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"I kinda talked myself into it, yeah"

"Oh, that’s wonderful"

Josie clapped her hands and laughed soh school

"All right, all right," I said "C’mon, now It was an honest ht Your old ht And, and, and what about all this ‘I’ve knownmen’ stuff?"

Josie leaned in and lowered her voice

"First of all," she said, "my father doesn’t know Only Dave knows, nobody else Not up here, anyway I’ve dated men, some because I enjoyed their coh-maintenance, they think I haven’t married because I have impossible standards I like it that they think that This is set politicians and pundits, people talking about s to emulate, and sootry and intolerance hold sway Discrimination This is where theyou to keep my secret"

"Only if you proreed"

"Wait a minute You still haven’t explained the kiss"

"What can I say? Pour enough vodka into a girl and even you will look good"

"Thanks," I said "Thatthe dark side of ht, we left the tavern and went to Josie’s Ford Taurus A few patrons followed us out, and we sat in the car until they left the parking lot While aiting, Josie leaned across the seat "Should we pretend to make out?" she asked

"You’re an evil woman"

"You’d think it was because reat deal"

As soon as ere alone, I crept across the county road, opened the padlock, entered the enclosure, reclaiate, and returned to the car Josie started it up, and a fewfor Lake Carl So about Jenness Crawford and the fact that I had known her al any idea that she was gay Or bi-gay Or whatever they call it I foundmy head atI never thought I’d say to a woirl that would be perfect for you"