,,?+S ,,N ,,SE5

            ,,&REW ,,CLE;TS

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,PU69 ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK
      ,COPY"R #BJJB 0,&REW ,CLE;TS
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
   ,BR&Y ,DE,MELT1 ,/EPHANIE ,OV]BEY1
 ,J1NNIE ,NJ5GA1 ,BONNIE ,L1HY-,SWE5Y1
   ,3NIE ,KADLEC1 ,MEMORY ,MC,CLUNG1
   ,PET] ,MORSE1 ,JANELLE ,3/ANT9O1 &
              ,LAURA ,COX
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #C ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #A-AAJ

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJD
                                     ;II
























                                    ;III











               ,= ,REBE3A












                                     ;IV
























            ,,?+S ,,N ,,SE5           #A

                *APT] #A
               ,,AB ,,ME

  ,X'S A ,TUES"D MORN+ 9 ,FEBRU>Y1 & ,I
GET UP Z USUAL1 & ,I /UM# 96! BA?ROOM TO
TAKE A %[] 9 ! D>K4 ,: IS MY S*OOL-"D
ME?OD 2C X'S SORT ( L AN EXTRA T5 M9UTES
( SLEEP4
  ,X'S AF ! %[]4 ,T'S :5 X HAPP5S4
  ,X'S :5 ,I TURN ON ! BA?ROOM LI<T &
WIPE ! FOG (F ! MIRROR 6-B MY HAIR4 ,X'S
:AT ,I SEE 9 ! MIRROR4 ,X'S :AT ,I DON'T
SEE4
  ,I LOOK A SECOND "T1 & !N RUB AT !
MIRROR AG4
  ,I'M N "!4
  ,T'S :AT ,I'M SAY+4
  ,I'M4 ,N4 ,"!4
  ,I FEEL K9D ( DIZZY1 S ,I MAKE MY WAY
BACK 6B$ 2C IF ,I'M DR1M+1 B$ IS !
PLACE1 "R8 ,& ,I WAIT 6WAKE UP4 ,B ,I
DON'T 2C ,I ALR AM4
  ,I FEEL MY HE>T P.D+ 9 MY *E/4 ,MY
BR1? -ES FA/ & MY M\? IS DRY4 ,I      #B
LIFT MY H1D (F ! PILL[ & SEE MY %APE ON
! B$4 ,X'S "R "!1 "U ! COV]S4 ,!N ,I
PULL (F ! ELECTRIC BLANKET &! %EET4
  ,NO?+4
  ,S ,I G BACK 6! BA?ROOM1 6! BIG MIR-
ROR4 ,& ,I'M / N "!4 ,! MIRROR IS ! MIR-
ROR1 & X IS ON ! WALL1 & ,I AM N "! 9
FRONT ( X4 ,I ?9K ,I AM--,I M1N1 ,I SEE
! MIRROR1 ,I SEE MY T[EL WAVE "? ! AIR1
,I SEE ! %[] CURTA9 JUMP :5 ,I PUN* AT
X4 ,B ,I DON'T SEE ME4
  ,S ,I PANIC1 & ,I WRAP ! T[EL >.D MY
WAI/1 & ,I G TELL MY MOM & DAD4
  ,: IS N L ME4 ,I DON'T TELL !M M*4 ,I
M1N1 !Y'RE OKAY 9 SMALL DOSES1 & !Y C 2
USE;L4 ,!M "K+ :AT ,I'M UP 6USU,Y MAKES
!M LESS USE;L4
  ,B !Y >E SM>T1 ,I GIVE !M T M*1 & ?
LOOKS L A PRO#M ": SM>TS MI<T C.T1 S
,I'M H1D$ =! KIT*54 ,I "K !Y'LL BO? 2
"!1 2C ? IS A "W "D1 A S*OOL "D1 & ON S*
A "D 9 ! ,PHILLIPS H\SE1 E7S & TOA/ HIT
! H1T AT SEV5-FIFTE54 ,ALW4
  ,I G D[N ! HALL 6! /AIRS1 & ,I /OP4
,I'M SC>$ (! /AIRS4 ,NORM,Y1 ,I H     #C
GD EYE-H& COORD9,N4 ,I DON'T DORK \1
DON'T DROP MY TRAY 9 ! CAFET]IA1 TRIP ON
! /AIRS1 NO?+ L T4 ,B "!'S A PRO#M ?
MORN+3 NO H&S1 NO >MS1 NO LEGS1 NO FEET4
,I FEEL !M1 B ,I C'T SEE !M4 ,I HANG ON
6! BANI/] & FEEL MY WAY D[N L A ?REE-
YE>-OLD4
  ,!N ,I'M 9 ! KIT*5 DOORWAY1 MY FEET
COLD ON ! TILE FLOOR4 ,DAD SCRAM#S !
E7S1 ,MOM R1DS ! PAP]4 ,& ,I SAY1
8,GUYS6 ,I C'T SEE MYF60
  ,!Y GL.E AT ! DOOR 6! D9+ ROOM1 & ,DAD
SAYS1 8,WELL1 -E ON 9 "H & LET'S SEE
:AT'S ! MATT]40
  ,& ,I SAY1 8,B T'S :AT'S ! MATT]--,I
AM 9 "H6 ,I C'T SEE MYF6 ,Y C'T SEE ME4
,I C'T 2 SE5--L ,I'M 9VISI#60
  ,MOM LOOKS AT ,DAD1 & %E SMILES T
8,KIDS60 K9D ( SMILE T ,I HATE1 !N LOOKS
BACK 6H] PAP]4 ,%E TURNS ON H] ,VOICE (
,AU?OR;Y3 8,/OP MESS+ >.D N[1 ,BO2Y4
,Y'VE ONLY GOT TW5TY M9UTES 2F YR BUS4
,4CONNECT ! MICROPH"O OR ! WALKIE-TALKIE
OR :AT"E X IS Y'RE PLAY+ )1 -E HANG UP ?
WET T[EL1 & !N GET 9 "H & EAT4        #D
,N[40
  ,MEET ,PROFESSOR ,MOM1 AL "KN Z ! ,DI-
RECTOR4 ,H] MOTTO IS1 ,:5 9 D\BT1 GIVE
AN ORD]4 ,%E'S US$ 6! TIMID LL FRE%M5 9
H] LIT]ATURE CLASSES AT ! ,UNIV]S;Y (
,*ICAGO4 ,%E EXPECTS 8"Y P0 6JUMP :5 %E
B>KS AT !M4
  ,I'VE BE5 A3US$4 ,I'M 8MESS+ >.D10
GO(+ (F4 ,AG4 ,S ,I PULL \ MY *AIR1 SIT
ON X1 GRAB MY ORANGE JUICE1 GLUG X D[N1
& ?UMP ! GLASS ONTO ! PLACE MAT4
  ,& N[ ,I'VE GOT _! ATT5;N4 ,-PLETELY4
  ,DAD /OPS /IRR+ E7S & />ES AT MY EMPTY
GLASS4 ,MOM L1NS S F> =W>D T %E SPILLS
H] [N JUICE1 & X DRIPS 96H] LAP4 ,%E
DOESN'T NOTICE4
  ,DAD SAYS1 8,? IS A TRICK1 "R8 ,D "S?+
ELSE40
  ,S ,I PICK UP MY SPOON1 LICK X1 & HANG
X ON MY NOSE--A PRETTY GD TRICK EV5 :5
YR NOSE LOOKS L X'S "!4 ,! SPOON HANGS 9
MIDAIR4
  8,BO2Y80 ,MOM'S VOICE IS SQU1KY4
8,BO2Y1 /OP ?40
  ,ANO!R ORD]4                        #E
  8,I'M N .DO+ ANY?+1 ,MOM4 ,X'S J HAP-
P5+40
  ,! SPOON DROPS & JANGLES ON ! FLOOR4
,X'S A C]AMIC FLOOR 9 AN OLD ,VICTORIAN
KIT*5 9 ,*ICAGO 9 ,FEBRU>Y1 & ,I'M SITT+
ON AN OAK *AIR WE>+ A DAMP T[EL4 ,I'M
FREEZ+4
  ,DAD TURNS (F ! H1T "U ! E7S4
  ,H Y "E _H ! SCI;E ( .EXACTLY :AT HAP-
P5S DUR+ ! PROCESS ( MAK+ SCRAM#D E7S
EXPLA9$ 6Y1 9 GRT DETAIL8 ,I H4 ,AB T5
"TS4
  ,DAD /&S "! )! WOOD5 SPOON 9 "O H&1
FRY+ PAN 9 ! O!R4 ,! LOOK ON 8 FACE
SAYS1 ,P]PLEX$ ,PHYSICI/ AT ,"W4 ,I'M
EXPECT+ A !ORY ANY SECOND4 ,& ,DAD DE-
LIV]S4
  ,HE SAYS1 8,S9CE WE C'T ALL 2 DR1M+ ?
''' WE M/ 2 LOOK+ AT "S K9D ( VISI# LI<T
ANOMALY4 ,I'VE R1D ! RESE>* ON ? K9D (
?+--,I M1N1 ! RESE>* ON ! MA!MATICAL !O-
RIES--B ? ''' ? IS A PH5OM5ON1 AN EV5T60
  ,S* A USE;L OBS]V,N4 ,! GUY C'T HELP
2+ ,JOE ,PHYSICS4 ,X'S :AT HE DOES4 ,HE
"WS AT ,F]MI,LAB4 ,T'S "O ( ^?        #F
PLACES ": !Y SMA% ATOMS & !N TAKE PIC-
TURES (! BITS4 ,LIFE IS "O BIG SCI;E EX-
P]I;T = ,DAD4
  ,DAD'S BE5 WAV+ ! SPOON >.D Z HE
TALKS4 ,EGG BOOG]S ALL OV] ! PLACE4 ,MOM
TRIES 6TALK AG1 B ALL WE GET IS M
SQU1KS4 ,I'M />T+ 6WOND] :5 ! SM>TS >E
GO+ 6KICK IN4
  ,DAD GETS X BACK "U 3TROL ALM "R AWAY4
,HE MOPS UP ,MOM'S JUICE1 S]VES UP ?REE
PLATES1 & SITS D[N4 ,DAD & ,I />T 6EAT1
B 9/ANTLY HE /OPS *EW+4 ,DAD WAT*ES Z ,I
FLOAT =KLOADS ( RU2]Y E7S UP 6MY M\?4 ,S
DOES ,MOM4 ,& ,I'M WAT*+ TOO4 ,X'S A GD
%[3 ..,BO2Y & ,8 ,4APPE>+ .,BR1KFA/1 N[
APPE>+ ON ! ,BIG ,SCRE5 ( ,LIFE 9 !
,KIT*5 (! ,WEIRD4
  ,MOM'S H& />TS R1*+ = ": %E FIGURES MY
>M W BE4 ,%E'S (F 0AB A FOOT1 S ,I L1N
=W>D 6HELP \4 ,:5 H] H& HITS FLE%1 %E
FR1KS1 L %E'S GRA2$ A LIZ>D OR "S?+4
  8,OH1 ,GOD6 ,OH1 ,GOD6 ,X'S ,BO2Y6
,X'S HM6 ,HE'S "!6 ,HE'S ''' HE'S N '''
,OH1 ,GOD1 ,DAVID1 D "S?+6 ,LET'S '''
LET'S CALL ,DR4 ,WE/ON--OR "S"O       #G
ELSE1 A ''' A SPECIALI/40
  ,S ,I'M ?9K+1 ..,OH1 GRT4 ,Y1H1 LET'S
CALL "O ( ^? ,9VISI# ,TE5AG] ,SPECIAL-
I/S4 ,I'LL GET ! ,YELL[ .,PAGES4
  ,B ,I DON'T SAY T4 ,I SAY1 8,MOM1 -E
ON1 PULL X TGR4 ,I'M N SICK OR ANY?+4
,I'M OKAY4 ,SEE1 ,I'M EAT+ A H1L?Y BR1K-
FA/ 6HELP BUILD /R;G BODIES TWELVE WAYS4
,RE,Y4 ,MOM4 ,I'M OKAY40
  ,& ,I R1* OV] & PAT H] H&4 ,%E JUMPS
AG1 B !N %E GRABS HOLD ( MY H& ) BO? (
H]S4 ,%E SQUEEZES S H>D1 ,I C FEEL MY
B"OS TURN+ 6TUNA SALAD4
  ,%E'S K9D ( ROCK+ BACK & =? 9 H] *AIR1
TRY+ 6GET H] BR1?+ 6SL[ D[N4 ,%E DOESN'T
"K ": 6LOOK4 ,H] EYES D>T ALL OV] ":
,I'M SITT+1 B !N %E FOCUSES 9 ON ! ,CAP-
TIVE ,H&--T BLANK SPACE 2T H] TWO H&S T
FEELS L H] ONLY *1 H] LL BABY ,BO2Y1 H]
LIFE'S BIG 4APPO9T;T4
  ,X'S ,DAD AG4 ,HE'S CLE>+ 8 ?ROAT4 ,T
M1NS HE "KS "S?+ WE DON'T1 & HE WANTS TO
2 SURE WE'RE LI/5+ C>E;LLY4 8,EMILY1 N[
?9K4 ,WE C'T TELL A S\L AB ?4 ,N "O
P]SON4 ,N YR P>5TS1 N ,DR4 ,WE/ON1    #H
N ,M>GIE OR ,L\IS1 N ANY"O4 ,IMAG9E :AT
WD HAPP5 IF ! NEWS ( ? ''' :AT"E ? IS
''' IF ? GOT \ 96! PUBLIC4 ,WE'D H E RE-
PORT] & E CAM]A 9 ! _W ON \R FRONT /EPS
9 HALF AN H\R ''' &! GOV]N;T8--,I ."K !
GOV]N;T4 ,!Y WD 2 "H T5 M9UTES AF ! /ORY
BROKE--6TAKE ,BO2Y "S": ,8SAFE40' ,Y ?9K
! ,,CIA &! ,JO9T ,*IEFS WD 2 9T]E/$ 9 ?8
,I C TELL Y1 )\T A D\BT1 !Y WD4 ,S WE
TELL .NO ."O40
  ,HE /OPS 6LET T S9K IN4
  ,:5 "!'S A FAMILY CRISIS OR "S?+ BAD
HAPP5S1 USU,Y Y GET 6CALL = \TSIDE HELP4
,:5 ,BO2Y GETS CAU<T %OPLIFT+1 Y CALL YR
LAWY]4 ,:5 ,MOM DROPS H] R+ D[N ! DRA91
Y CALL A PLUMB]4 ,DAD SPILLS ! *>COAL
GRILL ONTO ! DECK1 Y CALL ! FIRE DE"P;T4
,B IF YR KID 4SOLVES 9 ! %[] "O MORN+8
,:O D Y CALL8 ,NO "O4 ,DAD'S GOT X "R4
,? HAS 6/AY 9 ! H\SE4
  ,!N ,DAD CRAMS "S PHONY *E] 96HIS
VOICE & SAYS1 8,HEY1 :O "KS8 ,"EY?+ CD 2
BACK 6NORMAL 9 HALF AN H\R4 ,B NO MATT]
:AT1 WE TELL NO "O4 ,AGRE$80
  ,MOM SL[LY NODS H] H1D YES1 & S D   #I
,I4
  ,DAD LOOKS 9 MY DIREC;N & SAYS1 8,& Y
AGREE TOO1 ,BO2Y80
  ,!N ,I R1LIZE T ,DAD C'T SEE ME NO4+4
  ,S ,I SAY1 8,ABSOLUTELY4 ,MY 9VISI#
LIPS >E S1L$40 ,!N ,I SAY1 8,B ,MOM'S
GOT A GD PO9T--EV5 IF WE C'T TELL ANY"O1
DON'T WE H 6D "S?+80
  ,DAD AG4 8,D8 ,WELL ''' F/ WE H 6?9K4
,?+S ?AT'RE IMPOSSI# N"E HAPP51 & "EY?+
T HAPP5S HAS A LAW 2H X4 ,I M1N ''' "!'S
ONLY CAUSE & E6ECT1 "R8 ,WE >E LOOK+ AT
AN E6ECT1 S "! M/ 2 A CAUSE4 ,WE F9D !
CAUSE1 WE REV]SE X1 & T ELIM9ATES ! EF-
FECT40
  ,JOE ,PHYSICS AG4
  ,X'S ! LOOK ON ,MOM'S FACE T MAKES ME
TALK BACK 6,DAD1 2C %E ISN'T BUY+ 8 LL
SCI;E SPEE* EI4
  ,S ,I SAY1 8,Y1H1 T S.DS GRT1 ,DAD4 ,B
T / DOESN'T ANSW] ! "Q--: IS1 :AT D ,I
.D1 L "R N[1 L ALL "D TD1 & ''' TM1 &
MAYBE NEXT WEEK4 ,? ISN'T "S PHYSICS
LAB1 ,DAD4 ,? IS ME4 ,:Y DON'T Y J ADMIT
T ! TRU? IS1 Y H NO IDEA :AT ,I %D   #AJ
D40
  ,T BR+S ,MOM BACK 6LIFE4 8,N[ LI/5 "H1
"Y MAN40
  ,X N"E FAILS4 ,:5"E ,I SCREW UP OR M\?
(F1 ,I MIRACUL\SLY 2COME A "Y MAN4
  ,MOM KEEPS TALK+4 8,YR "F & ,I H ALW
BE5 GD P>5TS1 & WE'RE N GO+ 6/OP J 2C (
"S ''' "S ''' SPECIAL PRO#M4 ,S J M9D YR
MANN]S & KEEP A CIVIL T;GUE 9 YR H1D4
,WE'LL D "EY?+ WE C--Y "K T40
  ,DAD IS NO4+ AL;G1 & HE SAYS1 8,(
C\RSE WE W1 ,BO2Y4 ,N[ J "EY"O CALM D[N4
,:AT WE NE$ 6D MO/ ( ALL IS ?9K C>E;LLY4
,"!'S NO S* ?+ Z A PRO#M T C'T 2 SOLV$
OR ''' OR A PROCESS T C'T 2 EXPLA9$4 ,X
J TAKES CLE> ?9K+40 ,& 0T1 ( C\RSE1 ,DAD
M1NS .8 ?9K+4
  ,!Y'RE BO? TALK+ L\D1 & YE/]"D ,I WD H
J %UT UP OR SD 8,I'M SORRY0 OR "S?+4 ,B
X'S AMAZ+ H[ BRAVE Y FEEL :5 P :O H RUN
YR LIFE = FIFTE5 YE>S SU45LY C'T SEE !
4GU/$ LOOK ON YR FACE4
  ,I /& UP S FA/ T MY *AIR TIPS OV]
BACKW>D )A BIG BANG4 ,I YANK ! T[EL F
>.D MY WAI/ & ?R[ X ONTO ! TA#4      #AA
  8,WELL1 H[ AB ?80 ,I'M %\T+4 8,H[ AB
IF ,I J 4APPE> =A :ILE8 ,Y TWO G AH1D &
D ALL ! CLE> ?9K+ Y WANT TO4 ,I'LL J
DROP \ ( SI<T--Y "K1 LAY L[ A LL4 ,!N1
.,I'LL LET .Y "K :AT .,I'VE BE5 ?9K+60
  ,I TAKE ?REE SIL5T /EPS BACKW>D & /&
NE> ! DOORWAY 0! TELEPH"O4
  ,FIVE1 SIX1 SEV5 ''' T5 SECONDS4
  8,BO2Y80 ,MOM IS ON H] FEET1 LOOK+ AT
": ,I US$ 6BE4 ,B %E C S5SE ,I'M N "!4
8,BO2Y6 ,Y /OP X ? 9/ANT60 ,N[ %E'S PAN-
ICK$4 ,%E'S FIGUR$ \ T ,I CD 2 \ ! DOOR
& ON A BUS 0N[4 ,%E'S LOOK+ E : WAY1
WR++ H] H&S & BIT+ H] L[] LIP1 & !N
YELL+4 8,BO2Y8 ,,BO2Y60
  ,& ,DAD--,DAD IS J SITT+1 PALMS FLAT
ON ! TA#1 />+ AT ! FLOOR1 %AK+ 8 H1D4
,X'S ! LOGIC AG4 ,DAD SEES "R AWAY T ,I
H ALL ! P[]1 S HE'S N WA/+ 5]GY4
  ,B !N -E ! TE>S4 ,MOM SLUMPS D[N 9 H]
*AIR & />TS CRY+1 & ,I C'T TAKE T4 ,I C
N"E TAKE T4 ,I H 6FOLD4
  ,S ,I SAY1 R1L QUIETLIKE1 8,ALL "R1
ALL "R4 ,I'M "R OV] "H4 ,B REMEMB]1
.,I'M ! "O )! PRO#M "H1 N Y40        #AB
  ,2C T'S :AT !Y D1 BO? ( !M4 ,L IF ,I
GET 9 TR\# AT S*OOL1 SU45LY .!Y'RE ! "OS
ON TRIAL1 & .!Y H 6FIGURE \ :AT .!Y H TO
D0 ,X'S ALW AB !M4
  ,MOM'S MAD1 B MO/LY RELIEV$4 8,ROB]T1
T 0 J M1N4 ,X'S N FAIR TO ''' 6HIDE T
WAY4 ,PROMISE ME1 PROMISE ME1 ,ROB]T1 T
Y W N"E D T AG40
  ,& N[ ,I'M N ! 8"Y MAN40 ,N[ ,I'M
,ROB]T4 ,& ,I'M DO+ ? 6.H]4
  ,B ,I PROMISE--) MY 9VISI# F+]S
CROSS$1 ( C\RSE4
  ,!N ,I SAY1 8,B GUYS1 D Y GET :AT ,I
M1N8 ,I M1N L ? ISN'T J "S--PH5OM5ON4 ,&
X'S N L ,I'VE GOT ! *ICK5 POX OR ! FLU
OR "S?+4 ,? IS -PLETELY ''' DI6]5T1 &
X'S HAPP5+ 6ME1 & X M1NS T ,I C'T D ANY-
?+ L ,I DID X YE/]"D4 ,S T'S :Y ,I'M
SAY+ ''' :AT D ,I .D80
  ,& N[ ,I'VE GOT MYF SC>$ TOO4 ,2C X'S
TRUE4
  ,HORRIBLY TRUE4 ,"H ,I AM1 /&+ "H ) MY
FEET CRAMP+ UP ON ! COLD FLOOR1 IMAG9+ !
RE/ ( MY LIFE Z ! ULTIMATE WEIRDO4
  ,I C'T G ANY":4 ,CLO!S >E SUP-     #AC
POS$ 6H A BODY 9SIDE !M1 & M9E IS MISS+4
,I CD G \ NAK$4 ,B T'S N "S?+ SANE P D
ANY"T 9 ,*ICAGO1 ESPECI,Y N 9 ,FEBRU>Y4
  ,S*OOL8 ,G"O4 ,(F ! AIR4 ,N T ,I C>E
M*4 ,X'S ! ;,U ( ;,C LAB S*OOL4 ,X'S ":
! PROFESSORS &! LOCAL G5IUSES & ALL !
RE/ (! UNIV]S;Y CREEPS S5D _! KIDS4 ,X'S
SUPPOS$ 6BE S GRT4 .,BETT] ?AN ,FRANCIS
,P>KMAN4 .,BETT] ?AN ,NOR? ,%ORE ,C.TRY
,"D4 ,BLAH1 BLAH1 BLAH4 ,MO/ (! "T ,I C
B>ELY TOL]ATE X4 ,EXCEPT =! LIBR>IES4 ,&
! JAZZ B&4
  ,I M1N1 X'S N L ,I'M "S PSY*O LON] OR
ANY?+4 ,I'VE GOT FRS1 KIDS ,I EAT LUN*
)1 /UFF L T4 ,B ,I'M J N A PRIVATE-S*OOL
KID4 ,I G "! 2C MY FAMILY MOV$ "H SIX
YE>S AGO4 ,PLUS1 MY MOM T1*ES AT ! UNI-
V]S;Y1 S ! TUI;N IS *1P4 ,MAYBE MY
S*OOL'S A GRT PLACE IF Y'RE A %[-(F G5-
IUS OR A SO3] GOD OR "S?+4 ,B IF Y'RE
ME1 X'S J S*OOL4
  ,B .T'S OV]1 AT L1/ = ''' WELL1 AT L1/
= TD4
  ,I /& "! 9 ! KIT*51 NAK$ & %IV]+1 & ,I
LOOK AT ,MOM & ,DAD1 / SITT+ AT !    #AD
TA#4 ,!Y'RE /UMP$4 ,I'VE N"E SE5 !M ?
WAY4 ,& T MI<T 2 ! SC>IE/ ?+ ( ALL4 ,)
P>5TS L M9E1 Y GET US$ 6HAV+ !M TELL Y
:AT 6D NEXT4 ,B ,I C SEE !Y DON'T H A
CLUE4 ,N AB ?4
  ,& SU45LY ,I ?9K1 ..,:Y DID ,I "E BE-
LIEVE !Y _H ALL ! ANSW]S = ME1 .ANYWAY8
  ,I M1N1 !Y D "K A LOT ( SEMI-9T]E/+
/UFF4 ,MOM "KS POLITICS & HI/ORY & ,5G-
LI% LIT]ATURE 9SIDE \1 & ,DAD'S A C]TI-
FI$ BRA9IAC1 S HE "KS TONS4 ,& T'S F9E =
!M4 ,B ALL T1 T'S GOT NO?+ 6D ) ME1 N "R
N[4
  ,S ,I LOOK AT !M SITT+ "! & ,I SAY1
8,I'LL 2 UP 9 MY ROOM4 ,I'VE GOT 6FIGURE
\ :AT 6D40
  ,& X'S TRUE4 .,I'VE GOT 6FIGURE X \4
,2C ?1 :AT'S HAPP5+ "R N[1 ? IS AB ME4






