS MOUTH AND SAY1 8,BUDDY80 8,DON'T WORRY10 ,I SAID IN MY MOST REASSURING VOICE4 8,HE'S GOING TO BE FINE40 ,I SAT WITH ,BUDDY CLAMPED BETWEEN MY KNEES4 ,MOM PUSHED THE POWER BUTTON4 8,NOW BE CAREFUL10 SHE SAID OVER THE ROAR4 8,THAT HAS A LOT OF SUCTION40 8,YEAH60 ,I SHOUTED4 8,LOOK WHAT A GREAT JOB IT'S DOING40 ,THE SUCTION WAS JUST FLUFFING THAT OLD MATTED FUR OUT LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS4 8,WATCH OUT FOR THE EARS10 ,MOM SAID4 8,WHAT80 8,I THINK ONE OF THE EARS IS LOO--0 .,SHLOOP4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADC 8,BUDDY60 ,FREDDIE SCREAMED1 HORRIFIED4 8,OH1 GREAT10 ,DAD MUTTERED4 8,I COULDN'T HELP IT60 ,I CRIED1 STARING AT THE ONE-EARED BUNNY4 8,IT HAPPENED SO FAST4 ,I WAS JUST GOING ALONG--0 8,TAKE IT EASY10 ,DAD SAID4 8,I NEVER DO ANYTHING RIGHT60 ,MOM SHUT OFF THE VACUUM4 ,FREDDIE SCREAMED AND SCREAMED4 ,IT WAS THE SAME STORY ALL OVER AGAIN4 ,HE WANTED HIS ,BUDDY BUT NOT IF HE DIDN'T LOOK RIGHT4 ,I STARTED TO CRY4 ,I COULDN'T HELP IT4 ,I'D COME SO CLOSE TO BEING ,FREDDIE'S HERO4 ,MOM GAVE ME A SQUEEZE4 8,IT'S OKAY1 ,HONEY40 8,NO1 IT'S NOT6 ,LOOK AT HIM40 ,FREDDIE WAS HAVING AN ALL-OUT FIT4 8,HE'S NOT FEELING GOOD1 THAT'S ALL4 ,WE'LL FIX HIS BUNNY SOMEHOW4 ,HE'LL CHEER UP40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADD ,BUT ,FREDDIE DIDN'T FEEL LIKE CHEERING UP4 ,HE FELT LIKE .THROWING UP4 ,ALL OVER ,LUCY4 ,WELL1 ,I DON'T EVEN WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE REST OF THAT NIGHT4 ,I JUST TRIED TO KEEP OUT OF THE WAY4 ,LONG AFTER ,I WAS IN BED ,I COULD HEAR MY PARENTS SNAPPING AT EACH OTHER4 ,YOU KNOW HOW IT IS4 ,THE WORDS THEMSELVES WEREN'T SO MEAN1 BUT THE WAY THEY SAID THEM WAS4 8,NO1 ,I HAVEN'T TAKEN HIS TEMPERATURE AGAIN4 ,HAVE YOU80 8,I WAS JUST .ASKING1 OKAY80 ,AND ONCE WHEN ,I LOOKED DOWN OUT OF MY LOFT1 ,I SAW THEM PICKING THROUGH THE RIPPED-OPEN VACUUM CLEANER BAG1 HUNTING FOR ONE DIRTY BUNNY EAR4 ,IN THE MORNING THE BABIES WERE PLAYING QUIETLY FOR ONCE1 DROPPING BLOCKS IN THEIR SHAPE SORTERS AS IF THE FLU HAD TAKEN ALL THE SPARK OUT OF THEM4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADE ,FREDDIE HAD ,BUDDY IN TOW1 ,I NOTICED4 ,SOMEHOW1 ,MOM HAD FOUND THAT EAR AND STAYED AWAKE LONG ENOUGH TO SEW IT BACK ON4 8,GOOD JOB1 ,MOM10 ,I OFFERED AS ,I SAT DOWN WITH HER AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE4 ,ANYBODY COULD SEE SHE NEEDED SOME ENCOURAGEMENT4 ,SHE WAS STILL IN HER FLANNEL NIGHTGOWN WITH HER ELBOWS PROPPED ON THE TABLE4 ,HER EYES WERE RED AND HER HAIR ''' WELL1 ,I'LL BET SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT FRIZZED IN THE FIRST PLACE IF SHE'D REALIZED HOW IT WAS GOING TO LOOK ON MORNINGS LIKE THIS4 ,SHE SMILED AT ME IN A TIRED WAY AND TOOK ANOTHER SIP OF COFFEE4 ,I SAT THERE LOOKING AT MY COLD CEREAL1 NOT REALLY HUNGRY1 BUT GRATEFUL FOR THE FEELING OF PEACE IN THE HOUSE4 8,HEY1 YOU OVER THERE10 ,MOM SAID TO ,DAD4 8,FATHER OF THIS BROOD40 ,DAD LOWERED HIS NEWSPAPER4 8,WHO1 ME80 ,HIS EYES WERE AT HALF MAST4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADF 8,YEAH1 YOU40 ,SHE SQUINTED AT HIM4 8,GUESS WHAT40 ,HER FACE SLID INTO A SLOW1 CROOKED SMILE4 8,I'VE BEEN THINKING AND ,I'VE DECIDED SOMETHING40 ,DAD COCKED HIS HEAD MY WAY4 8,UH OH40 8,I'VE DECIDED ,I CAN'T THINK OF ANYONE ,I'D RATHER BE GOING THROUGH ALL THIS WITH THAN YOU40 8,OH1 YEAH80 ,DAD WINKED AT ME4 8,GEE1 ,I CAN THINK OF LOTS OF GUYS ,I'D RATHER YOU WERE GOING THROUGH THIS WITH THAN ME40 ,MOM DREW BACK LIKE HE'D HIT HER4 ,I CRINGED1 TOO4 8,JOKE60 ,DAD SAID QUICKLY4 8,JOKE60 ,THEY'D COME SO CLOSE4 ,ALMOST BACK TO TALKING NICE AGAIN AND ,DAD HAD TO GO BLOW IT4 8,OH1 COME ON10 HE SAID4 8,IT WAS JUST A JOKE40 ,BUT SHE WAS ALREADY CRYING4 8,I'M TOO TIRED FOR JOKES60 ,AND THEN SHE STAGGERED UP THE STAIRS4 ,THE BABIES STOOD UP AND STARED AFTER ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADG HER4 ,THEN .THEY BURST INTO TEARS4 ,I FELT LIKE CRYING1 TOO4 8,WELL1 GEE10 ,DAD SAID4 8,LOOKS LIKE ,I'M IN THE DOGHOUSE NOW40 ,I NODDED4 ,THIS WAS THE MOST UPSET ,MOM HAD BEEN SINCE ,DAD GAVE HER A VALENTINE WITH A BIG UGLY PIG ON IT LAST YEAR4 ,DAD AND ,I PICKED IT OUT TOGETHER4 ,I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY FUNNY1 BUT ,I GUESS SHE WAS HOPING FOR HEARTS OR SOMETHING4 8,I'VE GOT TO GET TO SCHOOL40 ,I STOOD UP4 ,ONLY ,I DIDN'T MAKE IT TO SCHOOL4 ,I DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE DOOR4 ,BUT SINCE ,I'M NINE1 ,I DID MAKE IT TO THE BATHROOM4 #AA ,LITTLE ,PURPLE ,FINGERPRINTS ,ONLY ONE THING LOOKS SADDER THAN A MOLDING JACK-O'-LANTERN SITTING IN THE RAIN--FACE COLLAPSED1 INSIDES BLACK AND GUNKY--AND THAT'S TWENTY-TWO OF THEM4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADH ,I TURNED AWAY FROM THE WINDOW AND FELL BACK INTO A PILE OF NEWSPAPERS ON THE SOFA4 ,I COULD HEAR ,DAD ON THE PHONE1 TELLING ,ROSE'S MOTHER THAT EVERYONE WAS SICK AND WE WOULDN'T BE GOING TO ,POWELL'S ,BOOKS AFTER ALL4 8,I'M NEVER GOING TO GET TO GO THERE10 ,I SAID WHEN HE'D HUNG UP4 8,YES1 YOU WILL1 ,ROBBY40 8,NO1 ,I WON'T40 ,I SCOWLED SO HARD MY EYEBROWS HURT FROM BEING JAMMED TOGETHER4 8,OKAY1 YOU WON'T40 ,I SAT UP4 8,I WON'T80 8,OH1 FOR CRYING OUT LOUD6 ,LOOK1 ,ROBBY1 ,I'M REALLY SORRY EVERYBODY GOT SICK BUT THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT GOES40 ,YOU KNOW THOSE TIMES WHEN IT'S ABOUT FIVE O'CLOCK ON A RAINY ,SUNDAY AFTERNOON8 ,PEOPLE ARE CRANKY BECAUSE THEY'RE HUNGRY BUT THERE'S NO GOOD SMELL OF DINNER COMING FROM THE OVEN8 ,THE GAMES AND TOYS ARE IN A MILLION PIECES ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #ADI ALL OVER THE FLOOR1 NOTHING SEEMS FUN1 AND THE LIGHT FROM EVERY WINDOW IS A DREARY GRAY8 ,WELL1 THAT'S HOW IT WAS ALL WEEKEND LONG4 ,EVEN ,DAD GOT SICK4 ,A COUPLE OF TIMES HE TRIED TO PERK PEOPLE UP WITH A SNAPPY ,ZYDECO RECORD1 BUT IT JUST SEEMED LIKE A BAD JOKE WITH EVERYBODY LYING AROUND LIKE A BUNCH OF RAG DOLLS4 ,I KEPT THINKING ABOUT THOSE TELEVISION ADS FOR ASPIRIN AND COLD MEDICINE4 ,THEY NEVER SAY1 ..,HEY1 KIDS1 BEING SICK IS .FUN1 BUT THEY DO MAKE IT LOOK COZY4 ,LIKE WHEN THE KID COMES IN OUT OF THE RAIN AND THE MOM TUCKS HIM IN BED WITH NICE CLEAN SHEETS1 BRINGS FOOD ON A TRAY1 AND PUTS HER HAND ON HIS FOREHEAD WITH THIS WORRIED1 LOVEY LOOK4 ,MAYBE ,MOM LIKES THOSE COMMERCIALS TOO1 BECAUSE SOMETIMES SHE ACTS THAT WAY4 ,WHEN PEOPLE FIRST GET SICK1 SHE KNOCKS HER LIGHTS OUT BEING NICE1 TRYING TO MAKE THEM FEEL BETTER4 ,HER VOICE IS AS SWEET AND SMOOTH AS COUGH SYRUP-- ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AEJ ALMOST ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU GLAD YOU'RE SICK4 ,TROUBLE IS1 THIS ONLY LASTS A COUPLE OF HOURS1 THREE AT MOST4 ,THEN SHE GETS KIND OF CRABBY AND STARTS ACTING LIKE1 ..,OKAY1 YOU CAN GET WELL .NOW4 ,THIS TIME1 ALL THE NICENESS GOT USED UP ON THE TWINS THE VERY FIRST NIGHT4 ,WHAT ,I GOT WAS1 8,HERE'S A BUCKET TO PUT BY YOUR BED IN CASE YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE BATHROOM IN TIME40 ,SUNDAY NIGHT ,I WAS FEELING BETTER1 SITTING ON THE FLOOR1 SKETCH PAD ON THE COFFEE TABLE4 ,THE LITTLE GUYS WERE EMPTYING A BASKET OF MAGAZINES WHILE ,MOM CLEANED UP THE KITCHEN4 ,DAD SPRAWLED ON THE SOFA1 FEET PROPPED ON THE OTHER END OF THE COFFEE TABLE4 ,HE WAS FINISHING THE ,SUNDAY PAPERS1 KEEPING AN EYE ON THE ,,TV NEWS AT THE SAME TIME4 ,ON THE SCREEN1 THEY WERE SHOWING A MOUNTAINSIDE WHERE ALL THE TREES HAD ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AEA BEEN CHOPPED DOWN4 8,LOOK AT THAT1 ,DAD40 8,HMM80 ,HE LOWERED HIS PAPER4 8,EVEN IF LOGGERS .ARE JUST DOING THEIR JOB1 ,I DON'T SEE HOW WE'RE SUPPOSED TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE FORESTS ALL GETTING HACKED DOWN40 8,YEAH1 WELL '''0 8,I MEAN1 LOOK AT THAT6 ,IT'S UGLY60 8,HEY1 YOU DON'T HAVE TO CONVINCE ME1 ,ROBBY40 8,THEN HOW COME YOU STICK UP FOR THOSE GUYS80 ,DAD LOOKED PUZZLED4 8,DO ,I80 8,YEAH1 IT SEEMS LIKE IT40 8,WELL1 ,I DON'T REALLY MEAN TO4 ,MAYBE IT'S JUST THAT WE DON'T WANT YOU TO GET THE IDEA THAT EVERYBODY IN THE TIMBER INDUSTRY'S SOME KIND OF VILLAIN1 THAT'S ALL40 8,OKAY--NAME SOMEBODY WHO ISN'T40 ,DAD THOUGHT4 ,THEN HE SMILED4 8,EVER HEAR OF ,STONEY ,HALLIDAY80 ,I COCKED MY HEAD4 8,IS HE ,SCOTTY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AEB ,HALLIDAY'S ,GREAT ,GRAMPA OR SOMETHING80 8,THAT'S RIGHT4 ,AND YOU'VE HEARD OF ,HALLIDAY ,TREE ,FARMS8 ,WELL1 ,STONEY STARTED HIS OWN SAWMILL YEARS AGO4 ,HE BOUGHT UP LOGGED-OVER TIMBER LANDS AND REPLANTED THEM4 ,THERE'S THOUSANDS OF ACRES RIGHT IN THIS COUNTY GROWING STRONG YOUNG TREES NOW THANKS TO ,STONEY ,HALLIDAY40 8,GEE40 8,NOBODY CAN TELL ME A MAN LIKE THAT DOESN'T LOVE TREES4 ,OR CARE ABOUT PEOPLE4 ,TAKES A LOT OF LOOKING AHEAD AND THINKING ABOUT OTHERS TO PLANT TREES THAT WON'T BE BIG ENOUGH TO CUT IN YOUR OWN LIFETIME4 ,HE'S EVEN GOT A SCHOLARSHIP FUND SET UP4 ,DO YOU REALIZE THAT ANY KID IN THE ,DOUGLAS ,BAY ,SCHOOL ,DISTRICT WHO GETS ACCEPTED TO ,OREGON ,STATE CAN GET A FULL SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE ,HALLIDAYS80 8,REALLY8 ,WHY'D HE DO THAT8 ,JUST TO BE NICE80 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AEC 8,THAT'S ABOUT THE SIZE OF IT40 8,HE MUST BE REALLY RICH40 8,HE IS1 BUT YOU'D NEVER KNOW IT TO SEE HIM AROUND ,DOUGLAS ,BAY4 ,DRIVES A PICKUP OLDER THAN OURS60 ,WOW4 ,THAT WAS A NEW ONE TO ME4 ,I THOUGHT RICH PEOPLE WERE ALL LIKE THAT GUY WHO BUYS EVERYTHING IN ,NEW ,YORK SO HE CAN STICK HIS NAME ON IT4 ,I WENT BACK TO SKETCHING AS THE NEWS DRONED ON4 ,IT WAS GOING TO RAIN1 THE WEATHERMAN SAID4 ,SO TELL ME SOMETHING ,I .DON'T KNOW ''' ,THEN ,I HEARD THE ANNOUNCER SAY SOMETHING ABOUT ,CHILDREN'S ,SERVICES4 ,MY HEAD SNAPPED UP4 ,ON THE SCREEN WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE AT SOME SORT OF MEETING4 8,THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR10 ONE WOMAN WAS TELLING THE OFFICIAL-LOOKING PEOPLE UP FRONT4 8,THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN60 ,ANOTHER WOMAN WAS CRYING1 TELLING HOW HER BABY HAD BEEN TAKEN AWAY AND SHE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AED WANTED HIM BACK4 ,MY HEART STARTED POUNDING4 8,DAD1 WHAT IS THIS80 8,HMM80 8,THIS NEWS STORY4 ,WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT80 8,OH4 ,WELL '''0 ,HE WATCHED FOR A MOMENT4 8,SOCIAL WORKERS1 ,I GUESS4 ,WHETHER THEY'VE BEEN GOING OVERBOARD LATELY1 TAKING KIDS AWAY FROM THEIR PARENTS40 ,MY MOUTH WENT DRY4 8,HAVE THEY80 8,I DON'T KNOW4 ,THESE FOLKS SURE THINK THEY HAVE40 ,I COULDN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF THE SCREEN4 ,LITTLE PRICKLES WERE ZIPPING UP AND DOWN THE BACK OF MY NECK4 8,BUT WHY80 ,I SAID4 8,THEY DON'T SAY .WHY THEY TOOK THE KIDS AWAY40 8,YEAH1 WELL1 THAT'S ,,TV NEWS FOR YOU4 ,SOUND BITES1 THEY CALL IT4 ,A QUOTE HERE1 A QUOTE THERE4 ,YOU DON'T BEGIN TO GET THE WHOLE STORY4 ,ABOUT THIS1 THE TIMBER CONTROVERSY1 OR ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AEE WHATEVER IT IS4 ,MAKES IT HARD TO KNOW WHICH SIDE TO TAKE4 ,OR IF THERE'S SOMETHING SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE40 8,WELL1 DO YOU THINK THAT IF--0 ,A HORRIBLE SHRIEK4 ,IT WAS ,MOM1 STANDING IN HER STUDIO DOOR4 ,DAD AND ,I JUMPED UP AND FOLLOWED HER INTO THE STUDIO4 ,THE BUSY BABIES HAD STRUCK AGAIN4 ,THEY'D GOT INTO THE TUBES OF WATERCOLOR PAINTS4 ,LITTLE PURPLE AND BLUE FINGERPRINTS WERE EVERYWHERE4 ,MOM MOANED1 HOLDING UP HER NEWEST ORIGINAL4 ,RUINED4 ,SHE WHIRLED ON ME4 8,ROBBY1 ,I'VE TOLD YOU A MILLION TIMES TO CLOSE THE DOOR4 ,JUST LOOK AT THIS60 8,BUT ,MOM1 ,I--0 8,YOU WERE THE LAST ONE IN HERE4 ,WASN'T THAT SOME OF MY SKETCHING PAPER YOU HAD OUT THERE80 8,BUT ,I CLOSED THE DOOR40 8,NOT TIGHT ENOUGH1 OBVIOUSLY60 ,SHE WADDED THE WRECKED DRAWING1 HURLED IT INTO A WASTEBASKET1 AND MARCHED OUT4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AEF 8,DO YOU REALIZE HOW MANY HOURS OF WORK ,I JUST LOST80 8,BUT WHY'S IT ALWAYS .MY FAULT80 ,I YELLED AFTER HER4 8,I'M NOT THE ONE THAT SMEARED PAINT AROUND60 ,I STOMPED OUT