,,= ,,MIKE'S ,,SAKE

            ,,JANET ,,DAILEY

     ,PUBLI%$ 0;E-R1DS1 ,NEW ,YORK
    ,COPY"R ^C #AIGI 0,JANET ,DAILEY
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
  ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #J-GEIB-CHAA-A


      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,NANCY ,S*LOSS]1 ,3NIE ,WOODS1
           & ,RUSSELL ,MILL]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #B ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #A-ABF

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJH
       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$     ;II
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C COPY"R SYMBOL
@& AMP]S&




















               ,9TRODUC;N           ;III

  ,9TRODUC+ ,JANET ,DAILEY'S ,,AM]ICANA4
,E NOVEL 9 ? COLLEC;N IS YR PASSPORT 6A
ROMANTIC T\R (! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES "? "T-
HONOR$ FAVORITES ,AM]ICA'S ,F/ ,LADY (
ROM.E FIC;N4 ,EA* (! FIFTY NOVELS IS SET
9 A DI6]5T /ATE1 RESE>*$ 0,JANET & H]
HUSB&1 ,BILL4 ,=! ,DAILEYS X 0 AN ODYS-
SEY ( 4COV]Y4 ,= Y1 X'S ! J\RNEY (A
LIFE"T4














                ,PREFACE             ;IV

  ,:5 ,I F/ />T$ WRIT+ BACK 9 ! ,SEV5-
TIES1 MY HUSB& ,BILL & ,I 7 RETIR$ &
TRAVEL+ ALL OV] ! ,/ATES ) \R HOME--A
#CD;FT TRAVEL TRAIL]--IN T[4 ,T'S :5
,BILL CAME UP )! GRT IDEA ( MY WRIT+ A
ROM.E NOVEL SET 9 EA* "O ( \R FIFTY
/ATES4 ,X 0 AN IDEA ,I ULTIMATELY A3OM-
PLI%$ 2F SWIT*+ 6MA9/R1M FIC;N & HITT+
ALL ! 9T]N,NAL BE/SELL] LI/S4
  ,Z WE 7 PREP>+ 6REISSUE ^! E>LY TI-
TLES1 ,I 9ITI,Y PLANN$ 6UPDATE !M ALL--
MOD]NIZE !M1 S 6SP1K1 & BR+ !M 96! NEW
HI<-TE* AGE4 ,!N ,I R1LIZ$ ,I CDN'T D T
SU3ESS;LLY ANY M ?AN ,I CD TAKE A DRESS
F ! ,SEV5TIES & REDESIGN X 96"O T WD
LOOK Z IF X 7 MADE YE/]"D4 ,T'S :5 ,I
SAW T ! TRUE *>M ( ^! NOVELS IS _! LOOK
BACK ON ANO!R "T & ANO!R AGE4 ,OV] !
YE>S1 !Y H 2COME HI/ORICAL NOVELS1 H["E
REC5T ! HI/ORY4 ,:5 Y R1D !M YRF1 ,I "K
Y W FEEL ! SAME4
  ,S1 5JOY1 & HAPPY R1D+ 6ALL6

          ,,= ,,MIKE'S ,,SAKE         #A

                   #A

  ,! -PACT 3V]TI# ZIPP$ D[N ! /REET1
TREES L1F$ \ 96FULL FOLIAGE 6%ADE !
LAWNS ON EI SIDE4
  ,! C>'S TOP 0 D[N1 W9D RU6L+ ! SC>LET
GOLD HAIR (! DRIV]1 DRESS$ 9 SNUG FITT+
,LEVI'S &A BLUE MADRAS BL\SE )! SLEEVES
ROLL$ UP 6! ELB[S4
  ,EXP]TLY %IFT+ D[N 6MAKE A RUNN+ /OP
AT AN 9T]SEC;N1 ,MA7IE ,RA6]TY SAW NO
TRA6IC APPROA*+ & LET ! LL C> D>T ACR4
,AH1D 0 ! BALL P>K & ,MA7IE SL[$ ! C> TO
TURN 96! SMALL GRAVEL$ LOT NE> ! /&4
  ,/OPP$1 %E LIFT$ ! SMOKE GRAY SUN-
GLASSES F H] NOSE & P]*$ !M ON H] H1D4
,H] GRE5 EYES SCANN$ ! CLU/] ( "Y BOYS Z
%E PRESS$ A H& ON ! HORN4
  ,9/ANTLY "O SEP>AT$ HMF F ! O!RS & RAN
T[>D H]1 A BASEBALL GLOVE 9 8 H&4
  ,HE PAUS$ ONCE 6WAVE AT ! GR\P1 BACK-
P$AL+ T[>D ! C>4
  8,SEE YA ,FRI"D1 GUYS60 ,:5 HE HOPP$
96! PASS5G] S1T HE 0 FA9TLY BR1?.S1   #B
8 D>K EYES GLITT]+ ) EXCITE;T4 8,HI60
  8,HI1 YRF40 ,MA7IE SMIL$1 T9Y DIMPLES
APPE>+ 9 H] *EEKS4 8,SORRY ,I'M LATE4 ,I
HOPE Y DIDN'T H 6WAIT TOO L;G40
  8,T'S OKAY40 ,HE %RU7$ AWAY ! APOLOGY1
ABS5TLY PUN*+ A FI/ 96HIS GLOVE4 8,I'M
GETT+ US$ 6Y ALW 2+ LATE10 HE SD )! PA-
TI5T 9DULG;E ( AN ADULT4
  8,?ANKS A LOT1 ,MIKE40 ,%E LAU<$ &
R1*$ OV] 6TUG ! BILL ( 8 BASEBALL CAP L[
ON 8 =EH1D4
  ,PUNCTUAL;Y _H N"E BE5 "O ( H] VIR-
TUES1 B %E DIDN'T NE$ A T5-YE>-OLD SON
REM9D+ H] ( X4
  8,HEY1 -E ON60
  ,MIKE PROTE/$ ! AC;N1 REMOV+ 8 CAP &
PUTT+ X BACK ON AT ! CORRECT ANGLE4 ,XS
MO;T>Y REMOVAL REV1L$ COAL BLACK HAIR1 A
%ADE D>K] ?AN 8 EYES4
  ,MA7IE'S GAZE SKIMM$ 8 PROFILE1 LI<T+
ON ! SPR9KL+ ( FRECKLES ACR ! BRIDGE ( 8
NOSE4 ,!Y 7 ! ONLY ?+ HE MI<T H 9H]IT$ F
H]4 8,I TOLD Y N 6D T40
  8,SORRY1 ,I =GOT40 ,: WASN'T TOT,Y
TRUE4 ,MIKE 2LIEV$ HMF 6BE TOO OLD    #C
= HU7+ & KISS+4 ,X EMB>RASS$ HM4
  ,MA7IE CDN'T S"M ! URGE 6T\* HM & LOVE
HM1 S %E HID X "U ! GUISE ( T1S+ POKES &
GE/URES4
  8,>E WE GO+ HOME OR N80 HE PROMPT$4
  8,YES1 "R N[40
  ,Z %E TURN$ T[>D ! DOOR 6LOOK OV] H]
%\LD] = TRA6IC 2F REV]S+ 96! /REET1
,MA7IE'S GAZE 0 CAU<T 0! MAN /&+ ON !
DRIV]'S SIDE (A /,N WAGON P>K$ 2S H]4
  ,TALL1 9 8 ?IRTIES1 ) LI<T BR[N HAIR &
HAZEL EYES1 HE 0 V GD-LOOK+1 Z SUNTANN$
Z A LIFEGU>D4
  ,! LOOK 9 8 EYES 0 DECID$LY ADMIR+ 9 8
9SPEC;N ( H]4 ,8 M\? QUIRK$ 96A SMILE1
A3OMPANI$ 0A SLI<T NOD ( 8 H1D 9 SIL5T
GREET+4
  ,MA7IE RETURN$ ! SMILE &! NOD )\T HES-
IT,N4 ,"O ( ,MIKE'S T1MMATES RAC$ >.D !
/,N WAGON 6CLIMB 9 ! PASS5G] S1T1 &
,MA7IE BR1!D \ A SI< ( REGRET4 ,:Y 7 !
GD-LOOK+ "OS ALW M>RI$ )A LL WIFE WAIT+
AT HOME8
  ,%E FLIPP$ ! SUNGLASSES D[N ON H] NOSE
& REV]S$ 96! EMPTY /REET4             #D
  8,H[ 0 YR F/ PRACTICE80 ,! ,LL ,L1GUE
BASEBALL S1SON 0 J 2G9N+4 ,MA7IE DIDN'T
WANT 6?9K AB ! HECTIC SUMM] S*$ULE T WD
2 AH1D4
  8,GRT4 ,! COA* SAYS ,I'M GO+ 6MAKE A
GD UTIL;Y MAN1 'CAUSE ,I C PLAY ANY PO-
SI;N ON ! FIELD ''' EXCEPT PIT*]1 (
C\RSE4 ,MAYBE ,I %D PRACTICE PIT*+40
  ,HE 3SID]$ ! IDEA4
  8,9/1D ( 2+ GD AT E POSI;N1 Y %D 3C5-
TRATE ON "O OR TWO & 2COME ! BE/ AT ^?40
  8,I GUESS10 ,MIKE 3C$$4 8,I'VE GOTTA
IMPROVE ON MY HITT+4 ,I DIDN'T D TOO
WELL TD40
  8,X'S ONLY YR F/ PRACTICE10 ,MA7IE RE-
M9D$ HM4
  8,Y1H1 ,I "K4 ,COA* SD HE'D GIVE ME A
FEW PO9T]S AB SWIT*-HITT+ & ALL IF ,I'D
-E E>LI] ?AN ! O!R GUYS = PRACTICE4 ,D Y
SUPPOSE Y CD MANAGE 6BR+ ME E>LY80
  8,Y WDN'T H BE5 LATE TD IF ,A>ON _HN'T
CALL$ F ! (FICE J Z WE 7 L1V+40 ,MA7IE
CORRECTLY 9T]PRET$ ! "Q Z A SLUR ON H]
"*4
  8,Y1H1 B Y ALW L1VE "EY?+ 6! LA/    #E
M9UTE4 ,!N :5 "S?+ -ES UP1 WE'RE ALW
LATE40
  8,WE'LL GET AN E>LI] />T NEXT "T10 %E
PROMIS$4
  ,"! 0 A FLA% ( BLUE AT ! 5D (A SIDE
/REET1 ! %IMM] ( SUNLI<T (F ! SMOO? SUR-
FACE ( WAT]4
  ,9 ,S1TTLE "! ALW SEEM$ 6BE A FLA% (
BLUE >.D ! CORN] :E!R F A LAKE OR AN IN-
LET OR ,PUGET ,S.D XF4
  8,Y DON'T H 6TAKE ME4 ,I CD ALW WALK40
  8,WE'VE BE5 "? T 2F1 ,MIKE40 ,H] M\? 0
SET 9 A FIRM L9E1 IRRIT,N SP>K+ "? H] T
HE %D BR+ UP ! SUBJECT :5 %E _H MADE H]
FEEL+S S PLA9 ON X 2F4 8,X'S TOO F> = Y
6WALK40
  8,X WDN'T 2 TOO F> IF ,I _H A BIKE1 A
T5-SPE$4 ,I SAW "O !--0
  8,YR BIR?"D IS -+ UP40
  ,MIKE GROAN$4
  8,SUMM] W ALM 2 OV] 0!N60
  8,IF Y'D TAK5 BETT] C>E ( YR OLD BIKE1
Y WDN'T 2 )\T "O N[40
  8,I ONLY =GOT 6LOCK X T "O "T4 ,H[ 0
,I SUPPOS$ 6"K "S"O 0 GO+ 6-E AL;G    #F
& /1L X80
  8,I HOPE X TAU<T Y A LESSON & Y'LL 2 M
C>E;L ) YR NEXT BIKE40
  8,IF Y'RE GO+ 6GET ME A BIKE = MY
BIR?"D1 D ,I H 6WAIT CLE> TILL !N8
,CDN'T ,I H X E>LY80
  8,WE'LL SEE40
  8,MAYBE IF ,I WROTE DAD1 HE'D BUY ME
"O N[10 HE MUTT]$1 N 3T5T ) H] HALF
PROMISE4
  ,MA7IE GAVE HM AN ANGRY SIDEL;G LOOK4
  8,Y J RU9$ YR *.ES ( GETT+ A BIKE 2F
YR BIR?"D4 ,I'VE TOLD Y REP1T$LY T Y
>5'T GO+ 6PLAY ME & YR "F (F AG/ EA* O?-
]4 ,IF Y P]SUADE HM 6BUY Y A BIKE 2F YR
BIR?"D1 ,I'LL LOCK X UP UNTIL YR BIR?"D4
,D Y "U/&80
  8,YES1 MA'AM10 ,MIKE GRUM#D1 HANG+ 8
H1D1 8 M\? ?9N+ 96A SULK+ P\T4
  ,3C1L+ A SI<1 ,MA7IE LET H] GRE5 EYES
LOOK BACK 6! ROAD4 ,GOD1 H[ %E HAT$
PLAY+ ! H1VY-H&$ P>5T6
  ,B %E _H LL *OICE1 RE,Y4 ,MIKE 0 ONLY
2HAV+ Z ANY * ( DIVORC$ P>5TS WD4 ,IF %E
LET HM GET AWAY ) 8 EMO;NAL BLACK-    #G
MAIL1 HE'D 2 WALK+ ALL OV] H]4 ,& .NO-
BODY WALK$ OV] H]1 C]TA9LY N H] [N SON4
  8,X ISN'T S BAD1 IS X80 %E ASK$1 TRY+
6EASE ! FRIC;N 2T !M4 8,6H ME TAKE Y TO
PRACTICE80
  8,NO1 X ISN'T S BAD10 HE AGRE$ GLUMLY4
  8,F N[ ON1 ,I'LL MAKE SURE Y'RE "!
E>LY S ! COA* C GIVE Y "S TIPS ON HITT+1
OKAY80
  8,OKAY40
  ,Z %E GL.ED AT HM1 ,MIKE GAVE H] A
SIDEWAYS LOOK "? ?ICK BLACK LA%ES4 ,A
SU451 IMPI% LI<T GLITT]$ 9 8 D>K EYES4
8,I "K :Y Y'RE GO+ 6GET ME "! E>LY4 ,X'S
! COA*1 ISN'T X80
  ,"O ?+ AB ,MIKE1 HE N"E HELD A GRUDGE1
A TRAIT T 0 TOT,Y 8 [N4
  ,MA7IE SMIL$4 8,! COA*80 ,%E DIDN'T
FOLL[ 8 -;T4
  8,Y1H1 ! COA*40 ,"! 0 A "K+ GR9 ON 8
FACE4 8,I SAW ! WAY HE LOOK$ AT Y40
  8,! WAY HE LOOK$ AT ME80 ,%E LAU<$ 9
2WILD];T4 8,I DON'T "K :AT Y'RE TALK+
AB4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 SEE ,COA* ,&]SON AT !
BALL P>K40                            #H
  8,HE ISN'T \R COA* ? YE>4 ,WE'VE GOT A
NEW "O1 ,TOM ,D>BY40
  8,OH10 SD ,MA7IE 9 "U/&+ & REP1T$ !
S.D 9 R1LIZ,N4 8,OH1 YR NEW COA* 0 ! "O
0! /,N WAGON1 ! TALL1 GD-LOOK+ MAN40
  8,Y1H1 D Y WANT ME 69TRODUCE Y80
  ,8 D>K EYES 7 TW9KL+ ) AN AW>E;S 2Y 8
YE>S1 B !N *N SEEM$ 6GR[ UP QK] N[A"DS4
  ,MA7IE HID A SMILE AT 8 MAT*MAK+ AT-
TEMPT1 B "! 7 TELLTALE DIMPLES 9 H]
*EEKS DESPITE ! /RAI<T L9E ( H] M\?4
  8,! COA*'S WIFE J MI<T OBJECT 6T1
,MIKE40
  8,HE ISN'T M>RI$40 ,8 GR9 DEEP5$4
  8,! BOY :O GOT 96! /,N WAGON ) HM '''0
  8''' 0 ,RONNIE ,S*NEID]4 ,COA* 0 GIV+
HM A RIDE HOME4 ,Y DON'T ?9K ,I'D TRY TO
L9E Y UP )A GUY :O'S M>RI$ & HAS KIDS (
8 [N D Y1 MOM80
  8,Y C J =GET AB L9+ ME UP ) HM4 ,IF
"!'S ANY L9+ UP 6D1 ,I'LL TAKE C>E ( X40
,Z !Y TURN$ A CORN] ! W9D BLEW H] HAIR
ACR H] *EEK1 FLAME SILK AG/ H] IVORY
-PLEXION4 ,MA7IE PU%$ ! TANGL+ /R&S
BACK4                                 #I
  8,F ! LOOK HE GAVE Y1 X WON'T TAKE M*
L9+ UP10 ,MIKE DCLD ) DECID$ C]TA9TY4
8,HE'D L 6MAKE X ) Y--,I CD TELL40
  ,8 C&OR BR"\ A BUB# ( 9DIGNANT REPRO(1
B ,MA7IE SWALL[$ BACK MO/ ( X1 REL1S+ A
TAME REPRIM&4
  8,Y SEE M ?AN Y %D40
  8,X'S A FACT ( LIFE1 MOM4 ,A FELL] C'T
IGNORE X40 ,HE %RU7$1 "K+ HE 0 2+ \TRA-
GE\S & 5JOY+ ! FEEL+4
  8,X'S N MY FAULT ,I H A B1UTI;L "M & T
HALF ! GUYS ?9K Y'RE MY OLD] SI/]40
  8,D Y M9D80
  ,%E SLID HM A CURI\S GL.E Z %E TURN$ !
C> 96! DRIVEWAY ( _! HOME4
  8,NAH1 ,I J TELL "EYBODY T Y _H A
FACE-LIFT & Y'RE RE,Y A LOT OLD]40
  8,MIKE60
  ,%E DIDN'T "K :E!R 6BE ANGRY OR LAU<1
& 9 ! 3FU.N 2CAME CAPA# ( NEI4
  ,HE LAU<$ HE>TILY1 F9D+ H] A/ONI%;T
RIOT\SLY FUNNY4
  8,I DON'T TELL !M T1 MOM1 H"O/4 ,B Y
%D H SE5 ! LOOK ON YR FACE60
  ,MA7IE /OPP$ ! C> 9 FRONT (! GA-   #AJ
RAGE DOOR4 8,WAIT UNTIL Y SEE ! LOOK ON
YR FACE IF ,I "E F9D \ T Y H60
  ,B ! ?R1T WASN'T MADE 9 E>NE/4
  8,S]I\SLY1 MOM--0 HE OP5$ ! DOOR &
HESITAT$ 2F /EPP+ \ (! SMALL C> 8--,I
DON'T M9D T Y LOOK "Y & B1UTI;L4 ,& ,I
WDN'T M9D A BIT IF ! COA* 0 YR BOYFR40
  8,OH1 Y WDN'T80
  ,MA7IE SWIT*$ (F ! 5G9E & REMOV$ ! KEY
F ! IGNI;N4 8,D Y ?9K X MI<T HELP Y TO
SCORE A FEW PO9TS )! COA*80
  8,X CDN'T HURT4 ,X WD 2 PRETTY H>D =
HM 6B5* ! SON (! GIRL HE'S DAT+1 WDN'T
X80
  8,IF Y DES]VE B5*+1 ! "M MI<T SU7E/ X
6! COA*10
  8,OH1 WELL10 HE SI<$ Z HE CLIMB$ \ (!
C>1 8Y C'T BLAME A GUY = TRY+ 6COV] ALL
! ANGLES IF HE C40
  ,)A %AKE ( H] H1D1 ,MA7IE /EPP$ ONTO !
3CRETE DRIVEWAY4 ,MIKE TOOK ! %ORT FLI<T
( /EPS 6! FRONT DOOR TWO AT A "T & WAIT$
IMPATI5TLY AT ! TOP :ILE ,MA7IE RUMMAG$
"? H] CLO? PURSE =! H\SE KEY4
  8,:AT'S = LUN*8 ,I'M />V$60        #AA
  8,HOMEMADE NOODLES40 ,%E H&$ HM ! KEY
6UNLOCK ! DOOR & R1*$ =! LRS 9 ! MAIL-
BOX4
  8,C WE EAT N[80
  ,HE 0 9 ! H\SE1 TOSS+ 8 BASEBALL GLOVE
ON ! S(A :ILE HE H1D$ =! KIT*54
  8,! GLOVE 2L;GS 9 YR ROOM & WE'LL EAT
9 TW5TY M9UTES1 AF Y'VE WA%$ & ,I'VE
FIX$ A SALAD40
  8,Y'RE TRY+ 6TURN ME 96A RA2IT4 ,SAL-
AD60 ,MIKE DCLD4
  8,! GLOVE & WA%10 ,MA7IE REM9D$ HM1
CAT*+ HM 2F HE R1*$ ! KIT*5 & TURN+ HM
BACK 6! LIV+ ROOM4 8,& Y L SALAD1 S ,I
DON'T "K :Y Y'RE -PLA9+ AB X N[40
  8,I DON'T L X = E M1L40
  ,Z ,MIKE RETRAC$ 8 PA? 6! LIV+ ROOM1
,MA7IE _H 6ADMIT H] M5US _H BE5 LACK+ 9
IMAG9,N LATELY4
  ,%E SUPPOS$ X 0 A PRO#M ALL "W+ "MS
FAC$4 ,COOK+ = ONLY TWO P WASN'T EASY1
EI4
  ,/1 ,MIKE'S CRITICISM 0 JU/IFI$ & %E
%D D "S?+ AB *ANG+ X 9 :AT 0 LEFT ( H]
TWO WEEKS' VAC,N4                    #AB
  ,MA7IE SET ! MAIL ON ! C.T] & 2GAN
RUMMAG+ "? ! KIT*5 CUPBO>DS4 ,"! WD 2 "T
5 6LOOK OV] ! BILLS LAT]4 ,"R N[1 %E _H
A HUNGRY BOY 6FE$4
  ,BOY4 ,DIMPLES 7 C>V$ BRIEFLY 9 H]
*EEKS AT ! ^W4 ,AF T OBS]V,N AB 8 COA*1
,MIKE 0 FA/ \TGR[+ ! T]M ( .BOY4
  ,& MAT*MAK+ YET4 ,/1 X 0 BETT] T HE _H
NO OBJEC;NS 6H] DAT+4 ,X WD H BE5 UNBE>-
A# IF HE 7 J1L\S & RES5T;L ( H] SEE+ O!R
M54
  ,B ,MIKE _H ONLY BE5 FIVE YE>S OLD :5
,MA7IE _H F9,Y OBTA9$ H] DIVORCE1 S 8
EMO;NAL SC>S 7 FEW4
  ,MIKE EVID5TLY LIK$ 8 NEW COA*4 ,TOM
,D>BY--,MA7IE REMEMB]$ ! "N4
  ,HE 0 GD-LOOK+1 9 A JOCK SORT ( WAY1 &
%E WD H BE5 LESS ?AN H"O/ IF %E DIDN'T
ADMIT T %E _H BE5 ATTRACT$ 6HM4 ,HE EVI-
D5TLY LIK$ *N1 O!RWISE HE WDN'T 2 COA*+
A BOYS' ,LL ,L1GUE T1M4
  ,MO/ (! ELIGI# M5 %E _H MET LATELY _H
EI BE5 TOO "Y OR TOO OLD1 B ? ,TOM ,D>BY
0 ''' ,MA7IE TOOK A FIRM GRIP ON H]
IMAG9,N4 ,! MAN _HN'T EV5 ASK$ H]    #AC
\ YET--IF HE "E WD--& "H %E 0 ASSESS+ 8
POSSIBILITIES6
  ,MIKE BUR/ 96! KIT*54
  8,MY GLOVE'S 9 MY ROOM & MY H&S >E
WA%$4 ,C WE EAT N[80
  ,MA7IE MADE A BRIEF 9SPEC;N ( HM &
NO4$4 8,SET ! TA# :ILE ,I SEE :AT ,I C
FIX 9 PLACE (A SALAD40
  8,C'T WE J =GET ! SALAD8 ,I PROMISE
,I'LL EAT TWO HELP+S ( GRE5 VEGETA#S AT
D9N] TN 9/1D4 ,I'M />V$6 ,I RE,Y "W$ UP
AN APPETITE AT ! BALL FIELD40
  ,%E SMIL$ CROOK$LY & GAVE IN4
  8,ALL "R1 SET ! TA# & ,I'LL DI% UP !
BEEF & NOODLES40 ,LAT] :5 ,MIKE HELP$
HMF 6ANO!R POR;N ( NOODLES1 ,MA7IE C>RI$
H] EMPTY PLATE 6! S9K1 PICK$ UP ! MAIL F
! C.T] & RETURN$ 6! TA#4
  ,%E SIFT$ "? ! HALF-DOZ5 5VELOPES1 A
MIXTURE ( ADV]TISE;TS & BILL+ /ATE;TS1
UNTIL %E CAME 6! LA/4
  ,EV5 2F %E SAW ! ,ALASKAN PO/M>K1 %E
RECOGNIZ$ ! BOLDLY LEGI# H&WRIT+4 ,H]
HE>T MISS$ A B1T1 !N RESUM$ XS NORMAL
PACE4                                #AD
  8,Y H A LR F YR "F1 ,MIKE40
  ,H] ?UMB COV]$ ! RETURN A4RESS &! "N
,WADE ,RA6]TY Z ,MA7IE H&$ ! 5VELOPE 6H]
SON4
  8,GRT60 ,HE AB&ON$ 8 PLATE 6TE> OP5 !
FLAP )! EAG];S (A * OP5+ A PRES5T4 ,MAG-
GIE SIPP$ AT H] GLASS ( MILK1 TRY+ 6IG-
NORE H] PANGS ( J1L\SY4
  ,MIKE R1D ! F/ P>AGRAPH & EXCLAIM$1
8,OH1 BOY6 ,HE'S -+ HOME60
  ,H] HE>T MISS$ ANO!R B1T4 8,:Y IS HE
-+ 6,S1TTLE80 ,%E REFUS$ 6USE ! ^W HOME4
  8,6SEE U1 ( C\RSE40 ,MIKE 3T9U$ 6R1D !
3T5TS (! LR4
  ..,N U4 ,HE'S -+ 6SEE Y1 B N .U1 ,MAG-
GIE CORRECT$ HM SIL5TLY4
  ,WADE _H NO M 9T]E/ 9 SEE+ H] ?AN %E
_H 9 SEE+ HM4
  8,DOES YR "F SAY :5 HE'S -+80
  ,X _H BE5 SIX YE>S S9CE %E _H SE5 HM
LA/1 %ORTLY AF _! DIVORCE1 2F HE'D LEFT
= ,ALASKA1 A TRANSF] ,WADE _H REQUE/$ F
8 -PANY4 ,( C\RSE ,MIKE _H SE5 HM REGU-
L>LY1 FLY+ 6,ALASKA 9 ! SUMM]S & DUR+
,*RI/MAS HOLI"DS4                    #AE
  ,! F/ "T ,MIKE _H G"O1 X _H BE5 AW;L1
) ,MA7IE WORRY+ AB HM E SECOND4 ,B X _H
BE5 EV5 WORSE :5 HE CAME BACK1 E O!R S5-
T;E 3TA9+ 8DA4Y40 ,EV5 TD1 %E / EXP]I;ED
MO;TS ( J1L\SY1 AL? N"O Z 9T5SE Z T F/
"T4
  ,6SAY H] FIVE-YE> M>RIAGE & YE>'S SEP-
>,N F ,WADE _H BE5 /ORMY 0 AN "U/ATE;T4
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  ,!Y _H BE5 TOO M* (A MAT* = EA* O!R1
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,YET1 S9CE _! DIVORCE !Y _H MANAG$ 6BE
CIVIL 6EA* O!R = ,MIKE'S SAKE1 ALBEIT AT
L;G 4T.E4
  8,HE'S -+ HOME ,SUN"D ! '''0 ,MIKE
GL.ED UP AT ! CAL5D> HANG+ ON ! KIT*5
WALL1 NOTES SCRIB#D ON V>I\S DATES4
8,W[6 ,HE'S -+ HOME .? ,SUN"D60
  ,HE PO9T$ AT A SEC;N (! LR4 8,HE SAYS
"R "H1 ,8,I'LL SEE Y ON ,SUN"D4 ,I'LL
CALL Y F/ ?+ 9 ! MORN+40' ,? ,SUN"D4
,W[60 ,MIKE REP1T$ ) 9CR$UL;Y & DELI<T4
  8,DOES HE SAY :Y8 ,I M1N1 DIDN'T   #AF
Y WRITE HM 9 YR LA/ LR & TELL HM H[ M* Y
7 LOOK+ =W>D 6-+ 6,ALASKA ? SUMM]80
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  ,X 0 S M* BETT] :5 "! 7 HUNDR$S (
MILES SEP>AT+ H] F ,WADE4 8,SURELY YR "F
"KS H[ M* Y WANT$ 6-E S :Y WD HE 4APPO9T
Y ? WAY80
  8,I'M N 4APPO9T$4 ,I'D M* R H HM -E
"H4 ,DAD "KS T1 'CAUSE ,I KEEP ASK+ HM
6-E HOME4 ,MOM1 D Y SUPPOSE HE CD--0
  8,HE IS N /AY+ "H60 ,%E R1D ! RE/ (!
"Q 9 ,MIKE'S EXPRES.N & IMMLY REJECT$ !
IDEA4
  8,& ,I'M SURE YR "F WDN'T WANT TO1
ANYWAY40
  8,X 0 J A ?"\40 ,MIKE %RU7$ & TRI$ TO
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  ,"! 0 SU45 P]CEP;N 9 H] GRE5 EYES Z
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  8,MIKE10 %E 2GAN HESITANTLY1 8,I HOPE
Y >5'T HOLD+ \ ANY HOPES T YR "F & ,I W
GET BACK TGR AG4 ,WE BO? TRI$ V H>D TO
MAKE \R M>RIAGE "W1 B WE SIMPLY CDN'T
GET AL;G40
  8,Y1H1 ,I "K40 ,HE NEI ADMITT$     #AG
NOR D5I$ T HE _H BE5 HOP+4 8,I REMEMB] !
WAY Y US$ 6YELL AT EA* O!R4 ,T'S AB ALL
,I C REMEMB]40
  8,I'M SORRY1 ,MIKE40
  ,HE FOLD$ ! LR BACK UP & 9S]T$ X 96XS
5VELOPE4
  8,I HATE FI<T+10 HE DCLD ) UNEXPECT$
VEHEM;E4
  ,MA7IE'S H1D LIFT$ A FRAC;N Z %E R1L-
IZ$ T ,MIKE'S UNWILL+;S 6>GUE OR REMA9
ANGRY = L;G 0 A RESULT (! %\T+ MAT*ES HE
_H OV]HE>D4 ,%E & ,WADE _H 9FLICT$ A FEW
SC>S ON HM4
  8,>GU;TS C 2 GD1 ,MIKE4 ,!Y C CLE> !
AIR1 BR+ ?+S \ 9 ! OP5 & /RAI<T5 \ MIS-
"U/&+S4 ,X'S NORMAL = TWO P 6>GUE4 ,9 !
CASE ( ME & YR "F1 WE 7 SIMPLY N"E A# TO
RESOLVE \R DI6];ES4 ,WE W]5'T A# 6R1* A
MUTUAL "U/&+4 ,"S"TS X HAPP5S T WAY40
,%E TRI$ 6EXPLA91 B X 0 DI6ICULT4
  8,W]5'T Y "E HAPPY ) HM80
  8,( C\RSE4 ,9 ! V 2G9N+10 ,MA7IE AD-
MITT$4 8,YR "F SWEPT ME (F MY FEET 9 !
TRUE ROMANTIC FA%ION4 ,HE 0 V MA/];L4 ,X
WASN'T UNTIL AF WE 7 M>RI$ T ,I      #AH
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"F CDN'T REG>D ME Z AN EQUAL40
  ,MIKE IMPATI5TLY PU%$ 8 *AIR AWAY F !
TA#4 8,:Y D Y ALW H 6REF] 6HM Z ,8YR
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MUTT]$4
  8,X'S A HABIT1 ,I SUPPOSE4 ,"S?+ T'S
C>RI$ OV] F ! "DS :5 Y 7 "Y]40 ,T WASN'T
EXACTLY ! TRU?4 ,X 0 / DI6ICULT = H] TO
SAY ,WADE'S "N4 ,6SAY 8YR "F0 CAME EASI-
]2 ,MA7IE CDN'T EXPLA9 :Y4
  8,WELL1 HE'S -+ ,SUN"D ANYWAY1 & ,I'M
GLAD40 ,MIKE ROSE F 8 *AIR1 IGNOR+ !
FOOD ON 8 PLATE4 8,I ?9K ,I'LL G SEE IF
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  ,AG ,MA7IE TOOK NOTE (! WAY HE _H
AVOID$ AN >GU;T ) H]4
  ,X 0 8 TURN 6D ! DI%ES1 B %E DIDN'T
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  ,%E'D D !M ? "T4

