,,! ,,ROAD ,,6,,P>IS

            ,,NIKKI ,,GRIMES

 ,PU69 ,BOOKS1 ,P5GU9 ,"Y ,R1D]S ,GR\P1
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
    ,COPY"R ^C ,NIKKI ,GRIMES1 #BJJF
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #IGH-J-AD-BDAJHB-J

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
   ,NANCY ,S*LOSS]1 ,RUSSELL ,MILL]1
     ,BE? ,MC,GU691 & ,M>IAN ,HAYES
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

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

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
























                                    ;III









          ,= ,K5DALL ,BU*ANAN1
             MY FO/] BRO!R
                &=! *N (
      ,ROYAL ,FAMILY ,KIDS ,CAMP4











                                     ;IV
























          ,,! ,,ROAD ,,6,,P>IS        #A

               ,,PROLOGUE

  ,ASK ,P>IS IF A PH"O CALL C 2 D1DLY4
,%E'LL TELL Y4 ,%E LE>N$ ! TRU? ( X LA/
NI<T4
  ,! EV5+ SEEM$ P]FECT4 ,62G9 )1 X 0 !
TAIL 5D ( SPR+1 ,P>IS' FAVORITE S1SON (!
YE>4 ,IF Y TOOK A DEEP BR1? 9 ! RA9WA%$
AIR ( ,OSS9+1 ! SPR+ GRE5 WD P9* YR NOSE
)! T>T SMELL ( "Y L1VES &! LI<T SC5T (
LILACS4 ,Y'D F9D A PROFU.N ( !M "R 9 !
BACKY>D (! BR[N-%+L$ BOX (A H\SE ": ,P>-
IS LIV$4 ,%E'D CLIPP$ A FEW LILAC BLOS-
SOMS =! TA#1 & PLUMP$ !M UP PRETTILY 9 A
JELLY J>4 ,:AT DID %E C>E AB FANCY VAS-
ES8 ,X 0 ! SMELL %E 0 AF4 ,&1 JELLY J>
OR NO1 ! FRAGRANT PAT* ( PURPLE DID A
F9E JOB ( SPRUC+ UP ! D9N] TA#4
  ,Z %E DID E EV5+1 ,P>IS B[$ H] H1D
:ILE ,DAD SD GRACE4 ,KEEP+ H] EYES %UT
TI<T 0 ANO!R MATT] ALT4 ,JORDAN KEPT
KICK+ H] "U ! TA#4 ,%E %OT HM A FEW W>N+
LOOKS1 = ALL ! GD !Y DID4 ,IF HE DIDN'T
/OP KICK+ H] SOON1 %E'D H 6ORD] UP    #B
A BR&-NEW PAIR ( %9S4 ,%E WDN'T TELL ON
HM1 ?\<4 ,%E N"E DID4 ,AF ALL1 HE 0 J 2+
A G>D5-V>IETY PE/1 L E O!R LL BRO!R ON !
PLANET1 & T FELT NORMAL4 ,9 ! _W ( ,P>IS
,RI*MOND1 NORMAL 0 R>E1 & RI*4
  8,AM510 SD ,DAD 9 8 RUMBL+ BASS4 ,MOM
PIL$ SPA<ETTI & M1TBALLS ON ! F/ PLATE &
S5T X D[N ! TA#4
  8,OH6 ,P>IS1 CD Y GET ! G>LIC BR1D \ (
! OV58 ,I =GOT X40
  ,P>IS HOPP$ UP F ! TA# & GRA2$ ! OV5
MITTS4 ,%E'D =GOTT5 ! LA/ "T1 & / _H !
BURN M>KS 6PROVE X4
  ,%E PLAC$ ! FOIL BUNDLE 9 A BASKET1
PEEL$ BACK ! $GES1 & L1N$ D[N S ! BUTT]Y
/1M CD W>M H] FACE4
  8,TD60 SNAPP$ ,DAVID1 J 6BUG H]4 ,%E
:IRL$ >.D & /UCK H] T;GUE \ AT HM :5
,MOM WASN'T LOOK+1 !N PASS$ ! BASKET TO
,DAD1 :O 0 CLE> AT ! O!R 5D (! TA# F
,DAVID4
  .,S ."!6
  ,P>IS SETTL$ BACK 96H] *AIR1 GRA2$ H]
=K1 & PUT X 6"W CLIMB+ ! M.TA9 (
SPA<ETTI ON H] PLATE4 ,T 0 :5 !       #C
TELEPH"O RANG4 ,MOM ROSE 6ANSW] X4
  8,P>IS1 X'S = Y40
  ,P>IS TOOK A BITE ( BR1D1 !N W5T 6!
PH"O1 LICK+ G>LIC BUTT] F H] F+]S4
  8,HELLO80
  8,HI1 SWEETIE10 SD A FAMILI> VOICE4
8,X'S ME40
  ,P>IS HELD H] BR1?4 ,"T ALW /OPP$ :5
H] BIR? "M 0 ON ! O!R 5D (! L9E4 ..,:Y
IS %E CALL+ ME8 ,:AT DOES %E WANT ? ."T8
  ,P>IS LI/5$4 ,VIOLA1 H] TWICE-DIVORC$
"M1 _H REC5TLY REM>RI$4 ,%E WANT$ 6GIVE
? FAMILY ?+ ANO!R G4
  8,P>IS10 %E SD1 8,I WANT Y & YR BRO!R
,MALCOLM 6-E HOME40
  .,NO6 ?"\ ,P>IS1 DROPP+ ! PH"O Z IF X
7 TOO HOT 6H&LE4 .,N .N[6
  ,P>IS RU2$ ! BURN M>K ON H] PALM4 ,9
H] M9D1 %E KNEW ! PA9 ( X 0 NO?+ M ?AN
MEMORY4 ,S :Y DID X FEEL R1L1 AG8 ,& ":
_H H] P]FECT EV5+ 4APPE>$ TO8
  ,P>IS SLID 6! FLOOR1 L1N+ H] FULL
WEI<T AG/ ! KIT*5 CAB9ET4
  ,! PH"O CORD SWUNG \ F ! WALL & S5T !
H&SET BANG+ L\DLY AG/ ! DOORJAMB4     #D
  8,HELLO8 ,HELLO8 ,>E Y / "!80 SD ! T9-
NY VOICE ON ! PH"O4
  8,P>IS1 :AT'S ! MATT]80 ASK$ ,DAD4
  8,OH1 ,"L1 :AT DID T WOMAN SAY 6H]8
,JAMES1 HELP H] UP10 ,MOM SD 6,DAD4
  8,HEY1 ,SIS4 ,/OP FOOL+ >.D & GET UP10
SD ,JORDAN4
  8,Y1H10 SD ,DAVID4
  ,P>IS LOOK$ OV] AT H] FO/] FAMILY4 ,!Y
7 ALL SP1K+ AT ONCE4 ,%E CD TELL 2C %E
SAW _! M\?S MOV+4 ,B = "S R1SON1 H] E>S
W]5'T "W+4 ,P>IS CDN'T HE> A ?+4












               ,*APT] #A              #E
             ,,RUNN+ ,,AWAY

  ,! TR\# ) RUNN+ AWAY IS Y "K :AT Y'RE
L1V+ 2H1 B N :AT'S WAIT+ UP AH1D4 ,P>IS
,RI*MOND LE>N$ T A YE> AGO :5 %E & H]
BRO!R ,MALCOLM RAN AWAY F A FO/] HOME 9
,QUE5S4
  ,!Y SLIPP$ \ (! BRICK TWO-/ORY H\SE "O
MORN+ 9 LATE SUMM]1 H\RS 2F ! H1T WD WR+
!M DRY4 ,MALCOLM MOV$ FREE & EASY 9
%ORTS & ;,T-%IRT1 8 H1D %AV$ COOL & CL1N
= SUMM]4 ,P>IS1 ON ! O!R H&1 FELT WEI<$
D[N 0! HUMID;Y4 ,H] SUNDRESS KEPT H]
BODY -=TA# 5\<1 B H] ?ICK HALO ( BLONDE
WAVES HUNG LIMP & H1VY ? "T ( YE>4 ,%E
KEPT /OPP+ 6BRU% /RAY /R&S F H] EYES1 OR
(F H] DAMP =EH1D4 ,"S"TS %E'D RE/ H]
SUITCASE ON ! SIDEWALK S %E CD USE BO?
H&S4
  ,P>IS TRUDG$ D[N ! /REET AF H] BRO!R1
TOT,Y OBLIVI\S 6! AMAZ+ SWA? ( SKY1 A
M># ( SUN-/R1K$ CL\DS & M>9E BLUE PAT*-
ES4 ,H] ATT5;N 0 ON ,MALCOLM'S RAPIDLY
REC$+ BACK4
  8,HURRY UP60 SD ,MALCOLM4 8,OR      #F
WE'LL GET CAU<T4 ,IS T :AT Y WANT80
  ,P>IS %OOK H] H1D NO4 ,! LA/ ?+ %E
WANT$ 6D 0 GET CAU<T4
  ,! FO/] HOME !Y 7 L1V+ 0 NO PLACE 6BE4
,! "M1 ,MRS4 ,BOONE1 SLAPP$ ,P>IS >.D E
"T H] R1L DAU<T] DID "S?+ T CALL$ = PUN-
I%;T4 ,Y'D ?9K %E 0 PLAY+ "S FR1K GAME (
TAG1 & E S+LE "T1 ,P>IS 0 ,X4 ,! WOMAN
N"E TRI$ B1T+ ON ,MALCOLM1 ?\<4 ,B !N1
:Y *ASE D[N A T5-YE>-OLD :O'D S9K 8 TEE?
96Y IF HE GOT HALF ! *.E :5 Y'VE GOT A
QUIET1 ACQUIESC5T EI<T-YE>-OLD 6KICK
>.D8
  ,J LA/ WEEK1 ,MRS4 ,BOONE _H GRA2$
,P>IS & DRA7$ H] (F 6! B$ROOM1 A /RAP
DANGL+ F H] FREE H&4 ,MALCOLM FOLL[$
CLOSE 2H4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+80 HE ASK$4
  8,/AY \ ( ?1 ,MALCOLM10 W>N$ ,MRS4
,BOONE4
  8,Y L1VE ,P>IS AL"O60 HE SCR1M$4 8,%E
DIDN'T D ANY?+60 ,B ! WOMAN TURN$ A D1F
E>1 LOCK+ ! B$ROOM DOOR 2H H]4
  ,MALCOLM BANG$ 8 FI/S ON ! DOOR4
  8,Y BETT] N HURT MY SI/]60 HE       #G
YELL$4
  ,MALCOLM CDN'T YELL L\DLY 5 6COV] 8
SI/]'S CRIES1 B T N"E /OPP$ HM F TRY+4
  ,AF EA* B1T+1 ! DAU<T]1 ,LISA1 WD SWE>
%E _H NO CLUE H[ H] MAMA GOT ! MISTAK5
NO;N T ,P>IS 0 ! "O :O'D SMA%$ A FAVOR-
ITE VASE1 OR /A9$ ! KIT*5 TA#CLO?1 OR
:AT"E4 ..,MY "N IS ,P>IS1 N .,/UPID1
,P>IS WD SAY 6H]F4 ,&! LA/ "T ,LISA MADE
UP A /ORY1 ,P>IS CALL$ H] A LI> 6H]
FACE4 ,LISA 0 %OCK$4 ,P>IS 0 R SURPRIS$1
H]F4 ,MALCOLM 0 USU,Y ! "O :O DID ALL !
TALK+4 ,G5],Y1 ,P>IS KEPT H] ?"\S 6H]F4
,%E DIDN'T WANT 6GIVE ,MRS4 ,BOONE ANY
EXCUSE 6LOCK H] UP 9 ! CLOSET AG1 L %E'D
D"O E "D ! F/ MON? ,MALCOLM & ,P>IS 7
"!4
  ,!Y'D TOLD _! "M1 "O (! FEW "TS %E
CALL$1 B ,VIOLA J ?"\ !Y 7 MAK+ X UP4
,NO MATT] :AT ,P>IS SD1 OR DIDN'T SAY1 !
B1T+S KEPT -+1 & "! DIDN'T SEEM 6BE ANY-
?+ 6D AB !M1 EXCEPT RUN AWAY4