                *APT] #B             #AE
               ,,EXP]I;TS

  ,A M9UTE LAT] ,I'M SITT+ AL"O ON MY
B$4 ,I'VE GOT MY D>K GRE5 ROBE ON1 S :5
,I LOOK D[N AT MY LEGS & MY >MS1 ! %APES
>E "R4 ,B ,I HOLD UP MY H& &! FLOPPY
SLEEVE SLIDES D[N MY >M1 & ,I C'T SEE !
>M OR ! H& ON ! 5D ( X4
  ,I GET UP & TURN ON MY DESK LAMP4 ,X'S
A B"R LI<T1 & ,I PUT MY H& "U X1 PALM
D[N4 ,I C FEEL ! H1T4 ,I C'T SEE MY H&1
B ,I D SEE "S?+ ELSE4 ,I SEE A V FA9T
%AD[ ( MY H& ON ! GRE5 DESK BLOTT]4 ,I
/>T OP5+ & CLOS+ MY H&1 WAT*+ ! %AD[ (
"S?+ ,I C'T SEE4
  ,I'M S 96X1 ,I DON'T NOTICE MY DAD UN-
TIL HE'S "R NEXT 6ME4 ,HE SAYS1 8,T'S
9T]E/+10 & ,I JUMP1 & MY H& HITS ! LI<T1
&! %ADE MAKES ? ,,B;G4 ,I %D H LOCK$ MY
DOOR4
  ,DAD SAYS1 8,S :AT D Y MAKE ( T8 ,Y
C'T SEE X1 B X MAKES A %AD[--EXCEPT X'S
N A NORMAL %AD[1 IS X80
  ,I "K T T"O ( VOICE4 ,X M1NS ,DAD ALR
HAS ! ANSW]1 & HE WANTS ME 6SAY1     #AF
8,DUHHH1 ,I DON'T "K10 S HE C %[ ME H[
SM>T HE IS4 ,AG4
  ,B ,I "K ! ANSW]1 OR ,I ?9K ,I D4 ,S
,I SAY1 8,X M1NS MY EYES C'T SEE MY H&1
B ! LI<T F ! LAMP C'T G ALL ! WAY "? X
''' ,I GUESS40
  ,DAD IS NO4+4 8,B+O6 ,:5 Y CAME 6!
KIT*5 Y SD Y 7 9VISI#1 & Y >E4 ,B :AT
DOES T M1N8 ,Y "K ! ,/1L? ,BOMB]8 ,!
,AIR ,=CE CALLS T PLANE 9VISI#4 ,WELL1
IS X80
  ,I SAY1 8,NO1 N RE,Y 9VISI#4 ,B RAD>
C'T SEE ! PLANE4 ,S X'S 9VISI# 6! RAD>40
  ,DAD SAYS1 8,B+O6 ,T PLANE IS 9VISI#
6! RAD>4 ,B DOES ! PLANE MAKE A %AD[ :5
X FLIES 2T ! E>? &! SUN80
  8,Y1H1 2C ! PLANE'S / "!1 "R80
  8,B+O6 ,& Y'RE / "H TOO4 ,B Y'RE 9VIS-
I# 6! HUMAN EYE4 ,N[1 H[ DOES T EYE "W80
  ,I'M PLAY+ AL;G 2C ? ISN'T "O ( ,DAD'S
USUAL LECTURES1 L ": HE SUCKS ALL ! FUN
\ (A ROLL] COA/] 0TALK+ AB ;G-=CES & PO-
T5TIAL 5]GY4 ,? /UFF IS IMPORTANT 6ME4
,I MAY N 2 ! GRTE/ /UD5T1 B ,I R1D ALL !
"T & ,I REMEMB] "EY?+4 ,I "K A FEW   #AG
?+S TOO4
  ,S ,I REPLAY "S SIX?-GRADE SCI;E = HM4
8,! EYE PICKS UP LI<T "? A L5S1 &! LI<T
MAKES AN IMAGE 9SIDE ! EYE1 & T IMAGE
GETS S5T 96! BRA940
  8,B+O6 ,S :Y C'T WE SEE ? H&80 ,N[
HE'S GOT HOLD ( MY H& AT ! WRI/1 & HE'S
%AK+ X UP & D[N "U ! LI<T4
  8,2C ! EYE ISN'T GETT+ AN IMAGE80
  8,B+O6 ,2C :AT DOES X NE$ 6MAKE AN IM-
AGE80 ,DAD'S TOO EXCIT$ N[1 S HE ANSW]S
8 [N "QS4 ,X'S "O (! ?+S T /9KS AB LIV+
)A G5IUS4 8,! EYE NE$S LI<T6 ,& "! ISN'T
ANY LI<T B\NC+ (F YR H& & 96\R EYES4
,LOOK AT MY H&40 ,HE HOLDS MY H& NEXT TO
8 BIG HAIRY "O1 ! "O )! ,CAL ,TE* R+ ON
X4 8,SAME LI<T1 & B+O6 ,"! X IS1 2C !
LI<T B\NCES (F ( .MY H& & 96\R EYES4 ,WE
SEE "O H&1 B "! >E TWO %AD[S ON ! DESK4
,H[ -E8 ,2C EV5 ?\< YR H& DOESN'T .RE-
FLECT ANY LI<T1 X'S N TRANSP>5T4 ,&!
R1SON T YR %AD[ IS FA9T & M9E ISN'T M/ 2
2C MY H& /OPS ! LI<T1 & YRS J B5DS X "S
--T'S CALL$ REFRAC;N4 ,B+O60
  ,MY DAD NE$S "O ( ^? COLL>S L !Y   #AH
PUT ON DOGS T B>K TOO M*4 ,!N1 :5 HE
SAYS 8,B+O60 HE'D GET A %OCK4
  8,N[10 HE SAYS1 8LAY YR H& "R ON !
DESK40 ,& ,I D1 & HE SAYS1 8,SEE T8 ,T
\TL9E8 ,X'S ! %APE ( YR H&1 B "!'S NO
COLOR1 NO DEF9ITE =M1 &! DESK "UN1? IS
HI454 ,& SEE H[ ! $GE SEEMS ALL WAVY8
,T'S 2C (! REFRAC;N4 ,N[ PULL YR H& UP
SL[LY40 ,& ,I D1 & Z ,I D1 ! H& %APE
4APPE>S4
  8,HOLD X "!60 ,DAD'S EXCIT$4 8,SEE T8
,:5 Y GET SIX OR EI<T 9*ES AWAY F "S?+--
B+O6--Y'RE G"O4 ,X'S L \R BRA9S FILL 9
>.D ! %APE1 & Y G -PLETELY 9VISI#4
,WE'RE J N WIR$ 6SEE NONREFLECTIVE1 L[-
REFLECTIVE1 L[-REFRACTIVE MATT]60 ,I
FEEL L "O ( ^? MICE 9 ! MOVIE !Y MADE F
.,FL[]S .= .,ALG]NON4 ,IF ,I LET HM1
,DAD W ?9K UP LL EXP]I;TS = ME ALL "D
L;G4
  ,I SAY1 8,S H[ DOES ALL T HELP80
  ,DAD WAT*ES MY ROBE Z ,I G SIT ON ! B$
AG4 ,HE LOOKS PUZZL$4 8,HELP80 HE ASKS4
  8,Y1H1 H[ D ALL ^! OBS]V,NS HELP ME80
  8,WELL1 ,I'M N SURE YET1 ,BO2Y4    #AI
,B X'S "S?+ ''' & X'S PRETTY 9T]E/+1
DON'T Y ?9K80
  ,I'M GLAD ,DAD C'T SEE ! LOOK ON MY
FACE4 ,& ,I DON'T SAY ANY?+ "R AWAY 2C
S>CASM DOES A BAD ?+ 6,DAD'S BRA9 *EMIS-
TRY4
  ,!N ,I SAY1 8,WELL1 ,I'M GO+ 6TRY 6GET
"S SLEEP1 ,DAD40 ,: IS A LOT NIC] ?AN
SAY+1 8,GET \6 ,L1VE MY ROOM1 & TAKE ALL
YR .9T]E/+ LL FACTOIDS & !ORIES ) Y60
  ,S ,DAD SAYS1 8,OKAY1 ,BO2Y4 ,SURE4
,T'S A GD IDEA4 ,RE/ IS ALW A GD IDEA40
  ,B ,I DON'T WANT 6RE/1 J 2 AL"O4 ,:5
,DAD'S G"O1 ,I JUMP UP & %UT MY DOOR4 ,&
,I LOCK X 2F ,I G BACK & FLOP ONTO MY
B$4
  ,AL"O ISN'T NEW = ME4 ,I SP5D A LOT (
"T ? WAY4 ,:5 ,I'M N AT S*OOL1 ,I MO/LY
R1D4 ,T'S :Y ,I L ! LIBR>Y1 ! BIG "O 2T
,FIFTY-SIX? & ,FIFTY-SEV5? ,/REET4 ,X'S
"P (! UNIV]S;Y1 N ! HI< S*OOL4 ,I C HANG
\ "! Z L;G Z ,I WANT4
  ,B X'S N L ,I NE$ 6G "! 6F9D BOOKS4
,\R :OLE H\SE IS L A LIBR>Y1 : FIGURES
S9CE ,MOM'S A LIT]ATURE FR1K4 ,IF    #BJ
%E CAT*ES ME LOOK+ BOR$1 %E GRABS A BOOK
& %OVES X 9 MY FACE & SAYS ,I H 6R1D
TW5TY PAGES1 & !N IF ,I WANT 6/OP1 ,I C4
,A LOT (! "T ,I GET HOOK$4 ,L ON .,"L
.,JIM4 ,T 0 A /RANGE "O4 ,& ,HEM+WAY4
,%E MADE ME R1D .,9 .,\R .,"T1 & !N ,I
R1D ALL 8 BOOKS4 ,& %E GAVE ME .,CAT*-
#BB & .,CAT'S .,CRADLE4 ,S ,I GOT HOOK$
ON ,VONNEGUT4 ,& ,I EV5 R1D .,GRT .,EX-
PECT,NS 0,*>LES ,DICK5S4 ,HI< D5S;Y1 B
GD4
  ,ON MY [N ,I R1D /UFF L ,TOLKI5 & ..,A
,WR9KLE 9 .,"T4 ,& ,MI*AEL ,CRI*TON4 ,&
,I J F9I%$ .,! .,ODYSSEY4 ,T 0 A SUR-
PRISE4 ,X 0 ACTU,Y GD4 ,& ,I'VE F.D "S
GD BOOKS ON ,DAD'S %ELVES--,RI*>D ,FEYN-
MAN ESPECI,Y4 ,HE'S ? V FUNNY PHYSICI/--
: >E N ^WS T USU,Y G TGR4
  ,MO/LY ,I L BOOKS T H A _W ,I C GET
9TO4 ,& ,I GUESS T'S 2C BOOKS H ALW BE5
S M* M 9T]E/+ ?AN MY LIFE4 ,UNTIL TD4
  ,AF A FEW M9UTES LY+ D[N1 ,I G OV] &
OP5 MY DESK DRAW]4 ,I GRAB A BALLPO9T P5
& WRITE 8,BO2Y0 ON ! PALM ( MY LEFT H&4
,I LOOK AT ! LRS1 & ,I WAVE MY H&    #BA
>.D 9 FRONT ( MY FACE4 ,MY "N IS L ?
FLOAT+ BLUE /R+4
  ,!N ,I SEE A PACK ( GUM4 ,I WALK 6!
MIRROR ABV MY DRESS]4 ,I UNWRAP A PIECE
( ,D\#M9T & /ICK X 9 MY M\?4 ,I OP5
WIDE1 & X'S "! ON MY T;GUE4 ,I %UT MY
M\? & X'S G"O4 ,I *EW ) MY M\? OP51 & ,I
SEE ! GUM1 MOV+ >.D 2T MY TEE? L A GRAY
CAT]PILL>4 ,!N ,I SWALL[ ! GUM1 J 6WAT*
:AT HAPP5S--ALL G"O4
  ,!N ,I "W MY T;GUE >.D 9 MY M\? = AB
T5 SECONDS1 & ,I SPIT AT ! MIRROR4 ,& ,I
C'T SEE ANY?+ ON ! MIRROR4 ,I RUB MY H&
OV] ! GLASS1 & MY H&S FEEL WET4 ,9VISI#
SPIT4 ,I H 9VISI# SPIT4
  ,!N ,I ?9K AB ! GUM ,I J SWALL[$4 ,X'S
G"O1 B ( C\RSE1 X'S N4 ,X'S J D[N 9SIDE
ME1 & L ,DAD SD1 ,I'M N TRANSP>5T4 ,2C
IF ,I WAS1 ,I'D / 2 A# 6SEE ! GUM1 "R "!
9SIDE ME4 ,S !N ! GUM GOES "? MY /OMA* &
"EY?+ ''' & !N :AT8
  ,ONLY "O WAY 6F9D \4
  ,I UNLOCK MY DOOR & H1D D[N ! HALL4
,I'M / %AKY ON MY FEET--,I'VE GOT NO
VISUAL FIX ON MY [N PLACE 9 SPACE4   #BB
,! ROBE HELPS1 B ,I RE,Y MISS MY LEGS &
FEET4 ,& "H'S ! BA?ROOM REPORT3 ,MO/ P G
NUMB] "O OR NUMB] TWO4 ,I G NUMB] ?REE &
NUMB] F\R4 ,! S.DS &! SMELLS >E V FAMIL-
I>1 B "!'S NO?+ 6SEE4
  ,S X'S L ?3 ,"S?+ L A GLASS ( WAT] OR
A B[L ( ,*E]IOS />TS \ NORMAL1 B AF X
GOES "? .ME1 X WON'T REFLECT LI<T4 ,X'S
TOO WEIRD4
  ,I FLU% & !N OP5 ! BA?ROOM DOOR1 &
,MOM'S /&+ "!4
  ,%E BL9KS1 & H] EYES BUG \ Z %E SEES
MY ROBE1 & !N !Y W&] >.D1 LOOK+ = MY
FACE4 8,>E Y ALL "R1 ,BO2Y80
  ,I SAY1 8,Y1H1 F9E4 ,I USU,Y G 6! BA?-
ROOM S"EAL "TS E "D1 ,MOM4 ,D ,I NE$ P]-
MIS.N N[80
  ,%E GETS ? HURT LOOK ON H] FACE1 &=A
SECOND ,I FEEL L ,I "\ 6GIVE H] A HUG OR
"S?+4 ,B ,I DON'T4 ,I J /EP >.D H] &
C>E;LLY FLOAT MY GRE5 ROBE D[N ! HALL TO
MY ROOM1 & ,I %UT MY DOOR4 ,!N ,I PUN* !
LOCK BUTTON S %E C HE> X L\D & CLE>4
  ,I GET 9 B$ & LIE BACK1 />+ AT !
CEIL+4 ,I CLOSE MY EYES1 & X'S       #BC
D>K4 ,M PRO( T ,I'M N TRANSP>5T4 ,IF ,I
W]E1 !N ,I'D 2 A# 6SEE "? MY EYELIDS1
"R8 ,I %IV]1 "PLY COLD1 "PLY SC>$4
  ,I PULL ! ELECTRIC BLANKET OV] ME &
CRANK X UP A NOT*4 ,I %UT MY EYES AG &
LIE /1 J TRY+ 6?9K1 6CALM D[N4
  ,& ,I GUESS ,I D1 2C ! NEXT ?+ ,I "K1
,I'M DRIV+ ? DUNE BU7Y AT AB A HUNDR$
MILES AN H\R ACR A BURN+ DES]T T LOOKS L
! SURFACE (! MOON4
  ,I SIT UP 9 B$1 & ,I'M ALL SW1TY1 &
"!'S A SECOND OR TWO :5 ,I DON'T "K ":
,I AM OR :O ,I AM1 OR :AT "D X IS1 OR
ANY?+4 ,I'M / HALF 9 ! DR1M1 ) S& HITT+
ME 9 ! FACE4 ,"!'S MY AL>M CLOCK1 & X'S
#A3DG1 & ,I PANIC 2C ,I'VE OV]SLEPT1 L
,I'M LATE = S*OOL4
  ,!N "EY?+ -ES CRA%+ BACK 96MY H1D4 ,I
JUMP UP & G 6! MIRROR OV] ! DRESS]1 &
"!'S ONLY MY ROBE4 ,& N[ ,I C SEE "S
SME>S ON ! MIRROR--X'S MY SPIT1 N 9VISI#
N[4 ,! ROBE'S SOAK$ ) SW1T1 S ,I PEEL X
(F & PULL ON "S BOX]S & J1NS &A ;,T-
%IRT4 ,& SOCKS1 2C ,I REMEMB] H[ COLD !
FLOOR 0 AT BR1KFA/4                  #BD
  ,I G D[N ! BACK /AIRS 6! KIT*54 8,MOM8
''' ,DAD80
  ,"!'S NO ANSW]4
  ,!N ,I SEE ! NOTE ON ! KIT*5 C.T]4

  ,BO2Y--,I CDN'T GET A SUB = MY ,Y1TS
SEM9>1 S ,I'M PREPP+ N[ AT MY (FICE4
,I'LL 2 9 ,ADL] ,HALL F #C3CJ 6#D3CJ1 !N
,I'LL -E "R HOME4 ,I CALL$ ! (FICE AT
S*OOL & SD Y _H ! FLU1 & ,MRS4 ,SAV9 W
HOLD YR HOME"W = ME AT ! (FICE4 ,DAD W 2
HOME E>LY1 A LL 2F #D1 "R AF A MEET+ ) 8
T1M4 ,DON'T WORRY1 ,BO2Y4 ,J WAT* ,,TV
OR "S?+4 ,CALL ME IF "!'S AN EM]G5CY4
,"EY?+'S GO+ 6BE ALL "R4
    ,LOVE1 ,MOM

,& !N A SECOND NOTE SCRIB#D 2L T4

  ,BO2Y--,PL1SE 2 C>E;L4
      ,DAD

  ,MY FOLKS4 ,!Y N"E LOSE SI<T (! IMPOR-
TANT ?+S4 ,L KEEP+ UP ) HOME"W4 ,&
POETRY SEM9>S4 ,& ,DAD'S ATOM-       #BE
SMA%+ T1M--WELL1 WE ALL "K H[ VITAL .T
IS 6"EY"O4
  ,I C'T 2LIEVE :AT ,I'M R1D+3 8,WAT*
,,TV OR "S?+08 ,& !N1 8,CALL ME IF "!'S
AN EM]G5CY08
  ,S LET ME GET ? /RAI<T1 ,MOM3 ,YR KID
GOES 9VISI#1 & T'S .N AN EM]G5CY8
  8,WAT* ,,TV OR "S?+40 ,T'S :AT ! NOTE
SAYS4
  ,S ,I SAY 6MYF1 ..,F9E4 ,B ,I ?9K
,I'LL D ! 8OR "S?+0 ."P4













                                     #BF
























                *APT] #C             #BG
                ,,\ ,,"!

