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“Sweetheart, you don’t have to wait up,” Grace says, coveringto kidnap me”

I sputter a bit

“No, it’s not kidnapping,” I say “I’m just worried You work so hard to put food on the table and I feel so bad that I don’t contribute –”

Myme off

“I don’t want you to contribute Maddy I don’t want you to be likefroo to college and get a professional job Where you don’t use your body tosadly

I protest

“You’re not really using your body You’re not taking off your clothes or lettinglike that,” I say quickly

But Grace s

“I’m not, but so a showgirl and being a stripper But on another note, how are those college applications going?” she asks, sitting up straight “Have you gotten your essay written? How about your letters of recoet into all the best schools Iraduate!”

I smile with her, but then my look turns serious

“Moe apps are on track But what about you? You’re sick, right? Why don’t you go to the doctor tomorrow? You have toingly

But Grace looks down then, her lips tre a bit

“Mo off like a five-alar?”

My mom takes a deep breath and for the first tiray pallor to her face

“Maddy, we should try not to go to the doctor too encies,” she says quietly, although her voice wavers just a bit

I nod