,,DIAMONDS ,,9 ,,! ,,%AD[

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      ,PUBLI%$ 0,DELACORTE ,PRESS
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       ,,ISBN #IGH-J-CHE-GCBFB-H

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
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             ,9 #C ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #A-AAJ

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
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TOS 7 F ! %\LD]S UP1 & "EYBODY'S HAIR 0
PULL$ TI<TLY BACK1 OR ELSE CUT CLOSE1 &
Z F> Z ,J>$ CD TELL1 ^! GUYS CD 2 ANY-
BODY4 ,^! CD EV5 2 F\R PHOTOGRAPHS (!
SAME P]SON4 ,"! 7 DATES 2L EA* PHOTO1
POSSIBLY DATES ( BIR?1 B !Y 7 SMUDG$ &
ONLY "PI,Y LEGI#4
  ,AF CLOSE SCRUT9Y1 HE DECID$ T ! TWO
ON TOP LOOK$ OLD]4 ,PROBABLY ! P>5TS4 ,!
"NS TYP$ "U ^? PHOTOS 7,TYP$6 ,N EV5 D"O
ON A -PUT]67 7 ,CELE/9E ,AMABO &     #AF
,&RE ,AMABO4 ,X SEEM$ ODD T !Y _H ,FR5*-
S.D+ "NS4 ,! PHOTO 9 ! L[] LEFT 0 LABEL$
8,MATTU0 &! "O ON ! L[] "R1 8,ALAKE40
,NO CLUES H[ 6PRON\NCE ^? "NS OR :E!R !
P 7 MALE OR FEMALE4
  ,WE >E TAK+ P "U \R RO( = MON?S AT A
/RET*1 ?"\ ,J>$ ,F9*4 ,WE C'T R1D _!
DATES ( BIR?4 ,WE C'T TELL :AT G5D] !Y
>E4 ,WE C'T RECOGNIZE !M F _! PHOTO-
GRAPHS4
  ,WE "K 9 ADV.E T !Y >E N GD GUYS4













              ,*APT] ,TWO            #AG

  ,9 ,LONDON1 FIVE PASS5G]S *ANG$ PLANES
= ,NEW ,YORK ,C;Y4 ,! F\R REFUGEES SPON-
SOR$ 0,J>$'S *UR* 7 S1T$ AT ! FRONT (!
ECONOMY SEC;N4 ,!Y DID N SP1K 6"O ANO!R4
,!Y DID N LOOK AT "O ANO!R4 ,!Y 7 SEPA-
RAT$ F A FIF? REFUGEE 0_M R[S4 ,N[ & !N
HE WALK$ D[N ! AISLE 6/>E AT !M4 ,!Y DID
N LOOK BACK4
  ,9 ,3NECTICUT1 ,J>$ AWOKE ALM SICK )
K3 ..,WE %D N 2 TAK+ ^! P .IN4
  ,J>$ DID N SAY ? 6HIS P>5TS4 ,!Y WD
?9K HE 0 SELFI%1 RACI/ & UNWILL+ 6%>E A
PIECE ( TOA/1 N"E M9D 8 ROOM & 8 LIFE4
  ,! ,F9*ES LEFT RIDICUL\SLY E>LY =!
AIRPORT4 8,AF ALL10 SD ,J>$'S "M1 8;,I-
#IE TRA6IC MI<T CRAWL AL;G AT ?IRTY
MILES AN H\R1 & WE H 6CROSS ! ,:ITE/"O
,BRIDGE1 N 6M5;N P>K+ PRO#MS40
  ,!Y 7 US+ ! *UR* VAN1 A VEHICLE ,DAD
DETE/$ 2C X 0 UNWIELDY & _H BL SPOTS &A
L\SY RADIO4 ,MOM RATTL$ ON & ON4 ,%E 0
N]V\S4 ,EV5 ,DAD 0 N]V\S4 ,DAD TRAVEL$ A
LOT & 0 -=TA# 9 ANY SITU,N1 S 8 ANXIETY
SURPRIS$ ,J>$4 ,_H ,DAD HE>D ^?      #AH
^WS AF ALL--..,"! >E NO GD .GUYS8 ,OR 0
HE "W+ \ ! >I?METIC ( BUILD+ A *UR* A4I-
;N )\T M"OY8 ,J>$ ?"\ ! >I?METIC 0 SIM-
PLE4 ,NO M"OY1 NO A4I;N4
  ,OR MAYBE ,DAD 0 ?9K+ ( ,BRADY ,WALL1
! FR ) :OM HE _H GOLF$1 PLAY$ T5NIS1
WAT*$ FOOTBALL & RAIS$ KIDS4 ,0 HE IMAG-
9+ ,BRADY 9 PRISON8 ,0 HE HOP+ ,BRADY WD
RE,Y SU6]8 ,OR 0 HE WORRI$ AB ,BRADY1
TRY+ 6"U/& & PLANN+ 6=GIVE8
  ,B ,J>$ DID N TALK AB IMPORTANT ?+S )
8 P>5TS4 ,9 FACT1 IF "S?+ 0 IMPORTANT1 !
LA/ P ) :OM HE 4CUSS$ X 7 8 P>5TS4
  ,8 SI/] 0 S B\NCY ) EXCITE;T %E NE$$ !
S1T BELT 6HOLD H] D[N4 ,ALL ,MOPSY _H 6D
0 BR1! & %E EMB>RASS$ ,J>$4 ,N[ %E 0 GO+
6EMB>RASS HM 9 FRONT (A BUN* ( ,AFRICAN
REFUGEES4
  ,J>$ TOOK \ 8 I,POD4

  ,:5 ! PLANE 0 AB 6L&1 ALL PASS5G]S 7
REQUIR$ 6SIT 9 _! [N S1TS1 WE>+ _! S1T
BELTS4 ,! PLANE L&$ S SMOO?LY T ! F\R
REFUGEES 9 FRONT KNEW !Y 7 ON ! GR.D
ONLY :5 "S PASS5G]S *E]$4 ,! REFU-   #AI
GEES _H DI6ICULTY UNDO+ _! S1T BELTS4 ,!
FLI<T ATT5DANT _H 6HELP4
  ,EV5 S1 !Y 7 AM;G ! F/ PASS5G]S (F !
PLANE4
  ,!Y _H LE>N$ "S?+ ON T F/ LEG F ,NIGE-
RIA 6,5GL&3 X TAKES A L;G "T 6EMPTY A
L>GE PLANE4 ,A P]SON S1T$ 9 ! RE> _C RUN
D[N ! AISLE & CAT* UP 6! P S1T$ 9 !
FRONT4 ,HE HAS 6WAIT = HUNDR$S ( PASS5-
G]S 6FILE SL[LY \4 ,X WD 2 S"EAL M9UTES
2F ! FIF? REFUGEE CD CAT* UP 6!M4
  ,!Y DID N 4CUSS ?4 ,!Y FOLL[$ ! FLI<T
ATT5DANT (F ! PLANE & D[N A N>R[ SLOP+
CORRIDOR1 : !Y N[ KNEW WD 3NECT ! PLANE
6! T]M9AL4 ,!Y >RIV$ 9 A HUGE ROOM PACK$
) P & S1TS1 *AOS & L9ES4 ,& "! /OOD A
MAN HOLD+ A L>GE C>DBO>D SIGN T R1D
.,AMABO .,FAMILY4
  8,WELCOME10 HE SD1 /EPP+ =W>D4
  ,! REFUGEES RETR1T$4 ,! MAN SMIL$ ANY-
WAY4 8,I'M ! REPRES5TATIVE F ! ,REFUGEE
,AID ,SOCIETY4 ,MY "N IS ,GEORGE ,NEV-
ILLE4 ,I'LL 2 GETT+ Y "? ,IMMIGR,N & IN-
TRODUC+ Y 6YR SPONSORS4 ,YR FAMILY IS
ALR "H1 P>K$ & WAIT+ & V EXCIT$ TO   #BJ
MEET Y40
  ,! ,AFRICANS LOOK$ PUZZL$4
  ,GEORGE ,NEVILLE DID N F9D ? UNUSUAL4
,! 4T.E 2T ,AFRICA & ,NEW ,YORK ,C;Y 0 N
J MILES4 ,? WD 2 A NEW _W =! ,AMABOS 9 E
WAY2 X 0 NATURAL = !M 6BE AFRAID4
  ,HE CD N TELL :O 0 9 *>GE4 ,USU,Y 9
ANY GR\P ( REFUGEES1 "O P]SON _H A LL M
POISE1 0 A LL M >TICULATE1 & T P]SON
TOOK OV]4 ,GEORGE ,NEVILLE (F]$ 8 H& =!
"F 6%AKE1 B ! "F1 A %RIVEL$1 TIR$ MAN 9
A LIMP ZIPP]$ SW1T JACKET1 DID N TAKE
,GEORGE'S H&4
  ,MRS4 ,AMABO--A L>GE1 /RIK+ WOMAN WE>+
A HI< H1D CLO? 9 A VIVID ORANGE PR9T &A
FLOOR-L5G? WRAP )A FI]CE GEOMETRIC PAT-
T]N--:ISP]$ ! ^WS ON ! SIGN3 8.,AMABO
.FAMILY40
  ,! TE5AGE BOY SD SU45LY1 8,WE >E DE-
LI<T$ 6MEET Y1 ,MR4 ,NEVILLE40
  ,GEORGE 0 A/ONI%$4 ,! BOY'S SPEE* 0
B1UTI;L1 )A ,BRITI% A35T1 Z IF HE _H BE5
AT A BO>D+ S*OOL 9 ,5GL&1 N 9 A REFUGEE
CAMP 9 ,AFRICA4
  8,I10 SD ! BOY1 8AM ,MATTU ,AM-    #BA
ABO40
  ,MRS4 ,AMABO LOOK$ AT ! PASS5G]S OOZ+
(F ! PLANE4 8,LET U HURRY ON1 ,MR4 ,NEV-
ILLE40 ,H] ,5GLI% 0 REM>KABLY DI6]5T F
H] SON'S ) AN A35T S ?ICK ,GEORGE CD
B>ELY "U/& H]4 ,B CIVIL W> SEP>AT$ FAMI-
LIES4 ,HE ASSUM$ T ! SON _H LIV$ 9 "S
O!R SITU,N1 POSSIBLY EV5 9 "S O!R C.TRY4
,! FAMILY 0 LUCKY 6H BE5 REUNIT$4
  ,HURRY+ 0 N "S?+ ,AFRICANS USU,Y DID4
,!Y DID N %>E ! ,AM]ICAN 3CEPT ( RU%+ "H
& "! 6>RIVE "SPLACE AT A PRECISE M9UTE4
8,WE DON'T H 6HURRY10 ,GEORGE ,NEVILLE
ASSUR$ H]4 8,WE H A LOT ( L9ES 6WAIT
IN40
  ,! "M PO9T$ D[N ! VA/ T]M9AL1 ": ! O!R
PASS5G]S 7 H1D$4 8,? WAY80 %E ASK$1 MOV+
=W>D4
  ,GEORGE QK-/EPP$ 6/AY 2S H]4 8,AF S* A
L;G FLI<T1 Y LOOK V F9E1 ,MRS4 ,AMABO40
  ,%E DID N RESPOND4 ,%E J WALK$ FA/]4
  ,2H ,GEORGE1 ! HUSB& &! SON CA/ GL.ES
OV] _! %\LD]S4 ,GEORGE DID N SEE ?4 ,!
DAU<T] TRUDG$ AL;G Z IF %E 7 ONLY HALF
"! OR 7 J HALF A P]SON4 ,GEORGE      #BB
DID N SEE ? EI4