  ,AT ! NEXT PRACTICE SES.N ,MA7IE KEPT
H] ^W & >RIV$ AT ! BALL P>K E>LY S ,MIKE
CD GET ! EXTRA COA*+ ON 8 HITT+ GAME4
,"O ( 8 "Y T1MMATES 0 ALR "!1 SIT-   #AI
T+ 9 ! BL1*]S & TOSS+ A BALL 9 ! AIR4
  8,"!'S ,RONNIE60
  ,MIKE BOPP$ F ! C> 2F ,MA7IE CD %IFT !
GE> 96P>K4 ,CLOS+ ! C> DOOR1 HE PAUS$ A
SECOND 6ASK1 8,C Y /AY =A :ILE 6WAT* ME
PRACTICE80
  ,! /,N WAGON ,TOM ,D>BY _H BE5 DRIV+ !
LA/ "T 0 NO": 6BE SE54 ,MA7IE HESITAT$1
!N AGRE$4
  8,I'LL /AY1 AT L1/ UNTIL YR COA* GETS
"H40
  ,MA7IE /AY$ MO/LY 2C %E DIDN'T L !
IDEA ( L1V+ ,MIKE AL"O--AN OV]LY PROTEC-
TIVE ATTITUDE1 B %E ADMITT$ 6T4
  ,"! 0 AL ! MOTIV,N1 ?\<1 ( WANT+ 6SEE
,TOM ,D>BY AG4 ,F/ IMPRES.NS CD 2 MIS-
L1D+4 ,P]H ON SECOND MEET+ ,MA7IE WD F9D
HM LESS ATTRACTIVE4
  8,GRT60 ,MIKE RESPOND$ 6H] DECI.N &
RAC$ (F 6GREET 8 T1MMATE4
  ,MA7IE FOLL[$ AT A M SEDATE PACE4
  ,0! "T %E R1*$ ! TALL WIRE F;E PRO-
TECT+ SPECTATORS F ! BATT+ >EA (! DIA-
MOND1 ,MIKE _H P]SUAD$ ! SECOND BOY 6JO9
HM ON ! FIELD4 ,MA7IE L1N$ A %\LD]   #BJ
AG/ A SUPPORT+ PO/ & WAT*$ !M TOSS+ !
BALL BACK & =?4
  ,A C> DOOR SLAMM$ & %E GL.ED OV] H]
%\LD] AT ! S.D4 ,AN IRIDESC5T %IMM] B"R-
5$ H] EYES Z CASUAL1 EF=T.S /RIDES C>RI$
,MIKE'S COA* T[>D H]4
  ,HE 0 GD-LOOK+1 ALM TOO GD-LOOK+1 %E
DECID$1 LETT+ H] ATT5;N %IFT BACK 6!
BOYS ON ! PLAY+ FIELD4
  8,GD MORN+40 ,8 VOICE 0 PL1SANTLY L[ Z
HE /OPP$ 2S H]4
  ,)! GREET+1 ,MA7IE LET H] GAZE SW]VE
6HM4 ,! HAZEL EYES REG>D+ H] S ADMIR+LY
_H DEF9ITE GOLD FLECKS4 ,ON CLOS] 9SPEC-
;N1 H] 9ITIAL OP9ION DIDN'T *ANGE4
  8,GD MORN+10 %E REPLI$ NATUR,Y4 8,X'S
A B1UTI;L "D1 ISN'T X80
  ,HE NO4$ AGREE;T & A4$1 8,! K9D ( "D
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  ,MA7IE DIDN'T >GUE T ! P]FEC;N ( _!
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SMILE WID5 & REM>K$1 9 "Q =M1 8,Y >5'T F
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  8,NO1 N ORIG9,Y1 ,I'M A NATIVE S\!RN
,CALI=NIAN40                         #BA
  ,X FITT$4 ,) T DEEP GOLD5 TAN1 HE
LOOK$ Z IF HE _H WALK$ /RAI<T1 (F ! B1*4
8,B ,I'M 2G9N+ 65JOY ! *ANGE ( SC5]Y40
  ,! LAZILY EXPLICIT WAY HE 0 EYE+ H]
PLA9LY 9DICAT$ T HE WASN'T REF]R+ 6! L&-
SCAPE ( M.TA9S & SEA4 ,NO WOMAN ) AN
\NCE ( FEM99;Y CD 2 IMMUNE 6T LOOK4
  ,C]TA9LY ,MA7IE WASN'T4 ,IF %E _H POS-
SESS$ ANY D\BT T %E 0 A /RIK+LY ATTRAC-
TIVE WOMAN1 X NO L;G] EXI/$4
  8,X'S A NICE PLACE 6LIVE40 ,H] NONCOM-
MITTAL REPLY DIDN'T REV1L T %E _H 9T]-
PRET$ A SECOND M1N+ 6HIS REM>K4
  ,H] GAZE %IFT$ BACK 6! BASEBALL DIA-
MOND &! TWO BOYS4 ,Z YET1 NEI _H NOTIC$
! >RIVAL ( _! COA*4
  ,& ,TOM ,D>BY 0 9 NO HURRY 6MAKE !M
AW>E ( 8 PRES;E4 ,T FACT PRODUC$ A W>M
GL[ ( SATISFAC;N 9 ,MA7IE4
  8,>E Y /AY+ 6WAT* ! PRACTICE80 ,! WAY
,TOM ASK$ ! "Q SEEM$ 6IMPLY T HE WD L X
IF %E DID4
  8,I'M AFRAID ,I C'T40 ,A RUE;L SMILE
TU7$ AT "O CORN] ( H] M\?4 8,I H A BUN*
( ]R&S 6D ? MORN+4 ,I PROMIS$        #BB
,MIKE ,I'D ONLY /AY =A FEW M9UTES40
  ,MA7IE DIDN'T TELL HM T %E _H AGRE$ TO
WAIT ONLY UNTIL HE CAME4
  ,%E DIDN'T WANT HM 6?9K HE _H BE5 !
SOLE R1SON OR EV5 ! MA9 R1SON %E _H
WAIT$1 2C X WASN'T S4
  ,AT ! SAME "T %E DIDN'T WANT 6TOT,Y
REBUFF ! 9T]E/ HE 0 %[+ 9 H]4
  ,? "T ,TOM 0 ! "O 6GL.E AT ! TWO BOYS
PLAY+ CAT*4 8,YR LL BRO!R IS A V GD BALL
PLAY]40
  8,HE ISN'T MY BRO!R10 ,MA7IE CORRECT$
HM )A LAU<+ GL1M 9 H] GRE5 EYES4
  8,MIKE IS MY SON40
  ,/>TL$ HAZEL EYES FLICK$ A SURPRIS$
LOOK BACK 6H]4 8,I BEG YR P>DON1 ,MRS4
,RA6]TY4 ,Y M/ H BE5 A * BRIDE40
  8,NO1 ,I WASN'T4 ,&! "N IS ,MA7IE40
  8,TOM ,D>BY10 HE 9TRODUC$ HMF1 8 GAZE
SLID+ 6H] R+.S LEFT H&4
  ,MA7IE SAW ! "Q =M+ 9 8 EXPRES.N & 0
AB 69=M HM ( H] UNATTA*$ /ATUS :5 A %\T
( RECOGNI;N F ,MIKE ELIM9AT$ ! *.E4
  ,BO? BOYS CAME RAC+ 6! WIRE F;E4
  8,Y SD IF WE CAME E>LY1 COA*1      #BC
Y'D GIVE U "S TIPS ON SWIT*-HITT+10
,MIKE REM9D$ HM ON A BR1?.S NOTE1 ALL
EAG];S & 5?USIASM4
  8,S ,I DID10 ,TOM SMIL$ 9DULG5TLY4
  8,! BATS >E 9 ! BACK ( MY WAGON4 ,:Y
DON'T Y TWO G GET !M80
  ,Z !Y />T$ 6DA% (F 6D 8 BI4+1 HE CALL$
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  ,! OPPORTUN;Y = PRIVATE 3V]S,N 0 G"O4
  ,B ,MA7IE WASN'T 3C]N$4 ,"! WD 2 O!RS4
  8,I'D BETT] 2 GO+10 %E TOLD "EY"O 9
G5]AL1 B ,TOM 9 "PICUL>1 Z %E />T$ = H]
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SON4 8,I'LL PICK Y UP AF PRACTICE40
  8,OKAY40
  ,HE ABS5TLY WAV$ A GDBYE4

  ,"! WASN'T ANO!R *.E T WEEK =! P]SONAL
4CUS.N ! BOYS _H 9T]RUPT$4 ,T "D ,MA7IE
0 LATE GETT+ BACK 6! BALL P>K 6PICK UP
,MIKE1 & ,TOM ,D>BY _H ALR LEFT4 ,AT
,MIKE'S NEXT PRACTICE ,MA7IE BR"\ HM E>-
LY B CDN'T /AY1 & AG PICK$ HM UP LATE4
  ,X CDN'T 2 HELP$4                  #BD
  ,"! 0 S M* %E WANT$ D"O 2F ,WADE RE-
TURN$ ? ,SUN"D4 ,! BI7E/ TASK 0 SPR+-
CL1N+ ! H\SE F TOP 6BOTTOM4 ,%E 9T5D$ X
6BE SPOT.S :5 HE CAME4
  ,PLUS1 "! 0 %OPP+ 6BE D"O = NEW KIT*5
& D9+-ROOM CURTA9S4 ,A NEW \TFIT 9 A %OP
W9D[ CAU<T H] EYE & ,MA7IE B"\ X1 Z
WELL4 ,AMID ALL ! PREP>,N1 %E SQUEEZ$ 9
A VISIT 6! B1UTY SALON4
  ,%E 0 P]FECTLY AW>E T %E 0 DO+ ALL ?
2C ( ,WADE4
  ,X 0 DELIB]ATE1 IF A TRIFLE V9DICTIVE4
,%E WANT$ HM 6SEE H[ V WELL %E MANAG$ ON
H] [N4 ,%E 0 DO+ X ALL 6IMPRESS HM &
WASN'T A%AM$ 6ADMIT X 6H]F4