  ,E>LY T MORN+1 ,MALCOLM SNUCK 96,MRS4
,BOONE'S PURSE & GRA2$ 5 CA% =!       #H
TRA9 & BUS4 ,HE & ,P>IS TIPTO$ \ (! H\SE
:ILE ! ,BOONES 7 5JOY+ _! ,SATUR"D MORN+
SLEEP IN4 ,! /REETS 7 EMPTY AT T H\R1
EXCEPT =A DRUNK HU4L$ 9 A VE/IBULE1 & HE
DIDN'T PAY M* ATT5;N 6A C\PLE ( KIDS
PASS+ BY4
  ,P>IS TOLD H] LEGS & FEET 6GET A MOVE
ON1 & !Y DID4 ,H] SUITCASE KEPT BUMP+ UP
AG/ H] LEG1 B %E DIDN'T C>E4 ,%E & ,MAL-
COLM PRACTIC,Y RAN ! LA/ HALF (! BLOCK &
SET A DOG (F B>K+ L CRAZY4 ,P>IS LOOK$
>.D 6SEE IF X 0 -+ AF H] & ALM MISS$ A
CURB4 ,GD ?+ ,MALCOLM _H WAIT$ = H] AT !
CORN]4 ,HE CAU<T H] 0! ELB[ 2F %E TOP-
PL$4
  8,WAT* YRF10 SD ,MALCOLM1 9 8 GR[N-UP
VOICE4 ,!Y HURRI$ 6! BUS /OP TWO BLOCKS
OV] & /OOD S L;G1 _! FEET GREW ROOTS 9 !
SIDEWALK4 ,F9,Y1 ! BUS CAME4 ,MALCOLM
CLIMB$ UP F/ 6PAY = _! F>E1 !N R1*$ D[N
= 8 SI/]'S SUITCASE4 ,ON ANO!R "D1 %E
MI<T H TOLD HM T %E CD D X H]F1 B N ?
"D4 ,H] >M 0 SORE F LU7+ T BATT]$ OLD
CASE4 ,%E H&$ X OV]4
  ,P>IS FOLL[$ ,MALCOLM 6! MI4LE (!   #I
BUS4 ,SOON Z !Y 7 SETTL$1 %E TURN$ 6H]
BRO!R & ASK$1 8,MALCOLM1 >E Y SURE Y "K
": WE'RE GO+80





















                                     #AJ
























               ,*APT] #B             #AA
      ,,6,,GR&"M'S ,,H\SE ,,WE ,,G

  ,!Y 7 ON _! WAY 6_! GR&"M'S H\SE 9
,WA%+TON ,HEI<TS4 ,MALCOLM REM9D$ H] "!
0 NO": ELSE = !M 6G4
  ,P>IS' :ITE BLUE-EY$ "F AB&ON$ H] :5
%E 0 F\R4 ,APP>5TLY1 HE CDN'T H&LE 2+
SE5 WALK+ D[N ! /REET )A * ^: SK9 0 S M*
D>K] ?AN 8 [N4 ,HE'D W9CE E "T %E CALL$
HM ,DA4Y 9 PUBLIC4 ,MALCOLM'S "F _H BE5
EV5 M (A /RANG]4 ,HE LA/$ LESS ?AN A
YE>4 ,MALCOLM _H SE5 A PICTURE ( HM1 B T
0 ! EXT5T ( 8 FAMILI>;Y4 ,Z = _! "M1 %E
_H NO USE = !M4 ,%E 0 ! R1SON !Y 7 9
FO/] C>E 62G9 )4
  ,P>IS BLAM$ X ON DR9K4 ,H] "M BLAM$ X
ON L"OLI;S4 ,9 A WAY1 !Y 7 BO? "R4 ,VIO-
LA DRANK "S :5 H] MO/ REC5T HUSB&1
,CL>K1 0 >.D1 B %E DRANK EV5 M AF HE 0
G"O4
  ,P>IS REMEMB]$ CLE>LY ! NI<T HE LEFT4
,!Y 7 SITT+ AT ! D9N] TA#1 PL[+ "? M.DS
( MA%$ SWEET POTATOES1 FRI$ *ICK5 W+S1 &
GRE5 B1NS1 TOO4
  ,CL>K POLI%$ (F ! F/ HELP+ &       #AB
BEL*$ )\T APOLOGY4 ,HE R1*$ = M *ICK51 B
,MALCOLM MOV$ ! PLATT]1 !N SMIL$4 ,IF
,VIOLA _HN'T BE5 "!1 ,CL>K WD H SMACK$
,MALCOLM1 & !Y BO? KNEW X4
  ,:5"E ,CL>K _H TOO M* 6DR9K1 : 0 AB E
,FRI"D AF HE GOT PD1 HE 0 9 ! HABIT (
SMACK+ ,MALCOLM >.D1 Z L;G Z ,VIOLA
WASN'T LOOK+4 ,MALCOLM N"E TOLD H]1 ?\<4
,HE FIGUR$ X 0 "S?+ 8 "M DIDN'T RE,Y
WANT 6HE>4 ,P>IS DIDN'T L X "O BIT4
  ,? EV5+1 ?\<1 ) ,VIOLA 9 ! ROOM1 ,MAL-
COLM CD D :AT"E HE WANT$1 & ,CL>K WDN'T
D>E T\* HM4
  ,=A SECOND "T1 ,CL>K R1*$ =! PLATT]1 &
,MALCOLM PULL$ X AWAY4
  8,/OP X1 ,MALCOLM60 SNAPP$ ,VIOLA4
  ,P>IS PRESS$ H] LIPS TGR 6KEEP F LAU<-
+4
  ,:5 ,CL>K R1*$ =! *ICK5 A ?IRD "T &
,MALCOLM YANK$ ! DI% AWAY1 ,P>IS BUR/ \
LAU<+4
  ,CL>K BANG$ 8 FI/ ON ! TA# & %OT UP \
( 8 *AIR4
  8,T'S X60 HE SPAT \4 8,I'M \TTA "H60
  8,AW1 BABY10 ,VIOLA COO$1 8DON'T   #AC
2 L T40 ,%E SNAT*$ ! PLATT] F ,MALCOLM1
BOR+ H] EYES 96HIS 2F TURN+ BACK 6,CL>K4
  8,"H1 SUG>10 %E SD1 HOLD+ ! DI% \ 6HM4
8,"H'S ALL ! *ICK5 Y C EAT4 ,& ,I C ALW
FRY "S M40
  8,=GET X10 SD ,CL>K1 H1D+ =! DOOR4
,VIOLA SET ! PLATE D[N1 SLIPP$ PA/
,CL>K1 & BLOCK$ 8 PA?4
  8,LOOK1 H"OY1 ,I'M SORRY AB ,MALCOLM4
,HE 0 J PLAY+4 ,Y "K H[ KIDS >E40
  8,ACTU,Y1 ,I DON'T "K4 ,& GUESS :AT8
,I'M RE,Y N 96RAIS+ "SBODY ELSE'S
BRATS40
  8,CL>K1 LOOK1 IF Y WANT1 ,I C S5D !
KIDS 6MY "M'S =A :ILE S WE C H "S "T
AL"O4 ,H[ WD T BE80 ,! M DESP]ATE ,VIOLA
GOT1 ! S(T] H] VOICE 2CAME4 ,B ,CL>K J
PU%$ PA/ H] & 4APPE>$ 96_! B$ROOM4 ,VIO-
LA RAN 9 AF HM4
  ,P>IS & ,MALCOLM /AY$ AT ! TA#1 PICK+
AT _! FOOD QUIETLY4
  ,A FEW M9UTES LAT]1 ,CL>K SLAMM$ \ !
DOOR1 SUITCASE 9 H&4 ,VIOLA /AY$ LOCK$ 9
H] B$ROOM =! RE/ (! NI<T4
  8,GD RI4.E10 SD ,MALCOLM4          #AD
  8,Y1H10 SD ,P>IS4 8,GD RI4.E40
  ,CL>K 2+ G"O 0 NO?+ B GD = ,MALCOLM &
,P>IS4 ,Z F> Z ,P>IS 0 3C]N$1 HE 0 NO-
BODY H] MOM %D 2 L"OLY OV]4 ,& YET1 ,VI-
OLA WAS4
  ,T 0 :5 ,VIOLA />T$ GO+ 6! LOCAL B>S E
NI<T1 ": %E DRANK 6MAKE H]F FEEL BETT]4
,"S"TS1 T 8FEEL+ BETT]0 TOOK "DS1 & ,P>-
IS & ,MALCOLM WD 2 LEFT HOME AL"O4 ,MAL-
COLM DID 8 BE/ 6TAKE C>E ( HMF & 8 LL
SI/]4
  ,"O "D1 _! GR&"M DROPP$ 0DUR+ "O (
,VIOLA'S ABS;ES & 4COV]$ ! TRU?4 ,%E
CALL$ ,* ,WELF>E IMMLY1 & ,P>IS & ,MAL-
COLM _H BE5 9 FO/] C>E "E S9CE4 ,GR&MA 0
! "O FAMILY !Y _H LEFT4
  ,"O BUS & TWO SUBWAY TRA9 RIDES AF
L1V+ ,QUE5S1 ,P>IS CLIMB$ ! /AIRS ( H]
GR&"M'S BR[N/"O & RANG ! BELL4 ,A VOICE
CRACKL$ F ! 9T]COM4
  8,:O IS X80
  8,HI1 ,GR&MA10 SD ,P>IS4
  ,! 9T]COM POPP$ & SPUTT]$4
  8,P>IS80
  8,YES1 ,GR&MA4 ,& ,MALCOLM1        #AE
TOO40
  8,GD ,"L60 SD ,GR&MA4 8,:AT ON ,GOD'S
E>? HAS HAPP5$ N[80





















