,,= ,,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 ,M>IAN ,HAYES1
      ,J5NY ,LUKE1 & ,%>ON ,CILLEY
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #B ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #ABG-BDF

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 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
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       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$     ;II
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

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           ,= ,,MIKE'S ,,SAKE       #ABG

                   #I

  ,AF LUN* 0 OV]1 ,MIKE 0 DESIGNAT$ CAB9
BOY & ORD]$ 6CL1N ! DI%ES4 ,HE GRUDG+LY
OBEY$1 AF TRY+ UNSU3ESS;LLY 65LI/ HELP F
EI ( !M4
  ,! BOAT REMA9$ AN*OR$ 9 ! COVE1 )
,MA7IE & ,WADE RELAX+ ON ! CU%ION$ S1TS
(! AFT DECK4
  ,H] YELL[ ,W9DBR1K] 0 ZIPP$ 6! ?ROAT1
H] H&S /U6$ 9 ! FRONT POCKET4 ,?US PRO-
TECT$1 %E L1N$ BACK 65JOY ! BRISK AIR1
TANGY )! SC5T (! SEA4
  ,ALL 0 QUIET EXCEPT =! LAPP+ WAT] AG/
! BOAT'S HULL &! :ISP]+ BREEZE TALK+ 6!
RU/L+ L1VES ON ! ISL&'S WOOD$ 9T]IOR4
,&1 ( C\RSE1 "! 0 ! CLATT] ( DI%ES 9 !
CAB9 GALLEY 2L4
  8,Y'VE MADE A GD JOB ( RAIS+ ,MIKE10
,WADE REM>K$ QUIETLY4
  8,I HAV5'T D"O X AL"O4 ,Y'VE 3TRIBUT$1
TOO40 ,MA7IE MET 8 LOOK1 AW>E ( XS G5-
TLE;S4
  8,! CR$IT 2L;GS 6Y4 ,HE'S ) Y     #ABH
M* M ?AN HE IS ) ME4 ,B ?ANKS = MAK+ ME
FEEL ,I'VE _H A H& 9 X40
  ,LOOK+ AWAY F H]1 HE TOOK A DEEP BR1?
& LET X \ SL[LY1 L A SI<4 8,TD Y SD Y WD
WANT ME 6TALK 6,MIKE 2F Y GOT M>RI$4 ,>E
Y PLANN+ 6M>RY AG80
  8,"S"D1 :5 ,I F9D ! "R MAN40 ,! PROS-
PECT LOOK$ 4MAL4 8,L Y1 ,I DON'T WANT TO
MAKE ANO!R MISTAKE4 ,! NEXT "T ,I WANT
6BE V1 V SURE40
  8,Y DON'T H ANY"O 9 M9D1 !N80 ,8 GAZE
RETURN$ 6H]1 D>K & IMP5ETRA#4
  8,N ANY "O P]SON4 ,"! >E A FEW PROS-
PECTS ON ! HORIZON1 B--0 ,MA7IE %RU7$
8--,I'M N GO+ 6RU% 96ANY?+40
  8,Y SD "S?+ ! O!R "D T'S BE5 BO!R+
ME40
  ,8 EXPRES.N 0 ?"\;L1 SLI<TLY 4TANT4
  8,:AT 0 T80
  8,Y SD T AF Y'D WI7L$ \ F "U MY ?UMB1
Y LE>N$ 6VALUE YR FREEDOM4 ,:AT DID Y
M1N 0T80
  ,2F %E ATTEMPT$ AN ANSW]1 ,WADE W5T
ON4 8,GRANT$1 Y SD X 9 A MO;T ( TEMP]4
,B Y R>ELY SAY ?+S 9 ! H1T ( ANG]   #ABI
T Y DON'T M1N4
  8,:5 WE 7 M>RI$1 Y 7 ALW FREE 6D Z Y
PL1S$1 )9 R1SON1 ( C\RSE40
  8,IN !ORY1 ,I WAS40 ,AT 8 GA!R+ FR[N1
,MA7IE TRI$ 6EXPLA94
  8,ALL "D L;G Y GAVE ORD]S 6YR EMPLOY-
EES4 ,:5 Y CAME HOME1 Y 3T9U$ 6GIVE OR-
D]S4 ,Y N"E SEEM$ 6ASK ME 6D ANY?+1 Y 7
ALW .TELL+ ME4
  8,9/1D ( GIV+ ORD]S 6! P :O "W$ "U Y1
Y GAVE !M 6ME--& ,I 0 M* TOO 9DEP5D5T TO
/& = T40 ,A WRY SMILE DIMPL$ H] *EEKS4
  8,I N"E 9T5D$ !M 6BE ORD]S40
  8,Y PROBABLY DIDN'T1 B T'S ! WAY !Y
CAME \40
  8,I'M ''' SORRY40 ,"! 0 A C]TA9 GRIM;S
6HIS M\?4
  8,DON'T BE4 ,X'S 9 ! PA/ & =GOTT540 ,B
,MA7IE GUESS$ HE 0 FIL+ X AWAY = FUTURE
REF];E1 "S?+ HE DIDN'T WANT 6REP1T 9 8
NEW M>RIAGE 6,2L9DA4
  ,X HURT4
  8,I'M D"O60 ,MIKE POPP$ UP ! /EPS4 8,C
WE FI% N[80
  ,! QUIET 9T]LUDE 0 OV]4 ,WADE     #ACJ
/RAI<T5$ F 8 -=TA# POSI;N ) OBVI\S RE-
LUCT.E4 8,GET ! BAIT \ (! REFRIG]ATOR
:ILE ,I F9D ! RODS & REELS10 HE DIRECT$4
  8,>E WE GO+ 6FI% "H80
  8,:Y N8 ,IF ! FI% >5'T BIT+ "H1 WE'LL
MOVE "SPLACE ELSE10 ,WADE R1SON$4
  ,Z F> Z ,MA7IE 0 3C]N$1 %E F.D ,MIKE'S
PRES;E1 8 /1DY /R1M ( *ATT] & EXPECTANT
EXCITE;T1 BETT] ?AN ! 3FID+ QUIET;S :5
%E & ,WADE _H BE5 AL"O4
  ,HE KEPT H] M9D F ?9K+ 9TIMATE ?"\S &
5VI.N+ HOPE.S DR1MS4
  ,! FI%+ TURN$ \ 6BE N V GD 9 T COVE &
,WADE MOV$ ! BOAT 6ANO!R4 ,E>LY AFN 0 N
! BE/ "T ( "D = FI%+1 B AT ! SECOND
PLACE !Y /OPP$1 ,MIKE DID CAT* "O T 0
BIG 5 6KEEP4
  ,!Y ALL ?REW S"EAL BACK4 ,AF !Y _H
MOV$ AG1 ,WADE CAU<T ! NEXT4
  ,A F9E MI/ 2GAN 6FALL1 B DESPITE _!
"PIAL SU3ESS1 ! W1!R DIDN'T 9T]F]E ) _!
SPORT4 ,X DAMP5$ _! CLO!S1 B N _! _S4 ,!
WAT] 9 ! ?IRD COVE 0 FAIRLY DEEP4
  ,A FI% NIB#D ON ,MA7IE'S BAIT$ HOOK1
!N TOOK X4 ,%E 2GAN REEL+ X IN1     #ACA
FEEL+ X FI<T & C]TA9 ? "T %E _H GOT A
BIG "O4
  8,GOT A FI%1 MOM80 ,MIKE GL.ED OV] 8
%\LD] F 8 POSI;N ON ! OPPOSITE SIDE (!
BOAT NEXT 6,WADE4
  8,A FI% OR A BABY40 ,%E _H REEL$ 9 TOO
_M SMALL "OS T %E ?"\ WD 2 L>GE 6BRAG AB
? "O4
  8,AT ! RATE YR "M IS GO+1 Y & ,I >E
GO+ 6BE ! ONLY "OS ) FOOD ON \R PLATES
TN1 ,MIKE10 ,WADE T1S$4
  8,Y1H1 & %E'S GOT 6COOK X = U40
  ,MA7IE KEPT H] SIL;E ) AN EF=T1 IGNOR+
! WAY !Y 7 GANG+ UP ON H]4 ,! FI% BROKE
SURFACE & %E _H 6SWALL[ BACK H] %\T (
GLEE4 ,X LOOK$ BIG 5 6KEEP4 ,N[ ALL %E
_H 6D 0 L& X4 ,A FEW M9UTES LAT] %E _H X
9 H] LAP--LIT],Y1 XS TAIL FLAPP+ ON H]
J1NS :ILE %E TRI$ 6"W ! HOOK \ ( XS M\?4
  8,:AT YA GOT _!1 MOM8 ,A GOLDFI%80
,MIKE T1S$4
  8,NO1 ,I H A R1L FI%40 ,%E /RU7L$ "S M
B CDN'T "W ! HOOK FREE4 8,HE'S SWALL[$ !
HOOK40
  8,X'S ! ONLY WAY %E CD H CAU<T    #ACB
X10 ,WADE LAU<$4 8,WAT* MY ROD :ILE ,I
HELP YR "M40 ,HE WALK$ OV] & ,MA7IE SUR-
R5D]$ H] CAT*1 A %ADE TRIUMPHANTLY1 6HM4
  8,Y RE,Y HOOK$ HM4 ,T'S TOO BAD40 ,HE
CR\*$ ON ! DECK 2S H] & G5TLY 2GAN "W+ !
HOOK 9 ! GAP+ FI%'S M\?4
  8,:Y IS T TOO BAD80 ,MA7IE DEM&$ 6"K4
  8,2C X ISN'T BIG 5 6KEEP40
  8,X IS1 TOO60 %E DCLD 9DIGNANTLY4
8,X'S J Z BIG Z YRS WAS40
  8,NO1 X'S A C\PLE ( 9*ES SMALL]10
,WADE REPLI$4
  8,Y H 6?R[ X BACK1 MOM10 ,MIKE 9S]T$4
  8,Y J /AY \ ( X10 %E TOLD HM1 & TURN$
ANGRILY BACK 6,WADE4 8,Y GET \ YR FI% &
WE'LL SEE IF M9E IS SMALL]40
  ,HE SMIL$4 8,I DON'T H 6GET \ MY FI%4
,I ALR "K YRS IS SMALL]--TOO SMALL TO
KEEP40 ,HE FRE$ ! HOOK & TOSS$ ! FI% OV]
! SIDE4
  8,MY FI%60
  ,MA7IE WAIL$1 & DIV$ T[>D ! RAIL1 Z IF
?9K+ %E CD CAT* X 2F X R1*$ ! WAT]4
  ,"! 0 A SPLA% 2F %E EV5 R1*$ ! SIDE (!
BOAT4 ,H] H& W5T \ =! RAIL+ 6/OP    #ACC
H] PROGRESS4
  ,! /1DY MI/ _H COAT$ ! RAIL+ ) SLIPP]Y
B1DS ( MOI/URE & H] H& F.D NO?+ 6GRIP ON
! WET SURFACE (! RAIL & SLID 2Y X4 ,!
UN*ECK$ =W>D IMPETUS C>RI$ H] AG/ ! L[
RAIL1 PIT*+ H] BODY OV] X4
  ,H] />TL$ %RIEK ( F"R & AL>M 0 E*O$ BY
,MIKE'S 8,MOM60
  ,"S?+ GRA2$ AT H] FOOT & 9 ! NEXT SEC-
OND %E 0 TUMBL+ 96! WAT]4 ,IMMLY 9/9CT
TOOK OV]4 ,HOLD+ H] BR1?1 %E TURN$ &
KICK$ T[>D ! SURFACE1 TAK+ C>E 6AVOID !
HULL (! BOAT4
  ,%E CAME UP SPLUTT]+1 GASP+ 9 AIR4 ,%E
0 %AK+ ALL OV]1 M F COLD ?AN ! 9ITIAL
F"R4 ,! F/ S.D %E HE>D 0 LAU<T]1 ,WADE'S
DEEP1 *UCKL+ LAU<T]4
  ,:5 HE SAW ,MA7IE 0 SAFE & UNH>M$1
,MIKE JO9$ IN4
  8,H Y F.D A NEW WAY 6FI%80 ,WADE
MOCK$4
  8,Y '''0 ,9 H] SURGE ( ANG]1 ,MA7IE =-
GOT 6TR1D WAT] & 5D$ UP SWALL[+ A M\?;L
(! SALTY /UFF4
  ,C\<+ & *OK+1 %E RESURFAC$ &      #ACD
/RUCK \ =! BOAT LA4]4 ,! WEI<T ( H] SAT-
URAT$ CLO!S PULL$ AT H] BODY4
  ,8 H& 0 "! 6HELP H] ABO>D4 ,)! F+]S (
"O H& >.D ! L[E/ RUNG1 ,MA7IE PAUS$ 9 !
WAT] 6GL>E AT HM &! DANC+ LI<T 9 8 BLACK
EYES4
  ,IGNOR+ 8 (F] ( 8 ASSI/.E1 %E PULL$
H]F ABO>D UNAID$4
  ,/&+ ON DECK1 A POOL ( SEA WAT] AT H]
FEET1 WAT] /R1M+ F H] SO45 CLO!S1 %E
LOOK$ F/ AT ,MIKE1 :O 0 GI7L+ 2H 8 H&4
,H] HAIR 0 PLA/]$ OV] H] =EH1D1 *EEKS &
NECK4 ,WAT] RAN 96H] EYES & %E WIP$ X
AWAY 6GL>E AG AT ,WADE4 ,A SMILE 0 PLAY+
)! CORN]S ( 8 M\?1 REG>D.S ( 8 ATTEMPTS
6MAKE X G AWAY4
  8,Y ?9K X'S ALL V FUNNY1 DON'T Y80 %E
A3US$1 H] TEE? *ATT]+ ) AN ON-SETT+
*ILL4 8,I CD H DR[N$ :ILE ! TWO ( Y 7
LAU<+60
  8,T'S H>DLY LIKELY1 ,MA7IE4 ,Y'RE AN
EXCELL5T SWIMM]10 ,WADE REM9D$ H] 9 A
DRY1 MOCK+ T"O4
  8,I CD H HIT MY H1D ON ! BOAT OR A
ROCK OR "S?+60 %E SPUTT]$4          #ACE
  8,! WAT] IS FAIRLY CLE>10 ,WADE PO9T$
\4 8,I CD SEE Y W]5'T 9 TR\#4 ,"H40 ,HE
R1*$ D[N & PICK$ UP A T5NIS %OE F ! DECK
--,MA7IE'S4 8,:5 ,I GRA2$ = Y1 ALL ,I
GOT 0 YR %OE4 ,AT L1/ X'S DRY40
  ,MA7IE SNAT*$ X F 8 \T/RET*$ H&4 8,:AT
GD IS "O DRY T5NIS %OE--0 %E WAV$ X 9
FRONT ( 8 FACE 8--:5 ,I H "O WET "O8 ,N
6M5;N T MY CLO!S >E SOAK$6 ,A DRY T5NIS
%OE J DOESN'T G )! RE/ ( MY \TFIT60 ,9 A
BUR/ ( TEMP]1 %E HURL$ ! L"O1 DRY T5NIS
%OE OV] ! SIDE1 ": X FLOAT$ ON ! QUIET
SURFACE4
  ,MIKE GASP$ 9 SURPRISE1 !N BROKE \
LAU<+1 F9D+ ! SC5E UPRO>I\SLY FUNNY4
  ,X DIDN'T HELP ,MA7IE'S GR[+ S5SE (
FRU/R,N "O BIT4
  8,Y'D BETT] PRACTICE YR CA/+1 ,MIKE1 &
SEE IF Y C'T HOOK T %OE 2F X S9KS10
,WADE ADVIS$1 KEEP+ ! AMUSE;T 9 8 VOICE
AT A M9IMUM4 8,Z = Y1 ,MA7IE1 ,I ?9K Y'D
BETT] G 2L & GET \ ( ^? WET CLO!S 2F Y
GET *ILL$40
  8,*ILL$6 ,:AT D Y ?9K ,I AM N[80 %E
CRI$ ANGRILY4 8,MY LEGS >E %AK+ S   #ACF
BADLY N[ T ,I C H>DLY /& UP40
  8,I'LL HELP Y40
  ,WADE TOOK A /EP T[>D H]4
  8,NO6 ,I DON'T NE$ ANY HELP F Y4 ,Y
TAKE "O M /EP & ,I'LL PU% Y OV] ! SIDE2
!N Y C SEE :AT X FEELS L 6BE DR5*$ 6!
SK910 %E ?R1T5$1 & N FALSELY4
  8,& /OP GIV+ ME ORD]S6 ,I'M AN ADULT4
,I "K ,I H 6GET \ ( ^! WET CLO!S1 Y
DON'T H 6REM9D ME ( T40
  ,! LATT] HALF ( H] /ATE;T WIP$ ! GL1M
F 8 EYES4 ,!Y 7 FLAT BLACK Z HE /EPP$ 6!
SIDE1 9DICAT+ 0HIS AC;N T HE WD MAKE NO
MOVE 6HELP H]4
  ,MA7IE SWEPT 0HM 6! /EPS ) Z M* DIGN;Y
Z H] DRIPP+ FIGURE CD MU/]1 B H] *ATT]+
TEE? DE/ROY$ M* (! E6ECT4
  ,2L1 %E TU7$ ! SATURAT$ CLO!S F H]
BODY & PIL$ !M 9 ! S9K4
  ,TAK+ A T[EL F ! LAVATORY1 %E RU2$ H]
SK9 DRY UNTIL X BURN$4 ,A SECOND T[EL %E
WRAPP$ >.D H] /RA7LY WET HAIR1 SECUR+ X
ON TOP ( H] H1D )A TUCK 9 FRONT4
  ,!N CAME ! PRO#M ( "S?+ DRY 6WE>4 ,%E
OP5$ A DRAW]1 LOOK+ =A BLANKET4     #ACG
,9SIDE 7 FOLD$ FLANNEL %IRTS1 M5'S
%IRTS4 ,A R$ & BLACK PLAID 0 ON TOP4
  ,AT ? PO9T ,MA7IE WASN'T "PICUL>4
,ANY?+ T 0 W>M & DRY & P]MITT$ MOVE;T WD
D4
  ,! %IRT 5GULF$ H]1 ! TAILS R1*+ 6H]
KNEES1 ! SLEEVES ALM Z F>4 ,AF A FEW
AWKW>D ATTEMPTS %E MANAG$ 6ROLL ! L;G
SLEEVES UP 6H] =E>MS & BUTTON ! FRONT4
  ,) T A3OMPLI%$1 %E 2GAN TRY+ 6T[EL H]
HAIR DRY4
  8,H[ >E Y DO+80 ,WADE CALL$ D[N4
  8,F9E10 %E SNAPP$1 & MUTT]$ 6H]F1 8Z A
DR[N$ RAT40
  ,%E 0 / %IV]+4
  ,AF GLANC+ >.D1 %E CALL$1 8,IS "! ANY
COCOA80
  ,9/1D ( ANSW]+1 ,WADE DESC5D$ ! /EPS Z
S.D.SLY Z A CAT4 8,IF "! ISN'T COCOA1
"!'S 9/ANT C(FEE4 ,) SUG>1 X W PROBABLY
D Y M GD ?AN COCOA40
  8,I "K "!'S 9/ANT C(FEE4 ,I WD H MADE
A CUP IF Y'D TOLD ME "! WASN'T COCOA40
  8,YR TEMP] / HASN'T COOL$ (F1 HAS X80
HE OBS]V$ DRYLY1 & WALK$ 6! CUP-    #ACH
BO>DS ABV ! GALLEY S9K4
  8,X'S ! ONLY "P ( ME T HASN'T10 ,MA7IE
MUTT]$4
  8,I DON'T SEE ANY COCOA40
  ,WADE MOV$ ITEMS ON ! %ELF >.D4 8,Y'LL
H 6SETTLE = C(FEE40
  8,I C FIX X MYF10 %E 9SI/$ :5 HE FILL$
! KETTLE ) WAT]4
  8,%UT UP1 ,MA7IE40 ,X 0 SD QUIETLY B
NO LESS FIRMLY4 8,/OP 2+ S DAMN$ 9DEP5-
D5T & G SIT D[N40 ,HE SAW ! FLA%+ GRE5
FIRE 9 H] EYES & A4$1 8,YES1 X IS AN OR-
D]4 ,2C AT ! MO;T1 Y'RE S ANGRY Y'D CUT
(F YR NOSE 6SPITE YR FACE40
  8,N M9E10 %E RETORT$4 8,B ,I MI<T CUT
(F YR NOSE60
  8,I'LL GET ! C(FEE1 !N GIVE Y !
KNIFE40 ,HE LIT ! GAS BURN] & SET ! KET-
TLE OV] ! FLAME4 ,%AK+ 8 D>K H1D1 HE
MURMUR$1 8,ONLY Y CD GET 96^! K9DS (
SCRAPES1 ,MA7IE40
  ,MA7IE DIDN'T >GUE ANY M AB MAK+ ! C(-
FEE H]F4
  ,NEI DID %E G SIT D[N Z HE _H ORD]$4
,%E RESUM$ ! BRISK RU2+ ( H]        #ACI
HAIR1 DEEP R$ GOLD WAVELETS RIPPL+ OV]
H] H1D4
  8,I C]TA9LY DIDN'T 9T5D 6FALL OV]-
BO>D10 %E MUTT]$4
  8,ALL 2C (A SILLY LL FI%40 ,! CORN]S (
8 M\? DEEP5$4
  8,T Y ?REW AWAY10 ,MA7IE REM9D$ HM4
  8,X 0 TOO SMALL40
  8,X 0 ALM BIG 5 6KEEP10 %E >GU$4
  8,"!1 Y J ADMITT$ X YRF40 ,WADE SMIL$1
)\T TRIUMPH4
  8,OKAY1 S ,I ADMIT X40
  ,%E TOSS$ ! T[EL ASIDE4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+ 9 T %IRT80
  ,! *ANGE ( SUBJECT />TL$ H]4 ,H] W+$
BR[S DREW TGR 9 A FR[N &A %ORT1 4BELIEV+
LAU< CAME F H] ?ROAT4
  8,I'M WE>+ X10 %E RETORT$4
  ,A RAK+1 IMPATI5T GL.E SWEPT H] F H1D
6FOOT4 8,I SUPPOSE Y ?9K Y LOOK SEXY
WE>+ A MAN'S %IRT T -ES 6YR KNEES1 )
%\LD] S1MS T PRACTIC,Y R1* YR ELB[S40
  8,X N"E O3URR$ 6ME H[ ,I MI<T LOOK
WE>+ X60 %E ANSW]$ DEF5SIVELY4 8,X 0 W>M
& ,I CD MOVE >.D FREELY :ILE ,I 0   #ADJ
WE>+ X4 ,IF X REM9D$ ME ( ANY?+1 X 0 A
FLANNEL NI<TG[N4 ,I WASN'T EV5 ?9K+ AB
2+ SEXY4 ,! ONLY MALE >.D "H T ,I C>E AB
IS ,MI*AEL40
  ,& %E D5I$ ! ?U4+ PULSE RAC+ 9 H] SL5-
D] NECK4
  8,2LIEVE ME1 Y DON'T LOOK A BIT L MY
GR&"M DID 9 H] FLANNEL NI<TG[N40 ,WADE
SPOON$ C(FEE CRY/ALS 96A MUG & GAVE H] A
BLACK1 SMOLD]+ LOOK4 ,A MUSCLE /OOD \
AL;G 8 JAW4 8,:5 A MAN SEES Y L T1
DRESS$ 9 A MAN'S %IRT )\T A /IT* ( CLO?+
"U X1 LOOK+ LO/ & VULN]A#1 HE WANTS TO
HOLD Y 9 8 >MS &--0 ,HE SNAPP$ (F ! RE/
( T S5T;E4 8,Z IF Y DIDN'T "K1 Y LOOK
DAMN$ CUTE60
  8,I DON'T "K IF T'S A -PLI;T OR A S940
  ,3FU.N TEMP]$ H] DEF5SIVE ANG] Z %E
TURN$ ASIDE4
  ,8 H& GRIPP$ H] ELB[ 6TURN H] BACK4
  8,! ONLY PLACE Y H 9 MY LIFE IS Z ! "M
( MY *40
  ,! BRUT,Y FRANK /ATE;T /UNG4
  8,I "K T10 ,MA7IE RETORT$1 *OK+1 UNA#
6%RUG \ ( 8 HOLD4                   #ADA
  8,!N EXPLA9 6ME :Y ,I C'T =GET T Y'RE
MY WIFE80
  ,8 GRIP %IFT$ 6CLASP BO? H] %\LD]S 9
H>D DEM&4




















