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My lared at my mother "I would never" Then she looked at Conrad and Jereht, but only Conrad's He's so good at keeping everything locked inside, I never knohat he's thinking But not you, Jereht here" She reached over and touched his sweatshirt sleeve

"No, I don't," he protested, stabbing a scallop on his plate "I have secrets"

That's when Taylor said, "Sure you do, Jererinned at her, which us

That's when I said, "Taylor and I are going to go to the boardwalk tonight Will one of you guys drop us off?"

Before my mother or Susannah could answer, Jereo to the boardwalk too" Turning to Conrad and Steven, he added, "Right, guys?" Noro so, but not this time I kneasn't forup her scallops into tiny bite-size pieces She kneas for her too

"The boardwalk sucks," said Steven

Conrad said, "Not interested"

"Who invited you guys anyway?" I said

Steven rolled his eyes "No one invites anyone to the boardwalk You just go It's a free country"

"Is it a free country?" my mother mused "I want you to really think about that statement, Steven What about our civil liberties? Are we really free if--"

"Laurel, please," Susannah said, shaking her head "Let's not talk politics at the dinner table"

"I don't know of a better time for political discourse," my mother said calmly Then she looked at hed It was better to stop her right away before she really got going "Okay, fine Fine Noto the bookstore don I'll drop you guys off on the way"

"Thanks, Monored uys," he said "It'll be a all day

"Fine, but I' to the arcade," said Steven

"Con?" Jeremiah looked at Conrad, who shook his head

"Co at him with her fork "Come with us"

He shook his head, and Taylor made a face "Fine We'll be sure to have lots of fun without you"