                                     #AF
























               ,*APT] #C             #AG
              ,,%ORT ,,T]M

  ,P>IS /EPP$ 9SIDE H] GR&"M'S A"P;T1 !
SW1T ( H] BR[ QKLY DRY+ 9 ! FAN-COOL$
LIV+ ROOM4
  8,ALL "R10 _! GR&"M SD4 8,:AT >E Y TWO
DO+ "H80
  ,P>IS PU%$ PA/ ! "Q1 L1V+ ,MALCOLM TO
EXPLA94 8,GR&MA1 C ,I H A GLASS ( WAT]80
%E ASK$4 ,H] GR&"M NO4$ & WAV$ H] (F 6!
KIT*54 ,P>IS AM#D "? ! A"P;T ) M ?AN WA-
T] ON H] M9D4
  ..,H] KIT*5 TA#'S BIG 5 = ?REE .P1 ?"\
,P>IS4 ..,X'S GOT TWO *AIRS N[1 B WE CD
ADD "O4 ,! CAB9ET'S FULL ( DI%ES4 ,I CD
HELP H] WA% !M4 ,I CD EV5 HELP COOK1
."S"TS4
  ,WAT] 9 H&1 %E W5T 6! B$ROOM NEXT4
  ..,T'S A NICE-SIZE DESK4 ,I BET ,MAL-
COLM & ,I CD TAKE TURNS DO+ \R HOME"W ON
X4 ,:5 ,GR&MA ISN'T US+ X H]F T IS4 ,!
B$'S N S BIG1 B ! C\* OP5S UP4 ,I'M
PRETTY SURE X'S BIG 5 = TWO4 ,WE .CD--
  8,P>IS60 H] GR&"M CALL$4 8,GET 9 "H40
  ,P>IS HURRI$ 96! LIV+ ROOM1        #AH
SLOPP+ WAT] Z %E W5T4 ,%E JO9$ ,MALCOLM
ON ! S(A4 ..,YUP1 ,I 0 ."R1 ?"\ ,P>IS4
..,? IS PL5TY BIG 5 =! TWO ( U 6SLEEP
.ON4
  8,MALCOLM TOLD ME :AT HAPP5$10 SD H]
GR&"M4 8,B :AT HE DIDN'T SAY 0 :Y Y
DIDN'T CALL YR "M40
  8,"M80 SD ,MALCOLM4 8,:AT "M80
  ,P>IS GAVE ,MALCOLM A LOOK4 8,%E
HASN'T CALL$ U =A :ILE10 SD ,P>IS4 8,&
WE DON'T "K ": %E IS1 N[40
  8,GD ,GOD10 SD H] GR&"M4
  8,Y1H1 WELL4 ,Y "K H[ %E LIKES 6MOVE
>.D10 SD ,MALCOLM4 8,! L;GE/ ! ?REE ( U
"E /AY$ 9 "O PLACE 0 MAYBE SIX MON?S40
  ,P>IS WAIT$ = H] GR&"M 6SAY "S?+1 B AT
F/1 ALL %E DID 0 %AKE H] H1D4 ,!N %E SD1
8,WELL1 ,I GUESS Y C /AY "H--=A FEW "DS4
,B T'S X4 ,I'VE ALR RAIS$ MY KIDS4 ,I'M
TOO OLD 6/>T T ALL OV] AG40
  8,NO SW1T10 SD ,MALCOLM1 %RU7+4
  ,P>IS /UDI$ H] GR&"M'S FACE1 ?\<4
..,:AT'S ! MATT] ) ,MALCOLM & ME8 ,DID
WE D "S?+ WR;G8 ,IS T :Y NO "O WANTS .U8
,! ^WS N"E LEFT ,P>IS' LIPS1 YET     #AI
"SH[ H] GR&"M SEEM$ 6HE> !M1 & %E LOOK$
AWAY4
  ,MALCOLM & ,P>IS SWALL[$ UP ! F/ "D
RUNN+ ]R&S = _! GR&"M1 WAT*+ TELEVI.N1 &
WOND]+ :AT T]RI# PLACE !Y'D 5D UP 9
NEXT4
  ,! CASE"W] F ! ,ADM9I/R,N = ,*N'S ,S]-
VICES _H TOLD ! BRO!R & SI/] !Y 7 LUCKY
6BE PICK$ AT ALL :5 !Y 7 PLAC$ )!
,BOONES4 ,"! 7 FEW FO/] HOMES 6G >.D1 &
FEW] / WILL+ 6A3EPT SIBL+S4 ,P>IS DID N
FEEL ESPECI,Y LUCKY1 B AT L1/ %E & ,MAL-
COLM _H EA* O!R4 ,T M* %E _H LE>N$ 6C.T
ON4
  ,:5 NI<T FELL1 ,P>IS' GR&"M MADE UP !
C\* = ,MALCOLM & SD ,P>IS CD SLEEP ) H]4
,BOYS & GIRLS %D SLEEP SEP>ATELY1 %E SD4
.,T'S .SILLY1 ?"\ ,P>IS4 ..,MALCOLM'S N
A BOY4 ,HE'S MY .BRO!R4 ,/1 %E W5T AL;G
) X4
  ,P>IS 0 M TIR$ ?AN %E KNEW4 ,= TWO
NI<TS 9 A R[1 SLEEP ROCK$ H] L A BABY1 &
C>RI$ H] 6A PLACE ( DR1M.S RE/4 ,:5 %E
WOKE UP ! MORN+ (! ?IRD "D1 X 0 6! S.D (
H] BRO!R SCR1M+1 8,NO60              #BJ
  ,P>IS RU2$ H] EYES1 & CLIMB$ \ ( B$ TO
F9D H] BRO!R4 ,NE> ! DOORWAY1 %E F.D A
TALL1 BLACK /RANG] PULL+ ,MALCOLM 0! >M1
:ILE H] GR&"M J /OOD "!1 WAT*+4
  ,P>IS LOOK$ F ,MALCOLM1 6! /RANG]1 6H]
GR&"M4
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON80 ASK$ ,P>IS4
  8,G BACK 6B$10 SD H] GR&"M4
  8,DON'T D ?60 SD ,MALCOLM1 TRY+ 6PULL
AWAY F ! /RANG]4
  8,:O'S T MAN1 & ": IS HE TAK+ MY BRO?-
]80 DEM&$ ,P>IS4
  8,CALM D[N10 SD H] GR&"M4 8,HE'S F
,*N'S ,S]VICES4 ,HE "KS :AT HE'S DO+40
  ,P>IS LOOK$ AT H] GR&"M Z IF %E 7 CRA-
ZY1 !N D>T$ =! DOOR4 ,H] GR&"M CAU<T H]
MID-FLI<T & HELD H] FIRMLY4
  8,Y LET MY BRO!R G60 ,P>IS YELL$4
  ,MALCOLM /RU7L$ 6FREE HMF1 B ! CASE"W]
HELD HM FA/1 DRA7+ HM T[>D ! ELEVATOR4
  8,MALCOLM60 CRI$ ,P>IS4 8,DON'T L1VE
ME60
  ,! ELEVATOR DOORS OP5$4
  8,DON'T WORRY60 SD ,MALCOLM1 TE>S
/R1M+ D[N 8 FACE4 8,I'LL 2 BACK =    #BA
Y1 ,SIS6 ,I PROMISE60
  ,! ELEVATOR DOORS CLOS$ :ILE ,P>IS
SCR1M$ H] BRO!R'S "N "O LA/ "T4 ,!N HE 0
G"O4
  ,P>IS FELT H] GR&"M'S GRIP LOOS51 &
!N1 SU45LY W1K-KNE$1 ,P>IS COLLAPS$ 9 !
DOORWAY1 SO2+4
  ,H] GR&"M SI<$4 8,I'M SORRY1 *10 %E
SD4 8,B ! CASE"W] SD !Y _H 6SEP>ATE Y
TWO4 ,"! 0 NO?+ ,I CD D AB X40
  ,H] GR&"M EXPLA9$ T ,MALCOLM _H BE5
LABEL$ 89CORRIGI#10 :AT"E T M1NT4 ,F :AT
,P>IS CD MAKE \1 X _H "S?+ 6D )! M"OY
HE'D /OL5 F ! ,BOONES4 ,P>IS TRI$ 6EX-
PLA9 :AT _H HAPP5$1 T ,MALCOLM 0 TRY+ TO
PROTECT H]1 T HE'D /OL5 ! M"OY S !Y CD
RUN AWAY1 B ALL H] GR&"M SD WAS1 8,YR
BRO!R'S G"O1 & T'S ! 5D ( X40
  ,P>IS WIP$ H] TE>S AWAY & BALL$ UP H]
FI/S4 ,%E F.D H] GR&"M 9 ! KIT*51 NURS+
A CUP ( C(FEE1 & />$ H] D[N4
  8,I HATE Y10 ,P>IS TOLD H]4 8,Y HE>
ME8 .,I .HATE .Y40
  ,H] GR&"M SD NO?+4 ,P>IS /OMP$ 6H]
GR&"M'S ROOM & ?REW H]F ACR ! B$4    #BB
,ANG] 0 H] "PN] =! RE/ (! "D4
  ,! NEXT MORN+1 ,P>IS 0 ON A PLAT=M AT
,P5N ,/,N1 WAIT+ =! TRA9 T WD TAKE H] TO
H] NEW FO/] HOME4
  ,P>IS' HE>T B1T S L\DLY1 ! NOISE FILL$
H] E>S4 ,=! F/ "T1 ,MALCOLM'S H& 0 N AT
H] ELB[ 6/1DY H]4 ,8 >M 0 N ACR H] %\L-
D]S 6CALM H]4 ,8 SMILE 0 N "! 6TELL H]
"EY?+ WD 2 ALL "R4
  ,! CASE"W] TRI$ 6HOLD H] H&1 B ,P>IS
SNAT*$ X BACK4 ,%E NE$$ H] H& 6WIPE AWAY
H] TE>S4 ,%E'D N"E FELT S AL"O 9 ALL H]
LIFE4
  ..,"S"TS ,I WI% ,I 0 L MY ."N1 ?"\
,P>IS1 .."S": F> AWAY1 \ ( R1*4 ,"S":
SAFE D[N S\? OR ON ! O!R SIDE (! .OC1N4
,9/1D1 %E 0 NEI ,P>IS NOR ,RI*MOND4 ,%E
FELT L A NOBODY CAU<T 9 ! D>K SPACES 9
2T4 ,A NOBODY ON H] WAY 6NO":4
  ,! TRA9 ROLL$ 96! /,N1 & %E TOOK "O
LA/ LOOK >.D 2F BO>D+1 HOP+ 6SEE H]
BRO!R RUNN+ 6CAT* UP4
  .,MALCOLM1 ,P>IS ASK$ ! W9D1 .": .>E
.Y8
               ,*APT] #D             #BC
             ,,TRA9 ,,RIDE

