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“It could be worse,” she said

“Give me the ball,” Brian said

“How the hell could it be worse, Jane?” Ricky continued “New York had its downsides, but I had, like, friends, you know? Things I liked to do Now I’o to school! Ito blow into, we could start a band”

“Give ain

Jane finally flicked it to him

“He’s telling the truth, you know, Jane Last week, I even busted Dad listening to countryto think there is no threat froone crazy and turned the whole lot of us into a bunch of crazy backwoods hicks”

“But I thought you liked the ani Brian

“For about fiveto be thirteen, Jane Old MacDonald sitting on his stupid fence has lost his charm”

“Exactly,” Brian said, overthrowing Ricky again by twenty yards “It’s bad enough we’re living out here like doomsday preppers Do we have to actually becoht now If the peeant to follow Mr Cody around,at the crack of dawn and working for free are done”

“You said it,” Ricky agreed, throwing the ball back to his brother “Don’t they have child-labor laws in this state? Only probleet out of it?”

“He’s right, Brian,” Jane said, intercepting the ball again “Mary Catherine won’t sit still for that You kno much she likes Mr Cody”

All three of theent Parker waved to the out They stood in the field, waving back until they couldn’t see the car anymore

“No! Come back! Take us with you!” Ricky said

“Don’t worry, little brother I have a plan,” Brian said, spinning the ball up in the air “You just leave it to me”

CHAPTER 13