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As I approached horabbed ainst it I heard indistinct voices but nothing loud enough to understand I sneaked through the garage, past Moundy Volvo, and around the pile of rakes and other yard iht the so I twisted the doorknob slowly and eased the door open into the kitchen I peeked through the crack and caught a gli just inside the den

"…won’t happen to hihed "And I told you it doesn’tYou need to keep it together or dear old Daddy Sladethe air He ht "Do we need groceries for tonight?"

"Nope Dinner is in the freezer"

"Not again"

"Yes, again"

A few seconds later, a door slau the air like a coonhound Maybe Aunt Petunia’s death was screith their minds And as Daddy Slade? It sounded like the na-dance band I didn’t knohat to think I entered the door, acting all casual and nonchalant

"Hey, son," Dad said in a tone tinged with false enthusiasrabbed a six-pack of beer

"When did you start drinking?"

Dad popped open a beer bottle and took a s He made a face "I’ve always enjoyed a beer or two"

"Or six?" I asked, looking at the container in his hand

"Justin, I know you don’t like to tell us everything I was the saoes for people of all ages" I gave hi at is--"

"Sorry, Dad, but I’ve got a study date with a girl tonight and I really need to get aof beer and winked "That’s great" He looked as though he wanted to say so else but instead took his beer into the den and tuned into a reality show featuring a bunch of wo at each other

I nuked aover to Katie’s

"Hey Justin," she said, givingwitty but my brain failed ht? Apparently it was taking an extended vacation because we actually studied Calculus until nine We didn’t say a thing about Brad or our kiss It was like it never happened Or ain Why couldn’t she just tell me what she wanted?

Katie walkedet better at it if I’e"

I could hardly stand it She was so unlike irls I knew--or knew of, in any case She see for se to kiss her, but her hug cae seemed to indicate a kiss was off the table

Grow a pair and kiss her

Yeah It wasn’t going to happen