  ,! GD ?+ AB ,FEBRU>Y 9 ,*ICAGO IS T NO
"O ?9KS X'S WEIRD IF Y'RE ALL BUNDL$ UP4
,:5 ,I GET ON ! C;Y BUS H1D$ T[>D CAM-
PUS1 ,I'M J ANO!R P]SON :O DOESN'T WANT
6FREEZE 6D1? 9 ! W9D *ILL4 ,! /OCK+ CAP1
! TURTLENECK1 ! SC>F >.D MY FACE1 !
GLOVES1 X ALL LOOKS NATURAL4 ,EXCEPT
MAYBE ,DAD'S HUGE SUNGLASSES4 ,!Y MAKE
ME LOOK L ,ELWOOD F .,! .,BLUES .,BRO?-
]S4
  ,X'S AB A HALF-MILE BUS RIDE F HOME 6!
/OP AT ,ELLIS & ,FIFTY-SEV5? ,/REET4
,B\NC+ AL;G1 MY HE>T IS P.D+ S H>D1 ,I C
HE> X CR9KL+ MY E>DRUMS4 ,X PROBABLY
ISN'T S* A GRT IDEA 6BE GO+ 6! LIBR>Y4
,B ,I H TO4 ,I H TO4 ,I M1N1 :AT IF ,I
SIT AT HOME ALL "D & WAT* ,,TV1 & !N TM1
,I WAKE UP & ,I'M MY REGUL> SELF AG8 ,X
WD 2 L NO?+ HAPP5$1 SAME OLD SAME OLD4
,S ,I'M GO+ 6! LIBR>Y 6SEE :AT X'S L4
,6BE L ?4 ,AT ! LIBR>Y4 ,Z L;G Z ,I GET
HOME 2F ,DAD DOES1 NO PRO#M4
  ,LOOK+ \ ! W9D[ (! BUS1 ,I'M N     #BH
SURE IF ,I'LL 2 A# 6GET 96! LIBR>Y4 ,X'S
! BIG "O1 ! ,REG5/E9 ,LIBR>Y4 ,Y H 6%[
AN ,,ID AT ! 5TR.E4 ,IF ! P]SON ON DUTY
WANTS 6*ECK MY FACE AG/ ! PICTURE ON MY
LAB S*OOL ,,ID1 ?+S CD GET MESSY4
  ,B ,I -E "H A LOT1 & ,I "K ! GUY :O'S
"W+ AT ! SECUR;Y DESK TD4 ,HE'S A COL-
LEGE KID4
  ,"!'S NO L9E1 & ,I H& HM MY C>D4 8,HI1
,WALT4 ,H['S X GO+80
  ,HE LOOKS AT MY PICTURE & RUNS ! C>D
"U ! SCANN]4 ,HE SMILES & SAYS1 8,"EY-
?+'S GD1 ,BO2Y4 ,Y \ ( S*OOL E>LY TD80
  ,I NOD4 8,Y1H1 "W+ ON A SPECIAL PROJ-
ECT40
  ,HE SMILES & SAYS1 8,WELL1 DON'T GET
TOO SM>T ALL AT ONCE1 OKAY80
  ,I />T 6WALK T[>D ! ELEVATORS & ,WALT
SAYS1 8,HEY '''0
  ,I TURN BACK1 & HE GR9S & SAYS1 8'''
NICE %ADES40
  ,I "K EXACTLY ": ,I'M GO+4 ,! ELEVATOR
TAKES ME 6! TOP FLOOR4 ,"!'S A M5'S ROOM
UP ON FIVE1 & ,I'M BETT+ X'S EMPTY4 ,X
IS4 ,I %UT MYF 96! /ALL AG/ ! WALL   #BI
& TAKE (F MY CLO!S4 ,I WRAP "EY?+ 9 MY
COAT4 ,I LOOK >.D & R1LIZE MY LL PLAN
HAS A FLAW3 ,A PUBLIC WA%ROOM DOES N (F]
A LOT ( PLACES 6HIDE A BUNDLE ( CLO!S4
,& !Y H 6/ 2 "H :5 ,I GET BACK4
  ,!N ,I LOOK UP4 ,! CEIL+'S L ! "O 9 MY
BASE;T AT HOME4 ,X'S N TOO HI<1 & 0/&+
ON ! TOILET S1T1 ,I'M J TALL 5 6LIFT UP
A CEIL+ TILE1 PU% X 6"O SIDE1 & /ICK MY
BUNDLE ( /UFF UP "! NEXT 6! LI<T FIX-
TURE4 ,!N ,I PULL ! TILE BACK 9 PLACE4
  ,2F ,I L1VE ! WA%ROOM1 ,I LOOK 96!
MIRROR ABV ! S9KS4 ,I H 6MAKE SURE ,I
DON'T LOOK L ,I FEEL4 ,2C ,I FEEL ! WAY
,I AM--: IS TOT,Y NAK$4 ,& ,I HOPE T AT
L1/ =! NEXT LL :ILE1 ,I RE,Y D /AY 9VIS-
I#4
  ,L1V+ MY H\SE1 RID+ ! BUS1 WALK+ "? !
LIBR>Y--:5 ,I DID ALL T ,I 0 WE>+ A FULL
SET ( CLO!S4 ,& MY EYES TOLD MY BRA9 T
"EY?+ 0 NORMAL4 ,& ,I _H NO TR\# WALK+
OR SEE+ MY H& PUT QU>T]S 96! SLOT ON !
BUS4 ,T'S 2C MY H& 0 9 A GLOVE & MY FEET
7 9 MY %OES4
  ,N[ ,I'M LO/ 9 SPACE AG1 L T F/    #CJ
TRIP D[N 6! KIT*5 AT BR1KFA/ ? MORN+4
,MY H&S & FEET DON'T "K H[ 6OBEY ME4
  ,I TAKE X SL[1 FEEL+ ALL DIZZY & 4ORI-
5T$4 ,I MAKE MYF WALK BACK & =? "? "O (!
P]IODICALS SEC;NS1 /EPP+ C>E;LLY >.D
*AIRS & TA#S4 ,MY %AD[ IS B>ELY "!1 M L
A RIPPLE1 SORT ( L ! WAY LI<T B5DS ABV A
HOT RADIATOR4 ,I TRY 6R1* \ & T\* ! COR-
N] ( AN ,>ABIAN NEWSMAGAZ9E4 ,I MISS X
0AB ?REE 9*ES ON ! F/ TRY4 ,X'S L T CO-
ORD9,N TE/ ": Y H 6%UT YR EYES & PUT YR
>M \ /RAI<T & T\* YR PO9T] F+] 6! TIP (
YR NOSE4 ,OR L GETT+ 6! BA?ROOM 9 ! MID-
DLE (! NI<T )\T TURN+ ON A LI<T & )\T
RUNN+ 96YR DESK4 ,X TAKES PRACTICE4 ,&
AF AB T5 M9UTES1 ,I'M GETT+ A LOT BETT]4
,S ,I TAKE A WALK >.D ! RE/ (! FIF?
FLOOR4
  ,I "K ,I'VE BE5 UP "H ON ! FIF? FLOOR
ONCE OR TWICE 2F1 B NO?+ LOOKS ! SAME4
,"EY?+ IS DI6]5T4 ,EXCEPT X'S N4 ,X'S
ME4 ,I'M :AT'S DI6]5T4 ,I'VE N"E FELT !
C>PET ON ! SOLES ( MY FEET 2F1 N"E FELT
! COLD AIR ROLL+ D[N (F ! W9D[S AL;G !
NOR? WALL1 N"E BE5 EV5 HALF ?        #CA
AL]T4 ,X'S L "EY?+ IS "U A B"R LI<T1 &
,I'M WORRI$ T ! H&;L ( P SCATT]$ >.D AT
TA#S & -PUT] T]M9ALS OR R1D+ NEWSPAP]S 9
EASY *AIRS C HE> ! P.D+ ( MY HE>T4
  ,I 5D UP BACK 0! ELEVATORS4 ,I'M /1DI]
N[1 R1DY = PLACES ) M P1 R1DY 6D "S S]I-
\S EXPLOR+4 ,I PU% ! D[N BUTTON1 !N ,I
REMEMB]--,I'M N RE,Y "H4 ,! DOORS SLIDE
OP51 & NOBODY'S 9SIDE4 ,/1 X'S PROBABLY
N A GD IDEA 6GET 96A SMALL ROOM T CD
FILL UP4 ,S ,I WALK D[N ! /AIRS 6! F\R?
FLOOR--SL[LY1 HANG+ ON 6! H&RAIL4 ,I'M
HOP+ T "EY"O IS TOO BUSY 6NOTICE :5 !
/AIRWAY DOOR OP5S ALL 0XF4
  ,ON F\R1 /UD5TS >E ALL OV] ! PLACE4 ,&
,I "K :Y4 ,MIDT]MS4 ,SAME ?+ AT ! LAB
S*OOL LIBR>Y1 ,I BET4 ,B T'S GOT NO?+ 6D
) ME1 N N[4 ,I'M HAV+ A LL W9T] BR1K4 ,I
J GET 6/ROLL "? ! BEEHIVE & WAT* ! DR"OS
BUZZ F BOOK 6BOOK1 FILL+ UP _! H1DS S !Y
C DUMP !M \ 96TE/ BOOKLETS A WEEK F N[4
  ,"!'S A GIRL US+ ! ONL9E C>D CATALOG4
,%E LOOKS "Y1 MAYBE A FRE%MAN4 ,%E TAPS
ON ! KEYS1 LOOKS AT ! SCRE51 FR[NS1
%AKES H] H1D1 & !N TAPS "S M4        #CB
,B5D+ OV] ! KEYBO>D1 A L;G /R& ( BR[N
HAIR KEEPS FALL+ D[N 96H] EYES1 & %E
KEEPS TRY+ 6HOOK X 2H H] LEFT E>4 ,%E'S
HAV+ TR\# )! -PUT]4
  ,I WALK UP "R 2H H] & LOOK OV] H] %\L-
D] AT ! SCRE54 ,%E KEEPS HI<LI<T+ A BOOK
TITLE1 B %E C'T GET ! -PUT] 6G 6! NEXT
SCRE54 ,I "K :AT 6D4 ,ALL %E HAS 6D IS
PRESS ,F#G4 ,B %E KEEPS HITT+ ! ESCAPE
KEY1 & X TAKES H] BACKW>D4 ,I /EP CLOS]1
& ,I WAIT UNTIL %E HAS ! TITLE HI<LI<T$
AG4 ,X'S A BOOK CALL$ .,SUMM]HILL4 ,!N
,I L1N =W>D1 R1* PA/ H]1 TAKE C>E;L AIM1
& G5TLY PU% ! ,F#G KEY4 ,! SCRE5 JUMPS
AH1D4
  ,! GIRL DOES A D\# TAKE4 ,!N %E GIVES
A LL %RUG & PU%ES ! PR9T KEY4
  ,I'M S PL1S$ ) MY GD DE$ T ,I DON'T
?9K4 ,2C IF %E'S PU%$ ! PR9T BUTTON1 !N
? GIRL'S PROBABLY GO+ 6PU% "S?+ ELSE4 ,&
%E DOES4
  ,! GIRL PU%ES H] *AIR BACK1 & "O (!
BLACK PLA/IC :EELS RIDES "R ONTO ! BIG
TOE ON MY LEFT FOOT4
  ,I C'T HELP X4 ,I YELL 8,AHHH60    #CC
& PU% ! *AIR =W>D4
  ,! GIRL GIVES A %>P SQU1L & SCOOTS H]
*AIR BACKW>D AG1 H>D]4 ,X ALM CLIPS ME A
SECOND "T1 B ,I LIMP OV] & /& NE> ! WALL
--N TOO CLOSE1 2C ,I DON'T WANT MY %APE
6%[ UP Z A BLANK SPACE L MY H& DID ON MY
DESK ? MORN+4 ,X'S H>D 6TELL 0J T\*+1 B
,I ?9K MY BIG TOENAIL IS TORN UP4
  ,EV5 A LL SQU1L S.DS L\D 9 A LIBR>Y1 &
T BR+S F\R O!R /UD5TS 6SEE :AT'S HAPP5+
6! GIRL4
  ,%E C'T EXPLA94 ,%E TURNS B"R R$ &
SAYS1 8,I GUESS ,I J SC>$ MYF40
  ,! O!R KIDS DRIFT AWAY1 &! GIRL GOES
6GET H] PR9T\T4 ,B :5 %E -ES BACK1 %E
PICKS UP H] /UFF 9 A HURRY & MOVES 6A
DI6]5T "W/,N OV] 0! W9D[S4
  ,I FEEL MY H&S %AK+1 & MY BR1?+ IS
RA7$4 ,:AT IF ,I _H A R1L 9JURY 9/1D (A
/U2$ TOE8 ,"S?+ S]I\S8 ,L IF ,I _H A
BROK5 LEG1 & ,I'M 9 A H1P 9 ! /AIRWELL1
& ,I'M LOS+ 3SCI\S;S--:AT !N8 ,& ,I
DON'T "K ! ANSW] 6T4
  ,9 A FEW M9UTES ! PA9 9 MY TOE DIES
D[N A LL1 S ,I H1D =! ?IRD FLOOR1    #CD
SL[LY & LIMP+ A LL4 ,& ,I'M M C>E;L4
  ,I "K ! ?IRD FLOOR BE/4 ,X'S ": !Y
KEEP ! RECORD+S4 ,!Y'VE GOT WALLS ( V9YL
,,LP'S &! OLD #GH RPM RECORDS1 EV5 WAX
CYL9D]S F ! F/ ,$ISON TALK+ MA*9ES4 ,X'S
": !Y KEEP A COLLEC;N AB ,*ICAGO'S MU-
SIC4 ,I DID A T]M PAP] ON ! HI/ORY (
JAZZ 9 ,*ICAGO :5 ,I 0 9 EI<? GRADE4 ,I
_H SPECIAL P]MIS.N 6USE ! RECORDS1 &!
LI/5+ ROOMS TOO4 ,!Y'RE L RECORD+ /UDI-
OS4 ,NO MATT] H[ L\D Y TURN UP ! S.D1 X
DOESN'T L1K \4 ,I EV5 PLAY$ MY TRUMPET
AL;G ) "S (! RECORDS & NO "O CAME 6TELL
ME 6%UT UP4 ,T 0 "O PAP] ,I DIDN'T M9D
DO+4
  ,! ?IRD FLOOR IS EV5 BUSI] ?AN ! F\R?4
,I MOVE C>E;LLY1 TAK+ MY "T N[4 ,I GLIDE
0ON MY B>E FEET4 ,I LOOK1 ,I LI/54 ,I'M
\ 9 PUBLIC1 B ,I AM -PLETELY AL"O4 ,"!'S
AC;N ALL >.D ME4 ,P >E DO+ ?+S & SAY+
?+S1 B X'S L !Y'RE 9 A DI6]5T DIM5.N1 L
!Y'RE ON A /AGE OR A SCRE54 ,& ME8 ,I'M
J WAT*+1 AN AUDI;E ( "O1 WAT*+ SECRETLY4
,I C'T TALK OR SNEEZE OR CLE> MY ?ROAT4
,I C'T PICK UP A NEWSPAP] OR TURN    #CE
! PAGES (A BOOK OR SWIT* ON A ;,,CD
PLAY]4 ,X'S L ,I'M A GNAT4 ,FLY >.D ON
MY [N1 & NO "O NOTICES ME1 NO "O CD C>E
LESS4 ,B IF ! GNAT DECIDES 6FLY 96"S"O'S
E>8 ,T C 2 DANG]\S4
  ,I'M GLAD MY BIG TOE IS ?RO2+4 ,X'S A
GD REM9D] T ! RULES H *ANG$4
  ,/&+ "H LOOK+ AT A PHOTOGRAPH ( ,L\IS
,>M/R;G1 SU45LY X'S CLE> T ,I'VE LE>N$
:AT "! IS 6LE>N AB ! LIBR>Y TD4 ,: IS1
IF Y H 6TIPTOE >.D1 & Y C'T T\* ANY?+1 &
Y C'T OP5 A BOOK OR EV5 :ISP]1 !N :AT'S
! PO9T8
  ,I HIKE ! /AIRS BACK UP 6! FIF? FLOOR1
& ,I DON'T EV5 H 6HOLD ON 6! RAIL+4 ,MY
FEET "K ": !Y >E N[4
  ,AT ! WA%ROOM DOOR ,I /OP & LI/54 ,ALL
CLE>4 ,!N ,I'M 9SIDE ! TOILET /ALL )!
DOOR LOCK$4 ,! CEIL+ TILE SLIDES EASILY
6"O SIDE1 & ,I'VE GOT MY CLO!S BUNDLE4
,!N--VOICES1 DEEP VOICES4 ,! WA%ROOM
DOOR HISSES OP54 ,X'S TWO M54 ,! DOOR
%UTS1 & _! VOICES GET L\D] 2C ONCE IN-
SIDE1 !Y /OP ?9K+ AB 2+ 9 ! LIBR>Y4 ,!Y
TALK 9 A LANGUAGE ,I DON'T "K1 /&+   #CF
SIDE 0SIDE AG/ ! F> WALL4 ,!Y F9I%1 WA%
_! H&S1 TURN ON BO? ELECTRIC DRY]S1 & !N
L1VE4 ,!Y N"E /OP TALK+4
  ,ALL ? "T ,I'M HOLD+ MY BR1?4 ,I DON'T
"K IF !Y LOOK$ UP 6SEE ! MISS+ CEIL+
TILE OR N1 & ,I DON'T C>E4 ,ALL ,I "K IS
!Y'RE G"O & ,I'M N BU/$4
  ,LESS ?AN TWO M9UTES LAT] ,I AM FULLY
WRAPP$ & -+ \ (! /AIRWELL DOOR ON ! GR.D
FLOOR4 ,I'M N RUNN+1 B :5 ,I GL.E AT A
WALL CLOCK1 ,I FEEL L ,I %D />T4 ,X'S
#C3BE1 & MY DAD CD ALR 2 ON 8 WAY HOME F
"W4 ,I DON'T FEEL L EXPLA9+ :AT ,I'VE
BE5 UP TO4
  ,I DON'T H A BOOK BAG OR ANY?+1 S ,I
PASS 2T ! ?IEF DETECTORS & H1D =! EXITS
AT A SL[ TROT4 ..,C ,I CAT* A BUS1 OR D
,I H 6RUN ! HALF MILE )A BAD TOE 6GET
HOME 9 "T 6KEEP MY DAD F ?R[+ A .FIT8
,T'S :AT ,I'M ?9K+1 & 0! "T ,I ACTU,Y
R1* ! DOORS1 ,I'M FLY+4
  ,J !N1 ,WALT CALLS \ F ! DESK 2H ME1
8,S L;G1 ,BO2Y40
  ,WALT'S A GD GUY1 S ,I TURN 6GIVE HM A
QK WAVE4 ,: ISN'T SM>T1 2C ,I'M      #CG
MOV+ TOO FA/4 ,"!'S A BLUR ON MY "R
SIDE4 ,X'S ANO!R P]SON H1D$ \ ! SAME
DOOR ,I'M *>G+ AT4
  ,"!'S NO WAY 6AVOID ! 3TACT4 ,X'S A
PRETTY SOLID HIT1 B NEI ( U FALLS D[N4
,/1 ! GIRL'S BACKPACK DROPS 6! FLOOR &
?REE CASSETTES G CLATT]+ ONTO ! FLOOR4
  ,I'M SCRAMBL+ = H] /UFF1 & ,I FEEL L
AN IDIOT1 & ,I'M SAY+1 8,JEEZ6 ''' ,SOR-
RY4 ,>E Y OKAY8 ,I'M RE,Y SORRY4 ,"H Y
G4 ,I'VE GOT "EY?+40 ,I TUCK ! CASSETTES
BACK 96H] BAG & /RAI<T5 UP4
  ,!N ,I NOTICE "S?+ ELSE ,I %D PICK UP1
B = TWO SECONDS ,I'M FROZ51 LOCK$ ) FE>4
,2C X'S MY SC>F D[N "! ON ! FLOOR4 ,I
SCOOP X UP & GL.E >.D1 & ,I'M GLAD 2C
"!'S NOBODY ELSE RE,Y LOOK+ AT ME4
  ,B ! GIRL IS4 ,%E'S LOOK+ AT ! V PLACE
": ,I'M UNCOV]$1 F MY NOSE 6MY *94 ,Z
SC>$ Z ,I AM1 ,I C'T HELP NOTIC+ H[
PRETTY %E IS4 ,X'S WEIRD H[ %E'S SMIL+1
& %E'S GOT ? /RANGE LOOK 9 H] EYES4 ,&
,I'M WAIT+ =! SCR1M1 & ,I'M R1DY 6TAKE
(F RUNN+1 & ,I'M ?9K+1 ..,OH1 MAN1 ,I'M
.D1D6                                #CH
  ,B ! GIRL KEEPS SMIL+ Z %E R1*ES \ =!
/RAP ( H] BOOK BAG4 ,%E SAYS1 8,I'VE
DROPP$ "S?+ ELSE--OV] "!1 MAYBE80
  ,& ,I LOOK ": %E'S PO9T+ & ,I SEE X1
AB TWO FEET AWAY4
  ,I PUT MY SC>F BACK ON4 ,!N ,I PICK UP
! ?+ %E DROPP$ & H& X 6H]4 ,& ,I "K :Y
MY 9VISI# FACE DIDN'T MAKE ? GIRL SCR1M4
  ,2C :AT ,I H& H] IS A L;G1 ?9 :ITE
CANE4
  ,? GIRL'S BL4