OF THE STUDIO AND THREW MYSELF ON THE SOFA4 ,I FELT LIKE BAWLING1 BUT NOW THAT ,I'M NINE1 OF COURSE ,I HAD TO ACT MAD INSTEAD4 ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY HAD STOPPED THEIR MAGAZINE TRASHING AND STOOD UP1 SCARED BY THE COMMOTION4 ,MOM GLARED AT ME4 8,THE BABIES ARE TOO LITTLE TO KNOW ANY BETTER40 8,NO THEY'RE NOT10 ,I SAID4 8,LOOK AT HER40 ,LUCY WHIPPED HER STAINED HANDS BEHIND HER BACK WITH A GUILTY GRIN4 8,STOP ARGUING10 ,DAD SAID4 8,THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE40 8,BUT WHY'S IT ALWAYS ,,MY FAULT4 ,NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS1 IT'S ,,MY FAULT4 ,WHEN THEY'RE NINE AND ,I'M '''0 ,I PAUSED TO COUNT ''' 8SIXTEEN1 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AEG EVERYTHING'LL STILL BE .MY FAULT4 ,I GUESS IT WAS JUST MY FAULT ,I WAS BORN FIRST1 HUH80 8,OKAY10 ,DAD SAID4 8,MOM DOESN'T NEED THIS NOW40 8,HEY1 ,I FEEL BAD HER PICTURE GOT WRECKED TOO4 ,BUT ,DAD1 ,I'M SURE ,I CLOSED THE DOOR40 8,RIGHT40 8,I DID6 ,WHY WON'T ANYBODY BELIEVE ME80 8,ROBBY1 THAT'S .ENOUGH60 ,I WENT UP IN MY LOFT AND ,I DIDN'T COME BACK DOWN4 ,I LAY THERE THE REST OF THE EVENING TRYING TO READ1 BUT MOSTLY THINKING MEAN1 MAD THOUGHTS4 ,I HALFWAY WISHED ,CHILDREN'S ,SERVICES .WOULD TAKE ME AWAY4 ,THEN ,MOM AND ,DAD WOULD BE SORRY4 ,THEY'D THINK OF ALL THE THINGS THEY'D BEEN UNFAIR ABOUT4 ,I HOPED THEY'D FEEL REAL GUILTY4 ,MAYBE THEY'D EVEN BE ON ,,TV1 PLEADING TO GET ME BACK4 ,I PICTURED THEIR TEAR-STREAKED FACES4 ,YEAH1 ,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AEH MIGHT KIND OF ENJOY THAT4 ,IF ONLY ,I KNEW FOR SURE THEY'D GET ME BACK4 #AB ,GREAT ,WHOPPING ,LIES ,I HAD NEVER UNDERSTOOD HOW ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT KNEW SO MUCH ABOUT OUR FAMILY--THE TWINS1 MY MOTHER GOING BACK TO WORK1 MY DAD STAYING HOME4 ,NOW1 SITTING IN CLASS AGAIN ON ,MONDAY MORNING1 LOOKING AT ,AMBER'S EMPTY DESK1 ,I WORRIED4 ,DID ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT HAVE SECRET WAYS OF FINDING OUT ABOUT ALL THE ARGUING AND YELLING AT OUR HOUSE8 ,AND ,MRS4 ,PERKINS--,I JUST HATED HAVING TO GIVE HER ,DAD'S NOTE SAYING ,I'D BEEN SICK4 ,SHE PROBABLY GUESSED THE TWINS WERE SICK TOO4 ,PROBABLY FIGURED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE APPLE BOBBING4 ,WELL1 ,I'M NO DUMMY4 ,I COULD SEE WHERE ALL THIS WAS HEADING4 ,I HAD TO DO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AEI SOMETHING ABOUT THIS1 AND QUICK4 ,I WENT UP TO ,MRS4 ,PERKINS'S DESK4 ,I WATCHED HER FROWN AS SHE STAMPED EACH MATH PAPER WITH A SMILE FACE4 8,MRS4 ,PERKINS8 ,TODAY'S THE DAY ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT COMES1 ISN'T IT80 ,STAMP4 ,FLIP4 ,STAMP4 ,FLIP4 8,THAT'S RIGHT4 ,WHY80 ,I LOWERED MY VOICE TO A WHISPER4 8,I WAS WONDERING IF ,I COULD TALK TO HER40 ,SHE STOPPED STAMPING AND SLOWLY RAISED HER EYES TO MINE4 8,YOU .WANT TO TALK TO HER80 ,I NODDED4 8,BUT YOUR FATHER MADE SUCH A POINT OF SAYING YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO40 ,HOO-BOY4 ,I LOOKED AWAY FROM HER1 THEN BACK4 8,WELL1 ,I CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT IT4 ,AND MY PARENTS DON'T .MIND IF ,I SEE THE COUNSELOR IF ,I WANT TO40 ,I ADDED THIS PART IN CASE SHE WAS STILL THINKING THEY WERE TRYING TO HIDE SOMETHING4 ,SHE SIGHED AND SHOOK HER HEAD4 8,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFJ SURE DO HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING UP WITH YOU1 ,MR4 ,HUMMER40 8,WELL1 ,ROBBY1 THIS IS SO NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN40 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT GAVE ME HER MOST ENCOURAGING SMILE4 8,YOUR TEACHER SAYS YOU WANTED TO TALK40 8,UH1 RIGHT40 8,DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE THINGS WE TALKED OVER LAST TIME80 8,YES1 ,I DID10 ,I SAID1 TRYING TO SOUND CONFIDENT4 8,I KNOW YOU WERE WORRIED ABOUT ME1 SO ,I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT EVERYTHING'S GOING BETTER FOR ME4 ,I'VE BEEN PLAYING OUTSIDE AT RECESS4 ,GAMES4 ,REGULAR SPORTS40 8,AND HOW IS IT80 8,NOT SO BAD40 ,THIS WAS THE TRUTH1 ANYWAY4 8,I THOUGHT PEOPLE WOULD MAKE FUN OF ME1 BUT THEY DIDN'T40 8,I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR THAT40 ,I NODDED1 RUBBING MY SHIN WITH MY HEEL1 TRYING TO THINK HOW TO PLUNGE INTO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFA THE NOT-SO-TRUE STUFF4 8,UM1 YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD ABOUT A PICTURE ,I DREW4 ,JUST A SILLY THING WHERE ,I'M FALLING DOWN THE STAIRS WITH THE BABIES4 ,I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO WORRY ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT'S NOT TRUE4 ,WE DON'T REALLY DO THAT4 ,MY FOLKS WOULD NEVER LET US4 ,IT'S JUST SORT OF A FANTASY--YOU KNOW1 LIKE UNICORNS40 8,OH4 ,WELL1 ACTUALLY1 NO1 ,I HADN'T HEARD ABOUT THAT40 8,OH40 ,A LIE FOR NOTHING4 8,UH1 THINGS ARE GOING GREAT AT OUR PLACE4 ,MY DAD'S SPENDING LOTS OF TIME WITH ME4 ,AND HE'S REALLY CLEANED UP HIS ACT4 ,THE HOUSE IS ''' JUST PERFECT NOW4 ,CLEAN4 ,EVERYTHING WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE4 ,ONE DAY LAST WEEK WHEN ,I GOT HOME HE HAD FRESH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES RIGHT OUT OF THE OVEN FOR ME40 8,MMMM4 ,THAT SOUNDS NICE40 8,UH HUH4 ,AND UH '''0 ,I CAST AROUND FOR MORE GOOD STUFF TO SAY4 8,OH4 ,MY PARENTS ARE NEVER FIGHTING4 ,NO YELLING1 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFB EVER4 ,AND THE BABIES1 THEY'VE BEEN GREAT4 ,THE OTHER DAY1 RIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE0--,I SNAPPED MY FINGERS--8THEY POTTY TRAINED THEMSELVES60 8,REALLY40 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT WAS STARTING TO LOOK SKEPTICAL4 ,MAYBE THE POTTY LIE WAS TOO MUCH4 ,WELL1 GREAT4 ,SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE ME WHEN ,I TOLD THE TRUTH AND SHE WOULDN'T BELIEVE ME WHEN ,I LIED EITHER4 ,BUT ,I WAS IN TOO DEEP TO BACK OUT NOW4 8,THE OTHER GOOD THING10 ,I SAID1 8IS THAT MY DAD HAS A NEW JOB40 8,THAT .IS GOOD NEWS4 ,WHAT KIND OF A JOB80 8,UHHH ''' A CARPENTER'S JOB4 ,YEAH ''' HE'S GOING TO BUILD HOUSES40 ,SHE WAS SMILING NOW4 ,MAYBE SHE DID BELIEVE ME4 8,YOU KNOW1 YOU'RE A VERY SPECIAL BOY1 ,ROBBY4 ,I HEAR ALL THE KIDS' PROBLEMS1 BUT NOT MANY WOULD TAKE THE TROUBLE TO LET ME KNOW WHEN THINGS START GOING ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFC BETTER4 ,I APPRECIATE THAT40 ,NOW IT'S ROTTEN WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS YOU'RE BAD WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO BE GOOD --LIKE MY MOM YELLING AT ME ABOUT LEAVING HER STUDIO DOOR OPEN WHEN ,I .KNOW ,I CLOSED IT--BUT IT FEELS EVEN WORSE WHEN SOMEBODY HEAPS PRAISE ON YOU FOR BEING GOOD WHEN YOU DON'T DESERVE IT4 ,I GUESS THAT'S WHY MY STOMACH WAS DOING FUNNY THINGS RIGHT THEN4 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT JUST SITTING THERE1 LOOKING SO PRETTY1 SMILING AT ME SO NICE4 8,BY THE WAY10 SHE SAID1 8MY HUSBAND AND ,I ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GOURMET DINNER YOUR DAD'S DOING FOR US4 ,IT'LL BE A GREAT CHANCE TO MEET YOUR PARENTS40 ,MY STOMACH KNOTTED4 ..,CHECK ON YOUR .PARENTS1 THAT'S WHAT SHE MEANT4 ,I SWALLOWED HARD AND NODDED4 8,MY DAD'S REALLY A GOOD COOK10 ,I SAID4 ,THEN ,I ADDED THE BIGGEST WHOPPER OF ALL4 8,OF COURSE MY MOM'LL HAVE TO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFD HELP HIM40 #AC ,A ,HECK OF AN ,HONOR ,ON ,WEDNESDAY1 JUST AFTER RECESS1 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS CALLED ME UP TO HER DESK4 8,I'VE GOT SOME EXCITING NEWS FOR YOU1 ,ROBERT4 ,ALL THE TEACHERS HAVE LOOKED OVER THE DIORAMAS4 ,THEY'VE LOOKED OVER THE ART PROJECTS FROM THE OTHER GRADES TOO4 ,EVERYONE THINKS YOURS IS THE BEST40 8,GEE40 ,SOME KIDS COMING IN WERE OVERHEARING THIS1 SO ,I FELT PLEASED AND EMBARRASSED AT THE SAME TIME4 8,WE ALL AGREE YOU'VE COMPLETELY CAPTURED THE FEELING OF ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK40 8,REALLY8 ,OH1 ,I DON'T THINK SO AT ALL4 ,I WANTED TO1 BUT HOW CAN YOU WITHOUT SOUNDS8 ,I MEAN LIKE THE WIND IN THE TREES1 AND THE WAY THE LITTLE CREEKS SOUND RUSHING DOWN THE--0 8,OF COURSE1 OF COURSE10 SHE SAID1 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFE 8BUT WE ALL THINK IT'S SO CUTE1 THE WAY YOU EVEN USED THOSE BITTY ELECTRICAL BULBS FOR LIGHTING4 ,NOW1 YOU KNOW ,MRS4 ,APPLEMAN80 ,I NODDED4 ,SHE WAS THE SIXTH-GRADE TEACHER AND PRETTY OLD4 8,WELL1 SHE'S RETIRING AND WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SO SPECIAL TO GIVE HER SOMETHING TO REMEMBER ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK BY40 8,YEAH '''80 8,SO YOUR PROJECT IS THE ONE WE'VE CHOSEN60 ,I STARED AT HER4 8,YOU WANT TO GIVE MY DIORAMA TO ,MRS4 ,APPLEMAN80 8,THAT'S RIGHT4 ,AREN'T YOU PROUD80 8,UH1 ,I GUESS SO1 BUT '''0 ,I LOOKED AROUND4 ,I WISHED ,ORIN'S DESK WASN'T SO CLOSE4 ,I LOWERED MY VOICE4 8,I WAS PLANNING TO GIVE IT TO MY DAD40 8,OH1 YOU CAN ALWAYS MAKE ANOTHER ONE FOR HIM4 ,AND JUST THINK1 THIS IS QUITE AN HONOR4 ,WE'LL GIVE IT TO HER AT AN ALL-SCHOOL ASSEMBLY40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFF ,MRS4 ,PERKINS WAS SMILING AT ME LIKE SHE NEVER HAD BEFORE4 ,SOMEHOW ,I COULDN'T LOOK AT HER4 ,I RUBBED MY SHIN WITH THE HEEL OF MY OTHER SHOE4 8,I HAVE TO ADMIT10 SHE SAID1 8,I'M REALLY PROUD IT'S ONE OF MY STUDENTS WHOSE PROJECT WAS PICKED40 ,I NODDED1 NOT KNOWING WHAT ELSE TO DO4 ,THEN ,I WENT BACK AND DROPPED INTO MY SEAT4 ,MAYBE ALL THIS SHOULD HAVE MADE ME FEEL GOOD1 BUT IT DIDN'T4 ,NICE THAT THE TEACHERS LIKED MY DIORAMA1 BUT TAKING IT AWAY FROM ME DIDN'T SEEM LIKE MUCH OF A REWARD4 ,AND WHAT WOULD ,I DO ABOUT A BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR ,DAD8 ,I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO MAKE ANOTHER DIORAMA4 ,BESIDES1 ANYONE KNOWS YOU CAN NEVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT THE SAME WAY TWICE4 ,EVEN IF ,I COULD1 ,I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE OF THE LIGHTS FROM MY ROBOT COSTUME TO PUT IN A NEW ONE4 ,I BURIED MY FACE IN MY HANDS4 ,IF ,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFG HAD ANY GUTS ,I'D HAVE TOLD HER TO FORGET IT4 ,BUT ,I COULDN'T DO THAT1 NOT THE WAY THINGS WERE4 ,I HAD TO STAY ON HER GOOD SIDE4 8,OH1 TOO BAD10 ,ORIN SAID TO ,DARREL ,MISKOWIEC4 8,IT WAS FOR HIS DADDY40 ,HIS VOICE WAS RIGHT AT MY EAR NOW1 CLOSE ENOUGH ,I COULD FEEL HIS BREATH4 8,IF IT'S FOR YOUR DAD10 HE SAID1 8HOW COME YOU DIDN'T PUT HIM IN IT8 ,YOU COULDA STUCK HIM OUT FRONT OF THE HOUSE THERE IN HIS APRON1 HANGING UP THE LAUNDRY40 8,SHUT UP10 ,I MUTTERED4 8,BOO HOO10 ,ORIN SAID4 8,BOO HOO40 ,I FELT SOMETHING POKING MY ARM4 ,I MOVED MY HAND AWAY FROM ONE EYE4 8,HERE'S A LITTLE HORSEY TO CHEER YOU UP10 ,ORIN SAID4 8,SINCE YOU LIKE GIRLIE THINGS SO MUCH40 ,I STARED4 ,HE WAS NUDGING ME WITH A LITTLE LAVENDER PONY4 ,IT HAD A FLOWING MANE AND TAIL4 ,IT WORE A PURPLE BRIDLE STUDDED WITH ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFH RHINESTONES4 8,ORIN ,DOWNARD40 ,IT WAS ,MRS4 ,PERKINS4 8,PLEASE GET BACK IN YOUR SEAT AND KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF40 ,THEN SHE CAME AROUND FROM BEHIND HER DESK4 8,WHAT'S THAT YOU'VE GOT THERE80 ,ORIN HID THE HORSE BEHIND HIS BACK4 8,NOTHING40 ,WORDLESSLY1 SHE HELD OUT HER HAND4 8,JUST SOMEBODY'S STUPID ,8,MY ,LITTLE ,PONY10'0 ,ORIN SAID1 GIVING IT TO HER4 8,WHERE'D YOU GET THIS80 ,ORIN KEPT HIS EYES ON THE FLOOR4 8,AMBER ,HIXON'S DESK40 8,YOU TOOK IT FROM HER DESK80 8,WELL1 SHE'S GONE1 AIN'T SHE8 ,DON'T LOOK LIKE SHE WANTS IT40 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS HELD THE LITTLE HORSE IN HER HANDS4 ,SHE LOOKED SAD AS SHE GAVE THE FLOWING MANE ONE LONG1 THOUGHTFUL STROKE4 ,THEN SHE TURNED ON HER HEEL4 8,WE'LL SEE ,AMBER GETS THIS10 SHE SAID1 AND PUT THE PONY IN HER DESK ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AFI DRAWER4 8,AND YOU10 SHE SAID TO ,ORIN1 8HAD BEST KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF OTHER PEOPLE'S THINGS40 ,ORIN SLID