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He shook his head "Im sorry, honey "

Marah spun on her heel and ran upstairs; all the way up, until she sla

"Ill go talk to her," Johnny said, sighing as he headed for the stairs

Kate turned to her best friend "Are you insane?"

"Its aschool, not a crack house "

"Damn it, Tully, she doesnt need to be in that screwed-up world Ive told you that before Its dangerous "

"Ill help her through it Ill go with her "

Kate was so ain Tully had made Kate look bad in front of Marah, and frankly, she didnt need any help screwing up her relationship with her daughter "Youre not her mother I am You can whoop it up with her and have a blast and live like the world is your Never-Never Land Its my job to keep her safe "

"Safe isnt everything," Tully said "Soained "

"Tully, you dont knohat in the hell youre talking about My thirteen-year-old daughter is not going to New York City on so to chaperone her The subject is closed "

"Fine," Tully said "I was just trying to help "

Kate heard the hurt in her friends voice, but she was too tired, and this was too ihter co a week of school orin a faraway place, I would appreciate it if youd let me discuss it with her "

"But you dont You two just scream at each other Even Johnny says—"

"Youve talked to Johnny about this?"

"Hes worried about you and Marah He says its like World War II around here sohts "