                   #B                #BE

  8,HEY1 ,MOM1 >E Y GO+ 6SLEEP ALL MORN-
+8 ,I'M HUNGRY60
  ,MA7IE OP5$ "O EYE 6SEE ,MIKE /&+ 9 !
DOORWAY ( H] B$ROOM4
  ,%E GROAN$ & PULL$ ! COV]S OV] H] H1D1
TRY+ 6%UT \ H] SON &! "DLI<T /R1M+ "? !
W9D[4
  8,GET YRF "S C]1L10 %E MUM#D4 8,Y'RE
OLD 5 6GET YR [N BR1KFA/40
  8,X'S ,SUN"D10 HE PROTE/$4
  ,MA7IE GROAN$ AG4 ,X _H 2COME A ,SUN"D
MORN+ RITUAL T BR1KFA/ 0 A SPECIAL M1L4
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ON ? "D4 ,NO1 X 0 PANCAKES ) BLUEB]RY
SYRUP & BACON1 EAT5 AT LEISURE ) NEI (
!M RU%+ (F ANY":1 N 6S*OOL NOR "W4
  8,-E ON1 MOM1 GET UP10 ,MIKE 9SI/$ :5
%E FAIL$ 6%[ ANY SIGNS ( RIS+4 8,DAD'S
GO+ 6BE CALL+ ANY"T N[40
  ,T OP5$ H] EYES Z ! FULL SIGNIFIC.E (!
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6SIT ON ! $GE (! B$4
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EXPECT$ H] 6SLIDE BACK "U ! COV]S ANY
M9UTE4
  8,ALL "R1 ,I'M UP4 ,G & PUT ON "S C(-
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8,I'LL 2 "R "!40
  ,MIKE HESITAT$1 !N TROTT$ (F4
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SLIPP]S & PA4$ 6! CLO!S CLOSET4 ,IGNOR+
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QUILT$ "O F ! HOOK4
  8,OLD ,FAI?;L0 _H SE5 BETT] "DS4
  ,A S1M 0 RIPP$ \ "U AN >M4 ,TWO BUT-
TONS 7 (F ON ! BOTTOM4
  ,B X 0 Z -=TA# Z A PAIR ( OLD %OES1
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  ,%E T\*$ AN 9SPECT+ H& 6H] HAIR 6BE
C]TA9 ALL ! CLIPS & HAIR ROLL]S 7 9
PLACE4
  ,SETT+ H] HAIR _H BE5 A PRECAU;N 6KEEP
! ATTRACTIVE /YLE %E _H GOT AT ! B1UTY
P>LOR ! PREVI\S MORN+4
  ,"S"TS ! ?ICK;S ( H] R$ GOLD HAIR RE-
FUS$ 6KEEP ! 4CIPL9E (A /YLE AF 2+ SLEPT
ON & ,MA7IE _HN'T WANT$ 6TAKE A      #BG
*.E ? "T4
  ,Z M* TOSS+ & TURN+ Z %E _H D"O LA/
NI<T TRY+ 6GET 6SLEEP1 X _H PROBABLY BE5
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HAIR LOOK$ "R ? MORN+4
  ,%E _HN'T BE5 A# 6=GET T ,WADE 0 -+4
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:AT H] MANN] WD BE4
  ,%E CDN'T MAKE UP H] M9D :E!R %E WD 2
COOL & POLITE OR 9DI6]5TLY FRLY4 ,H[1
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0 -+4
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  ,:ILE X SIZZL$ 9 ! PAN1 %E MIX$ UP !
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8 "F1 B MADE NO -;T4
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  ,HALF A PANCAKE 0 DR[N+ 9 BLUEB]RY
SYRUP1 SL[LY 49TEGRAT+ "U 8 PU%+ =K4
  8,"!'S M BACON40 ,MA7IE (F]$ HM !
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  8,:Y HASN'T HE CALL$ YET8 ,HE SD 9 8
LR HE'D CALL ,SUN"D MORN+40
  8,X'S A LL E>LY40 ,! WALL CLOCK 9DI-
CAT$ A FEW M9UTES AF EI<T O'C4 8,MAYBE
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  8,B HE "KS ,I'LL 2 WAIT+ = HM 6CALL40
  8,HE AL SD HE'D 2 >RIV+ LATE LA/ NI<T4
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,MA7IE SU7E/$4
  8,HM8 ,DAD N"E SLEEPS LATE40
  ,MIKE 4MISS$ T SU7ES;N Z UNWOR?Y ( ANY
3SID],N4
  ,MA7IE _H 6ADMIT T ,MIKE 0 PROB-   #BI
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H1D4 ,WADE _H ALW BE5 PUNCTUAL1 IF N E>-
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LATE4
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  8,Y'D BETT] EAT T PANCAKE 2F X TURNS
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  ,%E TURN$ H] M9D F ! L;G-AGO PRO#MS T
_H BE5 RESOLV$ 0A DIVORCE4
  8,I'M N HUNGRY ANYMORE40 ,MIKE PU%$ 8
PLATE BACK4
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WILL+ X 6R+4
  8,Y'VE HE>D ! OLD SAY+1 HAV5'T Y1
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?9K YR TELEPH"O IS TURN+ 96A WAT*$ POT T
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! PH"O R+ \TSIDE & X WON'T TAKE Y A M9-
UTE40
  8,OKAY10 HE AGRE$1 B RELUCTANT-    #CJ
LY4
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PUT X 9 ! REFRIG]ATOR4
  ,! DOOR CLOS$ 2H ,MIKE4
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REFRIG]ATOR4
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! REFRIG]ATOR &! CAB9ET4
  8,DAMN60 ,MA7IE MUTT]$ 2N H] BR1?1 &
/OOP$ D[N4
  ,%E CD SEE ! LID 9 ! %AD[Y AP]TURE4
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  ,H] F+]TIPS T\*$ ! $GE4 ,%E WI7L$ H]
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9N] RIM4
  ,SL[LY & C>E;LLY %E PULL$ H] >M1 H]
H&1 &! LID \4
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  ,MA7IE 0 ON H] H&S & KNEES1 TWI/+ H]
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,I W5T \TSIDE40 ,MIKE GL.ED UPW>D AT !
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8,I ?"\ Y 7 GO+ 6CALL F/40
  8,I WAS10 ! FAMILI>1 DEEP-PIT*$ VOICE
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  ,! ROOM SPUN CRAZILY =A MO;T4 ,%E 0
P>ALYZ$1 UNA# 6MOVE4
  ,"! 0 A FAMILI> L1P ( H] PULSE Z %E
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  ,WADE LOOK$ A*+LY ! SAME Z :5 %E _H F/
SE5 HM4
  ,T %A7Y BLACK MANE ( HAIR1 ^? VIRILE1
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  ,A CR1M SILK %IRT 0 OP5$ AT ! ?ROAT1
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& %\LD]S4
  ,! L;G SLEEVES 7 ROLL$ UP ALM 6!
ELB[S1 A LOOK 9DOL5TLY CASUAL &      #CB
RELAX$4
  ,A :OLE ASSORT;T ( 4TURB+ MEMORIES
CAME RU%+ BACK4
  ,H] FLE% REMEMB]$ ! EVOCATIVE C>ESS (
^? L>GE H&S4 ,! W>M TA/E ( 8 M\? 0 RE-
CALL$ 0H] LIPS &! MALE SC5T ( 8 BODY 0
/R;G 9 H] MEMORY4
  ,H] E>S CD HE> ! HUSKY LOVE ^WS ,WADE
US$ 6MURMUR 6H]4
  ,! LOOK ( HM NE$$ NO RECALL+4 ,HE 0
"!1 /&+ 9 H] KIT*51 8 D>K EYES GL9T+ )
SIL5T MOCK]Y4
  ,"! 7 DIRTY DI%ES ON ! TA#4 ,COOK+
SMELLS 7 /R;G 9 ! AIR1 ! ROOM SMELL+ (
BACON1 ?ANKS 6! SKILLET ON ! /OVE &!
GR1SE SPLATT]$ OV] ! 5AMEL$ RANGE TOP4
  ,! PLACE 0 A MESS4
  ,S 0 %E1 ,MA7IE R1LIZ$4 ,"! 7 CURL]S &
HAIR CLIPS 9 H] HAIR4 ,%E WORE NO MAKE-
UP1 &! FAD$ & TATT]$ ROBE DID NO?+ 6IM-
PROVE H] APPE>.E4 ,%E M/ SEEM ! C>ICA-
TURE (A H\SEWIFE 9 ! MORN+4
  ,? WASN'T H[ %E _H PLANN$ X4
  ,! H\SE 0 6BE SPOT.S1 H] APPE>.E
IMMACULATE4 ,H] NEW \TFIT1 ! TWO     #CC
PRECI\S H\RS AT ! B1UTY P>LOR1 ALL TO
PROVE H[ B1UTI;L %E / WAS1 _H ALL G"O =
NAU<T4
  ,BITT] FRU/R,N SP>K$ H] HI<LY -BU/I#
TEMP]4
  8,DAMN Y1 ,WADE ,RA6]TY60 ,MA7IE PU%$
H]F 6H] FEET1 /EPP+ ON ! HEM ( H] ROBE &
NE>LY TRIPP+4
  ,%E ?REW ! ORANGE JUICE LID T %E _H
/RU7L$ S H>D 6R1* ONTO ! FLOOR 9 A FIT (
PIQUE4
  8,Y DID ? ON PURPOSE4 ,Y DELIB]ATELY
CAME "H )\T CALL+ J 6MAKE ME LOOK '''
,ONLY Y CD 2 T RUDE & 9CONSID]ATE6 ,GET
\ ( MY H\SE60
  ,%E 0 S ANGRY T %E 0 ALM *OK+ ON H]
TE>S4
  ,DUR+ ! C\RSE ( H] TIRADE1 ! GLITT]+
LI<T ( MOCK]Y LEFT ,WADE'S EYES4
  ,!Y 2CAME AN OM9\S1 BROOD+ BLACK1 N>-
R[+ 96PI]C+ SLITS4 ,8 M\? _H H>D5$ 96A
?9 L9E1 BR++ A =BI4+ QUAL;Y 6HIS H>%LY
MASCUL9E F1TURES4
  ,8 H& _H REMA9$ ON ! BACK ( ,MIKE'S
NECK 9 A GE/URE ( A6EC;N1 B ,WADE1   #CD
& ,MA7IE1 7 9DI6]5T 6! PRES;E ( _! SON4
  ,UNTIL HE CALL$ ATT5;N 6HMF4
  8,H[ CD Y D X1 MOM80
  ,8 WAV]+ VOICE & /RICK5 LOOK QU5*$
,MA7IE'S FI]Y TEMP]4
  ,! DAMAGE 0 ALR D"O4 ,H] ANGRY \TBUR/
_H SPOIL$ ,MIKE'S REUNION ) 8 "F & "!
WASN'T ANY?+ %E CD SAY 6MAKE X "R4 ,H]
F+]S CURL$ 96! PALMS ( H] H&S Z %E /RIV$
6OBTA9 "S M1SURE ( DIGN;Y4
  8,I WD APPRECIATE X IF Y WD H ,MI*AEL
BACK HOME 0T5 ? EV5+40
  ,)\T ALL[+ ,WADE AN OPPORTUN;Y 6RE-
SPOND 6H] COOL /ATE;T1 ,MA7IE WALK$ F !
KIT*51 H] H1D HELD HI<4
  ,H] *EEKS BURN$ )! K (! F>CICAL PIC-
TURE %E MADE1 ACT+ L A LADY (! H\SE &
LOOK+ L A HAG4
  ,! F/ ?+ %E DID1 ^U R1*+ H] B$ROOM1 0
TAKE (F H] OLD1 -=TA# ROBE & JAM X 96!
SMALL WA/EBASKET 9 H] ROOM4 ,!N %E 2GAN
TU7+ ! CURL]S & SILV] CLIPS F H] HAIR &
FL++ !M ON H] DRESS]4
  ,%E DIDN'T /OP UNTIL ! DOOR SLAMM$1
9DICAT+ ,WADE & ,MIKE _H LEFT4       #CE
  ,!N %E SLUMP$ ONTO H] B$1 BURY+ H]
FACE 9 H] H&S4
  ,"! 0 BITT] 4APPO9T;T & FRU/R,N 9 H]
M\?4
  ,YE/]"D %E _H BE5 POSITIVE ,WADE NO
L;G] _H ! P[] 69CITE H] 6ANG]4 ,YET1 )9
FIVE SECONDS AF SEE+ HM %E _H BE5 SCR1M+
AT HM L A %REW4
  ,:Y1 OH1 :Y DID HE ALW MANAGE 6SU3E$ 9
MAK+ H] LOSE H] TEMP]8 ,& 9 FRONT (
,MIKE1 TOO4 ,MA7IE GROAN$ 9 DESPAIR4
  ,"! 0 ONLY "O LESSON 6BE LE>N$ F ! IN-
CID5T4 ,?+S 7 J Z VOLATILE 2T !M Z !Y
ALW _H BE54 ,F N[ ON %E WD H 6BE ON H]
GU>D4
  ,9 ! M1N"T1 %E / _H ! TASK ( FAC+
,MIKE :5 HE RETURN$ TN4







                                     #CF
























                   #C                #CG

  ,T EV5+ ,MA7IE SAT ) =C$ QUIET;S 9 A
LIV+-ROOM *AIR4
  ,! H\SE 0 ONCE AG SPOT.SLY CL1N4 ,N A
S+LE DIRTY DI% 0 9 ! S9K1 NOR AN A% 9 !
A%TRAYS4 ,H] MAKEUP 0 ON & "! 0 H>DLY A
HAIR \ ( PLACE ON H] H1D4
  ,%E 0 WE>+ ! ELEGANT J]SEY PANTSUIT 9
LAV5D] T %E _H PUR*AS$ =! O3A.N4 ,EXCEPT
=! TI<TLY CLASP$ H&S 9 H] LAP1 %E APPE>$
CALM & -PLETELY 3TROLL$4
  ,A C> PULL$ 96! DRIVEWAY & %E UNCON-
SCI\SLY HELD H] BR1?4 ,%E HE>D A C> DOOR
SLAM %UT1 B ONLY "O DOOR4
  ,Z ! KIT*5 DOOR OP5$1 ! C> REV]S$ \ (!
DRIVEWAY4 ,MA7IE SL[LY 2GAN BR1?+ AG4
  8,HELLO1 ,MIKE40 ,H] GREET+ 0 DET]M9$-
LY B"R Z %E ROSE 6MEET HM4
  ,%E GL.ED PO9T$LY 2H HM4 8,DIDN'T YR
"F -E 9 ) Y80
  8,NO4 ,AF ! WAY Y YELL$ AT HM ? MORN+1
DID Y RE,Y ?9K HE WD80 ,HE DIDN'T Q MEET
H] EYES1 B "! 0 NO MALICE 9 8 T"O1 ONLY
! HURT ( 4APPO9T;T4
  8,NO1 ,I GUESS ,I DIDN'T10 ,MAG-   #CH
GIE ADMITT$4 8,I BAK$ A CAKE ? AFN--*OC-
OLATE ) *OCOLATE FRO/+4 ,WD Y L A
PIECE80
  8,NO1 ?ANKS40 ,MIKE W&]$ 96! ROOM &
SLUMP$ 96! TW9 (! *AIR ,MA7IE _H BE5
SITT+ IN4 8,I'M N HUNGRY40
  8,DID Y & YO--,WADE H A GD "T TGR TD8
,": DID Y G80
  ,%E L;G$ 6ASK IF ,WADE _H MADE ANY
REF];E 6H] WASPI% \TBUR/1 B %E D\BT$ T
HE _H4 ,HE _H ALW POSSESS$ M* M 3TROL
OV] HMF ?AN %E _H4
  8,Y1H1 WE _H FUN40 ,8 %RUG EXPRESS$
49T]E/ 9 2+ M EXPLICIT4 8,WE W5T D[N 6!
H>BOR & TOOK A F]RY 6"O (! ISL&S40
  8,DID YR FA--DID ,WADE SAY H[ L;G HE'D
2 /AY+ 9 ,S1TTLE80
  8,NO40
  ,MIKE 0 USU,Y M TALKATIVE ?AN ? &
,MA7IE KNEW ! R1SON = 8 BRIEF RESPONSES4
,%E TOOK A DEEP BR1? & PLUNG$ 96AN APOL-
OGY4 8,I'M SORRY AB ? MORN+1 ,MIKE4 ,I
RE,Y AM40
  8,H[ CD Y D X80 ,HE S.D$ BO? PUZZL$ &
HURT4 8,DAD SAYS HELLO & Y />T       #CI
YELL+ AT HM4 ,:Y8 ,D Y HATE HM T M*80
  8,NO1 ,I DON'T HATE HM40 ,MA7IE D5I$ T
SU7ES;N & QUALIFI$ X 9 H] M9D T ! VIOL5T
SIDE ( H] EMO;N T[>D ,WADE SURFAC$ ONLY
AT "TS ( SUPREME ANG]4
  8,I DON'T "K H[ 6EXPLA9 X 6Y1 ,MIKE4
,MAYBE Y'D H 6BE A GIRL 6"U/&40 ,%E AT-
TEMPT$ A T1S+ SMILE1 B HE WASN'T PUT (F
0X4 8,X'S BE5 FIVE YE>S S9CE ,I SAW '''
,WADE40
  8,I "K1 &! M9UTE Y SEE HM Y />T %\T+40
  8,T'S 2C ,I _H CURL]S 9 MY HAIR1 NO
LIP/ICK ON1 DIRTY DI%ES ALL OV] ! TA# &
,I 0 WE>+ T HORRI# OLD ROBE4 ,I DIDN'T
WANT HM 6SEE ME L T4 ,I WANT$ 6BE ALL
DRESS$ UP ) MY HAIR FIX$ & "EY?+4
  8,I 0 EMB>RASS$ & 2C ,I 0 EMB>RASS$ ,I
2CAME ANGRY4 ,X DOESN'T EXCUSE :AT ,I
DID1 B ,I HOPE Y "U/& :Y40
  ,HE 3SID]$ ! EXPLAN,N =A M9UTE1 !N
NO4$ UNC]TA9LY4
  8,Y1H1 ,I GUESS ,I D40
  8,WADE HAS ALW _H A TAL5T = CAT*+ ME
AT MY WOR/4 ,I %D H REMEMB]$ T & BE5
PREP>$40 ,! MILK 0 SPILL$ & ,MA7IE   #DJ
REFUS$ 6CRY AB X4
  8,Y1H1 WELL1 ! NEXT "T Y SEE DAD--0
  8,I'LL TRY 6REMEMB]4 ,& ,I'LL AL APOL-
OGIZE40 ,%E'D D X = ,MIKE'S SAKE4
  8,DAD DIDN'T -E OV] DELIB]ATELY J TO
CAT* Y L T10 ,MIKE SD1 DEF5D+ 8 "F4
  8,I "K T ''' N[4 ,HE 0 ANXI\S 6SEE Y1
T'S :Y HE CAME F/ 9/1D ( CALL+4 ,HE
MISSES Y J Z M* Z Y MISS HM40 ,MA7IE
DIDN'T H ANY D\BT AB T4
  8,: REM9DS ME1 :AT >E Y TWO PLANN+ =
TM80
  8,DAD'S BUSY ALL "D TM4 ,HE SD "! 7 "S
?+S HE _H 6D40
  8,OH40 ,MA7IE FR[N$4 8,I ?"\ Y'D 2
SP5D+ ! "D ) HM1 OR AT L1/ "P ( X40
  8,I'M N4 ,:Y80
  8,A>ON CALL$ ? AFN & ASK$ ME 6"W TM40
  8,B Y'RE ON VAC,N10 ,MIKE PROTE/$4
  8,I "K1 B ,PATTY'S SPRA9$ H] ANKLE &
C'T -E IN4 ,S9CE X'S ONLY = ,MON"D1 ,I
TOLD ,A>ON ,I CD4 ,I ?"\ Y'D 2 ) ,WADE40
  ,%E DID "S QK ?9K+4 8,I'LL CALL ,D5-
NY'S "M40 ,%ELLEY ,BIXBY LIV$ NEXT DOOR
& KEPT AN EYE ON ,MIKE :ILE ,MA7IE   #DA
"W$4
  8,B :AT AB ! GAME80
  ,MA7IE />T$ =! TELEPH"O & /OPP$4 8,:AT
GAME80
  8,MY BASEBALL GAME TM AFN4 ,X />TS AT
FIVE & COA* WANTS U 6BE "! NO LAT] ?AN
F\R-?IRTY4 ,Y DON'T GET HOME UNTIL AF
FIVE4 ,IF ,I'M LATE1 ,I'LL PROBABLY H TO
SIT ON ! B5* ! :OLE "T4 ,I WON'T EV5 H A
*.E 6PLAY40
  8,DON'T />T ?9K+ ! WOR/4 ,S9CE ,I'M
SUPPOS$ 6BE ON VAC,N1 ,I'LL SIMPLY TELL
,A>ON T ,I H 6L1VE 0F\R40
  ,%E PICK$ UP ! TELEPH"O RCVR4 8,X'S A
P;Y ,D5NY ISN'T 9 ,LL ,L1GUE4 ,!N ,%EL-
LEY CD TAKE Y BO?40
  8,Y WON'T =GET 6TELL HM1 W Y1 MOM8 ,Y
WON'T 2 LATE -+ HOME80 ,MIKE REP1T$
SKEPTIC,Y4
  ,MA7IE'S F+]S HOV]$ ABV ! TELEPH"O DI-
AL4 8,I WON'T =GET1 & ,I WON'T 2 LATE40