BACK INTO HIS DESK1 SURPRISED THAT ,MRS4 ,PERKINS SEEMED SO UPSET ABOUT THE TOY HORSE4 ,WELL1 IT UPSET ME TOO1 SOMEHOW4 ,I KEPT THINKING ABOUT THAT PURPLE BRIDLE1 ABOUT THOSE RHINESTONES ''' ,,END ,,OF ,,VOLUME #B ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#A ,,LINDA ,,CREW ,PUBLISHED BY ,DELL ,PUBLISHING ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK ,COPYRIGHT1 #AIIA1 BY ,LINDA ,CREW ,,ISBN #J-DDJ-DJGHH-E ,FURTHER REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OTHER THAN A SPECIALIZED FORMAT IS PROHIBITED4 ,TRANSCRIBED1 #BJJH1 BY ,LADYBUG ,BRAILLE ,PORTLAND1 ,OREGON ,IN ,THREE ,VOLUMES ,VOLUME #C ,BRAILLE PAGES P#A-P#C AND #AGJ-BDG ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#B ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOL ,,USED ,,IN ,,THIS ,,VOLUME @ 7#D7 ,ACCENT MARK ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK P#C ,CONTENTS ,PAGE #AD ,PLEASE ,PASS THE ,KAZOOS """"" #AGJ #AE ,BELLYFUL OF ,TROUBLE """"""""" #AGH #AF ,AMBUSH6 """""""""""""""""""""" #AHD #AG ,PUMPKINS ,EVERY ,TIME """""""" #AIB #AH ,A ,BEAUTIFUL ,DAY IN THE ,NEIGHBORHOOD """"""""""""""""""" #BJJ #AI ,A ,KID'S ,GOTTA ,DO ,WHAT A ,KID'S ,GOTTA ,DO """"""""""""""" #BAF #BJ ,ONE ,LAST ,CHANCE """""""""""" #BBA #BA ,THE ,FANCY ,ROMANCEY ,DINNER #BCH ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGJ #AD ,PLEASE ,PASS THE ,KAZOOS 8,GREAT NEWS60 ,MOM SAID WHEN SHE BURST IN AFTER WORK ,FRIDAY NIGHT4 ,SHE PICKED ME UP AND SWUNG ME AROUND4 ,SHE HUGGED THE BABIES4 ,THEN SHE THREW HERSELF AT ,DAD4 8,GALAXY ,GREETINGS ACCEPTED THE CARD IDEAS ,I SENT THEM60 8,THEY DID8 ,BETH1 THAT'S TERRIFIC6 ,THAT'S THE BIG COMPANY IN ,OHIO1 RIGHT80 8,UH HUH1 AND LISTEN TO THIS40 ,SHE TOSSED HER JACKET ON THE SOFA4 8,THEY WANT ME TO DEVELOP AN ENTIRE LINE FOR THEM60 8,WELL1 HEY60 ,DAD SAID4 8,THIS CALLS FOR A CELEBRATION40 8,YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT4 ,WE MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF MONEY40 8,SORRY ,I DON'T HAVE ANY CHAMPAGNE ON HAND4 ,WILL THIS DO80 ,HE STARTED POURING APPLE JUICE INTO WINEGLASSES FOR ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGA EVERYBODY4 ,WE CLINKED THEM1 EVEN THE BABIES1 AND ,DAD SAID1 8,TO ,MOMMY60 8,TO ,MOMMY60 ,I SAID4 8,TO ,MOMMY1 TO ,MOMMY10 ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY ECHOED4 ,THEN ,DAD SERVED UP THE POT ROAST4 8,DO YOU ALL REALIZE WHAT THIS MEANS80 ,MOM SAID4 8,I CAN STAY HOME MORE1 WORK IN MY STUDIO4 ,I'VE TALKED IT OVER WITH ,LYNN4 ,IT'S OKAY WITH HER IF ,I ONLY COME INTO THE SHOP TWO OR THREE DAYS A WEEK40 8,I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO WORK FULL TIME10 ,DAD SAID4 8,SO DID ,I1 BUT IT'S BEEN DRIVING ME CRAZY4 ,I'M TIRED AND ,I'M CRANKY AND BESIDES1 ,I MISS YOU GUYS40 ,SHE LOOKED AT ,DAD4 8,I DIDN'T GO TO ALL THAT TROUBLE TO HAVE THESE KIDS JUST TO MISS OUT ON ALL THE FUN STUFF40 ,NOW EVERYBODY WAS IN A GOOD MOOD4 ,WHEN ,MOM WAS ALL TALKED OUT ABOUT THE GREETING CARD BUSINESS1 ,DAD STARTED TELLING ABOUT THE STUFF HE'D BOUGHT FOR ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGB HIS GOURMET DINNER NEXT WEEK4 ,HIS PLAN WAS TO GET EVERYTHING AHEAD EXCEPT FOR THE THINGS HE HAD TO BUY FRESH4 8,I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE FOOD10 ,MOM SAID4 8,BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HOUSE8 ,I THINK WE NEED A WEEK JUST TO CLEAN IT UP40 ,I GLANCED AROUND4 ,DISASTER ,CITY4 ,EVEN BY OUR STANDARDS1 THIS WAS A REAL LOW4 ,TOYS1 FOOD CRUMBS1 YOU NAME IT--IT WAS ALL OVER THE FLOOR4 ,A LOT OF THE STUFF LOOKED LIKE IT'D BEEN IN THE GARBAGE AT LEAST ONCE ALREADY BEFORE SOMEBODY--TWO LITTLE SOMEBODIES1 ,I SHOULD SAY--FLUNG IT OUT4 ,ONE OF MY SOCKS TRAILED DOWN IN FRONT OF THE ,,TV SCREEN4 8,IT'S ON MY LIST40 ,DAD HEADED FOR THE SINK WITH HIS PLATE4 8,TOMORROW MORNING1 MAJOR SHOVEL-OUT40 8,WHATEVER YOU SAY10 ,MOM SAID1 LIKE SHE'D BELIEVE IT WHEN SHE SAW IT AND NOT BEFORE4 ,THEN SHE WENT OVER AND STARTED CLEANING UP THE KITCHEN4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGC ,DAD BLEW THE ANIMAL CRACKERS OFF THE RECORD PLAYER AND PUT ON ,RAFFI4 ,THEN HE KICKED BACK THE BRAIDED RUG AND SOME OF THE TOYS1 PASSED OUT THE KAZOOS AND WE STARTED DANCING AROUND4 ,FREDDIE BLEW SHRIEKS FROM AN OLD BICYCLE HORN THAT HAD LOST ITS RUBBER SQUEEZER4 ,WHEN WE GOT TO OUR FAVORITE NUMBER1 8,LET'S ,MAKE ,SOME ,NOISE10 WE RIPPED INTO THE POTS AND PANS CUPBOARD AND STARTED BANGING AWAY1 LETTING THAT CALYPSO BEAT BLAST THE WHOLE HOUSE4 ,DAD LED A SCREAMING CONGA LINE PAST THE KITCHEN SINK1 PICKED UP A DISH TOWEL1 AND SNAPPED ,MOM'S REAR4 ,NOW THIS IS THE SORT OF THING YOUR MOM MIGHT ACTUALLY KIND OF LIKE IF YOUR DAD DOES IT1 BUT DON'T TRY IT YOURSELF4 ,I DID ONCE AND GOT A THAT'LL-BE-THE- LAST-TIME-FOR-THAT LOOK4 ,WHAT MY DAD GETS FROM HER IS PRETEND MAD WITH A TWINKLE IN HER EYE4 8,FORGET THE DISHES60 HE SAID NOW4 8,WE'RE CELEBRATING60 ,HE STUCK THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGD KAZOO BACK IN HIS MOUTH AND GRABBED HER4 ,THEN HE BROKE AWAY AND PUT ON THE 8,WILLIAM ,TELL ,OVERTURE40 ,IN HIS STOCKING FEET1 HE STARTED RUNNING ACROSS THE ROOM AND SLIDING ON THE WOOD FLOOR4 ,WE'D CHASE AFTER HIM1 TRYING TO GET THE HANG OF IT4 ,HE'D GET A LONG SLIDE GOING1 THEN PRETEND TO CRASH INTO THE WALL1 ARMS AND LEGS FLYING4 8.,KER-BLAM60 ,MOM WAS LAUGHING1 BUT SHE KEPT SAYING1 8,BE CAREFUL60 AND SHUTTING HER EYES LIKE SHE COULDN'T STAND TO LOOK4 ,THE BABIES THOUGHT ,DAD'S STUNTS WERE GREAT4 ,BY THE TIME THE MUSIC GOT TO THE THUNDERSTORM PART1 WE WERE ALL TOTALLY WHIPPED UP4 ,THEN ,I SLIPPED AND HIT THE WALL4 8,WILL YOU .PLEASE TAKE IT EASY80 ,MOM SAID4 8,I'D HATE TO BE TRYING TO EXPLAIN THIS AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM4 ,8,GEE1 OFFICER1 WE WERE JUST TEACHING THE KIDS HOW TO SLAM INTO WALLS '''0'0 ,SHE SHOOK HER HEAD4 8,WE'D GET HAULED IN FOR CHILD ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGE ABUSE SO FAST '''0 ,GET HAULED IN ''' ,I STOOD UP1 SHAKY FROM MORE THAN THE CRASH4 8,YOUR MOM'S RIGHT10 ,DAD SAID1 WINDED4 8,WE BETTER CALM DOWN40 ,HE STARTED PEELING OUT OF HIS FLANNEL SHIRT4 8,I'M HOT60 8,HOT60 ,FREDDIE SAID4 8,HOT60 ,LUCY PEELED OUT OF HER SHIRT4 ,HER HAIR STOOD UP IN TUFTS4 ,FREDDIE'S SHIRT GOT STUCK ON HIS HEAD4 ,HE LOOKED LIKE ,LAWRENCE OF ,ARABIA4 ,MOM MADE A FACE AT ,DAD'S ,T-SHIRT4 8,THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE RAG BAG SIX MONTHS AGO40 ,DAD ALWAYS WEARS HIS ,T-SHIRTS UNTIL THEY HAVE THESE BIG HOLES IN THEM4 ,THIS ONE WAS DEFINITELY A PRIME CANDIDATE FOR MY FAVORITE GAME4 8,MOM80 ,I SAID WITH A HOPEFUL LOOK1 GLAD TO FORGET ABOUT POLICE OFFICERS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS4 ,MOM PRETENDED TO GIVE THIS SERIOUS ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGF THOUGHT1 THEN SHE SAID OUR SPECIAL SIGNAL WORDS4 8,SURE COULD USE SOME NEW DUST RAGS AROUND HERE40 8,YIPPEE60 ,RIGHT THEN THE ,LONE ,RANGER PART OF THE MUSIC STARTED4 ,DAD TOOK OFF4 ,I FOLLOWED4 8,NOW WATCH THIS10 ,I SHOUTED TO THE BABIES OVER THE MUSIC4 8,YOU GOTTA LEARN HOW WE DO THIS60 ,DAD VAULTED OVER THE SOFA AND ,I SCRAMBLED AFTER HIM4 ,HE WAS STILL MAKING NOISES ON THE KAZOO1 TRYING NOT TO LAUGH1 HIS EYES WIDE1 HIS RED CHEEKS PUFFED OUT LIKE A PICTURE OF THE ,NORTH ,WIND4 ,HE STARTED UP THE STAIRS BUT ,I HOOKED MY HAND THROUGH A BIG HOLE IN THE BACK OF HIS SHIRT AND YANKED4 ,LUCY AND ,FREDDIE SHRIEKED4 ,DAD PRETENDED TO FALL BACK DOWN THE STAIRS SO THE BABIES COULD JUMP ON HIM1 TOO4 8,THAT'S RIGHT10 ,I SAID1 ENCOURAGING ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGG THEM4 8,JUST RIP6 ,IT'S OKAY60 ,IN ABOUT SIX SECONDS THAT ,T-SHIRT WAS NOTHING BUT A NECKBAND AND SLEEVES WITH SOME ROPEY LOOPS HANGING FROM IT4 ,DAD PLAYED BEAT FOR A MINUTE WHILE ,FREDDIE JUMPED UP AND DOWN ON HIS BARE BACK4 8,OOF6 ,OOF6 ,OOF60 ,THEN HE ROLLED AND ESCAPED4 ,LAUGHING AND SHRIEKING1 WE TOOK OFF AFTER HIM4 ,I WAS STANDING ON THE ARM OF THE SOFA1 READY TO LEAP OFF1 WHEN ,MOM YELLED1 8,QUIET60 ,THE DOORBELL WAS RINGING4 ,DAD LOOKED AT HER4 8,WHO IN THE HECK '''80 ,IT'S NOT LIKE PEOPLE JUST SHOW UP ON YOUR PORCH A LOT OUT HERE IN THE WOODS4 ,TWO BOUNCES AND ,I WAS DOWN1 HEADING FOR THE DOOR4 8,ROBBY1 NO6 ,WAIT JUST A--0 ,TOO LATE4 ,I'D ALREADY FLUNG IT OPEN4 ,STANDING ON OUR FRONT PORCH WAS ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT AND HER HUSBAND1 IN SPY-TYPE TRENCH COATS6 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGH 8,WELL1 HELLO THERE1 ,ROBBY1 ,I--0 ,SHE STOPPED AND STARED AT MY SHREDDED FATHER4 ,THE NEEDLE SCREECHED ACROSS THE RECORD AS ,MOM KILLED THE ,LONE ,RANGER4 8,SOMETHING TELLS ME10 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT SAID FAINTLY1 8THERE'S BEEN A LITTLE MIX-UP ABOUT OUR DINNER40 ,MORTIFIED4 ,I'D HEARD THAT WORD4 ,NOW ,I DIDN'T JUST KNOW ITS MEANING4 ,I .FELT IT4 ,DAD'S RED FACE GOT THREE SHADES REDDER4 ,FOR A MOMENT ,I THOUGHT HE MIGHT DO WHAT ,I FELT LIKE DOING1 WHICH WAS RUN UPSTAIRS AND PULL A BLANKET OVER MY HEAD4 ,BUT HE HARDLY MISSED A BEAT4 ,HE SMILED AT ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT1 CAUGHT HIS BREATH1 AND TURNED TO ME4 8,ROBBY10 HE SAID4 8,WHERE ARE YOUR MANNERS8 ,FIND THE LADY A KAZOO60 #AE ,BELLYFUL OF ,TROUBLE 8,NOW YOU'VE DONE IT60 ,I YELLED AT ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AGI ,DAD AS SOON AS ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT AND HER HUSBAND HAD SCURRIED BACK TO THEIR CAR4 ,BUT ,MOM AND ,DAD WEREN'T PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO ME4 8,I DON'T BELIEVE IT40 ,MOM SANK ONTO THE SOFA4 8,I DON'T BELIEVE THAT JUST HAPPENED40 ,DAD HAD THIS DUMB GRIN ON HIS FACE4 ,FREDDIE OF ,ARABIA STOOD AT THE WINDOW YELLING1 8,GOOD-BYE1 ,YADY4 ,GOOD-BYE1 ,YADY '''0 8,I HAVE .NEVER10 ,MOM SAID1 8IN MY WHOLE LIFE1 BEEN SO EMBARRASSED60 ,BUT THEN SHE STARTED LAUGHING1 EXCITED-EMBARRASSED MORE THAN MORTIFIED- EMBARRASSED4 ,SHE JUMPED UP1 SHOCKED INTO ACTION ,I GUESS1 AND STARTED STRAIGHTENING THE ROOM4 ,WHICH WAS TOTALLY DUMB4 ,IT WAS WAY TOO LATE NOW4 ,DAD SHOOK HIS HEAD4 8,THE LOOK ON THAT WOMAN'S FACE '''0 8,IT'S NOT FUNNY60 ,I SAID4 8,IT'S NOT80 ,DAD PULLED OFF THE TATTERED ,T-SHIRT4 8,THEN HOW COME WE'RE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHJ LAUGHING80 8,BECAUSE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND4 ,YOU GUYS DON'T KNOW HOW SERIOUS THIS IS4 ,YOU HAVE TOTALLY BLOWN IT1 ,DAD60 8.,ME8 ,HEY SPORT1 YOU HELPED WITH THE SHIRT40 8,I KNOW1 BUT YOU'RE THE ONE THAT ALWAYS GETS THINGS WHIPPED UP4 ,I'M JUST A KID4 ,I CAN'T HELP IT4 ,YOU'RE THE DAD4 ,YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE IN CHARGE60 8,WELL1 ,I AM4 ,I PASSED OUT THE KAZOOS1 DIDN'T ,I80 8,DA-AD6 ,JUST THINK HOW THIS LOOKED TO HER60 8,HMMM40 ,DAD RUBBED HIS CHIN1 SQUINTING AT ME BUT TALKING TO ,MOM4 8,GUESS WE'RE INTO THAT SENSITIVE STAGE WHERE ANY LITTLE THING WE DO WILL EMBARRASS HIM40 ,I SUCKED IN A DEEP BREATH AND FLUNG MY ARM TO TAKE IN THE WHOLE PITIFUL SCENE4 8,YOU CALL THIS ANY LITTLE THING80 8,HEY1 OKAY40 ,DAD PUT HIS FLANNEL ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHA SHIRT BACK ON4 8,TAKE IT EASY4 ,I'M SORRY1 ALL RIGHT80 ,LUCY RAN UP TO HIM WITH HER FISH PUPPET AND STARTED NIPPING AT HIS LEG4 8,FISHY FISHY FISHY60 ,MOM CROSSED HER ARMS OVER HER CHEST AND LOOKED AROUND THE ROOM4 8,WE REALLY CAN'T BLAME HIM FOR BEING EMBARRASSED40 8,GUESS NOT10 ,DAD SAID4 ,HE SNATCHED ,LUCY UP1 TOSSED HER ON THE SOFA1 AND GAVE HER BARE TUMMY A GOOD TICKLE4 ,SHE GIGGLED AND SHRIEKED UNTIL HE LET HER WRIGGLE AWAY4 8,BUT NOBODY EVER DIED OF EMBARRASSMENT1 ,ROBBY4 ,IN A WEEK OR TWO YOU'LL HAVE FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT IT40 8,ARE YOU KIDDING8 ,I WON'T FORGET THIS IF ,I LIVE TO BE A HUNDRED40 8,NOW DON'T BE TOO HARD ON ,DAD10 ,MOM SAID4 8,AFTER ALL1 IT WAS YOUR COUNSELOR WHO GOT THE DATE WRONG1 NOT HIM40 ,I PLOPPED ON THE SOFA1 THINKING1 .,SO .WHAT8 ,THE POINT WAS1 SHE .SAW US LIKE THIS4 ,THEN1 OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE1 ,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHB CAUGHT ,LUCY TIPTOEING OVER TO THE DOOR OF ,MOM'S STUDIO4 ,SHE TURNED THE KNOB4 8,MO-OM10 ,I SAID IN A WARNING VOICE4 ,LUCY PUSHED OPEN THE DOOR4 8,HEY60 ,MOM DARTED OVER AND SCOOPED ,LUCY UP WITH ONE ARM4 8,BILL8 ,DID YOU SEE THAT8 ,SHE OPENED THE DOOR40 ,DAD BLINKED4 8,THAT'S WHAT SHE DID1 ALL RIGHT40 8,I MEAN1 SHE OPENED THE DOOR BY HERSELF4 ,IT WAS SHUT TIGHT40 ,SLOWLY1 THEY BOTH TURNED AND LOOKED AT ME4 ,MOM'S VOICE WAS LOADED WITH APOLOGIES4 8,OH1 ,ROBBY40 8,I TRIED TO TELL YOU10 ,I SAID1 8BUT NOBODY EVER BELIEVES ME40 8,I'M SO SORRY1 ,HONEY40 ,YEAH1 GREAT4 ,NOW ,I WAS SO UPSET ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE1 ,I COULDN'T ENJOY THIS APOLOGY ONE LITTLE BIT4 8,I CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL10 ,I TOLD MY PARENTS ,MONDAY MORNING4 8,I THINK ,I'M ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHC SICK AGAIN40 8,DO YOU SUPPOSE HE'S HAVING A RELAPSE OF THE FLU80 ,MOM PUT HER HAND ON MY FOREHEAD1 ,,TV,'-COMMERCIAL STYLE4 8,COULD BE10 ,DAD SAID1 STUDYING MY FACE4 8,FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO THROW UP80 8,NO10 ,I SAID QUICKLY4 8,NO1 IT'S NOT THAT4 ,MY STOMACH JUST HURTS40 ,I DON'T KNOW WHY ,I FELT LIKE ,I WAS TRYING TO GET AWAY WITH SOMETHING4 ,I WASN'T LYING--MY STOMACH REALLY DID HURT4 ,MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE ,I KNEW PERFECTLY WELL IT WAS ,MONDAY AND ,MONDAY MEANT ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT4 ,I DID .NOT WANT TO HAVE TO FACE THAT LADY4 ,MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE AS SOON AS THEY SAID ,I COULD STAY HOME1 MY STOMACH FELT BETTER4 ,I HAD A LOT OF TIME TO LIE THERE AND THINK THAT DAY WHILE ,I PRETENDED TO BE SICK1 AND HERE'S WHAT ,I THOUGHT3 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHD ,YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT EVERY CLOUD HAVING A SILVER LINING8 ,WELL1 THE ONE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS DISASTER WAS THAT AT LEAST ,I COULD GET MY DIORAMA BACK4 ,BEFORE1 ,I HAD TO STAY ON ,MRS4 ,PERKINS'S GOOD SIDE4 ,BUT WHAT WOULD IT MATTER NOW8 ,THE DAMAGE WAS DONE4 ,I WAS SURE ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT HAD ALREADY TOLD HER WHAT SHE'D SEEN AT OUR HOUSE ,FRIDAY NIGHT4 ,BY NOW THE GOVERNMENT PROBABLY HAD ALL THE GORY DETAILS TOO4 ,I MIGHT AS WELL GET THE DIORAMA FOR ,DAD4 ,HE COULD KEEP IT AS A MEMENTO OF THE GREAT TIMES WE'D HAD BEFORE HE BLEW IT4 #AF ,AMBUSH6 ,WHEN ,I SHOWED UP AT SCHOOL ON ,TUESDAY1 ,I HALF EXPECTED EVERYONE TO BE TALKING ABOUT MY FAMILY BEING A BUNCH OF JERKS4 ,BUT BEFORE ,I EVEN GOT INTO THE BUILDING1 ,I FOUND OUT WE WERE NOT THE BIG NEWS4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHE ,ORIN'S DAD WAS4 8,DOCTOR SAYS HE'S LUCKY HE DIDN'T GET KILLED10 ,ORIN WAS BRAGGING BY THE BIKE RACKS4 ,BY NOON RECESS1 EVERYBODY IN OUR CLASS HAD HEARD ABOUT ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD'S LOGGING ACCIDENT4 ,ORIN HAD THRILLED US WITH THE GRISLY DETAILS SEVERAL TIMES4 8,THAT OLD FIR JUST BARBER-CHAIRED ON HIM10 HE SAID1 USING HIS HANDS TO SHOW HOW THE TREE HAD SNAPPED AT A FUNNY ANGLE4 8,DAD SAYS HE SHOULDA KNOWED SOMETHING BAD WAS UP4 ,HE COULDN'T SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE1 SEE1 AND HIS HANDS AND FEET WERE COLD4 ,LOGGERS ALL KNOW THAT MEANS TROUBLE'S AHEAD40 ,I HAVE TO ADMIT1 ,I WAS LISTENING4 ,STANDING IN THE FOURSQUARE LINE1 PRETENDING TO WATCH THE GAME1 ,I WAS ACTUALLY RUNNING A LITTLE MOVIE THROUGH MY HEAD3 ,ACCIDENT ON ,DOUGLAS ,MOUNTAIN4 ,IN A WEIRD WAY IT SORT OF FASCINATED ME TO PICTURE ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD GUTTING IT OUT1 THE PAIN OF THAT TREE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHF PINNING HIS LEG4 ,I SHIVERED4 ,PRETTY SOON NOW ,ORIN WOULD GET TO THE PART WHERE THE LEG BONE WAS STICKING THROUGH THE SKIN ''' ,GEE1 ,I THOUGHT4 ,I WISH ,I HAD A DAD WORTH BRAGGING ABOUT4 ..,HEY1 GUYS1 DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE TIME MY DAD SLICED HIS FINGER MAKING GUACAMOLE8 ,BLOOD8 ,OH LEMME TELL YA1 WE'RE TALKING TWO1 MAYBE THREE .,BAND-,AIDS ''' ,AFTER BREAK ,I WENT UP TO ,MRS4 ,PERKINS'S DESK4 ,SHE WAS COUNTING UP THE ,THANKSGIVING MONEY WE'D ALL TURNED IN THAT MORNING4 ,MINE WAS MOSTLY FROM COLLECTING RETURNABLE CANS ALONG THE ROAD4 8,MRS4 ,PERKINS1 ,I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND ,I'M VERY SORRY BUT ,I CAN'T LET YOU HAVE MY DIORAMA FOR ,MRS4 ,APPLEMAN BECAUSE ,I WANT TO GIVE IT TO MY DAD40 ,SHE STOPPED COUNTING4 8,NOW HOLD ON1 ,ROBERT4 ,WHEN ,I ASKED YOU BEFORE '''0 8,YOU DIDN'T REALLY ASK ME1 ,MRS4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHG ,PERKINS4 ,YOU .TOLD ME4 ,I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE ,I HAD ANY CHOICE40 8,BUT ,ROBERT1 IT'S SUCH AN HONOR40 ,RIGHT THEN ,ORIN ,DOWNARD SWAGGERED IN4 ,WELL1 SO WHAT IF HE OVERHEARD8 ,ORIN MAKING FUN OF ME WAS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES4 8,I MADE THE DIORAMA ESPECIALLY FOR MY DAD1 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS1 AND IT JUST WOULDN'T BE RIGHT TO GIVE IT TO SOMEBODY ELSE40 ,YEAH1 ,I KNOW1 ,I WASN'T MAKING MUCH SENSE4 ,I WAS MAD AT ,DAD1 RIGHT8 ,BUT STILL ''' 8,AIN'T THIS TOUCHING10 ,ORIN SAID4 8,GOT A HANKY THERE1 ,DARREL80 ,HE FAKED A COUPLE OF SNIFFS4 8,THINK ,I'M ABOUT TO BUST OUT BAWLING40 ,MRS4 ,PERKINS SLID THE YELLOW ENVELOPE OF MONEY INTO HER DESK DRAWER4 ,THEN SHE LOOKED UP AT ME AND SHOOK HER HEAD4 8,FOR-EVER-MORE4 ,ROBERT ,HUMMER1 YOU SURE DO TAKE THE CAKE40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHH ,I DREW MYSELF UP4 8,MRS4 ,PERKINS80 ,I SAID4 8,I REALLY WISH YOU'D CALL ME ,ROBBY40 ,THE WIND RUSHED BY MY EARS AS ,I COASTED DOWN THE ROAD ON MY BIKE THAT AFTERNOON1 KEEPING FAR TO THE RIGHT TO LET THE SCHOOL BUS PASS4 ,BY THE TIME ,I REACHED THE FIRST LITTLE BUBBLING CREEK THAT SPILLS INTO THE MAIN CREEK1 THE SUN HAD BROKEN THROUGH THE CLOUDS1 MAKING SPARKLIES OF THE RAINDROPS ON EVERY TWIG AND TREE BRANCH4 ,I WAS STARTING TO FEEL A LITTLE LESS GLOOMY4 ,AT LEAST ,I WAS GETTING AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL4 ,AT LEAST ,I WAS HEADING HOME4 ,AND MOST IMPORTANT1 ,I HAD THE DIORAMA IN MY BACK BASKET4 ,NO MATTER WHAT ELSE HAPPENED1 THIS ONE THING WAS GOING TO BE THE WAY ,I PLANNED IT4 ,MY DAD WAS GOING TO HAVE THE PRESENT ,I MADE FOR HIM4 ,AND THEN1 A RUSH OF AIR AS ANOTHER ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AHI BIKE SWOOPED PAST4 ,I SWERVED4 ,WHEN ,I'D STEADIED MYSELF ,I SAW IT WAS ,ORIN4 8,YA YA60 HE YELLED1 PEDALING AWAY1 HOLDING SOMETHING TRIUMPHANTLY OVER HIS HEAD4 ,MY DIORAMA6 ,HE'D SNAGGED IT OUT OF MY BACK BASKET6 8,HEY6 ,YOU GIMME THAT BACK60 ,I STOOD UP TO PEDAL1 FOLLOWING HIM AROUND THE BEND TO THE BRIDGE4 8,ORIN1 COME ON6 ,THAT'S NOT FUNNY60 ,THROUGH THE DARK TUNNEL OF THE BRIDGE1 ,I SAW A FIGURE SILHOUETTED AGAINST THE PALE GREEN LIGHT AT THE END4 ,ORIN CROSSED AHEAD OF ME1 THREW DOWN HIS BIKE1 AND TOSSED THE BOOT BOX TO THE FIGURE4 .,BUMPBUMPBUMP4 ,I PEDALED FURIOUSLY OVER THE PLANKS AFTER THEM4 8,GIMME A BREAK1 ,ORIN40 ,MY VOICE ECHOED AGAINST THE OLD TIMBERS4 8,YOU'RE GONNA WRECK IT40 8,IT'S FOR HIS DADDEEE10 ,ORIN SING- ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AIJ SONGED1 DANCING AROUND4 ,OUT THE OTHER SIDE1 ,I JUMPED OFF MY BIKE4 ,THE FIGURE WAS ,CODY ,RIDDLE4 ,HE TOSSED THE BOX BACK TO ,ORIN4 ,I SHUT MY EYES4 ,I COULD JUST IMAGINE THE LITTLE DEER COMING UNGLUED1 RATTLING AGAINST THE SIDES1 THE SEA GULL ON A THREAD BANGING CRAZILY4 8,ORIN1 PLEASE80 ,I HATED THE WIMPY SOUND OF MY VOICE4 8,PLEASE80 HE MIMICKED ME4 ,I HATED HIM4 ,I WISHED ,I WERE BIGGER THAN HIM4 ,I WISHED ,I COULD GRAB HIM AND POUND HIM4 ,HAVING TO BEG ,ORIN ,DOWNARD FOR WHAT WAS MINE--IT KILLED ME6 8,OKAY10 HE SAID1 8HERE IT IS60 ,BUT INSTEAD OF TOSSING IT TO ME1 ,ORIN HAULED OFF AND SENT THE BOX IN A FLYING ARC OVER THE CREEK4 8,NO60 ,I WATCHED IT SPLASH INTO THE GURGLING WATER4 ,I SCRAMBLED DOWN THE BANK1 SLIDING THROUGH THE WET FERNS1 KEEPING MY EYE ON ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AIA THE BOX AS IT FLOATED LIKE A LITTLE ARK1 TWIRLING IN THE EDDIES AND BUMPING AGAINST A MOSSY ROCK1 THE RUSH OF WATER HOLDING IT THERE FOR AN INSTANT4 ,I WADED INTO THE ICINESS UP TO MY KNEES AND FISHED IT OUT4 ,STANDING ON A ROCK AT THE EDGE1 ,I HELD IT UP TO THE LIGHT AND PEEKED THROUGH THE EYEHOLE4 ,THAT WAS ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK ALL RIGHT4 ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK AFTER AN END-OF-THE- WORLD FLOOD4 ,ALL THE PAINT HAD RUN1 THE PARTS MADE OF TISSUE LOOKED LIKE WET TOILET PAPER4 ,I TRIED THE BATTERY- POWERED LIGHTS--SHORTED OUT4 ,ABOVE ME AT THE BRIDGE1 ,ORIN AND ,CODY WERE LAUGHING THEIR HEADS OFF4 ,HOT TEARS SPRANG TO MY EYES4 ,MY THROAT ACHED4 ,THIS IS WHERE ,I SHOULD HAVE RAISED MY FIST AND YELLED ..,I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS1 ,ORIN ,DOWNARD4 ,I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS IF IT'S THE LAST THING ,I .DO6 ,THAT'S HOW IT WOULD HAVE GONE IN A MOVIE OR A BOOK4 ,BUT THIS WAS STUPID1 CRUMMY1 REAL ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AIB LIFE4 ,SO ,I JUST HUGGED THE RUINED BOX TO ME1 CLIMBED THE SLIPPERY BANK1 AND GOT ON MY BIKE4 8,HURRY ON HOME10 ,ORIN SANG AFTER ME IN HIS NASTIEST VOICE4 8,HURRY UP AND TATTLE TO THAT BIG TOUGH DADDY OF YOURS60 ,THEY DIDN'T CHASE ME1 BUT ,I COULD HEAR THEIR STUPID LAUGHING AT MY BACK ALL THE WAY DOWN THE ROAD4 #AG ,PUMPKINS ,EVERY ,TIME ,I SHOVED OPEN OUR FRONT DOOR4 8,I HATE ,ORIN ,DOWNARD60 ,I SHOUTED4 8,I HATE HATE HATE HIM60 ,MOM CAME OUT OF HER STUDIO4 8,HONEY1 WHAT'S WRONG80 ,SHE TOOK A CLOSER LOOK4 8,ROBBY1 YOUR FEET ARE ALL WET4 ,YOU'RE ALL MUDDY40 8,JUST LOOK AT THIS60 ,I FLUNG DOWN THE SOGGY REMAINS OF MY DIORAMA AND TOLD HER WHAT ,ORIN HAD DONE4 8,OH1 DEAR40 ,SHE STOOPED AND PICKED ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AIC IT UP4 8,AND ,I WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO ,DAD FOR HIS BIRTHDAY40 8,WELL '''0 ,SHE PEEKED THROUGH THE EYEHOLE4 8,MAYBE WE CAN FIX IT40 8,NO1 IT'S RUINED4 ,IT'S JUST TOTALLY RUINED40 ,I SWALLOWED HARD4 8,AND IT WAS REALLY NEAT1 TOO4 ,EVEN ,MRS4 ,PERKINS SAID IT WAS THE BEST ONE IN THE SCHOOL40 8,I'M SURE IT WAS WONDERFUL40 ,SHE HELD IT UP TO THE LIGHT4 8,I CAN TELL THAT EVEN NOW40 ,THEN SHE SET IT DOWN AND LET OUT A BIG DISGUSTED SIGH4 8,WHAT IS THE .MATTER WITH THAT KID1 ANYWAY80 8,HE JUST HATES ME4 ,AND ,I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY40 ,SHE LOOKED OUT THE LEADED WINDOWS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ,DOWNARDS' PLACE4 8,MAYBE TODAY HE WAS UPSET ABOUT HIS DAD'S ACCIDENT40 ,SHE TURNED BACK TO ME4 8,YOU HEARD1 DIDN'T YOU80 8,YEAH1 EVERYBODY DID4 ,HOW'D YOU FIND OUT80 8,OH1 YOU KNOW HOW FAST NEWS LIKE THAT ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AID GETS AROUND ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK4 ,SO1 ,ORIN TOOK IT PRETTY HARD80 8,OH1 ,MOM1 ARE YOU KIDDING8 ,ORIN .LOVED IT--BRAGGED AND SPOUTED LOGGER TALK ALL DAY4 ,NO1 HE JUST WRECKED MY PROJECT FOR THE FUN OF IT1 THAT'S ALL40 8,NOW1 NOW '''0 8,AND ,I'M GOING TO GET HIM FOR THIS1 ,MOM4 ,I'D LIKE TO BEAT HIM UP40 8,BUT ,ROBBY1 WHAT GOOD WOULD THAT DO8 ,IT WOULDN'T FIX YOUR DIORAMA40 8,I KNOW1 BUT IT'D MAKE ME FEEL BETTER40 8,THINK SO1 HUH80 ,I NODDED STUBBORNLY4 ,THEN ,I REALIZED SOMETHING FUNNY WAS GOING ON4 ,MOM AND ,I WERE TALKING AND NOBODY WAS INTERRUPTING4 ,I LOOKED AROUND4 8,WHERE IS EVERYBODY80 8,THE KIDS NEVER DID SETTLE DOWN FOR MUCH OF A NAP1 AND SINCE ,I'D BE HERE WHEN YOU GOT HOME1 ,DAD THOUGHT HE'D TAKE THEM TO THE LIBRARY AND THEN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AIE GROCERY SHOPPING40 8,OH40 ,I'D BEEN SO UPSET1 ,I HADN'T EVEN NOTICED THE MINIVAN WAS GONE4 8,NOW LET'S GET THESE WET SHOES OFF YOU4 ,SIT DOWN BY THE FIRE HERE AND ,I'LL FIX YOU SOME HOT CHOCOLATE4 ,WHEN YOU'RE WARMED