Page 35 (2/2)

Daddy’s at the hospital, but he’spot of oatmeal, a vat of it like you see in a soup kitchen By this tiummy and I have to put half a bottle of maple syrup and dried cherries on mine to make it palatable, and even then I’m not sure if I like oatmeal I make a bowl for me with some chopped-up pecans on top, and a boith just honey on top for Kitty "Have soruel," I call out She’s in front of the TV, of course

We sit on stools at the breakfast bar and eat our gruel I will say there is so about it, the way it sticks to your insides like paste As I eat, I keep ers in my face "Hello! I asked you a question"

"Has the mail come yet?" I ask

"The mailman doesn’t co honey off her spoon Eyeing me she says, "Why have you been so excited about thefor a letter," I say

"From who?"

"Justno one important" A rookie mistake I should’ve made up a name, because Kitty’s eyes narrow, and now she’s really interested

"If it wasn’t so out thefor it Who’s it from?"

"If you must know, it’s actually a letter from me One of those love letters of mine you sent out" I reach across the table and pinch her ar back my way"

"From the boy with the funny name Ambrose What kind of name is Ambrose?"

"Do you remember him at all? He used to live on our street"

"He had yellow hair," Kitty says "He had a skateboard He let me play with it once"

"That sounds like hi Of all the boys, he had the h she was a pain

"Stop s," Kitty commands "You already have a boyfriend You don’t need two"

My s letters, Kitty Also don’t snap at ive her another pinch, and she ju to do today?"