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She was too good for ood for ht be trash with an MD and a better haircut, but I’m still trash

And maybe he has a point Lark is from one of theline of people who care about each other and stand up for each other and are classy and intelligent and kind and believe in good things happening to good people For me to think that I could ever truly be a part of that—especially after what I did to Lark—is laughable

No, I think as I stoh theto see through to completion

It isn’t laughable, and I’ my best to oing to let Parker poisonto take Lark out and have a wonderful afternoon, and afterwards I’ll find somewhere to keep my boat

One of h school, orit around I’ll either find soe, or sell the da it back here for Parker to sell

I’ain, period

I pause with e of the tarp that covers the boat, the realization hitting me hard

I don’t have to come back here

Not ever again I’m finally free

I suppose I’ve been free for a long ti the summers, and I haven’t seen him at all in the past four years—but some part of me still felt tied to him

After all, he’s the only family I have left

I haven’t seen my mom since the day she skipped town, the suh school She used to call every few e, the calls had stopped Last I heard fro to Mexico with husband number ten and planned to send me her new number when she was settled

The call never came

If I cut myself off from Uncle Parker, I’ll truly be a man without a clan

There was a tiht would have scaredParker didn’t have to take me in He could have left h school, when I was legally an adult If he hadn’t letthe suhthe school year I would have had to go to school part tiet ht and he beat the shit out ofmy dreams come true

I’ve always felt like I owed him for that, at least a card every Christmas and birthday, and lunch every now and then