                                    #ADB
























                  #AJ               #ADC

  ,H] LIPS "P$ 6DRAW 9 A FE>;LLY HAPPY
BR1?4 ,Z %E GAZ$ UP AT HM1 A F9E MI/ (
TE>S BR"\ A JEWEL-L 9T5S;Y 6! GRE5 COLOR
( H] EYES4 ,%E HE>D ! GROAN+ S.D HE MADE
2F 8 F+] TI<T5$ 6DIG 96H] FLE% & DRAW H]
6HM4
  ,! CRU% ( 8 M\? IGNIT$ A SWEET FIRE T
RAG$ "? H] VE9S4
  ,CURV+ H] >MS >.D 8 NECK1 ,MA7IE SLID
H] F+]S 96HIS %A7Y MANE ( BLACK HAIR4 ,!
DRIFT+ MI/ ( RA9 \TSIDE _H LEFT 8 HAIR
DAMP & SILK5 6! T\*4
  ,2H ! SP9N+ WOND] ( 8 KISS1 ! RECESSES
( H] M9D KNEW X CDN'T LA/4
  ,! K T ,WADE 2L;G$ 6"S"O ELSE MADE H]
HUNGRY RESPONSE M DESP]ATE1 SAVOR+ E
FRAG;T (! /OL5 EMBRACE4
  ,! DRIV+ POSSES.N ( 8 M\? B5T H] BACK-
W>D :ILE ! L>GE H& ON H] SP9E =C$ ! L[]
HALF ( H] BODY AG/ HM4 ,8 MUSCL$ LEGS 7
H>DWOOD COLUMNS1 SOLID & UNYIELD+4
  ,! WIDE;S (! %IRT'S COLL> MADE ! NECK-
L9E PLUNGE 6! VALLEY 2T H] BR1/S4 ,)
MA/];L EASE HE UNFA/5$ ! S+LE OB-   #ADD
/RUCT+ TOP BUTTON4 ,8 H& SLID 9SIDE TO
MOLD XF 6! MATURE CURVES ( H] BR1/1
SWALL[+ XS FULL;S 9 ! L>GE CUP ( 8 H&4
  ,MA7IE %U4]$ ) 9T5SE L;G+4 ,8 SE>+ CA-
RESS BURN$ H] ALR H1T$ FLE%4
  ,! MALE SMELL ( HM 0 A /IMULANT M PO-
T5T ?AN ANY DRUG4 ,H] HE>T 0 B1T+ S
WILDLY T %E CDN'T ?9K4
  ,WADE 5D$ 8 IMPRISON;T ( H] M\?1 L1V+
H] LIPS SWOLL5 ) PAS.N1 & 2GAN A S5SU\S
EXPLOR,N ( H] CURV+ NECK4 ,DESIRE QUIV]$
AL;G H] SP9E Z HE F.D ! PL1SURE PO9TS T
EXCIT$ H]1 & ,MA7IE CDN'T /OP ! MOAN (
DELI<T F ESCAP+ H] ?ROAT4
  ,! FANN+ W>M? ( 8 4TURB$ BR1?+ C>ESS$
H] SK94
  8,GOD HELP ME1 ,MA7IE1 B ,I WANT Y40
  ,8 HUSKY1 GRUDG+ ADMIS.N S5T TREMORS
"? H] LIMBS4
  ,%E FELT ! PRESSURE ( 8 GR[+ NE$ = H]4
,X 0 E*O$ 0! EMPTY A*E 9 H] LO9S4 ,"! 0
ONLY "H & N[1 NO?+ ELSE EXI/$1 & ? MO;T
WD N"E -E AG4
  8,DON'T Y ?9K ,I FEEL ! SAME1 ,WADE80
%E :ISP]$4                          #ADE
  ,) BLAZ+ SURE;S 8 M\? S"\ H] LIPS4 ,"!
0 ONLY "O ULTIMATE CLIMAX 6! CRU%+ EM-
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;N1 A "Y VOICE JOLT$ !M BACK 6R1L;Y4
  8,MOM6 ,DAD6 ,LOOK AT ! SIZE (! FI% ,I
CAU<T60 ,MIKE'S EXCIT$ CRY TORE _! KISS
A"P4
  ,ALM IMMLY HE CAME TUMBL+ D[N ! /EPS1
HOLD+ ! FI% AL(T4
  ,"! 0 NO "T = ,WADE 6)DRAW 8 >MS F >.D
H]4 ,A TREMBL+ ,MA7IE 0 GLAD ( _! SUP-
PORT4
  ,H] H1D DIPP$ 6HIDE 2H ! PROTECTIVE
%IELD ( ,WADE'S WIDE %\LD]S1 3C1L+ H]
LOVE-DRU7$ EXPRES.N F H] SON4
  ,%E FELT ,WADE TAKE A DEEP1 3TROLL+
BR1? 2F GLANC+ OV] 8 %\LD]4
  8,X'S ! BI7E/ "O YET60
  ,9/1D ( HOLD+ ! FI% 0! GILLS1 ,MIKE 0
TRY+ 6HOLD X 9 8 H&S4 ,X SLIPP$ "? 8
GRASP ONTO ! CAB9 FLOOR1 GIV+ BO? ( !M A
MO;T>Y REPRIEVE F 8 GAZE4
  8,X IS A BIG FI%10 ,WADE AGRE$4
  8,SEE X1 MOM80
  ,? "T ,MIKE PICK$ X UP CORRECT-   #ADF
LY4
  ,A SUPPORT+ >M REMA9$ >.D H] Z ,WADE
MOV$ 6"O SIDE4
  8,X'S A B1UTY1 ,MIKE40 ,EV5 6H] [N
E>S1 H] VOICE S.D$ /RANGE4
  ,X E>N$ H] A CURI\S LOOK F ,MIKE4 8,>E
Y ALL "R1 MOM80
  8,I'M F9E40
  ,MA7IE %IV]$ 9 LATE REAC;N4
  8,%E'S J A BIT *ILL$1 T'S ALL10 ,WADE
9S]T$4
  ,*ILL$4 ,X 0 DIRECTLY ! OPPOSITE4 ,H]
:OLE BODY 0 SU6US$ ) H1T1 ! H1T ( RE-
GRET1 ( %AME1 &( LOVE4
  ,B ,MA7IE DIDN'T 3TRADICT 8 /ATE;T1
LETT+ X 2 AN EXPLAN,N ( :Y ,WADE _H BE5
S OBVI\SLY HOLD+ H]4
  ,MIKE SEEM$ SATISFI$ )! ANSW] & LET 8
ATT5;N RETURN 6! FI% HE HELD4 8,ACTU,Y
,I CAU<T X ON YR POLE1 MOM40 ,HE GR9N$
AT ,WADE1 8,I GUESS WE'LL H 6SAY X'S
H]S40
  8,I GUESS WE W40 ,WADE NO4$ 9 3CES.N4
  8,I'D BETT] G PUT ? GUY ON ! /R+] &
SEE IF ANY?+'S BIT+ ON MY L9E40     #ADG
  ,Z QKLY Z HE _H -E1 ,MIKE LEFT1 SCUR-
RY+ BACK ON DECK4
  ,8 DE"PURE LEFT AN UNCOM=TA# VOID4
,AW>E ( ,WADE'S PI]C+ /UDY1 ,MA7IE TURN$
AWAY F X4 ,H] EMO;NS 7 / TOO CLOSE 6!
SURFACE4 ,A BU2L+ S.D PROVID$ ! NEC
4TRAC;N4
  8,! WAT]'S BOIL+10 %E SD4 8,I'D BETT]
GET T C(FEE 2F X BOILS AWAY40
  ,%E TURN$ H] BACK ON HM Z %E %UT (F !
GAS 6! BURN]4
  8,MA7IE '''0
  ,%E CD HE> ! 2G9N+S ( AN APOLOGY 9 8
VOICE4
  ,NO D\BT X WD 2 FOLL[$ 0A REM9D] T HE
0 5GAG$ 6"S"O ELSE & T ! DESIRE !Y _H
%>$ MO;TS AGO 0 ALL A MISTAKE1 & !Y 7 !
V LA/ ?+S %E WANT$ 6HE>4 ,! TE>S W]5'T T
F> AWAY4
  ,MA7IE S"\ REFUGE 2H ! EXCUSE ,WADE _H
(F]$ ! LA/ "T4
  8,WE 7 FOLL[+ ! PATT]N (A MEMORY1 F/
>GU+1 !N KISS+4 ,X DIDN'T M1N ANY?+40
.,N .6.Y1 H] HE>T QUALIFI$ ! LA/ /ATE;T4
  ,"! 0 A L;G SIL;E T LEFT H] )!    #ADH
UNCANNY FEEL+ T ,WADE DIDN'T 2LIEVE %E
M1NT :AT %E SD4 ,!N A DRAW] OP5$ 2N "O (
! BUNK B$S4
  8,AF Y DR9K YR C(FEE1 X PROBABLY WDN'T
HURT IF Y WRAPP$ UP 9 A BLANKET & /AY$
2L40
  8,I ?9K ,I W40
  ,MA7IE DIDN'T FI<T 8 SU7ES;N4
  ,"! 0 ANO!R PAUSE 2F %E HE>D ,WADE
M.T+ ! /EPS 6! DECK4
  ,H] H& %OOK Z %E A4$ ! BOIL+ WAT] 6!
BR[N CRY/ALS 9 ! MUG4 ,N[ %E DID FEEL
COLD1 & T]RIBLY L"OLY4
  ,C>RY+ ! MUG 6! B$1 %E WRAPP$ H]F 9 !
BLANKET ,WADE _H LAID ON ! BUNK4
  ,)9 M9UTES AF %E _H CURL$ H]F 96A BALL
( ABJECT MIS]Y1 ,MA7IE HE>D ! 5G9ES />T4
,%E KNEW ,WADE WASN'T GO+ 6LOOK = ANO!R
FI%+ HOLE2 HE 0 RETURN+ 6! M>9A4 ,%E
CLOS$ H] EYES & TRI$ 6=GET4
  ,MA7IE DIDN'T EM]GE F ! COCOON (!
BLANKET UNTIL ! BOAT 0 DOCK$1 ! MOOR+
L9ES TI$1 &! 5G9ES SIL5T4
  ,%E WA4$ H] WET CLO!S 96A BUNDLE &
/>T$ UP ! /EPS4                     #ADI
  ,! 9/ANT %E SET FOOT ON DECK1 ,WADE'S
VOICE B>K$1 8,": D Y ?9K Y'RE GO+80
  8,I PRESUME Y'RE TAK+ U HOME40 ,8 T"O
9/ANTLY PUT ,MA7IE ON ! DEF5SIVE4 ,POIS$
%ORT (! TOP /EP1 %E LIFT$ H] *94
  8,N DRESS$ L T40
  ,WADE S(T5$ 8 T"O1 B X 0 NO LESS LACK+
9 DET]M9,N4
  8,I HOPE Y DON'T ?9K ,I'M GO+ 6WE>
^!40 ,%E 9DICAT$ ! WET BUNDLE ( CLO!S 9
H] H&4 8,!Y'RE WET4 ,X MAY N BO!R Y1 B
,I'M N GO+ 6/A9 ! UPHOL/]Y 9 T EXP5SIVE
C> 0WE>+ ^! WET ?+S40
  ,HE /OOD 9 H] PA?1 BLOCK+ X Z E6EC-
TIVELY Z A TALL GATE4
  8,Y'RE N WE>+ T %IRT40
  8,= H1V5'S SAKE1 ,WADE--0 8 ATTITUDE
RANKL$ 8--? %IRT COV]S M ?AN IF ,I 7
WE>+ A BA?+ SUIT40
  8,I DON'T C>E H[ M* X COV]S40 ,"! 0 A
H>D5+ SET 6HIS JAW4 8,NO WIFE ( M9E IS
GO+ 6P>ADE D[N ^! DOCKS HALF-DRESS$40
  ,8 /ATE;T SE>$ "? H]1 B ,MA7IE R1LIZ$
T ,WADE 0 UNAW>E ( :AT HE _H SD4 ,!
SWIFT RU% ( H1T 0 QKLY REPLAC$ 0A   #AEJ
*ILL+ DEPRES.N4
  ,AVOID+ 8 GAZE1 %E MADE A BITT]LY
MOCK+ REPLY4 8,I'M N YR WIFE ANYMORE4
,OR _H Y =GOTT580
  ,\ (! CORN] ( H] EYE1 %E SAW ! />TL$
J]K ( 8 H1D4 ,TAK+ ADVANTAGE (! MO;T1 %E
CLIMB$ ! LA/ /EP & BRU%$ PA/ HM4 ,WADE
DIDN'T TRY 6/OP H]4
  ,MIKE 0 ON ! DOCK1 /&+ 0"O (! MOOR+
L9ES4
  8,>E Y TAK+ U /RAI<T HOME1 DAD8 ,:AT
AB ! FI%80 ,HE _H SE5 !M TALK+1 B _HN'T
HE>D ! SUB/.E ( _! 3V]S,N4
  8,YR "M NE$S "S DRY CLO!S10 ,WADE AN-
SW]$4 8,Z =! FI%1 WE'LL TAKE !M ) U40
  8,Y'LL HELP ME CL1N !M1 WON'T Y8 ,I'M
/ N V GD AT X40 ,MIKE SCRAM#D BACK ABO>D
6GET ! FI%4
  ,MA7IE HE>D ,WADE AGREE Z %E /EPP$
A%ORE4 ,)9 M9UTES ! ?REE ( !M 7 MAK+ _!
WAY 6! SILV] ,M]C$ES 9 ! M>9A P>K+ LOT4
,MO/ (! LOOKS T ,MA7IE RCVD FOCUS$ ON !
B>E L5G? ( H] LEGS1 R ?AN ! OV]SIZ$
FLANNEL %IRT & :AT WAS1 OR WASN'T 2N X4
,MA7IE IGNOR$ ! MO/LY ADMIR+        #AEA
GL.ES1 B X WASN'T S EASY 6IGNORE ,WADE'S
GR[+ ALO(;S4
  ,AT ! H\SE1 ,MA7IE C>RI$ H] WET CLO!S
6! UTIL;Y ROOM :ILE ,MIKE & ,WADE GA!R$
:AT !Y NE$$ F ! KIT*5 6CL1N ! FI%4 ,Z !Y
WALK$ \ ! SIDE DOOR 6! BACKY>D1 ,MA7IE
W5T 6H] B$ROOM 6DRESS4
  ,:5 !Y RETURN$ 6! KIT*5 )! CL1N$ FI% 9
A PAN ( WAT]1 !Y 7 LAU<+ AB "S?+4 ,A PA9
( LOSS & REGRET SPL9T]$ "? ,MA7IE & %E
TURN$ AWAY 63C1L X4
  ,MIKE CAME RU%+ =W>D4 8,W Y COOK ! FI%
TN80
  8,IF Y L10 %E AGRE$1 TAK+ ! PAN F HM &
SETT+ X ON ! C.T]4
  8,GRT60 ,) H] AGREE;T OBTA9$1 HE TURN$
BACK 6HIS "F4 8,N[ WE C EAT :AT WE
CAU<T1 L R1L \TDOORSM540
  8,Y C40
  8,>5'T Y /AY+80 ,MIKE 0 SURPRIS$1 B
,MA7IE WASN'T4
  8,I C'T4 ,I H A DATE TN40 ,WADE'S
VOICE 0 SMOO?1 8 ^WS CUTT+4
  8,B--0 ,MIKE SE>*$ =A PROTE/ 8--?
MORN+ 2F MOM AGRE$ 6-E AL;G1 Y SD   #AEB
WE MI<T N GET HOME UNTIL D>K & WE'D EAT
"S": 2F Y BR"\ ME HOME4 ,:Y C'T Y /AY
N[80
  ,HE 0 /&+ CLOSE 6H]4 ,MA7IE TURN$ &
QKLY B A6EC;NATELY PLAC$ H] H& ACR 8
M\?1 SIL5C+ HM 2F 8 9NOC5T REM>KS MADE !
SITU,N M AWKW>D ?AN X ALR WAS4
  8,YR "F SD HE _H 6L1VE1 ,MIKE4 ,T'S
F9AL40 ,%E TOOK H] H& AWAY & SAW ! RE-
SIGN$ DROOP ( 8 M\?4
  8,I'M SORRY1 ,MIKE4 ,I'LL 2 BUSY TM1 B
,I'LL CALL Y ,?URS"D10 ,WADE PROMIS$4
  8,I H BASEBALL PRACTICE 9 ! MORN+10
,MIKE TOLD HM4
  8,I'LL REMEMB]4 ,2T N[ & ,?URS"D AFN1
Y C 2 ?9K+ AB :AT Y'D L 6D10 ,WADE SUG-
GE/$4
  8,OKAY10 ,MIKE AGRE$ ) HALFHE>T$ 5?U-
SIASM4
  ,! EX*ANGE 0 PROL;G$ =A FEW M M9UTES
2F ,WADE F9,Y LEFT4
  ,MA7IE'S ONLY AC"KL$GE;T F HM 0 A CURT
NOD ( GDBYE4 ,%E TURN$ 6! S9K :5 ! DOOR
CLOS$ & 2GAN R9S+ ! FI% 9 COLD WAT]4
,MIKE WAT*$4                        #AEC
  8,Y "K ": HE'S GO+1 DON'T Y80 ,MIKE SD
GLUMLY4
  8,":80
  8,HE'S GOT A DATE ) .H]40 ,! FEM99E
PRON\N 0 EMPHASIZ$ ) SCORN Z ,MIKE W&]$
AWAY F ! S9K4


