  ,B %E V NE>LY WAS4
  ,%E DIDN'T L1VE ! (FICE UNTIL FIVE PA/
F\R ! NEXT "D4 ,A TRA6IC LI<T        #DB
FAIL$ 6FUNC;N PROP]LY & "! 0 A SN>L (
C>S AT ! MAJOR 9T]SEC;N ": %E _H 6TURN4
  ,FIVE M9UTES 2F ,MIKE _H 6BE AT ! BALL
P>K1 %E TURN$ 96! DRIVEWAY & HONK$ !
HORN4 ,MIKE 0 WAIT+ ON ! FRONT DOOR/EP &
0 HALFWAY 6! C> 2F %E _H /OPP$ X4
  ,HE 0 WE>+ 8 /RIP$ BASEBALL PLAY]'S
UNI=M1 -PLETE )! BILL$ CAP1 SOCKS &
%OES4 ,HE LOOK$ CUTE1 B HE WD H BLU%$
SC>LET IF ,MA7IE _H TOLD HM S4
  ,MIKE %OT H] AN IMPATI5T GL.E Z HE
HOPP$ 96! PASS5G] SIDE (! C>4
  8,Y'RE LATE40
  8,ONLY A C\PLE ( M9UTES10 ,MA7IE H$G$1
& PUT ! C> 9 REV]SE :5 8 DOOR 0 %UT4
  8,DAD SD ,I %D SET ALL \R CLOCKS AH1D
AN H\R & !N Y'D 2 ON "T40
  ,%E FELT A SURGE ( ANG] AT ! UNREQUE/$
SU7ES;N1 B SQUEL*$ X4
  8,I HAV5'T BE5 DO+ TOO BADLY40
  ,LUCKILY "! 0 LL TRA6IC 6SL[ H] UP4
,S"EAL O!R P>5TS 7 J >RIV+ ) _! *N :5 %E
R1*$ ! BALL P>K4
  ,"! 0 A FA9T SMUG;S 6! SMILE %E GAVE
,MIKE4                               #DC
  8,SEE8 ,Y >5'T ! LA/ "O "H40 ,%E /OPP$
! C> AT ! CURB S HE CD GET \4
  ,HE /OOD \TSIDE 0! DOOR4 8,>5'T Y GO+
6WAT* ME PLAY80
  8,Y SD ! GAME DIDN'T />T UNTIL FIVE4
,I'M GO+ HOME 6*ANGE MY CLO!S1 !N -E
BACK4 ,? \TFIT--0 ,MA7IE T\*$ ! IVORY
MAT]IAL ( H] SKIRT & XS MAT*+ TOP
8--ISN'T :AT ,I WANT 6WE> IF ,I H 6SIT 9
^? DIRTY BL1*]S40
  8,OKAY4 ,SEE Y LAT]40
  ,& ,MIKE DA%$ (F 6": 8 T1M 0 3GREGAT+4
  ,MA7IE SMIL$ WRYLY Z %E DROVE ! C>
AWAY F ! CURB4
  ,AT L1/ HE _HN'T CAU;N$ H] N 6BE LATE4
,"! 7 "TS :5 %E WOND]$ :O 0 ! P>5T & :O
0 ! *6
  ,P>K+ ! D>K GRE5 -PACT 9 ! DRIVEWAY1
%E CLIMB$ \ (! C> & DUG 96H] PURSE =!
H\SE KEY4
  ,%E UNLOCK$ ! FRONT DOOR & HELD X OP5
) H] FOOT Z %E TOOK ! MAIL \ (! BOX4
  ,ONCE 9SIDE1 %E LET ! DOOR %UT ON XS
[N & WALK$ 96! LIV+ ROOM4
  ,%E SIFT$ QKLY "? ! MAIL Z %E      #DD
W5T1 KICK+ H] %OES (F & LETT+ H] BAG
SLIDE F H] %\LD] ONTO A *AIR4
  ,HALFWAY 6H] B$ROOM1 ! DOORBELL RANG4
  ,DO+ AN AB-FACE1 ,MA7IE WALK$ BACK TO
ANSW] X4
  ,)A BRIEF GL.E AT H] WRI/WAT*1 %E OP5$
! DOOR & /OPP$ D1D4
  ,X 0 ,WADE1 & H] HE>T FLUTT]$ MADLY
AG/ H] RIBS4
  ,%E _H =GOTT5 H[ OV]P[]+ HE CD 2 AT
CLOSE QU>T]S4
  ,N 2C ( 8 HEI<T1 AL? HE 0 TALL4 ,H]
=EH1D CAME 6! PO9T ( 8 *9 & NO HI<]4
,NOR 2C ( 8 BULK1 S9CE 8 BRAWNY %\LD]S &
*E/ 7 9 PROPOR;N 6HIS FRAME4 ,8 H&S 7
L>GE & 8 F+]S L;G1 EASILY CAPA# ( SPANN+
H] WAI/4
  ,NO1 ! S5S,N 0 ALL WRAPP$ UP 9 ! %E]
=CE ( 8 PRES;E4
  ,! YE>S _H MADE FEW *ANGES1 A4+ "*
L9ES 6HIS SUN-&-SN[-BR[N$ FACE4 ,!Y
_HN'T BLUNT$ ! ANGUL> ?RU/ ( 8 JAW NOR
S(T5$ 8 SQU>E *94
  ,"! 0 A CLOS$ LOOK 6HIS ,CELTIC BLACK
EYES1 AL? ! %UTT]S CD 2 ?R[N OP5     #DE
AT ANY "T & !Y WD 2 ALIVE ) EXPRES.N4
  ,! BACKGR.D ( ,ALASKA SUIT$ ,WADE1 A
L& RAW & UNTAM$1 DEM&+ A MAN CAPA# (
-PROMIS+ )! ELE;TS4
  ,X REQUIR$ 9TELLIG;E1 KE5 9SI<T1 &A
L>GE M1SURE ( SELF-3FID;E4
  ,YET ^! 7 ! V TRAITS NE$$ 6SU3E$ 9 A
S-CALL$ CIVILIZ$ SOCIETY4 ,WADE CD SLIP
9 OR \ ( EI _W AT W4
  ,ALL ^! ?+S 7 ASSIMILAT$ )! LI<TN+
SWIFT;S (! M9D4
  ,!N ,MA7IE NOTIC$ ,WADE _H COCK$ 8 H1D
SLI<TLY 6"O SIDE4
  ,%E R1LIZ$ %E _H BE5 />+ & _HN'T SPOK5
A ^W ( GREET+4
  ,! "D'S MAIL 0 / 9 H] H&4 ,%E /OOD 9
H] /OCK+$ FEET1 H] TITIAN HAIR W9DBL[N1
H] MAKEUP FAD+4 ,AG ,WADE _H APPE>$ :5
%E 0 LESS ?AN H] BE/4
  ,%E MANAG$ 6CURB "P (! RU% ( IRRIT,N1
B "S ( X SLIPP$ "? 6MAKE H] VOICE CURT4
  8,MIKE ISN'T "H4 ,HE HAS A ,LL ,L1GUE
BALL GAME TN40
  8,>5'T Y GO+ 6WAT* HM PLAY8 ,*N L 6H
_! P>5TS "!1 *E]+ !M ON40            #DF
  ,MA7IE BRI/L$4 8,:AT IS ?8 ,>E Y TRY+
69S9UATE T ,I'M N A GD "M 6,MIKE8 ,T
,I'M "SH[ NEGLECT+ HM80
  8,I M]ELY ASK$ A "Q40 ,WADE ELEVAT$ A
D>K BR[4 8,I C'T 3TROL ! WAY YR 3SCI;E
9T]PRETS X40
  8,MY 3SCI;E80 ,MA7IE BR1!D 9 %>PLY AT
! 9F];E ( GUILT4 8,:AT AB YRS8 ,I'VE AT-
T5D$ E FUNC;N ,MIKE HAS "PICIPAT$ IN4 ,C
Y SAY ! SAME80
  8,I N"E SD T ,I CD40
  8,2F Y />T ?R[+ /"OS1 Y'D BETT] *ECK
6SEE IF YR W9D[S H %ATT]PRO( GLASS10 %E
W>N$4
  8,I WASN'T ?R[+ /"OS4 ,I ASK$ A "Q T Y
/ HAV5'T ANSW]$40
  8,Z A MATT] ( FACT1 ,I AM GO+ 6WAT* HM
PLAY4 ,I CAME HOME 6*ANGE MY CLO!S F/4
,! GAME />TS AT FIVE--0 ,MA7IE GL.ED AT
H] WAT*1 ! SECONDS TICK+ AWAY 8--S ,I
DON'T H "T 6>GUE ) Y4
  8,9/1D ( 2+ S 3C]N$ AB ME1 :Y DON'T Y
FULFILL YR DUTY Z ,MIKE'S "F & G 6!
GAME8 ,X WD 2 Q A NOVELTY 6,MIKE 6H 8 "F
"! = ONCE40                          #DG
  8,I'VE BE5 PLANN+ 6G 6! GAME "E S9CE
,MIKE M5;N$ X 6ME YE/]"D40
  8,!N :AT >E Y DO+ "H8 ,OH1 ( C\RSE1 Y
DON'T "K ": ! GAME IS 2+ PLAY$1 D Y80
,S>CASM CREPT 96H] VOICE4 ,%E /EPP$ ONTO
! ?RE%OLD 6PO9T \ ! DIREC;N1 H] >M BRU%+
8 %\LD]4
  8,Y G D[N 6? NEXT CORN] & TURN--0
  8,I "K ": ! BALL P>K IS10 ,WADE 9T]-
RUPT$4
  8,:AT'S ! PO9T ( -+ "H1 !N80 ,MA7IE
/EPP$ BACK1 ! BRIEF 3TACT JOLT+ "? H] L
! *>GE (A LI<TN+ BOLT4
  8,IF X 0 J 6MAKE SURE T ,I 0 GO+1 Y'VE
WA/$ YR "T & M9E40
  8,I WANT$ 6SP1K 6Y PRIVATELY1 AL?
PREF]ABLY N ON ! DOOR/EP40
  ,HE PO9T$LY DREW ATT5;N 6! FACT T %E
_H N 9VIT$ HM IN4
  ,A DI6]5T SORT ( T5.N RAC$ "? H] N]VE
5DS4 8,I C'T ?9K (A S+LE ?+ WE NE$ 6DIS-
CUSS1 9 PRIVATE OR O!RWISE40
  8,MIKE40
  ,WADE SUPPLI$ ! SUBJECT4
  8,MIKE80                           #DH
  ,MA7IE /I65$4 8,HE'S DO+ J F9E4 ,HE'S
H1L?Y & ACTIVE1 Z NORMAL Z ANY BOY 8
AGE4 ,UN.S--0 H] WOR/ FE>S SURFAC$ 8--Y
9T5D 6SUE = CU/ODY ( HM4 ,I'LL FI<T T1
,WADE4 ,Y WON'T TAKE MY SON AWAY F ME4
  8,"! ISN'T ANY?+ Y CD SAY T WD P]SUADE
ME DI6]5TLY40
  ,8 M\? QUIRK$ 9 A HUMOR.S SMILE4
  8,I WDN'T TRY4 ,T WD 2 L TRY+ 6TAKE A
CUB AWAY F A TIGRESS4 ,Y C %1! YR CLAWS1
,MA7IE4 ,I H NO 9T5;N ( TRY+ 6GET CU/ODY
( ,MIKE40
  ,%E 0 3FUS$1 & / W>Y4
  8,!N :Y--0
  8,X'S 9 ,MIKE'S 9T]E/ T ,I WANT 6SP1K
6Y4 ,MAY ,I -E IN80
  ,HE SMIL$ A SL[ SMILE T MELT$ MO/ ( H]
RESI/.E DESPITE H] BETT] JUDG;T4
  ,AF A MO;T'S HESIT,N %E SWUNG ! DOOR
OP5 WID] & BACK$ AWAY F ! OP5+ 6ADMIT
HM4
  ,)A BRISK;S %E 0 F> F FEEL+ %E WALK$
96! LIV+ ROOM1 PAUS+ 6PICK UP H] 4C>D$
%OES & BAG & SET ! MAIL ON ! C(FEE TA#4
  ,%E DIDN'T GL.E AT ,WADE1 AL?      #DI
ALL ( H] S5SES 7 AW>E T HE _H FOLL[$ H]
AF CLOS+ ! DOOR4
  ,A GL.E AT H] WAT* %[$ T %E 0 RUNN+ \
( "T4 8,YR 4CUS.N IS GO+ 6H 6WAIT40
,MA7IE WASN'T SORRY4
  ,%E NE$$ A FEW M9UTES AL"O 6COLLECT H]
WITS 2F 5GAG+ 9 ANY 3V]S,N ) ,WADE4 8,I
H 6*ANGE MY CLO!S4 ,X WON'T TAKE L;G4
,IF Y WANT "S?+ 6DR9K :ILE Y'RE WAIT+
"!'S BE]1 ,COKE1 & IC$ TEA 9 ! REFRIG]A-
TOR & 9/ANT C(FEE 9 ! CUPBO>D4 ,HELP
YRF40
  ,ALL ( T 0 ISSU$ OV] H] %\LD] Z %E
WALK$ ACR ! LIV+ ROOM T[>D H] B$ROOM4
,WADE'S REFUSAL DRIFT$ AF H]4
  8,NO1 ?ANKS1 ,I DON'T C>E = ANY?+40
  8,SUIT YRF40 ,%E WASN'T GO+ 6=CE ANY
REFRE%;T ON HM ''' OR S]VE HM4
  ,%E DUCK$ 96! HALLWAY1 SP>+ A MO;T (
GRATITUDE T ! LIV+ ROOM 0 9 ORD] & N
/REWN ) ,MIKE'S ?+S1 OR H]S4 ,TOSS+ H]
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SLACKS4
  ,WADE'S /ATE;T KEPT RUNN+ "? H]    #EJ
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,MIKE'S 9T]E/1 YET X _H NO?+ 6D ) CU/O-
DY4
  ,:AT CD X BE8 ,S*OOL8 ,P]H A PRIVATE
"O8 ,N A BO>D+ S*OOL--%E WD N"E AGREE TO
T4 ,IF X DIDN'T H 6D ) 8 $UC,N1 :AT DID
T L1VE8
  ,MA7IE 0 AT A LOSS 6-E UP ) AN ALT]NA-
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                   #D                #EA

