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"Lookee e have here," I finished, peering up at Clark

"I couldn’t have said it betterslowly up the steps

When I’d called hihed, just asked if I was all right and did I need anything I told hinored that request, but he had brought his toolbox Rubbermaid Red Stamped with Clark Barrow on the side--in case so Clark wasshoes, untucked plaid shirt over a white undershirt I suddenly said a prayer that it wasn’t a tank-top undershirt, that he was the kind of guy ore T-shirts, and thena shit what he wore under his faded plaid shirt That looked soft and co cold out here, playing buoy on the sea of porch

He knelt down in front of me and assessed the situation

"One would think it unwise, Vivian, knowing the condition of this rotten wood, to traipse about so carelessly," he said as he poked at the wood aroundhalf on and half off the broken wood for the better part of twenty itated

"One would think that after getting punched in the nose one would be unwise to provoketo"You’re the one stuck in the porch You sure you want to pick a fight with ht now?"

He hadBut do soic word"

"Um, now?"

"Really?"

"Asshole?"

"Come on"

"Clark!"

"Vivian"

"Oh, fine Please helpmy teeth

"That wasn’t so bad, was it?" he s up

"Still not out of this porch here," I said