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And then the three of the TV, Bitty in the middle On the screen over the fireplace, an episode of Seinfeld wasup in the surgical patient One of Rhage’s favorites

He felt like s on? You’re scaring e cleared his throat and looked at Bit When he caet to his feet and pace around It was either that or find a baseball bat for that redeco job

Mary picked up the slack, like she always did, and he hated the way he let her down But her voice was admirably steady

"Honey, do you re about your uncle?" his shellan said "You know, right after yourfor you?"

"Yes, but I didn’t really think he would" The girl’s beautiful brown eyes went back and forth fro a lap around the nearest pool table "I’d neverso is okay now I have my hoe knew he needed toover, he knelt down in front of the girl

"Well, actually, he contacted us See, Mary tried to find him for you before you ca to do When there were no responses, ere sad for you, but happy for us"

Bitty frowned and edged back from him "Wait … he’s here He’s alive?"

Mary nodded "He is and we just met him He seems very nice and very sincere And he’s really interested in irl’s face became deeper and she crossed her ar to I want to live here with you guys, and the Brothers and Lassiter Nalla, LW, and Boo and George This is e rubbed his face "He’s your family, sweetheart"

"You’re my family"

"Bitty," Mary started "He’s your mother’s brother--"

Bitty burst up from the sofa and wheeled around on the both of theuys don’t want to deal with a kid who ht be a cripple after their transition You don’t want me anymore because I’irl wasn’t hearing either one of theo away! Fine! Just throw me out!"

With that, Bitty ran out of the roo in her wake as she hit the foyer and kept on going

"Bitty, stop!" Mary said as they all headed for the grand staircase and started a frantic ascent "Bitty, that’s not what’s going on--"

The girl stopped halfway up and turned around again "You don’t love me--you never loved me! You don’t care--"