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& H] PULSE ROCKET$ 9 AL>M AT ! SI<T (
,WADE L\NG+ 9 ! DOORWAY1 D>K & 9NATELY
P[];L L A PR$ATORY B1/4
  ,%E PIVOT$ BACK 6! CLOSET1 GRA2+ ! F/
SLACK HANG] H] F+]S T\*$4
  ,ANG] _H ALW BE5 H] BE/ DEF5SE AG/ 8
SUBTLE DOM9,N4
  8,I TOLD Y ,I WDN'T 2 L;G40
  8,DON'T =GET ,I 0 M>RI$ 6Y40 ,HE
/RAI<T5$ F ! DOOR JAMB & W&]$ 96! ROOM4
8,I "K H[ .L;G X C TAKE Y 6DRESS4 ,L;G
2COMES A RELATIVE T]M4 ,:5 Y SAY Y WON'T
2 L;G1 ,I ALW WOND]1 -P>$ 6:AT80
  ,8 BL&;S BORD]$ ON 9DI6];E1 YET 8
CRITICISM IRK$ ,MA7IE4 8,I N"E CLAIM$ TO
2 Z SPE$Y OR PUNCTUAL Z Y4 ,I D\BT IF
ANY"O C MEET YR /&>DS40
  ,%E GL.ED AT ! BLUE PLAID SLACKS 9 H]
H& & 2GAN SE>*+ "? ! CLOSET =A COORD9AT+
BL\SE4
  8,:AT IS ?80
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  8,Y "K V WELL :AT T IS ''' & :Y X'S
"!60
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]4 ,! COLOR 9T5SIFI$ ! GRE5 ( H] EYES1
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  ,) H] *ANGE ( CLO!S 9 H&1 ,MA7IE /ALK$
ANGRILY 6! B$4
  8,I PROMIS$ ,MIKE ,I WD APOLOGIZE 6Y =
T \TBUR/ YE/]"D1 B ,I DON'T ?9K ,I C "E
=GIVE Y = %[+ UP UNANN\NC$ L T4 ,IF Y
KNEW H[ M* TR\# ,I W5T 6TRY+ 6BE SURE !
H\SE 0 CL1N1 GO+ 6! B1UTY P>LOR1 & BUY+
A NEW \TFIT1 & Y F9D ME LOOK+ L "S?+ \ (
A -IC /RIP4 ,X WASN'T FAIR60
  8,S 9 A BUR/ ( TEMP] Y ?REW ,OLD
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A 3SID]+ /UDY4 8,X HAS SE5 "S BETT]
"DS40
  ,=A MO;T ,MA7IE 0 SIL;ED 0! FACT T
,WADE _H RECOGNIZ$ H] FAVORITE ROBE1 EV5
6! PO9T ( RECALL+ ! "N %E _H GIV5 X4 ,%E
M5T,Y %OOK AWAY ! FEEL+ ( SURPRIS$
PL1SURE4 ,S HE _H A GD MEMORY4       #EC
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  8,YES1 ,I ?REW X AWAY40
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  8,I'VE SE5 Y LOOK+ WORSE40 ,HE LET !
ROBE FALL BACK 96! WA/EBASKET4
  8,T ISN'T ANY 3SOL,N60 ,MA7IE SNAPP$4
  8,REMEMB] ! ,SUN"D WE W5T LOOK+ AT
BOATS & Y FELL (F ! DOCK 96! WAT]80
,WADE RECALL$ )A HUSKY LAU<4 8,I ?9K Y 7
WE>+ A NEW DRESS40
  8,I DIDN'T FALL60
  ,MA7IE SLIPP$ \ (! IVORY TOP & TOSS$ X
ANGRILY ON ! B$4 ,) J]KY MOVE;TS %E 2GAN
UNBUTTON+ H] BL\SE4
  8,MY HEEL HOOK$ 9 "O (! BO>DS & ,I LO/
MY BAL.E4 ,I DON'T RECALL GETT+ ANY AS-
SI/.E F Y4 ,Y J /OOD "! LAU<+60
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?+1 TOO1 OR Y'D H DR[N$ HM40 ,HE 0 /
*UCKL+1 MALICI\SLY1 ,MA7IE ?"\4 8,GOD1 Y
7 A SI<T6 ,WAT] DRIPP+ F "EY":1 YR HAIR
LOOK+ L A R$ FLOOR MOP40             #ED
  8,I DIDN'T ?9K X 0 FUNNY !N6 ,& ,I
DON'T ?9K X'S FUNNY N[60
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CU6S ( H] SLEEVES1 F9,Y FREE+ !M & %RU7+
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  8,YR S5SE ( HUMOR 0 MISS+ :5 Y WAD$
A%ORE4 ,Z ,I RECALL1 Y DID A SL[ BOIL
ALL ! WAY HOME4 ,WE _H "O :ALE ( AN >GU-
;T :5 WE DID GET BACK40
  8,& Y SLAMM$ \ (! H\SE & DIDN'T -E
BACK UNTIL AF MIDNI<T10 ,MA7IE REM9D$
HM4
  8,YES40 ,! FA9T SMILE LEFT 8 M\?4 8,\R
FI<TS ALW 5D$ "O1 ( TWO WAYS--EI ME
SLAMM+ \ (! H\SE1 OR "R "H 9 ? B$ROOM40
  8,MO/ (! "T Y 7 SLAMM+ \ (! H\SE40
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SILK ( H] SLIP4
  8,DAMN60 %E :ISP]$ 9 AN ANGRY BR1?4
  8,NO1 MO/ (! "T ! >GU;TS 5D$ 9 ! B$-
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! DI6ICULTY %E 0 HAV+ )! ZIPP]4      #EE
8,I'LL FIX X = Y4 ,! WAY Y'RE GO+ AT X1
Y'RE GO+ 6BR1K ! ZIPP]40
  ,2F ,MA7IE CD OBJECT OR AGREE1 HE 0
PU%+ H] H&S \ (! WAY4
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,! MUSKY FRAGR.E ( 8 COLOGNE WAFT$ 9 !
AIR1 ELUSIVE & H1DY4
  ,F ! CORN] ( H] EYE ,MA7IE CD SEE !
GLI/5+ BLACK;S ( 8 HAIR & EXP]I;ED A DE-
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  ,8 PHYSICAL ATTRAC;N 0 -PELL+4 ,%E 0
ON DANG]\S GR.D4
  ,%E WI%$ %E _H OBJECT$ 6HIS PRES;E 9
H] B$ROOM1 OR /E]$ ! 3V]S,N AWAY F H[ _!
>GU;TS _H (T5 5D$4 ,X >\S$ 9TIMATE MEMO-
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SLID FREELY4 ,9 PROPOR;N 6XS D[NW>D
SLIDE1 H] PULSE W5T UP4 ,"! 0 A CRAZY
W1K;S 9 H] KNEES1 MUSCLES TI<T5+ 9 ! PIT
( H] /OMA*4                          #EF
  8,"! Y >E1 ) NO DAMAGE40 ,8 H& RE/$
LI<TLY ON H] HIP1 MO;T>ILY HOLD+ ! SKIRT
UP4 ,MA7IE CDN'T MOVE1 CDN'T BR1!4 8,I
_H =GOTT5 H[ LL "! IS 6Y40
  ,9 A ?"\;LLY QUIET VOICE1 ,WADE REF]R$
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CD SPAN H] WAI/4
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  8,"! 0 ALW 5 ( ME 6SATISFY Y10 %E IN-
SI/$ )A HUSKY TREMOR1 & IMMLY WANT$ TO
BITE H] T;GUE4
  8,YES40
  ,8 H& SLID 6H] WAI/ 6TURN H] >.D1 RE-
L1S+ ! SKIRT & LETT+ X FALL >.D H] AN-
KLES4 8,"! 0 ALW M ?AN 5 ( Y 6SATISFY
ME1 WASN'T "!80
  ,BO? H&S RE/$ ON H] WAI/1 SLID+ UP 6H]
RIB CAGE4 ,! SILK ( H] SLIP ACT$ L A
SECOND SK91 ! IMPR9T ( 8 H& BURN+ "?4
  ,! SMOLD]+ LI<T 9 8 EYES /OLE ! BR1? F
H] LUNGS4
  8,& Y RCVD AN AMPLE %>E ( SATISFAC;N1
TOO10 HE A4$4                        #EG
  ,T LOOK AWAK5$ ALL ! SLEEP+ DESIRES T
_H LA9 DORMANT4
  ,Z 8 M\? DESC5D$ T[>D H]S1 ,MA7IE
TREM#D4
  ,WD 8 KISS 2 ! SAME8 ,CD X / SP>K !
BLAZ+ FLAME ( H] PAS.N8
  ,CURIOS;Y & FAMILI>;Y OV]P[]$ ANY ?"\
( PROTE/4 ,%E 0 CAU<T UP 9 ! SWEEP+ TIDE
(! PA/ :5 KISS+ ,WADE _H BE5 Z NATURAL Z
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HOT & BRILLIANT4
  ,8 GRIP ON H] TI<T5$1 ?R1T5+ 6CRACK H]
RIBS1 Z IF HE1 TOO1 EXP]I;ED ! SAME GLO-
RI\S REAC;N4 ,H] >MS GLID$ SL[LY >.D 8
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HAIR4
  ,! SWEETLY PAGAN S;G 9 H] E>S 0 ! WILD
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  ,"! _H N"E BE5 ANY LACK ( SKILL 9
,WADE'S LOVEMAK+ 2F1 B X 0 BETT]     #EH
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:AT %E _H LO/4 ,HAV+ LO/ X1 X 0 EV5 M
B1UTI;L 6F9D X AG4
  ,8 KISSES 7 L R>E W9E1 & !Y W5T 6H]
H1D4 ,%E 0 SP9N+ AWAY 96A ROSE-COLOR$
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5+ 8 FACE4
  8,OLD HABITS DIE H>D1 DON'T !Y80 HE
MUS$ )A TRACE ( CYNICISM4
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DAZ$ BRA94 ,! FRE% MEMORY ( 8 KISS WIP$
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DIVORCE4 ,%E WOND]$ IF %E _H DELIB]ATELY
BLOCK$ \ ! GD "TS ( _! M>RIAGE1 NE$+ TO
REMEMB] ! BAD 6KEEP F MISS+ ,WADE4   #EI
  ,HE _H SD T HE WANT$ 6SP1K 6H] AB "S?+
9 ,MIKE'S 9T]E/4 ,AN 5TIRELY NEW POSSI-
BIL;Y PRES5T$ XF 6H]4 ,AF T %ATT]+ KISS1
CD X 2 T HE 0 GO+ 6PROPOSE A RECONCILI,N
2T !M8
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PALL+ & REJECT$ X \ ( H&4
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CL\D-T\*+ HOPE4
  ,SU45LY %E _H 6"K4
  8,:Y1 ,WADE80 ,"! 0 AN A*+ TI<T;S 9 H]
?ROAT4 8,:Y >E Y "H8 ,:Y DID Y WANT 6SEE
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NECK4 ,A MUSCLE TWIT*$ AL;G 8 JAW1 CON-
/RICT+ 9 SU45 T5.N4
  ,N UNTIL ALL PHYSICAL 3TACT 2T !M _H
BE5 BROK5 DID HE ANSW] H] "Q4
  8,I CAME 6TELL Y T ,I'M GETT+ M>RI$
AG40 ,MA7IE W5T :ITE ) %OCK1 B ,WADE 0
ALR WALK+ T[>D ! DOOR & DIDN'T SEE H]
REAC;N4 8,I ?9K ,I'LL TAKE Y UP ON T (F]
(A DR9K :ILE Y F9I% *ANG+40
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BIL;Y T ,WADE WD REM>RY4
  ,AL? :Y %E _HN'T1 %E DIDN'T "K4 ,T SU-
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R1SONS AL"O 7 SU6ICI5T CAUSE = _M WOM5
6WANT HM4
  ,HY/]ICAL LAU<T] WELL$ 9 H] ?ROAT1 &
%E JAMM$ A FI/ 96H] M\? 6*OKE X BACK4 ,X
0 ALL S PA!TIC,Y FUNNY6 ,%E _H ?"\ HE
MI<T WANT 6-E BACK 6H]4
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_HN'T BE5 A# 6KEEP _! M>RIAGE AFLOAT 2F4
  ,:AT _H "E MADE H] ?9K X WD BR+ !M
BACK TGR8
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DEM&+ 8 R1SONS 2F /AT+ H] DESIRE4 ,IMAG-
9E ! HUMILI,N IF %E _H TOLD HM :AT %E
FELT4
  ,MA7IE MOAN$ & BURI$ H] FACE 9 H] H&S4
,%E WANT$ 6RU% OV] & %UT ! DOOR1 CLOSE \
! FACT ( ,WADE'S ANN\NCE;T UNTIL %E _H !
/R5G? 6COPE ) X1 6FACE & A3EPT X4 ,B X
CDN'T 2 D"O4                         #FA
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  8,OLD HABITS DIE H>D10 ,WADE _H SD AF
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6REG>D X4
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9 FAMILI> POSI;NS ON FAMILI> GR.DS4 ,!
KISS _H BE5 A NATURAL PROGRES.N ( EV5TS1
)\T ! M1N+ X _H HELD 9 ! PA/--AT L1/1 N
ON ,WADE'S "P4
  ,9 A NUMB$ /ATE1 ,MA7IE F9I%$ *ANG+ H]
CLO!S4
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WALK$ \ (! B$ROOM 6REJO9 ,WADE4
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CL9K+ AG/ ! SIDE1 AMB] LIQUID COV-   #FB
]+ ! BOTTOM4
  ,ON ! C.T] 2H HM1 ,MA7IE SAW ! OP5$
BOTTLE ( ,SCOT*4
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  8,D Y WANT ME 6P\R Y A DR9K80
  8,NO40
  .,GOD1 .NO6 ,MA7IE ?"\ VEHE;TLY4
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5\<4 ,%E'D WANT 6DR[N H]F 9 ! OBLIVION (
ALCOHOL & X WD PROBABLY TAKE M ?AN "O
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  8,I'D R H C(FEE1 ?ANKS40
  ,WALK+ 6! S9K1 %E "PI,Y FILL$ A SAUCE-
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  ,!N %E R1*$ 96! CUPBO>D & TOOK \ ! J>
( 9/ANT C(FEE4
  ,NORM,Y %E 4LIK$ X1 B %E KEPT X ON H&
= MORN+S T %E OV]SLEPT & DIDN'T H "T TO
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IZ$ %E 0 US+ X =A DI6]5T K9D ( EM]G5CY Z
%E SPOON$ ! BR[N CRY/ALS 96A CUP AL;G )
?REE T1SPOONS ( SUG>4
  8,Y N"E US$ 6SWEET5 YR C(FEE10     #FC
,WADE OBS]V$4
  ,8 MEMORY 0 M* TOO GD4
  8,X'S ! ONLY WAY ,I C /& DR9K+ 9/ANT
C(FEE10 ,MA7IE LI$4
  ,9 ACTUAL FACT1 %E _H HE>D T BLACK1
SWEET5$ C(FEE 0 GD = %OCK1 & AT ! MO;T
%E FELT NUMB$ 6! B"O4

















                                     #FD
























                   #E                #FE

  ,%E FELT ! P5ETR,N ( 8 GAZE 2T H] %\L-
D] BLADES1 B %E _HN'T YET ! -POSURE TO
FACE HM SQU>ELY4
  ,"! 0 AN 9DEF9A# T5.N 9 ! AIR1 EV5 A
SECOND'S SIL;E HANG+ H1VY4 ,BUB#S =M$
QKLY 9 ! PAN ( WAT] ON ! /OVE4 ,MA7IE
REMOV$ X F ! BURN] 2F X CAME 6A BOIL &
P\R$ ! /1M+ WAT] 96H] CUP4
  ,Z %E /IRR$ ! C(FEE1 %E TOOK A DEEP
BR1? & EXHAL$ ! ^WS1 8,S Y'RE GO+ 6GET
M>RI$4 ,X LOOKS Z IF 3GRATUL,NS >E 9 OR-
D]1 !N40
  ,AL? %E TURN$ 6L1N H] HIPS AG/ ! C.T]1
%E AG AVOID$ DIRECTLY MEET+ 8 /1DY GAZE1
HOLD+ ! CUP 9 "O H& & 3T9U+ 6/IR ! C(FEE
)! O!R4
  8,WE AGRE$ FIVE ''' SIX YE>S AGO 6SEEK
\R HAPPI;S ELSE":40
  8,X 0 OBVI\SLY ! "R DECI.N1 WASN'T X80
,MA7IE C.T]$1 M* TOO B"RLY4 8,I M1N1
Y'VE F.D "S"O ELSE4 ,%E M/ MAKE Y HAPPY
OR Y WDN'T 2 PLANN+ 6M>RY H]40
  8,T'S "R40
  ,"! 0 A C]TA9 GRIM;S 9 8 ANSW] Z   #FF
HE LIFT$ 8 GLASS 6HIS M\?4
  ,B ! ADMIS.N BR"\ A %>P1 /A2+ PA9 9 !
REGION ( ,MA7IE'S HE>T4 ,X GLITT]$
BRIEFLY 9 H] JEWEL GRE5 EYES 2F %E L[]$
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  8,:O'S ! LUCKY GIRL80
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H] T;GUE4
  8,H] "N IS ,2L9DA ,HALE40
  8,2L9DA10 ,MA7IE REP1T$1 & LI$1 8T'S A
PRETTY "N4 ,IS %E F ,ALASKA80
  8,NO1 F ,S1TTLE1 B ,I MET H] :ILE %E 0
VISIT+ "S FRS 9 ,AN*ORAGE40
  8,X S.DS L A :IRLW9D C\RT%IP40 ,Z _!S
_H BE54 ,%E CDN'T HELP "Q+ DRYLY1 8,IS T
WISE80
  8,DON'T WORRY--0 "! 0 A WRY TWI/ 6HIS
M\? Z HE SWIRL$ ! LIQUOR 9 8 GLASS 8--,I
DON'T 9T5D 6MAKE ! SAME MISTAKE TWICE4
,I'VE "KN ,2L9DA = OV] A YE> N[40
  8,OH4 ,WELL1 ,I'M GLAD40 ,! C(FEE _H
COOL$ SU6ICI5TLY = H] 6DR9K1 B ,MA7IE
NE>LY GA7$ ON ! SWEET;S4 8,I "U/& T Y'RE
DO+ Q WELL4 ,MIKE M5;N$ "S?+ AB Y GETT+
A PROMO;N40                          #FG
  8,YES1 ,I'M A VICE-PRESID5T 9 ! FIRM
N[4 ,I H TOTAL *>GE (! ,ALASKAN OP],N1
PIPEL9E1 T]M9ALS1 NEW DRILL+S1 "EY?+40
  ,HE EXPLA9$ ) NO ATTEMPT 6BOA/ OR IM-
PRESS ,MA7IE ) 8 IMPORT.E4
  ,X _H ALW SEEM$ =EDE/9$ 6,MA7IE T S* A
?+ WD HAPP54
  ,WADE _H ALW 5JOY$ *ALL5GES & RESPON-
SIBILITIES4
  ,S9CE HE 0 A7RESSIVE & AMBITI\S1 Z
WELL1 X 0 A NATURAL \TCOME ( 8 EF=TS4
  8,YR FIANC@EE M/ 2 V PR\D ( Y4 ,(
C\RSE1 2+ ! WIFE ( AN EXECUTIVE ISN'T AN
EASY JOB4 ,I HOPE YR ,2L9DA IS UP 6!
TASK40 ,%E CDN'T C>E LESS4 ,9 FACT1 "P (
H] HOP$ 8 NEW WIFE WD PROVE 9ADEQUATE4
  ,! J1L\S "P ( H]4
  8,2L9DA IS WELL V]S$ 9 ! ROLE ( AN EX-
ECUTIVE'S WIFE4 ,H] "F IS *AIRMAN (!
BO>D40
  ,H] EYES WID5$ AT ! ANN\NCE;T1 ! BIT-
T];S ( S>CASM COAT+ H] T;GUE4 8,H[ 3V5-
I5T4 ,DID YR VICE-PRESID5CY -E 2F OR AF
Y PUT ! DIAMOND ON H] F+]80
  ,BLACK ANG] BURN$ 9 8 GAZE4 8,!    #FH
PROMO;N CAME A YE> AGO4 ,X 0 AT A COCK-
TAIL "PY CELEBRAT+ MY NEW (FICE T ,I MET
,2L9DA =! F/ "T4 ,I'M N ATTEMPT+ 6M>RY
96P[]4 ,I /& OR FALL ON MY [N ABIL;Y40
  8,SORRY1 T 0 A *1P %OT10 ADMITT$ ,MAG-
GIE4 ,%E TOOK ANO!R SIP (! H1VILY SWEET-
5$ C(FEE & 2GAN 6FEEL XS BRAC+ E6ECT4
  8,I D WI% Y E HAPPI;S1 ,WADE4 ,Y "K
T40 ,9 A M R,NAL MO;T1 %E WD M1N X V S9-
C]ELY1 EV5 IF ! ^WS DID /ICK 9 H] ?ROAT
N[4
  8,I DIDN'T -E "H ? AFN 6OBTA9 YR B.S-
+40 ,8 VOICE 0 MOCK+LY DRY4 8,IF ALL ,I
WANT$ 6D 0 9=M Y ( MY -+ M>RIAGE1 ,I CD
H A3OMPLI%$ T )A L;G-4T.E PH"O CALL F
,ALASKA40
  ,MA7IE /I65$1 RES5T+ 8 IMPLI$ CRITI-
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8,Y SD Y WANT$ 6SP1K 6ME AB ,MIKE40
  8,YES4 ,I HAV5'T TOLD HM YET T ,I'M
GETT+ M>RI$ AG40
  ,H] 9T]RUPT+ LAU< 0 %ORT & BITT]LY IN-
CR$UL\S4
  8,I HOPE Y >5'T PLANN+ 6ASK ME 6TELL
HM40                                 #FI
  8,NO4 ,I'M TELL+ Y F/ 2C ,I WANT YR
SUPPORT4 ,I "K X WON'T 2 EASY = ,MIKE TO
A3EPT ! FACT T ,I'M M>RY+ ANO!R WOMAN4
  8,F "S (! ?+S HE'S SD1 ,I "K HE ISN'T
GO+ 6WELCOME HAV+ A /EP"M10 ,WADE COR-
RECT$ H] 9 A CLIPP$1 PRECISE T"O4
  8,& H[ AM ,I SUPPOS$ 6*ANGE T80 %E DE-
M&$4
  ,DIDN'T HE R1LIZE X 0 GO+ 6BE DI6ICULT
= H] 6ADJU/ 6! FACT T HE 0 GETT+ M>RI$
6"S"O ELSE8
  8,0REMA9+ CALM4 ,&1 = ONCE1 N REACT+
EMO;N,Y40
  8,Y'VE N"E BE5 A# 6A3EPT ! FACT T ,I'M
AN EMO;NAL P]SON60 ,MA7IE A3US$4
  8,I'VE A3EPT$ X4 ,I'VE J *OS5 N 6LIVE
9 YR TEMPE/U\S T1POT40
  ,MA7IE TURN$ AWAY4 ,T REM>K _H HIT 2L
! BELT4
  ,%E TOOK A L>GE SWALL[ ( C(FEE4 8,T 0
UNNEC1 ,WADE10 %E SD TI<TLY4
  8,YES10 HE SI<$ H1VILY1 8X WAS4 ,LOOK1
,MA7IE1 WE'VE MANAG$ 6H A FAIRLY CIVIL
REL,N%IP S9CE \R DIVORCE1 & ,I DON'T
WANT MY M>RIAGE 6*ANGE T4 ,MAYBE     #GJ
,I'M ASK+ TOO M*1 B ,I'D L Y 6EXT5D !
SAME 4TANTLY FRLY T]MS 6,2L9DA4 ,=
,MIKE'S SAKE1 ,I ?9K X WD 2 BE/40
  8,OH1 YES1 ! F\R ( U C 2 J "O GRT BIG
HAPPY FAMILY40
  ,%E MOCK$ 8 LUDICR\S SU7ES;N4
  8,DON'T EXA7]ATE10 ,WADE SNAPP$4 8,I'M
N SU7E/+ ANY?+ (! K9D40
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  8,T Y PROVIDE "S MORAL & PHYSICAL SUP-
PORT = MY M>RIAGE10 HE EXPLA9$ ) 3SID]A#
EXASP],N4
  8,:AT D Y WANT ME 6D8 ,WALK D[N !
AISLE ) Y & GIVE Y AWAY80 %E QUIPP$1
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  8,DON'T 2 FLIPPANT40
  8,WELL1 ,I'M SORRY40
  ,%E WASN'T4 8,B ,I DON'T "K :AT Y EX-
PECT ME 6D4 ,I H NO 9T5;N ( 9T]F]+ ) YR
M>RIAGE 9 ANY WAY4 ,Z = ,MIKE1 ,I'LL EN-
C\RAGE HM 6WELCOME YR BRIDE 96! FAMILY4
,I DON'T SEE H[ ,I C D M ?AN T4 ,& ,I
D\BT IF YR ,2L9DA WD L X IF ,I IN-   #GA
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  8,I SUPPOSE Y'VE 4CUSS$ ME ) H]40 ,T
?"\ DIDN'T SET WELL4 8,Z WELL Z ALL MY
LL %ORTCOM+S40
  8,NATUR,Y ,I 4CUSS$ ) H] MY F/ M>RIAGE
& \R 9COMPATIBIL;Y1 B ,I DIDN'T G 96DE-
TAIL4 ,2L9DA IS AN 9TELLIG5T & S5SI# "Y
WOMAN40
  8,& ,I DON'T POSSESS EI ( ^? QUALI-
TIES40 ,MA7IE /AT$ :AT %E FELT HE _H IM-
PLI$4
  ,! L9E ( 8 JAW H>D5$4 8,I DIDN'T SAY
T40
  8,NO1 Y DIDN'T H TO40
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IF Y WD LET YRF--0 "! 0 UNDISGUIS$ IRRI-
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  8,J1L\S6 ,I WD N"E 2 J1L\S ( YR NEW
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?ROAT4 8,DON'T =GET ,I DIVORC$ Y 2C ,I
DIDN'T WANT Y ANYMORE40
  ,X 0 LIES1 ALL LIES4 ,MA7IE KNEW %E /
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  ,MOREOV]1 IF 8 D>L+ ,2L9DA 7 9 ! ROOM
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GUESS+ T4
  8,DON'T PRET5D Y WON'T 2 J1L\S4 ,X'S A
NORMAL REAC;N = ANY"O ^: =M] MATE REM>-
RIES40 ,WADE SWEPT ASIDE H] D5IAL )
SWIFT1 SLIC+ /ROKES1 ! PRECISE CUTT+
?RU/S (A RAPI] /RIK+ COLDLY & RU?.SLY4
8,X'S A NATURAL EMO;N 6FEEL "U ! CIRCUM-
/.ES40
  8,DON'T 2 S DAMN$ LOGICAL60 ,MA7IE
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C.T] T X OV]TURN$4
  ,9 AGIT,N %E GRA2$ =! DI%CLO? & WIP$
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  ,Z %E />T$ 6?R[ X ANGRILY 96!      #GC
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YET 3TROLL$ 6IMPLY G5TLE REBUKE4
  8,"O ( U HAS 6BE10 HE SD4 8,I 0 HOP+
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  ,MA7IE J]K$ AWAY F 8 HOLD1 REJECT+ 8
IMP]SONAL T\*4
  8,H[ D>E Y SU7E/ T ,I HAV5'T BE540
  ,H] EYES 7 BLAZ+ ) GRE5 FIRES1 ! TOSS
( H] H1D MAK+ H] HAIR RIPPLE L LIQUID
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  8,I'M M ?AN AW>E T Y'RE FREE & C REM>-
RY OR N1 Z X SUITS Y4 ,I'VE EV5 (F]$ Y
MY 3GRATUL,NS & WI%$ Y E HAPPI;S ) YR
SOON-TO-BE BRIDE4
  8,Z = ,MIKE1 ,I'VE EV5 AGRE$ 6HELP HM
2COME ADJU/$ 6! FACT T HE'LL N ONLY H A
"M B A /EP"M1 Z WELL4 ,:AT M D Y EXPECT
F ME8 ,%D ,I ?R[ AN 5GAGE;T "PY = Y80
  ,"! 0 A FLA%+ GLIMPSE (! ?9N+ L9E ( 8
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HIPS4
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C RILE ME4 ,:5 WE W]5'T MAK+ LOVE1 WE 7
FI<T+1 W]5'T WE8 ,DID WE "E %>E A P1CE;L
MO;T TGR80 ,! EMBITT]$ "Q DEFLAT$ ,MAG-
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WEI<T ( DEF1T4 ,TE>S /UNG H] EYES1 ACID
& BURN+4
  8,( C\RSE WE DID ''' 9 ! 2G9N+40 ,B %E
DIDN'T WANT 6TALK AB T4 ,AT ! MO;T1 !
MEMORIES ( T "T 7 TOO POIGNANT & TOO
VIVID4 8,:5 >E Y PLANN+ 6M>RY8 ,Y HAV5'T
SD40
  8,SOON4 ,)9 ! MON?40
  ,H] M\? DROPP$ OP54
  ,%E _H EXPECT$ 8 RESPONSE 6BE AUTUMN
OR ,*RI/MAS1 N A DATE T CD 2 M1SUR$ 9
"DS 9/1D ( WEEKS OR MON?S4
  ,! PA9 ( LOSS SPL9T]$ "? H]1 FOLL[$ 0A
?ANK;L;S T HE _HN'T SE5 H] REAC;N 6! AN-
N\NCE;T4
  8,T ISN'T M* "T10 %E RECOV]$ 6SAY4
8,Y'RE PRACTIC,Y PRES5T+ ,MIKE ) AN AC-
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?9K+ AB1 X 0 H]F4 8,Y %D H TOLD HM   #GE
SOON]1 LET HM "K "! 0 "S"O Y 7 S]I\SLY
9T]E/$ IN40
  8,H[80 ,WADE GL.ED OV] 8 %\LD]1 8 M\?
TWI/+ 9 A CYNICAL L9E4 8,IN A LR8 ,OV] !
TELEPH"O8 ,NO1 T'S TOO IMP]SONAL = "S?+
T'S S IMPORTANT 9 8 LIFE4 ,I WANT$ U 6BE
FACE 6FACE :5 ,I TOLD HM4
  8,& ,I WANT$ HM 6MEET ,2L9DA1 GET 6"K
H] 2F ! W$D+4 ,I CDN'T D T F ,ALASKA40
  8,Y %DN'T H WAIT$ S L;G10 ,MA7IE P]-
SI/$ 9 ! ?"\4
  8,UN=TUNATELY ,I CDN'T GET AWAY 2F N[4
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HE WD WANT Y >.D ONCE HE LE>N$ ,I 0 EN-
GAG$4 ,I DID ! BE/ ,I CD 6>RANGE 6SP5D ?
"T ) HM 2F ! W$D+4 ,Z X IS1 \R H"OYMOON
IS GO+ 6H 6BE PO/PON$4 ,B ,2L9DA IS V
"U/&+ AB T40
  8,%E S.DS L A P>AGON ( VIRTUE10 ,MA7IE
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4LIK+ 8 BRIDE-TO-BE4
  ,WADE %OT H] A PI]C+ LOOK 2F GLANC+ AT
! H1VY GOLD WAT* ON 8 WRI/4 8,SP1K+ (
"T1 ,MIKE'S BALL GAME />T$ T5 M9UTES
AGO4 ,MY C> IS \TSIDE4 ,D Y WANT     #GF
6RIDE ) ME8 ,"!'S NO PO9T 9 TAK+ TWO
C>S40
  8,NO1 ?ANKS1 ,I PREF] 6DRIVE MY [N4
,2SS1 X W SAVE Y HAV+ 6MAKE ! TRIP BACK
"H AF ! GAME10 %E REFUS$ 8 (F] BRISKLY4
  ,-MON S5SE TOLD H] T X 0 BETT] IF %E
DIDN'T SP5D TOO M* "T AL"O 9 8 -PANY4 ,!
"T WD 2 TOO BITT]SWEET4
