              *APT] #D               #CI
        ,,MULTIPLE ,,IMPACTS

  8,"H1 ,I'LL GET ! DOOR40
  ,I HOLD ! DOOR OP5 =! GIRL4 ,X'S ! L1/
,I C D AF SLAMM+ H] 96! WALL4
  ,%E SAYS1 8,?ANKS10 & SMILES AG1 & ,I
TAKE A GD LOOK AT H] EYES4 ,!Y'RE PALE
BLUE1 B ! COLOR IS /R;G4 ,& N[ T ,I "K
%E'S BL1 ,I C SEE T H] EYES LOOK T WAY1
L W9D[S )! %ADES PULL$ D[N4 ,"! >E LL
:ITE SC>S 2L BO? EYEBR[S1 B NO?+ Y'D NO-
TICE1 NO?+ 6KEEP H] F 2+ PRETTY4 ,%E'S A
LL %ORT] ?AN ,I AM1 B ,I ?9K MAYBE %E'S
OLD]4 ,H] HAIR ISN'T V L;G1 AB 6H] *94
,X'S BR[N & /RAI<T1 & X'S CUT ON AN AN-
GLE S X GRAZES ! JAWL9E ON BO? SIDES (
H] FACE4
  ,Y "K H[ ,HEM+WAY WRITES8 ,HE CDN'T
WRITE AB ? GIRL'S FACE4 ,2C HE'D SAY "S-
?+ L1 8,X 0 A PRETTY FACE40 ,& T WDN'T 2
5\<4 ,? FACE NE$S "S"O L ,DICK5S1 OR
MAYBE ,TOL/OY4 ,"S"O :O'D TAKE A :OLE
PAGE & SP5D "S "T ON H] EYEBR[S & H]
*EEKS1 OR MAYBE NOTICE ! %APE ( H] M\?
:5 %E'S 3C5TRAT+ ON WALK+ ) H]       #DJ
CANE4
  ,WE G D[N ! /EPS1 & ,I C SEE %E
DOESN'T NE$ M* HELP GETT+ >.D4 ,AT !
BOTTOM ,I WANT 6SPR9T =! BUS1 B ,I SAY1
8,S1 >E Y AT ! UNIV]S;Y80
  ,%E %AKES H] H1D4 8,NO4 ,I J -E "H TO
/UDY "S"TS4 ,I'M / 9 HI< S*OOL40
  8,Y1H1 ME TOO4 ,AT ! LAB S*OOL40
  ,B ALL ,I C ?9K AB N[ IS H[ LATE ,I
AM4 ,S ,I SAY1 8,WELL1 ,I'M RE,Y SORRY
''' Y "K1 T ,I BUMP$ 96Y4 ,I'VE GOT 6G
''' S1 MAYBE ,I'LL SEE Y >.D40
  ,= HALF A SECOND H] FACE *ANGES--"S?+
%>P & BITT]--B "R AWAY %E SMILES & SAYS1
8,SURE1 SEE Y 'R.D40
  ,I'M HALF A BLOCK AWAY1 RAC+ ! BUS 6!
NEXT /OP1 2F ,I FIGURE X \--! WAY ,I'D
SD1 8,I'LL SEE Y >.D10 &! WAY %E LOOK$
AT ME 2F %E SD X BACK4 ,2C %E C'T SEE4
,N ME1 N ANYBODY4 ,I GUESS ,I MAYBE HURT
H] FEEL+S1 OR MAYBE %E ?9KS ,I'M A J]K4
,B S :AT8 8,SEE Y 'R.D4 ,SEE Y LAT]40
,"EYBODY SAYS /UFF L T4
  ,AF SPR9T+1 ! BUS FEELS WAY TOO HOT1 B
MY BIG TOE IS HAPPY T ,I DON'T H     #DA
6RUN ! :OLE WAY HOME4 ,! BUS GOES PA/ MY
H\SE & />TS 6SL[ D[N =! /OP AT ! CORN]4
  ,PANIC4 ,X'S A PURE GUT REAC;N 2C "!'S
A GRAY ,TAURUS 9 ! DRIVEWAY4 ,\R C>4
,DAD'S ALR HOME1 & ,I'M GUESS+ HE'S ALR
RUNN+ >.D YELL+ MY "N1 ALR CALL+ ,MOM ON
H] CELL PH"O1 ALR KICK+ 8 BRA9 UP 96OV]-
DRIVE TRY+ 6FIGURE \ :AT 6D 2C 8 NEW
SCI;E PROJECT IS MISS+4
  ,MY M\? TA/ES L COPP]1 & MY HE>T />TS
DRUMM+1 & :5 ,I GET (F ! BUS & />T RUN-
N+1 "R AWAY ,I'M ?9K+ ( ALL ! WAYS ,I C
SN1K 96! H\SE4 ,MAYBE ,I C GET IN1 /RIP
(F MY CLO!S1 & !N MAKE UP "S EXCUSE :Y
,I DIDN'T HE> HM CALL+--L MAYBE ,I 0 9 !
BA?TUB ) MY E>S "UWAT]1 OR MAYBE ,I _H
MY ,WALKMAN TURN$ UP TOO L\D4 ,I'M ON MY
FIF? OR SIX LIE :5 ,I REMEMB]4
  ,NEW RULES4 ,"! >E NEW RULES4
  ,S ,I J WALK UP ! FRONT /EPS1 /OMP ACR
! POR*1 & USE MY KEY 6OP5 ! DOOR4
  ,DAD'S "! 6MEET ME4 ,HE LOOKS BAD4 ,HE
/ HAS 8 COAT & GLOVES ON4 ,8 FACE IS !
COLOR ( ,WOND] ,BR1D1 ! SK9 /RET*$ TI<T
OV] 8 *EEKB"OS4                      #DB
  8,BO2Y6 ,?ANK ,GOD6 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT
6?9K40 ,8 VOICE IS R\<1 ALM HO>SE1 PROB-
ABLY F YELL+ "? ! H\SE4 ,HE'S BR1?+ H>D4
8,I GOT HOME1 & F/ ,I ?"\ Y 7 / ASLEEP4
,& !N ,I SAW YR COAT 0 G"O1 B ,I CDN'T
IMAG9E :Y Y'D G ANY":1 UN.S MAYBE ?+S _H
G"O BACK 6NORMAL & Y'D G"O 6S*OOL OR "S-
?+4 ,SC>$ ! HELL \ ( ME6 ,?ANK ,GOD Y'RE
"H60
  ,Z HE TALKS1 ,I %$ LAY]S1 TOSS+ /UFF
ONTO ! M># TA# 2L ! BIG BEVEL$ MIRROR4
,GLOVES1 SC>F1 SUNGLASSES1 HAT1 COAT4 ,J
L AT BR1KFA/1 ,I FEEL A SURGE ( P[] F
"K+ T ,I C SEE 8 FACE1 B HE C'T SEE M9E4
  ,I R1D 8 FACE Z HE TALKS4 ,8 EYES
DR9K+ 9 ! .PH5OM5ON AG4 ,8 EYES N>R[+1 8
=EH1D WR9KL+ Z HE TRIES 6SEE & -PREH5D4
,8 M\? TALKS1 B 8 EYES N"E /OP HUNT+1
LOOK+ = "S HI45 LAW ( PHYSICS T CD EX-
PLA9 ! MISS+ H1D & H&S T "\ 6BE /ICK+ \
( MY BLACK TURTLENECK %IRT4
  ,& ,I SEE ! /RU7LE 9 8 FACE4 ,X'S A
BATTLE 2T ! PHYSICI/ &! "F4 ,! "F W9S1 &
N[ HE'S ANGRY4
  8,& MO/ ( ALL1 ,I _C BE-.LIEVE Y   #DC
CD D ?1 ,ROB]T6 ,? IS S -PLETELY .IRRE-
SPONSI#6 ,I ?"\ ,I MADE X V1 V CLE> ?
MORN+ T ? HAS 6BE KEPT A .-PLETE SECRET4
,DON'T Y "U/& H[ .DANG]\S X WD 2 = Y IF
ANY"O F9DS \ AB ?8 ,H[ C Y .N "U/& T80
  ,I DON'T SAY ANY?+4 ,I DON'T H TO1 S
,I DON'T4
  8,WELL80 ,DAD'S N S PALE N[4 ,8 FACE
IS GETT+ NICE & R$4 ,HE TAKES A /EP
CLOS] & %\TS1 8,ANSW] ME1 "Y MAN6 ,:AT
IS ! IDEA ( RUNN+ (F L T80
  8,L :AT8 ,L :AT80 ,I %\T BACK4 8,Y M1N
L MY P>5TS RAN (F ? MORN+8 ,:AT DID ,MOM
SAY 6Y 2F Y BO? LEFT8 ,DON'T TELL ME1 2C
,I ALR "K4 ,%E SD1 ,8,OH1 DON'T WORRY1
,DAVID4 ,SURE1 T 0 A BIG %OCK AT BR1K-
FA/1 B LET'S REMEMB]1 X'S ONLY ,BO2Y4
,X'S PROBABLY J ANO!R "O ( ^? .PHASES T
,BO2Y GOES "?4 ,PROBABLY N FATAL4 ,I ?9K
WE C L1VE HM "H AL"O1 DON'T Y8 ,HE'LL /
2 ALIVE :5 WE GET HOME1 DON'T Y ?9K80'
,& Y1 Y PROBABLY J NO4$ YR H1D 2C Y
DIDN'T RE,Y HE> H]1 2C Y 7 ALR ?9K+ AB
YR MEET+1 YR BIG .MEET+ AT ! LAB4 ,S !N
:AT D MY .RESPONSI# P>5TS D8 ,!Y     #DD
MAKE SURE ,I'M ASLEEP & !Y .L1VE4 ,2C S
_M .O!R ?+S >E .RE,Y IMPORTANT40
  ,I SEE ! *ANGE 9 8 FACE4 ,I WAT* MY
^WS Z !Y HIT1 PI]C+ 8 EYES & E>S & *EEKS
L PORCUP9E QUILLS4
  ,Z ,I F9I%1 ,I'M S CLOSE T HE'S GETT+
SPRAY$ ) 9VISI# SPIT4 ,DAD "KS T MY TEE?
M/ 2 %[+1 T ,I AM Z FI]CE Z ANY?+ 9 ANY
CAGE AT ! ,BROOKFIELD ,ZOO4 ,& T ,I AM N
9 A CAGE1 N N[4 ,I AM \ (! CAGE1 & ,I AM
UP CLOSE1 & ,I AM SN>L+4
  ,I DON'T WAIT = 8 ANSW] 2C ,I DON'T H
TO4 ,"! >E NEW RULES4 ,I /EP >.D HM4 ,I
TROT UP ! FRONT /AIRS & D[N ! HALL 6MY
ROOM1 & ,I SLAM MY DOOR4 ,& LOCK X4
  ,& !N ,I 3GRATULATE MYF ON ! P]=M.E4
,I J WANT HM 6M9D 8 [N BUSI;S4
  ,AF A BIG BL[UP1 ,I USU,Y R1D 9 MY
ROOM = AT L1/ AN H\R4 ,B ,I C'T1 N N[4
,I'M TOO HUNGRY4 ,I DIDN'T ?9K 6EAT LUN*
2F ,I W5T \1 S ,I'VE BE5 RUNN+ ALL "D ON
A FEW BITES ( E7S &A GLASS ( JUICE4
  ,I />T 6OP5 MY DOOR1 B !N ,I /OP4 ,I
PULL (F MY CLO!S4 ,IF ,I H 6BE A SPOOK1
,I'M GO+ 6GET US$ 6! FEEL ( X4       #DE
,I'M GO+ 6GET GD AT X4
  ,I WALK D[N ! BACK /AIRS SL[LY4 ,"S (!
/EPS ALW SQU1K1 & ,I AVOID !M4 ,AL"O 9 !
KIT*51 ,I PULL \ ! MAYO & "S SLIC$ TUR-
KEY & ,SWISS *EESE4 ,I PUT "EY?+ ON !
C.T] )\T MAK+ A S.D4 ,SIL;E4 ,T'S "P (
:AT ,I H 6LE>N4 ,:5 ,I EASE OP5 A DRAW]
& PICK UP A KNIFE1 ! H&LE IS HI45 0MY
F+]S4 ,! FLOAT+ BLADE MOVES ": ,I TELL X
TO4
  ,! S&WI* TA/ES FANTA/IC1 &! MILK AF X
IS EV5 BETT]4 ,I />T 6P\R A SECOND GLASS
:5 ,I HE> ,DAD'S VOICE4
  ,I'M AT ! /UDY DOOR1 !N ,I GLIDE 96!
ROOM1 MY FEET L1V+ TRACKS 9 ! S(T PILE (
! C>PET4 ,DAD HAS 8 BACK 6ME1 / WE>+ 8
OV]COAT4 ,HE'S TALK+ 6,MOM4
  8,I "K T1 ,EM4 ''' ,B Y'VE GOT 6C.EL
''' ,"R4 ''' ,YES1 V UPSET4 ''' ,EXACT-
LY4 ''' ,NO1 N A CLUE1 RE,Y4 ,ALL WE C D
IS 2 "H & D :AT"E WE C4 ''' ,I "K1 B HE
RE,Y DOES NE$ U1 BO? ( U4 ''' ,GD4 ,WE C
PICK UP "S?+ SPECIAL ON ! WAY BACK1 MAY-
BE "S /1KS4 ''' ,OKAY4 ,I'M ON MY WAY4
,! NOR? DOOR1 "R8 ''' ,SEE Y         #DF
SOON40
  ,HE HANGS UP & WALKS PA/ ME \ 96! LIV+
ROOM1 H1D$ =! FRONT DOOR4 ,I HURRY \1 G
! O!R WAY1 "? ! KIT*5 & UP ! BACK /AIRS4
  8,HEY1 ,BO2Y80 ,HE'S CALL+ F ! FRONT
HALL4
  ,I'M \TSIDE MY DOOR4 8,:AT80 ,I KEEP
"S ANG] 9 MY VOICE4
  8,I'VE GOT 6RUN OV] & PICK UP ,MOM4
,!N WE'LL 2 BACK & WE C TALK1 & !N MAYBE
COOK UP "S SUPP] TGR1 OKAY84
  8,:AT"E40
  8,SEE Y 9 AB TW5TY M9UTES40
  8,YUP40
  ,!N ! FRONT DOOR OP5S & CLOSES1 &! C>
/>TS \TSIDE1 & !N X'S QUIET4
  ,BACK D[N 9 ! KIT*5 ,I F9I% P\R+ MY
GLASS ( MILK1 GRAB ! ,OREOS F ! PANTRY1
& WALK 6! ,,TV ROOM4 ,! C\* IS COLD BR[N
L1!R1 S ,I WRAP MYF UP 9 A FLEECE BLAN-
KET 2F ,I SIT D[N & PUN* ! REMOTE4 ,X'S
.,GILLIGAN'S .,ISL& ON *ANNEL N9E4 ,ON
,GILLIGAN'S ,ISL& "EY?+ IS SAFE & PRE-
DICTA#4 ,! ,PROFESSOR IS 2+ SM>T1 &
,GILLIGAN IS 2+ /UPID4 ,X'S S -=T-   #DG
+4 ,! COOKIES & MILK H FILL$ ME UP1 &!
FLEECE BLANKET IS W>M1 &! C\* IS -FY4
  ,I DON'T "K :Y ! ,SKIPP] HAS 6TALK S
L\D4 ,HE'S PRACTIC,Y %\T+1 & HE'S WE>+ A
GRE5 SPORT COAT4 ,2C X'S N ! ,SKIPP]4
,I'VE BE5 ASLEEP = ALM TWO H\RS6
  8,GD EV5+ & WELCOME 6! ,,WGN ,NEWS AT
,SIX4 ,WE H A BR1K+ /ORY F ,JULIETTE
,3NORS &! ,,WGN ,*ICAGO ,ROAD ,CREW1
LIVE AT ! SC5E4 ,JULIETTE80
  ,! CAM]A'S N V /1DY1 & MY EYES >E HALF
OP54 ,! REPORT] IS WE>+ A YELL[ P>KA )!
HOOD D[N4 ,%E'S TRY+ N 6SQU9T 96! B"R
LI<TS4 ,H] BR1? IS A :ITE CL\D 9 ! COLD
AIR4

  ,TOM1 ,I'M "H 9 ,HYDE ,P>K1 ": "!'S
BE5 A ?REE-C> A3ID5T4 ,! DRIV] ( ? ,JEEP
,*]OKEE APP>5TLY DID N SEE ! R$ LI<T AT
? BUSY 9T]SEC;N NE> ! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,*ICA-
GO4 ,HE IS 9 POLICE CU/ODY1 AL? HE HAS N
BE5 *>G$ AT ? "T4 ,? ,=D ,TAURUS 0 /RUCK
0! ,JEEP & !N APP>5TLY SPUN >.D & 0 HIT
AG 0A ?IRD C>4 ,Z Y C SEE1 ! ,TAURUS HAS
BE5 PU%$ UP ONTO ! SIDEWALK 0! =CE   #DH
(! MULTIPLE IMPACTS4

  ,T5 SECONDS4 ,T5 SECONDS AGO ,I 0
ASLEEP1 >GU+ )! ,SKIPP] & ,M>Y ,ANN AB
:AT 6H = D9N]4 ,N[ ,I'M SITT+ UP1 />+4
,AT ! ,,TV4 ,I'M HAV+ ''' A H>D "T '''
BR1?+4 ,! REPORT] KEEPS TALK+4

  ,! DRIV] (! ?IRD C> 0 N HURT1 B BO? !
DRIV] &! PASS5G] 9 ! ,TAURUS _H 6BE RE-
MOV$ 0AMBUL.E4 ,AT ? H\R !Y >E REPORT$ 9
S]I\S 3DI;N AT ,PRESBYT]IAN ,/4 ,LUKE'S4
,? IS ,JULIETTE ,3NORS1 & WE'LL 2 BACK
LAT] 9 ! H\R )A LIVE UPDATE F ! ,,WGN
,ROAD ,CREW4