                                    #AED
























                  #AA               #AEE

  ,MA7IE WIP$ ! P]SPIR,N F H] =EH1D )!
BACK ( H] GLOV$ H&4 ,%E _HN'T R1LIZ$ "!
7 S _M WE$S 9 ! FL[] B$ :5 %E'D />T$4 ,!
MUSCLES 9 H] BACK 7 2G9N+ 6CRAMP F CON-
/ANTLY B5D+ OV]4 ,B %E 0 ALM D"O4 ,>*+
H] %\LD]S BRIEFLY 6EASE ! /I6;S1 %E AG
/OOP$ 6H] TASK4
  ,A C> TURN$ 96! DRIVEWAY4 ,H] BACKW>D
GL.E RECOGNIZ$ ! /,N WAGON Z 2+ FAMILI>1
B %E CDN'T IMMLY DECIDE :Y4
  ,H] BR[S DREW TGR 9 A FR[N Z %E
/RAI<T5$ UP4
  ,! PASS5G] DOOR OP5$ & ,MIKE SCRAM#D
\1 BASEBALL & GLOVE 9 8 H&4 8,Y =GOT TO
PICK ME UP1 DIDN'T Y80 HE A3US$4
  ,H] GRE5 EYES WID5$ 9 4BELIEF4 8,PRAC-
TICE C'T 2 OV] ? SOON80
  8,WELL1 X IS10 HE DCLD 9 4GU/4 8,COA*
GAVE ME A RIDE HOME S9CE Y DIDN'T %[
UP40
  ,EMB>RASS$1 ,MA7IE GL.ED AT ! BRONZ$
MAN SLID+ \ F 2H ! :EEL (! C>4
  8,I'M SORRY1 ,I H"O/LY DIDN'T R1LIZE X
0 S LATE4 ,I />T$ WE$+ ! G>D5 &     #AEF
LO/ ALL TRACK ( "T1 ,I GUESS40
  8,T'S ALL "R4 ,?+S L T HAPP540 ,SMIL+
AWAY H] APOLOGY1 ,TOM ,D>BY WALK$ >.D !
HOOD (! C> T[>D H]4
  8,ALL ! "T10 ,MIKE MUM#D1 B ?ANK;LLY N
L\D 5 = ,TOM 6HE>4
  ,D5NY1 ! NEI<BOR BOY1 CALL$ 6,MIKE1
WANT+ HM 6-E OV]4 ,) 8 COA* "!1 ,MIKE
REFUS$1 %\T+1 8,LAT]60
  8,D5NY HAS A NEW PUPPY HE WANTS Y TO
SEE10 ,MA7IE TOLD HM4
  8,OH60 ,T *ANG$ ?+S4
  ,HE %OV$ 8 BASEBALL & GLOVE 96H] H&S &
RAC$ (F4
  ,SELF-3SCI\S AB H] OV]SI<T1 ,MA7IE
TRI$ 6MAKE AM5DS4
  8,?ANKS = BR++ ,MIKE HOME4 ,I RE,Y
APPRECIATE X4 ,I "K X 0 \ ( YR WAY40
  8,X 0 NO TR\# AT ALL10 ,TOM 9SI/$4
8,IN FACT1 X GAVE ME ! P]FECT EXCUSE TO
SEE Y AG40
  ,8 BOLD;S TOOK H] 0SURPRISE4 ,X %DN'T
H1 %E R1LIZ$4 ,H] AC;NS 9 ! PA/ _H 5C\R-
AG$ HM 6%[ ? 9T]E/4
  ,X 0 J 9 ! LA/ FEW "DS ALL H]     #AEG
?"\S _H BE5 3C]N$ ) ,WADE4 ,TOM ,D>BY _H
C1S$ 6EXI/ 9 H] M9D Z ANY?+ B ,MIKE'S
COA*4
  8,OH40 ,X 0 A SMALL S.D1 REV1L+ ,MAG-
GIE'S 9N] 3FU.N4
  ,! 9ITIAL ATTRAC;N %E _H FELT T[>D
,TOM _H FAD$ 969SIGNIFIC.E 9 ! FACE (!
OV]:ELM+ EMO;N T 3SUM$ H]4 ,H[ CD %E
H&LE ! *ANGE8
  ,TOM APPE>$ N 6NOTICE H] HESIT,N4 ,HE
3T9U$ )! 3FID;E (A MAN ^: SUIT _H N"E
BE5 REJECT$4 ,8 HAZEL EYES LOOK$ /1DILY
96H] GRE5 "OS4
  8,I WD L Y 6H D9N] ) ME "O NI<T ?
WEEK5D4 ,FRI"D OR ,SATUR"D NI<T1 :I*"E
IS 3V5I5T = Y80
  ,8 TE*NIQUE 0 EXCELL5T1 N GIV+ H] A
*.E 6SAY NO1 ONLY 6*OOSE : NI<T 6A3EPT4
  8,I'M SORRY1 B ,I RE,Y C'T SAY IF ,I C
-E40 ,MA7IE /ALL$ =A MO;T4 8,) ,MIKE'S
"F "H1 X'S DI6ICULT = ME 6MAKE PLANS UN-
TIL ,I "K :AT 8 >E4 ,I'LL H 6TAKE A RA9-
*ECK ON ! 9VIT,N40
  8,:AT"E Y SAY40 ,HE WASN'T HAPPY ) H]
ANSW]1 B HE SEEM$ RESIGN$ 6X4       #AEH
,GLANC+ UP AT ! CLE>1 BLUE SKY OV]H1D1
HE REM>K$1 8,X'S GO+ 6BE W>M TD40
  ,MA7IE S5S$ A H9T 2H ! -;T4 ,REG>D.S (
8 MOTIVES1 ,TOM _H D"O H] A FAVOR 0BR++
,MIKE HOME4
  ,! L1/ %E CD D 0 REPAY HM ) "S M1SURE
( HOSPITAL;Y4
  8,X'S ALR W>M4 ,& Y'VE BE5 ON ! BALL
FIELD ) ^? BOYS ALL MORN+4 ,LET ME (F] Y
"S?+ COLD 6DR9K S9CE ,I C'T A3EPT YR
D9N] 9VIT,N4 ,IC$ TEA1 BE]1 ,COKE80
  8,A BE] WD TA/E GD IF X ISN'T TOO M*
TR\#10 ,TOM A3EPT$ ) ALACR;Y4
  8,X'S NO TR\#4 ,I'LL GET X40
  ,TOM FOLL[$ H] 96! H\SE1 "S?+ ,MA7IE
_HN'T PLANN$ ON1 B %E DIDN'T OBJECT4 ,%E
SET ,MIKE'S BALL & GLOVE ON ! KIT*5 TA#
& PAUS$ 6REMOVE H] COTTON "W GLOVES4
  ,TOM /ROLL$ AL;G A FEW PACES 2H H]1
SEEM+ 6APPE> P]FECTLY AT HOME4 ,%E WALK$
6! REFRIG]ATOR4
  8,H[ IS ,MIKE DO+80
  ,MA7IE S"\ 6E/ABLI% A LESS P]SONAL
TOPIC ( 3V]S,N1 4CUSS ,TOM'S "W & /E]
AWAY F 8 SOCIAL LIFE & :E!R X WD    #AEI
OR WD N 9CLUDE H]4
  8,HE'S DO+ F9E1 %[S A R1L APTITUDE =!
GAME40
  ,Z %E OP5$ ! REFRIG]ATOR DOOR1 %E CA/
HM A BRIEF1 SMIL+ LOOK4
  8,EXCEPT = 8 HITT+1 : IS ABOM9A#4 ,HE
0 RE,Y UPSET T HE DIDN'T GET A S+LE HIT
9 ! GAME ! O!R NI<T40
  8,HIS HITT+ W IMPROVE 2F ! SUMM] IS
OV]10 ,TOM REPLI$ )A C]TA9TY T REV1L$ A
FIRM 2LIEF 9 8 T1*+ PR[ESS4 8,MIKE HAS
6LE>N 6KEEP 8 EYE ON ! BALL & /OP SW++
BLLY AT ANY?+ T -ES OV] ! PLATE40
  8,X M/ TAKE A LOT ( PATI;E 6T1* 9EXPE-
RI;ED BOYS H[ 6PLAY BASEBALL40
  ,AL;G )! C ( BE]1 ,MA7IE TOOK ! PIT*]
( IC$ TEA F ! REFRIG]ATOR %ELF4 8,WD Y L
A GLASS = YR BE]80
  8,! C IS F9E40
  ,HE TOOK X F H] & PULL$ (F ! TAB4 8,I
SUPPOSE X DOES REQUIRE PATI;E1 B ! 5D
RESULTS >E REW>D+4 ,I 5JOY SPORTS & ,I
5JOY "W+ ) KIDS4 ,= ME1 X'S NATURAL TO
-B9E ! TWO40
  8,T'S GD40                        #AFJ
  ,TAK+ A GLASS F ! CUPBO>D1 ,MA7IE
FILL$ X ) TEA F ! PIT*] = H]F4
  8,LI/51 ,MA7IE ''' "! ISN'T ANY R1SON
:Y ,I C'T BR+ ,MIKE HOME AF PRACTICE4 ,Y
DON'T NE$ 6KEEP MAK+ SPECIAL TRIPS 6PICK
HM UP40
  ,HE WALK$ OV] 6/& NEXT 6H]1 L1N+ A HIP
AG/ ! C.T] $GE4
  8,X'S V G5]\S ( Y 6(F]1 B ,I CDN'T LET
Y D X40
  ,MA7IE %OOK H] H1D 9 REFUSAL4
  ,! SUN%9E /R1M+ 9 "? ! W9D[ ABV ! S9K
GL9T$ ON ! FI]Y %E5 ( H] HAIR4
  ,X CAU<T ,TOM'S ATT5;N & HE R1*$ \ TO
T\* X Z AN 9NOC5T * WD R1* \ =A DANC+
FLAME4
  8,YR HAIR IS AN EXTRAORD9>Y %ADE (
R$40 ,A LOCK TRAIL$ ACR 8 F+]4 ,8 VOICE
0 MUS+ & ABS5T4 8,B1UTI;L40
  8,?ANK Y40 ,MA7IE WD H MOV$ 6! SIDE TO
ELUDE 8 9VOLUNT>Y C>ESS1 B ! KIT*5 DOOR
L1D+ \TSIDE OP5$4
  ,%E FROZE Z ,WADE CROSS$ ! ?RE%OLD &
/OPP$1 8 GAZE N>R[+ D>KLY1 SLA%+ F H] TO
,TOM4 ,! CURL+ /R& ( HAIR SLID (F   #AFA
,TOM'S F+]4 ,!Y 7 /&+ S CLOSE TGR AT T
MO;T T ! SC5E DIDN'T LOOK Z 9NOC5T Z X
_H BE53 ! H>D GLITT] 9 ,WADE'S EYES TOLD
,MA7IE T4
  8,MIKE IS AT ! NEI<BORS'40 ,MA7IE TOOK
! /EP F ,TOM'S SIDE4
  ,H] H1D ASSUM$ A DEFIANT ANGLE2 %E 0
IRRITAT$ 0! CRITICISM & 3DEMN,N %E SAW
WRITT5 9 ,WADE'S F1TURES4 ,%E 0 S+LE1
?US FREE 6H MALE FRS4
  8,I "K40 ,WADE'S ATTITUDE 3T9U$ 6BE
SIL5TLY 9TIMIDAT+4 8,I SAW HM :5 ,I
DROVE 9 & HE TOLD ME Y 7 9 ! H\SE4 ,I
WANT$ 6SP1K 6Y40
  .,AG1 ,MA7IE ?"\1 & M5T,Y BRAC$ H]F4
,! LA/ "T HE _H WANT$ 6SP1K 6H] PRIVATE-
LY X 0 6ANN\NCE 8 M>RIAGE PLANS4
  ,:AT 0 X AB ? "T8 ,"S?+ EQU,Y %ATT]+1
%E 0 SURE4
  ,TOM TOOK ! R BROAD H9T T 8 PRES;E
WASN'T WELCOME & SET 8 C ( BE] ON ! C.T]
TOP4
  8,I'D BETT] 2 MOV+ AL;G4 ,?ANKS =!
BE]1 ,MA7IE40
  8,I'LL WALK Y 6! DOOR40           #AFB
  ,%E _H AN UNR1SON+ DESIRE 6PO/P"O !
9EVITA# 3V]S,N ) ,WADE1 IF ONLY =A FEW
M9UTES4 8,HELP YRF 6"S?+ COLD 6DR9K1
,WADE4 ,I'LL 2 "R BACK40
  ,"! 0 NO RESPONSE1 B %E _HN'T EXPECT$
"! 6BE "O4
  ,IGNOR+ ! SIDE DOOR ,WADE _H 5T]$1 %E
L$ ,TOM "? ! LIV+ ROOM 6! FRONT DOOR4
  8,?ANKS AG = BR++ ,MIKE HOME40
  8,MA7IE--0 HE PAUS$ AT ! DOOR1 8 ?"\-
;LLY CURI\S GAZE RE/+ ON H] FACE 8--IS
"! A RECONCILI,N 9 ! "WS 2T ! TWO ( Y80
  8,NO1 H>DLY10 %E ANSW]$ )A BITT]LY
RUE;L TWI/ 6H] M\?4
  8,>E Y SURE8 ,2C ,I _H ! 4T9CT IMPRES-
.N :5 HE WALK$ 9 T ,I 0 2+ 3FRONT$ 0AN
\TRAG$ HUSB&40 ,8 H1D TIPP$ SKEPTIC,Y AT
AN ANGLE4
  8,Y M/ H BE5 MISTAK540
  ,IF ,TOM _HN'T1 X 0 PROBABLY A CASE T
EV5 IF ,WADE DIDN'T WANT H] ANYMORE1 HE
DIDN'T WANT H] 6BE ) ANY"O ELSE1 EI4
  8,I DON'T "K '''0 ,TOM 0 / HESITANT4
  8,I D40 ,MA7IE SMIL$4 8,Y SEE1 ,WADE
IS 5GAG$4 ,! W$D+ IS ? MON?40       #AFC
  ,HE SEEM$ 6DIGE/ ! 9=M,N 2F A3EPT+ X4
  8,I GUESS ,I DID MAKE A MISTAKE1 !N40
,HE %RU7$ ! 9CID5T AWAY4 8,I'LL 2 SEE+
Y1 ,MA7IE40
  8,YES4 ,GDBYE1 ,TOM40
  ,:5 HE _H LEFT1 ,MA7IE RETURN$ 6!
KIT*54 ,WADE _H HELP$ HMF 6A GLASS ( TEA
& 0 PUTT+ ! PIT*] BACK 9 ! REFRIG]ATOR4
  8,WAS HE "O (! M>ITAL PROSPECTS ON YR
HORIZON80 ,WADE ASK$4
  ,PRIDE MADE H] ANSW]1 8,HE CD BE10 AL?
%E S]I\SLY D\BT$ X4
  ,MA7IE PICK$ UP H] GLASS1 GLAD 6H "S?+
6D ) H] H&S 6HIDE H] APPREH5.N AB ? 3V]-
S,N4
  8,I'M SORRY IF ,I 9T]RUPT$ ANY?+10 HE
(F]$4
  8,NO1 Y'RE N10 %E RETORT$4 8,IF Y W]E1
Y WD H SU7E/$ T WE TALK ANO!R "T &
LEFT40 ,B %E DIDN'T 3FIRM OR D5Y 8 SUS-
PICIONS AB ! SC5E HE _H 9T]RUPT$4
  8,:AT ,I CAME 64CUSS ) Y IS IMPORTANT4
,I DIDN'T ?9K X 0 WISE 6PUT X (F40 ,WADE
DIDN'T DEF5D 8 9S9C]E APOLOGY4
  8,I'M SURE X'S IMPORTANT 0.YR     #AFD
/&>DS1 B ,I MI<T N ?9K S40
  8,X'S AB ,MIKE1 & UN.S ,I'M GRTLY MIS-
TAK51 HE'S ALW IMPORTANT 6Y40
  ,X 0 ALM A *ALL5GE4
  ,! SUBJECT 3C]N$ ,MIKE AG1 ,MA7IE ?"\1
! SAME Z ! LA/ "T4 ,%E DIDN'T L ! S.D (
X ANY M ?AN ! PORT5T\S FEEL+S T MADE H]
S UNEASY4
  8,YES1 ,MIKE IS IMPORTANT10 %E AGRE$
W>ILY4 8,:AT AB HM80
  8,HE HASN'T MET ,2L9DA YET4 ,NATUR,Y
%E'S V ANXI\S 6MEET HM10 HE SD4
  8,NATUR,Y40
  ,H] VOICE 0 DRY1 T+$ ) CYNICISM1 & X
DREW H] A %>P LOOK F ,WADE4
  8,I WANT 6>RANGE "S?+ = ? WEEK5D40
  8,F9E10 ,MA7IE NO4$4 8,FEEL FREE 6H
,MIKE :I*"E "D SUITS Y BE/4 ,Y "K ,I'M N
GO+ 6MAKE ANY OBJEC;NS40
  8,X ISN'T Z SIMPLE Z T40 ,WADE SI<$
H1VILY 9 EXASP],N4
  8,ISN'T X80 ,MOCK]Y TWI/$ H] M\?4
  8,NO4 ,I WANT ,MIKE 6BE ON FAMILI>
GR.D :5 HE MEETS H]4 ,I ?9K X'S GO+ 6BE
DI6ICULT 5 = HM )\T X O3URR+ ON     #AFE
ALI5 GR.D40
  8,X WON'T 2 EASY = ,2L9DA1 EI10 ,MA7IE
REM9D$ HM1 N LIK+ ! DIREC;N 8 -;TS 7
PO9T+4
  8,%E'S AN ADULT1 M CAPA# ( H&L+ A DIF-
FICULT SITU,N ?AN ,MIKE IS4 ,X'S M IM-
PORTANT =! BOY 6FEEL Z -=TA# Z POSSI#40
,HE PU%$ ASIDE H] PUNY OB/ACLE4
  8,:AT IS YR SOLU;N80 %E *ALL5G$4 8,I'M
SURE Y'VE ALR ?"\ ( "O40
  ,WADE BR1!D \ A SIL5T LAU<1 8 M\?
QUIRK+ CYNIC,Y4
  8,:Y D ,I H ! FEEL+ T ! M9UTE ,I ANSW]
T "Q ? KIT*5 IS GO+ 6TURN 96A BATTLE-
FIELD80
  8,MAYBE 2C Y ALR "K ,I'M N GO+ 6L X40
  ,H] N]VES 7 T5S+ H] F+]S TI<T5+ _!
GRIP ON ! MOI/ GLASS1 XS COOL;S MAT*+ !
TEMP]ATURE ( H] BLOOD4
  ,WADE HELD H] GAZE1 REFUS+ 6LET H]
LOOK AWAY4
  8,I WANT 6BR+ ,2L9DA OV] "H 6MEET
,MIKE4 ,HE WD 2 "H1 9 8 [N HOME1 ": HE
WD 2 -=TA# & RELATIVELY RELAX$1 & X WD
GIVE Y AN OPPORTUN;Y 6MEET H] AT    #AFF
! SAME "T4 ,YR PRES;E WD AL EASE "S (!
PRESSURE ,MIKE MI<T FEEL40
  ,%E DIDN'T WANT T WOMAN 9 H] HOME4 8,Y
C'T 2 S]I\S80
  8,I'M V S]I\S40
  8,I C SEE X N[1 ! F\R ( U SITT+ >.D )
\R H&S 9 \R LAPS />+ AT EA* O!R40 ,MA7IE
LAU<$ AL\D AT ! ?"\1 B %E DIDN'T ?9K X 0
FUNNY1 ONLY PREPO/]\S4
  8,GRANT$1 X MAY 2 AWKW>D4 ,X'S B.D 6BE
NO MATT] :5 OR ": X TAKES PLACE10 HE
>GU$1 !N SU7E/$1 8P]H X WD 2 BETT] IF WE
CAME = D9N]40
  8,D9N]60
  8,WE CD -E 9 "T 6H A DR9K 2F WE SIT
D[N 6! TA#4 ,"! WDN'T 2 "T =A LOT ( AWK-
W>D SIL;ES 2F "!'D 2 ! 4TRAC;N (! M1L4
,C(FEE AFW & !N WE'D L1VE40
  8,NO60
  8,:Y80 ,WADE C.T]$4
  8,2C '''0
  ,MA7IE SPUTT]$ HELP.SLY1 UNA# 6?9K (
AN ADEQUATE R1SON4
  8,MIKE HAS 6MEET H] SOON] OR LAT]4 ,:Y
N :5 Y'RE ) HM 6L5D MORAL SUP-      #AFG
PORT80 ,WADE DROVE HOME ! LOGIC ( 8
SU7ES;N4
  ,B "! 0 NO "O >.D 6GIVE H] MORAL SUP-
PORT1 %E >GU$ SIL5TLY4 ,%E S"\ REFUGE 2H
A W1K PROTE/4
  8,MIKE HAS 6MEET H]1 B ,I DON'T60
  8,D Y M1N Y WD L1VE HM 9 ! C>E (A TO-
TAL /RANG]8 ,2C T IS EXACTLY :AT Y WD 2
DO+4 ,2L9DA IS GO+ 6BE MY WIFE4 ,:5
,MIKE VISITS ME1 HE'LL AL 2 VISIT+ H]4
,>E Y S]I\SLY TRY+ 6TELL ME Y DON'T WANT
6MEET ! WOMAN :O'S GO+ 6BE YR SON'S /EP-
"M1 :O'LL TAKE C>E ( HM :5 HE'S ) ME8 ,I
DON'T 2LIEVE T1 N =A M9UTE40
  ,MA7IE TURN$ AWAY1 2C "EY?+ ,WADE _H
SD 0 TRUE4
  ,= ,MIKE'S SAKE1 %E _H 6MEET ,WADE'S
FIANC@EE 9 ORD] 6H P1CE 9 H] [N M9D :5
,MIKE VISIT$ ,WADE4
  ,%E 0 TRAPP$ 9 A CORN] & %E RES5T$
,WADE = MANEUV]+ H] "!4
  8,: NI<T WD Y & YR D>L+ ,2L9DA L 6-E =
D9N]80
  ,CLOY+ S>CASM ROLL$ F H] T;GUE1 ! ONLY
W1PON %E _H LEFT 9 H] >S5AL4        #AFH
  8,FRI"D W 2 F9E40 ,8 RESPONSE 0 TAUTLY
3TROLL$4
  8,:AT "T80
  8,SEV54 ,"!'S NO NE$ 6PLAN ANY?+ ELAB-
ORATE10 HE A4$4
  8,IN O!R ^WS1 Y DON'T WANT ME 6USE \R
W$D+ *9A & CRY/AL80 %E ASK$ SWEETLY4
  8,T ATTITUDE ISN'T GO+ 6MAKE X EASI]10
HE W>N$4
  8,EASI]8 ,:AT D Y "K AB MAK+ "S?+
EASI]80
  ,H] TEMP] FL>$4 8,! ONLY "O :O'S F9D+
ANY ( ? EASY IS Y6 ,X'S GO+ 6BE DI6ICULT
= ,MIKE1 ,2L9DA & MYF4 ,ALL Y H 6D IS J
SIT BACK & WAIT = U 6ADJU/60
  8,:AT WD Y L ME 6D8 ,BR1K ! 5GAGE;T80
  ,8 LOOK 0 COLD1 A D>K BR[ >*$ 9 ?R1T5+
*ALL5GE4
  .,YES6 ,9/1D ,MA7IE CRI$1 8,NO6 ,I
WANT Y 6/OP TELL+ ME :AT MY ATTITUDE %D
BE60
  8,= CRISSAKES1 ,I'M N TELL+ Y ANY?+60
,WADE SNAPP$4 8,IF Y AGREE 6MY SU7ES;N &
WANT ,2L9DA 6D9N] ON ,FRI"D1 !N SAY S60
  8,I D10 %E REPLI$ J Z ANGRILY4    #AFI
  8,GD60
  ,9 ! NEXT SECOND ,WADE 0 SLAMM+ \ !
SIDE DOOR & ,MA7IE 0 AL"O 9 ! KIT*54
  ,"! 0 NO?+ 6V5T H] ANG] ON4 ,X TURN$
9W>D ONTO H]F4 ,:Y _H %E BAIT$ HM8 ,:AT
_H %E BE5 TRY+ 6PROVE8 ,T %E 0 ! %REW HE
_H CALL$ H] ONCE8 ,:Y _HN'T %E BE5 GRA-
CI\S AB HAV+ ,2L9DA 6D9N]8 ,2C X HURT4
,! PA9 0 AGONIZ+4
  ,T5.N ?RO2$ 9 H] TEMPLES & %E PRESS$
H] F+]S 6!M1 _! TIPS COOL F HOLD+ ! ICY
GLASS4 ,! COOL PRESSURE BR"\ TEMPOR>Y
RELIEF1 B X CAME P.D+ BACK :5 %E TOOK H]
H&S AWAY4 ,! SIDE DOOR OP5$ & H] H1D
J]K$ UP Z %E TRI$ 6REGR\P H] DEF5SES TO
FACE ,WADE4 ,X 0 ,MIKE :O DA%$ IN4
  8,HI1 MOM4 ,DAD SD ,I 0 6-E 9 & TELL Y
,I 0 GO+ ) HM4 ,I'LL 2 HOME 0FIVE40 ,HE
/>T$ BACK \1 !N PAUS$4 8,OKAY80
  8,YES1 X'S OKAY40 ,%E NO4$ )A /IFF
SMILE4
  8,BYE60


