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“No, I told you I just want to paint the set and maybe run the soundboard for the first show … if Ms Joy will let me”

“Well, if she doesn’t, I’ll give that joyless Ms Joy a piece of my otten “You ought to get everything you want and then some!”

If only it worked that way My hter in my corner ever since I could walk When o, it had been just the two of us facing the world The stepdad caly soon after that, paired with a boy ned as my new best friend and protector Oh, how very fast hopes and plans die in this sad little house

Then, as if summoned by Satan himself from the archway behind me, comes a deep voice “Or you could take up a sport your senior year, grow some man-hair on them boy-balls of yours”

Meet ent pearl of wisdom to contribute to any conversation

I address him blithely “You mean like you did?”

“Better bet I did It’s the only way a boy learns to be a man”

I nod somberly “Guess I’ll be doomed to hairless balls At leastmy man-hair stuck in their teeth”

Carl squints atit

He doesn’t have to The jab alone gives me a private moment of satisfaction

I turn back tochat, but find her staring critically atmy behavior

My smile crumbles away, and after a moment’s resentment, I soften my attitude “As nice as a sport sounds, I just don’t think it’s up ”