  ,I'M HAV+ A H>D "T BR1?+ 2C (! C>4 ,!
,=D ,TAURUS4 ,ON ! ,,TV4 ,X'S \R C>4






                *APT] #E             #DI
               ,,WRECKAGE

  ,! DOORBELL R+S4 ,S DOES ! PH"O4 ,I
*OOSE ! DOOR4
  ,I DROP ! FLEECE BLANKET 9 ! LIV+
ROOM4 ,UP CLOSE 6! FRONT DOOR ,I C SEE
"? ! $GES >.D ! FRO/$ GLASS DESIGN4 ,X'S
ALM D>K1 B ! POR* LI<T IS ON4 ,X'S TWO
COPS1 A MAN &A WOMAN4 ,!Y'RE "H 6TELL ME
AB ! A3ID5T4 ,AB ,MOM & ,DAD4
  ,! WOMAN (FIC] L1NS OV] & PU%ES !
DOORBELL BUTTON AG4 ,I /& /4 ,I'M 9 NO
3DI;N 6TALK 6! POLICE4 ,!Y WAIT1 ROCK+
ON _! HEELS ! WAY COPS D4 ,!N ! GUY
SAYS1 8,LET'S G40
  ,MRS4 ,TR5T F NEXT DOOR /OPS !M ON !
SIDEWALK 0_! SQUAD C>4 ,%E WANTS 6"K
:AT'S GO+ ON4 ,%E ALW HAS 6"K "EY?+ T
HAPP5S 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,I C'T HE> :AT
!Y'RE SAY+4
  ,MY *E/ FEELS L "S"O IS SQUEEZ+ ! AIR
\ ( ME4 ,ON ! WAY BACK 6! ,,TV ROOM1 ,I
PICK UP ! BLANKET4 ,I SIT D[N AT "O 5D (
! C\*4 ,"!'S SW1T ON MY FACE4
  ,! PH"O4 ,X'S R++ AG1 B X S.DS     #EJ
F> AWAY4 ,I L1N OV] & GRAB X ON ! F\R?
R+1 !N WAIT =! ANSW]+ MA*9E 6/OP4
  8,HELLO80 ,X'S / H>D 6BR1!4
  8,YES1 MAY ,I ASK :O ? IS80 ,X'S A
WOMAN'S VOICE4 ,"!'S A LOT ( NOISE & L\D
TALK+ >.D H]4
  8,? IS ,BO2Y40 ,! NEWS GUY 9 ! GRE5
SPORT COAT IS / YELL+1 S ,I PUN* ! MUTE
BUTTON4
  8,BO2Y1 >E YR P>5TS ,EMILY & ,DAVID
,PHILLIPS80
  ,MY ?ROAT IS TI<T4 ,I TAKE TOO L;G TO
ANSW]4
  8,BO2Y8 ,>E Y ,BO2Y ,PHILLIPS80
  8''' ,YES '''4 ,IS ? AB ! A3ID5T80
  8,YES1 X IS1 ,BO2Y4 ,? IS ,DR4 ,FLEM+1
& ,I'M CALL+ F ! EM]G5CY ROOM AT ,PRES-
BYT]IAN ,/4 ,LUKE'S ,HOSPITAL4 ,YR P>5TS
7 HURT 9 A C> CRA%1 B !Y'RE GO+ 6BE ALL
"R1 & Y DON'T H 6WORRY AB !M4 ,"!'S NO?+
6BE AFRAID (40
  ,NO?+ 6BE AFRAID (4 ,I'M %IV]+1 %AK+4
,NO?+ 6BE AFRAID (4 ,! LADY KEEPS TALK+4
  8,YR MOM HAS A 3CUS.N &A BROK5 NOSE1 B
%E 0 A# 6TALK ) ME1 & %E GAVE ME     #EA
YR "N & NUMB] S ,I CD CALL & TELL Y
:AT'S HAPP5$4 ,YR DAD IS ALR 9 ! OP]AT+
ROOM 2C 8 LEFT >M & 8 "R WRI/ 7 HURT4
,MY GUESS IS T BO? YR P>5TS W 2 "H = AT
L1/ ?REE "DS--PROBABLY L;G] = YR DAD4
,BO2Y1 YR "M TOLD ME T Y >E FIFTE51 IS T
"R80
  ,! :OLE ROOM IS SP9N+4 ,I HANG ON 6!
PH"O ) BO? H&S S ,I WON'T GET ?R[N \ AG/
! WALLS4
  ,! LADY IS PATI5T4 8,Y'RE FIFTE51 IS T
"R1 ,BO2Y80
  8,YES40 ,! ?9K+ IS ALM H>D] ?AN !
BR1?+4
  8,& Y >E "! AL"O & Y H NO "O OV] EI<T-
E5 O!R ?AN YR P>5TS :O LIVE "!1 "R80
  8,YES40
  8,!N ,I WANT 6BE SURE T Y'VE GOT "S":
6/AY =! NEXT FEW "DS UNTIL "O ( YR P>5TS
IS WELL 5 6-E HOME4 ,OR "S ADULT CD -E &
/AY ) Y "!4 ,>E "! ANY RELATIVES OR FRS
,I %D CALL = Y8 ,OR WD Y L 6CALL "S"O &
!N GET BACK 6ME "H S ,I C H YR "M AP-
PROVE ! >RANGE;TS8 ,9 A CASE L ? )A * AT
HOME1 WE H 6BE C]TA9 Y'RE 2+ C>$     #EB
=40
  ,! ROOM IS / SP9N+1 B ,I'M LI/5+ TOO4
,& N[ ,I H 6?9K4 ,?9K & PLAN4 ,I C'T G
VISIT+1 ,I C'T H A RELATIVE OR ANY"O
ELSE HANG+ >.D4 ,B ,MOM "KS T--OR AT L1/
%E DID 2F T BIG R$ ,JEEP B1T H] UP4
  8,CD ,I TALK 6MY MOM80
  8,NO1 ,I'M SORRY1 N = AT L1/ AN H\R OR
TWO4 ,WE NE$ 6GET H] -=TA#4 ,%E'S /A# "R
N[1 B WE NE$ 6BE SURE "EY?+'S ALL "R4 ,&
,I'M SURE X IS4 ,YR "M SU7E/$ T Y MI<T
CALL YR AUNT ,E!L4 ,DOES T S.D "R 6Y80
  ,I ?9K A SECOND & !N ,I SAY1 8,Y1H '''
,I GUESS ,I %D MAKE A C\PLE ( CALLS1 &
!N CALL Y BACK1 OKAY80 ,!N ,I SAY1 8,MY
DAD8 ,Y SD HE'S GO+ 6BE ALL "R TOO80
  8,WELL1 HE'S N GO+ 6BE PLAY+ ANY T5NIS
=A :ILE1 B HE'LL 2 UP & >.D1 MAYBE EV5
BACK AT "W 9 A WEEK OR TWO4 ,BO? YR P>-
5TS >E V =TUNATE 6BE ALIVE40 ,AF A QK
PAUSE %E SAYS1 8,S LET'S REVIEW1 ,BO2Y4
,BO? YR P>5TS >E "H AT ,PRESBYT]IAN ,/4
,LUKE'S1 !Y'RE BO? GO+ 6BE F9E1 & ,I'M
,DR4 ,S>AH ,FLEM+1 & Y'RE GO+ 6CALL ME
BACK "H Z SOON Z Y GET "S?+ >RANG$   #EC
) YR AUNT ,E!L OR "S"O ELSE1 "R80
  8,YES40
  8,D Y H A P5CIL8 ,I'LL GIVE Y MY NUM-
B]40
  ,:5 ,I H A P5 & PAP] %E SAYS ! NUMB]4
  8,X'S SIX-FIFTE5 N[1 & ,I'LL 2 "H UN-
TIL MIDNI<T4 ,TRY 6CALL ME BACK NO LAT]
?AN EI<T O'C1 ALL "R8 ,IF ,I'M N A# 6GET
6! PH"O :5 Y CALL1 L1VE A MESSAGE &
,I'LL CALL BACK40 ,%E PAUSES1 !N SAYS1
8,>E Y GO+ 6BE OKAY AB ALL ?1 ,BO2Y80
,N[ H] VOICE S.DS M L A MOM ?AN A DOC-
TOR4
  ,! ROOM IS SL[+ D[N1 & ,I'VE /OPP$
PANT+4 8,I'M OKAY4 ,TELL !M T ,I'M F9E1
& TELL MY MOM & DAD T ,I'M SORRY AB '''
T !Y'RE HURT40
  ,I PUT ! PH"O D[N & /RU7LE 6/& UP1
HU7+ ! BLANKET >.D ME4 ,I PACE UP & D[N
9 FRONT (! C\* A FEW "TS4 ,!N ,I MAKE
MYF SIT D[N AG4 ,6?9K4
  ,AUNT ,E!L4 ,I H 6H& X 6,MOM4 ,EV5 9
AN EM]G5CY ROOM %E "KS H[ 6PUT A GD /ORY
TGR4 ,X M/ 2 F R1D+ ALL ^? NOVELS4 ,AUNT
,E!L IS R1L1 B HAV+ H] 2 MY BABY-    #ED
SITT]8 ,T'S PURE FIC;N4 ,AUNT ,E!L LIVES
9 ,MIAMI4
  ,!N ,I REMEMB] S*OOL1 MY S*OOL4 ,MOM
CALL$ !M ? MORN+ & SD ,I 0 HOME SICK4 ,T
0 ! F/ LIE4
  ,& N[ ,I'VE GOT 6PRET5D 6H A BABY-
SITT]4 ,I'VE GOT 6CALL T DOCTOR BACK 9
AN H\R OR S & TELL "S M LIES4 ,& WON'T
%E WANT 6TALK ) ,AUNT ,E!L8
  ,& :AT HAPP5S IF ! P AT S*OOL HE> AB !
A3ID5T8 ,W !Y S5D "SBODY OV] 6MY H\SE TO
MAKE SURE ,I'M OKAY8
  ,& W ! COPS KEEP -+ BACK8
  ,I'VE GOT 6MAKE DECI.NS4
  ,! W9T] SUN IS SETT+ &! H\SE IS ALM
D>K4 ,"!'S ONLY ! FLICK]+ LI<T F ! ,,TV4
,I'M SW1T+ 9VISI# SW1T4 ,I'M SITT+ ON !
C\* WE>+ NO?+ B A BLUE FLEECE BLANKET1 &
NO "O IS -+ HOME = D9N]4 ,OR B$"T4 ,OR
BR1KFA/4
  ,ON ! SIL5T ,,TV A B1UTI;L FAMILY IS
SITT+ >.D ! KIT*5 TA#4 ,!Y'RE LAU<+ &
SMIL+ Z !Y EAT4 ,!Y'RE ALL 9 LOVE ) OAT-
M1L4
  ,MY FAMILY'S N ON ,,TV4 ,MY FAM-   #EE
ILY'S MESS$ UP4 ,& ,I'M PROBABLY ! MO/
MESS$ UP ( ALL4
  ,I MAKE MY F/ DECI.N3 ,I'VE GOT 6G SEE
,MOM & ,DAD4 ,2C T'S :AT Y D IF YR FAMI-
LY GETS 9 A C> WRECK1 "R8 ,Y G & SEE !M4
  ,2C !Y'RE YR FAMILY4


















                                     #EF
























                *APT] #F             #EG
            ,,VISIT+ ,,H\RS

  ,! CAB RIDE 6! HOSPITAL IS "S?+ ,I
WANT 6=GET4 ,! CABDRIV] DIDN'T WANT 6LET
ME 9 8 C>4 ,X 0 PROBABLY ! SUNGLASSES T
SC>$ HM1 SUNGLASSES AF D>K4 ,I _H 6HOLD
UP ! TW5TY-DOLL> BILL S HE CD SEE X 2F
HE UNLOCK$ ! DOORS4
  ,TURNS \ ,I %D H BE5 SC>$ ( HM4 ,!
GUY'S PROBABLY A /UNT DRIV] =! MOVIES1 !
K9D !Y HIRE :5 !Y WANT SIX NE>-MISSES E
FIFTE5 SECONDS4 ,I GET \ AT ! VISITORS
5TR.E1 GLAD 6BE ALIVE4
  ,WALK+ 96A HOSPITAL ISN'T L WALK+ 96A
LIBR>Y4 ,AT HOSPITALS1 P RE,Y LOOK AT Y4
,& AF D>K 9 ,*ICAGO1 ! PLACE IS LOAD$ )
COPS4 ,& COPS LOOK AT Y EXTRA H>D4
  ,! LADY AT ! VISITORS DESK HAS A GIANT
HAIRDO1 & %E DOESN'T SMILE4 ,MY D>K
GLASSES BO!R H] TOO4
  ,I SAY1 8,I NE$ 6SEE ,EMILY ,PHILLIPS4
,%E GOT "H ? AFN40
  ,! LADY IS *EW+ GUM4 8,Y'RE GONNA 2
TOO W>M 9 "H WE>+ T HAT & SC>F1 DE>40
  ,I FAKE A C\< & PO9T AT MY         #EH
?ROAT4 8,BAD COLD40
  ,%E PUN*ES A KEY & !N RUNS A L;G-NAIL$
F+] D[N H] -PUT] SCRE54
  8,>E Y A RELATIVE8 ,2C ,EMILY ,PHIL-
LIPS IS / LI/$ Z A ,8REC5T ADMIT40' ,IF
Y'RE N A RELATIVE1 Y'LL H 6-E BACK TM4
,FIVE 6EI<T-?IRTY ,P4,M4 ,& EI WAY1 Y'LL
NE$ P]MIS.N F ,DR4 ,FLEM+ 2F Y C SEE
H]40
  8,OH ''' ,I'M N A RELATIVE4 ,I'LL H TO
-E BACK40 ,& ,I TURN >.D & WALK \ !
DOOR4
  ,2C ,I C'T TALK 6! DOCTOR1 N N[4 ,I'M
SUPPOS$ 6BE AT HOME ASK+ ,AUNT ,E!L 6-E
BABY-SIT4 ,2SS1 IF ,I DID TALK 6! DOC-
TOR1 ,I'D H 6/AY COV]$ UP ) MY SC>F &
GLOVES4 ,& SUNGLASSES4 ,TOO /RANGE4
  ,"P ( ME WANTS 6GIVE X UP1 G HOME4 ,:5
T DOCTOR CALL$1 %E SD !Y 7 F9E4 ,B DOC-
TORS ALW SAY T4 ,P DIE 9 HOSPITALS1 EV5
AF ! DOCTOR TELLS Y !Y'RE 8F9E40 ,? ?"\
GIVES ME A *ILL T SETTLES 9 ! PIT ( MY
/OMA*4
  ,!N1 /&+ "! \TSIDE ! VISITORS 5TR.E1
,I SEE ! SIGN PO9T+ 6! EM]G5CY       #EI
ROOM4 ,& X HITS ME3 ,T'S ": ! AMBUL.E
BR"\ ,MOM & ,DAD6 ,I />T WALK+1 !N PICK
UP ! PACE UNTIL ,I'M ALM RUNN+4 ,2C !
,,ER M/ KEEP ADMITT.E RECORDS1 "R8 ,I
DON'T NE$ "S DOCTOR'S P]MIS.N 6SEE MY
FOLKS4 ,I J NE$ 9=M,N4
  ,! EM]G5CY ROOM IS AT ! F> 5D (!
BUILD+4 ,TWO FIRE DE"P;T AMBUL.ES H _!
LI<TS FLA%+1 & TWO T1MS ( NURSES & DOC-
TORS >E SCRAMBL+ 6GET "S ROLL+ /RET*]S
"? ! BIG C5T] DOORS4 ,:5 ,I WALK 9 "? A
SIDE 5TR.E1 NO "O EV5 GL.ES AT ME4
  ,! SMELL1 T HOSPITAL SMELL4 ,X'S M*
/R;G] "H ?AN X 0 9 ! RECEP;N LO2Y4 ,X
MAKES ME WANT 6TURN >.D & GET BACK 9 A
CAB4 ,B ,I DON'T4 ,:AT ,I NE$ IS A ROOM
NUMB]1 B NO "O'S GO+ 6GIVE X 6"S KID
WE>+ A HAT & GLOVES & SUNGLASSES4 ,S ,I
H1D D[N ! HALL & >.D A CORN]4 ,X'S QUI-
ET] "H4 ,! ROOMS ON EI SIDE (! HALL H
TWO B$S EA*4 ,:ITE CURTA9S HANG F CEIL+
TRACKS4 ,"S PATI5TS H !M OP51 O!RS H !
CURTA9S PULL$ >.D _! B$S4
  ,I PASS EI<T ROOMS 2F "!'S AN EMPTY
"O4 ,NO "O SEES ME DUCK 9SIDE &      #FJ
CLOSE ! DOOR 6ROOM #AJJG4 ,I PULL ! CUR-
TA9S >.D BO? B$S4 ,! LL BA?ROOM HAS NO
LOCK ON ! DOOR & "!'S A BUTTON 6PU% IF Y
NE$ HELP--L1 MAYBE IF Y RUN \ ( TOILET
PAP]8
  ,=! SECOND "T TD ,I TAKE (F ALL MY
CLO!S & WRAP !M 9 MY COAT4 ,B "!'S NO
PLACE 9 ? BA?ROOM 6HIDE !M4 ,\ 9 ! ROOM1
,I PULL BACK ! CURTA9 ON ! B$ F>!/ F !
DOOR4 ,I USE MY CLO!S 6MAKE A %APE T
LOOKS L A P]SON LY+ "U ! ?9 BLANKET4
  ,"!'S A CLIPBO>D *>T )A BALLPO9T HANG+
ON A HOOK AT ! 5D (! B$1 S ,I WRITE
8,*RI/OPH] ,C>T]0 9 ! SPACE =! PATI5T'S
"N4 ,T'S ! "N ( MY SCI;E T1*]4 ,HE
SMOKES1 &A WEEK OR TWO "H WD PROBABLY 2
GD = HM4 ,A FEW *ECK M>KS & 9ITIALS ON !
*>T 6MAKE X LOOK (FICIAL1 & !N ,I'M \
96! HALLWAY4 ,I /OP & LOOK >.D4 ,I WANT
6BE SURE ,I C F9D MY WAY BACK 6ROOM
#AJJG4
  ,! HOSPITAL IS W>M] ?AN ! LIBR>Y WAS1
B ! TILE FLOOR FEELS COLD ANYWAY4 ,!N1
:5 ,I G BACK "? ! DOORWAY 96! EM]G5CY
>EA1 "!'S A BLA/ ( >CTIC AIR 2C !    #FA
BIG DOORS >E OP5 AG4
  ,? IS A BAD PLACE 6BE A SPOOK--TOO _M
P1 & !Y'RE MOV+ >.D TOO FA/4 ,A NOISY
DRUNK W1V+ >.D ) AN ICE PACK OV] "O EYE1
AN ORD]LY PU%+ A V PREGNANT LADY 9 A
:EEL*AIR1 A TROTT+ NURSE )A BAG ( BLOOD
9 EA* H&--?REE CLOSE CALLS 9 ! F/ TW5TY
SECONDS4 ,ALL ,I NE$ IS TWO ROOM NUMB]S1
!N ,I C GET \ ( "H4
  ,"!'S A C.T] (F 6! SIDE4 ,X'S /A6$ BY
TWO "Y WOM51 "O AT EI 5D4 ,! "O WE>+
GRE5 IS US+ A -PUT]1 &! "O 9 BLUE IS
TALK+ ON ! PH"O4 ,9 ! C5T] (! C.T] "!'S
A CLIPBO>D4 ,X'S A =M4 ,"T1 PATI5T "N1
9SUR]1 ADMITT+ DOCTOR1 ROOM NUMB]4 ,I H
6R1D UPSIDE D[N 2C CLIPBO>DS >E N SUP-
POS$ 6TWIRL 0!MVS4 ,! H&WRIT+ IS ROTT51
B ,I SEE :AT ,I NE$4 ,X'S NE> ! TOP (!
%EET3