  ,P>IS IGNOR$ ! CASE"W] S1T$ NEXT 6H] &
PRESS$ H] BR[N FACE AG/ ! COOL W9D[ (!
TRA91 />+ WIDE-EY$ AT ! ,HUDSON ,RIV] Z
! TRA9 RAC$ ACR ! RAILS1 H1D+ NOR?4
  ,RIV]DALE1 ,GREY/"O1 ,HA/+S1 ,DO2S
,F]RY1 ,>DSLEY-ON-,HUDSON1 ,T>RYT[N1
,PHILIPSE ,MANOR1 ,SC>BOR\<4 ,SL[LY1 !
C;YSCAPE GAVE WAY 6! *ISEL$ ROCK COA/ (!
,HUDSON4 ,! ,HUDSON SEEM$ "O WIDE1 WET
B\LEV>D SEP>AT+ ! TRA9 & ,P>IS F ! O!R
SIDE (--:AT8
  ,"! 0 M OP5 SKY ?AN ,P>IS _H "E SE5 F
! /REETS ( ,NEW ,YORK ,C;Y4 ,X 0 A VIEW
%E WD H LOV$ 6%>E ) H] BRO!R4
  ,0 ,MALCOLM ON A TRA9 GO+ F> AWAY1
TOO8 ,OR 0 HE / "S": 9 ! C;Y8 ,NO "O WD
TELL H]4
  ,P>IS FELL BACK 9 H] S1T & WIP$ AWAY A
TE>4 ,EXCEPT =A SNI6LE OR TWO1 %E RODE
6,OSS9+ 9 SIL;E4 ,%E WI%$ ! NOISE 9 H]
H1D WD DIE D[N1 ?\<4 ,?"\S & "QS 7 BANG+
AG/ EA* O!R L T9 PANS 9SIDE H] SKULL4
  ..,:AT IF !Y HATE ME8 ,:AT IF !Y   #BD
B1T ME8 ,:O W PROTECT ME8 ,I CD RUN
AWAY1 B ": WD ,I G8 ,I WON'T "K ANY"O
"!4 ,:AT IF !Y LOCK ME UP L ,MRS4 ,BOONE
DID8 ,NO1 ,I WON'T ?9K AB T4 ,MALCOLM
TOLD ME N"E 6?9K AB T AG4 ,OH1 ,MALCOLM6
,I NE$ .Y4
  ,B "! 0 NO ,MALCOLM4
  ,P>IS BALL$ H] FI/S1 /UCK !M 9 H]
POCKETS1 & CLOS$ H] EYES4 ,IF %E 3C5-
TRAT$ RE,Y H>D1 %E CD HE> H] BRO!R'S
VOICE4 ,EXCEPT N[1 T VOICE S.D$ A LOT L
H] [N4
  ..,"EY?+WILLBEALL"R4 ,"EY?+WILLBEALL-
"R4 ,"EY?+ W 2 ALL ."R4
  8,OSS9+6 ,NEXT /OP ,OSS9+40









               ,*APT] #E             #BE
         ,,MEET+ ,,! ,,L9COLNS

  ,P>IS SAT SCRUN*$ UP AG/ "O DOOR (!
TAXI :ILE ! CASE"W] *ATT]$ ! L5G? (!
DRIVE4
  8,Y'LL L ! ,L9COLNS10 %E SD4 8,!Y'RE
GD P40
  ..,H[ WD Y ."K8 ?"\ ,P>IS4 ..,Y N"E _H
6LIVE ) .!M4 ,B %E SD NO?+4 ,9/1D1 %E
/>$ \ ! W9D[4 ,! DRIV] SEEM$ 9 NO "PICU-
L> HURRY1 CRUIS+ SL[LY "? ! SMALL T[N4
,EV5 ! P ON ! /REET SEEM$ 6MOVE M SL[LY
?AN FOLKS DID 9 ! C;Y4 ,P>IS CDN'T DE-
CIDE :E!R T 0 A GD ?+ OR N4
  ,!Y PASS$ "? A SMALL SQU>E ( %OPS &
RE/AURANTS1 !N />T$ D[N A /EEP HILL4 ,!
SIGN R1D 8,SPR+ ,/REET10 & NE> ! 2G9N+ (
X 0 A R$-BRICK BUILD+ )A CROSS ON TOP4
,/> ( ,BE?LEHEM ,BAPTI/ ,*UR*4 ,P>IS
LIK$ ! SOLID LOOK (! PLACE4 ,X REM9D$ H]
( *UR*ES %E'D SE5 9 ,BROOKLYN4
  8,! ,L9COLNS H TWO LL BOYS ( _! [N10 !
CASE"W] RATTL$ ON4 8,!Y AL H A FO/]
DAU<T] :O'S A FEW YE>S OLD] ?AN Y40
  ,! TAXICAB LEFT ,SPR+ ,/REET &     #BF
W.D XS WAY 6! F9AL DE/9,N4 ,UP !Y CLIMB$
AL;G A HILL T 0 NE>LY V]TICAL1 PA/ TWO-
/ORY H\SES ) SUNPOR*ES & *N'S BIKES
/REWN ACR ! FRONT WALKS4
  ,! HILL D1D-5D$ "R 2F A ,CON ,$ISON
P[] PLANT1 B J 2L X /OOD A SWEET OLD
H\SE4 ,X 0 A TWO-/ORY ) BR[N %+LES1 &A
:ITEWA%$ FRONT POR* WIDE 5 =A BIKE1 A
TRICYCLE1 &! TWO-P]SON ROCK] T FAC$ !
/REET4 ,! D+Y :ITE F;E T SURR.D$ ! H\SE
SA7$ 9 PLACES1 GIV+ ! H\SE A RELAX$ &
-=TA# LOOK1 L AN OLD SLIPP] T 0 BROK5 9
& S(T4 ,B ,P>IS KNEW BETT] ?AN 6TRU/ F/
IMPRES.NS4
  ,! CASE"W] PD ! CA2Y4 ,P>IS FOLL[$ H]
ONTO ! POR* & WAIT$ :ILE %E PRESS$ !
BELL4 ,SU45LY1 ! SCRE5 DOOR SWUNG OP54
,A /\T WOMAN1 NE> Z PALE Z ,P>IS' DA4Y1
FILL$ ! DOORWAY4 ,%E 0 BLACK 5\<1 ?\<1 &
,P>IS WD LE>N T H]S 0 "O ( J ?REE BLACK
FAMILIES ON ! BLOCK1 &! ,L9COLNS 7 ! ON-
LY "OS ) KIDS4
  8,WELL HELLO4 ,Y M/ 2 ,P>IS10 %E SD1 V
MATT]-(-FACTLY4 8,MISS ,LIB]TY1 YES80 %E
SD 6! CASE"W]4 8,WE SPOKE ON !       #BG
PH"O4 ,PL1SE -E IN40
  ,P>IS 5T]$ ! T9Y HALL1 ": %E 0 QKLY
SURR.D$ 0S"EAL /RANG]S4
  8,? IS ,MR4 ,L9COLN1 ,DAVID1 & ,JOR-
DAN1 & T'S ,E>LETTA10 SD ,MRS4 ,L9COLN 9
H] CLIPP$1 ALL-BUSI;S MANN]4
  ,2F ,P>IS CD ASK AB ,E>LETTA'S UNUSUAL
"N1 ! GIRL %RU7$ & SD1 8,MY "M WANT$ A
BOY4 ,GUESS T'S :Y %E DIDN'T FI<T 6KEEP
ME40
  ,MRS4 ,L9COLN MADE NO -;T1 B ,P>IS NO-
TIC$ H] GIVE ! GIRL'S %\LD] A G5TLE
SQUEEZE4
  8,WELCOME1 ,P>IS10 SD ,MR4 ,L9COLN4
8,WE'RE GLAD Y'RE "H40 ,8 VOICE 0 W>M Z
HOT *OCOLATE1 & J Z SWEET4 ,P>IS ALM BE-
LIEV$ HM4 ,B :5 HE R1*$ \ 6GIVE H] A
WELCOME HUG1 %E JUMP$ BACK4 ,A LOOK (
"U/&+ PASS$ 2T ,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,L9COLN4
  8,ALL "R1 BOYS10 SD ,MRS4 ,L9COLN4
8,GIVE ! GIRL "S SPACE 6BR1!4 ,B F/1 :Y
DON'T Y %[ H] 6H] ROOM40
  ..,MY ROOM8 ,H[ C ,I H A .ROOM8
  8,OKAY4 ,? WAY10 SD ,DAVID1 B\NC+ UP !
N>R[ /AIRCASE4 ,P>IS FELT H] SUIT-   #BH
CASE SLIP F H] F+]S4
  8,I'LL BR+ T UP = Y LAT]10 SD ,MR4
,L9COLN4 ,P>IS WASN'T S SURE AB L1V+ H]
POSSES.NS ) ? /RANG]4
  8,T'S OKAY10 %E SD1 GRA2+ H] SUITCASE
BACK4 8,I'LL TAKE X MYF40
  ,MR4 ,L9COLN NO4$4 8,SUIT YRF40
  ,RELUCTANTLY1 ,P>IS FOLL[$ ! BOYS 96!
BELLY (! H\SE4 ,AT ! TOP (! L&+1 %E
LOOK$ >.D1 WOND]+ : ROOM 0 GO+ 6BE H]S4
,%E'D N"E _H A ROOM ALL 6H]F4 ,:Y 7 !Y
GIV+ H] H] [N ROOM8 8,GIRLS & BOYS %D
SLEEP SEP>ATELY10 H] GR&"M _H SD4 ,B :AT
AB ,E>LETTA8 ,:Y WASN'T %E BUNK+ ) ,E>-
LETTA8 ,DID ,E>LETTA H H] [N ROOM1 TOO8
,! H\SE SURE DIDN'T LOOK T BIG 6,P>IS4
  8,"H X IS10 SD ,DAVID4
  ,! OLD] BOY WAV$ H] OV] 6! SMALLE/
ROOM %E _H "E SE54 ,X 0 H>DLY BI7] ?AN A
CLOSET4 ,! ?"\ MADE ,P>IS %IV]4
  ..,AT L1/ "!'S A W9D[1 %E .?"\4 ,A TW9
B$ HU7$ ! WALL4 ,A RAG RUG LAY 9 FRONT (
! B$1 &A FEW FEET AWAY /OOD A DESK &
*AIR4 ,"! 0 A M/Y OLD W>DROBE 6HANG
CLO?+ IN1 &1 SQUEEZ$ 9 NEXT 6X1 AN   #BI
ANCI5T DRESS] ) PEEL+ PA9T4
  ..,N[ ,I GET .X1 ?"\ ,P>IS4 ,!Y 7
/ICK+ H] "H 9 ? LL ROOM 6KEEP H] \ (
SI<T1 6HIDE H] AWAY S !Y CD =GET AB H] Z
SOON Z ! CASE"W] LEFT4
  ,P>IS LOOK$ DEJECT$ &! BOYS CDN'T FIG-
URE \ :Y4
  8,Y'RE LUCKY10 SD ,JORDAN4 8,Y GET YR
[N ROOM60
  8,WI% ,I _H .MY [N ROOM10 A4$ ,DAVID4
8,!N MAYBE ,I CD GET AWAY F ? SQUIRT = M
?AN A M9UTE40 ,JORDAN PUN*$ 8 BIG BRO!R
9 ! >M1 B ,P>IS IGNOR$ !M BO?4 ,%E SWUNG
H] SUITCASE UP ON ! B$ & GOT BUSY UN-
PACK+4 ,BOR$1 ! BOYS H1D$ BACK D[N/AIRS4
  ,P>IS SAT ON ! B$1 LETT+ H] EYES SWEEP
E CORN] (! DRAFTY ROOM1 WOND]+ :AT !
PLACE WD 2 L AT NI<T1 WOND]+ H[ BAD X WD
BE4
  ,FE> 0 N "S?+ ,P>IS NE$$ 6REHE>SE4
8,F"R5$ GIRL0 0 A ROLE %E ALR KNEW BY
HE>T4 ,! "Q WAS1 H[ (T5 WD %E H 6PLAY !
"P "H8

