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"Oh, honey I’ot a chance to say goodbye And then the fire up at the ranch" She pulls s where they squeeze you into their bosoms and starts to pet my hair

She smells like rose water Not a scent I care for, but it’s very popular with the old ladies in thisme because she doesn’t know better She doesn’t know I’onna do in the days ahead

"How have you been, sweetie?"

I’et the sreat I live withover the store like that--"

"No, a different uncle," I interrupt her and force h I have soNow that Mrs Sheldon has been rees the subject

"Where are you going to school now, dear? Still homeschool?"

"Yes, otta be extra special polite or else they think you’re a serial killer in training I al oing to private school this fall though, so I’ll get the proper a before the cynicism sets in"

She smiles but her eyebrows are all slanted like Eric Cartman’s when he’s mad I prepare myself for the next question, which would probably requiresocial services, but I’m ready for her toJust let the silence hang between us

"Well," she says, finally taking the hint, "it onderful to see you again You’re so grown up now You look like a proper young lady"

"Thank you," I say sweetly And then I plaster that expression on my face and wait for her to leave

She smiles for a few more seconds, then nods "OK I must run Bye, dear"

"Byeeeee," I call out after her She never looks back

I walk over to Mrs Sheldon’s booth She sells vintage clothing so she has a full-length mirror set up I stand in front of it and take ht not be friends, exactly But I’ to think of her that way So I corown a couple inches this year I’o, I bet

Blonde hair It’s longer now than it’s ever been James made me coer thankind of blue that soht and ht on