                   #F                #GG

  ,A SILV] GRAY ,M]C$ES 0 P>K$ 9 !
DRIVEWAY 2H H] SMALL C>1 ! LUXURY MODEL
A %>P 3TRA/ 6,MA7IE'S ECONOMY "O4 ,%E
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!M4 ,!Y 7 POLES A"P1 Z !Y ALW _H BE54
  8,YR -PANY IS G5]\S 6XS EXECUTIVES1
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  8,X ISN'T A -PANY C>4 ,X 2L;GS 6,2L9-
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  8,:AT'S %E DRIV+1 !N8 ,H] "F'S ,ROLLS-
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  ,X WASN'T T %E 5VI$ ! OBVI\S W1L? (
,2L9DA'S FAMILY4
  ,ON ! 3TR>Y1 %E 5VI$ ! WOMAN 2C %E WD
SOON H ,WADE1 "S?+ ALL ! M"OY 9 ! _W
CDN'T BUY4
  8,%E'S PROBABLY DRIV+ H] "M'S ,ROLLS40
,8 M\? QUIRK$ BRIEFLY 9 A MOCK+ SMILE T
DIDN'T MAKE ,MA7IE PR\D ( H] REM>K4
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-PANY4
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  ,MIKE WAT*$ HM B 0 SIL5T1 A        #GI
FA9TLY 4APPO9T$ EXPRES.N ON 8 FACE4 ,8
GAZE /RAY$ 6! BL1*]S4
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WAV$4 ,MA7IE RETURN$ ! SALUTE Z %E SAT
D[N ON ! SECOND R[ (! BL1*] S1TS4
  ,EXCIT$LY ,MIKE POK$ 8 T1MMATES &
PO9T$ 6HIS P>5TS 9 ! /&S4
  ,) ALL ! EMPTI;S 9 ! BL1*]S1 ,MA7IE
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  ,AF ALL1 !Y 7 BO? "! 6SEE ,MIKE PLAY4
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  ,AT ! 5D (! 9N+ ,MIKE DA%$ 6! PROTEC-
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  8,HI60 ,8 %9+ D>K EYES GAZ$ AT ! TWO P
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  8,MY FAULT10 ,WADE TOOK ! BLAME4
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  8,T'S ALL "R40
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T1MMATES & TAKE 8 POSI;N4
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  8,YES1 ,I "K10 %E RESPOND$ QUIETLY4
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S;G4                                 #HA
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  ,9 3TRA/ 6! M>K$ JUBIL,N (! W9N+ T1M1
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Z IF M1SUR+ ! /R5G? ( 8 -PETI;N4
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! TWO M5 %OOK H&S4
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T5D+ "O ( 8 GAMES10 ,MA7IE HE>D H]F
SAY+4 8,Y SEE1 8 "F "WS 9 ,ALASKA    #HC
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AN ABRUPT1 8,WE'RE DIVORC$40
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"S?+ WITTY4                          #HD
  8,IF Y H NO OBJEC;NS10 ,TOM 2GAN1 8,I
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8 "F YET WANT+ 6BE ) 8 T1MMATES1 & HOP+
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-+4 ,:Y %D HE 2 :5 HE SAW H] VIR-    #HE
TU,Y E "D & 8 "F S SELDOM8
  8,I'LL SEE Y1 ,MA7IE40
  ,TOM'S GDBYE S.D$ L A PROMISE1 N[ T HE
0 ASSUR$ %E 0 FREE4
  8,YES4 ,GDBYE1 ,TOM40
  ,X 0 ONLY :5 %E 0 9 H] C> ON ! WAY
BACK 6! H\SE T ,MA7IE WOND]$ :E!R ,WADE
_H NOTIC$ H[ EASILY %E _H US$ ,TOM'S "N4
  ,%E SUPPOS$ HE _H4 ,NO?+ ESCAP$
,WADE'S NOTICE = L;G4 ,:AT _H HE ?"\8
,ESPECI,Y 9 VIEW (! FACT T ,TOM _HN'T
BE5 AW>E %E 0 DIVORC$ UNTIL N[4
  ,SI<+1 ,MA7IE %OOK AWAY S* "QS4 ,WADE
CDN'T C>E LESS4
  ,8 ONLY 9T]E/ 9 H] 0 Z ! "M ( 8 *4
,ANY 9T]E/ 9 H] PRIVATE LIFE /OPP$ "!4
,HE 0 GETT+ M>RI$2 T 0 / A DI6ICULT ?+
6A3EPT4
  ,"! 0 H\SE"W 6D4
  ,AL1 ,MA7IE _HN'T EAT54 ,A COLD S&WI*
&A HELP+ ( COTTAGE *EESE 7 S+UL>LY UNAP-
PETIZ+1 B %E =C$ H]F 6EAT !M4 ,%E WA%$ !
DI%ES & PUT !M AWAY--N T "! 7 _M 6D1 A
C\PLE ( JUICE GLASSES & C]1L B[L F ?
MORN+1 A PLATE F TN1 &! CUP F H]     #HF
9/ANT C(FEE & ,WADE'S GLASS4
  ,)! DI%ES D"O1 %E _H ELIM9AT$ ALL
TRACE ( ,WADE F ! KIT*51 B %E CDN'T BAN-
I% 8 SPECT] F ! RE/ (! H\SE1 ESPECI,Y !
B$ROOM4 ,%E F.D H]F GLANC+ \ ! W9D[S =A
GLIMPSE (! SILV] ,M]C$ES BR++ ,MIKE
HOME4 ,! TELEPH"O RANG & %E ANSW]$ X
IMPATI5TLY4
  8,IS ,WADE "!80 ,X 0 A FEM99E VOICE ON
! O!R 5D (! L9E4
  ,A *ILL+ PORT5T %IV]$ "? H]4 8,NO1 HE
ISN'T4 ,:O'S CALL+1 PL1SE80 ,%E KNEW :AT
! ANSW] WD BE40
  8,? IS ,2L9DA ,HALE4 ,>E Y ''' ,MAG-
GIE80 ! POLITE B FALSELY FRLY VOICE IN-
QUIR$4
  8,YES1 ,I AM10
  ,%E 0 /IFF1 ON GU>D1 4LIK+ 9T5SELY !
CULTUR$1 MUSIC,Y PIT*$ VOICE 9 H] E>4
  8,HAS ,WADE ''' M5;N$ ANY?+ 6Y AB ME80
  ,AG "! 0 AN 9F9ITESIMAL PAUSE1 CALCU-
LAT$ 6BE SECRETIVE4
  8,AB YR 5GAGE;T8 ,YES1 HE HAS1 ,MISS
,HALE4 ,3GRATUL,NS40 ,H] TEE? 7 GR9D+
AG/ EA* O!R1 B ,MA7IE 0 DET]M9$ N    #HG
6S.D L A BIT*Y EX-WIFE4
  ,%E WD 2 PL1SANT & NICE1 EV5 IF X
KILL$ H]4
  8,?ANK Y10 ,2L9DA ANSW]$1 S V GRACI\S-
LY T X GRAT$4 8,WADE _H SD HE 0 GO+ TO
SP1K 6Y AB U 2F HE TOLD ,MI*AEL4 ,B ,I
WASN'T C]TA9 IF HE'D _H AN OPPORTUN;Y4
  8,HE AL M5;N$ "S BASEBALL GAME OR O!R
T ,MI*AEL 0 PLAY+ IN1 S ,I DIDN'T "K
:E!R HE'D TALK$ 6Y PRIVATELY YET40
  8,YES1 WE SPOKE 2F ! GAME />T$40 ,MAG-
GIE'S F+]S TI<T5$ >.D ! RCVR4
  ,IF X _H BE5 ! WOMAN'S ?ROAT1 %E WD H
BE5 /RANGL$ 0N[4
  ,Z X WAS1 "! 0 LL ,MA7IE CD D 6SIL;E
H]1 %ORT ( HANG+ UP4
  ,WADE _H SD 8 FUTURE WIFE 0 BLOND4
,HE>+ H] VOICE1 ,MA7IE CD ALM PICTURE
H]4 ,BLOND1 PROBABLY ) BLUE EYES1 ALW
WE>+ ! "R CLO!S ) J ! "R AM.T ( MAKEUP1
ALW POIS$ & PREP>$ = ANY 3T+5CY4
  ,WADE WD N"E F9D 8 ,2L9DA ) ROLL]S 9
H] HAIR1 WE>+ AN OLD BA?ROBE1 ON H] H&S
& KNEES4
  ,HE _H SD ,2L9DA 0 ! OPPOSITE (    #HH
,MA7IE1 & LI/5+ 6! COOL1 UNFLU/]$ VOICE1
,MA7IE 2LIEV$ X4
  8,OH4 ,IS ! GAME OV]80 ,2L9DA ,HALE
ASK$ SMOO?LY1 )! PROP] NOTE ( 9NOC5T
SURPRISE4
  8,YES40 ,MA7IE'S ANSW] 0 CURT4
  8,I IMAG9E ,WADE IS ON 8 WAY HOME1 !N1
& X 0 NE$.S = ME 6CALL40 ,MA7IE WOND]$
IF ! O!R WOMAN KNEW H[ /++ X 0 6HE> ,BE-
L9DA'S HOME REF]R$ 6Z ,WADE'S4 ,%E DE-
CID$ X _H BE5 DELIB]ATE4
  8,Z A MATT] ( FACT1 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE HE
IS10 %E SD )A TRACE ( SMUG;S4
  8,OH80
  8,MIKE'S COA* IS TR1T+ ! T1M 6"S ICE
CR1M1 & ,WADE W5T AL;G4 ,HE PROMIS$ 6BR+
,MIKE HOME AFW4 ,% ,I H HM CALL Y :5 HE
DOES80
  8,WD Y1 PL1SE1 IF X ISN'T TOO M* TR\-
#80 ,S POLITE1 S C\RTE\S1 S PSEUDOW>M4
8,"O ( MY V DE>E/ FRS /OPP$ 0? EV5+4
,I'M HOP+ T ,WADE W -E BACK 9 "T 6MEET
H]40
  8,I'M SURE HE W IF HE C40
  8,YES4 ,WADE C 2 S* A D>L+ AT      #HI
"TS1 &10 ,2L9DA A4$ )A ?ROATY LAU<1 8S
9FURIAT+LY /U2ORN AT O!R "TS4 ,B1 (
C\RSE1 ,I DON'T NE$ 6TELL Y T4 ,Y 7 M>-
RI$ 6HM40
  ,AG ,MA7IE FELT ! PRICK (A %>P BLADE1
JA2+ AT H] :ILE H] ASSAILANT SMIL$ BE-
NIGNLY4 8,W]E M>RI$0--B NO L;G]4
  8,YES1 ,I 0 M>RI$ 6HM1 B T 0 A L;G "T
AGO40
  ,X DIDN'T SEEM T L;G4 ,MAYBE 2C X
_HN'T BE5 V L;G S9CE HE'D HELD H] 9 8
>MS & KISS$ H] & ALL T OLD MAGIC _H -E
RAC+ BACK1 M POT5T ?AN 2F4
  8,I RE,Y AM LOOK+ =W>D 6MEET+ Y1 ,MAG-
GIE4 ,I "K T M/ S.D /RANGE1 B ,I D M1N
X4 ,X'S J T ,I DON'T SEE ANY R1SON = "!
6BE ANY 5M;Y 2T U4 ,OBVI\SLY WE >5'T 9
-PETI;N = ANY?+4 ,BO? Y & ,WADE WANT$ !
DIVORCE4 ,= ,MI*AEL'S SAKE ,I ?9K X WD 2
V IMPORTANT = U 6BE FRS40
  8,I'M LOOK+ =W>D 6MEET+ Y1 TOO1 ,2L9-
DA40 ,"! 0 A SAC*>9E QUAL;Y 6H] T"O4 ,=
ONCE1 ,MA7IE HELD H] USU,Y C&ID T;GUE &
DIDN'T VOICE H] OP9ION AB 2COM+ FRS )
,WADE'S FUTURE BRIDE4                #IJ
  ,A SUSPICION 0 2G9N+ 6=M4 ,OP5-M9D$1
,WADE _H DESCRIB$ H]4 ,ALM RIDICUL\SLY
S1 ,MA7IE 3CLUD$4
  ,N =A M9UTE DID %E 2LIEVE A H& ( FR%IP
0 2+ EXT5D$ 6H]4
  ,M ?AN LIKELY ! GE/URE 0 "P ( ,2L9DA'S
ACT 6IMPRESS ,WADE ) H] UNSELFI%;S1 H]
LACK ( J1L\SY & POSSESSIVE;S4
  ,:ILE X CE;T$ H] REL,N%IP ) ,WADE1 X
PUT ,MA7IE ON ! DEF5SIVE4 ,IF %E REJECT$
! ATTEMPT AT FRLI;S 0,2L9DA1 ,WADE WD
VIEW X Z SPITE & ILL TEMP] ON ,MA7IE'S
"P4 ,! WOMAN 0 CL"E1 V CL"E4
  8,WADE HAS PROMIS$ WE'LL MEET "S"T
SOON10 ,2L9DA 9=M$ H]4 8,& ,I C H>DLY
WAIT 6MEET ,MI*AEL4 ,WADE HAS TALK$ AB
HM S M* T ,I ALM FEEL ,I "K HM ALR4
  8,AF ,WADE & ,I >E M>RI$1 ,I NATUR,Y
WANT ,MI*AEL 63T9UE 6VISIT U1 J Z HE ALW
HAS VISIT$ 8 "F 9 ! PA/40
  8,MIKE HAS ALW 5JOY$ ^? VISITS10 ,MAG-
GIE RETURN$4
  8,Y & ,I %D GET TGR =A PRIVATE LL *AT4
,I WANT 6LE>N :AT ,MI*AEL'S FAVORITE
FOODS >E &! ?+S HE LIKES 6D1 8 PET   #IA
PEEVES1 & S ON40
  ,! WOMAN 0 DET]M9$ 6BE ! P]FECT WIFE
.& /EP"M1 ,MA7IE DECID$4 ,X 0 AN ADMIRA#
?+1 UN.S ALL ? 9T]E/ 0 =C$4
  ,T 0 "S?+ DI6ICULT 6JUDGE OV] ! TELE-
PH"O4
  8,MIKE IS A V NORMAL BOY1 EASI] 6PL1SE
?AN MO/40
  ,MA7IE WASN'T C]TA9 IF %E KNEW 8 FA-
VORITE FOODS4
  ,!Y T5D$ 6*ANGE ) 8 MOOD & AGE4 ,%E
KNEW 8 PET PEEVE--HIS "M'S ALW 2+ LATE4
,& X 0 "O ,MA7IE _H NO 9T5;N ( RELAT+ TO
,MIKE'S FUTURE /EP"M4
  8,I'M C]TA9 HE'S A D>L+4 ,E PHOTOGRAPH
,I'VE SE5 ( HM1 ,MI*AEL HAS _H A /RIK+
RESEMBL.E 6,WADE40
  8,YES1 HE HAS ,WADE'S D>K COLOR+10
,MA7IE AGRE$4 8,HIS P]SONAL;Y IS V M* 8
[N1 ?\<40
  8,AF ,WADE =M,Y 9TRODUCES U1 WE % H TO
GET TGR & H T LL *AT4 ,Y C SORT ( =EW>N
ME AB ! ?+S T IRRITATE ,MI*AEL ''' &
,WADE1 = T MATT]4
  8,I DON'T M1N ANY (F5SE1 B ,I      #IB
DON'T WANT 6MAKE ! SAME MISTAKE Y DID 9
YR M>RIAGE 6,WADE4 ,P]H Y C /E] ME "R40
  8,I D\BT V S]I\SLY T Y WD MAKE !
,8MISTAKES0' ,I DID10 ,MA7IE DRYLY AN-
SW]$ ! SU7ES;N4
  ,F ! LIMIT$ 9=M,N %E _H BE5 A# 6GL1N1
,2L9DA DIDN'T SEEM ! TYPE 6LET H] EMO;NS
RUN AWAY ) H] T;GUE1 Z ,MA7IE 0 PR"O 6D4
  8,I HOPE N40 ,2L9DA LAU<$1 & AG X 0 T
PRACTIC$ LAU< T S.D$ 9 ! ?ROAT1 RI* &
HUSKY L VELVET4 8,B Y PROBABLY D "K M AB
,WADE'S D>K] SIDE ?AN ,I D4 ,I'D 2
GRATE;L = ANY TIDBIT Y WD WANT 6%>E40
  8,( C\RSE40 ,MA7IE CDN'T TOL]ATE ANY M
(! PH"O 3V]S,N4 8,I'M SURE Y WANT 6GET
BACK 6YR FR4 ,I'LL H ,WADE CALL Z SOON Z
HE BR+S ,MIKE HOME40
  8,?ANK Y1 ,I D APPRECIATE T4 ,I HOPE
,I'LL 2 TALK+ 6Y AG V SOON1 ,MA7IE40
  8,YES--ME1 TOO1 ,2L9DA10 ,MA7IE LI$ "?
H] TEE?1 & WAIT$ UNTIL %E HE>D ! 4CON-
NECT+ CLICK 2F %E SLAMM$ ! RCVR ONTO XS
CRADLE \ ( %E] FRU/R,N & J1L\SY4
  ,"! 0 NO SOLACE 9 ! FACT T %E _HN'T
LO/ H] TEMP]4 ,ALL %E FELT 0 A       #IC
GR[+ S5SE ( DESPAIR4
  ,! ONLY WAY 6COPE )! SITU,N SEEM$ 6BE
6GET "? X ) Z M* GRACE Z POSSI#1 :
WASN'T "O ( H] =TES1 & 6TAKE EA* "D AF T
Z X CAME4