                                     #CJ
























               ,*APT] #F             #CA
              ,,F/ ,,NI<T

  ,MISS ,LIB]TY1 ! CASE"W]1 SD GD-BYE1
ASSUR+ ,P>IS T %E 0 9 GD H&S4
  ,! RE/ (! EV5+ 0 A BLUR4 ,"! 0 D9N]1 A
LITANY ( RULES = ,P>IS 6MEMORIZE1 !N A
BRIEF T\R (! H\SE4 ,E>LETTA GAVE H] !
T\R1 B ONLY 2C ,MRS4 ,L9COLN TOLD H] TO4
  8,? IS ! LAUNDRY ROOM4 ,T'S ! D[N/AIRS
BA?ROOM4 ,FRONT POR*4 ,BACKY>D4 ,MOM &
,DAD'S ROOM4 ,! L95 CLOSET4 ,! ZOO1 O!R-
WISE "KN Z ! BOYS' ROOM4 ,T'S X6 ,Y'VE
ALR SE5 ! KIT*51 D9+ ROOM1 & LIV+ ROOM4
,& "H'S .YR ROOM4 ,B Y ALR KNEW T4
,DON'T GET TOO -=TA#1 ?\<40
  8,HUH80
  8,Y PROBABLY WON'T 2 "H T L;G10 SD
,E>LETTA4
  ,P>IS TURN$ >.D4
  8,:AT D Y M1N80 %E ASK$4 ,B ,E>LETTA 0
ALR HALFWAY D[N ! /AIRS4
  ,P>IS FIL$ ,E>LETTA'S -;T AWAY &
CRAWL$ 96B$1 FULLY DRESS$ EXCEPT = %OES4
  ..,GOTTA 2 R1DY 9 CASE ,I NE$ 6RUN4 ,B
":8 ,MALCOLM1 ,I NE$ Y 6TELL ME      #CB
:AT 6D1 ": 6.G4
  ,L A FAVORITE BLANKET1 OR A T$DY BE>1
,P>IS CLUNG 6?"\S ( H] BRO!R4 ,!Y 7 ALL
! -=T %E _H4
  ,! ROOM 0 D>K Z A CAVE1 EV5 )! B$SIDE
LAMP ON4 ,P>IS /RA9$ H] EYES 9 ! DIREC;N
(! DRESS]4 ,H] SUITCASE /OOD "R 2S X4
,%E'D LEFT X NE>BY S %E CD REPACK 9 A
HURRY1 IF %E NE$$ TO4
  ,ALL 9 ! H\SE SLEPT1 EXCEPT = ,P>IS1
:O WILL$ ! H\RS 6MOVE FA/] T[>D DAWN4
  ..,:AT W HAPP5 6ME "H8 ,:AT IF !Y LOCK
ME UP 9 "H8 ,:AT IF1 ? "T1 NO "O "E F9DS
.ME8
  ,P>IS WALK$ ! TI<TROPE ( H] FE>S =
H\RS4 ,EV5TU,Y1 %E MISS$ A /EP & />T$
FALL+1 FALL+1 FALL+ 6! GR.D4 ,%E FLAIL$
H] >MS1 CRY+1 SCR1M+ Z %E PLUMMET$ "? !
UN5D+ ABYSS4 ,& :5 %E F9,Y HIT ! GR.D1 X
0 MORN+1 & %E F.D H]F 9 A TANGLE ( BLAN-
KETS ON ! B$ROOM FLOOR4



               ,*APT] #G             #CC
            ,,BACKY>D ,,B1/

  ,P>IS SLIPP$ D[N/AIRS & \ ! BACK DOOR
6EXPLORE ! GR.DS :ILE "EY"O ELSE 0 /
ASLEEP4 ,QUIET ESCAPES 7 GETT+ 6BE H]
SPECIALTY4
  .,W[6
  ,? 0 NO PO/AGE-/AMP BACKY>D4 ,X 0 A
GRE5 & FLORAL FIELD 6RUN IN4 ,! "R 0 $G$
) HYDRANGEA BU%ES1 BUR/+ ) GIANT P9K &
BLUE BLOSSOMS4 ,T[]+ ABV !M 7 A SMATT]+
( TREES ROOT$ 9 ! NEXT Y>D OV]1 & "? !
TREES ,P>IS CD MAKE \ A SILV] SNAKE1
GLI/5+ 9 ! MORN+ SUNLI<T1 MOV+ NOR? TO
S\?4 ,( C\RSE1 X WASN'T A SNAKE AT ALL4
,X 0 ! ,HUDSON ,RIV] SLI!R+ BY4
  ..,! RIV] ! TRA9 FOLL[$ 6BR+ ME ."H1
?"\ ,P>IS4 ..,! RIV] T CD TAKE ME .HOME4
  ,B ": 0 HOME8 ,N )! ,BOONES4 ,N )
,GR&MA4 ,N EV5 ) ,VIOLA1 2C %E N"E SEEM$
62L;G ANY":1 9 "PICUL>4
  .,HOME 0 S* A FUNNY ^W4 ,= MO/ KIDS1
HOME 0 ": YR MOM & DAD LIV$1 ": Y FELT
SAFE1 ": ! BOGEYMAN 0 M]ELY MAKE-2LIEVE4
,HOME 0 ": Y KNEW E SQU>E 9* (!      #CD
PLACE 0HE>T1 ": Y CD WAKE UP 9 ! MI4LE (
! NI<T & "K EXACTLY ": Y 7 )\T EV5 OP5+
YR EYES4 ,P>IS DIDN'T H A PLACE L T4 ,%E
DIDN'T EV5 H AN A4RESS %E'D LIV$ AT L;G
5 6MEMORIZE1 NO S+LE PLACE T FELT FAMIL-
I> Z ALL T4 ,EXCEPT MAYBE ! C;Y XF4
  ,= ,P>IS1 HOME 0 M A P]SON1 & T P]SON
0 ,MALCOLM4
  ..,I CD FOLL[ T RIV] BACK 6,MALCOLM4
,B H[ D ,I "K ,MALCOLM IS EV5 "! .ANY-
MORE8
  ,P>IS KICK$ ! GR.D & %OOK (F ! "Q4 ,%E
_H NO ANSW] & "! 0 NO WAY 6F9D \ ! TRU?4
,AT L1/1 N YET4 ,P>IS TURN$ H] ATT5;N
BACK 6! Y>D4
  ,:ITEWA%$ >BORS FRAM$ A SMALL GRAPEV9E
9 ! C5T] (! Y>D4 ,"H & "! A FEW BLUE-
BLACK GRAPE GLOBES / HELD ON T5ACI\SLY4
,O!RWISE1 ,P>IS WD H NO IDEA :AT %E 0
LOOK+ AT4 ,"! 7 NO GRAPEV9ES ON ,L5OX
,AV5UE6 ,! LEFT SIDE (! Y>D 0 5CLOS$ 0A
PICKET F;E1 & 9 ! BACK CORN] /OOD AN OLD
TOOL%$4 ,"!'D BE5 "O 9 ! Y>D 9 ,QUE5S4
  ..,WOND] :AT'S 9 ."!4 ,P>IS CROSS$ !
Y>D 6F9D \4 ,H] H& 0 ON ! DOORKNOB   #CE
:5 %E HE>D A SN>L+ S.D 2H H]4 ,LEGS SUD-
D5LY P>ALYZ$1 ,P>IS SL[LY TURN$ H] H1D4
,"! /OOD ! SC>IE/-LOOK+ DOG %E'D "E SE54
  ,:AT 0 X ,MALCOLM _H TAU<T H] 6D IF %E
"E _H 6FACE A /RANGE DOG8 8,N"E LET !
DOG "K T Y'RE SC>$ ( HM10 ,MALCOLM _H
TOLD H]4 8,SP1K S(TLY 6HM1 & BACK AWAY
V1 V C>E;LLY40
  8,NICE DO7Y10 SD ,P>IS1 9*+ AWAY F !
%$1 TRY+ 6MOVE PA/ ! L;G-TOO!D B1/4
8,NICE DO7Y4 ,NICE--AH60
  ,! DOG KNOCK$ ,P>IS 6! GR.D & /OOD OV]
H]4 ,P>IS 0 TOO F"R5$ 6SCR1M4 ,%E
SQUEEZ$ H] EYES %UT & WAIT$ = DOG FANGS
6S9K 96H] & RIP H] 6PIECES4 .,"O4 .,TWO4
.,?REE4 ,P>IS FELT A MESS ( SLOPPY1 WET
LICKS ON H] *EEK4 8,OH1 YUCK60
  8,T'S ,JET10 SD ,JORDAN1 SLAMM+ !
SCRE5 DOOR 2H HM4 8,WE CALL HM T 'CAUSE
HE'S FA/4 ,DID HE SC>E YA80
  8,C\RSE N10 SD ,P>IS1 WOND]+ IF H]
HE>T RATE WD "E RETURN 6NORMAL4 8,HE'S J
A BIG OLE FLU6Y DOG40
  ,JORDAN CAME OV] & SCRAT*$ ! COLLIE 2H
! E>S4 8,SEEMS 6L Y10 SD ,JORDAN4    #CF
  ,P>IS /OOD UP & BRU%$ H]F (F4 8,NICE
DO7Y10 %E :ISP]$1 T5TATIVELY R1*+ \ 6PET
HM4 ..,MAYBE ,I'LL 2 "H L;G 5 6GET 6"K
Y1 HUH8 ,:AT D Y ?9K AB .T8 ,JET B>K$
EXCIT$LY1 Z IF 9 ANSW]4
  ,P>IS /ROK$ ! COLLIE'S BACK1 SMIL+ =!
F/ "T 9 "DS4

