  ,J>$'S MOM _H BE5 GRIPP+ H] CELL PH"O
L A REVOLV]4 ,:5 AT LA/ X RANG1 %E NO4$
EXCIT$LY 6LET "EYBODY "K T ? 0 .! PH"O
CALL4 ,!N %E TURN$ GLOOMY4 8,X W 2 "S "T
2F \R FAMILY GETS "? ,IMMIGR,N4 ,2 PA-
TI5T1 ! MAN SD40 ,K>A ,F9* _H Z]O PA-
TI;E2 H] MAJOR GOAL 9 LIFE 0 6D "EY?+ "R
N[4 ,%E 0 A GRT MAK] ( LI/S & S*$ULES
"TD 6! M9UTE--": 6BE :51 & :AT 6D "!1 OR
BUY "!1 OR SEE "!1 & :5 6GET BACK1 & :O
6TAKE ) Y4 ,J>$ HOP$ ^! POOR ,AFRICANS 7
BRAC$ = AN ,AM]ICAN WOMAN :O PLANN$ 6:IP
!M 96%APE 9 FIVE M9UTES OR LESS4
  ,! HUGE WAIT+ >EA _H V FEW S1TS1 Z IF
SAY+1 ,KEEP GO+--GET 6YR C>S--DON'T /AY
A M9UTE L;G]4
  ,! ,F9*ES W&]$ >.D & F.D S1TS1 B N
NEXT 6EA* O!R4 ,J>$ 0 RELIEV$1 2C ! LA/
?+ HE WANT$ 0 65D UP ) ,MOPSY1 :O WD
BAB#4 ,6HIS SURPRISE1 HE FELT ! FAMILY
SEP>,N 9T5SELY1 Z IF F N[ ON1 ! F\R
,F9*ES WD 2 /RANG]S4
                                     #BC
  ,MOPSY LOV$ SITT+ A"P F H] FAMILY1 2C
S* A ?+ R>ELY HAPP5$4 ,%E 0 H1VILY SUP]-
VIS$1 F :AT AF-S*OOL SNACK 6H 6:AT TELE-
VI.N %[ N 6WAT*4 ,IF %E PLAY$ GAMES1 X 0
9 A GR\P )A COA*4 ,IF %E MET FRS1 X 0 AF
3F];E CALLS 2T P>5TS4 ,IF %E W5T %OPP+1
X 0 ) "SBODY'S "M1 & EV5 :5 %E W5T NEXT
DOOR1 X 0 ) CELL PH"O 9 H&4
  ,MOPSY _H HE>D ( GIRLS :O 7 MALL RATS
& CD W&] >.D ON _! [N4 ,%E _H N"E "KN
ANY"O ALL[$ 6D T4 ,%E _H HE>D ( P>5TS :O
LET "S T5-YE>-OLD BABYSIT _! NEWBORN1 B
": ,MOPSY LIV$1 ! T5-YE>-OLD / _H A BA-
BYSITT]1 OV] :OM A HI45 CAM]A PANN$4
  ,MOPSY LOV$ ? VA/ AIRPORT ROOM PACK$ )
P :O DID N RESEM# ANYBODY 9 ,3NECTICUT4
,%E LOV$ _! CLO!S--,9DIAN WOM5 9 GL1M+
S>IS OV] H1VY W9T] TR\S]S1 ,>AB M5 )
TURBANS1 ,AM]ICANS BACK F ,4NEY ,_W )
TANS & S\V5IRS4
  ,%E _H BE5 AWAKE HALF ! NI<T ?9K+ AB !
NEW FAMILY4 ,X 0 Z EXCIT+ Z ,*RI/MAS
,EVE4 ,%E HOP$ ^! POOR P WDN'T H A SON1
:O WD H 6LIVE ) ,J>$ & WD 5D UP WI%+ HE
7 BACK 9 ,AFRICA4 ,SURELY "O (! P    #BD
9 ^? TWO L[] PHOTOGRAPHS 0 A GIRL4 ,:AT
WD %E 2 L8 ,? 0 A DI6ICULT YE> = ,MOPSY1
2C %E _H NO BE/ FR4 ,BE? & ,KELLY _H
MOV$ AWAY1 & ,ME<AN _H 2COME BE/ FRS )
,AIMEE 9/1D1 & ,RA*EL 0 TOO 96SPORTS =
,MOPSY'S TA/E1 & ,QU9NIE 0 TOO NEW 6BE
SURE (4 ,MOPSY PLANN$ 6BE BE/ FRS ) ?
NEW ROOMMATE4
  ,%E CD N ACTU,Y IMAG9E ! ,AFRICANS4
,"EY?+ ,KIRK ,CRICK SD 0 H>D 6GRASP1 ES-
PECI,Y H[ "! 7 NO GD GUYS4 ,MOPSY RE-
JECT$ T4 ,"EYBODY 0 A GD GUY DEEP D[N4
  ,EXCEPT ''' IF S ''' :AT AB ,BRADY
,WALL8 ,0 A GUY :O /OLE F 8 *UR* / A GD
GUY8
  ,MOPSY DID N L ?9K+ AB BAD P :O /OLE4
,%E LIK$ TALK+4 ,%E SD 6! TOTAL /RANG]
SITT+ NEXT 6H]1 8,>E Y ,AM]ICAN8 ,>E Y
-+ OR GO+8 ,WE'RE N DO+ EI "O4 ,WE'RE
WAIT+4 ,GUESS :O WE'RE WAIT+ =60

