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“If you put ice creaue with the kid,” I say, and Peter and I exchange smiles over Kitty’s head

“Point taken, but this isn’t your average fruitcake It’s not, like, a wet loaf of neon jujubes It’s got pecans and dried cherries and blueberries and good stuff I think she called it Christmas Memory fruitcake”

“I love that story!” I exclaiood but so sad”

Peter looks puzzled and so does Kitty so I explain “?‘A Christmas Memory’ is a short story by Truman Capote It’s about a boy named Buddy and his older lady cousin who took care of hiredients for fruitcake and then they’d send them as presents to friends, but also to, like, the president”

“Why is it so sad?” Kitty wants to know

“Because they’re best friends and they love each other et separated in the end, because the fah care of him And maybe she doesn’t, but maybe it doesn’t matter, because she was still his soul ood-bye to her And, it’s a true story”

“That’s depressing,” Peter says “Forget the fruitcake cookies”

Kitty crosses out fruitcake cookies on her pad

I’azine when the doorbell rings Kitty scrambles up and runs for the door “Check who it is before you open it,” I call after her She’s always forgetting to check first

“Josh!” I hear her squeal

Peter’s head jerks up

“He’s here to see Kitty,” I tell hi roo around his neck like ain Peter’s direction

“What’s up, ive hi, and now he’s happy as a claht back your casserole dish”

“Is that Josh?” my dad calls from the kitchen “Josh, do you want a snack? Turkey sandwich?”

I’ to say no, because I’m sure he’s had as many leftover turkey sandwiches over at his house as we’ve been eating over here, but then he goes, “Sure!” Josh disentangles himself from Kitty and plops down on the couch To me he says, “Christmas Cookie Bonanza?”

“Christeyes, which always h, because it’s so un-Josh

“You’re such a dork,” I say, shaking my head

“What’s your favorite?” Peter asks him “Because I think the list is pretty set”

“I’m pretty sure it’s already on the list,” Josh says

I look fro or not

Peter reaches out and tickles Kitty’s feet “Read us the list, Katherine”