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With Count's log in hand, Shannie running back and forth to Atlantic City, and Steve Lucas obsessed with his sister's racks, I had a lot of time to kill, and no one to kill it with - a perfect recipe for slipping frorove into a deep rut

Shannie occasionally asked if I wanted to spend a weekend in Atlantic City I found excuses not to go It was less stressful laying in bed listening to the ru time with Genise The only positive about Genise was Beetle was an afterthought I so despised Genise that I told Shannie, "don't invite me to Atlantic City unless we can play Cowboys and Indians Put Genise andto loose their scalp And it ain't going to be me"

"You know, Genise likes you Give her a chance"

"She has a funny way of showing it"

Later that night I sat ina thunderstor rain Fresh air piercedthe hip trees and the rain pelt tohed so hard I cried; I cried for Count I cried that I again lost Shannie I cried that I was alone I cried because I would always be alone I cried so hard that I got pissed!

I ran into the storht I crossed our yards and pounded on the Ortolan's front door My hair - which hadn't been cut since Count's funeral - hung soaked andOkay?" Diane asked

"Where's Shannie?" I asked

"Coave h?"

"No!" I didn't think Diane knew I s Count

"Your eyes are bloodshot!

"I've been crying"

Diane eyed me with skepticism "Don't lie to me"

"I don't touch the stuff," I lied

"Tell ht?"

"Incense"

"Jesus Jainal Been there, done that You can't shit me" Behind us, Shannie walked into the kitchen

"I'h I'ood," Diane said in a deliberate whisper "Keep it away from her Okay? I don't want to have to hurt you" She stepped back and ran her eyes overher head, Diane continued: "What happened to you James? You're on a one-way trip down"