  ,! FIF? REFUGEE 0 N ONLY 9 ! LA/ R[1
HE AL _H ! W9D[ S1T4 ,HE CD N EV5 /& UN-
TIL 8 R[ *OSE 6MOVE4
  ,9 8 NATIVE L&1 HE WD H P]MITT$    #BE
NO MAN 6BLOCK 8 WAY4 ,B AN AIRPLANE 0 N
ANY"O'S NATIVE L&1 S HE CD N B1T A PA?
D[N ! AISLE & CAT* UP 6! O!R REFUGEES4
  ,9 8 NATIVE L&1 HE WD H BE5 >M$4 ,B 9
! L& ( AIRPLANES1 M5 CD N C>RY W1PONS4
,HE 0 PRETTY SURE W1PONS WD 2 Z EASY TO
GET 9 ,AM]ICA Z !Y _H BE5 9 ,AFRICA4
  ,E PASS5G] 2T HM &! EXIT SEEM$ 6BE OLD
OR FAT OR CRIPPL$ OR :9Y4 ,!Y TOOK ="E
6GA!R _! ?+S1 & !N EA* "O DAWDL$ 9 !
AISLE4
  ,HE />$ AT 8 WAT*1 A ?+ HE _H N"E [N$
2F1 2C 9 8 =M] LIFE1 HE _H 3TROLL$ "T4
,HE _H N"E M1SUR$ X4 ,X TOOK ELEV5 M9-
UTES 6EMPTY ! MASSIVE PLANE4
  ,B X 0 N M9UTES HE C>$ AB4 ,X 0 "DS4
,HE _H ?IRTY-N9E ( !M4
  ,& !N = "O WEEK5D1 & "O WEEK5D ONLY1 !
D1L] WD 2 9 ,NEW ,YORK4
  ,? GAVE ! FIF? REFUGEE PL5TY ( "T TO
LE>N "EY?+ HE NE$$ 6"K AB ! C;Y4 ,! FA-
MILI> HOT EXCITE;T ( -BAT FILL$ 8 HE>T &
HE B>ELY RE/RA9$ HMF F KICK+ 8 WAY 6!
FRONT4
                                     #BF
  ,! ,AFRICAN FAMILY 0 TWIT*Y ) N]VES1
LOOK+ ? WAY & T4
  ,! "M CLUT*$ ! SPIRAL-B.D PAP]BACK
GIV5 6"EY"O 9 H] SITU,N3 ..,WELCOME 6!
,UNIT$ ,/ATES3 ,A ,GUIDEBOOK = .,REFU-
GEES4 ,_M (! REFUGEES ,GEORGE MET _H N J
R1D X1 B PRACTIC,Y MEMORIZ$ X4 8,IN !
,UNIT$ ,/ATES10 !Y MI<T TELL ,GORGE1
8GRT VALUE IS PLAC$ ON EMPLOY;T4 ,GO+ TO
"W & 2+ SELF-SU6ICI5T >E IMPORTANT PRI-
ORITIES = REFUGEES40 ,X 0 A GD SIGN T
,MRS4 ,AMABO 0 R1D+ ! MANUAL4
  ,GEORGE COLLECT$ ! FAMILY'S PAP]"W F
,MRS4 ,AMABO1 & REP1T$ _! "NS Z HE *ECK$
EA* BAT*4 8,&RE40
  ,! "F NO4$4 ,GEORGE _H H>DLY EXPECT$
REFUGEES 6H LU7AGE1 B ! "F C>RI$ NO?+
:ATSO"E4 ,8 H&S 7 JAMM$ 9 ! POCKETS (A
L;G-SLEEV$1 HOOD$ SW1T%IRT1 AN ODD *OICE
=A MAN -+ F S* A HOT C.TRY4 ,ON ! O!R
H&1 X 0 ,JANU>Y1 & X M/ H BE5 COLD 9
,5GL&1 & P]H HE'D BE5 GIV5 ! JACKET "!4
  ,MATTU _H ALR ID5TIFI$ HMF4 ,! ONLY "O
) C>RY-ONS1 HE CRADL$ TWO SMALL GRAY
C>DBO>D C>TONS4 ,HE 0 TALL & L1N1    #BG
L A />V$ M>A?ON RUNN]4 ,8 J1NS 7 TOO
%ORT1 8 LOAF]S DID N MAT* & 8 ;,T-%IRT 0
TOO SMALL4 ,=! F/ "T1 ,GEORGE NOTIC$ A
L;G ?9 SC> RUNN+ D[N ! BOY'S *EEK4
8,MATTU1 :AT HAPP5$80
  8,MA*ETE10 SD ! BOY 4MISSIVELY4
  ,MATTU M/ LIT],Y H ESCAP$ D1? 0A FRAC-
;N ( AN 9*4 ,GEORGE ,NEVILLE IMAG9$ HM
RUNN+1 P]H TRY+ 6SAVE ! SI/] /&+ S 4M,Y
2S HM1 OR LL "OS :O _HN'T MADE X AF ALL4
  8,!N Y M/ 2 ,ALAKE10 HE SD 6! DAU<T]4
  ,%E WORE YELL[ COTTON TR\S]S &A FAD$
COTTON ;,T-%IRT OV] A PA9;LLY ?9 BODY4
,H] HAIR 0 A SOIL$ NE/ ( TANGLE & KNOT4
,GEORGE WD H EXPECT$ F9ELY "W$ BRAIDS1
2C USU,Y ! :OLE CAMP CAME "? = _! SUC-
CESS;L "OS1 ! "OS :O GOT 6L1VE1 & "SBODY
WD H BRAID$ ? GIRL'S HAIR4 ,B 9 H]
SLUMP$ B"OS & BLANK FACE1 ,GEORGE CD R1D
ALL ! TRAUMA ( CIVIL W>4 ,HE 0 N SUR-
PRIS$ :5 %E DID N RESPOND 6H] "N4
  ,GEORGE L$ !M 6,PASSPORT ,3TROL4 ,!
L9E 0 L;G & MOV+ SL[LY4
  ,! FAMILY REMA9$ SIL5T4 ,MO/ REFUGEES
:ISP]$ N]V\SLY 9 _! [N LANGUAGE TO   #BH
REASSURE EA* O!R1 & HU4L$ CLOSE1 FE>;L (
SEP>,N4 ,B ! ,AMABOS DID N EV5 SEEM AW>E
( EA* O!R4
  ,! TE5AGE BOY1 :O 0 LA/ 9 _! LL GR\P1
SEEM$ 6-E 6A DECI.N4 ,HE /RAI<T5$ 8 %\L-
D]S1 TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 SET 8 TWO BOXES
ON ! FLOOR & /UDI$ !M4 ,!N HE TURN$ 8
BACK ON 8 TWO BOXES4
  ,! P 2H HM 9 L9E DID N CLOSE ! GAP4
,!Y />$ D[N AT ! BOXES4 ,MATTU ,AMABO _H
N ACTU,Y AB&ON$ 8 LU7AGE1 A ?+ =BI45 9
AIRPORTS4 ,B HE LOOK$ Z IF HE PLANN$ TO4
,>M$ GU>DS 7 "! 9 A MO;T4 8,^! >E YRS80
!Y SD %>PLY4 ,!Y 7 POLITE1 B ,GEORGE
KNEW ! KID WD 2 T]RIFI$4 ,": ,MATTU CAME
F1 >M$ GU>DS KILL$ Y4
  ,VISIBLY TREMBL+1 ,MATTU PICK$ 8 BOXES
BACK UP1 B 9 8 ANXIETY1 HE DROPP$ "O4 ,X
FELL ONLY A FEW 9*ES1 B "O CORN] 0 D5T$4
,A LL BIT ( :ITE DU/ WAFT$ \4
  ,! GU>DS WAV$ P AWAY4 ,!Y DREW BACK
SPE$ILY4 ,"! 0 N"E A "T ANY"O WANT$ 6BE
>.D UN"KN :ITE DU/4
  ,GEORGE ,NEVILLE'S HE>T SANK4 ,"!
CDN'T POSSIBLY 2 ANY?+ DANG]\S 9     #BI
^? BOXES4 ,MATTU WD H TAK5 !M "? *ECK-
PO9TS 9 TWO O!R AIRPORTS 2F HE L&$ 9
,NEW ,YORK4
  ,MATTU'S EXPLAN,N 0 SWIFT & HE>TBR1K+4
8,! A%ES ( MY GR&P>5TS >E 9 MY BOXES10
HE SD S(TLY4 ,HE LOOK$ D[N AT ! 3TA9] 9
8 "R H&4 8,MY GR&"M IS 9 ? "O40 ,HE NO4$
AT ! 3TA9] 9 8 LEFT4 8,MY GR&"F IS 9 ?
"O40
  ,GEORGE _H N "KN T CREM,N 0 PRACTIC$ 9
,WE/ ,AFRICA4 ,X 0 AMAZ+ T ! KID _H BE5
A# 6KEEP TRACK ( 8 .GR&P>5TS DUR+ ! W>
YE>S1 LET AL"O _! A%ES4 ,GEORGE 0 AWE-
/RUCK 0,MATTU'S DET]M9,N4 ,? KID M1NT TO
BURY 8 GR&P>5TS 9 ? NEW _W1 ": HE CD
HONOR !M1 & KEEP _! "NS ALIVE = 8 [N *N1
& _! *N4 ,S ! ,AMABOS 7 /U2ORN1 A GRT
TRAIT 9 IMMIGRANTS4 ,MAYBE T WD SAVE !M4
  ,HE GL.ED AT ,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,AMABO4 ,!Y
7 N LOOK+ AT ! BOXES1 B \ OV] ! GRT HALL
96: PASS5G]S 7 P\R+4
  8,! BOXES >E N S1L$10 SD ,MATTU4 8,Y
>E WELCOME 6LOOK 9SIDE4 ,B PRECI\S A%
MI<T BL[ \ :5 ! LIDS >E OP540
  ,A%ES 7 TR1T$ 0AIRL9ES Z ORD9>Y    #CJ
C>RY-ONS1 : ALW /RUCK ,GEORGE Z CREEPY4
,P R>ELY *ECK$ A%ES 9 _! LU7AGE4 ,NO "O
WANT$ 6RISK LOS+ ! REMA9S (A LOV$ "O4
  ,! GU>DS 7 SKEPTICAL4 8,:Y DID Y SET
!M D[N80
  8,MY >MS >E TIR$40 ,? S.D$ F9E UNTIL
BO? ,MATTU & 8 "F LOOK$ -PULSIVELY OV]
_! %\LD]S1 BIT+ _! LIPS & BR1?+ H>D4 ,!
GU>DS PULL$ ! FAMILY \ ( L9E & L$ !M ON
A CIRCUIT\S R\TE 6AN ;,X-RAY FACIL;Y ":
! 3T5TS (! BOXES CD 2 D\#-*ECK$4
  ,GEORGE TRI$ 6-=T ! ,AMABOS4 8,X'S ALL
"R4 ,? IS J A SECUR;Y M1SURE4 ,NO BIG
D1L4 ,Y PROBABLY W5T "? ;,X-RAYS TWICE
ALR ON ? TRIP4 ,Y'RE OLD H&S N[40
  ,! BOY RELUCTANTLY SET 8 BOXES ON !
3VEYOR BELT4 ,! /AFF F9,Y COAX$ ,MATTU
6WALK ON "?1 PROMIS+ T ! A%ES WD >RIVE
SAFELY ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,!Y PAUS$ ! 3VEYOR
BELT 6/UDY ! 3T5TS4 8,! B"OS >5'T COM-
PLETELY BAK$ 6A%10 -;T$ "O4
  ,GEORGE ,NEVILLE'S [N P>5TS _H BE5
CREMAT$ S HE _H D1LT ) A%ES4 ,EV5 ! HOT-
TE/ FIRE DIDN'T REDUCE "EY?+1 & B"O BITS
7 ALW LEFT4 ,HE REMEMB]$ ! HORROR    #CA
( A3ID5T,Y RATTL+ 8 "F'S B"OS 9 _! CRE-
M,N 3TA9]4
  ,&A REFUGEE CAMP WD H>DLY F1TURE A
MOD]N FACIL;Y4 ,!Y PROBABLY COOK$ ! GR&-
P>5TS' BODIES OV] AN OP5 FIRE1 ?"\
,GEORGE1 CR++4 ,HE IMAG9$ ? POOR BRAVE
KID COLLECT+ ! A%ES4
  ,! TE*S OP5$ EA* BOX & PEEK$ IN4 ,"O
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GIRL _H LOVELY SK91 C(FEE ) MILK2 %E 0 A
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X60                                  #EC
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E>? ALR KNEW4                        #ED
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  ,ON ! PLANE 6,TEXAS1 A PASS5G] ASK$ TO
2 RES1T$4 ,HE DID N MAKE EYE 3TACT )!
FIF? REFUGEE :5 HE MOV$4 ,HE 3SID]$
AL]T+ ! FLI<T ATT5DANT T "! 0 "S?+ WR;G
)! MAN 9 #BC;,B4 ,HE DECID$ ? WD ONLY
DELAY ! FLI<T4

