Page 29 (2/2)
"So I take it you like it then?"
"It’s full of gratuitous sex," I say "I hate it but I can’t look away"
Rory laughs softly and pushes the rice around on his plate Strange He usually inhales his food
"Hoas the date withWe ended up parking after the ood kisser "I like hilad," Rory says "I’m not as close with hietting out He had a bad breakup a couple o"
"Oh really? He didn’t reat He paid for the tickets and we shared popcorn and laughed at the same parts in the movie But it’s not like we’re close yet I haven’t told Alex about any of my hopes and fears or how scared I am for my family now that a little sister is on the way
"What happens if you never sell a screenplay?" I ask Rory, thinking ofI hope I will anyway"
He wraps straw paper around his finger, peeking up athi on?" I ask
"Um, my father has to declare bankruptcy"
I cover my mouth with my hand The farm’s financial problems are that shitty?
Rory rips the straw paper in two "And we have to onna try to sell our animals He hopes the Goodill buy our land" Rory swipes at his eyes and pinches his nose
"What is your dad gonna do?" I ask with a wobbly voice
"Moonna try to get on down at the co-op He knows people there But it’s like,Will went to college instead of staying home to take over the farm," I whisper, and Rory nods
"This is all the o," Rory says "My dad doesn’t have a degree, so he doesn’t have many job opportunities, not like my mom does I mean, Mr Goodould probably hire rasp his hand "I’m here for you It’ll be okay"
He nods with a sad sht, I’ about ould happen if soot sick and I had no nosed with breast cancer, we didn’t have health insurance
I’ve been basing everything on working as an exercise rider or a jockey I thought this was the ticket to finding a better life But what if the opportunity to be one dries up? I fell off Star after he got spooked by those raccoons, even though I was being safe as can be The Goodouldn’t lethorses, but even horsemen don’t bet all their money on one race
I find that out firsthand when I eavesdrop on Cindy telling Dad, Paula, and Yvonne what she overheard while serving dinner to the Goodwins
"Mr Goodwin told the family that Mr Winchester didn’t accept his initial bid on Paradise Park, and if he wants to stay in the running, he’s gonna have to come up with another million dollars"
AGeorge Winchester’s daughter?" Yvonne asks
"No," Cindy replies "Someone else bid more money apparently"
Then why did Mr Winchester blabber on and on about honor and family? It all ca that Jack gave up e had to help his father Hearing that the Paradise Park deal is all about cold, hard cash ht he didn’t have to go to college because his farm had existed for over a hundred years What if, in forty years, I’ in a shack because I put all , Jack isn’t in first period Life Lessons--he must’ve decided to skip, but I see hi with Kelsey Painter, talking quietly to her She’s rubbing his elbow and he seeoes the other way Kelsey gives ure me out That’s when she walks up
"Is he okay?" I ask, staring past her
She clutches her books against her chest "You really care about hionna admit that to her
"That sucks," she says She doesn’t sound bitchy or anything; she sounds sad Is she in Rory’s draood actress
"He really likes you," Kelsey says
"Did he tell you that?"
"No…he’s ive him another chance" She looks down the hallway tohere Jack just disappeared "If I could go back in tiht harder to keep someone as important toup with Colton and Vanessa before heading into English class What was that all about? Airl at school? It’s crazy that she feels insecure at her level
I decide to skip second period and go to the guidance counselor’s office I s as I push open the door, walk up to the assistant, and ask to see Miss Brady about college options I take a seat and doodle pictures of horses and horseshoes in my notebook as I wait
Twentywith the inspirational posters, she has loads of pictures of cats wearing clothes…?
I shudder, not sure what freaksa plaid beret anda file folder as she sits down behind her desk I take the seat in front of her and grasp my knees