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"They see" He laughed some more

The restaurant continued to fill up until only a few e at the other patrons, I discovered that they were all white I don’t knohy I found that so disconcerting, but I did Maybe Jace had a very good reason to hide her relationship with the Hispanic kid at Fit to Print

While Axelrod busied hi the other bartender, Jace served the hot roast beef

"Thank you," she said when she set the plate in front ofmy cover"

"I take it your father doesn’t know about Tapia"

"Nobody knows Not really"

"Is your dad a bigot? Will he not understand?"

Jace looked at ot"

"I’o to college, that’s all"

"And you want to stay here?"

"Yes"

"Because of Tapia?"

She nodded

McKenzie, my inner voice told me, you’re an idiot

Jace busied herself with other customers, while I ate I had to admit, the roast beef was delicious, and while the ood as mine, I ate every forkful--no Atkins Diet for lanced at ain

"Huh," she said "You must work out"

"Not recently, unfortunately" I retrieved my wallet "Should I pay you now?"

"Boss says it’s on the house"

I opened my wallet, took out a fifty, and dropped it on the tray Jace was holding

"I don’t iine that includes tips," I said

"That’s way toocollege kid"

"Thank you," Jace said

"You’re welcome"