#D3EG ,P4,M4 ,EMILY ,PHILLIPS1 ,BLUE
  ,CROSS ,DR4 ,FLEM+ #EJFG

  ,ROOM #EJFG4 ..,FIVE OH SIX SEV51 FIVE
OH SIX .SEV54                        #FB
  ,& "R 2L IS ,DAD'S "N1 B NO ROOM NUM-
B]1 J 8PO/-OP40
  ,S ,I'LL />T ) #EJFG4 ,FIF? FLOOR4
  ,X'S M* COLD] 9 ! /AIRWELL1 B TROTT+
UP FIVE FLOORS GETS ME W>M 9 A HURRY4 ,I
WAIT 9SIDE ! FIF?-FLOOR DOOR UNTIL MY
BR1?+ IS BACK "U 3TROL4
  ,NAK$ 9VISI# BOYS >E N ALL[$ 6GASP &
:EEZE4
  ,! ONLY GD ?+ AB HOSPITALS IS "! >E
SIGNS ALL OV]4 ,IF Y C R1D1 X'S IMPOSSI#
6GET LO/4 ,?REE HALLWAYS & TWO "R TURNS
& ,I'M AT ! DOOR ( ROOM #EJFG4 ,LOOK+ 9
! W9D[1 X'S A D\#1 & ,MOM'S 9 ! B$ ON !
LEFT4 ,H] CURTA9 IS HALF DRAWN1 J 5 6BE
A B>RI] 2T ! B$S4 ,"! >E B&AGES & /UFF
ON H] FACE1 & X LOOKS L %E'S ASLEEP4
  ,"!'S AN OLD] WOMAN 9 ! O!R B$1 AL
SLEEP+4 ,H] B$ IS TILT$ UP M ?AN ,MOM'S4
,%E'S ON H] BACK )A PAIR ( PALE GRE5
TUBES RUNN+ F A CLIP "U H] NOSE 6A PANEL
ON ! WALL4
  ,SLIPP+ 9SIDE1 ,I GET 6! F> SIDE (
,MOM'S B$4 ,IF ! TUBE LADY WAKES UP1
%E'LL 2 A# 6IMAG9E ! BOY %E HE>S     #FC
2H ! CURTA94 ,NO?+ SC>Y AB T4
  ,UP CLOSE1 ,MOM LOOKS BAD4 ,"! >E D>K
BRUISES "U BO? EYES1 R1L %9]S4 ,AN ;,X
MADE F TWO /RIPS ( CLE> TAPE IS HOLD+ A
:ITE PAD & "S K9D ( BRACE ON ! BRIDGE (
H] NOSE4 ,TWO BUTT]FLY B&AGES ALM COV] A
SMALL CUT ON H] "R *EEK1 & AT ! HAIRL9E
ABV H] LEFT EYEBR[ "!'S A PURPLE LUMP !
SIZE (A GOLF BALL4 ,I LOOK AT H] HAIR ON
! PAP] PILL[CASE1 & AM;G ! BR[N ,I SEE
"S GRAY "OS4 ,I N"E NOTIC$ T 2F4 ,H] H&S
LIE OP5 ON ! PALE BLUE BLANKET1 PALMS
UP1 F+]S SLI<TLY CURL$4 ,%E HAS BRUISES
ON BO? >MS4 ,I FEEL Z IF ,I'VE BE5 PUN*$
9 ! /OMA*4
  ,I PUT MY H& LI<TLY ON H] %\LD]4
8,MOM8 ,X'S ME40
  ,%E /I65S & SUCKS 9 A QK BR1?4 ,H] H&S
CL5* & H] EYES J]K OP51 T]RIFI$4
  ,I PAT H] %\LD]4 8,MOM1 X'S ALL "R4
,X'S ME1 ,BO2Y4 ,I'M "H4 ,I ''' ,I CAME
6SEE Y40
  ,%E R1*ES =! H& ON H] %\LD]1 & ,I GIVE
X 6H]4 ,H] H1D TURNS T[>D ME1 & ,I C SEE
H] EYES N[4 ,! PUPILS >E WIDE &      #FD
D>K1 SCANN+4 8,BO2Y4 ,H[8 '''0 ,H] VOICE
IS CRACK+4
  ,I R1* =A PLA/IC CUP ON ! B$/& 2S H]
PURSE4 8,"H1 H "S WAT]1 ,MOM40 ,%E LETS
G ( MY H&1 DRA9S ! CUP1 GIVES X BACK1 &
!N HOLDS H] H& UP UNTIL ,I TAKE X AG4 ,I
HE> VOICES 9 ! HALL1 B !Y PASS ! DOOR &
FADE AWAY4
  ,%E'S :ISP]+4 8,H[ DID Y GET "H8 ,I'VE
BE5 GO+ CRAZY ) WORRY4 ,H !Y TOLD Y AB
YR DAD80
  8,! DOCTOR CALL$ ME AT HOME4 ,& ,I J
BUNDL$ UP & TOOK A CAB4 ,!Y DIDN'T WANT
6LET ME -E SEE Y1 B ,I DIT*$ MY CLO!S
D[N/AIRS & CAME UP ANYWAY4 ,S1 DID Y SEE
,DAD'S >M80
  ,%E NODS1 & X HURTS H] 6MOVE4 8,HIS
LEFT >M 0 A MESS1 B ! DOCTOR SAYS X
LOOKS WORSE ?AN X IS40 ,H] EYES FILL )
TE>S4 8,B :AT ,I'M MO/ WORRI$ AB IS Y4
,BO2Y1 WE DIDN'T M1N 6L1VE Y AL"O4 ,I
M1N1 WE DID1 B X WASN'T L WE 7 IGNOR+ Y
OR =GETT+ AB Y40
  ,I SQUEEZE H] H&4 8,I "K1 ,MOM1 ,I
"K40                                 #FE
  ,H] EYES KEEP TRY+ 6SEE ME4 8,? ''' ?
HAPP5+ 6Y1 ,BO2Y1 X 0 A %OCK = U J L X 0
=--0
  ,NO W>N+4 ,! DOOR SW+S WIDE & ?REE P
WALK IN1 L$ 0A %ORT WOMAN 9 A :ITE COAT
:O'S F9I%+ A S5T;E4 8''' T'S ! GRTE/
3C]N AT ? PO9T4 ,MRS4 ,PHILLIPS--GD6
,I'M GLAD Y'RE KEEP+ YRF AWAKE40 ,ALL
B"R & *E]Y4
  ,I DROP 6MY KNEES & SCOOT "U ! HI< B$4
,F :AT ,I C SEE1 X'S TWO WOM5 &A MAN4 ,I
"K ! TALK]'S VOICE4 ,X'S ! LADY :O CALL$
ME AT HOME1 ,DR4 ,FLEM+4
  ,MOM SAYS1 8,HAS "! BE5 ANY ^W AB MY
HUSB&80 ,I C HE> ! /RA9 9 ,MOM'S VOICE4
,%E'S WORRI$ ^! P >E GO+ 6BUMP 96ME4
  ,! LADY DOCTOR HAS A K9D VOICE4 8,I
KNEW Y'D WANT 6"K AB ,MR4 ,PHILLIPS1 S
,I _H "O ( MY 9T]NS CALL D[N/AIRS &
*ECK4 ,DR4 ,PORT]80
  ,! MAN IS /&+ NE> ! FOOT (! B$4 ,HE'S
WE>+ BR[N %OES4 ,X WD 2 S EASY 6TIE ^?
LACES TGR4
  ,HE %IFTS 8 WEI<T & CLE>S 8 ?ROAT4
8,AHEM1 WELL1 ! OP]AT+ ROOM NURSE    #FF
SD T ! SURGEON 0 V HAPPY )! WAY ?+S W5T4
,APP>5TLY ! =CE (! IMPACT F ! LEFT CAUS$
A -P.D FRACTURE1 : M1NS T ! B"O FRAG-
;TS--0
  8,YES1 T'S F9E1 ,DR4 ,PORT]40 ,DR4
,FLEM+ CUTS HM (F4 8,ALL WE NE$ 6"K IS T
?+S W5T V WELL1 & T H] HUSB& IS GO+ 6BE
"R Z RA9 2F WE "K X4 ,I ?9K Y C RE/ N[1
,MRS4 ,PHILLIPS4 ,IF YR H1D />TS HURT+
AG1 R+ ! NURSE & "S"O W -E "R AWAY4 ,9 !
MORN+ WE'LL TAKE ANO!R LOOK AT YR NOSE4
,N[1 DON'T WORRY AB A ?+4 ,"!'S NO?+ 6BE
AFRAID (4 ,IS "! ANY?+ ELSE WE C GET =
Y80
  ,A PAUSE1 !N ,MOM SAYS1 8,:AT WE TALK$
AB E>LI]1 AB MY SON1 ,BO2Y8 ,WELL1 ,I'VE
HE>D F HM1 & 8 AUNT ,E!L IS GO+ 6BE A#
6TAKE C>E ( HM UNTIL ,I C G HOME40
  8,Y'VE HE>D F HM80 ,DR4 ,FLEM+ IS AN-
NOY$4 8,I TOLD "EY"O T Y 7 N 6BE 4TURB$4
,:O BR"\ Y ! MESSAGE80
  ,MOM PAUSES AG1 B ,I'M PROBABLY ! ONLY
"O :O NOTICES X4 8,NO "O BR"\ A MESSAGE4
,HE CALL$ ME HMF--MY CELL PH"O IS "! 9
MY PURSE40                           #FG
  8,AHH YES40 ,N[ ! DOCTOR'S VOICE IS
SMIL+4 8,! CELL PH"O4 ,X'S IMPOSSI# 6BE
\ ( T\* ^! "DS1 ISN'T X8 ,WELL1 ,I'M
GLAD T'S SETTL$4 ,YR SON 0 A LL %OOK UP
:5 ,I CALL$ )! NEWS1 B HE SNAPP$ "R \ (
X4 ,S.D$ L A GRT KID40
  8,HE'S A WOND];L BOY4 ,& ?ANK Y =
CALL+ HM40
  8,Y'RE V WELCOME4 ,Y'VE GOT 5 6?9K AB
)\T WORRY+ AB YR SON4 ,N[1 Y GET A GD
RE/1 ,MRS4 ,PHILLIPS1 & ,I'LL SEE Y TM40
  ,L A DRILL T1M1 ?REE PAIRS ( FEET TURN
& M>* \ ! DOOR4
  ,I'M GLAD 6/& UP1 2C ! WAY ,I _H
SCRUN*$ UP MY LEGS "U "! 0 />T+ 6MAKE MY
TOE HURT4 ,I SAY1 8,V SMOO?1 ,MOM4 ,AB
,AUNT ,E!L40
  ,MOM GR9S1 & !N GRIMACES F ! PA94 8,X
SEEM$ L AN EASY WAY 6GET T ISSUE SETTL$4
,& ,I RE,Y D H MY CELL PH"O1 S "!'S NO
EXCUSE = Y N KEEP+ 9 T\* ) ME40 ,ALL !
"T1 H] EYES >E SE>*+ ! AIR = ME4 ,H]
EYES GET WAT]Y AG & %E SAYS1 8,I C'T GET
US$ 6?4 ,I HATE N SEE+ YR FACE40 ,I
HAV5'T SE5 ,MOM ALL S(T & WEEPY L    #FH
? S9CE MY F/ TRUMPET RECITAL BACK 9
,TEXAS4 ,%E LOVES MUSIC4 ,WE BO? D4 ,DAD
LI/5S & 5JOYS ! S.D WAVES1 B ,MOM RE,Y
HE>S ! MUSIC4
  ,%E WAVES H] H& >.D1 A MO;N T 9CLUDES
! ROOM1 ! HOSPITAL1 ! :OLE "D4 8,X'S L A
BAD DR1M1 ALL ( ?40
  ,I NOD 9 AGREE;T1 EV5 ?\< %E C'T SEE
ME4 8,TELL ME AB X4 ,D Y "K ": ,DAD IS8
,I %D G SEE HM TOO40
  ,MOM %AKES H] H1D4 8,HE'S 9 NO %APE =
-PANY1 ,BO2Y1 PROBABLY WON'T EV5 2 RE,Y
AWAKE UNTIL TM "S"T40
  ,!N X'S L "SBODY FLIPP$ A SWIT* &! OLD
,MOM IS BACK1 GIV+ ORD]S4
  8,H& ME MY PURSE40
  ,%E OP5S X & DIGS \ H] BILLFOLD4 ,%E
F9DS ?REE TW5TY-DOLL> BILLS & HOLDS !M
UP = ME4 8,? IS ALL ,I H ) ME1 B X %D 2
5 UNTIL ,I GET HOME--,I DON'T ?9K !Y'LL
KEEP ME "H L;G4 ,AL1 "!'S PL5TY ( FOOD 9
! PANTRY 2C WE J GOT A DELIV]Y ON ,SAT-
UR"D40
  ,SATUR"D4 ,?REE "DS AGO4 ,A MILLION
YE>S AGO4                            #FI
  8,"! %D 2 A L9E ( CABS D[N 9 ! CIRCLE
0! FRONT 5TR.E4 ,*OOSE ! NICE/ TAXI1
,BO2Y1 "O ( ^? BIG "OS4 ,& G "R HOME1 &
2 SURE 6SET ! AL>M ! M9UTE Y'RE "!1 ALL
"R80
  ,:ILE %E TALKS1 ,I'M ROLL+ ! BILLS 96A
TI<T CYL9D]1 & ,MOM'S WAT*+ ME4 ,I CLOSE
MY H& >.D ! CA% & X 4APPE>S1 R1DY 6BE
C>RI$ AWAY4 ,I OP5 MY F+]S1 &! M"OY ROLL
REAPPE>S4
  ,MOM'S EYES FOLL[ ! FLOAT+ DOLL>S Z %E
KEEPS TALK+4 8,I HATE Y 2+ HOME 0YRF1 B
"!'S NO?+ WE C D AB X4 ,& TM ,I'LL H YR
DAD CALL Y IF HE C4 ,& Y C CALL ME IF
"!'S ANY PRO#M ''' OR IF Y J WANT 6TALK1
OKAY80
  8,YUP4 ,I'LL 2 F9E40 ,I DON'T S.D V
SURE AB T1 & ,I DON'T WANT H] 6WORRY1 S
"R AWAY ,I SAY1 8,B L ,DAD SD1 "! HAS TO
2 "S R1SON ? HAPP5$1 "S?+ T CAUS$ X4 ,I
"K WE C FIGURE X \ ''' OR ''' MAYBE WE
CD J OP5 A CIRCUS & GET RE,Y RI*40
  ,T MAKES H] SMILE1 & AG ,I REMEMB] T
SMIL+ HURTS H]4
  8,S]I\SLY1 ,MOM1 ,I'M ALL "R4 ,&   #GJ
,I'LL CALL Y :5 ,I GET HOME1 OKAY80
  ,%E NODS & HOLDS UP H] "R H& = ME1 &
,I TAKE HOLD ( X AG4 8,N[ GIVE ME A
KISS1 IF Y C F9D A SPOT T'S N BRUIS$40
  ,& ,I D4 ,& !N ,I LET G ( H] H&4
  8,SEE Y1 ,MOM40
  8,I'LL 2 HOME 9 J A FEW "DS1 ,BO2Y40
  ,I'VE GOT ! DOOR OP5 N[4 ,! OLD WOMAN
9 ! O!R B$ IS WIDE AWAKE4 ,H] TUBES FLOP
>.D Z %E LOOKS F ! DOOR 6! CURTA9 >.D
,MOM'S B$ & !N BACK 6! DOOR4 ,%E'S CON-
FUS$1 & %E HAS A "R 6BE4
  ,MOM IS LOOK+ AT ! DOOR TOO1 L1N+ =W>D
Z ,I />T 6L1VE4 8,& ,BO2Y80
  8,Y1H80
  8,?ANKS = -+40
  8,SURE ?+1 ,MOM4 ,BYE40