               ,*APT] #H             #CG
                ,,BR1?.S

  ,! SECOND NI<T1 ,P>IS EXP]I;ED ! ,L9-
COLNS' NI<TLY R\T9E4 ,:5 ALL ! *N 7 9
B$1 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN MADE ! R.DS1 /OPP+ 9
EA* ROOM 6SAY GD NI<T1 SWIT* (F ! LI<TS1
& CLOSE ! DOOR4
  ,P>IS 0 SNU7L$ "U ! COV]S :5 ,MRS4
,L9COLN SU45LY FILL$ ! DOORWAY ( H] T9Y
ALCOVE4
  8,GD NI<T1 ,P>IS10 %E SD1 HITT+ ! WALL
SWIT* & CLOS+ ! DOOR 9 "O DEFT MO;N1
L1V+ ,P>IS 6DR[N 9 A SEA ( D>K;S4 ,!
MOON 0 NO FR4 ,! SLIV] ( LI<T T F.D XS
WAY "? ! W9D[ H>DLY MADE A D5T 9 ! D>K-
;S4 ,P>IS CLUNG 6H] B$SPR1D1 H] HE>T
GALLOP+ 9SIDE H] *E/4
  ..,J CLOSE YR .EYES1 ,P>IS TOLD H]F1 L
,MALCOLM _H TOLD H] 6D A ?\S& "TS4 ,P>IS
PULL$ D[N ! %ADES ( H] EYES & PRET5D$
ALL ! D>K;S 0 2H H] LIDS1 T ! ROOM 2Y !M
0 RE,Y /R1M+ ) LI<T4 ,? TRICK "W$ =A
:ILE1 & H] HE>TB1T SL[$ A BIT4 ,!N %E CD
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                                     #DB
























               ,*APT] #I             #DC
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  8,RE,Y80 SD ,P>IS4
  8,RE,Y40
  8,:AT DID Y D80
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  8,HUH80
  8,X'S "S?+ MY MOM TOLD ME ONCE4 ,6KEEP
,GOD 9 MY POCKET40
  8,I DON'T "U/&4 ,H[ C ,GOD FIT 9SIDE
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?+ %E'D N"E =GET4























               ,*APT] #AJ            #DI
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8,DON'T PAY !M ANY M9D4 ,!Y'RE ALL /U-
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  8,I'M EXTRA ?IR/Y10 %E EXPLA9$ Z %E
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  8,:5'D YR FAMILY MOVE UP "H80
  8,WELL1 !Y DIDN'T EXACTLY40 ,P>IS
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GNA S&WI*1 TRY+ 6?9K (A GD EXPLAN,N )\T
GETT+ 96H] :OLE FAMILY SAGA4 8,I M1N1
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MATT] H[ ,I GOT "H4 ,I'M "H1 IS ALL40
  8,OH1 ,I GET X4 ,Y LIVE ) YR C\S9S OR
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  8,HUH80
  8,T'S "S?+ MY DA4Y ALW SAYS10 ,A%LEY
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  8,I LIVE D[N ! /REET1 F\R H\SES OV]40
  ,P>IS LAU<$ \ L\D4 ,%E CD N 2LIEVE H]
LUCK4















               ,*APT] #AA            #EC
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^WS4

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X WDN'T 2 9 SUMM] '''

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8,D.E ) ,MOMMY40
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               ,*APT] #AB            #EE
        #II ,,BOTTLES ,,( ,,BE]

  ,! F/ WEEK AT ,CL>EMONT ,ELE;T>Y FELT
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  8,OH10 SD ,P>IS4
  8,S1 ,I'M BETT9' Y'RE N GO+ 6BE "H = M
?AN A M9UTE1 EI4 ,I'M ! ONLY "O :O   #EH
/ICKS1 & ,I'LL 2 "H L;G AF Y'RE G"O4 ,S1
L ,I SD1 DON'T GET TOO -=TA#40
  .,DON'T .WORRY1 ?"\ ,P>IS4 ..,I'M N"E
T -=TA# .ANY":4 ,%E W5T BACK 6*OPP+ !
PEPP]S4

  ,:5 ! FOOD 0 R1DY1 ,P>IS PLOPP$ D[N 9
! *AIR NEXT 6,MRS4 ,L9COLN1 LICK+ H]
LIPS AT ! SI<T ( T M.TA9 ( RIBS1 BURG]S1
& TOA/$ BUNS 9 ! C5T] (! TA#4 ,%E TURN$
6SMILE AT ,MRS4 ,L9COLN & %E SMIL$ BACK4
,T 0 :5 ,P>IS SAW A C ( BE] NEXT 6,MRS4
,L9COLN'S PLATE4 ,MR4 ,L9COLN _H "O1
TOO4
  ,SU45LY1 ,P>IS WASN'T S HUNGRY ANY-
MORE4
  ,AF ,MR4 ,L9COLN SD GRACE1 "EYBODY DUG
IN4 ,EXCEPT ,P>IS4 ,%E NIB#D & /IRR$ !
POTATO SALAD >.D H] PLATE4 ,A FEW SMALL
BITES 0 ALL %E MANAG$ 6SWALL[4
  8,P>IS1 :AT'S WR;G80 ASK$ ,MRS4 ,L9-
COLN4
  8,NO?+10 :ISP]$ ,P>IS4 ,H] TA/E BUDS
DIDN'T SEEM 6BE "W+4 ,!Y W]5'T A# TO
4TRACT H] F ! CANS ( BE] ON ! TA#1   #EI
OR KEEP H] F ?"\S ( H] "M1 ^: DR9K+ B+ES
ALW 2GAN )A COOL C ( BE]4
  ,P>IS FELT A RUMBL+ 9 H] /OMA* T QKLY
MOV$ UP 96H] ?ROAT4 ,%E BOLT$ F ! TA# &
?ANK;LLY1 MADE X 6! BA?ROOM 9 "T4 ,%E
HUNG H] H1D OV] ! TOILET B[L & ?REW UP
UNTIL ALL T 0 LEFT 9 H] BELLY 0 AIR4
  8,P>IS1 >E Y ALL "R80 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN
ASK$ "? ! DOOR4
  ,P>IS R9S$ H] M\? \ 2F ANSW]+4 8,I'M
OKAY40
  ,MRS4 ,L9COLN CRACK$ OP5 ! DOOR 6SEE =
H]F4 8,I'LL MAKE Y "S TEA & TOA/10 %E
SD4 8,T'LL HELP SETTLE YR /OMA*40
  ,P>IS SMIL$ W1KLY4 8,?ANKS40
  ,) H] EYES ON ! FLOOR1 ,P>IS RETURN$
6! KIT*5 & SAT D[N4 ,%E SIPP$ H] TEA &
ATE H] TOA/ 9 SIL;E1 !N EXCUS$ H]F & W5T
6H] ROOM4 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN *ECK$ ON H]
TWICE 2F L1V+ H] AL"O =! NI<T4
  ,&A L;G NI<T X WAS4 ,P>IS LAY 9 B$ =
H\RS WOND]+ H[ _M BE]S 7 2+ GUZZL$1 WON-
D]+ :5 ! YELL+ WD />T1 WOND]+ :5 ,MR4 &
,MRS4 ,L9COLN WD /ORM \ 96! NI<T 9 SE>*
(! NE>E/ B>1 WOND]+ :5 %E & ALL !    #FJ
O!R KIDS WD 2 LEFT HOME1 AL"O4 ,B ! NI<T
0 Z QUIET Z ANY O!R4 ,"! 7 NO S.DS (
FI<T+1 OR EV5 >GU+1 6BE HE>D ANY": 9 !
H\SE4
  ,! NEXT MORN+1 ,P>IS TIPTO$ D[N/AIRS
2F ANY"O ELSE 0 UP4 ,%E SLIPP$ OP5 ! RE-
FRIG]ATOR1 F.D ?REE REMA9+ CANS ( BE]4
,"O 0"O1 %E P\R$ ! 3T5TS D[N ! DRA9 (!
KIT*5 S9K4 ,!N %E TOOK ! CANS 6! BACKY>D
& HID !M 2H ! %$4
  ,:5 %E OP5$ ! SCRE5 DOOR 6-E BACK 96!
H\SE1 %E F.D ,E>LETTA /&+ "!4
  8,IF !Y _H A DR9K+ PRO#M10 SD ,E>LET-
TA1 8GETT+ RID ( _! BE] WDN'T HELP4 ,I
%D "K4 ,I TRI$ T ) MY LA/ /EPDAD40
  ,P>IS PU%$ PA/ ,E>LETTA )\T SP1K+4
  8,!Y L BE] ONCE 9 A :ILE1 IS ALL4 ,N
"EYBODY :O LIKES BE] HAS A PRO#M ) X40
  8,B "S D10 SD ,P>IS1 B>ELY ABV A :IS-
P]4
  ,E>LETTA SI<$4 8,Y1H4 ,"S D40
  ,LAT] T EV5+1 AT D9N]1 ,MR4 ,L9COLN
SD1 8,I CD H SWORN "! 0 "S BE] LEFT40
,E>LETTA GL.ED AT ,P>IS1 !N LOOK$ AWAY4
,P>IS HELD H] BR1?1 WAIT+4           #FA
  8,OH1 WELL10 HE SD4 8,GUESS WE DRANK M
?AN ,I ?"\4 ,X 0 GD1 ?\<4 ,NO?+ L A
FRO/Y BE] ) RIBS OR BURG]S /RAI<T (F !
GRILL60
  8,GOT T "R60 SD ,MRS4 ,L9COLN4 ,& T 0
! 5D ( X4 ,! SUBJECT 0 N"E M5;N$ AG4
  ,P>IS SI<$ & FELT ! FI/ 9SIDE H] UN-
CL5*1 "O F+] AT A "T4
