                                     #FF
  ,/EP "O1 SD ,MOM1 0 ! BA?ROOM4 ,%E WD
TAKE ,CELE/9E & ,&RE 6_!S1 ,J>$ WD TAKE
,MATTU 6HIS & ,MOPSY WD TAKE ,ALAKE TO
H]S4 ,"EY"O M/ 2 GRIMY AF S M* TRAVEL4
,"EYBODY 0 6BORR[ A BA?ROBE AF !Y TOOK A
%[]1 & M1N:ILE ,MOM WD RUN "EYBODY'S
CLO!S "? ! WA%1 S9CE NOBODY _H A *ANGE4
  ,J>$ RAN UP ! /AIRS ) ,MATTU C>E;LLY
CLIMB+ AF HM1 BALANC+ 8 BOXES4 8,": D Y
WANT 6PUT ^?80 ASK$ ,J>$4
  ,MATTU 0 TOO BUSY />+ AT 8 NEW ROOM TO
ANSW]4
  ,= ALL ,J>$ KNEW1 9 ,AFRICA T5 FAMI-
LIES WD SLEEP 9 A ROOM ? SIZE4 ,J>$
DIDN'T FEEL L ?9K+ AB T /UFF4 8,? IS YR
B$10 HE SD1 PO9T+ 6! "O HE NORM,Y US$ Z
A TA#4 ,X _H BE5 CLE>$ (F & _H CL1N
%EETS4 ,FLANNEL %EETS1 : ,J>$ DETE/$1 B
: ,MOM FELT 7 COZY 9 W9T]4
  ,MATTU 3T9U$ 6HOLD 8 BOXES4
  8,:AT'S 9 !M80 ASK$ ,J>$ AG4
  8,! A%ES ( MY GR&P>5TS40
  ,J>$ 0 SPEE*.S4 ,ALL F\R ( 8 GR&P>5TS
7 ALIVE & WELL & PROBABLY PLAY+ T5NIS OR
GOLF "R N[1 S9CE !Y W9T]$ 9 ,>IZO-   #FG
NA4 ,HE CDN'T /& ?9K+ ( 8 2LOV$ GR&P>5TS
4APPE>+ 96"S %A2Y LL C>DBO>D BOX4
  ,! DORM] W9D[ _H A L>GE L$GE1 ALM A
S1T1 : ,J>$ US$ Z A DROP-(F SPOT = ANY?+
HE MI<T WANT AG "O "D4 ,HE SWEPT "EY?+
ONTO ! FLOOR & DU/$ ! SURFACE )! FLAT (
8 H&4 ,S9CE ,J>$ 0 ALW HOT1 HE G5],Y
LEFT ? W9D[ CRACK$4 ,A SLIV] ( COLD AIR
%IV]$ OV] ! L$GE4 ,X FELT GD4 ,J>$ OP5$
! W9D[ WID]4
  ,0"D HE _H A FABUL\S VIEW (! WAT]1 B
,J>$ _H NO USE = VIEWS4 ,:AT HE LIK$ 0 !
CLIFF4 ,J>$ & 8 FRS US$ 6PLAY ,SE>* &
,RESCUE UP & D[N T CLIFF1 B :5 !Y GOT
OLD]1 !Y PLAY$ SO3] 9 ! ROAD 9/1D4 ,N[
"EYBODY HE KNEW _H A DRIV]'S LIC5SE 7EX-
CEPT ,J>$1 ^: P>5TS DID N ?9K HE 0 MA-
TURE 5 6DRIVE1 B "SH[ HE .0 MATURE 5 TO
SPONSOR A REFUGEE7 & NOBODY HUNG >.D
PLAY+ BALL ANYMORE4
  ,MATTU SET 8 BOXES D[N & FLEX$ 8 >MS4
  ,HE M/'VE BE5 HOLD+ !M = L TW5TY-F\R
OR ?IRTY-SIX H\RS1 ?"\ ,J>$4 ,HE TURN$
ON ! %[]1 %[$ ,MATTU H[ 6GET ! WAT]
HOTT] OR COOL]1 H&$ HM A WA%CLO? &   #FH
T[EL1 FLUNG A BA?ROBE ONTO ! C.T] &
LEFT4 ,HE _H NO IDEA :E!R ,MATTU 0 US$
6%[]S & FLU% TOILETS & SOAP T PUMP$ \ (A
PLA/IC BOTTLE4 ,B A GUY :O CD HANG ON TO
8 D1D GR&P>5TS' A%ES "? A CIVIL W>1 TWO
3T95TS & ,IMMIGR,N CD PROBABLY MANAGE A
BA?4