UP WE CAN DRIVE IN TO ,THE ,PALETTE FOR SUPPLIES TO MAKE A NEW DIORAMA40 8,START IT ALL OVER80 ,I LET OUT A BIG SIGH4 8,I JUST COULDN'T40 8,START SOMETHING ELSE1 THEN4 ,COME ON1 HOW ABOUT IT80 ,USUALLY A TRIP TO THE ART STORE PERKS ME RIGHT UP1 BUT NOT TODAY4 ,IT WAS DARK AND RAINING HARD BY THE TIME WE CHUGGED OUR WAY HOME AROUND ,TILLICUM ,HEAD4 ,MOM GLANCED AT ME4 8,THINK MAYBE YOU'VE STILL GOT A TOUCH OF THE FLU80 ,I SHOOK MY HEAD4 8,YOU FEEL OKAY1 THEN80 ,I SHRUGGED4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AIF ,WE DROVE A LITTLE FARTHER4 ,WEIRD1 HAVING ,MOM TO MYSELF--NO SOUNDS BUT THE RUMBLING ENGINE AND THE SQUEAK OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS4 ,I TOOK A SIDEWAYS PEEK AT HER FACE1 FAINTLY LIT BY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS4 ,NOW THAT ,I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK1 ,I COULDN'T BRING MYSELF TO MENTION WHAT WAS REALLY BUGGING ME4 ,INSTEAD ,I TRIED TO EDGE IN AROUND IT4 8,MOM80 8,HM80 ,SHE KEPT HER EYES ON THE CURVY1 RAIN-SLICK ROAD4 8,THIS IS REALLY DUMB1 BUT SOMETIMES ,I FEEL TWO DIFFERENT WAYS ABOUT ONE THING40 ,I WAS THINKING HOW ,I HALF ADMIRED ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD AND HALF HATED HIM4 ,HOW ,I SORT OF LIKED ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT BUT WAS SCARED OF HER TOO4 ,HOW ,I LOVED THE WAY ,DAD ACTED BUT ALSO FELT EMBARRASSED BY HIM4 8,DO YOU KNOW WHAT ,I MEAN80 8,SURE4 ,THAT'S WHAT GROWN-UPS CALL HAVING MIXED FEELINGS40 8,OH40 ,MIXED FEELINGS4 ,SO THERE WAS ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AIG AN OFFICIAL NAME FOR THIS8 ,PART OF ME WAS RELIEVED4 ,MAYBE ,I WAS NORMAL4 ,ON THE OTHER HAND1 IF IT WAS NORMAL TO BE CONFUSED1 DID THAT MEAN ,I'D FEEL THIS WAY FOREVER8 ,I WATCHED THE STRING OF ORANGE REFLECTORS SNAKING TOWARD US ALONG THE CENTER OF THE ROAD4 ,OH1 GREAT6 ,NOW ,I WAS HAVING MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT MIXED FEELINGS6 8,WELL1 ONE THING ,I KNOW FOR SURE10 ,I SAID4 8,I'D STILL LIKE TO BEAT UP ,ORIN ,DOWNARD40 8,ROBBY--0 8,AND ,I WISH ,DAD COULD BEAT UP ,ELVIS40 ,MOM SIGHED4 8,WELL1 ,ORIN'S ALWAYS BUGGING ME ABOUT THAT4 ,I NEVER WANT TO TELL ,DAD THIS1 BUT ,ORIN'S ALWAYS SAYING1 ,8,NYEAH NYEAH1 YOUR DAD'S A WIMP4 ,MY DAD COULD POUND YOUR DAD ANY DAY40'0 8,THAT IS .SO SILLY40 8,I KNOW1 BUT ''' ,I CAN'T HELP IT1 ,MOM6 ,SOMETIMES ,I WISH ,I HAD THE KIND ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AIH OF DAD WHO WOULD BE BIGGER AND TOUGHER THAN ALL THE OTHER DADS40 ,SHE GLANCED AT ME4 8,ROBBY1 THIS ISN'T THE STONE AGE4 ,WE DON'T RATE FATHERS ON WHICH ONE CAN BEAT UP THE OTHERS4 ,WHAT DO WE NEED WITH THAT8 ,WOULDN'T YOU RATHER JUST HAVE A DAD WHO LOVES YOU1 A DAD WHO'S A LOT OF FUN80 8,BUT ,MOM1 YOU ALWAYS ACT LIKE ,DAD WANTS TO HAVE .TOO MUCH FUN40 8,OH1 ,I KNOW '''0 ,SHE LAUGHED4 8,BUT REALLY1 IS THERE EVER SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH FUN80 ..,THERE IS IF YOUR COUNSELOR SEES .IT1 ,I THOUGHT DARKLY4 8,I'M SURE YOUR DAD'S RIGHT WITH ALL HIS TALK ABOUT PRIORITIES4 ,YOU KIDS WILL REMEMBER THOSE PUMPKINS ALL YOUR LIVES4 ,YOU WON'T CARE THAT THE SHED WAS ALWAYS A MESS40 8,BUT YOU CARE40 8,WELL1 THERE YOU GO--MIXED FEELINGS6 ,BUT ACTUALLY--AND THIS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU--IF YOU GAVE ME A CHOICE1 ,I'D GO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #AII FOR THOSE PUMPKINS EVERY TIME40 8,YOU WOULD80 8,OF COURSE6 ,AND BELIEVE ME1 ,ROBBY1 ,I'VE SEE A LOT OF DADS4 ,THEY DON'T COME ANY BETTER THAN YOURS40 ,MY THROAT GOT TIGHT4 ,GOOD THING IT WAS DARK AND ,MOM COULDN'T SEE MY FACE4 ,SURE1 DEEP DOWN ,I THOUGHT ,DAD WAS THE GREATEST4 ,BUT WHO CARED ABOUT MY OPINION8 ,NOT ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT1 NOT ,MRS4 ,PERKINS1 NOT THE GOVERNMENT4 ,I STARED AT THE ZAPS OF RAIN SHOOTING STRAIGHT AT THE WINDSHIELD THROUGH THE HEADLIGHTS4 ,UP ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK ,ROAD1 WE PASSED THE ,DOWNARDS' PLACE4 ,ALL DARK4 ,PROBABLY THEY WERE AT THE HOSPITAL4 ,THEN WE TURNED BETWEEN THE TWO BIG FIR TREES AND THERE WAS OUR HOUSE4 ,USUALLY ,I LOVED THE WAY IT LOOKED ON A RAINY NIGHT1 LIT FROM INSIDE1 EACH WINDOW A RECTANGLE OF GOLD4 ,BEST OF ALL WERE THE COLORED JEWELS IN THE STAINED- GLASS HALF-CIRCLE OVER MY LOFT4 ,BUT ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJJ TONIGHT IT ALMOST MADE ME FEEL BAD SOMEHOW4 ,I STEPPED DOWN INTO THE CRUNCHY GRAVEL1 TAKING IN THE SMELL OF WOOD SMOKE1 THE FAINT SOUND OF ,ZYDECO MUSIC BLASTING AWAY INSIDE4 ,IN THE WINDOW1 THE FACES OF TWO HAPPY LITTLE WEREWOLVES PRESSED AGAINST THE GLASS1 WAITING FOR US4 ,OUR HOME ON THE BANKS OF ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK4 ,ORIN RUINING MY MODEL OF IT WAS BAD ENOUGH1 BUT THAT WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO WORRYING ABOUT LOSING THE REAL THING4 #AH ,A ,BEAUTIFUL ,DAY IN THE ,NEIGHBORHOOD ,WHEN ,I GOT HOME FROM SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY1 ,I DROPPED MY BACKPACK ON THE KITCHEN FLOOR AND STARED AT ,DAD4 8,YOU'RE GOING TO .WHAT80 8,SHH6 ,THE KIDS ARE STILL ASLEEP40 8,OH1 SORRY1 BUT--0 8,I SAID ,I'M TAKING THE ,DOWNARDS A ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJA CASSEROLE40 8,BUT WHY80 8,BECAUSE WE HEARD THEY BROUGHT ,ELVIS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING AND IT'S THE NEIGHBORLY THING TO DO40 8,DAD6 ,THE ,DOWNARDS ARE OUR ENEMIES60 8,ROBBY1 WE DON'T WANT ENEMIES4 ,WE DIDN'T MOVE UP HERE TO FIGHT WITH PEOPLE4 ,WE WANTED TO LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY WHERE NEIGHBORS STILL HELPED EACH OTHER LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS40 8,BUT YOU DON'T .LIKE THEM10 ,I ACCUSED HIM4 8,DON'T YOU REMEMBER AFTER THOSE HEARINGS YOU WENT TO8 ,YOU SAID ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD'S ANCESTORS WERE PROBABLY THE ONES WHO FIRST STARTED KILLING OFF ALL THE BUFFALO AND THAT THEIR FAMILY HADN'T CHANGED SINCE4 ,YOU SAID ,DOUGLAS ,MOUNTAIN WOULD BE NOTHING BUT STUMPS IF THEY HAD THEIR WAY40 ,DAD SIGHED4 8,I KNOW ,I SAID THAT1 ,ROBBY4 ,AND ,I STILL THINK IT'S PROBABLY TRUE4 ,BUT THE ,DOWNARDS ARE IN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJB TROUBLE1 AND TROUBLE HAS A WAY OF PUTTING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE40 ,I FROWNED4 8,WHAT'S THAT MEAN80 8,WELL1 IN YOUR DRAWINGS YOU MAKE SOMETHING THAT'S FARTHER AWAY SMALLER1 RIGHT8 ,IT'S LIKE THAT4 ,IT'S SEEING WHICH THINGS ARE BIG AND IMPORTANT AND UP CLOSE AND WHICH THINGS OUGHT TO BE SMALLER AND IN THE BACKGROUND4 ,RIGHT NOW ,I'M PUTTING ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD'S BROKEN BONES UP CLOSER THAN HIS POLITICS40 8,OKAY1 BUT EVEN FORGETTING POLITICS1 IT'S ONLY BEEN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS SINCE ,ORIN TOSSED MY DIORAMA IN THE CREEK4 ,AT SCHOOL HE TEASED ME ABOUT IT ALL DAY LONG4 ,AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO REWARD HIS FAMILY BY BEING NICE80 8,IT'S NOT A REWARD4 ,IT'S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING THEY'VE DONE OR NOT DONE40 ,HE PUT FOIL OVER THE CASSEROLE AND TUCKED IT INTO A GROCERY BAG4 8,I JUST WOULDN'T FELT RIGHT1 THAT'S ALL1 PRETENDING WE HADN'T HEARD ABOUT HIS ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJC FATHER'S ACCIDENT40 8,OKAY10 ,I SAID1 8BUT DO YOU HAVE TO TAKE0--,I MADE A FACE--8.FOOD80 8,WHAT'S WRONG WITH FOOD8 ,WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN TROUBLE1 THEY SOMETIMES DON'T HAVE TIME TO COOK4 ,OR THEY FORGET TO4 ,BUT THEY NEED TO EAT TO KEEP UP THEIR STRENGTH40 8,YEAH1 BUT ''' ,DAD8 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO TELL YOU THIS1 BUT ''' WELL1 THEIR WHOLE FAMILY THINKS IT'S WEIRD THAT YOU COOK40 ,DAD SMILED4 8,OH1 DO THEY80 8,YES1 AND IT'S NOT FUNNY6 ,ORIN SAYS IT'S DISGUSTING AND NOT NORMAL THAT YOU STAY HOME AND ,MOM GOES TO WORK4 ,HE'S ALWAYS SAYING HIS DAD CAN POUND YOU40 8,OH4 ,SO THAT'S IT40 ,I NODDED4 8,WELL1 EVEN IF HE FEELS THAT WAY1 ,ROBBY1 THE MAN IS COMPLETELY LAID UP4 ,HE'S IN NO CONDITION TO ''' TO .POUND ME40 8,OKAY1 SO HE'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJD PUNCH YOU OUT OVER A CASSEROLE4 ,BUT WHAT IF THEY LAUGH80 8,LAUGH80 8,YEAH6 ,WHAT IF THEY LAUGH AT YOU80 8,THEN ,I'LL LAUGH TOO1 AND WE'LL ALL HAVE A GOOD YUK4 ,HEY1 SHOULD ,I TAKE MY KAZOO8 ,THAT MIGHT CHEER HIM UP60 ,HE PULLED A KAZOO OUT OF HIS SHIRT POCKET1 STUCK IT IN HIS MOUTH1 AND STARTED HUMMING ,MR4 ,ROGERS'S 8,WON'T ,YOU ,BE ,MY ,NEIGHBOR0 SONG4 ,I BLEW A SLOW STREAM OF AIR UP AT MY FOREHEAD4 ,HOW COULD ,I TELL HIM ,I WAS JUST PLAIN TIRED OF PEOPLE THINKING OF ME AS THE SON OF A NUT8 8,DAD1 COULD YOU BE SERIOUS FOR ONCE80 ,HE STOPPED4 ,HE TOSSED THE KAZOO ON THE COUNTER AND SIGHED4 8,OKAY1 ,ROBBY4 ,HERE'S HOW IT IS4 ,I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF GOING OVER THERE ANY BETTER THAN YOU DO4 ,ACTUALLY1 ,I DREAD IT4 ,I WILL BE .EXTREMELY GLAD TO HAVE IT OVER WITH4 ,I KNOW HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT US4 ,BUT YOU CAN'T ALWAYS TAKE THE EASY ROUTE4 ,THAT ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJE SAYING--,8A MAN'S GOTTA DO WHAT A MAN'S GOTTA DO0'--IT ISN'T JUST A JOKE4 ,YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU KNOW IS RIGHT WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT1 THAT'S ALL4 ,AND WHO KNOWS8 ,MAYBE SOMETHING GOOD'LL COME OUT OF IT40 8,HUH4 ,LIKE WHAT80 8,I DON'T KNOW1 ,ROBBY1 BUT IF ,I DON'T DO THIS1 IT'S GOING TO KEEP BUGGING ME THAT ,I SHOULD HAVE40 ,HE PULLED ON HIS STOCKING HAT4 8,BUT1 ,DAD60 ,I WAS SO GLAD ,I THOUGHT OF THIS4 8,THE BABIES6 ,YOU CAN'T GO OFF AND LEAVE THEM ALONE60 8,NICE TRY10 ,DAD SAID1 8BUT ,MOM'S WORKING IN HER STUDIO WITH THE INTERCOM TURNED ON4 ,SHE'LL HEAR THEM WHEN THEY WAKE UP4 ,NOW1 ARE YOU COMING WITH ME OR NOT80 ,WELL1 ,I COULDN'T LET HIM DO IT ALONE1 COULD ,I8 ,A LIGHT MIST WAS FALLING AS WE WALKED OUT OVER OUR PLANK BRIDGE4 ,DAD CARRIED THE CASSEROLE AND ,I HUGGED A LOAF OF ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJF HOMEMADE BREAD TO MY CHEST LIKE IT WAS A TEDDY BEAR ,I NEEDED FOR COURAGE4 ,AS WE PASSED OUR MAILBOX ,DAD TURNED TO ME4 8,NOW WHAT WERE YOU TELLING ME ABOUT THE ,THANKSGIVING MONEY80 8,OH1 YEAH40 ,I'D COME HOME WITH BIG NEWS BUT FORGOT ALL ABOUT IT WHEN ,I FOUND ,DAD PACKING FOOD FOR THE ,DOWNARDS4 8,WELL10 ,I BEGAN AGAIN1 8SOMEBODY STOLE THE MONEY WE COLLECTED RIGHT OUT OF ,MRS4 ,PERKINS'S DESK40 8,THAT'S TOO BAD40 8,YEAH4 ,JUST THINK OF ALL THOSE POP CANS WE COLLECTED40 8,AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHO DID IT80 8,GUESS NOT4 ,I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS ,ORIN1 BUT THEN ,MRS4 ,PERKINS SAID IT WAS TAKEN RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL YESTERDAY1 AND THAT'S WHEN HE WAS DOWN BY THE BRIDGE1 WRECKING MY DIORAMA40 8,EVEN ,ORIN CAN'T BE EVERYWHERE1 DOING EVERY BAD THING AT ONCE1 HUH80 8,RIGHT40 ,I SHIFTED THE BREAD4 8,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJG TRIED TO FIND OUT SOME OTHER EVIDENCE1 LIKE IF ANYTHING ELSE WAS MISSING FROM HER DESK1 BUT ,MRS4 ,PERKINS JUST GOES1 ,8,ROBBY1 THIS IS NOT AN ,ENCYCLOPEDIA ,BROWN CASE4 ,IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT1 TELL US4 ,OTHERWISE1 IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS40'0 ,I SCOWLED4 8,I DON'T LIKE HER VERY MUCH40 8,I GET THAT IDEA40 8,AND SHE DOESN'T LIKE ME EITHER40 ,I WAITED FOR HIM TO DENY THIS4 8,WELL1 THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES SOMETIMES40 ,I BLINKED1 SURPRISED4 8,YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HIT IT OFF WITH EVERY TEACHER THE WAY YOU DID WITH ,MRS4 ,KASSEL LAST YEAR40 ,REAL COMFORTING4 ,WELL1 AT LEAST HE WAS HONEST4 ,WE HAD REACHED THE ,DOWNARDS' MAILBOX NOW4 ,OVER IT HUNG A SHINGLE THAT SAID 8,DRESSMAKING40 ,IT SEEMED STRANGE1 WALKING RIGHT UP THE DRIVEWAY ,I'D HURRIED PAST SO MANY TIMES BEFORE4 ,WHEN ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJH THE DOGS SPOTTED