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Josh absorbs this Chewing on his bottoe her ht?”

I don’t know if it’s more heartless for me to say yes or no, because he’ll be hurt either way Because while I’ether with hiet his hopes up So I don’t say anything

He ss, his Adaot o back on it”

Please please please don’t cry

I rest my head on his shoulder and say, “You never know, Joshy”

Josh stares straight ahead A squirrel is darting up the big oak tree in the yard Up and down and back up again We both watch “What time does she land?”

“Not for hours”

“Isis she coet off for Thanksgiving It’s Scotland, Josh They don’t celebrate Aain, but my heart’s not in it

“That’s right,” he says

I say, “She’ll be hoh

“Can I still hang out with you guys?” Josh asksanywhere,” I assure him

Josh looks relieved “Good I’d hate to lose you, too”

As soon as he says it, et to breathe, and just for that one second I’, the strange flutter in one, and the tow truck arrives

When we pull into my driveway, he says, “Do you want hten up and then I ree now I’ responsibility for one’s e

9

DADDY ISN’T SO MAD AFTER all I go through hs and says, “As long as you’re all right”

The car needs a special part that has to be flown in from Indiana or Idaho, I can’t remember which In the meantime I’ll have to share the car with Daddy and take the bus to school or ask Josh for rides, which was already ht Kitty and I are watching TV and I scream for Daddy to come quick We sit on the couch and pass the phone around and take turns talking to her

“Margot, guess what happened today!” Kitty shouts