                                    #AGJ
























                  #AB               #AGA

  ,MA7IE GL.ED "? ! GLASS DOOR (! OV5 TO
*ECK ! ROA/1 "S?+ %E _H D"O HALF A DOZ5
"TS 9 ! LA/ H\R4
  ,AT ! SAME "T %E *ECK$ H] DIM REFLEC;N
9 ! DOOR1 AN UNCONSCI\S GE/URE 6BE SURE
H] MAKEUP DIDN'T NE$ RET\*+4
  ,%E RU2$ H] PALMS TGR1 SURPRIS$ 6F9D
!M P]SPIR+4 ,%E WIP$ !M DRY 0SMOO?+ !
L;G BLACK SKIRT OV] H] HIPS4
  ,%E 0 N]V\S1 H] ?ROAT DRY1 H] /OMA*
*URN+4 ,%E FELT L ! H>RI$ IMAGE (A WIFE
AB 65T]TA9 H] HUSB&'S BOSS--&! ?"\ MADE
H] LAU< AL\D4
  ,MIKE WALK$ 96! KIT*54 8,:AT'S S FUN-
NY1 MOM80
  ,HE WORE A CL1N :ITE %IRT & D>K BLUE
PANTS4 ,8 FACE 0 SCRU2$ S CL1N T X PRAC-
TIC,Y %"O4
  8,NO?+40 ,%E DIDN'T ATTEMPT 6EXPLA9 !
PIECE ( IRONY T %E _H F.D AMUS+4 ,WADE'S
BOSS 0 AL 8 FUTURE "F-IN-LAW4 ,9/1D ( 8
BOSS1 %E 0 AB 65T]TA9 8 FUTURE BRIDE4 ,!
:OLE ?+ SEEM$ LUDICR\S4
  ,! DOORBELL RANG4 ,B = ONCE       #AGB
,MIKE DIDN'T RACE 6ANSW] X4
  ,HE GAVE H] A SIDEWAYS GL.E1 & 8 D>K
EYES 7 FILL$ ) _M (! APPREH5.NS ,MA7IE
FELT4 ,%E HELD \ H] H& 6HM4
  8,-E ON1 LET'S G & ANSW] ! DOOR40
  8,I "K ,I H 6MEET H]10 HE MUM#D1 &
MOV$ RELUCTANTLY 6WALK ) H]1 8B ,I WI%
%E WASN'T /AY+ = D9N]40
  ,"! WASN'T ANY RESPONSE %E CD MAKE 6T1
S %E J SMIL$ H] "U/&+4 8,DON'T Y FEEL
K9DA FUNNY AB MEET+ H]80 ,MIKE ASK$ Z !Y
NE>$ ! FRONT DOOR4 8,I M1N1 2C %E'S GO+
6M>RY DAD80
  8,YES1 ,I D FEEL K9DA FUNNY10 ,MA7IE
ADMITT$1 & T 0 PUTT+ X MILDLY4
  ,!Y %>$ A QK SMILE 2F ,MA7IE OP5$ !
DOOR4 ,%E SAW ,WADE F/1 /&+ TALL & D>K1
DRESS$ 9 A D>K SUIT & TIE1 S CASU,Y ELE-
GANT1 & H] PULSE ROCKET$4
  ,"! 0 A BR1?.S TI<T;S 9 H] *E/4 ,! TWO
-B9$ 6MAKE H] FEEL W1K AT ! KNEES4
  8,HELLO1 ,MA7IE40
  ,! G5TLE W>M? 9 8 GAZE SEEM$ 6SET H]
AGL[4
  8,HELLO1 ,WADE40 ,%E RETURN$ !    #AGC
GREET+ )A SL[ SMILE4
  ,SU45LY %E R1LIZ$ ? 0 ! WAY %E _H VI-
SUALIZ$ _! F/ MEET+1 N ! HORR5D\S EPI-
SODE ) HAIR CURL]S & OLD ROBE T _H OC-
CURR$4 ,? 0 H[ %E _H IMAG9$ X--SEE+ EA*
O!R & HAV+ ! BITT];S ( _! DIVORCE FADE
"U ! M.T+ PL1SURE ! REUNION BR"\4
  ,"! 0 A MOVE;T 0HIS SIDE T -PELL$ H]
ATT5;N1 & H] GAZE FOCUS$ ON A /UNN+LY
ATTRACTIVE BLONDE4
  ,2L9DA ,HALE 0 EXACTLY Z ,MA7IE _H
PICTUR$ H] 6BE1 TALL & WILL[Y1 H] FAIR;S
A P]FECT -PLE;T 6,WADE'S D>K;S4
  ,H] HAIR 0 AN UNUSUAL1 & NATURAL1 %ADE
( CR1MY TOA/1 WORN L;G & CAU<T 9 A CLASP
AT ! BACK ( H] NECK4
  ,E ELEGANT B"O REEK$ ( SMOO? SOPHI/I-
C,N & POISE4 ,H] EYES 7 Z BLUE Z A CLE>
,S1TTLE SKY1 _! COLOR A35TUAT$ 0! DRESS
%E WORE 9 A SUBTLE BLUE PR9T4
  ,"! 0 ONLY "O ?+ AB H] T ,MA7IE _H N
GUESS$--H] AGE4 .,WOMAN SEEM$ A PREMA-
TURE T]M4 ,AT ! V MO/1 ,MA7IE SUSPECT$
,2L9DA MI<T 2 TW5TY-TWO4
  ,X _H N"E O3URR$ 6H] T ,WADE      #AGD
MI<T *OOSE "S"O S M* "Y] ?AN HMF = 8 FU-
TURE BRIDE4
  ,X 0 M 4BELIEF ?AN %OCK T KEPT H] SI-
L5T4
  ,2L9DA ,HALE _H NO S* DI6ICULTY F9D+
H] VOICE4 8,MA7IE1 ,I'VE BE5 LOOK+ =W>D
6MEET+ Y10 %E DCLD ) HUSKY S9C];Y & (F]$
H] H&4
  ,MA7IE MANAG$ ! H&%AKE4 8,H[ D Y D1
,MISS ,HALE40
  ,%E KNEW %E WD N"E 2 A# 6C>RY (F A F/-
"N GREET+1 S %E DIDN'T TRY4 ,9 -P>ISON
6,2L9DA'S FRLI;S1 %E KNEW %E S.D$ /IFF &
POLITE4 8,WON'T Y -E IN80
  ,MOV+ \ (! DOORWAY1 %E NE>LY /EPP$ 9TO
,MIKE1 :O _H MANAG$ 6/AY WELL 9 ! BACK-
GR.D & SIL5TLY OBS]VE 8 FUTURE /EP"M4
,N[ X 0 8 TURN 6BE ?RU/ 96! LIMELI<T4
  8,Y H 6BE ,MI*AEL10 ,2L9DA DEDUC$4
8,:AT DOES "EY"O CALL Y8 ,MIKE OR ,MICK-
EY80
  ,HE CR+$ AT 8,MICKEY0 & QKLY TOLD H] X
0 ,MIKE4
  ,!N HE COPI$ ,MA7IE & GREET$ H]4 8,H[
D Y D1 ,MISS ,HALE40                #AGE
  8,PL1SE CALL ME ,2L9DA40
  ,%E %OOK H&S ) HM :ILE ,WADE LOOK$ ON4
8,Y LOOK S M* L YR "F1 ,MIKE1 ,I ?9K ,I
WD H RECOGNIZ$ Y ANY":40 ,H] GAZE SWUNG
ADOR+LY 6,WADE4 8,HE'S A H&"S BOY4 ,NO
WOND] Y'RE S PR\D ( HM40
  ,MIKE %IFT$ UNCOM=TABLY AT ? PRAISE F
A /RANG]4 ,MA7IE TRI$ 6RESCUE HM & WON-
D]$ :Y ,WADE _HN'T4 ,0 HE GO+ 6L1VE ALL
! 3V]S,N UP 6! ?REE ( !M8
  ,( C\RSE1 ,2L9DA SEEM$ 6H 5 POISE TO
OV]COME ANY AWKW>D SIL;E4
  8,PL1SE -E 96! LIV+ ROOM & SIT D[N40
,%E MOV$ T[>D ! COLLEC;N ( S(AS & *AIRS4
8,:AT C ,I GET Y 6DR9K80 ,%E ?REW A DA7]
AT ,WADE = 8 SIL;E4 8,Y / DR9K ,SCOT* &
WAT]1 DON'T Y80
  8,YES40
  ,HE 9CL9$ 8 H1D 9 AGREE;T1 NONPLUSS$
0H] IRRIT,N4
  8,& Y1 ,MISS ,HALE80 ,MA7IE 9QUIR$1 &
0 /UNN$ 6HE> H]F ADD1 8,MIKE IS HAV+ A
,COKE4 ,WD Y L ! SAME80 Z IF ,2L9DA
W]5'T OLD 5 6DR9K4
  ,! BLONDE SEEM$ 6MISS ! SUBTLE    #AGF
9SULT1 AL? ,WADE _HN'T4 ,8 GAZE N>R[$
DANG]\SLY1 & ,MA7IE KNEW X 0 A REM>K HE
WDN'T SOON =GET4
  ,%E BIT D[N ON H] T;GUE & HOP$ %E CD
3TROL X4
  8,A GLASS ( :ITE W9E WD 2 NICE1 IF Y H
X10 ,2L9DA ANSW]$4
  8,( C\RSE40
  ,? "T ,MA7IE 0 PROP]LY DEMURE & DIDN'T
ATTA* ANY?+ 6H] REPLY4 8,MAKE YRF AT
HOME4 ,I'LL 2 BACK 9 A MO;T40
  ,Z %E />T$ =! KIT*51 ,WADE SEP>AT$ HMF
F ,2L9DA'S SIDE4
  8,I'LL HELP Y4 ,MIKE C 5T]TA9 ,2L9DA =
A FEW M9UTES40
  ,/>TL$ 0HIS UNEXPECT$ (F] ( ASSI/.E1
,MA7IE /OPP$4 ,MIKE CA/ H] A 2SEE*+
LOOK1 "PLY A3US+ H] ( DES]T+ HM 9 ! FACE
(! 5EMY4
  ,B 2F ,MA7IE CD ATTEMPT 6HELP HM1
,WADE'S H& 0 ON H] ELB[1 PROPELL+ H] TO-
W>D ! KIT*54 ,%E DIDN'T ATTEMPT 6TWI/ \
( 8 HOLD UNTIL ! DOOR 0 SW++ %UT 2H !M &
!Y 7 \ ( VIEW4
  8,Y LEFT H] SLI<TLY 9 ! LUR* \    #AGG
"!10 %E A3US$4
  8,I ?9K ,2L9DA & ,MIKE C SURVIVE =A
FEW M9UTES ON _! [N40 ,HE KNEW H] 3C]N
WASN'T = 8 FIANC@EE4
  ,IRRITAT$1 ,MA7IE WALK$ 6! CUPBO>D =!
GLASSES4 8,! ,SCOT* IS--0
  8,I "K ": ! ,SCOT* IS10 HE 9T]RUPT$4
  ,P9K W>M$ H] *EEKS Z %E REMEMB]$ X
_HN'T BE5 V _M "DS AGO T HE _H DRUNK F !
BOTTLE4
  ,%E WALK$ 6! REFRIG]ATOR & TOOK \ !
*ILL+ W9E1 Z WELL Z A ,COKE = ,MIKE4
,WADE FOLL[$ 6GET ICE F ! FREEZ] -"P;T4
  8,WELL80
  ,! CUBES MADE A CL9K+ S.D Z HE DROPP$
!M 9 8 GLASS4
  8,WELL1 :AT80 %E RETORT$4
  8,\ ) X40
  8,) :AT80 ,MA7IE 3T9U$ 6BE DELIB]ATELY
OBTUSE4
  8,X'S TRIPP+ ALL OV] ! TIP ( YR T;GUE4
,Y MI<T Z WELL SAY X & GET X \ ( YR SYS-
TEM40 ,WADE P\R$ A %OT ( ,SCOT* OV] !
ICE CUBES :ILE ,MA7IE FILL$ !
W9EGLASSES4                         #AGH
  ,%E DEBAT$ SIL5TLY ) H]F1 !N F9,Y
AB&ON$ H] PRET5D$ IGNOR.E4
  8,:5 Y 7 LI/+ ALL ( ,2L9DA'S VIRTUES1
Y DIDN'T M5;N H] Y\?40
  8,%E'LL 2 TW5TY-TWO NEXT MON?4 ,X
DOESN'T CLASSIFY H] Z 2+ FRE% F ! CRIB40
  8,B Y H 6ADMIT1 ,WADE1 T ,MIKE IS
CLOS] 6H] AGE ?AN Y >E40
  ,X S.D$ S CATTY T ,MA7IE WI%$ %E _HN'T
SD X4
  8,X MI<T MAKE X EASI] = H] 6RELATE TO
HM1 & VICE V]SA4 ,IS H] AGE ! ONLY OB-
JEC;N Y H 6H]80 HE "Q$4
  8,X WASN'T AN OBJEC;N40 ,%E RU%$ 6COR-
RECT T ASSUMP;N4 8,X J TOOK ME 0SURPRISE
64COV] %E 0 S "Y4 ,I EXPECT$ H] 6BE OLD-
]1 M MATURE4 ,X DIDN'T O3UR 6ME Y WD 2
ATTRACT$ 6A ''' WOMAN S "Y40
  8,:Y N8 ,Y 7 "Y] ?AN ,2L9DA IS :5 WE 7
M>RI$40
  ,H] F+]S TREM#D Z %E RECORK$ ! W9E
BOTTLE4 ,%E DIDN'T WANT 6BE REM9D$ ( _!
M>RIAGE1 S9CE X AL REM9D$ H] ( _! RE-
GRETTA# DIVORCE4 ,)\T RESPOND+ 6HIS -;T1
%E RETURN$ ! W9E BOTTLE 6! RE-      #AGI
FRIG]ATOR1 3SCI\S ( 8 HOOD$ GAZE WAT*+
H]4
  8,IN _M WAYS ,2L9DA IS M MATURE ?AN Y
>E4 ,H] H1D IS SQU>ELY ON H] %\LD]S4
,%E'S PRACTICAL & LOGICAL 9 H] REL,N%IPS
) O!R P4 ,I SUPPOSE Y CD DESCRIBE H] Z
S5SI#10 HE 3CLUD$4
  8,H[ V DULL10 0 ,MA7IE'S F/ REAC;N1 &
NATUR,Y %E SD X4
  8,AF \R TUMULTU\S YE>S1 ,I ?9K X W 2 A
REFRE%+ *ANGE ( PACE 6BE M>RI$ 6,2L9DA40
,8 RETORT 0 QK & 9T5D$ 6CUT4
  8,I HOPE ! TWO ( Y W 2 V -=TA# TGR40
  ,%E >RANG$ ! GLASSES ON A S]V+ TRAY4
8,N[1 ,2L9DA MAY N NE$ RESCU+1 B ,I ?9K
,MIKE DOES4 ,% WE G BACK 6! LIV+ ROOM80
  8,AF Y4 ,&1 ,MA7IE--0 ! H>D L9E ( 8
M\? 0 TEMP]$ 0=C$ PATI;E 8--TRY 6HOLD YR
T;GUE40
  8,I D TRY1 ,WADE4 ,2LIEVE ME1 ,I D10
%E SD1 TAK+ A DEEP BR1? & PICK+ UP !
TRAY4
  ,MA7IE _H EXPECT$ _! RETURN WD 2 MET )
A SE>*+ LOOK4 ,9 ,2L9DA'S PLACE1 %E WD H
BE5 CURI\S &A LL J1L\S 6H ,WADE     #AHJ
AL"O 9 ! KIT*5 ) 8 EX-WIFE4 ,B "! WASN'T
A TRACE ( EI EMO;N 9 ! BLONDE'S SMIL+
LOOK4 ,2L9DA 0 EI V "U/&+ OR V 3FID5T T
,WADE LOV$ ONLY H]4
  8,I HOPE WE DIDN'T TAKE TOO L;G40
,MA7IE FELT _! RETURN DEM&$ "S REM>K F
H] Z HO/ESS1 !N IMMLY R1LIZ$ ! ^WS %E _H
*OS5 MI<T 9TIMATE T !Y _H BE5 DO+ M 9 !
KIT*5 ?AN FIX+ ! DR9KS4
  ,& AF %E _H J PROMIS$ ,WADE %E WD WAT*
:AT %E SD6
  ,%E FELT DOOM$4
  8,N AT ALL40 ,2L9DA SEEM$ 9DI6]5T 6_!
ABS;E4 ,%E SMIL$ AT ,WADE Z HE SAT ON !
S(A CU%ION 2S H]4 8,MIKE & ,I H BE5
TALK+ AB DI6]5T ?+S40
  8,OH80
  ,MA7IE GL.ED AT ,MIKE4 ,HE DIDN'T LOOK
Z IF HE'D BE5 DO+ V M* TALK+4 ,B %E FELT
A CURIOS;Y = _! SUBJECT4 8,:AT AB80
  ,2L9DA ANSW]$1 8,HE 0 TELL+ ME AB !
FI%+ TRIP ! ?REE ( Y TOOK ? WEEK4 ,HE SD
EA* ( Y CAU<T A FI%40
  8,T ISN'T EXACTLY TRUE10 ,MA7IE
CORRECT$ ! IMPRES.N1 & WOND]$ IF    #AHA
,WADE _HN'T M5;N$ T %E _H A3OMPANI$ HM &
,MIKE4 8,I DIDN'T ACTU,Y CAT* A FI%4
,MIKE CAU<T "O ON MY ROD & GAVE ME CR$IT
= X40
  8,Y WD H CAU<T X10 HE CAME 6H] DEF5SE1
8IF Y _HN'T FALL5 OV]BO>D40
  8,Y FELL OV]BO>D80 ,! BLONDE'S EXPRES-
.N 0 ALL 3C]N4
  ,MA7IE WI%$ ,MIKE _HN'T (F]$ T PIECE (
9=M,N4
  8,YES4 ,X 0 RE,Y NO?+40
  8,H[ DID X HAPP580
  8,MOM CAU<T ? FI%10 ,MIKE />T$ 6EX-
PLA91 8& %E CDN'T GET ! HOOK \ ( XS M\?1
S DAD _H 6D X = H]4 ,HE SD X 0 TOO SMALL
6KEEP & !Y />T$ >GU+40
  ,MA7IE WI%$ HE WDN'T G 96S* DETAIL1 B
"! DIDN'T SEEM 6BE ANY WAY 6/OP HM4 8,:5
DAD TOSS$ X BACK 96! WAT]1 MOM TRI$ TO
CAT* X4 ,%E SLIPP$ & W5T H1DF/ OV] !
SIDE4 ,DAD TRI$ 6GRAB H]1 B ALL HE GOT 0
H] %OE4 ,X 0 ! FUNNIE/ ?+ Y "E SAW60
  ,MIKE 0 2G9N+ 6SMILE AT ! MEMORY4
  ,9 RETROSPECT1 ,MA7IE CD SEE ! HUMOR (
! 9CID5T4                           #AHB
  8,MOM 0 SOAK+ WET :5 %E CLIMB$ BACK ON
! BOAT4 ,%E RE,Y GOT MAD :5 %E SAW ME &
DAD LAU<+ AT H]10 ,MIKE 3FID$4 8,:5 DAD
GAVE H] ! T5NIS %OE HE'D GRA2$ (F H]
FOOT1 %E ?REW X 9 ! WAT]4 ,I HOOK$ X )
MY L9E & GOT X BACK 2F X SANK40
  8,Y DIDN'T LAU< AT H]1 DID Y1 ,WADE80
,2L9DA GL.ED AT HM ) REPROA*4
  8,I'M AFRAID ,I DID10 HE ADMITT$1 A
DEVILI%1 UNAPOLOGETIC LI<T DANC+ 9 8 D>K
EYES4
  8,T WASN'T K9D4 ,NO WOND] Y LO/ YR
TEMP]1 ,MA7IE10 ,2L9DA SYMPA?IZ$4
  8,I IMAG9E ,I LOOK$ PRETTY -ICAL40
  ,MA7IE F.D H]F DEF5D+ _! AMUSE;T AT H]
EXP5SE4
  8,Y LOOK$ EV5 FUNNI] 9 T %IRT10 ,MIKE
PIP$ UP4
  8,:AT %IRT80 ,2L9DA ASK$4
  8,ALL H] CLO!S 7 WET1 S MOM _H 6WE> ?
%IRT4 ,ONLY X 0 TOO BIG = H]10 ,MIKE EX-
PLA9$4
  8,H[ AW;L = Y1 ,MA7IE6 ,X M/ H BE5 A
TRY+ EXP]I;E40
  ,AG ,MA7IE 4MISS$ ! (F] ( SYM-    #AHC
PA?Y4 8,N[ T ,I'M W>M & DRY & ON L&1
,I'VE RECOV]$ MY S5SE ( HUMOR4 ,LOOK+
BACK1 X DOESN'T SEEM Q S BAD40
  8,D Y L 6FI%1 ,MISS ,HALE80 ,MIKE
WANT$ 6"K4
  8,CALL ME ,2L9DA10 %E CORRECT$ HM4
8,YES1 ,I D L 6FI%4 ,WADE HAS TAK5 ME )
HM S"EAL "TS 9 ,ALASKA4 ,:5 Y -E 6VISIT
U1 ! ?REE ( U W H 6G FI%+ TGR40
  8,X CD 2 FUN1 HUH80 ,MIKE SEEM$ 63SID]
! POSSIBIL;Y4
  8,N ! SAME K9D ( FUN Z Y H ) YR "M40
,2L9DA 0 MAK+ AN ATTEMPT 6%[ %E DIDN'T
9T5D 6TRY 6TAKE ,MA7IE'S PLACE--A -M5DA#
GE/URE4 8,AT L1/1 ,I HOPE ,I DON'T FALL
96! RIV]10 %E JOK$4 8,! WAT] UP "! IS V
COLD40
  8,I WDN'T WORRY AB T40 ,WADE'S >M 0
DRAP$ OV] ! BACK (! S(A1 LI<TLY BRU%+ !
GIRL'S %\LD]S4
  ,! A6EC;N 9 ! IMPLI$ C>ESS S5T A WAVE
( J1L\SY "? ,MA7IE4 8,"!'S ONLY "O ,MAG-
GIE4 ,! ?+S T HAPP5 6H] >5'T LIKELY TO
HAPP5 6ANY"O ELSE40
  8,?ANK H1V560 ,H] MURMUR$ RE-     #AHD
SPONSE 0 DRYLY S>CA/IC1 DIRECT$ AT
,WADE4 ,8 B>B$ LOOK MADE H] COV] X4 8,D
Y SKI1 ,MISS ,HALE8 ,) ALL T SN[ 9
,ALASKA1 X WD 2 A %AME IF Y DIDN'T40
  8,I LOVE 6SKI4 ,( C\RSE1 "! >E "TS :5
X'S TOO BITT]LY COLD 6BE \ 9 X40
  8,I'M SURE T'S TRUE1 B :AT A P]FECT
EXCUSE 6DRAPE YRF 9 FURS40
  ,MA7IE SIPP$ AT H] W9E1 HAT+ ! IMAGE (
! "Y BLONDE WRAPP$ 9 SA#S4
  8,OH1 NO1 ,I N"E WE> ANIMAL FUR10 ,BE-
L9DA D5I$ T ?"\4 8,I C'T /& ! IDEA ( AN
ANIMAL 2+ KILL$ J S XS FUR C 2 US$ =A
COAT40
  ..,GD H1V5S1 DOESN'T %E H ANY .FAULTS1
,MA7IE WOND]$ 9 IRRIT,N4
  ,%E DIDN'T SEEM HUMAN4 ,EV5 N[1 CON-
FRONT$ 0,WADE'S EX-WIFE1 ,2L9DA 0 GRA-
CI\S & *>M+ & 4GU/+LY FRLY4
  8,OH1 DE>10 ,MA7IE HE>D H]F MURMUR+ )
FALSE 3C]N4 8,I D HOPE Y'RE N A VEGET>-
IAN4 ,I H A B1UTI;L RIB ROA/ COOK+ 9 !
OV540
  ,2L9DA J LAU<$ AT ! -;T1 A ?ROATY1
G5U9ELY AMUS$ S.D4                  #AHE
  8,NO1 ,I'M N A VEGET>IAN4 ,MY 3C]N =
ANIMAL LIFE DOESN'T SEEM 6APPLY 6MY /OM-
A*4 ,OR MAYBE X'S ! PRACTICAL SIDE ( ME
T ABHORS WA/E4 ,I'VE N"E BE5 A# 6"U/& :Y
P 9 ,9DIA H 6/>VE :5 "! >E ALL ^? SACR$
CATTLE ROAM+ >.D4 ,X'S S S5SE.S & TRAG-
IC40
  8,YES1 ,I "K :AT Y M1N40 ,B ,MA7IE _H
! FEEL+ %E _H LO/ ANO!R R.D4 ,%E SET H]
W9EGLASS D[N4 8,EXCUSE ME1 ,I ?9K ,I'D
BETT] *ECK ON ! D9N]40
  8,MAY ,I HELP80 ,2L9DA (F]$4
  8,%E'S AN EXCELL5T COOK10 ,WADE 9S]T$1
SMIL+ :5 ,2L9DA B1M$ AT 8 -PLI;T4
  8,I DON'T D\BT X10 0 ,MA7IE'S SLI<TLY
SNAPPI% REPLY ( J1L\SY4 ,AG %E MASK$ X )
A QK SMILE4 8,?ANK Y1 B ,I C MANAGE4
,EXCUSE ME40