  ,MOPSY GOT ,ALAKE UP/AIRS 0PU%+ LI<TLY
9 ! MI4LE ( H] BACK4 ,! M9UTE ,MOPSY
/OPP$ PU%+1 ,ALAKE CAME 6A HALT4 ,X 0 A
SL[ TRIP4
  ,MOPSY'S B$ROOM 0 P9K1 :ITE & FRILLY1
B H] BA?ROOM 0 YELL[1 ) YELL[ T[ELS &A
YELL[ & :ITE /RIP$ %[] CURTA9 &A YELL[ &
GRE5 F+] PA9T+ ,MOPSY _H D"O 9 NURS]Y
S*OOL4 ,MOPSY PULL$ ,ALAKE (F ! ?ICK P9K
C>PET ( H] B$ROOM & ONTO ! :ITE TILES (!
BA?ROOM4 ,ALAKE %[$ NO SIGN ( "K+ :AT A
BA?ROOM 0 =4
  ,MOPSY PEEL$ (F H] [N CLO?+1 HOP+
,ALAKE WD FOLL[ ? EXAMPLE1 B ,ALAKE
DIDN'T1 S ,MOPSY C>E;LLY TU7$ AT !
GIRL'S ;,T-%IRT4 ,ALAKE LIFT$ H] >MS1 H]
F/ VOLUNT>Y MOVE1 & ,MOPSY FELT      #FI
PRETTY GD AB T4
  ,NO?+ M HAPP5$4
  ,MOPSY'S %[] 0 A SQU>E /ALL )A CLE>
SLID+ DOOR4 ,%E TURN$ ON ! %[]1 *ECK$ !
TEMP]ATURE1 GOT IN1 SOAP$1 R9S$ & /EPP$
\4 ,%E WRAPP$ H]F 9 A HUGE YELL[ T[EL4
,!N %E PU%$ ,ALAKE--/ HALF DRESS$--"U !
WAT] & SLID ! DOOR CLOS$4
  ,%E W5T BACK 96! B$ROOM 6GIVE ,ALAKE A
LL PRIVACY4 ,MAYBE ,ALAKE WD GET B>E "U
! %[]4 ,AF A :ILE ,MOPSY W5T BACK 9 !
BA?ROOM4 ,! %[] 0 / RUNN+1 B ALL (
,ALAKE'S CLO?+ 0 N[ LY+ ON ! FLOOR & %E
0 DRIPP+ ON ! MAT1 A T[EL >.D H] J ! WAY
,MOPSY _H D"O X4 ,%E LOOK$ CL1N & RE-
LAX$4 ,OR MAYBE ,MOPSY 0 MAK+ T UP4
  ,MOPSY TURN$ (F ! FL[ ( WAT] & HELD \
! SLEEVES ( H] BA?ROBE1 : 0 %ORT ON
,ALAKE B FLEECY & W>M4 ,MOPSY TI$ X >.D
,ALAKE'S WAI/1 /UCK FLOPPY BUNNY SLIPP]S
ON H] FEET & TU7$ H] D[N/AIRS4
  ,%E 0 PRON\NC+ ! "N 8A LAKE40 ,X OC-
CURR$ 6H] T NOBODY 9 ! ,AFRICAN FAMILY
_H US$ ! "N YET4
                                     #GJ
  ,TWO P CD SIT ON /OOLS AT ! KIT*5 B>1
& EI<T AT ! F>M-/YLE TA#4 ,J>$ LOOK$ )
SATISFAC;N AT ! F1/ PROVID$ 0! *UR* LA-
DIES4 ,X 0 SU6ICI5T =A CA/LE DUR+ A
SIEGE1 OR ELSE TE5AGE BOYS4
  ,"H AT ! BACK (! H\SE1 "! 0 NO VIEW (
ANY?+1 &)! SUN D[N1 "! 0 NO?+ \TSIDE B
D>K;S4 8,WE M/ CLOSE (F ! NI<T10 SD
,CELE/9E URG5TLY4
  8,X'S OKAY10 SD ,MOM4 8,"!'S NO?+ \
"!40
  8,"! IS ALW "S?+ \ "!10 SD ,CELE/9E4
  ,!Y M/ H SE5 ,AM]ICAN ,,TV NEWS1 :
LOV$ CRIME ABV ALL ELSE4 ,CELE/9E PROBA-
BLY FIGUR$ T :AT Y F.D 9 AN ,AM]ICAN
BACKY>D 0 MURD]]S4
  8,T'S ,AFRICA10 SD ,MOM1 SMIL+4 8,? IS
A TOT,Y SAFE NEI<BORHOOD4 ,I LOVE !
D>K40
  ,CLE>LY ! ,AFRICANS 3SID]$ ? 9SANE4
,NOBODY MOV$ T[>D ! D9N] TA#1 2C !Y
CDN'T BR1!1 N"E M9D *EW1 ) ALL T D>K;S
/>+ AT !M4
  ,MOM1 :O _H SOLU;NS = "EY?+1 W5T & GOT
%EETS1 : %E ?UMBTACK$ OV] ! W9D[S4   #GA
  ,&RE 0 N[ CLAD 9 ,DAD'S BA?ROBE4 ,X 0
PALE GRAY T]RY CLO? ) ELB[-L5G? SLEEVES4
,8 /UBS 7 HIDE\SLY VISI#1 %9Y & SWOLL5 &
PITT$4 ,EVID5TLY ,&RE DIDN'T C>E AB P
SEE+ ! /UBS4 ,HE DIDN'T R1LIZE T 9 ,AM]-
ICA1 ANY?+ UGLY AB YR BODY1 Y HID OR
SOLV$1 :E!R X 0 BUCK TEE? OR A BIR?M>K4
  8,? IS L ,?ANKSGIV+10 SD ,MOPSY HAPPI-
LY4 8,AL? = ,?ANKSGIV+1 Y C'T H "S M.TA9
( RICE1 ,I WOND] :O BR"\ ! RICE1 Y H 6H
MA%$ POTATOES4 ,: >E BETT]10 %E A4$1 L
"S FUTURE ,MRS4 ,LAME1 =C+ "EYBODY 96H]
[N LIFE/YLE & *OICE ( C>BOHYDRATE4
  ,DAD B[$ 8 H1D 6SAY ! B.S+4
  ,J>$ N"E CLOS$ 8 EYES DUR+ PRAY]S4 ,HE
LO/ 8 BAL.E IF HE CLOS$ 8 EYES4 ,PLUS X
SIGNIFI$ A DEGREE ( "PICIP,N ,J>$ REFUS$
6MAKE4 ,HE LI/5$ B DIDN'T PRAY4 ,ALAKE
DIDN'T CLOSE H] EYES EI1 B T DIDN'T MAT-
T]1 S9CE %E DIDN'T SEE 6/>T )4
  8,"F WE ?ANK !E = \R NEW FRS1 :O H >-
RIV$ SAFE & S.D40
  ,J>$ WASN'T S SURE4 ,ALAKE DID N SEEM
S.D 9 M9D OR BODY4
  ,J>$'S DAD PAUS$1 Z IF WRACK+ 8    #GB
BRA9 6-E UP ) "S O!R B.S+S1 & 6,J>$'S
AMAZE;T1 ,&RE TOOK UP ! PRAY]4 8,"F 9
H1V51 WE ?ANK Y T WE >E SAFELY "U ? RO(4
,WE ?ANK ,Y = ? F9E FOOD Y H PUT ON !
TA# 2F U4 ,Y H B.S$ U40
  ,&RE1 :O WASN'T A# 6EAT ) 8 F+]S1 N"E
M9D 8 =K8 ,&RE ?"\ HE 0 B.S$8
  8,DE> ,JESUS10 A4$ ,CELE/9E1 8WE ?ANK
Y = ,DREW ,F9*1 ,K>A ,F9*1 ,J>$ & ,M>?A1
&=! M9I/] ( YR *UR*1 :O PROTECT$ U40
  ,"! 0 ANO!R PAUSE1 Z IF P ?"\ T "SBODY
ELSE--,J>$1 = EXAMPLE--WD AL PRAY4 ,!Y 7
WR;G4 ,F9,Y ,DAD SD1 8,AM540
  8,?ANK Y = REMEMB]+ MY "N IS ,M>?A10
SD ,MOPSY4
  8,YR "N IS ,MOPSY10 SD ,J>$4 8,ONLY
MATURE WOM5 C 2 CALL$ ,M>?A40
  8,DON'T BICK]10 SD _! "M4
  ,CELE/9E SPOON$ RICE 96,&RE Z IF HE 7
A * 9 A HI< *AIR4 ,:5 A GRA9 ( RICE GOT
/UCK 6! SIDE ( 8 M\?1 %E CL1N$ X (F ) H]
SPOON1 ! WAY Y WD )A BABY4 ,J>$ WOND]$
H[ ,CELE/9E HELP$ ,&RE 9 ! BA?ROOM1 S9CE
,&RE AL CDN'T USE TOILET PAP] OR BRU% 8
TEE?4 ,HE %U4]$4                     #GC
  ,DAD GL>$ AT HM4
  ,J>$ %RU7$4 ,:AT O!R REAC;N CD A P]SON
H B A %U4]8
  ,&RE R1*$ =W>D ) 8 UNEV5 /UBS1 GRIPP$
8 WAT] GLASS & TILT$ X UP 6DR9K4 ,ONLY
AB HALF ( X SPILL$4
  8,WELL1 ! F/ ?+ WE'RE DO+10 SD ,MOM )!
C]TA9TY T ALW MADE ,J>$ WANT 6LIVE ELSE-
":1 2C :5 %E TALK$ L T1 "! 0 NO WAY \1
8IS GETT+ />T$ ON PROS!TIC H&S = Y1 ,AN-
DRE4 ,I'M CALL+ ,YALE-,NEW ,HAV5 ,HOSPI-
TAL 9 ! MORN+40
  ,? WD 2 H] NEW PAS.N4 ,L :5 %E />T$ !
ADULT "D C>E1 %E'D SP5T A MILLION H\RS
GETT+ T GO+4 ,N[ %E 0 GO+ SP5D A MILLION
H\RS GETT+ METAL CLAWS /UCK 6,&RE'S
/UMPS4 ,! ONLY ?+ WORSE ?AN SITT+ AT D9-
N] ACR F A GUY ) NO H&S 0 GO+ 6BE SITT+
AT D9N] ACR F A GUY ) HOOKS4
  ,ALAKE J SAT "!1 9 ,MOPSY'S OLD FLEECE
BA?ROBE )! YELL[ DUCKIES APPLIQU@ED 6!
POCKETS4 ,%E M/ H BE5 />V+1 B %E DIDN'T
EAT4 ,& AL? ,CELE/9E F$ ,&RE1 %E DIDN'T
SEEM 63SID] FE$+ ,ALAKE4
  ,MOPSY GOT BACK 6H] "QS4 8,MAT-    #GD
TU1 7 Y A * SOLDI]80
  ,! RICE FELL (F ,MATTU'S =K4 8,I 0 .N
A * SOLDI]4 ,X IS N A GD ?+ 6SAY ( ANY-
BODY4 ,! * SOLDI]S 7 M VICI\S ?AN GR[N
SOLDI]S "E W]E40
  8,:Y80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,P]H !Y DID N H 5 "T )
_! "M & "F OR AUNTS & UNCLES OR GR&P>5TS
6LE>N AB GD;S4 ,B D N ASK M1 ,I BEG Y4
,I AM "H 6LOOK AH1D40
  ,%DN'T HE SAY 8WE >E "H08 ?"\ ,J>$4
  8,CELE/9E1 HAS ,ALAKE BE5 6S*OOL80
,MOPSY ASK$4
  8,I W5T 6MIS.N S*OOL = SIX YE>S10 SD
,CELE/9E1 8& ,&RE ATT5D$ = N9E40
  ,9T]E/+1 ?"\ ,J>$4 ,%E DIDN'T ANSW]
,MOPSY'S "Q1 & T WASN'T :AT ,KIRK ,CRICK
SD AB H[ _M YE>S !Y W5T 6S*OOL4
  ,:AT'S ! MATT] ) ME8 HE ASK$ HMF4 ,AM
,I ACTU,Y TRY+ 6CAT* !M \ ON "S?+8
  ,S9CE NOBODY ELSE SEEM$ 6H NOTIC$
,ALAKE'S EMPTY PLATE1 ,J>$ FILL$ X )!
SAME FOOD ,CELE/9E _H *OS5 = H]F & ,&RE3
RICE & *ICK54 ,!N HE PICK$ UP ,ALAKE'S
=K & TRI$ 6PUT X 9 H] H&1 B H] H&S   #GE
REMA9$ 9 H] LAP4
  ,MOPSY SPOKE ) H] M\? FULL4 8,MATTU1
:AT'S 9 YR BOXES1 ANYWAY80
  8,! A%ES ( MY GR&P>5TS40
  ,J>$'S "M GASP$4 8,YR P>5TS1 ,CELE/9E8
,OR YRS1 ,&RE80
  ,"! 0 S* A L;G PAUSE T "EYBODY /OPP$
EAT+4 ,X SEEM$ L A SIMPLE "Q4
  8,MY P>5TS10 SD ,&RE AT LA/4
  8,H[ DID !Y DIE80 DEM&$ ,MOPSY4
  8,! RICE GETS COLD10 SD ,CELE/9E4 8,&
AL ! *ICK540
  ,!Y'RE N GO+ 64CUSS ! PA/1 ?"\ ,J>$4
,!Y DON'T EV5 SEEM 6."K ! PA/4
  ,MOPSY F9,Y NOTIC$ ,ALAKE4 ,AB "T1 2C
,J>$ WASN'T TAK+ H] ON4 ,X 0 5 6H ,MATTU
&A PAIR ( D1D GR&P>5TS 9 8 ROOM4
  8,DON'T Y L RICE1 ,ALAKE80 SD ,MOPSY4
8,I C FIX Y "S?+ ELSE4 ,H[ AB ICE CR1M8
,:5 ,I'M UPSET1 ,I L A BIG B[L ( ICE
CR1M4 ,I L1VE X \ =A :ILE1 S X GETS S(T
& FRLY40
  ,? 0 ! K9D ( REM>K T MADE ,J>$ WANT TO
L1VE = COLLEGE A YE> E>LY4 ,:Y DID
,MOPSY ALW H 6S.D L A ?REE-YE>-      #GF
OLD8 ,:Y 0 %E N /RU7L+ 62COME WOR? "S?+8
,E S+LE M>K+ P]IOD1 H] T1*]S WD WRITE
8,"Y = H] AGE0 ON H] REPORT C>D1 & E
S+LE "T1 %E FAIL$ 6IMPROVE4
  8,M9T *OCOLATE *IP80 SU7E/$ ,MOPSY4
8,MO*A SWIRL80
  ,ALAKE 0 SIL5T4
  ,) AN 9SI<T ,J>$ _H N EXPECT$ 8 SI/]
6H1 ,MOPSY SD1 8,:Y DON'T ,ALAKE & ,I
EAT 9 ! O!R ROOM80 ,%E PICK$ UP ,ALAKE'S
PLATE1 TOOK H] H& & L$ H] 96! LL ,,TV
ROOM (F ! OPPOSITE SIDE (! KIT*54 ,X
3TA9$ A SMALL S(A & _! OLD TELEVI.N1 & X
0 US$ ONLY :5 P WANT$ 6WAT* DI6]5T %[S
AT ! SAME "T B DIDN'T WANT 6G 6_! B$ROOM
2C !N !Y'D 2 TOO F> F ! SNACKS4
  ,! DOORBELL RANG4
  ,CELE/9E FLUNG H] *AIR BACK4 ,&RE L1P$
6HIS FEET1 Z IF HE PLANN$ 6RUN "S":4
,MATTU'S HUGE EYES GOT HUG]4
  8,X'S OKAY10 SD ,J>$'S MOM1 8X'S J !
DOORBELL40
  ,IF ANY?+1 ,&RE & ,CELE/9E 7 M HORRI-
FI$4 ,L1 :O 7 !Y EXPECT+8 ,! FRONT DOOR
OP5$1 2C ,J>$'S P>5TS H>DLY "E       #GG
LOCK$ X UNTIL B$"T4 8,X'S ME10 YELL$ !
M9I/]4
  8,-E ON IN1 ,PETE60
  ,DR4 ,NICK]SON CAME B.D+ IN1 LOOK+ V
UNM9I/]I% 9 8 OLDE/ TRACKSUIT4 ,HE LOV$
RUNN+ UP ,PROSPECT ,HILL & DID X ALL !
"T2 HE WASN'T EV5 BR1?+ H>D4 8,H['S "EY-
BODY DO+80
  ,"EYBODY--IF 0?1 HE M1NT ! REFUGEES--
_H SA7$ D[N 9 _! *AIRS L /A2$ BALLOONS4
  ,! M9I/] HELD \ 8 H& 6! CLOSE/ REFU-
GEE1 :O HAPP5$ 6BE ,&RE4 8,I'M ! M9I/]4
,PETE ,NICK]SON4 ,WE'RE S GLAD 6H Y40
  ,!N HE SAW ! >M /UBS4

