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“I should be asking you that” I waggled a fry at him “You’re the quiet one My family’s a bit much, even when it’s only some of us like this”

“I know It’s weird, but I kind of like the chaos that co your folks” Derrick had such a fond s the latter part of college and graduate school Maybe fas would have been more tolerable with him around

“You’re welcome to them,” I joked

“I wish” A shadow passed across Derrick’s eyes, and I wanted to ask more about his past, but before I could, he frowned “I still don’t like ly—”

“Shush” I sent hie with my eyes to not blow our cover

“Sorry”

“It’s okay” I dragged another fry through a puddle of ketchup before glancing down the table “I just want to savor ht for a change”

“That can’t be true” Unlike h food after a deploy toht like to take his time with

I shifted in my chair “Believe it I’m the odd kid out”

“Nah Calder’s always talking about how sht? Your folks have to be proud of all your school success”