                                    #AHF
























                  #AC               #AHG

  ,9 ! KIT*5 %E WANT$ 6BANG POTS & PANS1
SLAM CUPBO>D DOORS1 REL1SE ALL ? P5T-UP
FRU/R,N4 ,H[ CD ANY"O POSSIBLY -PETE )A
WOMAN :O 0 S P]FECT8
  ,%E =C$ H]F 63TROL ! ANG] %E FELT1 B X
SEE!D 9SIDE H]1 BU2L+ L A VOLCANO4
  ,6MAKE H] FEEL WORSE1 %E DIDN'T ?9K "!
0 A GRAM ( J1L\SY 9 ,2L9DA'S BODY4
  ,%E H]F 0 TORN A"P 0! EMO;N1 & X MADE
H] FEEL SMALL & M1N4
  ,:5 %E 0 SATISFI$ T "EY?+ 0 9 ORD] 9 !
KIT*51 ,MA7IE DECID$ X 0 BETT] 62G9 D9N]
N[ ?AN WAIT & RISK OV]COOK+ ! M1L4 ,%E
C>RI$ ! S]V+S ( SP9A* SALAD 6! D9+-ROOM
TA# 2F RETURN+ 6! LIV+ ROOM 6SU7E/ !Y -E
6! TA#4
  8,SP9A* SALAD1 "O ( MY FAVORITES10
,2L9DA REM>K$ Z %E SAT 9 A *AIR OPPOSITE
F ,WADE4 8,DID Y TELL H] X WAS80 %E ASK$
HM1 & ,MA7IE IMMLY WI%$ %E _H *OS5 "S?+
ELSE =! SALAD C\RSE4
  8,NO1 ,I DIDN'T M5;N X 6H]40
  8,X'S "O ( \R FAVORITES10 ,MA7IE
EXPLA9$ GRUDG+LY4                   #AHH
  8,D Y L SP9A*1 ,MIKE80
  ,2L9DA SMIL$ AT ! D>K-HAIR$ BOY SITT+
AT ! H1D (! TA#4
  8,I L X ? WAY1 B ,I DON'T L X :5 X'S
COOK$40
  8,I DON'T ?9K _M *N D10 ,2L9DA REPLI$
) "U/&+4
  ,MA7IE SUSPECT$ %E 0 A V]ITA# P>AGON (
"U/&+4 8,? IS A B1UTI;L SET ( *9A1 ,MAG-
GIE40
  8,A W$D+ GIFT40 ,N[ :Y _H %E VOLUNTE]$
T 9=M,N1 ,MA7IE WOND]$4 ,:Y _HN'T %E
SIMPLY A3EPT$ ! -PLI;T )A ?ANK-Y8 ,H]
IRRIT,N 9CR1S$4
  8,>E Y & DAD GO+ 6H KIDS80 ,MIKE
BLURT$ \ ! "Q4
  ,MA7IE FELT H] *EEKS FLAME 9 AN AT-
TEMPT 6MAT* ! COLOR ( H] HAIR1 B %E 0 !
ONLY "O :O REGI/]$ ANY EMB>RASS;T4 ,2L9-
DA SEEM$ 6F9D NO?+ WR;G ) X4
  ,WADE %OT ,MA7IE A LOOK T SEEM$ 6A3USE
H] ( "SH[ 9/IGAT+ ! "Q4
  8,WE WANT 6H A FAMILY1 YES10 ,2L9DA
ANSW]$4 8,WE BO? LOVE *N & HOPE 6H S"EAL
BABIES4 ,:AT D Y ?9K AB 2COM+ A     #AHI
BIG BRO!R80
  8,I DON'T "K40
  ,MIKE %RU7$ & ATTACK$ 8 SALAD4
  ,MA7IE'S =K EXTRACT$ V5GE.E F ! 9NOC5T
GRE5 L1VES4 ,S"EAL BABIES4 ,"O BIG HAPPY
FAMILY4 ,! ONLY ?+ WR;G )! PICTURE 0 T
,2L9DA WD 2 9 H] PLACE4 ,! NE$ 6DE/ROY !
IMAGE 3SUM$ H]4
  8,>E Y SURE Y WANT 6G "? ! TWO-O'C
FE$+S1 ! CR\P & TEE?+ AG1 ,WADE80 ,%E
HID H] J1L\SY 2H TAUT MOCK]Y4 8,DON'T Y
?9K Y'RE GETT+ A BIT OLD = T8 ,Y %D H *N
:5 Y'RE "Y & YR N]VES >E M CAPA# ( TAK+
! /RA94 ,( C\RSE1 ,2L9DA IS / "Y & C
H&LE X1 B Y '''0 ,MA7IE LET ! S5T;E
TRAIL AWAY UNF9I%$1 AG DRAW+ ATT5;N 6_!
AGE DI6];E4
  ,"! 0 A DANG]\S GLITT] 9 8 D>K EYES1 B
,WADE RESPOND$ ) M>K$ EV5;S4 8,I'M C]TA9
,I'LL 2 A# 6COPE1 ,MA7IE40
  8,I ?9K ,WADE W MAKE AN EXCELL5T "F10
,2L9DA REM>K$4 8,B ,I SUPPOSE Y'VE ALR
_H PRO( ( T40
  ,AG1 X 0 A CALM /ATE;T ( FACT1 ) NO
5VY4                                #AIJ
  8,WADE 0 A V GD "F1 & / IS10 ,MA7IE
AGRE$1 MIMICK+ ! BLONDE'S T"O4 8,I 0 ON-
LY 3C]N$ T :5 YR *N >E GR[N1 ,WADE W
PRACTIC,Y 2 9 8 DOTAGE40
  8,:AT'S DOTAGE80 ,MIKE FR[N$4
  8,X'S A DIPLOMATIC WAY ( SAY+ ,8OLD
AGE10'0 ,WADE EXPLA9$1 8 M\? TWI/$ WRY-
LY4 8,YR "M IS TRY+ 6PO9T \ T ,I'M GETT+
OLD]40
  8,Y >E OLD1 >5'T Y80 ,MIKE C.T]$ ) P]-
FECT 9NOC;E4
  ,X 0 ALL ,MA7IE CD D N 6LAU<4
  ,WADE MANAG$ 6MA9TA9 8 -POSURE1 H["E
TI<TLY HELD4 8,I PREF] 62LIEVE T ,I'M J
APPROA*+ MY PRIME40
  8,T'S S V TRUE 9 \R SOCIETY40 ,2L9DA
EXP&$ ON 8 ANSW]4
  8,A MAN'S ATTRAC;N 9CR1SES :5 HE'S OV]
?IRTY1 B :5 A WOMAN R1*ES T AGE1 %E'S
3SID]$ OV] ! HILL4 ,I ?9K X'S T]RIBLY
UNFAIR4 ,B HAV5'T Y F.D X 6BE TRUE1
,MA7IE80
  ,%E 0 S \TRAG$ %E CDN'T SP1K4
  ,X DIDN'T MATT] T ! REM>K _HN'T BE5
9T5D$ 6BE P]SONAL4 ,X 0 AN UNNEC    #AIA
REM9D] ( H] [N AGE4
  ,WADE RECOGNIZ$ ! DANG] SIGNALS FLA%+
F H]4 8,T OP9ION IS *ANG+4 ,WOM5 OV]
?IRTY >E / V DESIRA#1 & P >E 2G9N+ 6REC-
OGNIZE T40
  ,HE SALV$ H] W.D$ EGO4
  ,MA7IE _H N"E BE5 "PICUL>LY S5SITIVE
AB H] AGE UNTIL T MO;T4 ,DESPITE ,WADE'S
-;T1 %E / FELT SLI<TLY RAW4 ,%E MANAG$
6BR+ H] TEMP] D[N 6A L[ SIMM]4 ,MA7IE
US$ ! EXCUSE T %E _H 6BR+ ! RE/ (! FOOD
F ! KIT*5 9 ORD] 6MAKE A 4CREET EXIT &
REGA9 3TROL ( H] TURBUL5T EMO;NS4
  ,Z %E TRANSF]R$ ! M1T F XS ROA/+ PAN
ONTO A PLATT]1 %E R1LIZ$ ,WADE _HN'T SD
T = H] SAKE4 ,HE _H BE5 PROTECT+ 8 FIAN-
C@EE F ! SCOR*+ FLA% ( H] TEMP]4
  ,H[ /UPID ( H] N 6H GUESS$6
  ,! H1T ( H] ANG] 9CR1S$ A DEGREE 9/1D
( L[]+4
  ,MA7IE LAID ! C>V+ KNIFE & =K ON ! M1T
PLATT] & C>RI$ X 96! D9+ ROOM1 ": %E SET
X 9 FRONT ( ,WADE4
  8,W Y C>VE ! M1T80
  8,YES10 HE AGRE$1 & EY$ H] )      #AIB
QUIET SPECUL,N4
  ,GA!R+ ! SALAD PLATES1 %E C>RI$ !M 6!
KIT*54
  ,) AN OM9\SLY /1DY H& %E DI%$ UP ! PO-
TATOES & VEGETA#S 6TAKE !M IN4
  ,OV] & OV] 9 H] M9D %E KEPT REP1T+ T
%E WDN'T LOSE H] TEMP] NO MATT] H[ SORE-
LY %E 0 TRI$4
  8,MA7IE1 ,I ?9K ! REL,N%IP Y H ) ,MIKE
IS Q REM>KA#10 ,2L9DA DCLD4
  8,OH8 ,:Y IS T80 ,%E SET ! B[L ( POTA-
TOES 2S ,MIKE'S PLATE4
  8,I 2LIEVE X'S DI6ICULT 6RAISE AN ONLY
*1 ESPECI,Y :5 ! P>5TS >E DIVORC$4 ,!
T5D5CY =A S+LE P>5T IS 62COME OV]PROTEC-
TIVE4 ,YET ,MIKE %[S NO SIGNS ( T1 EV5
?\< Y >E V CLOSE4 ,I ?9K X'S M>VEL\S T
X'S TURN$ \ T WAY1 S9CE Y'RE NE>+ ! AGE
": X ISN'T WISE 6H M *N40
  ,"! 0 ABSOLUTELY NO?+ MALICI\S 9 !
-;T1 B X /RUCK A N]VE T _H 2COME T\*Y4
,X 0 %E] MIS=TUNE T ,MA7IE 0 /&+ 2S ,BE-
L9DA'S *AIR :5 %E MADE X4
  ,& X 0 EV5 WORSE T %E _H A B[L ( CR1M
P1S & PE>L ONIONS 9 H] H&4          #AIC
  ,) NO 3SCI\S DIREC;N F H] M9D1 H] H&
TIPP$ ! B[L & P\R$ ! CR1MY VEGETA#S 9
,2L9DA'S LAP4 ,! 9/ANT %E HE>D ! O!R
GIRL'S />TL$ %RIEK & SAW :AT %E _H D"O1
,MA7IE 0 HORRIFI$4
  8,I'M S SORRY6 ,I DON'T "K H[ X HAP-
P5$40 ,%E 0 GRA2+ =A NAPK9 Z ,2L9DA PU%$
H] *AIR AWAY F ! TA#4 8,I'M SORRY10 %E
REP1T$1 & DA2$ 9E6ECTU,Y AT ! SPR1D+ /A9
( CR1M SAUCE & SMA%$ P1S4
  8,DAMN Y1 ,MA7IE60
  ,WADE 0 SWE>+ "U 8 BR1? & PU%+ H] \ (!
WAY4 8,I %D H "KN "S?+ L ? WD HAPP560
  ,:ILE X _HN'T BE5 EXACTLY DELIB]ATE1
,MA7IE DIDN'T TRY 6PROTE/ H] 9NOC;E4 ,%E
WASN'T 5TIRELY 3V9C$ H]F T X _H BE5 AN
A3ID5T4 ,%E FELT WRET*$4
  ,2L9DA RECOV]$ SU6ICI5TLY F H] /UNN$
4MAY 6MURMUR1 8,X'S ALL "R4 ,I'M SURE X
0 AN A3ID5T40
  ,MA7IE ?"\ %E WD H FELT BETT] IF ! "Y
WOMAN _H YELL$ ABUSE AT H]4
  ,ALL ? MAGNANIM\S =GIV+ & "U/&+ 0 BE-
-+ TOO M*4
  ,MIKE WASN'T HELP+ MATT]S4 ,BO?   #AID
H&S 7 CLAMP$ OV] 8 M\? 9 AN ATTEMPT TO
HOLD BACK 8 3VULS+ LAU<T]4
  ,"O GL.E AT ,MA7IE & ,MIKE TURN$ AWAY1
8 %\LD]S %AK+ ALL ! H>D]4
  8,-E ON1 ,2L9DA40
  ,WADE 0 HELP+ ! GIRL 6H] FEET4 ,! WOR/
(! CR1M SAUCE & P1S 7 ABSORB$ & BLO2$ ON
A ONCE :ITE NAPK94
  ,B !Y _H LEFT A L>GE1 UGLY /A9 D[N !
FRONT (! BLUE DRESS4 8,I'LL TAKE Y
HOME10 HE TOLD H]4
  8,I'M SORRY10 ,MA7IE REP1T$1 HELP.S TO
UNDO :AT %E _H D"O4
  8,X W CL1N1 DON'T WORRY10 ,2L9DA AS-
SUR$ H]1 / SLI<TLY 9 A DAZE4 8,PL1SE S5D
ME ! BILL10 ,MA7IE 9SI/$ Z %E FOLL[$ !
C\PLE 6! FRONT DOOR4 8,I'LL PAY = X40
  8,Y'RE DAMN$ "R Y W60 ,WADE SNAPP$4 ,&
,MA7IE KNEW HE WASN'T TALK+ AB M"OY4
  8,X 0 NICE MEET+ Y10 ,2L9DA CALL$ OV]
H] %\LD] Z ,WADE HU/L$ H] \ ! DOOR4
  ,T 3V9C$ ,MA7IE ! GIRL WASN'T HUMAN4
,NO ORD9>Y MORTAL CD H A B[L ( P1S
SPILL$ ON H] & / SAY ) S9C];Y T X 0 NICE
6MEET ! P]SON :O DID X4             #AIE
  ,MA7IE WALK$ NUMBLY BACK 96! D9+ ROOM
& />$ AT ! P1S & ONIONS ON ! C>PET 2S
,2L9DA'S *AIR4
  ,MIKE NO L;G] TRI$ 63TA9 8 LAU<T] Z
TE>S ROLL$ F 8 EYES4
  8,/OP LAU<+1 ,MIKE6 ,X ISN'T FUNNY40
  8,YES1 X IS4 ,X'S ! FUNNIE/ ?+ ,I "E
SAW60
  8,J %UT UP & HELP ME CLE> UP ? MESS 2F
! P1S GET GR.D 96! C>PET40
  ,MA7IE B5T D[N & 2GAN PICK+ UP ! VEGE-
TA#S DR5*$ 9 CR1M SAUCE4
  ,MIKE JO9$ H]1 WIP+ ! TE>S F 8 *EEKS &
TRY+ 6*OKE BACK ! LAU<T]4 8,MOM10 HE
DCLD1 8Y'RE PRICE.S60









