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“Not really It tasted like ood I wanted more”

“So when did you stop?”

“When it was all gone”

“So why did you do it?”

He shrugged “Because I could Because I was curious Because I was mad at my mom I don’t know, I just did it”

John drove in silence, taking the long way around to where he was going For now he’d said enough He wanted David to do the talking

“Is it true whatan alcoholic is passed down in families—like your mother drank, and so did you?”

“I don’t know I started drinking when I was thirteen because et things thatmy father in prison”

“Yeah, Mom told me about him She said he killed a man Is that true?”

“Yes, but he didn’t mean to That’s a story for another tiht be another time “I don’t drink any will always be there If I took one drink, it would be like I’d never stopped That’s why I don’t drink at all Not even beer”

“And that craving’s passed down in families? Is that what my mother meant?”

“It could be”

“So I could be an alcoholic, too?”

“Maybe And if you are, that’s a good reason not to start drinking at all” John pulled into the church parking lot

“Hey!” David jerked upright in the seat “Don’t tellme to church!”