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"Two One," The blue Conrail engine roared through the crossing The engineer shouted soer

"Are you crazy?" I shrieked

Shannie didn't answer, but stood with her eyes closed and her head tilted back, her long hair dancing in the wind When the last car rushed past, she opened her eyes and smiled "Thanks Just Ja e trading candy and watching fisherman below The afternoon sun smiled upon us Tree's shadoa car went unnoticed

"No," she said

"No what? " I asked

"I'm not crazy," she looked into aze back to the fisher called Jih life as Jied, "Why not?"

"It's overrated" I hung over the bridge rail and spit I watchin the river "Hey look its Jim Morrison, it's the Aets old fast"

"Yeah but you'd look cute in leather pants," Shannie chided

I blushed

"At least you don't look like a blonde Medusa," she tossed her hair with a free hand I s at Shannie's house A naked woman walked across the room, her breasts led the way Wet lanky hair kissed the small of her back As fast as the show started, it ended She turned off the light and disappeared into darkness

The woman was Shannie's mom When I met her I blushed So ht She bucked e professor's wardrobe She wore a pair of cutoffs and a se That reat su

Besides the skin, she was the coolest mother ever She took Shannie andon the Appalachian Trail, overnight ca trips, she even took us to Live-aid Shannie'scalled Diane When I called her Mrs Ortolan she said, "That's my mother's name" Even Shannie called her Diane

The Ortolan's house was like the library of congress - books were everywhere Each room hosted a bookshelf, even the kitchen The only room that didn't have one was the bathroom "I hope you put the seat back doe're not used to having amy face turn red as I scampered back to the bathroom