US THEY STARTED BARKING AND JERKING AGAINST THEIR CHAINS4 ,I LOOKED AT ,DAD4 ,MAYBE HE'D DECIDE TO TURN BACK8 ,BUT HE GAVE THE DOGS A FEW PATS AND THEY CALMED DOWN1 SNIFFING US IN A FRIENDLY WAY AS WE WENT UP THE FRONT STEPS4 ,DAD KNOCKED ON THE DOOR4 ,I HEARD SOME YELLING INSIDE1 THEN THE DOOR SWUNG BACK4 ,ORIN4 ,HIS EYES GOT AS BIG AS BEADY LITTLE GROUNDHOG EYES CAN GET4 ,HE LOOKED NERVOUS4 ,MAYBE HE THOUGHT ,I'D BROUGHT ,DAD OVER TO GET HIM IN TROUBLE ABOUT THE DIORAMA4 8,HI1 ,ORIN10 ,DAD SAID4 8,WE THOUGHT WE'D LOOK IN ON YOUR DAD4 ,IS HE UP FOR VISITORS80 ,ORIN CHECKED OUT ,DAD'S BROWN BAG COVERED CASSEROLE4 8,WHAT'S THAT80 HE SAID1 LIKE HE THOUGHT MAYBE WE WERE DELIVERING A BOMB4 8,THIS10 ,DAD SAID1 8IS CHICKEN @A LA ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BJI ,HUMMER40 ,ORIN'S MOM APPEARED BEHIND HIM4 8,ORIN1 IF WE HAVE COMPANY1 DON'T MAKE THEM--0 ,THEN SHE SAW US4 8,OH10 SHE SAID4 8,OH1 HELLO40 ,I'D SEEN ,MRS4 ,DOWNARD AT SCHOOL PROGRAMS4 ,SHE ALWAYS SEEMED TOO THIN AND DELICATE TO BE ,ORIN'S MOM4 ,TODAY SHE LOOKED PRETTY TIRED4 8,WE WERE SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND'S ACCIDENT10 ,DAD SAID4 8,WE JUST BROUGHT A COUPLE OF THINGS TO HELP OUT WITH YOUR MEALS40 8,OH4 ,WELL1 THAT'S REAL NICE40 ,THE LINES BETWEEN HER EYEBROWS SMOOTHED OUT4 8,COME ON IN4 ,ELVIS IS JUST WATCHING SOME ,,TV40 ,I GLANCED AT ,DAD1 HOPING WE COULD DROP THE FOOD AND GO1 BUT HE WALKED RIGHT IN LIKE HE ALWAYS VISITED THE HOMES OF PEOPLE WHO HATED HIM4 ,OFF TO THE LEFT ,I CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF ,MRS4 ,DOWNARD'S SEWING ROOM--FABRIC PILED EVERYWHERE1 A COUPLE OF FRILLY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAJ DRESSES HANGING ON A RACK4 ,SOMETIMES AT NIGHT WE'D BE DRIVING BY AND WE'D SEE HER WORKING IN HERE1 FRAMED IN THE LIT- UP WINDOW1 BENT OVER HER SEWING MACHINE4 8,NOW DON'T BE LOOKING IN THERE10 SHE SAID1 HURRYING TO CLOSE THE DOOR4 8,SUCH A MESS40 ,WE FOLLOWED HER INTO THE LIVING ROOM4 ,WAS IT STUFFY IN HERE OR WAS IT ME8 ,I COULDN'T BREATHE4 ,I STOOD WITH MY ARMS TIGHT TO MY SIDES SO ,I WOULDN'T KNOCK OFF ANY OF THE LITTLE FIGURINES THAT WERE ON EVERY SHELF AND TABLE4 ,AND THE WALLS6 ,I'D NEVER SEEN SO MANY PICTURES BEFORE4 ,ORIN'S MOM REALLY HAD THEIR PLACE DECORATED FANCY4 ,ELVIS SPRAWLED ON THE SOFA WITH HIS EYES CLOSED1 HIS BROKEN ARM IN A SLING1 HIS LEG CAST PROPPED ON A COFFEE TABLE MADE OUT OF A THICK DISK OF TREE TRUNK1 SANDED AND VARNISHED4 ,A GAME OF CHECKERS WAS ON THE TABLE TOO4 8,ELVIS1 ,HONEY8 ,BILL ,HUMMER AND HIS BOY ARE HERE40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAA ,ELVIS GRUNTED4 ,IT WASN'T FRIENDLY4 ,ON THE OTHER HAND1 ,I COULD SEE HE WASN'T ABOUT TO JUMP UP AND SLUG ,DAD1 EITHER4 ,HE GLANCED AT US AND NODDED4 ,HE RAN A HAND THROUGH HIS MESSY HAIR AND TURNED BACK TO THE GIANT-SCREEN ,,TV4 8,HE'S NOT HIMSELF10 ,MRS4 ,DOWNARD WHISPERED4 8,STILL HAVING A LOT OF PAIN40 ,NOT HIMSELF WAS RIGHT4 ,HE LOOKED SO DIFFERENT FROM THE WAY HE HAD IN CLASS THE OTHER DAY4 ,HIS FACE WAS KIND OF GRAY AND CREASED4 ,HE SEEMED SMALLER4 8,THEY BROUGHT A NICE CASSEROLE AND SOME HOMEMADE BREAD10 ,MRS4 ,DOWNARD SAID4 8,WASN'T THAT THOUGHTFUL80 ,ELVIS GRUNTED AGAIN1 ONE POINT HIGHER ON A SCALE FROM MEAN TO FRIENDLY4 ,DAD STARTED THE SMALL TALK--HOW WE'D HEARD ABOUT THE ACCIDENT4 ,HOW WE WERE REALLY SORRY ABOUT IT BUT WERE GLAD IT WASN'T WORSE AND ALL THAT4 ,HOW WE'D BE GLAD TO HELP THEM OUT ANY WAY WE COULD4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAB ,I NOTICED A BUNCH OF GET-WELL CARDS ON THE MANTEL4 ,ONE WAS ONE OF MY MOTHER'S DESIGNS6 ,AFTER THE FIRST SURPRISE1 MY MUSCLES LOOSENED A LITTLE4 ,FUNNY--JUST KNOWING THAT A FRIEND OF THE ,DOWNARDS LIKED MY MOM'S ARTWORK MADE ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE ,DOWNARDS THEMSELVES4 ,ORIN WATCHED US1 HEAD HUNCHED INTO HIS SHOULDERS4 ,HE LOOKED DIFFERENT TODAY TOO4 ,ALMOST TIMID4 ,HIS LITTLE SISTER ,PEGGY CAME DOWN THE HALL1 DRAGGING HER HAND ALONG THE WALL4 ,SHE SIDLED OVER AND TUCKED HER HEAD UNDER HER MOTHER'S ARM4 ,I HAD THE FEELING ,ELVIS JUST WISHED WE'D LEAVE4 ,HE NEVER EVEN TURNED THE ,,TV DOWN THE WHOLE TIME ,DAD TRIED TO MAKE CONVERSATION4 ,FINALLY1 WITHOUT TAKING HIS EYES OFF THE SCREEN1 HE SAID1 8,SHERILYN80 8,YES1 ,ELVIS80 ,ORIN'S MOM HURRIED OVER TO HIM4 8,HOW 'BOUT ANOTHER ONE OF THEM ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAC PILLS80 8,OH1 DEAR4 ,HURTIN' PRETTY BAD1 IS IT80 ,SHE GLANCED AT THEIR CUCKOO CLOCK4 8,STILL ANOTHER HOUR BEFORE THE NEXT ONE4 ,THE DOCTOR SAID--0 8,FORGET THE DOCTOR60 ,ELVIS'S GOOD ARM JERKED LIKE HE WANTED TO HIT THE GUY IN CHARGE OF THE PILLS4 8,JUST GIMME ONE40 ,SHE JUMPED TO GET IT4 ,BOY1 MY DAD WOULD NEVER TALK TO MY MOM THAT WAY1 NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF SHAPE HE WAS IN4 ,AND IF HE DID MY MOM WOULD PROBABLY JUST GO1 8,WHAT'S WITH .YOU TODAY1 ,BUSTER80 8,WELL10 ,DAD SAID4 8,WE DIDN'T MEAN TO TIRE YOU OUT40 ,HE TURNED TO ,MRS4 ,DOWNARD4 8,THAT'S A BIG PILE OF ROUNDS YOU'VE GOT OUT THERE4 ,COULD ,I SPLIT SOME OF THAT UP FOR YOU8 ,I'VE GOT SOME TIME HERE BEFORE ,I NEED TO GET DINNER ON40 ,SHE GLANCED AT ,ELVIS4 8,GEE1 THAT'D BE--0 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAD 8,NAW6 ,I'LL DO IT10 ,ELVIS SAID4 ,DAD TRIED TO KID HIM ABOUT IT4 8,COME ON1 NOW1 ,ELVIS4 ,IT'S GOING TO BE A WHILE BEFORE YOU'RE UP TO THAT40 ,ELVIS GRUNTED1 PARTLY LIKE HE HAD TO AGREE1 PARTLY LIKE HE WAS HURTING4 ,WELL1 ,I NEVER THOUGHT ,I'D BE SAYING THIS ABOUT ,ELVIS ,DOWNARD1 BUT ,I FELT SORRY FOR HIM4 ,BEING BIG AND STRONG IS GREAT1 BUT BIG AND STRONG CAN BE GONE AS FAST AS A ,DOUG FIR CAN CRACK THE WRONG WAY4 8,WELL1 THANKS THEN10 ,ELVIS SAID4 8,I GUESS ,I'LL HAVE TO OWE YOU40 8,DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT10 ,DAD SAID4 ,ORIN'S MOM LOOKED PLEASED4 ,I THINK SHE HADN'T LIKED ,DAD BEFORE1 BUT NOW SHE DID4 8,GET YOUR JACKET ON1 ,ORIN10 SHE SAID4 8,YOU TWO KIDS CAN HELP HIM STACK IT40 8,BUT ,MO-OM '''0 8,GIT60 ,ELVIS SNAPPED1 HIS GOOD ARM JERKING AGAIN4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAE ,THE AIR OUTSIDE FELT COOL AND SOFT ON MY FACE4 ,WE HAD GONE IN THERE AND WE HAD SURVIVED4 ,ORIN CAME DOWN THE STEPS1 PULLING ON HIS PARKA4 ,HE GLANCED AT ME1 THEN LOOKED AWAY4 ,TOGETHER WE WATCHED MY DAD TAKE HIS JACKET OFF AND ROLL UP THE SLEEVES OF HIS FLANNEL SHIRT4 ,HE MADE A BIG SHOW OF SPITTING ON HIS PALMS1 THEN RUBBING THEM TOGETHER4 ,HE WINKED AT ME4 ,THEN HE SPREAD HIS LEGS1 HOISTED THE AX1 AND STARTED SPLITTING THOSE LOGS4 ,NOW ,I HAVE SOME FAVORITE SOUNDS1 LIKE THE SOUND OF THE BABIES GIGGLING4 ,THAT'S A TOUGH ONE TO BEAT4 ,BUT THERE'S NOT MUCH THAT'S NICER THAN THE RING OF AN AX IN THE STILLNESS AS A PILE OF FIREWOOD'S GETTING SPLIT4 ,RIGHT THEN1 STANDING THERE WITH ,ORIN1 BOTH OF US WATCHING MY DAD SWINGING THAT AX1 ,I FELT KIND OF PROUD4 ,WHO CARED WHAT ANYONE ELSE THOUGHT8 .,I ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAF THOUGHT MY DAD WAS ONE HECK OF A GUY4 ,I LOOKED AT ,ORIN AND HOPED HE KNEW WHAT ,I WAS THINKING4 ,I WAS THINKING1 YEAH1 THAT'S RIGHT1 THAT'S MY DAD4 ,HE CAN CHOP WOOD .AND HE CAN MAKE A CASSEROLE4 #AI ,A ,KID'S ,GOTTA ,DO ,WHAT A ,KID'S ,GOTTA ,DO ,AS SOON AS WE STARTED HOME1 ,I THOUGHT ,DAD WOULD SAY1 8,THERE4 ,NOW THAT WASN'T SO BAD1 WAS IT80 ,BUT HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING4 ,HE JUST TURNED UP HIS JACKET COLLAR AGAINST THE MIST AND BEGAN WHISTLING4 ,I FELL IN STEP BESIDE HIM AND WONDERED3 ,DID ,I FEEL BETTER NOW BECAUSE WE'D DONE THE RIGHT THING8 ,OR DID ,I JUST FEEL BETTER BECAUSE THE VISIT WAS OVER8 8,HEY1 ,ROBBY60 ,I TURNED AROUND4 ,IT WAS ,ORIN1 STANDING AT THE END OF HIS DRIVEWAY4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAG 8,CAN ,I TALK TO YOU80 HE CALLED4 ,I LOOKED AT ,DAD TO SEE WHAT ,I SHOULD DO1 BUT HE JUST SHRUGGED4 ,THEN HE CHECKED HIS WATCH4 8,I'VE GOT TO GET DINNER GOING40 ,I LOOKED AT ,ORIN AGAIN4 8,OKAY10 ,I TOLD ,DAD4 8,I'LL BE HOME IN A MINUTE40 ,DAD HEADED UP THE ROAD4 ,I TURNED AND SLOWLY WALKED BACK TOWARD ,ORIN4 ,HE PICKED UP A PEBBLE AND THREW IT INTO THE DITCH4 ,THEN HE THREW ANOTHER ONE4 ,FINALLY HE SAID1 8,I KNOW WHO STOLE THE ,THANKSGIVING MONEY40 8,YOU DO8 ,WHO80 8,NATHAN ,STECKLER40 8,OH40 ,I BELIEVED IT4 ,NATHAN WAS MEAN ENOUGH4 ,THEN ,I REMEMBERED SOMETHING4 8,WAIT A MINUTE--ISN'T ,NATHAN'S DAD ONE OF THE GUYS LAID OFF AT THE MILL8 ,THAT'S WHO THE MONEY WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP IN THE FIRST PLACE40 ,ORIN SHRUGGED4 ,WEIRD4 ,WELL1 MAYBE THIS WAS WHAT ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT MEANT WHEN SHE TALKED ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAH ABOUT STRESS IN FAMILIES WHERE THE DAD'S UNEMPLOYED4 8,THE THING IS10 ,ORIN WENT ON1 8THE TEACHERS THINK ,I DID IT40 8,YOU COULDN'T OF10 ,I SAID4 8,YOU WERE ''' YOU WEREN'T AT THE SCHOOL WHEN IT HAPPENED40 8,YEAH40 ,ORIN'S FACE WENT PINK4 ,HE COULDN'T LOOK ME IN THE EYE1 REMEMBERING ABOUT MY DIORAMA4 8,BUT THEY CAUGHT ME WITH THIS WATER PISTOL1 SEE4 ,IT WAS IN ,MRS4 ,PERKINS'S DESK AND ,NATHAN MUST'VE SWIPED IT ALONG WITH THE MONEY4 ,THEN HE GAVE IT TO ME40 8,BUT ,CODY KNOWS YOU WEREN'T AT THE SCHOOL40 8,HUH4 ,CODY'S ON ,NATHAN'S SIDE4 ,HE TOLD THEM ,NATHAN WAS AT THE BRIDGE WITH HIM40 8,BUT THAT'S A LIE60 ,ORIN SNORTED4 8,GREAT PALS1 HUH80 ,HE THREW ANOTHER ROCK4 8,LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS .,I WAS AT THE BRIDGE40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BAI 8,YEAH1 SO80 8,SO WILL YOU TELL THEM80 ,I FROWNED4 8,IT WOULD JUST BE MY WORD AGAINST ,CODY'S40 8,YEAH1 BUT ,ROBBY '''0 ,ORIN LOOKED AT ME4 8,YOUR WORD '''0 ,HE SHOOK HIS HEAD4 8,I MEAN1 THE TEACHERS WOULD BELIEVE YOU40 ,I BLINKED4 ,WOULD THEY8 ,ORIN LOOKED AT HIS FEET4 8',COURSE ,I COULDN'T BLAME YOU FOR NOT STICKING UP FOR ME4 ,NOT AFTER WHAT ,I DID '''0 ,HIS WORDS HUNG THERE4 ,I WAITED FOR HIM TO COME OUT WITH IT1 SAY HE WAS SORRY ABOUT MY DIORAMA4 ,THEN IT HIT ME --THIS WAS AS CLOSE TO AN APOLOGY AS ,ORIN KNEW HOW TO GIVE4 8,THE THING IS1 IF THEY CALL MY DAD IN AND TELL HIM ,I TOOK THAT MONEY '''0 ,HE SUCKED IN HIS BREATH AND OPENED HIS EYES REAL WIDE1 LIKE HE NEEDED TO BLINK OFF TEARS4 8,HE'LL WHIP MY BUTT40 ,I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT4 ,ORIN DESERVED IT1 MAYBE NOT FOR THIS1 BUT FOR EVERY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBJ OTHER CRUMMY THING HE'D DONE4 ,I'D BEEN WANTING TO WHIP HIM MYSELF1 RIGHT8 ,BUT SOMEHOW ''' WELL1 WHEN ,I PICTURED HIS DAD ACTUALLY DOING IT1 ,I JUST GOT THIS SICK FEELING IN MY STOMACH4 8,SO COULD YOU--,COME ON1 ,ROBBY1 WILL YOU TELL THEM THE TRUTH80 ,HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME4 8,PLEASE80 ,FUNNY1 FOR A MOMENT THERE HE REMINDED ME OF ,FREDDIE WHEN HE WAS WATCHING ME FIX HIS ,BUDDY ,WABBIT4 ,SO HOPEFUL1 SO KIND OF DESPERATE1 LIKE HE WAS REALLY DEPENDING ON ME4 ,I GLANCED BACK UP THE ROAD4 ,DAD HAD DISAPPEARED AROUND THE BEND4 ,I STILL DIDN'T TRUST ,ORIN ANY FARTHER THAN ,I COULD THROW HIM4 ,I'M NOT STUPID4 ,I COULD GET HIM OUT OF THIS PICKLE AND HE MIGHT BE MAKING MY LIFE MISERABLE AGAIN THE VERY NEXT DAY4 ,BUT MAYBE THAT DIDN'T MATTER4 ,THE TRUTH WAS THE TRUTH4 ,LIKE ,DAD SAYS1 A MAN'S GOTTA DO WHAT A MAN'S GOTTA DO4 ,I GUESS A KID DOES TOO4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBA 8,I'LL TELL THEM10 ,I SAID4 8,I'LL TELL THEM YOU WERE AT THE BRIDGE WITH ME40 ,NOW ,I WON'T TRY TO CONVINCE YOU ,ORIN AND ,I BECAME BEST BUDDIES BECAUSE OF THIS4 ,I'D BE SURPRISED IF WE EVER GET TO BE FRIENDS AT ALL4 ,BUT HE DID QUIT GIVING ME A HARD TIME AT SCHOOL1 AND SINCE THE DAY ,I STUCK UP FOR HIM IN THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE1 HE HAS NEVER SAID ONE BAD THING ABOUT MY DAD4 #BJ ,ONE ,LAST ,CHANCE 8,NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT80 ,ROSE ASKED ME BEFORE SCHOOL ,FRIDAY MORNING4 8,ABOUT YOU80 8,YEAH4 ,SOMETHING NEW40 ,I FINISHED LOCKING MY BIKE TO THE STAND1 STOOD UP1 AND CHECKED HER OVER4 8,OH4 ,NEW SHOES1 HUH80 ,SHE NODDED1 LIT UP LIKE SHE WAS STANDING THERE IN HER OWN PERSONAL ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBB SUNBEAM INSTEAD OF THE GRAY MORNING MIST4 8,AND THAT'S NOT ALL4 ,I'VE EVEN GOT SOME MONEY FOR BOOKS4 ,YOU KNOW1 FOR ,POWELL'S TOMORROW40 8,OH4 ,YEAH4 ,THAT'S GREAT40 ,I DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART TO TELL HER THE TRIP TO ,POWELL'S MIGHT NOT HAPPEN4 ,ACTUALLY1 ,I WAS HAVING A HARD TIME PICTURING TOMORROW AT ALL4 ,I WAS TOO WORRIED ABOUT ,DAD'S GOURMET DINNER FOR ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT TONIGHT4 ,NOW IT'S EASY ENOUGH TO SAY1 ..,OH WHO GIVES A RIP WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK1 ,I KNOW MY DAD IS .GREAT4 ,BUT LET'S FACE IT--MY OPINION WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERED4 ,THIS DINNER HAD TO BE PERFECT4 8,ROBBY1 WHAT'S THE MATTER80 8,OH1 NOTHING40 8,YOU LOOK ''' SAD4 ,AREN'T YOU EXCITED ABOUT TOMORROW80 8,SURE40 ,I SIGHED1 THINKING4 ,COULD ,I TRUST HER WITH THIS8 8,ROSE1 YOU KNOW ABOUT ,AMBER ,HIXON GETTING SENT TO A ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBC FOSTER HOME8 ,AND YOUR MOM THINKS IT'S SO UNFAIR80 8,WELL ''' DID ,I SAY THAT80 ,I LOOKED AT HER4 8,YES1 DON'T YOU REMEMBER8 ,YOU SAID YOUR MOM TOLD YOU THE GOVERNMENT TOOK KIDS JUST BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY PEOPLE LIVED40 8,YEAH '''0 ,HER EYES SLID AWAY FROM MINE4 8,BUT SHE SORT OF CHANGED HER MIND ABOUT THAT4 ,AFTER ALL1 WE HAVEN'T BEEN HERE THAT LONG4 ,SHE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW THE ,HIXONS4 ,WHEN SHE HEARD THE STORIES ABOUT THEM1 SHE SAID THE SOCIAL WORKERS PROBABLY DID THE RIGHT THING40 8,WHAT STORIES80 ,ROSE LOWERED HER VOICE SO THE KIDS WALKING BY WOULDN'T HEAR4 8,MRS4 ,LUKES SAYS THEY USED TO ASK HER TO BABY-SIT FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND THEN THEY WOULDN'T COME BACK FOR DAYS4 ,ONE TIME THEY'D GONE ALL THE WAY TO ,LAS ,VEGAS60 8,YOU'RE KIDDING40 8,NO1 REALLY4 ,AFTER A WHILE THEY QUIT DOING THAT BUT IT TURNED OUT THEY WERE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBD JUST LEAVING ,AMBER ALL BY HERSELF4 ,ALL NIGHT60 8,WOW4 ,THEY SHOULDN'T DO THAT40 8,I KNOW1 BUT THEY DID40 8,IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE1 THOUGH4 ,WHY WOULD PARENTS NICE ENOUGH TO BUY A KID A PONY BE SO MEAN IN OTHER WAYS80 8,OH1 ,ROBBY1 ,AMBER DOESN'T HAVE A PONY40 ,I LOOKED AT HER4 ,I THOUGHT ABOUT THE TOY PONY WITH THE RHINESTONE BRIDLE4 8,I GUESS NOT40 8,ONE OF MY SISTER'S FRIENDS LIVES NEXT TO THEM4 ,SHE SAYS ,AMBER MAKES UP ALL KINDS OF STORIES40 ,HARD TO KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE1 HARD TO IMAGINE SOMEONE LYING SO EASILY4 ,THAT STRING OF FIBS ,I'D TOLD ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT HAD KNOTTED MY STOMACH LIKE A PRETZEL4 8,WOULDN'T YOU FEEL KIND OF SICK INSIDE10 ,I SAID1 8IF YOU TOLD LIES ALL THE TIME LIKE THAT80 ,ROSE THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT4 8,MAYBE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBE SHE DOESN'T THINK OF THEM AS LIES4 ,MAYBE TO HER THEY'RE MORE LIKE WISHES40 ,I LOOKED UP AT THE RIDGELINE1 A JAG OF TREETOPS STICKING OUT OF THE FOG4 ,I GUESS MY SITUATION AND ,AMBER'S WEREN'T AS ALIKE AS ,I'D THOUGHT4 8,OR MAYBE SHE .DID FEEL SICK INSIDE10 ,I SAID4 ,ROSE STOOPED TO RUB A SMUDGE OFF ONE OF HER NEW SHOES4 8,DID ,I TELL YOU WE SAW HER AT THE ,DOUGLAS ,BAY ,SAFEWAY80 8,YEAH8 ,HOW DID SHE LOOK80 8,FINE1 REALLY4 ,SHE WAS PUSHING A SHOPPING CART FOR THIS LADY--,I THINK MAYBE IT WAS HER NEW FOSTER MOTHER40 8,AND SHE DIDN'T LOOK MISERABLE80 8,NO4 ,AT LEAST SHE DIDN'T THROW HERSELF AT OUR FEET GOING ,8,SAVE ME6 ,SAVE ME60' OR ANYTHING4 ,SHE SAID HI FRIENDLY ENOUGH40 ,ROSE STOOD AND GLANCED TOWARD THE SCHOOL BUILDING4 ,WE WERE THE LAST KIDS LEFT OUTSIDE4 8,AND ALSO1 ABOUT MY MOM ''' WELL1 IT WAS A SOCIAL WORKER IN ,DOUGLAS ,BAY WHO ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBF FINALLY TRACKED DOWN MY DAD4 ,NOW WE SHOULD BE GETTING MONEY FROM HIM1 REGULAR4 ,THE FIRST CHECK JUST CAME4 ,THAT'S HOW ,I GOT NEW SHOES4 ,AND BOOK MONEY40 ,SHE SMILED--ALMOST AN APOLOGY4 8,SO YOU CAN SEE HOW MY MOM WOULDN'T BE SO DOWN ON SOCIAL WORKERS ANYMORE40 ,I NODDED4 ,I WAS HAVING TROUBLE TAKING ALL THIS IN4 8,COME ON4 ,WE'LL BE LATE40 ,ROSE REACHED THE DOOR AHEAD OF ME1 PULLED IT OPEN1 AND LOOKED BACK4 8,ARE YOU .SURE ,AMBER WASN'T YOUR GIRLFRIEND80 ,ALL ,I COULD THINK ABOUT ALL DAY WAS THE DINNER1 EVEN WHILE ,I PLAYED SOCCER AT RECESS4 ,ONE THING ,I'LL SAY FOR SPORTS1 WHEN YOU'RE TOO WORRIED TO MAKE SENSE OUT OF THE WORDS ON A PAGE1 YOU CAN STILL RUN UP AND DOWN A FIELD4 ,SO ALL THE TIME ,I WAS CHASING THE BALL1 TRYING FOR A GOOD1 SATISFYING KICK1 ,I WAS WORRYING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT ,DAD WAS RIGHT THIS MINUTE CLEANING THE HOUSE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBG LIKE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO4 ,BECAUSE EVEN IF SOCIAL WORKERS DID HELP PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEEDED IT1 ,I STILL DIDN'T SEE HOW THEY COULD BE ANYTHING BUT A HASSLE FOR US ,HUMMERS IF THEY GOT THE WRONG IDEA4 ,AFTER SCHOOL ,I PEDALED HOME AS FAST AS ,I COULD AND SHOVED OPEN THE FRONT DOOR4 8,WOBBY6 ,HI1 ,WOBBY60 ,I SAGGED AGAINST THE DOORJAMB4 ,A SCENE STRAIGHT OUT OF MY NIGHTMARES--THE HOUSE A WORLD-CLASS WRECK1 ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY STILL GOING STRONG4 8,DAD60 ,I DROPPED MY BACKPACK AND RAN ACROSS TO THE KITCHEN4 8,DID YOU FORGET8 ,THE GOURMET DINNER'S TONIGHT60 8,HI1 ,ROBBY40 ,HE WAS WHISTLING WHILE HE CUT UP VEGETABLES4 8,NO1 ,I DIDN'T FORGET40 8,BUT THE .HOUSE1 ,DAD4 ,YOU WERE GONNA CLEAN IT ALL UP40 8,IT'S NOT TOO BAD1 IS IT80 ,HE WENT TO THE EDGE OF THE BIG MAIN ROOM AND ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBH BLINKED LIKE SOMEBODY JUST WAKING UP4 ,OH1 FOR ,PETE'S SAKE6 ,WHY WASTE TIME EVEN TALKING TO HIM8 ,I DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND STARTED TOSSING TOYS INTO THE WICKER BASKET4 ,FREDDIE AND ,LUCY STARTED TOSSING THEM OUT4 8,COME ON1 YOU GUYS4 ,PLEASE DON'T40 ,IF ONLY THEY UNDERSTOOD HOW SERIOUS THIS WAS4 ,THEN ,I HEARD THE TRUCK ON THE GRAVEL4 ,I RAN OUT ONTO THE PORCH4 8,MOM6 ,QUICK6 ,YOU'VE GOT TO HELP60 ,SHE SLAMMED THE TRUCK DOOR AND RUSHED UP THE STEPS1 HER FACE WHITE4 8,WHAT8 ,TELL ME6 ,IS SOMEBODY HURT80 8,NO1 NO1 EVERYONE'S FINE4 ,IT'S THE HOUSE1 ,MOM4 ,IT'S A WRECK60 ,SHE BRACED HERSELF ON THE DOORJAMB1 HAND OVER HER HEART4 8,ROBBY1 DON'T YOU EVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN40 8,SORRY10 ,I SAID1 MORE MISERABLE THAN EVER4 ,BUT THEN AFTER A DEEP BREATH1 SHE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BBI WALKED IN AND LOOKED AROUND4 8,OH1 MY GOSH60 ,SHE SLAPPED A HAND OVER HER FACE1 THEN PEEKED OUT BETWEEN SPREAD FINGERS1 MAYBE HOPING SHE'D GOT IT WRONG ON THE FIRST GLANCE4 ,NOPE4 ,PIT ,CITY4 8,BILL60 ,SHE AIMED HERSELF TOWARD THE KITCHEN4 8,HI1 ,HONEY40 ,DAD WIPED HIS HANDS ON A DISH TOWEL1 ALL SMILES4 8,IT'S ABOUT THIS0--,MOM POINTED1 SHARP AND ACCUSING--8THIS ''' TRASH HEAP WE CALL OUR HOME40 ,DAD'S SMILE GOT GUILTIER4 ,HE SHRUGGED4 8,NOT MUCH USE PICKING IT UP UNTIL WE GET THE KIDS OUT OF HERE1 IS THERE80 ,SHE GLANCED AWAY1 THEN TURNED BACK4 8,DARN IT1 ,BILL6 ,THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR DINNER4 ,YOU'RE GOING TO BE BUSY COOKING4 ,YOU KNOW VERY WELL WHO THAT LEAVES TO STRAIGHTEN ALL THIS UP4 ,YOURS TRULY40 ,DAD LOOKED OFFENDED4 8,IS THAT SO UNFAIR8 ,I CAN'T DO EVERYTHING AROUND ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCJ HERE BY MYSELF1 CAN ,I80 ,MOM SUCKED IN HER BREATH4 8,OF COURSE NOT4 ,NOT WHEN YOU'RE ALWAYS SO BUSY BEING ,MR4 ,FUN40 8,HUH80 ,MOM GLARED AT HIM4 8,DIDN'T YOU EVER STOP TO THINK THAT ,I MIGHT BE A LOT MORE FUN MYSELF IF ,I WASN'T ALWAYS HAVING TO CLEAN UP AFTER .YOUR FUN80 ,SHE YANKED HER JACKET ZIPPER DOWN4 8,YOU .PROMISED TO DO THIS AND YOU'VE BEEN PUTTING IT OFF FOR DAYS4 ,EVERY TIME ,I MENTIONED IT YOU ACTED LIKE1 OH1 DON'T BE A NAG40 ,I THREW MYSELF ON THE SOFA AND PULLED A PILLOW OVER MY HEAD4 ,THIS WAS GREAT4 ,NOT ONLY WOULD ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT SEE OUR HOUSE MESSY1 SHE'D ALSO FIND MY FOLKS YELLING AT EACH OTHER4 8,NOW WAIT A MINUTE10 ,DAD SAID4 8,I NEVER CALLED YOU A NAG40 8,WELL1 YOU ROLLED YOUR EYES4 ,YOU MADE ME FEEL LIKE ONE40 8,HEY1 ,I CAN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCA WAY YOU INTERPRET MY EYEBALLS EVERY TIME THEY TWITCH60 8,I MUST HAVE BEEN OUT OF MY MIND10 ,MOM SAID1 8TRUSTING YOU'D HAVE THIS PLACE SHOVELED OUT BY THE TIME ,I GOT HOME40 ,SHE PULLED HER JACKET ZIPPER BACK UP4 8,I HAVE HALF A MIND TO JUST WALK OUT AND LET YOU STEW IN YOUR OWN JUICE60 ,I PULLED AWAY MY PILLOW AND ROLLED OFF THE SOFA AT ,MOM'S FEET4 8,NO1 ,MOM1 DON'T60 8,DON'T WORRY1 ,ROBBY4 ,MOM'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE40 ,DAD AIMED HIS BEST APOLOGIZING SMILE AT HER4 ,MOM WASN'T HAVING ANY OF IT4 8,DON'T YOU .DARE TRY TO CUTE YOUR WAY OUT OF THIS40 8,OH LOOK1 THE FOOD'LL BE SO GOOD NOBODY'LL EVEN NOTICE WHAT THE--0 8,AND DON'T GIVE ME THAT EITHER6 ,ANYONE WITH EYES CAN SEE THIS IS A PIGPEN6 ,MAYBE ,I SHOULD JUST BUNDLE UP THE KIDS AND TAKE THEM ALL TO ,BURGER ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCB ,KING40 8,NO1 ,MOM1 YOU CAN'T4 ,PLEASE60 ,I WAS ON MY KNEES NOW4 8,IT WAS SO AWFUL LAST WEEK WHEN ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT CAME4 ,IF SHE FINDS THE HOUSE LIKE THIS AGAIN1 AND THEN IF SHE GETS THE IDEA YOU'RE NOT HERE BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE FIGHTING '''0 ,MOM AND ,DAD TURNED FROM EACH OTHER AND STARED AT ME4 8,ROBBY1 WHAT IS IT80 ,DAD SAID4 ,CONCERNED ,LOOKS6 ,FOR ONCE ,I WAS GLAD4 ,MOM PULLED ME UP4 8,HONEY1 TRY TO CALM DOWN40 8,I CAN'T40 ,I WAS READY TO CRY4 8,I CAN'T BECAUSE--YOU GUYS JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND4 ,THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE4 ,IF YOU CAN'T SHOW THAT COUNSELOR WE'VE GOT A GOOD HOME1 THEY MIGHT--0 ,MY DUMB VOICE TRAILED OFF TO A SQUEAK ''' ,I GULPED HARD4 8,THEY MIGHT SHIP US KIDS OFF TO SOME STUPID FOSTER HOME60 8,WHAT KIDS80 ,DAD SAID4 8,US6 ,ME AND ,LUCY AND ,FREDDIE60 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCC ,THEN IT ALL CAME POURING OUT4 ,ABOUT ,AMBER BEING PUT IN A FOSTER HOME1 ABOUT ME WORRYING THE COUNSELOR THOUGHT OUR FAMILY WAS STRANGE4 ,HOW ,DAD HAD BEEN DOING SUCH A SUPER JOB OF PROVING IT4 8,AND ,MOM10 ,I SAID1 8REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE GOOFING OFF RIGHT BEFORE ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT SHOWED UP LAST WEEK8 ,YOU SAID YOURSELF ABOUT POLICE OFFICERS AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND ALL THAT40 8,OH1 ,HONEY1 ,I WAS JUST KIDDING4 ,I DIDN'T MEAN TO SCARE YOU40 8,AND WHAT ABOUT THAT STUFF ON ,,TV1 ,DAD8 ,ALL THOSE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THEIR KIDS BACK80 8,BUT THAT HASN'T GOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU40 8,WELL1 IT MIGHT IF WE'RE NOT CAREFUL4 ,I DON'T WANT TO BE SITTING IN SOME STRANGER'S HOUSE1 WATCHING YOU AND ,MOM ON ,,TV CRYING TO ALL THOSE GOVERNMENT PEOPLE ABOUT LOSING US40 ,DAD AND ,MOM GAVE EACH OTHER SAD1 GUILTY LOOKS4 ,THIS SURE HAD PUT A LID ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCD ON THE HOUSE-CLEANING FIGHT4 8,ROBBY10 ,DAD SAID1 8,I DON'T KNOW WHY THOSE PEOPLE LOST THEIR KIDS1 BUT ,I .DO KNOW THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU40 ,I SNIFFED4 8,ARE YOU SURE80 8,YEAH1 ,I'M SURE4 ,THIS IS A HAPPY FAMILY1 ISN'T IT8 ,AREN'T YOU HAPPY80 8,WELL1 ,I WAS4 ,BEFORE ALL THIS40 8,WHEN KIDS GET SENT TO FOSTER HOMES1 IT'S BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS AREN'T TAKING CARE OF THEM4 ,WE TAKE CARE OF YOU1 DON'T WE80 ,I NODDED4 8,WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PARENTS WHO MAY EVEN BE BEATING UP ON THEIR KIDS40 ,I CRINGED4 ,I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT4 