                *APT] #G             #GA
              ,,F/ ,,NI<T

  ,"W+ MY WAY BACK 6ROOM #AJJG1 GETT+
96MY CLO!S AG1 WALK+ >.D 6! FRONT (!
HOSPITAL1 F9D+ A NICE BIG CAB J L MY
MOMMY TOLD ME TO1 & !N RID+ HOME--ALL T
HAPP5S )\T A HIT*4 ,EXCEPT MY TOE />TS
?RO2+ AG4
  ,-+ HOME 6AN EMPTY H\SE4 ,I M1N1 ,I'VE
D"O X PL5TY ( "TS1 B TN X'S DI6]5T4
,AL"O IS "O ?+2 AL"O AT NI<T--ALL NI<T--
T'S "S?+ ELSE4
  ,DAD HAS "S "TRS RI7$ UP1 S A FEW
LI<TS >E ON4 ,/1 ! PLACE LOOKS L A BIG
OLD FUN]AL HOME4
  ,? KID AT S*OOL "ND ,RUSSELL1 8 DAD
RUNS A FUN]AL HOME ON ,K5WOOD4 ,8 FAMILY
LIVES ON ! SECOND & ?IRD FLOOR (! PLACE4
,AT LUN* "O "D ,RUSSELL TELLS ME !Y'VE
GOT A BIG COOL] D[N 9 ! BASE;T NEXT 6!
ROOM ": 8 DAD GETS ! BODIES R1DY4 ,HE
SAYS "S"TS !Y H ?REE OR F\R CORPSES 9 !
COOL] AT ! SAME "T4 ,& !N ,JIM ,WE9RAUB
SAYS T :5 HE SLEPT OV] AT ,RUSSELL'S
ONCE1 !Y SN1K$ D[N 6! BASE;T 9 !     #GB
MI4LE (& NI<T & LOOK$ AT A D1D WOMAN4
  ,AF ,I HE>D T1 ,I DIDN'T EAT LUN* )
,RUSSELL =A MON?4 ,/UFF L T CREEPS ME \4
  ,I DON'T G 9 ! FRONT DOOR ( MY H\SE 2C
! FRONT POR* HAS A LI<T T GOES ON :5"E
ANY"O WALKS UP ! /EPS4 ,IF ,I G 9 T WAY1
,I'M ALM SURE ,MRS4 ,TR5T WD SEE ME4 ,%E
LIVES NEXT DOOR1 & %E SITS 9 H] BIG BAY
W9D[ ALL "D & MO/ (! NI<T4 ,%E WD SEE
ME1 & !N %E WD PROBABLY WA4LE OV] 6TELL
ME T ! POLICE 7 "H E>LI]4 ,MRS4 ,TR5T IS
! NOSIE/ WOMAN ON ! PLANET1 & X DOESN'T
HELP T ! BUILD+S 9 MY NEI<BORHOOD >E ON-
LY AB FIFTE5 FEET A"P4
  ,I LET MYF 9 AT ! DRIVEWAY DOOR ON !
EA/ SIDE (! H\SE1 ! SIDE AWAY F ,MRS4
,TR5T4 ,? SIDE FACES A BIG DUPLEX A"P;T
H\SE4 ,X'S LOAD$ ) COLLEGE KIDS4 ,_!
PLACE IS ALL LIT UP1 & "SBODY'S MUSIC
SY/EM IS BLA/+ AWAY4 ,I WI% ,I 0 GO+ "!
=! NI<T4
  ,F/1 2F ,I SET ! AL>M SY/EM 0! BACK
DOOR1 2F ,I TURN ON ANY O!R LI<TS1 2F ,I
EV5 TAKE (F MY COAT & SC>F1 ,I G >.D &
%UT ALL ! %ADES & CURTA9S4 ,IF       #GC
,MRS4 ,TR5T GETS "O GD LOOK AT MY EMPTY
CLO!S WALK+ >.D ! H\SE1 X'LL M1N ! 5D (
LIFE Z WE "K X4
  ,)! AL>M SET & MY COAT & /UFF DUMP$ 0!
BACK DOOR1 X'S "T 6EAT4 ,I'M />V$ AG4 ,I
WAT* Z ,I FEEL MY H&S ?R[ A P1NUT BUTT]
& JELLY S&WI* TGR1 & ,I ?9K H[ ,I'D GIVE
ANY?+ =A D\# *EESEBURG] "R N[4 ,!N ?
?"\3 ,UN.S ?+S *ANGE1 MY FA/-FOOD "DS >E
OV]4 ,UN.S "S"O ELSE DOES ! BUY+4 ,GRT--
,I C'T EV5 GET A ,HAPPY ,M1L UN.S MY
DA4Y OR MOMMY BUYS X = ME4
  ,MOM6
  ,I GRAB ! KIT*5 PH"O1 & !N ,I GRAB A
PAP] T[EL 6WIPE ! /RAWB]RY JELLY (F X4
  ,I PROMIS$ ,MOM ,I'D CALL :5 ,I GOT
HOME4
  ,"O R+1 TWO R+S1 ?REE R+S4 ,MAYBE %E'S
ALR ASLEEP4 ,OR 9 ! BA?ROOM4
  ,F\R R+S4 ,X'S A DEEP PURSE4 ,R+]'S
PROBABLY SET ON L[4
  ,FIVE R+S4 ,SIX R+S4 ,D1D8 ,BAD ^W4 ,I
M1N ! BATT]Y 9 H] PH"O--D1D BATT]Y4
  ,!N X GOES 6VOICE MAIL4 ,I TRY N 6S.D
WORRI$ AB H]1 B ,I AM4 8,MOM8        #GD
,MOM1 X'S ME4 ,I GOT HOME F9E1 & N[ ,I'M
FIX+ "S FOOD ''' X'S AB N9E1 ,I GUESS4
,S ''' SAY HI 6,DAD1 & ,I'LL CALL Y TM4
,OR Y C CALL ME4 ,BYE40
  ,I'VE BE5 AT HOME 0MYF PL5TY ( "TS4
,TONS ( "TS4
  ,B N L ?4 ,N"E ) BO? MY FOLKS AWAY ALL
NI<T4 ,& NO "O ELSE -+4
  ,I DON'T L SC>Y MOVIES1 ESPECI,Y ! K9D
": P >E AL"O 9 A BIG OLD H\SE4 ,& ,I'VE
ALW BE5 A LL AFRAID (! D>K4 ,: IS N A
BAD WAY 6BE 9 ? "P ( ,*ICAGO4 ,EV5 )!
COPS &! UNIV]S;Y POLICE ALL OV]1 "!'S /
PL5TY 6WORRY AB AF SUND[N4 ,! /REETLI<TS
>E ON1 B "! >E %AD[S4 ,LOTS ( %AD[S4
  ,S ,I TURN ON M LI<TS4 ,9 ! ,,TV ROOM
,I SET UP A TRAY TA#4 ,!N ,I GET "S MILK
& MY S&WI*4
  ,I %D "K BETT] ?AN 6J TURN ON ! TUBE4
,X'S / SET 6,,WGN1 & X'S A MOVIE PRE-
VIEW1 ! "O ": ,JACK ,NI*OLSON IS HOLD+ !
AX & TRY+ 6PU% 8 FACE "? A DOOR4 ,I PUN*
! *ANG]1 & X FLIPS 6,C9EMAX4 ,"S TE5AGE
VAMPIRES >E HAV+ A M1L4
  ,I TURN (F ! SET1 B !N ! H\SE      #GE
FEELS TOO QUIET1 & BAD PICTURES >E B\NC+
>.D 9 MY H1D4 ,ALL ?REE LAMPS >E ON1 B X
/ FEELS D>K4 ,S ,I GRAB ! O!R REMOTE &
TURN ON ! ,,FM4 ,! ROOM FILLS UP ) JAZZ4
,I 3C5TRATE ON ! TRUMPET L9E 2C T'S MY
9/RU;T4 ,! TRUMPET BR1KS 96A HI< SOLO1 &
X'S A B"R S.D1 %9Y & CL1N4
  ,& !N ,I REMEMB] MY S&WI*4 ,I EAT X1 B
X DOESN'T FEEL "R 9 MY M\?4 ,X DOESN'T
FEEL "R :5 ,I SWALL[4 ,&! MILK TA/ES
/RANGE4 ,NO?+ FEELS "R4
  ,2C :5 FE> 2G9S 6CRAWL1 X J KEEPS -+4
  ,LI<T IS GD1 LI<T IS V GD4 ,B ! W9D[S
2H ALL ! CURTA9S >E D>K1 & 2H E CURTA9
"!'S A HORROR /ORY1 A R1L "O4 ,X'S ! R1L
"OS T -E CRAWL+ AT ME "? ! NI<T4
  ,! AL>M SY/EM IS BL9K+4 ,T'S SUPPOS$
6MAKE ME FEEL SAFE4 ,X'S BL9K+ NEXT 6E
DOOR4 ,! AL>M SY/EM HAS EYES & F+]S ALL
OV] ! H\SE4 ,X S5SES ?+S4 ,! SY/EM W
%RIEK :5 "S?+ \TSIDE />TS 6-E "? A DOOR
OR A W9D[4
  ,B FE> DOESN'T NE$ DOORS & W9D[S4 ,X
"WS F ! 9SIDE4
  ,I HURRY 6! /UDY1 FLIPP+ ON O!R    #GF
LI<TS Z ,I G4 ,I SWIVEL ! BIG -PUT] MON-
ITOR >.D S ,I C SIT & N H MY BACK T[>D !
DOORWAY OR ! BIG CURTA9$ W9D[4 ,! JAZZ
KEEPS -+ F ! ,,TV ROOM1 B X'S A DI6]5T
TUNE N[1 &A SAXOPH"O />TS WAIL+4
  ,! -PUT] BOOTS UP1 & !N ,I'M ONL9E &
,I'VE GOT A MESS5G] W9D[ OP51 & ,I TAP 9
,K5NY ,TEMPLE'S SCRE5 "N1
_+_GANDOLF375_:4 ,K5NY'S A ,TOLKI5 FR1K1
: IS :Y WE'RE SORT ( FRS4 ,S ?IS'LL 2
GD4 ,I C TALK 6,K5NY ONL9E1 J TALK A LL4
,L AB JAZZ B&4 ,2C JAZZ B& PRACTIC$ TD
AF S*OOL4 ,)\T ME4
  ,NO RESPONSE4 ,I KEY 8 "N AG4 ,NO?+4
,I TRY A FEW O!R "NS1 KIDS ,I ASK AB
HOME"W "S"TS4 ,L ,JEFF4 ,I C ASK ,JEFF
:AT ,I MISS$ 9 BIOLOGY TD4 ,OR MAYBE
,ELL5 ,BECK4 ,%E LIVES OV] ON ,BLACK/"O
--PRACTIC,Y A NEI<BOR4 ,%E'LL "K4 ,& ,I
C ASK H] AB ,5GLI% TOO4
  ,NOBODY'S ONL9E4
  ,!N ,I REMEMB]4 ,MIDT]MS >E -+4 ,NO-
BODY'S ONL9E4
  ,A DIGIT *ANGES ON ! CLOCK AT ! UPP]
CORN] (! -PUT] SCRE54 ,X'S N[        #GG
#I3AA4 ,I %UT ! BOX D[N4 ,! H>D DRIVE
:9ES 6A /OP1 ! SCRE5 GIVES A /ATIC
CRACKLE & GOES D>K1 & X HITS ME T X'S S
E>LY4 ,EI<T1 MAYBE N9E M H\RS 2F DAWN4
,! LI<TS >E BURN+ "H1 B D>K;S IS ALL >.D
ME--IN ! ALLEY1 9 ! ATTIC1 9 ! BASE;T1 9
E CLOSET4 ,! NI<T IS "EY":4 ,H\RS & H\RS
& H\RS ( NI<T4
  ,I'M SITT+ AT ! DESK 9 ! /UDY1 & ,I
SEE MY CLO!S REFLECT$ "! 9 ! D>K -PUT]
SCRE54
  ,IF ,I CD SEE MY EYES "! ": MY FACE %D
BE1 :AT WD !Y LOOK L "R N[8 ,WD !Y LOOK
UNEASY8 ,M ?AN T4 ,MAYBE HAUNT$8 ,WD MY
EYES LOOK HAUNT$8 ,7 T LADY'S EYES OP58
,! EYES ( T D1D LADY D[N 9 ! BASE;T
COOL] AT ,RUSSELL'S H\SE8 ,:AT DID H]
EYES LOOK L8
  ,I'M RUNN+ UP ! FRONT /AIRS1 FLIPP+ ON
LI<TS Z ,I G1 & ,I GET 6MY ROOM & TURN
ON ! LI<TS1 & ,I %UT ! DOOR1 & ,I LOCK !
DOOR1 & ,I SIT ON MY B$1 & ,I GRAB MY
PILL[1 & ,I HUG X AG/ MY /OMA*4 ,2C (!
FE>4 ,X'S CRANK$ UP4 ,X'S UP PA/ T]ROR1
PA/ PANIC4 ,I'M ?9K+ ? M/ 2 DR1D4    #GH
,EXCEPT ,I'M N ?9K+4 ,"!'S NO ROOM =
?9K+1 J FEEL+1 FEEL+ L ! DR1D IS OOZ+ UP
"? ! CRACKS 2T ! BO>DS ON MY FLOOR4
,BU2L+ UP "? ! H1T] GRATES4 ,I C FEEL X
RIS+4 ,L WAT]4 ,L BLACK BLOOD4 ,L ! FLU-
IDS4 ,L ! FLUIDS4 ,! FLUIDS T ,RUSSELL'S
DAD PUMPS 96! D1D BODIES D[N 9 ! BASE;T
(! FUN]AL HOME4 ,! DR1D IS FILL+ MY
LOCK$ ROOM & MY M\? & MY NOSE & MY E>S &
MY EYES & MY LUNGS1 & ,I'M DR[N+ 9 X4
  ,B ,I SIT "! & ,I DON'T4 ,I DON'T
DR[N4 ,I'M BR1?+ S FA/1 ,I FEEL FA9T4 ,I
H 6YAWN4 ,B ,I'M GETT+ A ?"\4 ,X'S A R1L
?"\1 A MEMORY4 ,AB FE>4 ,& ,I'M ?9K+ AB
X4 ,&! ?"\ IS SIMPLE4 ,X'S SIMPLE3
..NO?+ 6FE> B FE> .XF4 ,F A HI/ORY
CLASS4 ,J ^WS4 ,UNTIL N[4
  ,& !N X'S L ,I'M FIVE FEET AWAY4 ,&
,I'M LOOK+ AT ME1 AT ? GUY SITT+ ON A
B$4 ,& ,I C SEE HE'S N "U ATTACK4 ,"! IS
NO DANG]4 ,& ,I C SEE T ! FE> IS ! ?+4
,X'S J FE>4
  ,ANO!R MEMORY1 ANO!R ?"\4 ,I'M WALK+ \
(! LIBR>Y AB A YE> AGO 2H TWO COLLEGE
GIRLS4 ,& "O ( !M SAYS1 8,I AM S     #GI
UPSET1 ,I AM J .S UPSET6 ,&! ?+ T UPSETS
ME ! MO/ IS T ,I'M S UP-.SET60 ,T'S :AT
%E SAYS1 & ,I LI/5 6? & ,I ?9K1 ..,H[
/UPID IS T8 ,IF Y DON'T WANT 6BE S UP-
SET1 J /OP 2+ .UPSET6
  ,& N[ X'S ! FE>4 ,X'S ! SAME4 ,L 2+
UPSET 2C Y'RE UPSET4 ,X KEEPS FE$+ XF4
,& !N X GETS Y 6FE$ X4 ,& Y J H 6/OP X4
  ..,I H 6/OP .X4
  ,I /& UP & TOSS MY PILL[ BACK ONTO !
B$4 ,I TAKE DEEP BR1?S4 ,I G OV] 6MY
DRESS] & LOOK 9 ! MIRROR4 ,I WOND] :AT
MY HAIR LOOKS L4 ,S ,I GRAB A -B & PULL
X ACR MY H1D1 PATT+ MY HAIR )! O!R H&4
,FEELS "R4 ,X'S ,BO2Y1 ! WELL-GROOM$
SPOOK4 ,:AT A CLE> -PLEXION HE HAS4
  ,!N ,I WALK OV] & UNLOCK MY B$ROOM
DOOR1 & ,I G D[N/AIRS4 ,I %UT (F ! RA-
DIO1 & ,I TAKE MY DI%ES F ! ,,TV ROOM
BACK 6! KIT*51 & ,I SCOOP MYF A B[L (
*OCOLATE *IP ICE CR1M4 ,I G BACK 6! C\*1
& ,I PULL ! BLUE FLEECE BLANKET >.D ME1
& ,I TURN ON ,NICK AT ,NITE4 ,X'S .,I
.,LOVE .,LUCY1 & X'S FUNNY4 ,I />T
LAU<+1 & ,I AM EAT+ ICE CR1M1 & ,I   #HJ
AM N AFRAID4
  ,/1 :5 ,I F9,Y G UP/AIRS1 ,I LOCK MY
B$ROOM DOOR AG4
  ,& ,I SLEEP ) MY LI<TS ON4
  ,I M1N1 ,I "K ,I C GET PA/ ! FE>4 ,I J
DID X4
  ,B ,I DON'T KID MYF4
  ,! BOGEYMAN ISN'T RE,Y D1D1 N ="E4
  ,HE'S J N "H4 ,N TN4















               ,*APT] #H             #HA
              ,,MY ,,LIFE

  ,WAKE UP4 ,%[]4 ,EAT4 ,R1D4 ,TALK TO
,MOM4 ,WAT* ,,TV4 ,TALK 6,MOM4 ,EAT4
,NAP4 ,LI/5 6JAZZ4 ,R1D4 ,TALK 6,DAD4
,WAT* ,,TV4 ,G ONL9E4 ,TALK 6,MOM4 ,EAT4
,PRACTICE MY TRUMPET4 ,WORRY4 ,WAT*
,,TV4 ,R1D4 ,TALK 6,MOM4 ,NAP4
  ,S T'S ,W$NES"D1 MY SECOND ?RILL+ "D Z
,BO2Y ! ,MISS+ ,P]SON4 ,X'S WEIRD N HAV+
ANYBODY >.D4 ,X MAKES X S EASY 6?9K4
,TOO EASY4 ,2C UN.S ! TUBE IS ON OR "!'S
MUSIC PLAY+1 X'S J ME1 ?9K+4 ,UNTIL ,MOM
CALLS AG4 ,& AG4
  ,:5 %E CALLS 9 ! MORN+1 %E WANTS ME TO
TELL H] "EY?+ ,I'M DO+1 L E SECOND4
,/>T+ )! CAB RIDE HOME F ! HOSPITAL LA/
NI<T4 ,& %E HOPES T ,I REMEMB]$ 6TURN ON
! AL>M SY/EM4 ,& :Y DIDN'T ,I CALL H]1 :
,I DID1 B %E 0 TOO MESS$ UP 6REMEMB] TO
TURN ! PH"O ON4 ,& H ,I REMEMB]$ 6WAT] !
PLANTS8 ,2C ! IVY 9 ! FRONT HALL NE$S A
HALF CUP ( WAT] E O!R "D OR X DROOPS4 ,&
DID ,I D MY HOME"W8 ,:AT D ,I M1N1 ,I
CDN'T GET ! ASSIGN;TS8 ,S IF NO "O   #HB
IS ONL9E1 !N Y J CALL !M ON ! TELEPH"O4
,H KIDS TD =GOTT5 H[ 6USE ! TELEPH"O8
,:AT D ,I M1N T ,I DIDN'T WANT TO TALK
6ANY"O LA/ NI<T8 ,AM ,I FEEL+ ALL "R8
,AM ,I EAT+ NUTRITI\S FOODS8 ,I'M N J
EAT+ JUNK1 AM ,I8 ,2C T'S ! WOR/ ?+ = MY
-PLEXION4
  ,FIFTE5 M9UTES ( T1 & ,I'M R1DY 6SCR1M
& YANK ! PH"O \ (! WALL4 ,! ONLY GD ?+
IS T %E DOESN'T H A *>G] "! 9 ! HOSPI-
TAL4 ,I'M GUESS+ ! BATT]IES ON H] CELL
PH"O GIVE \ PRETTY SOON4 ,B !N %E'LL J
GET A REGUL> PH"O PUT 9 H] ROOM4 ,S "!'S
NO ESCAPE4 ,I'M MISS+ ! OLD ,MOM1 :O WD
%[ UP ONCE OR TWICE A "D1 GIVE AN ORD]1
& !N GET ON ) H] BUSY LIFE4 ,SU45LY1 X
SEEMS L .,I'M H] LIFE4
  ,DAD S.DS ALL "R :5 HE CALLS ME AB
NOON4 ,& ,I'M GLAD1 2C ,I NE$ ,DAD'S
HELP4 ,I M1N1 L1 :AT IF ! A3ID5T _H
MESS$ UP 8 H1D8 ,B T CLE>LY HAS N HAP-
P5$4 ,2C F/ HE EXPLA9S .EXACTLY H[ HE'S
HURT4 ,EXACTLY1 L HE'D BE5 ! SURGEON
HMF1 OR L HE 0 AWAKE ! :OLE "T1 TAK+
NOTES4 ,!N HE TELLS ME H[ HE'S BE5   #HC
?9K+ AB MY 8SITU,N40 ,I C TELL "!'S
ANO!R P]SON 9 ! ROOM ) HM 2C HE'S N 2+
SPECIFIC4
  ,HE SAYS1 8,REG>D+ YR1 UM1 SITU,N1
,BO2Y1 ,I'VE BE5 RUNN+ "? "S POSSI#
CAUSE SC5>IOS40 ,POSSI# CAUSE SC5>IOS4
,T'S V9TAGE ,DAD4 ,HE SAYS1 8,! SECOND
,I GET \ ( "H1 ,I'D L 6RUN "S TE/S AT !
LAB4 ,MAYBE PUT A SLIV] ( YR F+]NAIL "U
! ELECTRON MICROSCOPE1 MAYBE TRY 6GET A
R1D+ F A SPECTROMET]1 ?+S L T4 ,PLUS1 "!
>E DOZ5S ( V F9E PAP]S 9 ! J\RNALS (!
PA/ T5 YE>S--?+S AB LI<T & 5]GY1 SUB-
ATOMIC REFRAC;N1 ID1S T CD GIVE U "S GD
SCI;E Z A />T+ PO9T1 Y "K1 S WE C G5]ATE
A !ORY AB :AT'S GO+ ON "H4 ,S.D GD80
  ,I SAY1 8,Y1H1 ,I GUESS40 ,B !N ,I
SAY1 8,H[ -E WE DON'T J D DETECTIVE "W8
,2C X CD H BE5 ANY?+ T CAUS$ ?1 "R8 ,L
MAYBE ,I ATE A *UNK ( IRRADIAT$ BEEF AT
! S*OOL CAFET]IA4 ,OR MAYBE WE LIV$ TOO
CLOSE 6"S BIG P[] L9ES D[N 9 ,TEXAS4 ,OR
MAYBE ,I 9H]IT$ "S?+ F Y1 2C Y'RE ! "O
:O'S BE5 SMA%+ ATOMS = TW5TY YE>S4
,%DN'T WE J />T LOOK+ = CLUES80      #HD
  ,2C ,I'VE BE5 ?9K+ TOO4 ,DAD'S N ! ON-
LY GUY 9 ! _W )A BRA94
  ,DAD SAYS1 8,YEEES10 DRAW+ \ ! ^W :ILE
8 GE>S >E TURN+1 8Y'VE GOT "S GD PO9TS
"!--B WE H 6/>T "S":1 &= ME1 T M1NS F9D+
A !ORY40
  ,:O'S SURPRIS$8 ,) ,DAD1 X ALL GETS
BACK 6!ORY4 ,T'S :AT HE DOES ALL "D L;G3
,HE !ORIZES4 ,HAS HE "E ACTU,Y EV5 SE5
"O ( ^! ATOMS HE /UDIES YE> AF YE>8 ,NO4
,HE LOOKS AT MADE-UP PICTURES ( ?+S T >E
9VISI# & -ES UP ) !ORIES4 ,I DON'T WANT
!ORIES4 ,I NE$ "S AC;N4
  ,I'M N SAY+ ANY?+1 & X'S TOO L;G A
PAUSE1 S ,DAD />TS TALK+ AG4 8,MAYBE Y
CD G ONL9E ? AFN1 ,BO2Y4 ,Y CD G 6! WEB-
SITE (! J\RNAL .,SCI;E & D "S POK+ >.D1
SE>* _! DATABASE = >TICLES ON LI<T1 D "S
R1D+--OKAY80
  ,I DON'T WANT 6>GUE ) AN 9VALID1 S ,I
SAY1 8,Y1H1 ,I'LL *ECK X \40 ,B :5 WE
HANG UP1 ,I TURN ON ! TUBE & TUNE 9 6A
,JOHN ,WAYNE FE/IVAL ON ,,AMC4 ,2C A
,JOHN ,WAYNE MOVIE IS AN ALM P]FECT CURE
= ,DAD'S K9D ( ?9K+4 ,) ,JOHN        #HE
,WAYNE1 X'S ALL AB AC;N4
  ,MY BIG EV5T = ,W$NES"D IS :5 ,MRS4
,TR5T -ES 6! FRONT DOOR AB TWO O'C--J Z
! ,DUKE IS REVV+ UP 8 ,W> ,WAGON4 ,!
DOORBELL R+S1 & ,I TROT 6! FRONT HALL4
,I C TELL X'S H]4 ,%E MAKES A V WIDE
%AD[ ON ! FRO/$ GLASS4
  ,%E R+S A SECOND "T1 & ,I MAKE MY
VOICE S.D K9D ( W1K1 & ,I CALL \1 8,HEL-
LO8 ,:O'S "!80
  8,BO2Y8 ,X'S ,MRS4 ,TR5T ''' F NEXT
DOOR4 ,I HE>D AB YR P>5TS4 ,Y POOR DE>1
>E Y ALL AL"O 9 T BIG OLD PLACE8 ,I SAW
! LI<TS -E ON LA/ NI<T1 S ,I ?"\ Y M/ 2
"!1 B ,I DIDN'T SEE Y L1VE = S*OOL ?
MORN+1 S ,I'VE BE5 WORRI$ AB Y1 & ,I ?"\
,I WD BR+ OV] "S COOKIES40
  ,X'S ! OLD 8GET YR FOOT 9 ! DOOR ) "S
COOKIES0 TRICK4 ,%E RE,Y DOES BAKE AMAZ+
COOKIES4 ,) ,MRS4 ,TR5T1 "S"TS X'S COOK-
IES1 "S"TS X'S A "Q AB H[ 6MAKE H] ,,VCR
"W1 OR MAYBE X'S A PIECE ( \R JUNK MAIL
T GOT DELIV]$ 6H] H\SE4 ,ANY?+'LL D4 ,&
ONCE ,MRS4 ,TR5T GETS 96! FRONT HALL1 X
TAKES AT L1/ TW5TY M9UTES 6GET H]    #HF
\ AG4
  ,I'M N SURE :AT 6SAY1 B ,I GUESS ,I H
6G ) :AT ,MOM TOLD ! HOSPITAL1 S ,I SAY1
8,MY GRT-AUNT ,E!L IS /AY+ ) ME TILL MY
FOLKS -E HOME4 ,%E CAME LATE LA/ NI<T4
,& ,I'M AT HOME 2C ,I'VE GOT ! FLU4 ,&
,AUNT ,E!L TOLD ME 6-E 6! DOOR 2C %E'S 9
! BA?TUB1 B ,I %DN'T OP5 ! DOOR ''' 2C (
! FLU ''' & 2C X'S COLD40 ,S.DS LAME TO
ME1 PROBABLY 6,MRS4 ,TR5T TOO4
  ,B ALL %E SAYS "? ! DOOR IS1 8,WELL1
T'S F9E4 ,I J WANT$ 6BE SURE Y 7 ALL "R1
,BO2Y1 S ,I'LL L1VE ! COOKIES "H ON !
POR*1 & YR AUNT C FET* !M 9SIDE A LL
LAT]4 ,N[1 Y RUN AL;G & GET BACK 96B$40
  8,OKAY4 ,?ANKS A LOT1 ,MRS4 ,TR5T4 ,&
,I TALK$ ) MY MOM & MY DAD TD1 & !Y'RE
BO? DO+ F9E40
  ,B %E'S ALR D[N ! /EPS & WA4L+ ACR !
BR[N GRASS ON H] T9Y FRONT LAWN4 ,I PEEK
"? ! GLASS1 & ,I C SEE T %E PUT ! COOK-
IES D[N AB FIVE FEET F ! DOOR4 ,T'S 2C
,MRS4 ,TR5T IS SM>T] ?AN %E LOOKS1 PLUS
%E HAS A BIG NOSE4 ,)! COOKIES T F> \ ON
! POR*1 ,MRS4 ,TR5T C SIT 9 H]       #HG
FRONT W9D[ & GET A SIDEWAYS LOOK AT :O"E
-ES \ 6RETRIEVE !M4 ,%E WANTS 6H A G&]
AT ,AUNT ,E!L4
  ,AB T5 M9UTES LAT] ,MRS4 ,TR5T SEES !
/ORM DOOR SW+ OP5 ON \R FRONT POR*4 ,!N
? %ORT PLUMP P]SON ) /OOP$ %\LD]S WE>+ A
L;G P9K T]RY CLO? ROBE & FUZZY BLUE
SLIPP]S %U6LES \ 6! COOKIES1 B5DS D[N
SL[LY1 PICKS UP ! PLATE1 TURNS >.D1 &
%U6LES BACK 6! DOOR4 ,MRS4 ,TR5T DOESN'T
GET A GD LOOK AT ,AUNT ,E!L = ?REE REA-
SONS4 ,F/1 ! COLL> ON ! P9K ROBE IS
TURN$ UP2 SECOND1 "!'S A BA? T[EL WRAPP$
>.D H] H1D2 & ?IRD1 ! R1L ,AUNT ,E!L IS
AB TWELVE HUNDR$ MILES S\?EA/ ( "H4
  ,& Z A REW>D = MY F/ MAJOR ACT+ ROLE1
,I H A :OLE PLATE ( *OCOLATE-*IP MACADA-
MIA NUT COOKIES 6MYF4 ,!Y'RE G"O 0! 5D (
! ?IRD ,JOHN ,WAYNE MOVIE4
  ,B A"P F MY BIG P]=M.E ON ! FRONT
POR*1 ,W$NES"D IS MO/LY BOR+4 ,B ,I
DON'T GET SC>$ AT ALL ,W$NES"D NI<T4
  ,& !N X'S ,?URS"D4
  ,WAKE UP4 ,%[]4 ,EAT4 ,WORRY4 ,WAT*
,,TV4 ,TALK 6,MOM4 ,WORRY4 ,WAT*     #HH
,,TV4 ,WORRY4 ,TALK 6,DAD4 ,R1D4 ,WORRY4
,EAT4 ,WORRY4 ,R1D4 ,WORRY4 ,TALK 6,DAD4
,WORRY4 ,TALK 6,MOM4 ,WORRY4 ,LI/5 TO
JAZZ4 ,TALK 6,MOM4 ,WORRY4 ,WORRY4 ,WOR-
RY4 ,NAP4
  ,I EV5 WORRY DUR+ MY NAP4
  ,S ,?URS"D IS PRETTY M* L ,W$NES"D1
ONLY WORSE4
  ,2SS ! WORRY1 X'S WORSE 2C X'S A B1U-
TI;L "D \TSIDE1 "O ( ^? TRICK "DS NE> !
5D ( ,FEBRU>Y 9 ,*ICAGO :5 X FEELS L
SPR+1 EXCEPT Y "K "!'S GO+ 6BE SIX OR
EI<T M WEEKS ( COLD & SN[ & SLEET4 ,B A
"D L ? ACTU,Y MAKES Y WANT 6G \TSIDE &
?R[ A ,FRISBEE OR "S?+4
  ,& X'S WORSE 2C ,MOM & ,DAD >E DO+ A
LOT BETT] & !Y FEEL L !Y H 6CALL ME ALL
! "T N[--: IS "S?+ NEW = !M4
  ,& X'S WORSE 2C ,I'M />T+ 6SEE :AT'S
HAPP5+ 6MY LIFE4
  ,2C X'S N L ,I WANT$ ?4 ,X'S N L ,I'M
"S MAD SCI5TI/ :O PLANN$ & /UDI$ & DR1M$
AB 2COM+ 9VISI# ALL 8 LIFE1 & N[ X'S
HAPP5$1 S N[ ,I C USE MY P[]S 6TAKE OV]
! _W4 ,X'S N L T1 N :5 X'S RE,Y      #HI
HAPP5+4
  ,& ,I C J HE> "S GUYS AT MY S*OOL
TALK+ AB ?4 ,!Y'D G1 8,:OA6 ,Y'RE 9VISI-
#8 ,& Y'RE BUMM$ AB X8 ,L1 :AT'S YR
PRO#M8 ,G )! FL[1 DUDE4 ,*ECK \ ! GIRLS'
LOCK] ROOM4 ,*ECK \ ! JEWELRY /ORE4 ,G
6! BANK & LE>N "S CODES1 MAN4 ,G "W =!
,,CIA1 Y "K1 L ,JAMES ,BOND1 ONLY BETT]4
,9VISI#4 ,T'S S .COOL60
  ,2C IF T'S :AT "S KID IS ?9K+1 T'S 2C
X'S N HAPP5+ 6HM4 ,HE'S N FAC+ X ALL "D
& ALL NI<T1 :AT X RE,Y M1NS4 ,? ISN'T A
MOVIE ": Y WAT* X = TWO H\RS & !N X 5DS1
& !N Y CLIMB 96A C> & Y TALK AB H[ !
MOVIE 0 :ILE Y G 6GET PIZZA ) "S FRS4
  ,? ISN'T L T4 ..,? IS MY .LIFE4
  ,& :AT'S HAPP5+ M1NS T SU45LY MY LIFE
IS -PLETELY (F TRACK4 ,X'S L A TRA9
WRECK1 & ,I'M P9N$ D[N1 TRAPP$4 ,& X'S
/>T+ 6FEEL L ? IS P]MAN5T4 ,:AT IF ,I
N"E *ANGE BACK 6! WAY ,I WAS8 ,:AT !N8
,D ,I H 6KEEP X A SECRET ="E1 L A SPY :O
C N"E TELL 8 WIFE & KIDS :O HE RE,Y IS8
,HAH6 ,:AT WIFE & KIDS8
  ,"R N[ X FEELS L ,I'M N"E GO+      #IJ
6GET 6BE ON MY [N4 ,L1 N"E EV5 GET MY
DRIV]'S LIC5SE1 OR G AWAY 6COLLEGE4 ,N"E
BUY A C> OR GET A JOB OR H MY [N A"P;T4
,N"E6
  ,& H[ WD ,I LIVE8
  ,& ":8 ,AM ,I GO+ 6H 6/AY 9 ? H\SE )
MY P>5TS8 ,="E8
  ,I'M PAC+ BACK & =? 2T ! KIT*5 &! ,,TV
ROOM1 BACK & =?1 & MY :OLE LIFE IS ON
HOLD4 ,I'M WAIT+ = "S?+ 6HAPP54 ,I'M
WAIT+ = ,MOM 6-E HOME & ,DAD 6?9K &
,MRS4 ,TR5T 6BAKE M COOKIES &! S*OOL TO
CALL &! SUN 6G D[N &! SUN 6-E UP AG TM4
,X'S L MY LIFE IS SUPPOS$ 6BE PLAY+1 B !
,,VCR IS ON PAUSE &! SCRE5 IS BLANK &
MAYBE ! :OLE RE/ (! TAPE IS ERAS$4
  ,S ,I G D[N ! /EPS F ! KIT*5 & \ !
SIDE DOOR4 ,T'S ! DOOR AWAY F ,MRS4
,TR5T'S H\SE4 ,I TURN (F ! AL>M4 ,I PEEL
(F MY CLO!S1 ALL ( !M4 ,I TAKE ! KEY \ (
MY J1NS POCKET1 & ,I G \TSIDE & TUCK X
9SIDE ! DRA9PIPE 2S ! /EPS4
  ,& ,I G >.D ! FRONT CORN] (! H\SE &
WALK WE/1 "R PA/ ,MRS4 ,TR5T'S W9D[4 ,!
W1!RMAN SD X 0 GO+ 6BE UNS1SONABLY   #IA
W>M1 &= ONCE X 0 ! TRU?4
  ,X'S AB #FE DEGREES1 S X FEELS L :5 !
AIR 3DI;N] IS UP ON HI<4 ,I C BE> X1 S
,I'M GO+ =A WALK4 ,TD4 ,"R N[4 ,9 ! SUN-
%9E4 ,2C ,I C4 ,2C ,I WANT TO4 ,2C ,I'M
N GO+ 6J SIT >.D & WAIT = /UFF 6HAPP5
ANYMORE4 ,I'M / ME1 & ,I H A LIFE4 ,X'S
A WEIRD LIFE1 B X'S / M9E4
  ,X'S / M9E4















