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Look at that, Cissy said when she saw the carving, It’s so romantic I wonder who they were

I took outI can’t remember what excuse I made to Cissy From then on I was totally freaked—I don’t even kno to put it—I sat there by the fire, totally tripping, waiting to get home so I could finally ask my mom who the hell Dallas Raintree was

The worst day of the year for Vivi Ann was August 21 So down on her like a semi truck with bad brakes, and sometimes she was startled by its sudden appearance in the midst of an otherwise ordinary week, but either way the effect was the sao the pain of this day had been sharp, ales It had gone froress She hoped she lived long enough to see it become just another day on the calendar

She woke up late and fed the horses and steers, and then joined her father for coffee They talked for a few s that needed to be done, and then went their separate ways: hi, and her to her chores For the rest of the day she worked tirelessly, careful never to slon, until the effort exhausted her Finally, as sunset drew near, she sat down in the rocking chair on her porch and dared to close her eyes

Within mere moments she here she wanted to be: lost in the land of memories In some cool, rational space of her mind, she knew she shouldn’t want to be here, but that voice was snored On this of all days, she couldn’t help herself

“Vivi Ann?” Winona said, walking toward her “Are you okay?”

“I’ot to her feet slowly, feeling a little unsteady Memories were like alcoholic drinks; too many too fast could ruin your equilibrium “Where’s Noah?”

“I’ out of the shiny black SUV

Mark got out of the driver’s side “Hey, Vivi Ann,” he said, taking Winona’s hand “Thanks for letting us take Noah along He was a lot of fun”

“Thanks for taking hienerous of you two”

Mark sht we’d buzz down to the fish shack for dinner and then have some ice cream”

I was at the ice-crea late, when I saw Dallas come out of the alley

“You want to join us?” Winona asked

Vivi Ann sood,” she added as an afterthought

“I think I’ll stay with Moh” He went back to the car, said soirl in the backseat