                                    #AIF
























                  #AD               #AIG

  ,MA7IE FOLD$ ! DAMP DI% T[EL & HUNG X
ON XS RACK 6DRY4
  ,A"P F ! LEFTOV] ROA/ & POTATOES 9 !
REFRIG]ATOR1 "! 0 NO?+ AB ! H\SE 6SU7E/
%E _H 5T]TA9$ GUE/S T EV5+4
  ,ALL ! DI%ES 7 WA%$ & PUT AWAY4 ,! C>-
PET 9 ! D9+ ROOM _H BE5 SPOT-CL1N$ ( XS
CR1M SAUCE4
  ,! L95 TA#CLO? 0 BURI$ 9 ! CLO!S HAM-
P]1 AL;G )! NAPK9S4
  ,? ELIM9,N ( ANY H9T ( 5T]TA9+ EXT5D$
EV5 6H]F4
  ,H] FACE 0 SCRU2$ CL1N ( ALL MAKEUP4
,! L;G BLACK HO/ESS SKIRT & SILV] LAM@E
BL\SE 7 HANG+ 9 H] CLOSET ONCE AG4 ,!
ONYX E>R+S 7 9 H] JEWEL BOX1 &! BLACK
EV5+ %OES 7 9 H] %OE BAG4
  ,9 _! PLACE %E WORE H] NEW =E/ GRE5
H\SE ROBE4 ,B>EFOOT1 ,MA7IE WALK$ 6! C(-
FEEPOT & FILL$ A CUP )! FRE% BREW4
  ,! DOORBELL RANG & %E DIDN'T NE$ A
MAGIC G5IE 6TELL H] :O X WAS4 ,%E _H "KN
ALL AL;G T ,WADE WD 2 -+ BACK AF HE _H
SE5 ,2L9DA SAFELY HOME4             #AIH
  ,%E WALK$ 96! D9+ ROOM T[>D ! LIV+
ROOM4
  ,MIKE ANSW]$ ! DOOR1 Z %E _H "KN HE
WD4 8,MOM8 ,DAD'S "H60
  ,WADE _H N *ANG$ 8 CLO!S4 ,B ! KNOT (
8 TIE 0 LOOS5$ &! TOP BUTTON ( 8 %IRT
UNFA/5$4
  ,! SMALL *ANGE SEEM$ 6REMOVE ! V5E] (
CIVILIZ,N 6EXPOSE A RU?.S QUAL;Y4
  ,Z WR;G Z %E WAS1 ,MA7IE WDN'T B[ H]
H1D 6HM4
  8,HELLO1 ,WADE10 ,H] VOICE 0 AMAZ+LY
/1DY4 8,I'VE BE5 EXPECT+ Y4 ,! C(FEE IS
FRE%4 ,WD Y L A CUP80
  8,NO40
  ,WADE GL.ED AT ,MIKE1 :O 0 WAT*+ !M
BO? ) SIL5T EXPECTANCY4
  8,G 6YR ROOM1 ,MIKE4 ,I WANT 6SP1K 6YR
"M 9 PRIVATE40
  8,OKAY40
  ,MIKE DIDN'T >GUE4 8,DON'T 2 TOO H>D
ON H]1 DAD4 ,MOM FEELS PRETTY BAD AB :AT
HAPP5$40
  8,ON SECOND ?"\1 CALL YR FR NEXT DOOR
& SEE IF Y C SP5D ! NI<T ) HM10     #AII
,WADE TOLD HM4
  ,MIKE GL.ED HESITANTLY AT ,MA7IE4 ,)A
SIL5T NOD1 %E GAVE H] P]MIS.N4 ,! /RA9$
SIL;E OV] ! NEXT FEW M9UTES1 DUR+ :
,MIKE TELEPHON$ & GOT AN 9VIT,N 6SP5D !
NI<T ) 8 FR1 0 AN ORD1L4
  ,MA7IE DRANK H] C(FEE & TA/$ N"O ( X4
,BO? %E & ,WADE 7 TOO T5SE 6SIT D[N4 ,!Y
W&]$ AIM.SLY >.D ! LIV+ ROOM L CIRCL+
-BATANTS UNTIL ,MIKE LEFT4
  ,!N F9,Y1 :5 !Y 7 AL"O1 !Y 3FRONT$ EA*
O!R4
  ,MA7IE TOOK ! 9ITIATIVE4 8,"!'S NO EX-
CUSE = :AT ,I DID TN10 %E 2GAN4
  8,I'M GLAD Y R1LIZE T40
  ,! FACT T %E TOOK ! BLAME DIDN'T AP-
P1SE ,WADE'S ANG]4
  8,I DIDN'T D X 9T5;N,Y1 ,I SWE>10
,MA7IE 3T9U$4
  8,X SURE Z HELL WASN'T AN A3ID5T10 HE
GR[L$4
  8,X WASN'T AN A3ID5T1 B X WASN'T ON
PURPOSE1 EI40
  ,%E SET H] CUP D[N & TWI/$ H] F+]S
TGR4 8,I DIDN'T EV5 "K :AT ,I 0     #BJJ
DO+ UNTIL X 0 TOO LATE40
  8,:Y1 ,MA7IE8 ,:Y80 ,WADE RAK$ 8 F+]S
"? ! SIDE ( 8 HAIR4 8,:Y DID Y D X80
  8,H[ %D ,I "K80 ,MA7IE PROTE/$1 ANG]$
0H] HELP.S;S 6EXPLA94 8,X J HAPP5$40
  8,NO?+ ,8J HAPP5S40' ,N ) Y6 ,Y MAKE
?+S HAPP54 ,Y /RIKE SP>KS1 !N FAN !M 9TO
FLAMES4 ,2F Y "K X1 ! FIRE SWEEPS "?
"EY?+ & Y H A 4A/] ON YR H&S40
  8,IF Y FEEL T WAY1 Y N"E %D H BR"\ H]
OV] "H 9 ! F/ PLACE60 ,%E /RUCK BACK )
EQUAL VEHEM;E4
  8,T'S TYPICAL60 ,WADE DCLD ) AN ANGRY1
EXASP]AT$ SI<4 8,BLAME ME 2C Y C'T 3TROL
YR TEMP]40
  8,I'M N BLAM+ Y--,I BLAME MYF4 ,X 0
UN=GIVA# & ,I "K T6 ,B ,I J CDN'T TAKE X
ANYMORE40
  8,TAKE :AT8 ,DON'T TELL ME Y LET ALL T
TALK AB AGE GET "U YR SK98 ,:Y %D T BO!R
Y80
  8,OH1 YES1 ,I REMEMB] ALL Y SD AB WOM5
OV] ?IRTY / 2+ DESIRA#10 ,MA7IE SD CAUS-
TIC,Y4 8,X 0 NO?+ B TALK4
  8,LOOK AT Y--Y'RE M>RY+ A         #BJA
TW5TY-YE>-OLD WOMAN40
  8,TW5TY-"O40
  8,TW5TY-"O10 %E REP1T$4 8,LET'S N =GET
T "O YE>40
  ,S>CASM COAT$ H] T;GUE4 8,X MAKES ALL
! DI6];E1 DOESN'T X80
  8,= ,GOD'S SAKE1 ,MA7IE1 ,I M1NT E ^W
,I SD60 ,HE TOOK H] 0! %\LD]S & %OOK H]
H>D4 8,HAV5'T MY AC;NS S9CE ,I CAME BACK
PROV$ T ,I F9D Y A V DESIRA# WOMAN /80
  8,I'M NO?+ B A HABIT 6Y60
  ,%E FLUNG BACK 8 ^WS T _H /UNG H] 2F4
8,L :5 A P]SON QUITS SMOK+ & KEEPS ON
WANT+ A CIG>ETTE40
  8,YES10 ,WADE AGRE$ TI<TLY1 8EV5 :5 HE
"KS X'S BAD = HM4
  8,! PRO#M IS :5 HE LI<TS UP A CIG>ETTE
AG1 ALL HE REMEMB]S IS H[ GD X IS4 ,T'S
H[ X'S BE5 = ME "E S9CE ,I MADE ! MIS-
TAKE ( KISS+ Y AG4 ,ALL ,I C ?9K AB IS
H[ GD X IS40
  8,SURE10 %E MOCK$4 8,T'S :Y Y'RE 5GAG$
6,2L9DA40
  8,X'S 3FUS+1 ISN'T X80 ,"O CORN] ( 8
M\? CURL$ 9 A CYNICAL SMILE4        #BJB
  8,Y "\ 6BE 9 MY %OES IF Y WANT 6"K :AT
R1L 3FU.N IS L4 ,2L9DA IS A GIRL 9 A
MILLION1 YET--0
  8,I DON'T C>E IF %E'S A GIRL 9 T5 MIL-
LION4 ,I'M SICK & TIR$ ( HE>+ AB H]60
,MA7IE 0 NE>LY 9 TE>S Z %E /RU7L$ FU-
TILELY 6BR1K \ ( ,WADE'S HOLD4 8,I DON'T
WANT 6HE> AB H] VIRTUES--OR ! *N Y'RE
GO+ 6H60
  8,J1L\S80
  ,MA7IE HESITAT$ = ONLY AN 9/ANT 2F
AB&ON+ ALL PRET5SE 6! 3TR>Y4 8,YES6
,YES1 ,I AM J1L\S4 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6BE1
,I TOLD MYF ,I WDN'T BE4 ,B ,I AM J1L\S
( H]60
  8,:Y80 ,8 D>K GAZE SEEM$ 6BORE DEEP
96H] V S\L4 8,WE'RE DIVORC$4 ,REMEMB]80
  8,I "K T4 ,& ,I "K ,I %D WANT Y 6BE
HAPPY1 B ''' ,:Y %D BO? ( U 2 AL"O &
MIS]A#80
  8,>E Y MIS]A#1 ,MA7IE80 ,8 H&S TI<T5$1
DRAW+ H] A FEW 9*ES CLOS]4
  ,H] F+]S SPR1D ACR 8 *E/1 SLIPP+ 9SIDE
8 JACKET 6COV] ! ?9;S ( 8 %IRT4 ,%E
/RA9$ 6KEEP HM AT A 4T.E4           #BJC
  ,3SCI\S (! SUBTLE *ANGE 9 ! ATMOSPH]E1
H] PULSE 2HAV$ ]RATIC,Y4
  8,YES1 ,I'M MIS]A#10 %E ADMITT$1 & />$
AT ! HAIRS CURL+ NE> ! HOLL[ ( 8 ?ROAT4
  8,DON'T Y L 2+ AL"O80 ,WADE DEM&$4
  8,NO40
  8,MY 9DEP5D5T1 /U2ORN LL ,MA7IE
DOESN'T L 2+ AL"O80
  ,8 FA9T SKEPTICISM MADE X A "Q4 8,T'S
A *ANGE4 ,SIX YE>S AGO T 0 ! "O ?+ Y
WANT$ ABV ALL ELSE40
  8,I "K40
  8,MA7IE--0 8 L>GE H& CURV$ >.D H]
?ROAT & "U H] *91 LIFT+ X UP 8--DID WE
GIVE UP TOO SOON8 ,CD WE H MADE \R M>-
RIAGE "W80
  ,A TE> COLLECT$ ON ! TIP ( H] EYELA%4
8,I DON'T "K40
  8,:AT D Y "K80
  ,"! 0 A MOCK+ LILT 6HIS L[ VOICE T 0
O4LY PL1S+4
  8,I ''' ,I "K T ,I'M SORRY = SPILL+ ^?
P1S ALL OV] ,2L9DA4 ,I N"E M1NT 6D X1
H"O/LY40
  ,AN ATTEMPT AT A SMILE TREM#D     #BJD
OV] H] LIPS4 8,"!1 Y H YR APOLOGY F ME4
,N[ Y C G BACK 6,2L9DA & TELL H] H[ V
3TRITE ,I AM4 ,9 A FEW "DS Y'LL BO? 2
LAU<+ AB :AT A T]MAGANT YR EX-WIFE IS40
  8,I N"E LAU< AB Y1 ,MA7IE4 ,I N"E H40
  ,8 H>D F1TURES 7 -POS$ 9 A S]I\S EX-
PRES.N4
  8,:5 WE 7 DIVORC$1 ,I IMMLY ASK$ MY
-PANY 6TRANSF] ME 6,ALASKA 2C ,I KNEW ,I
WD N"E 2 A# 6/AY AWAY F Y UN.S ?\S&S (
MILES SEP>AT$ U4 ,EA* MON?1 EA* YE>1 !
SEP>,N 2CAME EASI] 6BE> UNTIL F9,Y ,I
MET ,2L9DA4
  8,!N ,I CAME BACK "H40 ,WADE TOOK A
DEEP BR1? & REL1S$ X 9 A L;G SI<4 8,& ,I
F9D ,I / C'T /AY AWAY F Y40
  8,X HASN'T BE5 EASY 6GET Y \ ( MY SYS-
TEM1 EI40
  ,MA7IE 0 MOV$ 0HIS ^WS 96ADMITT+ H] [N
IMPOSSI# POSI;N4
  ,8 H&S RELAX$ ON H] %\LD]S & SLID >.D
6CROSS H] BACK4 ,X HAPP5$ S G5TLY & )\T
=CE T %E B>ELY R1LIZ$ %E 0 2+ 5FOLD$ 9 8
>MS4
  ,H] H1D RE/$ AG/ 8 %\LD]4 ,%E     #BJE
FELT ! F1!R-LI<T BRA% ( 8 M\? AG/ H]
HAIR1 B %E DIDN'T OBJECT4
  8,:AT >E WE GO+ 6D AB U80 HE MUS$4
  8,"! ISN'T ANY U40
  ,%E SLID H] H&S ! RE/ (! WAY 9SIDE 8
JACKET 6W9D H] >MS >.D 8 MI4LE1 UNCON-
SCI\SLY HU7+ CLOS]4
  8,ISN'T "!1 ,MA7IE80
  ,HE KISS$ ! CORN] ( H] EYE4
  ,%E LIFT$ H] H1D & 8 M\? F.D H] LIPS4
  ,X 0 A W>M1 DRU7+ KISS1 SL[ 6PAS.N1
ALL[+ ,MA7IE 65JOY ! S5S,N Z %E MOV$ TO-
W>D ! HEI<TS4
  ,WADE 0 3T5T 6MAKE ! CLIMB AT A LEI-
SURELY PACE4
  8,LEG,Y WE MAY N 2 B.D 6EA* O!R10 HE
MURMUR$ AG/ ! S5SITIVE CORD AL;G H]
NECK4 8,B WE HAV5'T BROK5 T "O TIE T
KEEPS PULL+ U BACK TGR40
  8,N ,MIKE80
  8,NO1 N ,MIKE40
  ,8 H&S ROAM$ ) 9DOL5T EASE OV] H] SLIM
FIGURE1 SL[LY B SURELY MOLD+ H] 6HIS
GRANITE L5G?4
  8,WE'RE L TWO PIECES ( FL9T1      #BJF
,MA7IE4 ,E "T WE RUB UP AG/ EA* O!R1 WE
/RIKE SP>KS4 ,WE KEEP =GETT+ 6PUT ! FIRE
\40
  8,X'S J PHYSICAL40
  ,H] LIPS 2GAN 69TIMATELY TRACE ! \TL9E
( 8 JAW1 S /R;G & FIRM4
  8,T'S :AT ,I KEEP TELL+ MYF40 ,WADE
NIB#D AT ! LOBE ( H] E>4 8,T Y J "K H[
6PL1SE ME40
  8,T 0 A L;G "T AGO40
  ,MA7IE FELT H] HE>T HAMM]+ 9 RESPONSE
6! RAPID B1T ( HIS4
  ,H] LEGS FELT %AKY & W1K4
  8,WAS X80 ,HE MOV$ BACK 6NUZZLE H]
LIPS4 8,OR 0 X ONLY LA/ NI<T 9 MY
DR1MS80
  ,8 F+]S LOCAT$ ! ZIPP] LAT* 9 ! FRONT
( H] ROBE4
  ,X SLID SL[LY D[N 6H] WAI/1 ! HAIR-
R\<5$ BACK ( 8 H& TICKL+ H] B>E SK94 ,%E
SEEM$ 6LOSE H] BR1? Z 8 H& SLID 9SIDE4
  8,? IS CRAZY1 ,WADE4 ,WE >GUE ALL !
"T40 ,B EV5 Z %E MADE ! PROTE/1 H] LIPS
7 "P+ 9 ANTICIP,N ( 8 KISS4
  8,WE >5'T HAV+ AN >GU;T N[1 UN-   #BJG
.S Y 9T5D 6/>T "O40 ,8 M\? HOV]$ CLOSE
6H]S1 )\T TAK+ X4
  8,I %D40 ,B ,MA7IE _HN'T ! /R5G? 6RE-
SI/1 ONLY 6PRESS H] M\? 6HIS & A3EPT XS
H>D POSSES.N4
  ,FLAMES L1P$ & SO>$ >.D !M4 ,_! DESIRE
MELT$ !M TGR4
  ,8 H&S BURN$ OV] H] SK91 >\S+ H] FLE%
6! DEM&S ( HIS4
  ,!Y 7 R1*+ ! CORN] ": "! WD 2 NO TURN+
BACK4
  ,6H] SURPRISE1 ,MA7IE F.D H]F BR1K+
AWAY F 8 KISS4 ,%E 0 TREMBL+1 W1K ) H]
HUNG] = HM4
  ,YET %E 0 RESI/+4 ,X 3FUS$ H]4
  8,MA7IE80
  ,8 F+]S S"\ H] *91 TRY+ 6TWI/ H] H1D
BACK 6HM4
  8,I C'T10 %E ANSW]$ 8 UNSPOK5 "Q4
  8,:Y80 ,8 2WILD]$ DEM& E*O$ :AT %E 0
FEEL+4
  8,I D WANT Y 6MAKE LOVE 6ME40 ,MA7IE
LOOK$ AT HM AT LA/1 H] HE>T 9 H] EYES4
  8,B ,I C'T LET Y4 ,I DON'T "U/& X MYF1
S DON'T ASK ME 6EXPLA940            #BJH
  8,IS X 2C ( ,2L9DA80
  ,8 H& 3T9U$ XS C>ESS+ MASSAGE ( H] L[]
BACK1 AN UNCONSCI\S MO;N T 0 S5SU,Y DIS-
TURB+4
  8,MAYBE10 %E 3C$$ )\T "K+ IF X 7 TRUE4
  8,X'S J ''' T ,I DON'T WANT ? 6HAPP5 =
OLD "TS' SAKE4 ,I DON'T WANT TN 6BE "O
LA/ FL+ 2F Y M>RY ,2L9DA40
  ,AL? ,WADE DIDN'T MOVE1 ,MA7IE FELT HM
)DRAW+ 2H A WALL ( RES]VE4 ,HE 0 TAK+
3TROL ( 8 EMO;NS & 8 DESIRES4 ,%E WASN'T
SURE IF %E 0 GLAD AB T OR N4
  8,I "U/&10 HE MURMUR$4
  8,D Y80 ,MA7IE HOP$ HE DID4 8,WE'VE
ALW D"O ?+S S IMPULSIVELY1 MADE DECI.NS
9 ! H1T (! MO;T4 ,GETT+ M>RI$1 .& GETT+
DIVORC$4 ,2F WE MAKE ANO!R FOOLI% DECI-
.N1 ,I--0
  ,8 =EF+] PRESS$ XF AG/ H] LIPS = SI-
L;E4 8,DON'T SAY ANY M40 ,HE SMIL$ TI<T-
LY4 8,I CDN'T /& ! %OCK ( HE>+ PRACTI-
CAL1 S5SI# /ATE;TS -+ F Y40
  ,)A RELUCT.E T ?RILL$ H]1 HE )DREW 8
>MS F >.D H] & ZIPP$ ! FRONT ( H] ROBE
%UT ALL ! WAY 6H] NECK4 ,MA7IE      #BJI
/OOD "! UNC]TA9LY1 REGRETT+ T %E _H
/OPP$ HM EV5 ?\< %E KNEW %E 0 "R4
  8,I DON'T WANT Y 6G10 %E SI<$4
  ,8 M\? CROOK$ 96A WRY SMILE4 8,DON'T
ASK ME 6/AY & SLEEP ON ! C\*40
  8,OKAY1 ,I WON'T40
  ,%E COPI$ 8 SMILE4 8,Y SLEEP 9 ! B$ &
,I'LL TAKE ! C\*40
  ,%E 0 JOK+ & ,WADE KNEW X1 B HE ANSW]$
S]I\SLY4
  8,I NE$ 6?9K1 ,MA7IE1 & ,I C D A BETT]
JOB ( X IF ,I DON'T H ! 4TRAC;N ( "K+ Y
>E 9 ANO!R ROOM40
  8,Y'RE L1V+1 !N80
  ,MA7IE SD X ALM Z IF %E 7 REP1T+ A V]-
DICT4
  8,YES40
  8,TM '''0 %E 2GAN4
  ,WADE B5T & KISS$ H] LI<TLY ON ! LIPS4
8,WE'LL SEE :AT TM BR+S4
  8,0!N WE'LL BO? H "T 6BE SURE \R DECI-
.N IS "R40
  ,MA7IE CD H TOLD HM T H] DECI.N 0 ALR
MADE1 B PRIDE DEM&$ T %E REMA9 SIL5T4
  ,A %IV] ( APPREH5.N *ILL$ H]      #BAJ
SK94 ,:AT IF %E _H MISS$ H] *.E = HAPPI-
;S8
  ,HE WALK$ 6! DOOR & PAUS$1 N LOOK+
BACK4 8,GD NI<T1 ,MA7IE40
  ,AT L1/ X _HN'T BE5 GDBYE4 ,N YET1
ANYWAY4 8,GD NI<T1 ,WADE40

