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Mollified for a ths of ribbon, rolled it back on the spool, , she yanked the entire length of ribbon off the spool in a heap of blue sateen When she picked up the scissors, I gently took the ribbon out of her hand “Jolene, Ielse bothering you?”

“Have you noticed anything odd about Zeb?” she asked “I know this wedding stuff has him all stressed out, but he’s just been so distant, like he doesn’t even want to talk to s he’s been saying are just hurtful”

When I gave her an intentionally blank look, she said, “Like that joke aboutvery smart And I don’t think he realizes how much he talks about you We’ll be out to eat, and he’ll talk about what sort of food you used to like We’ll watch a movie, and he’ll say, ‘I’ve already seen this with Jane’ It’s just hard, you know? It’s like you’re an ex-girlfriend, but you never really broke up with him”

“I never really dated him, either,” I told her

“I know that,” she said, nudging me with her arm “It’s just hard to live up to you, Jane”

“No, it’s not You’ve already got me beat hands down on looks”

“I know,” she said, grinning

“Agree withher arrow old with hih a weird phase Just watch hiroom ever”

Jolene didn’t look quite convinced but mumbled, “OK”

The conversations becaht wore on

“This is just beyond the pale,” Gabriel grumbled as I opened my door for him

I’d been halfheartedly Googling Wilbur’s na I could find some relatives I could warn about Grandma Ruthie’s le failure, I was thrilled to have a distraction, even if that distraction waswhat looked like a ransom note at me

“I found this in ht yellow paper with letters cut out of azines and newspapers—the standard font for crazies

“ ‘Your bustin’ up a happy home Brake it off with Jane or else,’ “ I read aloud as he stor is atrocious”

“If you’re to write harassing letters in upsetting type, you should at least have the courtesy to proofread,” heacross my couch