                                     #IB
























                *APT] #I             #IC
             ,,L"O ,,W>RIOR

  ,LA/ YE> \R _W HI/ORY T1*] TOLD U H[ !
ANCI5T ,GREEKS US$ 6G 96BATTLE NAK$4
,FI<T+ ) SWORDS & %IELDS & SPE>S4 ,NAK$4
,& H[ !Y US$ 6HOLD _! A?LETIC 3TE/S NA-
K$4 ,RUNN+ & WRE/L+ & ?R[+ ! 4CUS4 ,NA-
K$4
  ,T\< GUYS4
  ,T\<] ?AN ,I AM4
  ,WALK+ WE/ T[>D ! UNIV]S;Y1 ,I MISS MY
CLO!S4 ,& N J ! W>M?1 N J 2C X'S ONLY AB
#FE &! BREEZE IS PICK+ UP4 ,I MISS !
FEEL+ ( PROTEC;N4
  ,B ,I ?9K T MAYBE ,I GET :AT ! ,GREEKS
7 UP TO4 ,2C 2+ NAK$ \TSIDE1 \ "H ON !
BATTLEFIELD1 X'S L ,I'VE N"E BE5 ? *>G$
UP1 ? AL]T1 ? R1DY = ANY?+4 ,"!'S NO *.E
,I'M GO+ 6MAKE A MISTAKE1 2C ,I'VE GOT
NO >MOR4 ,"!'S ONLY ? ?9 LAY] ( NAK$ SK9
HOLD+ MY LIFE 9SIDE X1 S AM ,I GO+ 6LET
A SWORD OR A SPE> OR "S KID ON A SKATE-
BO>D TAKE ME \8 ,NO WAY4
  ,& IF ,I H 6RUN A M>A?ON OR JUMP ONTO
A BRICK WALL 6GET \ (! WAY ( "S      #ID
GIRL 9 SP&EX ON A M.TA9 BIKE1 :Y %D ,I
C>RY A S+LE \NCE ( EXTRA WEI<T8
  ,^? ,GREEK G5]ALS W]5'T /UPID4 ,WANT
YR W>RIORS & RUNN]S 6BE FA/8 ,WANT 'EM
6FI<T L CRAZY & 2 EXTRA C>E;L & -PLETELY
AWAKE ALL ! "T8 ,ALL Y H 6D IS TAKE AWAY
_! CLO!S4
  ,Y1H1 S ,I'M ?9K+ DEEP ?"\S4 ,B MO/LY
,I'M HAV+ FUN4 ,2C AF ?REE "DS ( BUILD+
A PRISON >.D MY H1D1 ,I'M \ ON ! T[N4
,I'M A FREE MAN4 ,ME & ,JOHN ,WAYNE1
WE'RE M5 ( AC;N4
  ,9 R1L LIFE1 NO "O LOOKS AT ANY"O ELSE
V L;G4 ,I C ALW TELL IF "S"O IS LOOK+ AT
ME4 ,MO/ P C1 ,I ?9K4 ,2C :5 "S"O DOES
LOOK AT Y1 & Y NOTICE X1 Y LOOK BACK AT
!M1 & !Y LOOK AWAY1 "R8 ,ESPECI,Y /RANG-
]S4 ,I CD N"E 2 ON "O ( ^? R1L;Y ,,TV
%[S ": A CAM]A KEEPS />+ & />+1 WAT*+
"EY?+ ,I D4
  ,B TD ,I C />E AT P Z L;G Z ,I WANT
TO4 ,BO2Y1 ! ,HUMAN ,HI45 ,CAM]A4 ,UP
CLOSE & P]SONAL4
  ,L ? GUY :O'S WALK+ ! SAME DIREC;N ,I
AM4 ,HE'S AB EI<TE51 & HE'S GOT ON   #IE
BA7Y BLUE J1NS &A SN[BO>D SW1T] &A B1N-
IE1 & ,I'M WAT*+ HM4 ,:5 "S O!R KIDS -E
T[>D U1 HE GETS ? LOOK ON 8 FACE1 V
COOL1 V 96HIS [N H1D4 ,HE SW+S 8 %\LD]S1
& HE BOBS 8 *9 UP & D[N4 ,:5 ! KIDS >E
PA/ U1 ! DUDEWALK /OPS1 SWIT*$ (F4 ,!N !
KID SCRAT*ES 8 H1D1 PICKS 8 NOSE1 WIPES
! BOOG] ONTO 8 J1NS1 & TAKES A KICK AT A
PIGEON ON ! SIDEWALK4 ,2C NO "O IS LOOK-
+4 ,EXCEPT A L"O ,GREEK W>RIOR4
  ,I FEEL L ,I'M HURRY+1 & !N ,I "K :Y4
,9 ! BACK ( MY M9D ,I'VE "KN S9CE ! SEC-
OND ,I LEFT MY H\SE4 ,X'S 2C ,I'M AT
,FIFTY-N9? & ,K5WOOD1 &! "TR 9 MY H1D
TELLS ME T CLASSES AT ! LAB S*OOL >E J
AB OV] =! "D &1 IF ,I HURRY1 ,I C G /& \
FRONT & SEE :AT'S HAPP5+4
  ,TURNS \ X'S A FAIRLY DANG]\S IDEA1 2C
,I'M 9 FRONT (! 5TR.E AT 4MISSAL1 & "!'S
NO PLACE 6KEEP \ (! WAY4 ,F\R DOORS >E
DRA9+ /RAI<T AT ME ) AB ?REE HUNDR$ KIDS
/R1M+ D[N ! /EPS & ACR ! LAWNS1 H1D$ =!
C>S & BUSES & SIDEWALKS T TAKE !M HOME4
,?REE "DS AGO ,I 0 "R 9 ! MI4LE (! H]D4
,X'S H>D 5 6KEEP F GETT+ TRAMPL$     #IF
:5 "EY"O C ACTU,Y SEE Y1 S ,I SCRAM# 6"O
SIDE & USE A BIKE RACK Z A SAFETY Z"O4
,I L1N BACKW>D1 B ONLY =A SECOND4 ,!
METAL B>S FEEL L ICICLES AG/ ! BACKS (
MY ?I<S4
  ,I SPOT ,K5NY ,TEMPLE1 & ,I SMILE 2C
,I "K HE'S SAY+ "S?+ FUNNY4 ,HE'S ALW
FUNNY4 ,HE'S TALK+ ) ,JAY ,B5D]1 & !Y'RE
LAU<+ & %OV+ EA* O!R4 ,K5NY'S GOT 8
BACKPACK OV] "O %\LD] & 8 JACKET'S OP51
FLAPP+4 ,HE'S GOT 8 SAX CASE 9 8 "R H&1
& T BIG R$ BOOK 9 8 LEFT H&4 ,X'S !
FIFTIE?-ANNIV]S>Y EDI;N ( ..,! ,"L (!
.,R+S4 ,K5NY HASN'T LET X \ ( 8 SI<T
S9CE HE GOT X = 8 BIR?"D ?REE WEEKS AGO4
,! BE/ "P IS T ! BOOK -ES )A FULL SET (
MAPS4
  ,!N ,K5NY'S ONTO 8 BUS1 &! KIDS KEEP
-+4 ,A GANG ( SOPHOMORE GIRLS1 ! POPUL>
"OS4 ,MAYA1 ,LESLIE1 ,C>OL1 ,JESSICA1 &
?REE OR F\R O!RS ^: "NS ,I'VE N"E LE>N$4
,2C :AT WD 2 ! PO9T ( T8 ,I "K ,JESSICA
F MY HONORS BIOLOGY CLASS4 ,B %E DOESN'T
"K ME4
  ,! GIRLS GLIDE D[N ! FRONT /EPS    #IG
L A UNIT1 L AIRPLANES 9 =M,N4 ,JESSICA'S
! W+ L1D]1 TOSS+ H] H1D1 LIPS CURL$ 9 A
SMILE4 ,! O!RS TAKE _! CUES F H]4 ,JES-
SICA'S TALK+1 &! SQUADRON IS LI/5+4
,!Y'RE LI/5+ L ,JESSICA IS TELL+ !M !
SECRETS (! UNIV]SE1 ^? FUNNY1 CL"E1 PRE-
CI\S SECRETS1 ! SECRETS T MAKE !M ! *OS5
"OS4 ,& ,I'M N ! ONLY GUY--OR GIRL--
LOOK+ AT !M4 ,& !Y "K X4
  ,B ,I TURN AWAY4 ,2C ,I AM A ,GREEK
W>RIOR1 & !Y >E 2N MY NOTICE4
  ,MY EYES >E PULL$ BACK 6! /EPS4 ,"R 2H
! GIRLS -E ! SO3] GODS4 ,9 ,TEXAS X 0 !
FOOTBALL4 ,AT ! LAB S*OOL X'S ! SO3]4
,S1SON'S BE5 OV] = MON?S1 B N ! SWA7]+4
,T LA/S ALL YE>4 ,I CD EASILY /EP \ &
TRIP ,JO% ,ACK]LY1 SEE HM /UM# & SPRAWL
D[N ! /EPS4 ,B :Y %D A GRT W>RIOR /OOP
6EV5 NOTICE S* A PA!TIC CR1TURE8 ,2SS1
WAT*+ ,JO% FALL MI<T MAKE ME LAU< \ L\D1
& ,I H TAK5 A V[ ( SIL;E4
  ,! TRA6IC ?9S1 &A FEW T1*]S MILL >.D !
DOORS4 ,DR4 ,LANE4 ,MRS4 ,B]G4 ,MR4
,KAPLAN4 ,& !N ! BUSES PULL AWAY1 &! FL[
TRICKLES D[N 6A FEW /RA7L]S4         #IH
  ,%['S OV]4 ,S*OOL'S \4
  ,I'VE BE5 /&+ / TOO L;G4 ,N[ ! W>RIOR
IS COLD4 ,I'M TEMPT$ 6G 9SIDE & W>M UP1
B ,I "K ,I WDN'T FEEL -=TA# 9 "!4 ,/1 X
WD 2 FUN 6F9D ,MR4 ,/OJIS1 MAYBE D A LL
FLOAT+ TRUMPET ACT = HM D[N 9 ! B& ROOM1
SEE IF HE WANTS 6"W X 96! PROGRAM =!
SPR+ JAZZ 3C]T4
  ,B ,MR4 ,/OJIS W H 6WAIT4 ,I H O!R ?+S
6D4 ,L KEEP MY FEET F FREEZ+ \ "H ON !
BATTLEFIELD4 ,IF ,I G A FEW M BLOCKS1 ,I
C RELAX 9 A PLACE ": ,I ALW FEEL AT
HOME1 A PLACE ) NO GRAY L9OLEUM ON !
FLOOR1 A PLACE T WON'T SMELL L CAFET]IA
FOOD4
  ,S ,I D\#-"T X T[>D ! BIG UNIV]S;Y LI-
BR>Y4 ,I NE$ 6WALK ON W>M C>PET =A :ILE4
,IF ! ANCI5T ,GREEKS _H LIV$ NEXT 6,LAKE
,MI*IGAN 9/1D (! ,M$IT]RAN1N ,SEA1 MAYBE
!Y'D H RECONSID]$ ! NAK$;S ?+4
  ,WALT'S AT ! *ECK-IN DESK AG1 B HE HAS
NO AU?OR;Y OV] ME TD4 ,W>RIORS DON'T ASK
P]MIS.N4 ,I M>* PA/ 8 GU>D PO/1 HI45 2H
MY %IELD4
  ,W>M?4 ,H1T IS A GD ?+4 ,COLD      #II
MAKES X IMPOSSI# 6RELAX4 ,COLD PLUS NAK$
IS EV5 WORSE4 ,B ?1 ? IS NICE4 ,COZY &
B"R4 ,& CL1N1 S(T C>PETS4 ,NO BROK5
GLASS 6/EP >.D1 NO DOG POOP1 NO HALF-
MELT$ SLU%4
  ,I BUR/ 96! /AIRWELL1 & ,I FEEL L ,I'M
FLY+1 RUNN+ UP ! /AIRS TWO AT A "T4 ,X'S
L ? BODY ,I C'T SEE WEI<S NO?+4 ,& ,I "K
": ,I'M GO+4 ,6! ?IRD FLOOR4 ,! P]FECT
PLACE1 A LL =TRESS ": A SOLDI] C GET "S
;,R & ;,R4 ,I'M H1D$ = "O ( ^? S.DPRO(
LI/5+ ROOMS4 ,I %D 2 A# 6SMU7LE A GD
;,,CD 96"O ( ^? ROOMS "SH[4 ,H[ T\< CD X
BE8 ,A ;,,CD ISN'T T BIG1 "R8 ,MAYBE
HIDE "O "U MY >M8 ,!N ,I C BLOCK ! DOOR
& SETTLE 96A BIG S(T *AIR & LI/5 6,MILES
,DAVIS :ILE MY FEET ?AW \4 ,"! >E F\R
ROOMS4 ,ALL ,I NE$ IS "O4
  ,"!'S A /UDY GR\P 9 ! F/ LI/5+ ROOM1
FIVE S]I\S P1 GRIM4 ,I'M ?9K+ !Y'RE 9
LAW S*OOL1 MAYBE PRE-M$4 ,9 ! SECOND
ROOM A GUY HOLD+ AN OR*E/RA BATON IS
FAC+ ! WALL OPPOSITE ! DOOR4 ,HE'S ON 8
FEET1 SWAY+ )! MUSIC1 3DUCT+ ) ALL 8
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