                                     #FB
























               ,*APT] #AC            #FC
           ,,FUN ,,& ,,GAMES

  8,LET'S G1 ,P>IS10 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN CALL$
F D[N/AIRS4 8,X'S "T6 ,& REMEMB]1 Y H AN
APPO9T;T ? AFN ) ,DR4 ,/]N4 ,X'S "R AF
S*OOL1 S DON'T D,Y4 ,WE DON'T WANT 6KEEP
! DOCTOR WAIT+40
  ..,T'S EASY = Y 6.SAY1 ?"\ ,P>IS1 RE-
TY+ H] %OES =! F\R? "T T MORN+4 ..,Y
DON'T H 6TALK 6.HM4
  ,DR4 ,/]N 0 A PSY*OLOGI/1 & ,P>IS 0 9
NO HURRY 6G & SEE HM4 ,:O 0 X DECID$ %E
NE$$ 6VISIT A PSY*OLOGI/1 ANYWAY8 ,NO "O
_H ASK$ H]4 ,& YET1 AN APPO9T;T _H BE5
MADE4
  ,P>IS SI<$1 & DRA7$ H]F D[N/AIRS4
  8,X'S A R\T9E VISIT10 SD ,MRS4 ,L9-
COLN1 6SOO! H]4 8,E FO/] * :O'S "E LIV$
"H HAS BE5 6SEE ! PSY*OLOGI/40
  ,T DIDN'T MAKE ,P>IS FEEL ANY BETT]4
,%E 0 =C$ 6SEE A PSY*OLOGI/ AT ! LA/
FO/] HOME4 ,MALCOLM1 TOO4 ,T F/ "T1 HE'D
PREP>$ H]4
  8,"S ( ^! GUYS >E OKAY10 HE'D SD4 8,!Y
HELP Y FIGURE \ YR FEEL+S & /UFF4    #FD
,B !N AG1 "S ( 'EM J WANT 6POKE >.D 9 YR
BRA91 SEE IF !Y C F9D ANY?+ 6GIVE A "N
TO40
  8,:AT =80 %E'D ASK$4 ,B ,MALCOLM CDN'T
HELP H] "!4 ,HE'D %RU7$ & TOLD H] N TO
WORRY4 ,%E _HN'T4 ,EV5 S1 %E _HN'T M*
LIK$ ! /UPID "QS !Y ASK$4 8,D Y MISS YR
MOM80 & 8,H[ D Y FEEL AB H] DR9K+80 &
8,H[ D Y FEEL AB YR DAD L1V+ Y80 & 8,D Y
BLAME YR MOM = PUTT+ Y 9 A FO/] HOME80
,P>IS FIGUR$ ^? 7 "QS ! %R9K CD ANSW]
HMF4 ,S :Y WA/E "T ASK+ .H]8
  ,MRS4 ,L9COLN _H SET ! APPO9T;T =
#C3CJ ,P4,M4 S T ,P>IS WDN'T H 6LOSE "T
F S*OOL4 ,= ,P>IS1 T M1NT A "D ( WAT*+ !
CLOCK 9/1D (! BLACKBO>D4 ,A%LEY ASK$ M
?AN ONCE IF ,P>IS 0 FEEL+ OKAY4 8,I'M
F9E10 ,P>IS SD EA* "T1 FLA%+ A PHONY
GR94
  ,:5 ! F9AL BELL RANG AT ! 5D (! "D1
,P>IS GA!R$ H] BOOKS & BOLT$ F ! CLASS-
ROOM4 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN'S C> 0 ALR P>K$ \
FRONT1 & ,P>IS CLIMB$ 9 )\T SAY+ A ^W4
  ,! DRIVE 6! DOCTOR'S (FICE SEEM$ TOO
%ORT2 2F ,P>IS KNEW X1 ,MRS4 ,L9-    #FE
COLN 0 GETT+ H] SETTL$ 9 ! WAIT+ ROOM4
  8,I'LL 2 BACK = Y LAT]10 SD ,MRS4 ,L9-
COLN1 L1V+ H] 9 ! C>E (! DOCTOR'S ASSIS-
TANT4
  ,:5 H] "N 0 F9,Y CALL$1 ,P>IS SD1
8,"H10 Z IF %E 7 9 S*OOL4 ,! DOCTOR'S
ASSI/ANT /E]$ H] 9 ! DIREC;N ( ,DR4
,/]N'S PRIVATE (FICE4
  ,/]N 0 L1F+ "? A FOLD]1 %AK+ 8 H1D1
3F]R+ )A COLL1GUE :O 0 SITT+ ON ! CORN]
( 8 DESK4
  8,JEEZ6 ,DID Y SEE ? KID'S FILE8 ,AL-
COHOLIC "M1 VICTIM ( * ABUSE1 SU6]$
AB&ON;T--MY ,GOD4 ,"!'S NO TELL+ :AT D>K
?"\S >E ROLL+ >.D 9 T LL H1D4 ,I BETT]
MAKE SURE ^? FO/] P>5TS "K :AT !Y'VE
GOTT5 !MVS--OH6 ,HELLO "!40
  ,P>IS /OOD 9SIDE ! DOOR4 ,DR4 ,/]N
SLIPP$ ! FOLD] ONTO 8 DESK & MO;N$ 8
COLL1GUE \ (! (FICE4
  8,-E ON IN4 ,P>IS1 ISN'T X8 ,I'M R1DY
= Y N[40
  ..,& ,I'M R1DY = Y1 .TOO1 ?"\ ,P>IS4
..,S9CE Y ?9K Y "K S .M*4
  8,MY "N IS ,DR4 ,/]N40             #FF
  ,P>IS SD NO?+4
  8,? IS YR F/ "T "H1 "R8 ,S ,I WANT Y
6RELAX4 ,MO/ ( MY PATI5TS MANAGE 6L1VE )
ALL _! F+]S & TOES40 ,DR4 ,/]N SMIL$ AT
8 [N JOKE4 ,P>IS DID N4
  8,I SEE F YR RECORDS T Y'VE BE5 6SEE A
PSY*OLOGI/ 2F40
  ,P>IS SD NO?+4
  8,S1 H[ >E ?+S GO+ = Y AT ! ,L9-
COLNS'80
  8,F9E10 SD ,P>IS4
  8,>E Y GETT+ AL;G )! O!R *N 9 ! HOME80
  8,YES40
  8,ANY PRO#MS Y WANT 64CUSS :ILE Y'RE
"H80
  8,L :AT80 ASK$ ,P>IS4
  8,S1 "! >E PRO#MS80
  8,L :AT80
  8,IS ANYBODY HURT+ Y1 9 ANY WAY80
  ,P>IS HESITAT$ =A MO;T1 /UDY+ ! TWE$
C>PET4
  8,"!'S ,JORDAN10 %E SD1 AT LA/4
  8,YES8 ,JORDAN8 ,:AT DOES ,JORDAN D80
,DR4 ,/]N L1N$ 9 CLOSE1 P5 POIS$ OV] 8
PAD1 R1DY 6NOTE ANY?+ IMPORTANT4     #FG
  8,HE KICKS ME "U ! TA#10 SD ,P>IS 9 H]
MO/ S]I\S VOICE4
  8,I SEE10 SD ! DOCTOR1 L1N+ BACK 9 8
*AIR4 8,WELL1 T'S NORMAL = LL BOYS10 HE
SD1 S.D+ 4APPO9T$4 8,ANY?+ ELSE80
  ,P>IS %OOK H] H1D4 ,%E KNEW IF %E OP5$
H] M\?1 %E'D LAU< \ L\D4
  8,S1 BASIC,Y1 "EY?+'S F9E AT ! HOME10
SD ,DR4 ,/]N4 8,LET'S MOVE ON1 !N4
  8,TD1 WE'RE GO+ 6PLAY A FEW GAMES T W
TELL ME "S?+ AB Y4 ,WD T 2 ALL "R80
  ,P>IS NO4$4 ,%E 0 LOOK+ =W>D 6HAV+ A
LL FUN4
  ,! AFN FLEW 0IN A :IRL ( TE/S 4GUIS$ Z
GAMES4 ,P>IS LIK$ ! 9KBLOTS BE/4 ,Z ! "Y
DOCTOR FLA%$ EA* C>D1 ,P>IS 0 6ID5TIFY
:AT %E SAW4 ,:5 HE %[$ H] AN 9KBLOT T
CLE>LY RESEM#D A BUTT]FLY1 ,P>IS SD1
8,ELEPHANT40 ,:5 %E SAW A DRAGONFLY1 %E
SD1 8,S*OOL BUS40 ..,LET HM FIGURE T "O
.\1 ?"\ ,P>IS4
  ,NEXT CAME A GAME ( FREE ASSOCI,N4 ,T
0 EV5 M FUN4 ,:5 ! DOCTOR SD1 8,BLACK10
,P>IS SD1 8,ICE CR1M40 ,:5 HE SD1 8,"M10
%E SD1 8,SN1K]40 ,HE SCRIB#D NOTES   #FH
FURI\SLY "?\T1 & ,P>IS BIT H] LIP 6KEEP
F LAU<+4
  ,9 ! 5D1 ,/]N PLAC$ AN ANXI\S CALL TO
,MRS4 ,L9COLN1 ASK+ T %E -E 9 "R AWAY TO
TAKE ,P>IS HOME4
  8,MRS4 ,L9COLN10 SD ,DR4 ,/]N :5 %E >-
RIV$1 8PL1SE GIVE ME A CALL TM S WE C
4CUSS A FEW ?+S40
  ,MRS4 ,L9COLN AGRE$1 GIV+ ,P>IS' %\LD]
A SQUEEZE4
  ,T EV5+1 :5 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN CAME 6SAY GD
NI<T 6,P>IS1 %E L+]$ 9 ! DOORWAY4
  8,I BET ,I "K :Y ,DR4 ,/]N WANTS 6TALK
6ME10 SD ,MRS4 ,L9COLN4 8,Y 7 PULL+ T
DOCTOR'S LEG TD1 W]5'T Y80
  ,P>IS T5S$ UP1 WOND]+ IF %E 7 9 TR\#4
8,YES10 %E :ISP]$4
  ,MRS4 ,L9COLN %OOK H] H1D1 & LAU<$4
8,EXACTLY L ,E>LETTA10 %E SD1 M 6H]F ?AN
6,P>IS4 8,Y'LL D J F9E1 SUG>10 %E SD4
8,Y'LL D J F9E40
  ,P>IS RELAX$ H] %\LD]S1 H] HE>T 2G9N+
6?AW4 8,?ANKS1 ,MOM40
  ,P>IS' NEW MOM SWIT*$ (F ! LI<T1 !
MUSIC ( H] LAU<T] / HANG+ 9 ! AIR4   #FI
























