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“Oh? Then o on to point out that both ‘can’ and ‘may’ are conside

red ‘modal verbs’ There are nine modal verbs Would you like me to tell you what they are?”

“You’d better not,” he said “I can’t take too much excitement”

Sam put his arm around her, drew her close, and kissed her on her lips

“Wimp,” she teased when he drew back “Well, come on in I have sorahae left over frory If you wrap the tortilla around soe and a bit of okra and usting but kind of healthy”

Sam stepped inside and closed the door behind hi a DVD of How the Grinch Stole Christ his hands gleefully

“It was one of his Christmas presents,” Astrid explained

“I remember,” Sam said

Christreat time for anyone Christrandparents Without all the weird relatives you saw only at holiday time

Astrid’s parents had an artificial tree that Sam had found in the attic and hauled downstairs to set up It was still set up, although they’d taken the ornaments off and put them back in boxes

Everyone had done what they could Albert had put on a feast, though nothing to rival his great Thanksgiving production By Christmas there were no pies to be had, no cookies, and fresh fruit or vegetables were all in the half-forgotten past

“We can’t fight over…you know…politics,” Sam said

“You ?” Astrid asked, her voice signaling readiness to start it all over again

“No I want you to tell me what you think I need you,” Sam admitted “But that’s kind of the point: I need you So e disagree, we can’t get mad at each other As people, you know?”

Astrid see, weary breath “No, you’re right We have enough to deal with”