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Nutcracker, Jory," said Bart as he headed fast for the

stairs "You were the ugly nutcracker that turned into

the handsome prince You dominated every male role

--and won the prettiest ballerina every time In

Cinderella, in Romeo and Juliet

In The Sleeping

Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake--every time but the last

time And it's the last time that counts, isn't it?" How cruel! How very cruel! I watched Jory wince, and for once he allowed his pain to show,

my heart ache for him

"Merry Christmas," Bart called as he

disappeared up the stairs "We'll never again celebrate

this holiday, or any other in this house as long as I run

it Joel was right He warned me not to try and

conform and be like others He said I shouldn't try to

make people like or respect me From now on, I'll be