  ,:AT 0 %E DO+1 ,MA7IE WOND]$ Z HE OP5$
! DOOR & WALK$ \ 96! NI<T4
  ,0 %E S5D+ HM BACK 96,2L9DA'S WAIT+
>MS8
  ,%E _HN'T TOLD HM T %E LOV$ HM4 ,MAYBE
X 0 BETT] T WAY4
  ,IF 8 DECI.N W5T AG/ H]1 AT L1/ %E CD
SAVE FACE4
  ,%E _H 6A3EPT ! PROBABIL;Y T ,WADE
WDN'T *OOSE H]4 ,HE _H 6C>E A GRT D1L =
,2L9DA OR HE WD N"E H ASK$ H] 6M>RY HM 9
! F/ PLACE4
  ,MA7IE _H NO S* *OICE 6MAKE4 ,"! 0 ON-
LY ,WADE4
  ,A C> DOOR SLAMM$4 ,%ORTLY AFW %E HE>D
! 5G9E />T &! C> REV]S$ \ (! DRIVEWAY4
,X 0 GO+ 6BE A L;G NI<T1 ! WAIT+ TURN+ X
96AN ET]N;Y4                        #BAA
  ,%E PICK$ UP H] C(FEE CUP & C>RI$ X 6!
KIT*54
  ,%E REFILL$ X & SAT D[N AT ! *ROME TA-
#4
  ,X 0 ?REE 9 ! MORN+ 2F %E TURN$ (F !
LI<TS & W5T 6B$4
  ,%E LAY "! =A L;G "T1 />+ AT ! PATT]N
! MOONLI<T MADE ON ! CEIL+4 ,AT "S PO9T
9 ! A*+ L"OLI;S ( "T1 ,MA7IE DRIFT$ (F
6SLEEP4














                                    #BAB
























                  #AE               #BAC

  ,A BELL RANG4 ,AT F/ ,MA7IE ?"\ X 0 H]
AL>M CLOCK & SWUNG H] H& 6! B$SIDE TA#
6%UT X (F4
  ,B X WASN'T ! AL>M CLOCK4 ,%E FUM#D =!
TELEPH"O1 B "! 0 A DIAL T"O ON ! O!R 5D4
,! BELL S.D$ AG Z %E 0 AB 6DECIDE %E _H
DR1M$ X4
  8,MIKE6 ,ANSW] ! DOOR60 %E CALL$1 &
TRI$ 6BURY H] H1D "U ! PILL[4
  ,AT ? H\R (! MORN+ ANY VISITOR _H 6BE
"O ( ,MIKE'S FRS4
  ,!N %E R1LIZ$ T ,MIKE WASN'T HOME4 ,HE
_H SP5T ! NI<T ) ,D5NY NEXT DOOR4 ,& "!
0 ONLY "O POSSI# P]SON :O MI<T 2 -+ AT ?
H\R 6SEE H]4
  ,MA7IE %OT \ (! B$ L A LOAD$ CANNON4
,%E PULL$ ON H] ROBE Z %E RAC$ D[N !
HALL4
  8,I'M -+60 %E CALL$ Z ! DOORBELL RANG
AG4
  ,BR1?.S1 H] FACE AGL[ ) EXCITE;T &
HOPE1 %E PULL$ BACK ! BOLT & UNHOOK$ !
SAFETY *A94 ,%E J]K$ ! DOOR OP51 B1M+ A
SMILE ( WELCOME4 ,B X WASN'T        #BAD
,WADE /&+ \TSIDE4
  ,X 0 ,2L9DA ,HALE4
  ,MA7IE />$4
  ,! BLONDE LOOK$ IMMACULATE1 N A HAIR \
( PLACE1 A SP>+ B E6ICI5T USE ( MAKEUP4
,9 -P>ISON ,MA7IE FELT T\SL$ & SLEEP-
WORN1 H] EYES PU6Y1 H] HAIR A TANGLE (
R$ SILK1 TOO PALE )\T MAKEUP4
  8,MAY ,I -E IN80 ,2L9DA ASK$4
  ,TOO />TL$ 6D ANY?+ ELSE1 ,MA7IE /EPP$
6"O SIDE 6ADMIT H]4
  8,I'M A MESS1 ,I'M AFRAID10 %E APOLO-
GIZ$ = H] APPE>.E4 8,I'VE J GOT \ ( B$40
  8,T'S ALL "R1 ,I "U/&4 ,I'M N"E AT MY
BE/ UNTIL ,I'VE _H MY ORANGE JUICE &A
MORN+ CUP ( C(FEE40 ,AG1 "! 0 T SMOO?1
"U/&+ SMILE4
  8,AB LA/ NI<T & YR DRESS '''0 ,MA7IE
2GAN4
  8,I ?9K WE WD BO? FEEL BETT] IF WE J
=GOT AB LA/ NI<T & T LL 9CID5T10 ,2L9DA
SU7E/$4 8,I'M 3V9C$ Y DIDN'T D X 9T5;N-
,Y40
  8,I DIDN'T10 ,MA7IE ASSUR$ H]4
  8,Y M/ 2 DY+ = "S JUICE &A CUP    #BAE
( C(FEE4 ,:Y DON'T WE G 96! KIT*58
  8,I WDN'T M9D ANO!R CUP MYF1 IF X
ISN'T TOO M* TR\#40 ,"! 0 NO?+ PU%Y 9 H]
MANN]4
  ,ON ! 3TR>Y1 ! "Y WOMAN 0 2+ V ?"\;L4
  8,! KIT*5 IS "? "H40
  ,MA7IE L$ ! WAY4 ,H] M9D RAC$ 6F9D A
R1SON = ,2L9DA'S >RIVAL "H ? MORN+1 B %E
0 HESITANT 6ASK4
  8,? IS NICE40 ,2L9DA GL.ED >.D ! KIT*5
9 APPROVAL4 8,V E6ICI5T4 ,X M/ 2 A PL1S-
URE 6COOK "H40
  8,X IS1 :5 ,I H ! "T40
  ,MA7IE QKLY MADE A POT ( C(FEE & PLU7$
X 9 2F WALK+ 6! REFRIG]ATOR =! ORANGE
JUICE4
  8,":'S ,MIKE ? MORN+80
  ,0 T ! R1SON = ,2L9DA'S VISIT8 ,6RENEW
H] ACQUA9T.E ) ,MIKE8 8,HE'S NEXT DOOR
AT ! NEI<BORS'40 ,X 0 LOGICAL S9CE HE
_HN'T YET RETURN$ HOME4
  8,T'S GD4 ,X W GIVE U A *.E 6H A PRI-
VATE TALK40
  8,TALK80
  ,H] H& HALT$ 9 MIDAIR1 ! ORANGE   #BAF
JUICE GLASS POIS$ %ORT ( H] M\?4
  8,YES4 ,I MADE SURE ,WADE'S C> WASN'T
"H 2F ,I /OPP$4 ,I KNEW HE WDN'T L ME -+
6TALK 6Y40
  ,2L9DA SMIL$ ) FA9T 3SPIRACY & SAT D[N
AT ! *ROME TA#4
  8,WADE'S C>80 ,MA7IE REP1T$4
  8,PL1SE DON'T TRY 6SP>E ME4 ,& PL1SE
DON'T 2 EMB>RASS$10 ! O!R GIRL 9SI/$4
8,I "K ,WADE SP5T ! NI<T ) Y LA/ NI<T4
,I'M N UPSET4 ,9 FACT1 ,I ?9K X MI<T 2 A
GD ?+ 9 ! L;G RUN40
  8,Y "K ,WADE SP5T ! NI<T "H ) ME80
,MA7IE REP1T$ ! /ATE;T 6BE C]TA9 %E _H
HE>D X CORRECTLY4
  8,YES4 ,X 0 FAIRLY OBVI\S4 ,:5 HE TOOK
ME HOME1 ,I KNEW HE 0 -+ BACK "H4 ,HE
CAME BACK 2C HE 0 UPSET & ANGRY AB :AT
_H HAPP5$ 6MY DRESS4 ,Y'RE A /RIK+LY
B1UTI;L WOMAN1 ,MA7IE4 ,:5 ,WADE DIDN'T
-E HOME1 ,I KNEW T :AT"E SP>KS _H FL[N
2T Y _HN'T ALL BE5 F ANG]10 ,2L9DA EX-
PLA9$4
  ,MA7IE CDN'T 2LIEVE :AT %E 0 HE>+4 8,Y
"K HE MADE LOVE 6ME & Y DON'T       #BAG
M9D80 ,%E F.D T IMPOSSI#4
  8,NO1 ,I DON'T M9D40 ,2L9DA %OOK H]
BLOND H1D1 H] EXPRES.N 9DULG5TLY G5TLE4
8,Y SEE1 ,I ?9K ,I "U/& :AT HAPP5$4 ,:5
A MAN SEES 8 EX-WIFE AG1 X'S NATURAL =
HM 6WOND] IF T OLD FEEL+ IS / >.D40
  8,& LA/ NI<T ,WADE SATISFI$ 8 CURIOS-
;Y80 ,MA7IE 0 9CR$UL\S T ,2L9DA CD TAKE
! SUPPOS$ DEFEC;N ( H] FIANC@E S CALMLY4
  8,X'S BETT] ?AN HAV+ HM M>RY ME & WON-
D] AB Y10 ,2L9DA ANSW]$4
  8,DON'T Y ?9K S80
  8,OH1 YES1 M* BETT]1 ,I'M SURE10 ,MAG-
GIE AGRE$ DRYLY1 & WALK$ 6! CUPBO>D TO
TAKE \ TWO CL1N MUGS4
  8,D Y TAKE CR1M OR SUG>80
  8,BO?1 PL1SE40
  8,H Y TALK$ 6,WADE ? MORN+80 ,%E TOOK
! SUG> B[L \ (! CUPBO>D & WALK$ 6! RE-
FRIG]ATOR =! CR1M4
  8,NO1 HE WASN'T BACK YET :5 ,I LEFT !
H\SE4 ,NATUR,Y ,I'M N GO+ 6TELL HM T ,I
"K ALL AB LA/ NI<T4 ,HE MAY VOLUNTE] !
9=M,N ON 8 [N1 B ,I WON'T ADMIT T ,I "K4
,I ?9K X'S ! WISE/ ?+4 ,I DON'T     #BAH
WANT HM 6?9K T ,I'M ! POSSESSIVE TYPE &
W *ECK UP ON HM ALL ! "T40
  8,Y >E DEF9ITELY N ! POSSESSIVE TYPE10
,MA7IE AGRE$ )! FA9TE/ TRACE ( S>CASM4
  8,X'S A WA/E ( EMO;N4 ,A MAN IS EI GO+
6BE FAI?;L OR HE'S N4 ,A WOMAN C D ALL !
WORRY+ 9 ! _W AB ": HE IS OR :O HE'S )1
B X WON'T *ANGE ANY?+4 ,X C MAKE YR LIFE
MIS]A#10 ,2L9DA DCLD4 8,& ,I'M N GO+ TO
LET MY LIFE 2COME MIS]A#40
  8,X'S A -M5DA# PHILOSOPHY1 B DI6ICULT
6LIVE BY1 ,I WD ?9K40
  ,! C(FEEPOT /OPP$ P]K+ & ,MA7IE FILL$
! CUPS4
  8,N IF Y SET YR M9D 6X4 ,X 2COMES
AMAZ+LY EASY40
  ,"! 0 AN EXPRESSIVE LIFT 6H] %\LD]S4
8,X'S A MATT] ( N 2+ 4TRACT$ 0H>M;L EMO-
;NS40
  8,I SEE40
  ,MA7IE DIDN'T SEE AT ALL4 ,0NATURE %E
0 AN EMO;NAL P]SON4 ,2L9DA SEEM$ ! COM-
PLETE OPPOSITE4 8,:AT IS X Y WANT$ 6TALK
6ME AB80 ,%E C>RI$ ! MUGS 6! TA#1 SET "O
9 FRONT ( ,2L9DA AL;G )! CR1M &     #BAI
SUG>1 & C>RI$ ! SECOND 6H] *AIR4
  8,AB ,WADE40
  ,M5T,Y ,MA7IE BRAC$ H]F4
  ,? 0 ! "P %E "U/OOD1 ": ,2L9DA WD ASK
H] 6/AY AWAY F HM1 T HE NO L;G] 2L;G$ TO
H]4
  8,:AT AB ,WADE80 ,MA7IE SIPP$ ! /1M+
C(FEE4
  8,I WANT 6"K ALL AB HM--! ?+S T IRRI-
TATE HM1 ! ?+S HE LIKES4 ,"! >E S _M
PITFALLS 9 A M>RIAGE4 ,I ?"\ IF ,I TALK$
6Y F/1 ,I CD AVOID "S (! MAJOR "OS40
  ,MA7IE SET ! CUP D[N )A J]K1 BR[N LIQ-
UID SLOPP+ OV] ! RIM4
  ,"! WD 2 NO ULTIMATUM = H] 6L1VE ,WADE
AL"O1 %E R1LIZ$4
  8,Y C'T 2 S]I\S60
  ,%E *OK$ ON H] 4BELIEF4
  8,OH1 B ,I AM4 ,DON'T Y SEE H[ S5SI# X
IS80 ! O!R GIRL R1SON$4
  8,S5SI#8 ,Y J A3US$ ME ( HAV+ SLEPT )
YR FIANC@E LA/ NI<T4 ,DON'T Y R1LIZE T80
,MA7IE ASK$ 9CR$UL\SLY4 8,N[ Y'RE ASK+
ME 6TELL Y ALL ! DO'S & DON'TS S YR
M>RIAGE 6HM C SURVIVE4 ,I CD TELL   #BBJ
Y ALL ! WR;G ?+S1 DELIB]ATELY40
  8,B Y WDN'T D T1 ,MA7IE40 ,2L9DA LAU<$
AWAY ! SU7ES;N4
  8,WADE HAS ALW SD T "O ( YR GRTE/
FAULTS 0 YR H"O/Y4 ,IF ANY?+1 Y H PROV$
T 6ME ? M9UTE40
  8,DID X "E O3UR 6Y T ,I MI<T WANT
,WADE BACK80 ,MA7IE >GU$4
  8,( C\RSE X O3URR$ 6ME4 ,B IF "!'D BE5
ANY *.E (A RECONCILI,N 2T Y1 X WD H HAP-
P5$ 2F N[40
  ,! WOMAN'S 3FID;E 0 UN%AKA#4 ,2L9DA'S
TOTAL LACK ( J1L\SY PUT ,MA7IE AT A
LOSS4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# 6BE ANGRY1 OR EV5
IRRITAT$1 9 ! FACE ( ? 9SANELY S5SI#
GIRL4
  ,T LEFT 2WILD];T4
  8,:AT IF ,I TOLD Y ,WADE & ,I 4COV]$ T
OLD SPECIAL FEEL+ 0 / "!8 ,:AT WD Y
SAY80 ,MA7IE WANT$ 6"K4
  8,T X'S A GD ?+ ,WADE F.D \ 2F HE M>-
RI$ ME40
  ,2L9DA'S T"O 9DICAT$ T T 0 ! ONLY LOG-
ICAL REAC;N4
  ,LOGIC _H N"E RUL$ ,MA7IE'S       #BBA
HE>T4 ,%E L1N$ BACK 9 H] *AIR1 -PLETELY
BA6L$4
  8,I GIVE UP10 %E SI<$ 9 HELP.S 3FU.N4
8,Y C'T 2 R1L60
  ,2L9DA LAU<$1 T ?ROATY1 PRACTIC$ S.D4



