  ,MOPSY 0 GLAD 6L1VE ! ROOM4 ,%E CDN'T
/& T ,&RE _H NO H&S4 ,MOPSY _H ALW LOV$
,GOD ) H] :OLE HE>T1 J ! WAY !Y TOLD Y
6IN ,SUN"D S*OOL4 ,B %DN'T ,GOD H -E D[N
F H1V5 & /OPP$ ,&RE F HAV+ 8 H&S *OPP$
(F8 ,:AT ELSE _H HE BE5 DO+ T HE CDN'T
MANAGE T8
  ,I M1N1 H[ BUSY CD Y BE8 %E ASK$ HM4
  ,MOPSY %UT ! DOOR 6! LL ,,TV ROOM &
PULL$ D[N ! BLS 9 CASE ,ALAKE KNEW   #GH
X 0 D>K \4 ,!N %E EAS$ ,ALAKE ONTO ! OLD
S(A4 ,%E LIFT$ A SPOON;L ( RICE T[>D
,ALAKE'S FACE4 ,ALAKE TOOK ! SPOON 9 H]
[N H& & LICK$ (F A S+LE GRA9 ( RICE4
8,EXCUSE ME10 SD ,MOPSY4 8,:O 9 ! HI/ORY
(! _W ATE "O RICE AT A "T80
  ,ALAKE LOOK$ D[N AT ! PLATE1 TOOK X 9
H] H& & ATE L A P]SON4
  ,MOPSY 0 3T5T4 ,%E MADE AN EXECUTIVE
DECI.N & W5T & GOT ,ALAKE A C ( ,COKE4
,COCA-,COLA 0 SOLD _WWIDE1 S MAYBE
,ALAKE WD RECOGNIZE ! LOGO & FEEL SAFE )
X4 ,MOPSY YANK$ ! POP-TOP & H&$ ! FIZZ+
C 6,ALAKE1 :O TOOK A SIP1 SWALL[$1 %IV]$
& SWALL[$ AG4
  ,MOPSY ?"\ AB TAK+ ,ALAKE 6S*OOL 9 !
MORN+4
  ,ALL H] LIFE1 :5 T1*]S WROTE REPORTS
ON ,MOPSY1 !Y WD F9I%1 8"Y = H] AGE40
,:5 %E 0 EI<T1 !Y SD %E ACT$ FIVE4 ,:5
%E 0 ELEV51 !Y SD %E ACT$ EI<T4 ,LA/ YE>
%E'D ACTU,Y BE5 S5T 6A C\NSELOR4 ,MOPSY
0 HUMILIAT$4 ,%E N"E ACT$ UP OR TALK$
BACK4 ,DIDN'T PICK ON ANYBODY1 SKIP
HOME"W OR FAIL TE/S4 ,:AT 0 "EY-     #GI
BODY ANNOY$ AB8
  ,MOPSY TOOK ,ALAKE'S H& 9 H]S4
,ALAKE'S F+]S 7 B1UTI;L--L;G & ELEGANT4
,! D\# COLORS ( H] H& FASC9AT$ ,MOPSY3
D>K & W>M ON TOP1 S(T & PALE ON ! PALM4
  ,MOPSY PLANN$ H[ %E WD 9TRODUCE ,ALAKE
6! SIX? GRADE1 & HELP H] TALK AG1 &
LAU<1 & 2 ,AM]ICAN4

  ,:5 ,DR4 ,NICK]SON _H RECOV]$ F ! %OCK
( F9D+ NO H&S AT ! BOTTOM ( ,&RE'S >MS1
& ,&RE _H REASSUR$ HM T X 0 ALL "R1 !
M9I/] FELL 96,MOPSY'S S1T4 ,MOM (F]$ TO
FIX HM A PLATE4 8,NO1 ?ANKS1 ,K>A1 ,I'VE
LO/ MY APPETITE40
  ,&RE BIT 8 LIP4
  8,I'M SORRY6 ,I DIDN'T M1N Y1 ,&RE6
,I'VE LO/ MY APPETITE 2C WE H PRO#MS 9 !
*UR* T '''0 ,HE GAVE UP )\T EXPLA9+4
  ,J>$1 :O N"E /EPP$ 96*UR* 3V]S,NS1 SD1
8,Y GUYS WANT 6TALK 9 ! LIV+ ROOM8 ,I C
TAKE C>E ( ,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,AMABO40
  ,8 P>5TS &! M9I/] TOOK HM UP ON 8 (F]
& LEFT ! ROOM4 ,J>$ HOP$ ! *UR* SITU,N
_HN'T GOTT5 EV5 WORSE1 2C HE 0       #HJ
WILL+ 6HELP ONCE1 B HE SURE WASN'T WILL+
6D X TWICE4
  8,PL1SE1 ,J>$10 SD ,&RE4 8,X W 2 \R
*UR* TOO4 ,MAY WE "K :AT ! PRO#MS >E80
  8,A GUY "EYBODY TRU/$ /OLE ALL ! MON-
EY40
  8,AH10 SD ,&RE4 8,ONLY ,GOD C 2
TRU/$40
  8.,Y C'T TRU/ ,GOD10 SD ,J>$ IRRITA-
BLY4 8,GOD LET ? NI<TM>E HAPP5 6Y 6/>T
)40
  8,Y 3FUSE ,GOD ) MAN10 SD ,&RE4
  ,J>$ S DIDN'T WANT 6TALK AB ,GOD OV]
DESS]T4 ,HE /UCK TWO PIES1 A CAKE1 A PAN
( ,RICE ,KRISPIES ,TR1TS & TWO HALF GAL-
LONS ( ICE CR1M ON ! TA#4
  8,:AT IS T80 ASK$ ,CELE/9E1 PO9T+ 6!
ICE CR1M4
  8,GOD'S GIFT4 ,Y'RE GONNA LOVE X40

  ,! FIF? REFUGEE 0 MET 0A SEV5TY-F\R-
YE>-OLD VOLUNTE] :O WD DRIVE HM 6! T9Y
A"P;T HE 0 6%>E ) TWO "Y M5 F ,SUDAN4
,%E 5JOY$ H] REFUGEE "W1 2C %E LOV$
*ATT+1 & ALL ! ,AFRICANS %E _H EN-   #HA
C.T]$ SPOKE ,5GLI%4 ,B ? REFUGEE 0 DI6]-
5T4 ,8 RAGE 0 PALPA#4 ,HE DID N WANT TO
*AT4 ,%E CDN'T IMAG9E HM *ATT+4
  ,%E ALM B"\ HM ! RETURN TICKET 6,NEW
,YORK T HE 0 DEM&+4
  ,9/1D1 %E PD 8 TAXI F>E S T %E WD N 2
AL"O ) HM4
  ,!N %E TELEPHON$ ! TWO "Y M5 F ,SUDAN
6LET !M "K _! NEW ROOMMATE WD 2 >RIV+
MO;T>ILY4
  ,%E ALM TOLD !M T %E 0 AFRAID ( HM1 B
%E DID N WANT 6JUDGE4

