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“Even after you punched Austin?”

“No one likes hilad I punched him ”

“What is it, the Lord of the Flies day care?”

“Huh?”

He carried her over to the sofa and sat down She snuggled up to hiainst his chest This was her favorite place in the whole world The only ti her

“Why did they make you queen?”

She scrunched her face in thought Then she reot to be the winner cuz he was the nicest boy “I saved Brittany fro She went in too deep so I saved her ”

“Saved Brittany fro down at her

She felt her cheeks grow hot How come lies just popped out of her mouth like little soap bubbles? She couldn’t help it No wonder no one liked her

Daddy touched her cheek “You know, Grace, when I was a kid, I thought I had to do everything right Go to the right school, get the right grades, follow the rules I wanted to make my mo time, he was quiet, and the silence ain? Finally he cleared his throat and said, “The point is: I’m proud of you just the way you are I love you no matter what, Gracie You can take that to the bank ”

She didn’t knohat he meant She hated the bank, except for the strawberry candies they gave out, and she knew the rest of it wasn’t true Once, she’d heard Daddy tell Papa that Grace was having trouble in school Behavioral probleh the door Her daddy had said a really bad word and asked Papa when they all just got to be happy again

He wanted her to have friends It was important to him “I’m pop’lar, Daddy I can’t hardly finishto me so much ”

He leaned down and kissed her cheek “Okay, Princess,” he said with a sigh “Okay Now let’s have so to eat before I pass out ”

“Iproudly at him Her dad’s smile was sad, and that scared her so much she added, “And the ’tatoes ”

He kissed her again and got up “Come on, Gracie, let’s eat ”