  ,A ,,C> ,,DOOR ,,SLAMM$ \TSIDE4 ,MA7IE
GUESS$ X 0 ,WADE BR++ ,MIKE BACK4
  ,REMEMB]+ ! LA/ "T :5 HE _H SIMPLY
DROPP$ ,MIKE (F & LEFT1 %E 0 TEMPT$ N 6G
6! DOOR & TELL HM AB ! TELEPH"O CALL HE
_H RCVD4
  ,%E _H TO1 ( C\RSE4 ,%E DIDN'T WANT TO
2 A3US$ ( 2+ TOO M1N 6PASS ON MESSAGES F
8 FIANC@EE4
  ,WADE 0 J /EPP+ \ (! C> :5 ,MA7IE OP5$
! FRONT DOOR4 8,"! 0 A TELEPH"O CALL =
Y1 ,WADE40
  ,AN ABS5T FR[N CR1S$ 8 =EH1D4 8,WAS "!
A MESSAGE80
  ,MA7IE HESITAT$ =A FRAC;N (A SECOND1
AW>E ( ,MIKE SL[LY MAK+ 8 WAY UP ! SIDE-
WALK 6! H\SE4 8,MISS ,HALE ASK$ Y 6CALL
H]40
  8,MAY ,I USE YR PH"O80             #ID
  ..,6CALL YR FIANC@EE8 .,NO6 ,MA7IE
WANT$ 6SCR1M1 B %E 3TROLL$ ! IMPULSE &
NO4$4 8,( C\RSE4 ,-E IN40
  ,AT T MO;T ,MIKE DUCK$ "U H] >M &
SLIPP$ 96! H\SE4 ,AUTOMATIC,Y %E PROMPT$
HM1 8,*ANGE \ ( YR UNI=M 96"S "EY"D
CLO!S40
  8,I W0 0 8 DESULTORY MURMUR4
  ,H] N]VES GREW TAUT Z ,WADE DREW CLOS-
]1 8 NE>;S VIBRAT+ !M L A TUN+ =K :5 HE
WALK$ PA/ H] 96! H\SE4 ,%E CLOS$ ! DOOR1
FI<T+ ! W1K;S 9 H] KNEES4
  8,Y MAY USE ! EXT5.N 9 ! KIT*5 IF Y'D
L "S PRIVACY10 %E (F]$1 B ,WADE 0 ALR
WALK+ T[>D ! BEIGE PH"O 9 ! LIV+ ROOM4
  8,X ISN'T NEC40 ,HE PICK$ UP ! RCVR &
2GAN DIAL+ ! NUMB] ) AN ECONOMY ( MOVE-
;T4 ,MA7IE WANT$ 6MAKE H]F SC>CE1 B 8
9DI6];E TRAPP$ H] 96LI/5+ 6A "O-SID$
3V]S,N4
  8,? IS ,WADE4 ,I WANT 6SP1K 6,2L9DA10
HE SD 96! M\?PIECE4
  ,:ILE HE WAIT$1 8 %>P GAZE SW]V$ TO
,MA7IE4 8,DID %E SAY :Y %E CALL$80
  8,"S?+ AB A FR %E WANT$ Y TO       #IE
MEET40 ,H] ANSW] 0 DELIB]ATELY VAGUE4
  ,8 GAZE N>R[$ BRIEFLY Z IF HE S5S$
,MA7IE'S RES5T;T4 ,!N 8 ATT5;N 0 DIV]T$
0A VOICE ON ! O!R 5D (! PH"O4
  8,HELLO40 ,HE 0 RETURN+ A GREET+1 8
VOICE 9TIMATELY QUIET4
  ,A PA9 TWI/$ "? ,MA7IE AT ! S5SUAL
S(T5+ ( 8 M\?1 ALM 96A SMILE4 8,YES1 %E
DID10 ,WADE REPLI$ 6A "Q PUT 6HM4 8,I'M
"H N[--0 HE GL.ED AT 8 WAT* 8--AB TW5TY
M9UTES1 DEP5D+ ON ! TRA6IC40 ,) P5ETRAT+
SWIFT;S 8 GAZE SLA%$ BACK 6,MA7IE4 8,Y
DID8 ,I'M GLAD40
  ,"! 0 A SKEPTIC,Y MOCK+ LIFT ( "O EYE-
BR[1 & X DIDN'T REQUIRE M* DEDUC;N =
,MA7IE 6GUESS !Y 7 TALK+ AB H]4 8,YES1
,I'LL 2 "! Z SOON Z ,I C1 D>L+40
  ,H] F+]S CURL$ 96H] PALMS AT ! "P+ EN-
DE>;T4 ,WAVES ( J1L\SY & 5VY WA%$ "? H]1
NE>LY SWAMP+ H] 3TROL4
  ,%E TURN$ H] BACK 6,WADE1 H] /OMA* A
*URN+ BALL4
  8,2L9DA SD %E _H A ,8NICE0' 3V]S,N )
Y4 ,! ADJECTIVE 0 H]S1 N M9E10 ,WADE
-;T$4                                #IF
  8,:AT DID Y ?9K ,I WD D8 ,HANG UP ON
H]80 ,MA7IE SNAPP$4
  8,I WDN'T H BE5 SURPRIS$ IF Y _H10 HE
C.T]$ DRYLY4
  ,%E SPUN >.D4
  ,H] TEMP] _H BE5 HELD 9 *ECK TOO L;G1
& X FL>$ N[ Z FI]Y Z H] R$ HAIR4 8,T 0
"O ?+ ,I CD ALW C.T ON1 WASN'T X8 ,YR
UNWAV]+ SUPPORT40
  8,Y'VE N"E BE5 "KN = YR TACT40
  8,NEI H Y4 ,B YR D>L+ ,2L9DA IS DIPLO-
MATIC 5 6MAKE UP = X10 ,MA7IE DCLD )
DECID$LY BIT+ EMPHASIS ON 8 FIANC@EE'S
"N4 8,%E S.DS TOO GD 6BE TRUE4 ,Y'D BET-
T] HANG ON 6H]40
  8,A -PLI;T L T1 -+ F Y1 ALW MAKES ME
SUSPECT X'S AN 9SULT40
  ,! REM>K 0 TOT,Y UNFAIR 2C X 0 ! CLOS-
E/ ,MA7IE _H -E 6S9C];Y S9CE %E _H LE>N$
( 8 APPROA*+ M>RIAGE4
  ,%E DIDN'T L ,2L9DA2 %E N"E WD1 B %E
DIDN'T D\BT T ! WOMAN 0 GO+ 6ATTEMPT 6BE
ALL ?+S 6,WADE4
  8,DID X "E O3UR 6Y T Y'RE ! ONLY "O :O
BR+S \ ! WOR/ 9 ME80 ,MA7IE RE-      #IG
TORT$ 9 SELF-DEF5SE4
  ,A N]VE TWIT*$ 3VULSIVELY 9 8 JAW4
8.,I BR+ \ ! WOR/ 9 Y80
  ,! OM9\S BLACK ( ANG] 0 9 8 EYES Z HE
TOOK A /EP CLOS]4
  ,AL? 9TIMIDAT$1 ,MA7IE HELD H] GR.D4
8,!N EXPLA9 :Y Y'RE / S+LE4 ,I DON'T SEE
ANYBODY B1T+ A PA? 6YR DOOR4 ,F ALL T
,MIKE HAS SD1 Y DATE M5 V 9FREQU5TLY4
,:Y8 ,2C !Y "K A %REW :5 !Y SEE "O4 ,I 0
TOO BL60
  8,I H Z _M DATES Z ,I WANT1 :5 ,I WANT
!M &) :OM6
  8,AF WI7L+ \ F "UN1? YR ?UMB1 ,I VALUE
MY FREEDOM40
  8,NO -MIT;TS1 IS T X80 ,HE T[]$ ABV
H]1 MALE & DOM9AT+4
  8,T'S X60
  8,M5 L ,MIKE'S COA* M/ L T4 ,Y MAKE X
EASY = !M40
  ,MA7IE 0 TREMBL+ ) RAGE4
  8,Y ABV ALL P %D "K ,I'M N EASY60 %E
HISS$4
  8,NO1 Y'RE N EASY10 ,WADE AGRE$1 8 H&
%OOT+ \ 6IMPRISON H] WRI/ & TWI/+    #IH
X 2H H] HACK4
  ,! SU45 PHYSICAL 3TACT *ANG$ ! VOLA-
TILE ATMOSPH]E 6"S?+ Z ELE;TAL Z "T ET]-
NAL4 ,MA7IE 0 TRAPP$ 0T SE>+ DESIRE &
CDN'T ESCAPE XS VELVET SN>E4 ,! BLACK
COALS ( 8 EYES BURN$ OV] H] FACE1 CAT*+
T BR1?.S LOOK ( EXPECTANCY 9 H] EXPRES-
.N4
  8,I MAY H BR"\ \ ! WOR/ 9 Y10 HE
GR[L$1 8B ,I AL BR"\ \ ! BE/40
  8,YES40
  ,! ADMIS.N CRUMPL$ "S 9N] DEF5SE ME*A-
NISM & ,MA7IE'S H1D DIPP$ 9 DEF1T 6RE/
AG/ ! SOLID WALL ( 8 *E/4 8,I N"E M1NT
6>GUE ) Y1 ,WADE4 ,H[ D WE ALW MANAGE TO
/>T %\T+ AT EA* O!R80
  ,8 H& REL1S$ H] WRI/ & HESITAT$ ON H]
BACK1 8 T\* N Q A C>ESS NOR TOT,Y IMP]-
SONAL4 ,ALL %E WANT$ 0 = ,WADE 6HOLD H]
9 8 >MS =A LL :ILE4
  ,B 9 ! NEXT SECOND HE 0 )DRAW+ 8 H&S &
WALK+ AWAY4
  8,I H NO IDEA H[ ANY ( \R >GU;TS H
/>T$40
  ,! 9DI6];E ( 8 T"O SD X DIDN'T     #II
MATT]4 ,8 GAZE 0 HOOD$ :5 HE GL.ED AT
H]1 ! FIRES BANK$ OR \ -PLETELY4 8,2L9DA
IS WAIT+ = ME--,I H 6L1VE40
  ,H] BACKB"O /I65$4 8,( C\RSE40
  ,WADE />T$ ,=! DOOR & PAUS$4 8,I 0
LATE BR++ ,MIKE 2C WE /OPP$ "S": 6TALK4
,I TOLD HM AB ,2L9DA40
  8,:AT DID HE SAY80
  8,NO?+4 ,N A ^W4 ,HE DIDN'T SAY HE 0
SORRY OR GLAD4 ,HE DIDN'T ASK :5 ,I 0
GETT+ M>RI$4 ,NO?+40 ,WADE BR1!D 9 DEEP-
LY4 8,ABSOLUTELY NO?+40
  8,X 0 A %OCK40
  ,%E1 TOO1 _H BE5 SPEE*.S :5 ,WADE _H
F/ TOLD H]4
  ,%E'D _H "T 6RECOV]4
  8,I _HN'T R1LIZ$ :AT A %OCK X WD BE10
HE MURMUR$4
  8,I'LL TALK 6HM10 SD ,MA7IE4
  8,TELL ,MIKE ,I'LL CALL HM TM AFN4 ,IF
X'S NICE1 WE'LL G BOAT+4 ,I'VE >RANG$
''' OH1 HELL1 :AT DOES T MATT]80 ,L;G1
IMPATI5T /RIDES C>RI$ HM 6! DOOR4
  ,)\T GLANC+ BACK1 HE REP1T$1 8,I'LL
CALL HM TM40                        #AJJ
  ,! DOOR SLAMM$ %UT 2F ,MA7IE CD F9D H]
VOICE 6AC"KL$GE 8 /ATE;T4 ,%E />$ 96!
EMPTI;S (! ROOM1 / FILL$ )! <O/ (
,WADE'S PRES;E4
  ,:5 ! P[];L 5G9E (! ,M]C$ES GR[L$ \T-
SIDE1 %E SL[LY TURN$ T[>D ! B$ROOMS (!
H\SE4

















                   #G               #AJA

  ,MIKE'S B$ROOM DOOR 0 CLOS$4 ,MA7IE
HESITAT$ \TSIDE1 !N KNOCK$ ONCE4
  ,SIL;E 0 H] ONLY ANSW]4 ,%E KNOCK$ AG1
M L\DLY ! SECOND "T4 ,S"EAL SECONDS LAT]
%E RCVD A RELUCTANT RESPONSE4
  8,Y1H80
  8,X'S ME4 ,MAY ,I -E IN80 ,%E WAIT$1
HOLD+ H] BR1?1 DR1D+ ^! NEXT FEW M9UTES
PROBABLY Z M* Z ,MIKE WAS4
  8,Y1H40
  ,TURN+ ! DOORKNOB1 %E PU%$ ! DOOR OP5
& WALK$ IN4
  ,MIKE 0 LY+ ON 8 B$1 8 H&S 2H 8 H1D1
/>+ AT ! FLAT :ITE (! CEIL+4 ,HE 0 /
DRESS$ 9 8 BASEBALL UNI=M1 ! CAP ON 8
H1D1 DIRTY T5NIS %OES ON 8 FEET4
  ,HE DIDN'T GL.E AT H]4
  8,I ?"\ Y 7 GO+ 6*ANGE YR CLO!S10
,MA7IE REM9D$ HM4
  8,I =GOT40 ,MIKE DIDN'T MAKE ANY MOVE
6CORRECT ! OV]SI<T4
  ,MA7IE DIDN'T WANT 6=CE ! SUBJECT1 N
YET4 ,%E WALK$ 6! FOOT (! B$4 8,! UNI=M
C WAIT1 B ^! %OES H 6G40 ,%E 2GAN   #AJB
UNTY+ ! LACES4
  8,Y ALR "K1 DON'T Y80
  ,8 GAZE 5D$ XS /UDY (! CEIL+ 6D>T AC-
CUS+LY AT H]4
  8,IF Y M1N D ,I "K T YR "F IS PLANN+
6GET M>RI$--YES1 ,I D40 ,%E KEPT H]
VOICE CALM ) EF=T4 8,HE TOLD ME 2F !
GAME4 ,T'S :Y WE 7 LATE40
  8,:Y8 ,:Y DOES HE H 6GET M>RI$8 ,:Y
C'T ?+S /AY ! WAY !Y >E80 ,MIKE PROTE/$4
  8,Y DON'T WANT ?+S 6/AY ! WAY !Y >E40
  8,YES1 ,I D60
  8,IF !Y DID1 Y'D N"E 2 A# 6IMPROVE YR
HITT+10 %E R1SON$4 8,Y'D N"E GR[ UP4
,"EY?+ *ANGES1 P1 PLACES & ?+S4 ,T'S "P
( GR[+ UP4 ,S IS A3EPT+ ^? *ANGES40
  8,HE DOESN'T H 6GET M>RI$4 ,Y HAV5'T40
  8,T DOESN'T M1N ,I MI<T N "S"D40 ,%E
PULL$ (F ! T5NIS %OES & SET !M ON !
FLOOR AT ! FOOT ( 8 B$4 8,YR "F HAS MET
"S"O HE LOVES V M*1 S X'S ONLY NATURAL T
HE WD WANT 6M>RY H]40
  8,I DON'T C>E60
  8,Y WANT YR "F 6BE HAPPY1 DON'T Y80
  8,GETT+ M>RI$ DOESN'T M1N HE'S    #AJC
GO+ 6BE HAPPY4 ,HE 0 M>RI$ 6Y & NEI ( Y
7 HAPPY10 ,MIKE REM9D$ H]1 A L[ BL[ 9
,MA7IE'S BOOK4
  8,X ISN'T FAIR 6ASSUME T IF YR "F & ,I
W]5'T HAPPY1 NEI W HE 2 HAPPY ) 8 NEW
WIFE4 ,X ISN'T ALL T M* (A *ANGE40
  ,MA7IE DIV]T$ ! SUBJECT4 8,X ONLY M1NS
"!'LL 2 A WOMAN LIV+ ALL ! "T ) YR "F4
,Y MI<T EV5 L H] AF Y MEET H]40
  8,H Y MET H]80 ,MIKE WANT$ 6"K1 SKEP-
TICAL4
  8,NO40
  8,D Y ?9K Y'RE GO+ 6L H]80
  8,H[ D ,I "K8 ,I HAV5'T MET H]40 ,MAG-
GIE AVOID$ ! "Q1 "K+ T %E1 TOO1 0 ALR
PREJUDIC$ AG/ ! WOMAN4
  8,DAD SAYS %E'S "Y & PRETTY4 ,!Y MI<T
H KIDS ( _! [N10 HE SPECULAT$4 ,HE />$
AG AT ! CEIL+1 EYES TR\#D & 9CR1S+LY
D>K4 8,!Y'D 2 LIV+ ) HM ALL ! "T40
  ,MA7IE 0 2G9N+ 6"U/& "S ( ,MIKE'S UN-
C]TA9TIES4
  8,YR "F WD 3T9UE 6LOVE Y1 NO MATT] H[
_M *N HE & 8 NEW WIFE MI<T H40 ,T1 TOO1
0 A ?"\ T DIDN'T BR+ JOY 96H]       #AJD
HE>T4
  8,2SS1 :5 Y G 6VISIT HM1 Y WD H A
BRO!R OR SI/]1 OR BO?1 6PLAY )4 ,:5 !Y
GET OLD]1 Y C T1* !M H[ 6PLAY BASEBALL &
?+S L T40
  8,AW1 MOM1 T'S BOR+60
  8,H[ D Y "K8 ,X MI<T 2 FUN10 %E >GU$4
  8,I J WI% HE WASN'T GETT+ M>RI$40
  8,HE IS1 S Y MI<T Z WELL A3EPT T40 .,S
._H .,I1 ,MA7IE ?"\4
  8,I DON'T H 6L X1 ?\<40 ,"! 0 A /U2ORN
SET 6,MIKE'S *9 Z HE UNCLASP$ 8 H&S F 2H
8 H1D & SAT UP1 CURL+ 8 SOCK COV]$ FEET
2N HM4
  8,NO1 Y DON'T H 6L X10 ,MA7IE AGRE$1
8B Y %D KEEP AN OP5 M9D AB X4 ,Y HAV5'T
EV5 MET ! WOMAN YR "F WANTS 6M>RY40
  8,/OP CALL+ HM T60
  ,MIKE 2GAN UNBUTTON+ ! %IRT ( 8 BASE-
BALL UNI=M1 8 H1D B5T 6! TASK4
  8,ALL "R40 ,MA7IE A3EPT$ ! REPROVAL4
8,Y HAV5'T MET ! WOMAN .,WADE WANTS 6M>-
RY4 ,Y CD L H]4 ,%E MI<T 2 A LOT ( FUN40
  ,IF ! IMPRES.N ,MA7IE _H GA9$ F !
TELEPH"O 3V]S,N 0 A3URATE1 ) H]     #AJE
POISE & SOPHI/IC,N ,2L9DA WD N EASILY
RELATE 6A T5-YE>-OLD'S IDEA (A P]SON :O
IS A LOT ( FUN4 ,"! 7 5 NEGATIVES BUZZ+
>.D 9 ,MIKE'S H1D )\T A4+ M4
  8,:Y CDN'T HE M>RY Y80 ,X 0 M A PROTE/
?AN A "Q4
  ,MIKE TU7$ 8 %IRTTAIL F ! WAI/B& ( 8
PANTS4
  8,2C HE LOVES "SBODY ELSE4 ,2SS1 MAYBE
,I WDN'T WANT 6M>RY HM40
  ,X 0 A TANTALIZ+ ?"\1 "O %E DIDN'T D>E
?9K AB4
  8,Y 7 FI<T+ AG1 W]5'T Y80 ,X 0 ALM AN
A3US,N4 8,I HE>D Y & DAD TALK+1 & Y S.D$
ANGRY40
  ,MA7IE WASN'T C]TA9 H[ 6H&LE T1 S %E
DECID$ 6AVOID X4
  8,: REM9DS ME1 YR FA--,WADE SD HE WD
CALL Y TM AFN4 ,HE M5;N$ "S?+ AB GO+
BOAT+40
  8,BOAT+6 ,OH1 W[6 ,T'S GRT60 ,MIKE
DCLD EXUB]ANTLY1 -PLETELY DIV]T$ F 8
PREVI\S SUBJECT4
  ,MA7IE "U/OOD 8 5?USIASM4 ,MO/ ( 8 FRS
W5T BOAT+ ALM E WEEK5D4 ,X 0 A      #AJF
SYMBOL ( /ATUS 9 ! -MUN;Y N 6BE A TWO-C>
FAMILY1 B A TWO-BOAT FAMILY4 ,MIKE PROB-
ABLY WASN'T AW>E ( T1 B HE DID "K 8 FRS
7 ALW TALK+ AB :AT !Y DID4 ,N[ HE WD H A
/ORY ( 8 [N 6TELL ! O!RS4
  8,T'S TM40 ,PLAY;LLY ,MA7IE PULL$ !
BILL ( 8 CAP L[ ON 8 =EH1D4 8,TN1 X'S \
( T UNI=M & 96! TUB40
  8,CUT X \10 HE GRUM#D 9 PROTE/1 B "! 0
A GR9 ON 8 FACE Z HE PU%$ H] H& AWAY4