  ,J>$ 0 H>DLY "E R1DY = B$4 ,HE ALW _H
ANO!R H\R ( ,,TV 9 HM4 ,B ,MATTU 0
ASLEEP SITT+ UP4 ,J>$ %OOK ,MATTU'S %\L-
D] & !Y TRUDG$ UP/AIRS4
  ,9 ! BA?ROOM1 ,MATTU ADMIR$ 8 NEW
TOO?BRU% Z EXCESSIVELY Z ,MOPSY WD H1 :
PUT ,J>$ OV] ! $GE4 ,HE RAN D[N/AIRS TO
F9D 8 P>5TS 9 ! KIT*51 CL1N+ UP4 8,:AT'D
,DR4 ,NICK]SON H 6SAY80 HE ASK$4
  8,HE WANTS 6KILL ,BRADY4 ,WE ALL WANT
6KILL ,BRADY4 ,B X'S N YR TYPICAL *UR*
ACTIV;Y40                            #HB
  ,J>$ LAU<$4 8,& H[ IS "EYBODY'S
REFUGEE80
  8,CELE/9E & ,&RE LOVE _! ROOM10 SD
,MOM4 8,!Y ESPECI,Y LOVE H[ ! %ADES PULL
D[N & T "!'S A NI<TLI<T 9 ! BA?ROOM4
,B10 %E SD UNC]TA9LY 7,J>$'S "M1 :O 0
N"E UNC]TA971 8!Y J %UT ! DOOR & W5T TO
B$4 ,!Y DIDN'T *ECK ON ! *N40 ,MOM 0 A
D\#-*ECK+ K9D ( P>5T4 ,TRIPLE1 "S"TS4
  8,!Y *ECK$ ON _! KIDS 5 6KEEP !M ALIVE
"? A CIVIL W> & GET !M 6,AM]ICA10 ,DAD
PO9T$ \4 8,T'S PRETTY S]I\S *ECK+4 ,&
MAYBE ^! KIDS DON'T NE$ 6BE TUCK$ IN4
,Y'D GR[ UP FA/ 9 _! _W4 ,MAYBE AT FIF-
TE5 & SIXTE51 !Y'RE GR[N-UPS40
  ,B ,J>$ ?"\ "! 0 A DI6]5T POSSIBIL;Y4
  ,CELE/9E & ,&RE 7 N 2HAV+ L P>5TS4
  ,S MAYBE !Y W]5'T4
  ,MAYBE ,ALAKE & ,MATTU 7 N ! *N (
,CELE/9E & ,&RE4




              ,*APT] ,FIVE           #HC

  ,J>$ WOKE UP />V+ 6D1?4 ,HE >RIV$ 9 !
KIT*5 6F9D ALL F\R ,AFRICANS ALR AT !
BR1KFA/ TA#4 ,ALAKE 0 SITT+ "! N DR9K+
H] ORANGE JUICE & N T\*+ H] ,*E]IOS4
,J>$ TRI$ 6SEE ,*E]IOS "? ,AFRICAN EYES
B FAIL$4 ,HE WAV$ A JELLY D\<NUT 9 FRONT
( ,ALAKE'S EYES4
  8,J>$1 DON'T PU%10 SD 8 "M1 Z IF "! 7
ANY O!R WAY 6GET ,ALAKE GO+4
  ,MATTU EXAM9$ ! SELEC;N ( BAGELS1 C9-
NAMON RAIS9 TOA/1 BLUEB]RY & APPLE MU69S
& PLA9 & SUG> C]1LS4 ,HE *OSE "O ( "EY?+
& ATE Z IF HE RE,Y .7 />V+ 6D1?4
  ,J>$ _HN'T D"O ANY HOME"W1 2C GO+ 6!
AIRPORT _H TAK5 ! :OLE "D1 N 6M5;N ! "T
HE'D LO/ DUE 6! %OCK ( GETT+ REFUGEES TO
/>T )4 ,! HI< S*OOL WD TOT,Y A3EPT REFU-
GEES Z AN EXCUSE = /AY+ HOME1 & HE 0
PLANN+ ON A L;G1 HAPPY BR1KFA/ &A LL
,,TV4
  ,MOPSY 0 ! K9D ( P]SON :O CDN'T BE> TO
MISS S*OOL4 ,%E / LOV$ H] T1*]S1 "S?+
,J>$ _H \TGR[N 9 SECOND GRADE4 ,MAYBE
F/4 ,N[ T HE ?"\ AB X1 HE _HN'T      #HD
BE5 ALL T FOND ( 8 K9D]G>T5 T1*]4
  ,MOPSY SD1 8,ALAKE GOES 6S*OOL ) ME
TD40
  8,B :AT C %E D 9 S*OOL80 ASK$ ,MATTU4
8,%E J SITS4 ,W ! T1*] N 2 ANGRY80
  8,NO1 !Y'LL TRY 6MAKE H] -=TA#10 SD
,MOM1 Z IF ,ALAKE 7 DY+ 9 HOSPICE1 8& !N
D "S TE/+40
  ,J>$ WANT$ 6"K H[ TE/+ 0 GO+ 6"W ON A
P]SON :O 0 MUTE & BL1 B HE LET X G4
  8,& S9CE ,ALAKE IS HAPPY ) ,MOPSY
'''10 ,MOM 2GAN4
  ,ALAKE DOESN'T D 8HAPPY0 ANY M ?AN %E
DOES 8UNHAPPY10 ,J>$ ?"\4 ,ALAKE IS J
"!4
  8''' & S9CE HANG+ >.D ! H\SE WD 2 BOR+
= POOR ,ALAKE '''0
  ,J>$ ROLL$ 8 EYES4 ,:AT DOES ,ALAKE "K
AB BOR+8 ,X'S ALL BOR+ IF Y'RE UNCON-
SCI\S4
  ,MOPSY1 PREDICTABLY1 CLAPP$ H] H&S &
D.ED 9 A CIRCLE >.D ,ALAKE1 :O DID N NO-
TICE4 ,ALAKE 0 WE>+ YE/]"D'S YELL[ PANTS
& FAD$ COTTON ;,T-%IRT1 WA%$ & PRESS$ BY
,MOM4 8,%E NE$S "S?+ BETT] 6WE>10    #HE
SD ,MOPSY4 8,? ISN'T PRETTY & X HAS NO
/YLE40
  8,RAID MY CLOSET10 SD ,MOM4 8,%E'S MY
HEI<T40
  8,YR /UFF IS MI4LE-AG$1 ,MOM4 ,F/ "DS
( S*OOL >E V IMPORTANT1 EV5 IF Y'RE F
,AFRICA4 ,MAYBE ESPECI,Y IF Y'RE F ,AF-
RICA4 ,%E HAS 6LOOK GD40
  8,%E LOOKS BETT] ?AN GD10 ,MOM PO9T$
\4 8,%E'S B1UTI;L40
  ,? 0 ": MO/ ,AM]ICAN P>5TS WD *IME IN4
,ALW -PLI;T3 T 0 ! ,AM]ICAN RULE4 ,B
,&RE & ,CELE/9E REMA9$ SIL5T4
  8,>E WE AL GO+ 6S*OOL80 ,MATTU ASK$
,J>$4 ,& !N 9 A :ISP]1 Z IF PRAY+1 HE
BR1!D1 8,I WD LOVE 6G 6S*OOL40
  ,F9E1 !Y'D G 6S*OOL4 ,GRUMPILY1 ,J>$
PICK$ \ DEC5T CLO!S = ,MATTU4 ,J>$ LIK$
8 CLO?+ BA7Y1 S X 0 N T H>D 6FIT A P]SON
S"EAL 9*ES TALL]4 ,HE WANT$ ,MATTU WE>+
EXACTLY :AT "EYBODY ELSE WORE4 ,J>$ 0
ACTU,Y A LL WORRI$ AB ! RECEP;N AN ,AF-
RICAN MI<T GET 9 A S*OOL NE>LY ALL :ITE4
,HE CD ?9K ( Q A FEW GUYS :O 7 ALW
TROLL+ >.D = "SBODY 6PICK ON4 ,!     #HF
,BRITI% A35T HELP$1 B ! "R CLO!S WD /ACK
! DECK 9 ,MATTU'S FAVOR4
  ,MOPSY REPLAC$ ,ALAKE'S %A2Y \TFIT )A
SLEEK LIME GRE5 SW1T] & CRISP BLACK
PANTS4 ,S9CE ,ALAKE 0 />V,N ?91 ! CLO!S
HUNG Z IF ,ALAKE W]5'T EV5 9 !M4 ,MOM
KISS$ ,ALAKE GD-BYE1 : ,ALAKE NOTIC$ NO
M ?AN %E WD ! W9D1 B :5 ,MOM KISS$ ,MAT-
TU'S *EEK1 HE /EPP$ BACK & GAP$ AT H]4
  ,MOM GI7L$4 8,H A LOVELY F/ "D (
S*OOL10 %E SD1 2C %E 0 ! K9D ( P]SON :O
ACTU,Y 2LIEV$ T F/ "DS ( S*OOL CD 2
LOVELY4 8,I'LL 2 TAK+ YR P>5TS %OPP+ =
CLO!S & %OES & H&BAGS40 ,MOM C>$ DEEPLY
AB H&BAGS1 : %E *ANG$ 6MAT* E \TFIT1 B
H] R1L LOVE 0 %OES4 ,%E _H AN 5TIRE
CLOSET = %OES4
  ,MATTU PUT 8 H& 6HIS *EEK ": ,J>$'S
MOM _H KISS$ HM4 ,J>$ ?"\ HE 0 K9D (
HAPPY AB X4 ,B MAYBE N4 ,J>$ W5T \TSIDE4
,MATTU /EPP$ \ ) HM & IMMLY FROZE L A
C>TOON1 EYES FLICK]+ LEFT & "R1 PE]+ "?
! TREES4 ,J>$ ALM SD1 ,:AT8 ,Y ?9K MAN-
EAT+ LIONS >E HANG+ \ 9 ! HEMLOCKS8 ,B
HE RE/RA9$ HMF & LOOK$ BACK 6SEE     #HG
H[ ,MOPSY 0 DO+4 ,%E 0 GO+ 6H A S]I\SLY
WEIRD "D1 PRES5T+ A GIRL F ,AFRICA :O
DIDN'T SP1K & WASN'T GO+ 6LIFT A P5CIL4
  ,MOPSY 0 LIT],Y PULL+ ,ALAKE \ ! DOOR4
,GD ?+ ,J>$ DIDN'T H 6TAKE ,ALAKE4 ,IF
HE %[$ UP %OV+ "S GIRL 96S*OOL1 !Y'D
PROBABLY >RE/ HM4
  ,CELE/9E & ,&RE DID N SAY GD-BYE1 WI%
_! KIDS LUCK OR GIVE !M A HUG4 ,S ,J>$'S
GUESS 0 "R1 & ^! 7 N ,MATTU & ,ALAKE'S
P>5TS ''' OR !Y 7 ! P>5TS & DIDN'T L _!
KIDS ''' OR ,AFRICAN FAMILIES 7 RE,Y
DI6]5T F ,AM]ICAN FAMILIES4
  ,X 0 / E>LY 9 ! MORN+ & V *ILLY1 B !
SLANT$ RAYS (! SUN 7 /R;G4 ,:5 ,ALAKE
TURN$ H] H1D F ! B"R LI<T1 H] EYES N>-
R[$4 ,%E LOOK$ H>D & SC>Y & US$ UP4 ,%E
_H NO %APE "U ! CLO?+1 & NO /RANG] CD H
SD :E!R %E 0 A GIRL OR BOY1 :E!R %E 0 T5
YE>S OLD OR TW5TY4
  ..,^! P CD 2 .ANYBODY4
  ,CELL PH"OS 7 N ALL[$ 9 EI ! HI< S*OOL
OR ! MI4LE S*OOL4 ,J>$ ALW TOOK 8 ANY-
WAY1 6USE 9 ! HALL OR AT LUN* OR "U !
DESK1 B ,MOPSY1 NATUR,Y1 OBEY$ &     #HH
N"E TOOK H] PH"O4 ,J>$ RAN BACK IN1
SCOOP$ H] CELL (F XS *>G] 9 ! KIT*5 &
CAU<T UP 6HIS SI/]4 8,KEEP YR PH"O ON4
,IF Y NE$ ME1 CALL4 ,IF ! T1*]S :9E AB
X1 TELL !M Y H 6/AY 9 T\* 2C ( ,ALAKE40
  ,MOPSY 0 DELI<T$4 ,%E TOOK ! PH"O
PR\DLY1 Z IF X SYMBOLIZ$ "S?+1 & TUCK$ X
9 ! \TSIDE PH"O POCKET ( H] BOOK BAG4
  ,ALAKE'S EYES DRIFT$ T[>D ! PH"O4