                                    #BBB
























                  #AF               #BBC

  ,! SIDE DOOR OP5$ & ,WADE WALK$ IN4
  ,HE LET ! DOOR CLOSE 2H HM Z HE /OPP$
&A PUZZL+ FR[N ( 4BELIEF SPR1D ACR 8
MALE F1TURES4
  ,8 JACKET & TIE _H BE5 4C>D$1 B O!R-
WISE HE 0 WE>+ ! SAME CLO!S HE _H _H ON
LA/ NI<T4
  ,"! 0 A %AD[Y GR[? ( BE>D ON 8 *EEKS
69DICATE T HE _HN'T %AV$ YET ? MORN+4 ,8
BLACK HAIR 0 RUMPL$ Z IF HE'D RUN 8 F+]S
"? X _M "TS4
  ,8 D>K GAZE N>R[$ ON ,2L9DA4
  8,I SAW YR C> 9 ! DRIVEWAY40
  ,8 VOICE 9DICAT$ T HE _HN'T 2LIEV$ :AT
HE'D SE54
  8,\R LL TRIANGLE IS -PLETE N[10 ,MA7IE
QUIPP$4 8,SIT D[N1 ,WADE4 ,JO9 U =A CUP
( C(FEE1 AL? Y MI<T FEEL ! NE$ = "S?+
/R;G]40
  ,HE SLID A "Q+ GL.E AT H] 2F %>PLY RE-
TURN+ 8 ATT5;N 6,2L9DA4 8,:AT >E Y DO+
"H80
  ,IF ,2L9DA F.D ! SITU,N AWKW>D1 %E
DIDN'T %[ X4                        #BBD
  8,I 0 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD S ,I ?"\ ,I'D
/OP 0& ASSURE ,MA7IE T "! 0 NO P]MAN5T
DAMAGE 6MY DRESS4 ,I _H NO IDEA Y 7 -+40
  8,:5 Y W]5'T HOME1 ,I _H NO IDEA Y WD
2 "H1 EI40
  ,8 ATTITUDE 0 W>Y & SUSPICI\S1 N COM-
PLETELY A3EPT+ ! SURFACE EXPLAN,N4
  ,MA7IE ROSE F H] *AIR1 A FALSE SMILE1
T+$ ) CYNICISM1 CURV+ H] M\?4 8,I'M
AFRAID ! CAT IS \ (! BAG1 D>L+40 ,%E
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  8,:AT CAT8 ,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80 ,8
FR[N D>K5$ 9 3FUS$ ANG]4
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FACE1 HI<LI<T+ 8 MALE ATTRAC;N4
  8,2L9DA "KS Y SP5T ! NI<T ) ME10 %E
TOLD HM SWEETLY1 & P\R$ A ?IRD CUP ( C(-
FEE4
  8,%E "KS .:AT60 ,WADE RO>$ AF A /UNN$
SECOND4
  8,DON'T RAISE YR VOICE1 D>L+10 ,MA7IE
*ID$ HM ) MOCK REPRO(4 8,I SD ,2L9DA "KS
Y & ,I 7 TGR ALL NI<T4 ,DON'T WORRY1
DE>1 %E DOESN'T M9D40
  8,WADE1 ,I DON'T WANT Y 6?9K ,I   #BBE
0 *ECK+ UP ON Y10 ,2L9DA 9S]T$ Z HE 0
MO;T>ILY AT A LOSS = ^WS4 8,2LIEVE ME1
T'S ! LA/ ?+ ,I WD D40
  8,Y SEE80 ,MA7IE'S GRE5 EYES R.D$ )
9NOC5T S]5;Y4 8,%E DOES "U/&40
  ,%E />T$ 6H& ,WADE ! CUP ( C(FEE &
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A LL ,SCOT*80
  8,I'LL TAKE X PLA910 HE SNAPP$1 & R1*$
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8,P]H Y'D BETT] EXPLA9 6ME :AT'S GO+ ON8
,:AT H Y BE5 TELL+ ,2L9DA80
  8,ME8 ,I HAV5'T TOLD H] ANY?+40 ,MOCK-
+LY ,MA7IE PLAC$ "O H& ON H] HE>T &
LIFT$ ! O!R Z IF TAK+ AN OA?4
  ,WADE GRITT$ 8 TEE?1 ANG] SEE?+ "?4
8,Y--0
  8,DON'T 2 ANGRY ) ,MA7IE10 ,2L9DA
BROKE IN4 8,%E DIDN'T TELL ME ANY?+ UN-
TIL %E F.D \ T ,I ALR KNEW40
  8,KNEW :AT80 ,WADE TURN$ R.DLY ON !
GIRL AT ! TA#4
  8,D>L+1 Y >5'T LI/5+10 ,MA7IE TAUNT$1
& BRU%$ PA/ HM 6TAKE H] *AIR AT ! TA#4
  ,HE FLA%$ H] AN IMPATI5T LOOK &   #BBF
DEM&$ ( ,2L9DA1 8,:AT MAKES Y ?9K ,I
SP5T ! NI<T "H80
  8,X'S FAIRLY OBVI\S1 ,I ?9K40 ,2L9DA
%RU7$4 8,AF Y LEFT ME1 Y CAME BACK "H4
,& Y N"E CAME HOME LA/ NI<T40
  8,NATUR,Y1 %E R1*$ ! LOGICAL 3CLU.N
T--0
  8,/AY \ ( ?1 ,MA7IE40 ,WADE CUT H]
%ORT & GL[]$ AT ,2L9DA4
  8,S Y ASSUM$ ,I SP5T ! NI<T ) ,MA7IE4
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  8,OH40
  ,=! F/ "T1 ,2L9DA LOOK$ 6BE 9 WAT] \ (
H] DEP?4
  8,!N ": 7 Y80 ,IMMLY H] H& WAV$ ASIDE
! "Q1 9DICAT+ ,WADE %D IGNORE X4
  8,NO4 ,NO1 Y DON'T H 6ANSW] T4 ,I
DON'T EXPECT Y 6REPORT YR E MOVE 6ME4 ,I
H NO 9T5;N ( TY+ Y D[N1 OR 9T]F]+ 9 ANY
WAY )! FREEDOM ( YR MOVE;TS40
  8,Y C]TA9LY C'T A3USE ,2L9DA ( 2+ POS-
SESSIVE1 ,WADE40
  8,MA7IE60
  ,WADE W>N$ H] 6KEEP SIL5T4        #BBG
  8,SORRY10 %E SD ) FALSE 9NOC;E LAU<+ 9
H] GRE5 EYES4
  8,IF Y L1 ,I C L1VE Y TWO 6?RA% ? \ ON
YR [N40
  8,IF "!'S ANY?+ T NE$S ?RA%+1 X'S Y10
HE RETORT$4
  8,I FEEL S AW;L1 ,MA7IE4 ,I [E Y AN
APOLOGY = :AT ,I 0 ?9K+10 ,2L9DA 9SI/$4
  8,NO1 Y DON'T40 ,MA7IE'S NATURAL C&OR
SURFAC$4 8,IF ,I CD LIVE LA/ NI<T OV]
AG1 X WD PROBABLY TURN \ 6BE J ! WAY Y
?"\ X _H4 ,YR ASSUMP;N 0 WR;G1 B N 2C ,I
DIDN'T WANT ,WADE 6/AY4
  8,I DID1 B ,I 0 AFRAID "O ( U1 OR BO?
( U1 MI<T REGRET X 9 ! MORN+4 ,S DON'T
APOLOGIZE4 ,IF ANY"O IS SORRY1 X'S ME10
,MA7IE 3CLUD$ & />$ 96H] C(FEE CUP1 ALL
H] CYNICAL HUMOR AT ! SITU,N G"O4
  8,N[ T Y H T 3FES.N \ ( YR SY/EM10
,WADE DCLD1 8,I ?9K X'S "T ,2L9DA 0
L1V+4
  8,-E ON10 HE TOLD 8 FIANC@EE & HELP$
PULL H] *AIR AWAY F ! TA#4 8,Y & ,I H "S
?+S 64CUSS40
  8,( C\RSE1 ,WADE10 ,2L9DA         #BBH
AGRE$4 ,B HE WASN'T GIV+ H] A *.E 64A-
GREE Z HE TOOK HOLD ( H] >M & =C$ H] TO
WALK 6! SIDE DOOR4
  ,OV] H] %\LD]1 %E MANAG$1 8,GDBYE1
,MA7IE4 ,I'M SORRY4 ,MAYBE WE C H \R
TALK ANO!R "T40
  ,MA7IE NO4$ & SUPPRESS$ A %U4] ( DR1D4
8,ANO!R "T10 %E AGRE$4 8,GDBYE10 & HOP$
%E N"E SAW H] AG4 ,B ( C\RSE %E WD2
,MA7IE 0 3V9C$ ( T4
  ,Z ! DOOR CLOS$ %E HE>D ,WADE DEM&1
8,:AT 7 Y GO+ 6TALK 6,MA7IE AB80
  ,%E DIDN'T HE> ,2L9DA'S REPLY1 B %E
KNEW ! ANSW]4 ,_! LL TIFF WD "W XF \2
,2L9DA WD SEE 6X4
  ,"! 0 NO D\BT 9 ,MA7IE'S M9D T ,WADE
_H *OS5 8 FIANC@EE4
  ,A REM>K HE _H MADE :5 HE F/ WALK$ 9
_H GIV5 8 DECI.N AWAY4
  ,HE _H SD T :5 HE _HN'T F.D ,2L9DA AT
HOME1 HE _H WOND]$ ": %E WAS4 ,S HE _H
OBVI\SLY BE5 RETURN+ 6H]4
  ,A BROK5 SI< CAME F H] HE>T1 & H] F+]S
RAK$ 96H] T\SL$ R$ HAIR 6SUPPORT H] L[]$
H1D4                                #BBI
  ,2+ PREP>$ = 8 DECI.N DIDN'T MAKE !
WR5*+ PA9 ANY EASI] 6A3EPT4 ,! RE/ ( H]
LIFE YAWN$ EMPTILY 2F H] & ,MA7IE WOND]$
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96H] L[] LIP4
  ,C> DOORS SLAMM$ & 5G9ES />T$4 ,SNI6+
BACK A SOB1 ,MA7IE TOSS$ H] H1D 6%AKE
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  ,MIKE CD WALK 9 AT ANY M9UTE & %E
DIDN'T WANT HM 6F9D H] CRY+4 ,"! WD 2
PL5TY ( L"OLY H\RS 69DULGE 9 T4












                                    #BCJ
























                  #AG               #BCA

  ,BRISKLY %E ROSE 6CLE> ! C(FEE CUPS &
JUICE GLASS F ! TA#4
  ,RETURN+ ! SUG> B[L & CR1M 6_! RESPEC-
TIVE PLACES1 %E WIP$ ! TA# & REFILL$ H]
CUP ) C(FEE4
  ,Z %E 0 WALK+ BACK 6! TA#1 ! SIDE DOOR
OP5$4
  ,:5 %E SAW ,WADE 5T] ! KIT*51 ,MA7IE
DROPP$ ! CUP 9 H] H&4 ,X %ATT]$ ON IM-
PACT1 SPILL+ XS HOT 3T5TS ON ! FLOOR
AMID ! FRAG;TS ( BROK5 POTT]Y4
  8,DAMN1 LOOK :AT Y MADE ME D60 %E CRI$
ANGRILY 6HIDE ! L1P+ JOY ( HOPE 9 H]
HE>T4 8,D Y H 6BUR/ 9 ON P ALL ! "T8 ,:Y
C'T Y "E KNOCK80
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  8,BE C>E;L OR Y'LL CUT YRF10 HE MUTT]$
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6MOP UP ! C(FEE40
  ,F9D+ 8 CLOSE;S TOO 4TURB+1 ,MA7IE
OBEY$4
  ,%E TOOK A RAG F "U ! S9K & 2GAN MOPP+
UP ! FLOOR1 C>E;L 6AVOID ! FRAG-    #BCB
;TS ,WADE _HN'T COLLECT$ YET4
  8,I ?"\ Y'D LEFT ) ,2L9DA10 %E MURMUR$
6EXPLA9 H] %OCK :5 HE _H RETURN$ 6!
H\SE4 8,I HE>D YR C>40
  8,I 0 P>K$ 2H H]4 ,I _H 6MOVE MY C> S
%E CD GET \40
  ,HE PUT ! BROK5 PIECES (! C(FEE CUP 9
! WA/E B94
  8,Y CD H G"O ) H]4 ,Y DIDN'T H 6-E
BACK40
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  8,I DIDN'T80
  ,A D>K EYEBR[ LIFT$ QUIZZIC,Y4
  8,NO40
  ,%E REFUS$ 6MEET 8 LOOK4 8,I R1LIZ$ T
Y'D MADE YR DECI.N4 ,Y DIDN'T H 6-E BACK
6TELL ME OR EXPLA940
  8,Y'RE Z BAD Z ,2L9DA AB JUMP+ 63CLU-
.NS10 HE SD4
  ,"! 0 AN "ULY+ GRIM;S 6HIS VOICE4
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8,LOOK1 ,I "K Y'RE UPSET ) ,2L9DA "R N[4
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WAY %E ?9KS BE/40
  8,Y ?9K ,I'VE DECID$ 6G AH1D )    #BCC
MY PLANS 6M>RY ,2L9DA80
  8,YES--Y SD '''40
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&! LOOK 9 8 EYES 3FUS$ H]4
  8,:AT DID ,I SAY80 ,WADE PROMPT$1 /
WAT*+ H] 9 T 2MUS$ WAY4
  8,": 7 Y LA/ NI<T80 %E ASK$ 9/1D ( AN-
SW]+4
  ,2L9DA MI<T H BE5 RELUCTANT 6ASK HM1 B
,MA7IE WASN'T4
  8,DRIV+4 ,?9K+4 ,I DRANK A LOT ( C(FEE
AT A LOT ( DI6]5T RE/AURANTS--,I DON'T
REMEMB] : "OS40
  8,? MORN+ Y W5T 6,2L9DA'S HOME 6SEE
H]4 ,Y SD S10 %E REM9D$ HM4
  8,S Y ASSUM$ T M1NT ,I 0 RETURN+ 6H]40
,WADE FOLL[$ H] -;T 6! 3CLU.N ,MA7IE _H
R1*$4
  8,W]5'T Y80 %E ASK$1 SU45LY BR1?.S4
  8,NO1 ,I 0 TRY+ 6D ! PROP] ?+4 ,I
WANT$ 6BR1K MY 5GAGE;T 6H] 2F -+ 6Y40
  ,HE TOOK ! WET RAG F H] H& & TOSS$ X 9
! S9K4
  8,I N"E DR1M$ %E 0 "H40
  8,>E Y SURE80                     #BCD
  ,MA7IE H>DLY D>$ 62LIEVE HM4 8,:AT
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DECI.N80
  8,X ELIM9AT$ ANY D\BTS T MI<T H BE5
L+]+40
  ,8 H&S G5TLY SETTL$ ON H] %\LD]S4
  8,2L9DA IS V "U/&+4 ,I D\BT IF %E "E
LOSES H] TEMP] OR />TS >GU;TS40
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!M4
  8,MILK TOA/ C MAKE "O FEEL BETT] =A
:ILE1 B A /1DY DIET ( X WD SOON MAKE
LIFE V BL&4 ,LIFE ) Y 0 N"E DULL1 ,MAG-
GIE4
  8,I M* PREF] ! ROAD AH1D ( ME 6BE
FILL$ ) *ALL5GE4 ,H[ AB Y80
  8,YES40
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SECOND %E 0 WRAPP$ 9 ! H>D CIRCLE ( 8
>MS1 8 M\? CRU%+ D[N ON H]S4
  ,JOY BUR/ F H] L AN ET]NAL F.TA91 H]
HAPPI;S SPILL+ OV] 9 ! WILD RU% 6GIVE HM
ALL ( H] LOVE4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI#4 ,X WD TAKE
A LIFE"T 6D T4
  ,WADE SEEM$ 6RECOGNIZE T1 TOO4    #BCE
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LU/R\S ?ICK;S ( H] R$ GOLD HAIR4
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  8,I PRET5D$ ,I DIDN'T1 EV5 6MYF4 ,B ,I
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  8,& ,I N"E /OPP$ LOV+ Y1 B ,I 0 TOO
SC>$ 6ADMIT X10 %E RESPOND$4
  8,Y8 ,SC>$80 ,WADE LAU<$ S(TLY AT !
?"\4 8,MY TIGRESS HAS N"E BE5 AFRAID TO
TACKLE ANY?+40
  8,T ISN'T TRUE1 2C ,I 0 ALW AFRAID (
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LA/ 6C>ESS HM Z M* Z %E WANT$4
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  8,:Y %D Y 2 AFRAID ( ME80
  ,H] DIMPLES CAME 96PLAY =A MO;T4
8,:E!R Y'RE AW>E ( X OR N1 "!'S A C]TA9
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  8,I 0 3/ANTLY FI<T+ T1 : M1NT ALW >GU+
) Y40
  8,N[80
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6KISS HM4
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  ,FA9T1 LOV+ AMUSE;T GLITT]$ 9 ! JET
BLACK;S ( 8 EYES4
  8,DOES T M1N NO M >GU;TS80 HE MOCK$4
  8,I D\BT X10 %E LAU<$4 8,I'D HATE 6/>T
BOR+ Y40
  8,I'D PROBABLY />T PICK+ FI<TS IF Y
DID40 ,8 M\? T1S$ ! $GES ( H] LIPS4 8,IF
ONLY 6H ! FUN ( MAK+ UP AFW40





                  #AH               #BCG

  ,:5 ,MA7IE CD NO L;G] /& ! TANTALIZ+
BRU% ( 8 M\?1 %E S"\ ! H1DY EXCITE;T ( 8
KISS4
  ,WADE LET H] TAKE ! 9ITIATIVE =A FEW
BR1?.S MO;TS 2F TAK+ OV] )A MA/]Y T LEFT
H] W1K AT ! KNEES4
  ,%E CLUNG 6HM1 H] HE>T B1T+ WILDLY1 Z
,WADE =C$ H] H1D BACK 6EXPLORE ! HOLL[
AT ! BASE ( H] ?ROAT4
  8,POOR ,2L9DA10 MURMUR$ ,MA7IE4 8,%E'S
GO+ 6FEEL S BADLY :5 Y TELL H]40
  8,I ALR H10 HE SD AG/ H] SK94
  8,Y H80
  8,YES1 :5 ,I WALK$ H] 6H] C>40
  ,9 ! UN5D+ CIRCLE ( 8 LOVE1 ,MA7IE 0
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  8,2L9DA80 SD ,WADE Z IF X 7 IMPOSSI#4
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  8,SP1K+ ( M>RIAGE1 :5 D Y WANT ! W$D+8
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