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“Really? Why?”

“Because it showed , Ja one, the brave one You’re proving that big tiay relationship I heard you even came out at work That must have been hard as hell in that kind of environ a hand over his ed to a woman I can’t love, not the way she needs ?” He looked up at me “I went to work for ht now, I’ her an esti flea infestation”

I leaned forward and rested my hand on his forearm “Charlie, this doesn’t have to be your life You can fix it Step one is to stop trying to please your parents, because you knohat? Nothing you do is going to please them anyway Sorry, but that’s the truth They’re really bitter, unhappy people, and no matter what you do, they’ll always find fault with it”

“I want to fix ive me another chance, Jamie Please? I’ll do sotheaze

Tears prickled behind my eyes, but I held theently “But it’s not too late for you to get your life on track”

He turned his face away from me as tears spilled down his cheeks He was quiet for a while before whispering, “I’veI don’t knohat to do”

“For one thing, Charlie, end the engage unfair to Callie She needs a ood person, and deserves that”

“You’re right”

“And why the fuck would you go to work for Uncle Al? The , you and I both know that Call hiht now and quit”

“And do what?” he asked, turning toward ain

“Anything Bag groceries Wash cars Who cares, as long as you get the hell away frooddaine a worse job for you”

He let out a choked little laugh “You make it sound so easy”

“It is It is so fucking easy Just as soon as you stop giving a shit what your family thinks, all the rest is a piece of cake”

“Do you know the shit I’ve had to deal with for that job? This one house I had to go to was totally overrun with mice Mice!”

“You’re terrified of mice,” I reminded him

“I know And you’re the only person that knows that You know me better than anyone, Jah school And God I miss you”