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"Tully needs—"

"I think I can figure out whatto stand straight, but it wasn't working She was kind of wobbly and her eyes looked funny She twirled a strand of long, wavy hair around her finger

Granresponsibility, Dorothy Maybe if you ot to know Tully you'd be ready" She paused, then frowned and said quietly, "You're drunk "

Moled and winked at Tully

Tully winked back Drunk wasn't so bad Her grandpa used to drink lots before he got sick Even Gran solass of wine

"Iss otten?"

"Your birthday?" Tully shot to her feet "Wait here," she said, then ran to her rooh her vanity drawer, scattering her stuff everywhere, looking for the macaroni and bead necklace she'd made her mom at Bible school last year Gran had frohen she saw it, told her not to get her hopes up, but Tully hadn't been able to do that Her hopes had been up for years Shoving it in her pocket, she rushed back out, just in time to hear her mommy say,

"I'ain for the first tih "

"Six years She was four the last time you dropped her off here "

"That long ago?" Mo confused

"Move back home, Dorothy I can help you "

"Like you did last time? No, thanks "

Last time? Mommy had come back before?

Gran sighed, then stiffened "How long are you going to hold all that against me?"

"It's hardly the kind of thing that has an expiration date, is it? Come on, Tallulah " Her mom lurched toward the door