                                     #GJ
























               ,*APT] #AD            #GA
              ,,?ANKSGIV+

  ,E>LY ON ,?ANKSGIV+ MORN+1 ,P>IS W5T
D[N/AIRS = BR1KFA/1 & 0 SURPRIS$ 6F9D
"EY"O ELSE UP ALR1 & BUSY Z ANTS ON A
HILL ( SUG>4
  ,! S9K HELD A M.TA9 ( YAMS4 ,E>LETTA 0
*OPP+ CEL]Y & ONIONS4 ,DAVID 0 MANN+ !
TOA/]1 PUTT+ 9 "O SLICE ( BR1D AF ANO!R1
!N H&+ ! TOA/ 6,JORDAN1 :O RIPP$ !M 9TO
SMALL]1 BITE-SIZE PIECES & PIL$ !M 9 A
B[L = /U6+4 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN SAT AT ! TA#1
SNAPP+ /R+ B1NS1 & ,MR4 ,L9COLN RU2$
SPICES 96! FAT TURKEY4
  8,HAPPY ,?ANKSGIV+10 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN SD
6,P>IS Z %E WALK$ IN4
  8,C ,I HELP80 ASK$ ,P>IS1 N RE,Y WANT+
TO4 ,? _M P 9 "O SPACE MADE H] FEEL Z IF
! WALLS 7 CLOS+ IN4
  8,NO4 ,N ? "T10 SD ,MRS4 ,L9COLN4 8,:Y
DON'T Y *ECK ON ,JET'S FOOD DI% & MAKE
SURE HE HAS "S FRE% WAT]40
  ,P>IS NO4$ & GRA2$ AN APPLE F ! FRUIT
B[L ON H] WAY \4
  ,! *ALL5GE =! "D 0 N 6GET 9 ANY-   #GB
BODY'S WAY4 ,P>IS MANAG$ X 0PLAY+ )&
FE$+ ,JET1 TAK+ C>E ( ,DAVID'S PET RAB-
BIT1 & R1D+ A *APT] BOOK4 ,%E EV5 RAK$
UP L1VES 9 ! Y>D )\T 2+ ASK$4
  ,AT AB NOON1 P />T$ %[+ UP AT ! DOOR4
,P>IS 0 9TRODUC$ 6EA* FAMILY MEMB] 0,MR4
,L9COLN4
  ,GR&MA ,L9COLN CAME F/1 !N CAME ,MRS4
,L9COLN'S SI/] ,IDA1 & H] TWO GIRLS4
,MR4 ,L9COLN'S BABY BRO!R ,RAYMOND1 :O 0
S+LE1 CAME NEXT4 ,F9,Y1 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN'S
SI/] ,JOL5E >RIV$ ) H] N9E-YE>-OLD SON1
,%ELDON4
  8,WE CALL H] ,8! M\?10'0 ,MR4 ,L9COLN
:ISP]$ 6,P>IS4
  ,! D9+ ROOM TA# 0 PACK$4 ,MRS4 ,L9COLN
_H US$ E EXTRA L1F 6MAKE X L;G 5 6S1T
"EY"O4
  ,PACK$ OR N1 IF ANY"O ASK$ ,P>IS1 %E
WD TELL !M T "O P]SON 0 MISS+ F T TA#1 &
T P]SON 0 ,MALCOLM4
  ,MR4 ,L9COLN SD GRACE1 !N S]V$ UP !
TURKEY :ILE ,MRS4 ,L9COLN />T$ S5D+ !
RE/ (! DI%ES >.D ! TA#4 ,%ELDON1 S1T$
OPPOSITE ,P>IS1 /UCK 8 T;GUE \ AT    #GC
H] Z SOON Z HE CD CAT* H] EYE4
  8,QUIT X1 ,%ELDON60 SNAPP$ ,DAVID4 ,HE
L1N$ OV] 6,P>IS & SD1 8,FEEL FREE 6N L
HM4 ,WE DON'T L HM M*1 EI40 ,HE SD X L\D
5 = ,%ELDON 6HE>4 ,P>IS 0 PRETTY SURE
,MRS4 ,L9COLN HE>D X1 TOO1 YET = "S REA-
SON1 %E LET X PASS )\T -;T4
  ,P>IS 3C5TRAT$ ON LOAD+ H] PLATE UP )
C&I$ YAMS1 A FEW /R+ B1NS = COLOR1 CORN
PU4+1 /U6+1 CRANB]RY SAUCE1 & TURKEY4
,%E TOOK A SWALL[ ( E7NOG 2F DI7+ IN4
  8,S10 SD ,%ELDON'S "M1 ,JOL5E4 8,? IS
! NEW "O1 HUH8 ,MY ,GOD1 ,SIS1 Y COLLECT
SICK KIDS L /RAYS40
  ,P>IS *OK$ ON H] E7NOG4
  ,MRS4 ,L9COLN BANG$ ! TA# ) H] FI/4
  8,!Y >E N SICK1 & !Y >E N /RAYS60 %E
SD1 2T TI<T LIPS4
  ,E>LETTA PATT$ ,P>IS ON ! BACK UNTIL
%E /OPP$ C\<+4
  8,DON'T M9D ,AUNT ,JOL5E10 :ISP]$ ,E>-
LETTA4 8,%E C'T HELP H]F4 ,%E 0 RAIS$ BY
WOLVES4 ,T'S :Y %E "KS S M* AB /RAY
DOGS40
  ,P>IS MANAG$ 6SMILE AT T4 ,%E      #GD
SP5T ! RE/ (! AFN AVOID+ ,JOL5E & ,%EL-
DON1 ?\<4 ,^? TWO 7 POISON\S4 ,X 0 H>D =
,P>IS 62LIEVE T !Y 7 "P (! ,L9COLN CLAN
AT ALL4
  ,AF ! MA9 M1L1 ! KIDS RAC$ 6! P>K AT !
FOOT (! HILL & >RANG$ A GAME ( S(TBALL4
,UNCLE ,RAYMOND JO9$ !M1 &= ONCE S DID
,E>LETTA4 ,DAVID KNOCK$ AT S"EAL NEI<-
BORS' DOORS & PICK$ UP A FEW M KIDS AL;G
! WAY4
  ,:5 !Y SET UP T1MS1 ,%ELDON DECID$ TO
SIT \ ! GAME4 ,HE SD S(TBALL 0 A /UPID
GAME1 B ,DAVID TOLD H] ! R1L R1SON 0 T
,%ELDON CDN'T PLAY = SPIT1 & HE 0 ! _W'S
SORE/ LOS]4
  ,P>IS 0 HAPPY 6BE 9CLUD$4 ,%E _H AN
OKAY "T1 TOO1 EV5 ?\< %E N"E GOT A HOME
RUN4 ,%E CDN'T Q %AKE (F ,JOL5E'S -;T1 &
,%ELDON DIDN'T HELP4 ,"EY"T HE CAU<T H]
LOOK+ AT HM1 HE'D SAY1 8,:AT Y LOOK9'
AT1 ,FO/]80 ,HE WDN'T CALL H] 0H] "N1 J
,FO/]1 %ORT = .FO/] .*4 ,N ONCE DID HE
OR 8 "M LET H] =GET T %E 0 AN \TSID]1 T
%E DIDN'T 2L;G1 T ? NEW HOME ( H]S 0
BORR[$4                              #GE
  ,BACK AT ! H\SE1 ,P>IS /U6$ H] FEEL+S
) FRE%-BAK$ PUMPK9 PIE & ICE CR1M1 HAV+
SECONDS1 & EV5 ?IRDS4
  ,N[1 %E 0 TOO /U6$ 6SLEEP4 ,%E LAY
AWAKE =A L;G "T1 HE>+ ,%ELDON'S TAUNT+
VOICE 9 H] H1D1 CALL+ H] ,FO/]4 ,X 0 5
6GIVE H] A BELLYA*E4 ,& X DID4

















                                     #GF
























               ,*APT] #AE            #GG
            ,,A4RESS ,,UN"KN

,DE> ,MALCOLM1
  ,I MISS Y "EY"D4
  ,I'M LIV+ 9 A PLACE CALL$ ,OSS9+4 ,"E
HE> ( X8 ,X TOOK A L;G TRA9 RIDE 6GET
"H4 ,XS GOT A FAMUS PRISON4 ,S+ ,S+4
,:AT A FUNNY "N =A PLACE ": !Y LOCK Y
UP4 ,I BET NOBODY :O LIVES "! S+S4 ,I
WDN'T4
  ,! H\SE ,I'M 9 IS NO?+ L A PRISON4 ,!Y
DON'T B1T ME "H1 ,MALCOLM4 ,N S F>4 ,OR
LOCK ME UP 9 CLOSETS4 ,Y "K :AT8 ,! P "H
>E PREETY NICE1 EXCEPT = "O AUNT & "O
C\S94 ,B !Y'RE N WOR? TALK+ AB4
  ,MRS4 ,L9COLN1 ! MOM1 IS A BIG LADY1 B
N JOLLY AT ALL4 ,%E'S CRU/Y Z BURNT TOA/
ON ! \TSIDE1 B 9SIDE1 %E'S ALL S(T &
SWEET Z PU4+4 ,MR4 ,L9COLN IS QUIET1
MO/LY4 ,I ONLY SEE HM AT BR1KFA/ & AT
NI<T AF "W4 ,B Y ALW "K :5 HE'S 9 !
H\SE1 CAUSE ! :OLE H\SE CALMS D[N4 ,EV5
,JET4
  ,JET'S ! DOG4 ,WELL1 HE'S PRACTIC,Y A
PONY1 HE'S S BIG6 ,HE'S N SC>EY OR   #GH
ANY?+4 ,HE'S L A BIG1 FLU6Y KID :O WANTS
6PLAY ALL ! "T4 ,Y WD L HM ALOT4
  ,"! >E TWO BOYS1 S ,I'VE / GOT BRO!RS
6PE/] ME4 7SMILE74 ,DAVID IS ! OLDE/1 &
,JORDAN IS ! BABY4 ,DAVID IS HELP+ ME S
,I DON'T H 6BE AFRAID (! D>K ALL ! "T4
,JORDAN HANGS ONTO ME "S"TS L ,I'M RE,Y
8 BIG SI/]4 ,HE'S CUTE4 ,DID ,I US$ TO
HANG ONTO Y L T8 ,I FEEL L ,I'M />T+ 6=-
GET4 ,I'M SORRY1 ,MALCOLM4
  ,"!'S A GIRL "H CALL$ ,E>LETTA4 ,B ,I
DON'T SEE H] M*4 ,%E'S R1L OLD L 9 HI<
S*OOL & DOESN'T WANT 6HANG >.D )A KID MY
AGE4 ,: ,I DON'T M9D4 ,I L 6/AY 6MYF1
ANYWAY4 ,I GET 6D T A LOT CAUSE--SUR-
PRISE6--,I H MY [N ROOM4 ,WD Y 2LIEVE X8
,XS A TE5Y ROOM1 ?O4 ,I DON'T WANT Y
?9K+ ,I'M 9 "S PALACE4 ,/1 ,I WI% Y 7 "H
6%>E X4
  ,": >E Y8 ,I'M WRIT+ ? /UPID LR & ,I
DON'T EV5 "K ": 6S5D X4 ,I _H 6TALK 6Y1
?O1 EV5 IF XS ONLY ON PAP]4
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