  ,! NEXT MORN+ ,MA7IE 0 9 ! UTIL;Y
ROOM1 FOLD+ ! CL1N CLO!S F ! DRI]4
  ,! WA%+ MA*9E 0 9 XS SP9 CYCLE1 & XS
?UMP+ RO> -B9$ )! MUSIC F ! RADIO &! :IR
(! DRI] DR[N$ \ ALL O!R S.DS4
  ,X WASN'T UNTIL ! WA%+ MA*9E /OPP$ T
,MA7IE HE>D ! PH"O R++ 9 ! KIT*54 ,%E
DA%$ QKLY 6ANSW] X4
  8,RA6]TY RESID;E10 %E RU%$1 HALF EX-
PECT+ 6HE> A DIAL T"O 69DICATE ! CALL]
_H HUNG UP4
  8,MA7IE8 ,X'S ,WADE40
  ,H] ALR RAC+ PULSE RED\#D XS TEMPO4
,DET]M9$LY %E TRI$ 6*ECK XS ?U4+    #AJG
RISE4 8,MIKE'S \TSIDE4 ,I'LL GET HM =
Y40
  ,2F %E CD PUT ! RCVR D[N1 ,WADE 0 OR-
D]+1 8,WAIT A M9UTE40
  8,YES80
  ,A SELF-3SCI\S H& T\*$ ! FLAM+ SILK
TUM# ( HAIR ON TOP ( H] H1D1 SECUR$ "!
0A GRE5 RI2ON4 ,X 0 CRAZY--,WADE CDN'T
SEE H]4
  8,DID Y TALK 6,MIKE LA/ NI<T80
  8,YES1 ,I DID40 ,%E M>%AL$ H] SCATT]$
?"\S4 8,HE 0 UPSET1 NATUR,Y4 ,X 0 S* A
SURPRISE 6HM4 ,NO * LIKES ?+S 6*ANGE UN-
.S X'S 9/IGAT$ 0HM4 ,X MAKES HM 9SE-
CURE40
  8,MIKE'S LIFE ISN'T *ANG+ T DRA/IC,Y
2C ( MY M>RIAGE40
  8,B ,MIKE SEES T X POT5TI,Y CD10 ,MAG-
GIE PO9T$ \4 8,HIS MA9 WORRY SEEMS 6BE T
Y MI<T H O!R *N & =GET HM40
  8,MA7IE1 Y "K'''0 ,WADE 2GAN IMPATI5T-
LY4
  8,I'M N SAY+ X WD HAPP510 %E 9T]RUPT$4
8,I'M SAY+ T X 3C]NS ,MIKE4 ,HE ISN'T AN
IMPULSIVE BOY4 ,X'S GO+ 6TAKE HM    #AJH
"T 6ADJU/ 6! IDEA (A /EP"M4
  8,Y'VE "KN H] = M ?AN A YE>1 ,MIKE
HASN'T EV5 MET H]4 ,"O OR TWO MEET+S
>5'T GO+ 6BE 5 = HM1 EI40
  8,NO1 X W TAKE "T10 ,WADE AGRE$ 9 A
GRIMLY RESIGN$ VOICE4 8,H[ 0 HE AF YR
TALK80
  8,EAG] = TD 6-E S HE CD G BOAT+ ) Y40
,!N ,MA7IE R1LIZ$ ! "T4 8,Y HAV5'T _H TO
*ANGE YR PLANS1 H Y8 ,Y SD Y'D CALL ?
AFN40
  8,I HAV5'T *ANG$ MY PLANS4 ,AT L1/1
,I'M N C.EL+ ! \T+10 HE QUALIFI$ 8 /ATE-
;T4 8,I ?"\ ,MIKE MI<T L 6L1VE SOON]1 H
LUN* ABO>D ! BOAT40
  8,HE'D LOVE X40
  8,D Y M9D80
  8,NO1 ,I DON'T M9D10 ,MA7IE 9SI/$1 &
WOND]$ ": ! SILLY LUMP CAME F 9 H]
?ROAT4 8,Y'LL WANT 6TALK 6HM4 ,I'LL TELL
HM Y'RE ON ! PH"O40
  8,"!'S NO NE$40 ,ONCE AG ,WADE /OPP$
H]4 8,J TELL HM ,I'M L1V+ N[ &= HM 6BE
R1DY :5 ,I >RIVE40
  8,I W40                           #AJI
  8,MA7IE8 ,?ANKS10 HE SD SIMPLY4
  ,%E HESITAT$4
  8,Y'LL H 6D ! SAME = ME "S"D :5 ,I DE-
CIDE 6GET M>RI$40 ,! IDEA SEEM$ S REMOTE
AT ! MO;T T X 0 LAU<A#4 ,9/1D1 ,MA7IE
FELT TE>S PRICK+ H] EYES4
  8,Y C C.T ON X10 ,WADE PROMIS$4
  ,X 0 S"EAL M9UTES AF HE _H SD GDBYE 2F
,MA7IE _H 5 -POSURE 6WALK 6! BACK DOOR
6CALL ,MIKE 9SIDE4
  ,%E _H JUDG$ 8 REAC;N A3URATELY4 ,HE 0
EC/ATIC OV] ! *ANGE ( PLANS4
  ,:5 HE RAN 6HIS ROOM 6*ANGE %IRTS &
PUT ON A CL1N PAIR ( T5NIS %OES1 ,MA7IE
FRE%5$ H] MAKEUP & TOOK ! GRE5 RI2ON F
H] HAIR4
  ,!N X 0 BACK 6! UTIL;Y ROOM &! CLO!S 9
! DRI]4
  ,Z %E 0 PAIR+ ! SOCKS1 ,MIKE POK$ 8
H1D >.D ! DOOR4
  8,I'M GO+ \TSIDE 6WAIT = DAD40
  8,H A GD "T40 ,MA7IE SMIL$ 63C1L H]
5VY = 8 "D4
  8,Y BET60
  8,I'LL SEE Y TN40 ,B ,MIKE 0      #AAJ
ALR G"O & "P+ ^WS B\NC$ =LORNLY (F !
WALLS ( ! UTIL;Y ROOM4
  ,TRY+ N 6DWELL TOO M* ON :AT %E 0 GO+
6D ) H]F ALL "D1 ,MA7IE ME?ODIC,Y FOLD$
! SOCKS & PUT !M )! /ACK ( CLO!S 9 !
WICK] BASKET4
  ,:5 X 0 FILL$1 %E PICK$ X UP4 ,X 0
H1VY & %E HURRI$ 9 ORD] 6BR+ A QK 5D 6!
WEI<T TU7+ AT H] >MS4
  ,Z %E R.D$ ! >*WAY 96! LIV+ ROOM1 %E 0
HIT BROADSIDE 0A TALL1 H>D =M4 ,! COLLI-
.N WR5*$ ! BASKET F H] /RA9+ H&S1 FLIPP+
X UPSIDE D[N & DUMP+ ! FOLD$ CL1N CLO!S
ONTO ! FLOOR4
  ,! =CE (! COLLI.N /A7]$ H]1 B A PAIR (
L>GE H&S IMMLY /1DI$ H]4
  ,WADE'S H&S--H] S5SES RECOGNIZ$ 8 T\*
IMMLY4
  ,ON IMPACT1 %E _H ISSU$ A />TL$ CRY4
,H] HE>T 0 LODG$ 9 H] ?ROAT Z %E />$ AT
,WADE & N A S.D CD GET PA/ X4
  ,A :ITE KNIT %IRT1 UNBUTTON$ AT !
?ROAT1 3TRA/$ )! NAVY PANTS & ,W9DBR1K]
HE WORE4 ,! D>K BLUE COLOR 9T5SIFI$ !
JET BLACK;S ( 8 ATTRACTIVELY UN-    #AAA
KEMPT HAIR1 LOOK+ Z IF X 7 FRE%LY RUMPL$
0A SEA BREEZE4 ,A 3C]N$ LOOK 0 ET*$ 9 8
H>%LY VITAL & MALE F1TURES1 8 D>K EYES
PI]C+ 9 _! SCRUT9Y4
  ,) AN EF=T ,MA7IE =C$ H] GAZE F 8 COM-
PELL+ FACE1 FI<T+ ! BR1?.S WAVES ( EX-
CITE;T T 5GULF$ H]4
  ,H] GL.E FELL ON ! ONCE NE>LY FOLD$
CLO!S SCATT]$ OV] ! FLOOR4 ,!Y WD ALL H
6BE FOLD$1 SEP>AT$1 & /ACK$ 9 ! BASKET
AG4 ,ANGRY EXASP],N AT ! WA/$ "T %E'D
SP5T OV]TOOK ! RE/ ( H] TANGL$ EMO;NS &
H] H&S SLID 6H] HIPS 9 AN ATTITUDE (
TEMP]4
  ,2F %E CD SP1K1 ,WADE 0 SAY+1 8,I'M
SORRY1 ,I DIDN'T "K Y 7 GO+ 6-E RAC+ >.D
! CORN] AT T MO;T40
  ,RAC+ >.D ! CORN]6 ,! PHRASE 9DICAT$ !
BLAME 0 H]S4
  ,:AT _H BE5 A M]E SP>K ( ANG] BLAZ$
96FULL FLAME4
  ,%E TURN$ ON HM1 H] GRE5 EYES FLA%+4
,Z H] M\? />T$ 6OP51 8 F+]S CLOS$ X4
  ,"! 0 A WICK$ TW9KLE 9 8 D>K EYES4 8,I
SD ,I 0 SORRY10 HE REM9D$ H]4 ,8    #AAB
?UMB LI<TLY C>ESS$ ! CURVE ( H] M\? 2F
HE TOOK 8 H& AWAY & GL.ED AT 8 SON4
  8,-E ON1 ,MIKE4 ,LET'S HELP YR MOM
PICK UP ! CLO!S40
  ,T VAGUE C>ESS _H TURN$ AWAY H] ANG]4
,MA7IE 0 LEFT /&+ "!1 IMPOT5T1 :ILE
,MIKE & ,WADE B5T 62G9 PICK+ UP ! SCAT-
T]$ CLO!S4 ,X 0 S"EAL SECONDS 2F %E RE-
COV]$ SU6ICI5TLY 6HELP !M4
  8,WE 7 J -+ 9 6TELL Y WE 7 GO+10 ,MIKE
EXPLA9$4
  8,Y'LL 2 HOME 2F D>K1 WON'T Y80 ,MA7IE
_HN'T ASK$ ,WADE H[ L;G !Y 9T5D$ 6BE
G"O4
  8,WE'LL 2 BACK 6! M>9A 2F D>K40 ,HE
SATISFI$ H] M9D ON T WORRY4 8,DON'T WAIT
D9N] = ,MIKE1 ?\<4 ,WE'LL PROBABLY H "S-
?+ 6EAT 2F ,I BR+ HM HOME40
  8,OH40
  ,T M1NT TWO M1LS %E WD H 6EAT AL"O1
LUN* & D9N]4
  8,DAD1 >E WE GO+ \ ON ! BOAT AL"O1 J Y
& ME80
  ,MIKE BUN*$ A GR\P ( SOCKS TGR & /U6$
!M 9 ! BASKET4 ,MA7IE RESCU$ !M &   #AAC
TRI$ 6SORT !M 96PAIRS4
  8,YES1 X W J 2 ! TWO ( U40
  8,:Y C'T MOM -E AL;G80





















                                    #AAD
























                   #H               #AAE

  8,MIKE60
  ,%E 0 S />TL$ 0,MIKE'S UNEXPECT$ RE-
QUE/ 69CLUDE H] 9 _! PLANS T 8 "N 0 !
ONLY ^W ( PROTE/ %E CD ?9K 6MAKE4
  ,COLOR R\G$ H] *EEKS = FE> ,WADE MI<T
?9K %E _H PREVI\SLY H9T$ 6,MIKE =! 9VI-
T,N4 ,A SIDEWAYS GL.E AT ,WADE %[$ 8
CURI\S FR[N4
  ,MIKE PURSU$ 8 REQUE/1 IGNOR+ H] \T-
BUR/4
  8,%E'S ON VAC,N & %E DOESN'T H ANY?+
6D1 ESPECI,Y ) ME GO+ PLACES ) Y40 ,HE
3T9U$ )\T GIV+ ,WADE A *.E 6REPLY1 8,I
"K MOM LIKES BOATS 'CAUSE ,I'VE SE5 !
PICTURES (! BOAT Y TWO US$ 6H40
  8,MIKE10 ,MA7IE 9T]RUPT$ %>PLY1 8YR "F
WANTS 6SP5D "T AL"O ) Y4 ,Y & ,I W H "T
6D ?+S TGR LAT]40
  8,Y1H1 B--0 HE 0 /RU7L+ =! ^WS
8--WE'VE N"E D"O ?+S TGR L A FAMILY4 ,AT
L1/1 ,I 0 TOO LL 6REMEMB] IF WE DID4
,&--0
  8,B WE >5'T A FAMILY10 ,MA7IE PROTE/$4
  8,YES1 WE >E10 ,WADE CORRECT$     #AAF
H] 9 A QUIET B FIRM VOICE4 8,Y >E ! "M1
,I AM ! "F & ,MIKE IS ! SON4 ,A DIVORCE
DOESN'T *ANGE T40
  8,NO1 B'''0 ,%E FELT PANIC4
  8,C %E -E AL;G1 DAD80 ,MIKE 9T]RUPT$
EAG]LY1 8 EYES ALI<T ) CAUTI\S HOPE4
  8,( C\RSE %E C -E AL;G10 ,WADE AGRE$1
& GL.ED AT ,MA7IE4
  8,W Y G BOAT+ ) U80
  ,%E 0 ?R[N 963FU.N4 ,HE CDN'T RE,Y M1N
X1 B "! WASN'T ANY RELUCT.E 9 8 VOICE OR
8 EXPRES.N4
  8,OH1 B ,I--0 %E 2GAN4
  8,PL1SE1 MOM60 ,MIKE 9S]T$ 6W>D (F H]
REFUSAL4
  8,PL1SE1 ,MA7IE40
  ,WADE L5T 8 VOICE 6,MIKE'S4 ,8 EXPRES-
.N 0 S]I\S1 N A H9T ( MOCK]Y 6BE SE54
  ,%E MI<T H RESI/$ ,MIKE'S PLEA1 B 6D5Y
,WADE'S 0 IMPOSSI#4
  ,H] H1D 0 BO2+ 9 AGREE;T 2F %E CD GET
! ^WS \4
  8,V WELL1 ,I'LL -E ) Y40 ,N )\T MIS-
GIV+S4
  ,H] GL.E W5T D[N ! CRISP BLUE     #AAG
,LEVI'S %E WORE & PLA9 KNIT TOP4 8,I'LL
H TO--0
  ,WADE SAW ! DIREC;N H] ?"\S 7 TAK+ &
9T]RUPT$4
  8,"!'S NO?+ WR;G ) :AT Y'RE WE>+4 ,A
PAIR ( T5NIS %OES &A ,W9DBR1K] >E ! ONLY
A4I;NS WE'LL NE$4 ,MIKE & ,I DON'T WANT
6WAIT ! "T X WD TAKE Y 6*ANGE 5TIRELY40
  ,? "T "! 0 A GL9T ( MOCK]Y 9 8 D>K
EYES4
  8,X DOESN'T TAKE ME T L;G10 ,MA7IE DE-
NI$ )A DEFIANT TILT ( H] *94
  8,ONLY ="E10 ,MIKE EXA7]AT$4
  8,T ISN'T TRUE60 ,"! 0 AN 9DIGNANT
GL1M 9 H] LOOK4
  8,! 9VIT,N 0 ISSU$ )! PROVISO TO ,8-E
Z Y >E10'0 ,WADE TOLD H]4 8,MIKE1 G &
GET H] %OES &A ,W9DBR1K]40
  8,"R1 DAD40
  ,& HE PUT 8 AGREE;T 96AC;N4
  ,-MON S5SE AGRE$ T "! 0 NO?+ WR;G )
:AT %E 0 WE>+4 ,H] ,LEVI'S & TOP 7 N1T &
CL1N4
  ,VAN;Y1 H["E1 9SI/$ "! 7 \TFITS 9 H]
W>DROBE EQU,Y S]VICEA# & M* M       #AAH
FA%IONA#4 ,B 2T ,WADE & ,MIKE1 !Y _H
TAK5 ! *OICE \ ( H] H&S4
  ,WADE A4$ ! LA/ (! CLO!S 6! BASKET &
SET X ASIDE4 ,MA7IE WAT*$ HM4 ,HE LIFT$
! H1VY BASKET S EASILY4
  ,ALL ?"\ ( CLO!S 0 PU%$ F H] M9D1 !
VOID 6BE FILL$ 0RECOGNI;N ( 8 P[];LLY
MUSCL$ FRAME & 8 9NATE VIRIL;Y4
  ,%E R1LIZ$ H[ DANG]\S X 0 6SP5D AN AFN
OR AN H\R ) HM4
  8,I DON'T ?9K ? IS A GD IDEA10 %E MUR-
MUR$ AL\D4
  8,:AT80 ,HE COCK$ 8 H1D AT AN 9QUIR+
ANGLE1 A BR[ LIFT+ SLI<TLY1 A HALF SMILE
T\*+ 8 M\?4 8,N *ANG+ CLO!S80 HE MOCK$4
  8,NO1 MY GO+ ) Y40 ,9 SELF-DEF5SE1
,MA7IE HA/5$ 64GUISE ! TRU? ( H] ANSW]4
8,! IDEA IS = ,MIKE 6ADJU/ 6YR -+ M>-
RIAGE4 ,MY -+ AL;G IS J GO+ 63FUSE ! IS-
SUE40
  8,I DON'T AGREE40 ,HE EY$ H] /1DILY4
8,S9CE ,MIKE HAS GR[N UP1 HE'S EI BE5 )
Y AL"O1 OR ) ME AL"O--N"E 9 ! -PANY (A
C\PLE ": HE ISN'T ! SOLE OBJECT (
ATT5;N4 ,TD HE'S GO+ 6SEE :AT X'S   #AAI
L :5 "! >E ?REE P TGR4 ,=! EXP]I;T1 X'S
Y 9/1D ( ,2L9DA40
  8,T'S V LOGICAL10 %E MURMUR$4
  ,8 MOTIVES = WANT+ H] AL;G 2CAME OBVI-
\S4 ,X WASN'T A DESIRE = H] -PANY1 OR =A
LA/ "T 6BE TGR Z A FAMILY4
  ,NO1 ,WADE 0 SP>+ 8 D>L+ ,2L9DA F ANY
\T"R REJEC;N 0HIS SON4 ,"S (! 9N] JOY T
,MA7IE _H H>DLY D>$ 6LET H]F FEEL FAD$
AT ! 4COV]Y4
  8,:AT'S V LOGICAL80
  ,MIKE RETURN$ ) H] T5NIS %OES & YELL[
,W9DBR1K]4
  ,=A SPLIT SECOND ,MA7IE 0 AT A LOSS =
AN ANSW]4 8,= YR "F 69VITE ME AL;G S HE
WON'T H 6COOK40
  8,Y1H1 T IS PRETTY SM>T1 DAD10 HE
AGRE$ )A GR94
  8,I ?"\ S40
  ,/EPP+ \ (! CASUAL L1!R LOAF]S1 ,MA7IE
PUT ON ! T5NIS %OES & TI$ ! LACES4 ,!
?91 SLICK JACKET %E LET DRAPE OV] "O
%\LD]4 ,:5 %E 0 R1DY1 ,MIKE L$ ! WAY \T-
SIDE4
  ,IF ,MA7IE NE$$ ANY FUR!R         #ABJ
REM9D] T %E 0 ONLY A /&-IN = ,2L9DA1 !
SILV] ,M]C$ES PROVID$ X4 ,%E 2GAN 6WOND]
IF ! BOAT1 TOO1 2L;G$ 6HIS FUTURE BRIDE4
  ,= ONCE1 %E DIDN'T H ! AUDAC;Y 6ASK4
,AL? "! 0 AMPLE ROOM 9 ! FRONT S1T =
?REE1 %E *OSE 6SIT AL"O 9 ! BACK4 ,X
SAV$ MAK+ 9NOCU\S 3V]S,N4
  8,:AT D Y ?9K (! C>1 ,MIKE8 ,Y N"E DID
-;T ON X YE/]"D40
  ,WADE TURN$ X ONTO A BUSY /REET1 !
LUXURY C> A3EL]AT+ 96! FL[ ( TRA6IC4
  8,X'S NICE40 ,MIKE 0 OBVI\SLY UNIM-
PRESS$ 0! PLU%;S (! 9T]IOR4 8,B ,I L T
F\R-:EEL-DRIVE VEHICLE Y H 9 ,ALASKA A
LOT BETT]4 ,X C G ANY":60
  ,WADE *UCKL$ & ADMITT$1 8,"! >E "TS :5
Y C'T GET >.D UN.S Y H T K9D ( VEHICLE40
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,MIKE DCLD4                         #ABE
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