8,YOU KNOW10 ,MOM SAID1 8,AMBER'S PARENTS MUST HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY YOUNG WHEN THEY GOT MARRIED4 ,THEY'RE STILL JUST LIKE KIDS THEMSELVES40 8,MAYBE IF THEY DO SOME GROWING UP10 ,DAD SAID1 8SHE CAN COME BACK4 ,IN THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCE MEANTIME1 SHE'S PROBABLY BETTER OFF WITH SOMEONE ELSE40 8,BUT ,DAD1 THAT'S JUST HOW .YOU ARE4 ,EVEN ,MOM'S ALWAYS SAYING YOU'RE JUST LIKE A KID40 8,OH1 BUT ,HONEY1 THAT'S DIFFERENT10 ,MOM SAID4 8,IT'S OKAY TO BE LIKE A KID WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING FUN40 8,IT IS80 8,SURE4 ,JUST AS LONG AS YOU ACT GROWN UP ABOUT THE GROWN-UP STUFF4 ,SEE WHAT ,I MEAN80 8,I GUESS SO40 ,I WIPED MY HAND ACROSS MY EYES TO CATCH A COUPLE OF TEARS THAT HAD SNEAKED OUT4 8,BUT YOU KNOW WHAT8 ,I WAS SO SCARED WHEN ,I TALKED TO THE COUNSELOR THAT ''' WELL1 ,I LIED4 ,I TOLD HER ,DAD WAS GETTING A JOB4 ,THEY DON'T LIKE IT WHEN DADS ARE UNEMPLOYED40 8,OH1 ,ROBBY10 ,DAD SAID4 8,I THINK YOU MISUNDERSTOOD4 ,THEY'RE JUST HOPING ALL THE FAMILIES HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR KIDS RIGHT4 ,THEY PROBABLY DON'T REALIZE ,I'M STAYING HOME ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCF FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE ,I WANT TO40 8,WELL1 ,I TRIED TO TELL ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT THAT1 BUT SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE ME40 8,I'D BE GLAD TO TALK TO HER1 IF IT'LL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER40 ,I NODDED1 AND RIGHT THEN ,I HAD KIND OF A WEIRD1 GUILTY THOUGHT4 8,YOU KNOW WHAT1 ,DAD8 ,SOMETIMES ,I KINDA WISH YOU .DID GO OFF TO A JOB4 ,JUST TO BE LIKE OTHER DADS40 8,WELL1 ,I'LL PROBABLY GO BACK TO TEACHING IN A COUPLE OF YEARS40 8,THE THING IS1 ,ROBBY10 ,MOM SAID1 8THIS IS SUCH A PRECIOUS TIME FOR US1 HAVING YOU KIDS4 ,WE DON'T WANT TO MISS IT4 ,WE DON'T WANT TO BE WORKING SO HARD AT OUR JOBS THAT WE WAKE UP ONE MORNING AND SAY1 ,8,HEY1 WHAT HAPPENED8 ,THEY ALL GREW UP ON US60'0 8,THAT'S RIGHT10 ,DAD SAID4 8,I WON'T GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO BE A DADDY4 ,THAT'S THE MAIN THING ,I DON'T WANT TO BLOW4 ,EVEN IF WE DO GO INTO DEBT40 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCG 8,WHAT DO YOU MEAN1 GO INTO DEBT80 ,MOM SAID4 8,WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A FORTUNE IN GREETING CARDS60 8,RIGHT60 ,DAD SAID4 8,SO4 ,ROBBY1 ARE WE CLEAR ON THIS8 ,THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING TAKEN AWAY80 8,WELL ''' IF YOU SAY SO40 ,I LET OUT A HUGE SIGH4 ,THEN ,I LOOKED AROUND THE ROOM AGAIN4 8,BUT ,DAD8 ,EVEN IF SHE ISN'T GOING TO SHIP ME TO A FOSTER HOME1 COULD WE STILL TRY TO MAKE THINGS NICE FOR ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT1 JUST SO THAT1 YOU KNOW1 WE WON'T FEEL SO ''' EMBARRASSED80 8,I'M ALL FOR THAT10 ,MOM SAID4 ,BUT SHE DIDN'T SEEM MAD AT ,DAD ANYMORE4 8,COME ON1 ,I'LL DRIVE YOU KIDS OVER TO ,MRS4 ,LUKES'S AND YOUR DAD AND ,I'LL GET TO WORK40 8,NO WAY10 ,I SAID4 8,I'M STAYING RIGHT HERE4 ,YOU GUYS NEED ALL THE HELP YOU CAN GET40 8,SO WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR80 ,DAD SAID4 ,AS ,MOM HERDED THE LITTLE GUYS TOWARD THE DOOR1 HE PUT ON THE ZIPPIEST ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCH RECORD WE HAVE AND STARTED THROWING PILLOWS HERE1 TOSSING TOYS THERE4 ,I PITCHED IN AT BREAKNECK SPEED1 FILLING A WASTEBASKET WITH HALF-EATEN SNACKS AND TRASHED JUNK MAIL4 ,ZYDECO HOUSEKEEPING6 #BA ,THE ,FANCY ,ROMANCEY ,DINNER ,WELL1 ,DAD WAS RIGHT ABOUT THE KEROSENE LAMPS4 ,IN THE SOFT GLOW THAT LIT THE ROOM1 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT WOULD NEVER NOTICE THAT HE'D DECIDED TO SKIP DUSTING IN FAVOR OF GIVING ME TABLE- WAITING LESSONS4 ,AND SHE'D NEVER GUESS THAT BEHIND EVERY CLOSET DOOR WAS AN AVALANCHE OF STUFF WAITING TO BURY ANYBODY THINKING TO BE TIDY AND HANG UP THEIR COAT4 ,OR ANYBODY THINKING TO SPY4 ,RIGHT ON THE DOT OF SEVEN THE DOORBELL RANG4 ,I HUNG BACK WHILE ,MOM OPENED THE DOOR4 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT WAS STANDING ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BCI THERE IN HER TRENCH COAT1 HER HUSBAND BESIDE HER4 ,I SAW HER EYES FLICK PAST ,MOM1 A QUICK ONCE-OVER OF THE HOUSE4 8,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT10 ,MOM SAID4 8,COME ON IN40 8,OH1 PLEASE1 CALL ME ,HEIDI40 ,HEIDI8 ,WHOEVER HEARD OF A SPY NAMED ,HEIDI8 8,WELL10 SHE SAID1 STEPPING INSIDE4 ,SHE LOOKED RELIEVED4 8,THIS IS MY HUSBAND1 ,STEVE40 ,MOM NODDED AT HIM4 8,DR4 ,VAN ,GENT40 ,HE WAS A DENTIST1 SEE4 8,NO1 ,HEIDI'S RIGHT4 ,MAKE IT ,STEVE40 ,HE SMILED4 ,BIG WHITE FLASHING TEETH4 ,PROBABLY HELPED HIM GET PATIENTS4 ,DAD CAME OUT AND WE ALL GOT INTRODUCED TO EACH OTHER4 8,HERE1 LET ME TAKE THOSE40 ,MOM HELPED THEM GET OUT OF THEIR COATS4 ,SHE HEADED FOR THE CLOSET4 8,I'LL DO IT60 ,I GRABBED THE COATS AND DETOURED TO THE HALL TREE4 .,WHEW4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BDJ ,GUESS ,MOM FORGOT WE WERE ON AVALANCHE ALERT4 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT--ER1 ,HEIDI--SHOOK OUT HER HAIR4 ,GOOD GRIEF6 ,IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO HER WAIST4 ,SHE WAS WEARING A THICK WHITE SWEATER AND JEANS TUCKED INTO TALL BOOTS--A LOT MORE RELAXED LOOKING THAN AT SCHOOL4 8,YOUR HOUSE IS GORGEOUS60 SHE SAID4 ,I GLANCED AT ,DAD4 ,HE WINKED4 8,I JUST LOVE WHAT YOU'VE DONE WITH THE RECYCLED WOOD40 ,SHE TURNED TO HER HUSBAND4 8,WOULDN'T IT BE FUN TO REDO YOUR WAITING ROOM LIKE THIS8 ,THE ,COUNTRY ,LOOK IS SO POPULAR NOW40 ,THE ,COUNTRY ,LOOK8 ,I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE ,PICKED-,UP ,LOOK4 8,WELL1 WE LIKE IT10 ,DAD SAID4 8,IT'S HOME40 8,IT'S A .GREAT HOME10 ,I SAID TO ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT1 HOPING SHE'D KNOW ,I WASN'T JUST TALKING WOODWORK AND STAINED GLASS4 ,SHE NODDED WITHOUT LOOKING AT ME4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BDA 8,ARE THE TWINS HERE80 8,IF THE TWINS WERE HERE10 ,I SAID1 8BELIEVE ME1 YOU'D KNOW IT40 8,OH1 TOO BAD40 ,SHE SMILED AT ,MOM AND ,DAD4 8,I'VE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT THEM1 ,I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THEM40 8,WELL10 ,DAD SAID1 8,I DON'T THINK WE'D HAVE A PRAYER OF PULLING OFF A NICE DINNER WITH THEM AROUND40 ,THEY ALL LAUGHED THESE FUNNY LITTLE HEH-HEH LAUGHS4 ,THEN IT WAS QUIET4 ,DR4 ,VAN ,GENT COUGHED4 ,DAD WENT INTO HIS HEADWAITER ACT4 8,TABLE FOR TWO80 ,HEH HEH4 ,THEY ALL LOOKED LIKE THEY FELT SILLY1 PRETENDING THIS WAS A RESTAURANT4 ,DAD PULLED OUT A CHAIR FOR ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT AND SEATED HER AT THE TABLE HE'D SET UP IN FRONT OF THE WOOD STOVE4 8,ISN'T THIS NICE80 SHE SAID1 BUT WATCHING FROM THE KITCHEN1 ,I THOUGHT SHE SEEMED STIFF4 ,NO WONDER4 ,SHE AND ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BDB HER HUSBAND COULDN'T REALLY TALK LIKE IN A REAL RESTAURANT1 NOT WITH US HEARING EVERY WORD4 ,NEXT ,DAD SENT ME IN WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE AND A DISH TOWEL HUNG OVER MY ARM LIKE HE'D SHOWED ME4 8,FROM THE ,NEHALEM ,WINERY10 ,I SAID IN MY SNOOTIEST VOICE4 8,NINETEEN EIGHTY-EIGHT4 ,A VERY GOOD YEAR40 8,SOUNDS FINE40 ,DR4 ,VAN ,GENT SMILED4 ,THOSE TEETH6 ,DAD HAD ALREADY LOOSENED THE CORK FOR ME1 SO ,I TOOK IT OFF AND POURED A LITTLE IN A GLASS4 8,REALLY THE WAITER'S SUPPOSED TO DRINK THIS10 ,I SAID1 8TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T SWALLOW ANY LITTLE CORK GUNKIES4 ,BUT ,DAD TOLD ME NOT TO40 ,I FIXED A MEANINGFUL LOOK ON ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT4 8,MY DAD WOULD NEVER1 EVER LET ANY KIDS DRINK WINE40 8,I'M SURE HE WOULDN'T1 ,ROBBY40 8,I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW4 ,I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTOOD THAT MY ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BDC FOLKS TAKE GOOD CARE OF ME40 ,NOW SHE REALLY LOOKED PUZZLED4 8,WELL1 OF COURSE THEY DO40 ,DAD HUSTLED IN FROM THE KITCHEN4 8,SO40 ,HE CLAPPED HIS HANDS TOGETHER AND LOOKED FROM ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT TO HER HUSBAND4 8,HOW'S IT GOING80 8,OH1 FINE1 FINE10 THEY BOTH SAID4 8,FINE10 ,DAD SAID4 8,I'M JUST GETTING READY TO POUR THE WINE10 ,I TOLD HIM4 8,THIS IS THE GLASS WITH CORK GUNKIES40 8,OH1 WELL1 ,I'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT40 ,DAD PICKED UP THE GLASS AND DRANK4 8,SAY1 ,I'VE TASTED SOME CORK GUNKIES IN MY TIME1 BUT THESE ARE TRULY OUTSTANDING60 8,DA-AD60 ,I POURED WINE IN THE OTHER TWO GLASSES4 8,YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SNIFF IT10 ,I TOLD ,DR4 ,VAN ,GENT4 8,WHATEVER YOU SAY40 ,HE SNIFFED4 8,SMELLS OKAY TO ME40 ,PRETTY CLEAR THIS GUY DIDN'T TAKE HIS WINE TOO SERIOUSLY4 ,I GLANCED AT ,DAD4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BDD ,THAT WAS FINE WITH HIM4 ,HE PASSED HIS OWN GLASS UNDER HIS NOSE AND BREATHED DEEP4 8,AH6 ,SUCH A WONDERFUL BOUQUET4 ,PLAYFUL1 YET DIGNIFIED4 ,UNSELF-CONSCIOUS AND YET SOMEHOW ''' SILLY40 8.,YOU'RE SILLY60 ,I SAID4 8,MO-OM8 ,DAD'S GETTING GOOFY AGAIN60 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT'S ELBOW WAS ON THE TABLE1 HER HAND COVERING HER FACE4 ,WHEN SHE TOOK IT AWAY ,I COULD SEE SHE WAS GRINNING4 ,SHE LOOKED AT ,DAD4 8,WOULDN'T YOU JUST LIKE TO FORGET THIS ROMANTIC-DINNER-FOR-TWO BUSINESS AND JOIN US80 ,DAD PUT HIS HAND ON HIS CHEST4 8,WHO1 ME80 ,HE LOOKED AROUND LIKE MAYBE SHE WAS TALKING TO SOMEBODY ELSE4 8,YES1 ALL OF YOU4 ,WE'D LIKE IT1 REALLY40 8,WELL1 ,I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT1 BUT ,I SUPPOSE WE COULD4 ,WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF FOOD4 ,BETH80 8,WHY NOT80 ,MOM SAID FROM THE ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BDE KITCHEN4 8,ROBBY CAN HAVE A HOT DOG INSTEAD OF SALMON40 8,SURE1 WHY NOT80 ,THEN ,DAD LEANED OVER TO ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT AND ADDED REAL CONFIDENTIALLY1 8,IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU TO HEAR THIS1 BUT FORMAL'S NOT REALLY OUR STYLE ANYWAY40 8,NO60 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT SAID4 ,THEN SHE BURST OUT LAUGHING4 ,I KNEW SHE WAS LAUGHING ABOUT LAST WEEK4 ,IT WAS LIKE THE SAME THOUGHT-- ,DAD IN THE SHREDDED ,T-SHIRT--POPPED INTO EVERYONE'S HEAD AT THE SAME TIME4 ,WE ALL LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND CRACKED UP4 ,FINALLY ,MRS4 ,VAN ,GENT GOT HERSELF UNDER CONTROL4 8,WHAT ,I'M REALLY DYING TO KNOW IS0--AND NOW HER BLUE EYES TWINKLED--8WHAT KIND OF GAMES ARE WE PLAYING AFTER DINNER80 ,WELL1 THEY DIDN'T ACTUALLY PLAY GAMES1 BUT ,MOM AND ,DAD SAT AROUND TALKING WITH ,STEVE AND 8,HEIDI0 LONG ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BDF AFTER DINNER WAS OVER4 ,FROM MY LOFT ,I COULD HEAR THEM DOWN BELOW1 STRETCHES OF TALK AND LITTLE BURSTS OF LAUGHTER4 ,I LIKE BOOKS WITH HAPPY ENDINGS1 DON'T YOU8 ,BUT REAL LIFE'S NEVER QUITE LIKE THAT4 ,IT ALWAYS KEEPS GOING ON TO THE NEXT THING--HAPPY1 SAD1 OR WHATEVER4 ,BUT AT LEAST ,I'D REACHED THE END OF .THIS BUNCH OF WORRIES4 ,NOBODY WAS GOING TO TAKE ME AWAY FROM MY FAMILY4 ,NOBODY WAS GOING TO TAKE ME AWAY FROM ,NEKOMAH ,CREEK4 ,FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS1 ,I FELT SAFE4 ,AND TIRED1 TOO1 IN A GOOD SORT OF WAY4 ,I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO READ MORE THAN TWO CHAPTERS TONIGHT4 ,NOT AFTER ALL THAT RUNNING AROUND ON THE SOCCER FIELD4 ,I WAS ALREADY DOZING1 IN FACT1 WHEN ,I REMEMBERED3 TOMORROW WAS--TA DA-- ,POWELL'S ,BOOKS6 ,I LAY THERE1 MY EYES DROOPING AGAIN1 WATCHING THE FIRE'S SHADOWS FLICKERING ON THE CEILING1 THINKING ABOUT THAT ,CITY OF ,BOOKS4 ,,NEKOMAH ,,CREEK #BDG ,HOW WOULD ,I EVER CHOOSE WHICH ONES TO BUY8 ,AND WHAT A FUN PROBLEM TO HAVE4 ,I LOOKED FORWARD TO A LONG1 WET WINTER4 ,LOTS OF DARK1 RAINY NIGHTS TO SIT BY THE WOOD STOVE AND READ4 ,YUP1 ,I LOVE BOOKS4 ,BUT YOU KNOW WHAT8 ,REAL LIFE'S NOT BAD EITHER4 ,,THE ,,END