  ,9 ,AU/91 ! TWO "Y M5 F ,SUDAN LAY
AWAKE ALL NI<T4 ,!Y DID N TALK 6EA* O!R4
,"! 0 NO NE$4
  ,EV5TU,Y ! FIF? REFUGEE FELL 96T DEEP1
ALM -ATOSE SLEEP ( "O :O HAS TRAVEL$ _M
H\RS & CROSS$ S"EAL "T Z"OS4
  ,AT DAWN ! O!R TWO SLIPP$ \1 AB&ON+ !
A"P;T 6,VICTOR4 ,:5 !Y 7 SAFELY AWAY1 !Y
US$ ,LUKE'S CELL PH"O--X 0 -MON = ,*RIS-
TIAN ,AFRICANS 6H BIBLICAL "NS--& LEFT A
MESSAGE AT ! REFUGEE AG5CY4 8,? IS ! K9D
( MAN WE LEFT 2H4 ,WE W F9D "S": ELSE TO
LIVE4 ,D N TELL ? MAN ": WE G4 ,D N GIVE
HM \R PH"O NUMB]4 ,D N TELL HM ": WE
"W40                                 #HI

  ,MOPSY /OOD ,ALAKE L A TOTEM POLE 9
FRONT (! SIX?-GRADE CLASS4 8,?10 %E AN-
N\NC$1 8IS ,ALAKE4 ,ISN'T T A PRETTY "N8
,ALAKE IS "O (! REFUGEES ,I'VE BE5 TELL+
Y T \R *UR* IS SPONSOR+1 B :AT WE DIDN'T
EXPECT IS1 !Y'RE LIV+ AT MY H\SE4
,ALAKE'S MY ROOMMATE4 ,B "!'S A PRO#M WE
DIDN'T "K AB4 ,ALAKE HAS _H A T]RI# %OCK
F ALL ! W> & KILL+ & %E /OPP$ SP1K+4 ,S
WE'LL TALK 6H]1 B %E WON'T TALK 6U4 ,-E
ON1 ,ALAKE1 SIT 0ME40
  ,MOPSY _H PRES5T$ ,ALAKE'S CASE S EAS-
ILY T EV5 ! T1*]S A3EPT$ H] EXPLAN,N4
,CLASS TOOK PLACE >.D ,ALAKE1 B NOBODY
TRI$ 6MAKE H] "P ( X4 ,ALAKE N ONLY
DIDN'T TALK1 %E DIDN'T LOOK AT ! O!R
SIX? GRAD]S1 DIDN'T LOOK \ AT ! S*OOLY>D
& DIDN'T LOOK D[N AT ! BOOK ,MOPSY 0
TRY+ 6%>E4
  8,%E'S N EXACTLY L A P]SON1 IS %E80
:ISP]$ ,QU9NIE4 8,%E'S M L A DOLL Y PROP
UP 9 A *AIR40
  8,%HH1 ,QU9NIE4 ,%E SP1KS ,5GLI%40
  8,H[ D Y "K80                      #IJ
  ,MOPSY FR[N$4 ,H[ .DID %E "K8 8,WELL1
! O!RS SP1K ,5GLI%10 %E SD DEF5SIVELY1 &
GOT A QUE] LL %IV] 9 H] SP9E4 ,%E _H N
SD 8,ALAKE'S MOM & DAD & BRO!R SP1K ,5G-
LI%40 ,%E _H SD 8! O!RS40
  ,2C ! F\R ,AFRICANS DID N GIVE (F !
AURA ( FAMILY4
  ,9 FACT1 ,MOPSY DIDN'T "K H[ ,ALAKE'S
"N 0 PRON\NC$ 2C N"O (! O!R ?REE _H
SPOK5 X4 ,"NS 7 S IMPORTANT4 ,0 ,ALAKE
,AMABO "N.S 9SIDE H] [N FAMILY8
  ,?IRD P]IOD1 A C\NSELOR CAME 6TAKE
,ALAKE = TE/+1 B ,ALAKE DID N MOVE1 S
,MOPSY W5T F/1 PULL+ ,ALAKE 0! H&4
  8,L A MUTT LE>N+ H[ 6HEEL10 SD "O (!
BOYS1 & S"EAL KIDS LAU<$4
  ,MOPSY _H N "KN T H] CLASSMATES WD 2
M1N4 ,:AT 0 %E GO+ 6D AB ! BOY &! LAU<-
T]8 ,%E HOP$ ,ALAKE _H N "U/OOD4
  ,9 ! C\NSELOR'S (FICE1 ,ALAKE DID N
PICK UP ! P5CIL 6M>K ANSW]S1 NOR DID %E
EV5 SEEM 6HE> ! "QS4 ,! C\NSELOR CDN'T D
SIMPLE VISUAL TE/S 2C ,ALAKE N"E SAW !
-PUT] SCRE54
  8,? IS 2Y ME10 SD ! C\NSELOR4      #IA
8,I GUESS F/ WE %D H H] HE>+ TE/$4 ,:5
DOES %E G 6! DOCTOR80
  ,! PR9CIPAL &! NURSE JO9$ !M4 8,Y C'T
J BR+ H] 6S*OOL1 ,MOPSY10 SD ! PR9CIPAL
ANGRILY4 8,WE H 6H PAP]S PROV+ T ,ALAKE
HAS _H H] %OTS40
  ,MOPSY PRODUC$ ! PAP]S PROVID$ 0!
,REFUGEE ,AID ,SOCIETY4
  ,! NURSE 0 N IMPRESS$4 8,^! >E PHOTO-
COPIES4 ,!Y'RE N DAT$1 & !Y DON'T EV5 H
H] "N4 ,!Y'RE J /UFF4 ,G 6YR REGUL> DOC-
TOR & H H] GET ALL H] %OTS40
  8,B %E MI<T 5D UP GETT+ AN EXTRA "O10
PROTE/$ ,MOPSY1 :O CD ?9K ( NO?+ WORSE
?AN AN UNNEC NE$LE4 ,!N %E REMEMB]$ ,AN-
DRE'S >MS4
  ,! NURSE %RU7$4
  ,MOPSY /OOD H] GR.D4 8,ALAKE IS A REF-
UGEE4 ,! DEF9I;N (A REFUGEE IS1 !Y
DIDN'T H "T 6GRAB _! PAP]"W4 ,!Y 7 RUN-
N+4 ,!Y B>ELY ESCAP$ ) _! LIVES40
  8,T'S :AT !Y CLAIM10 SD ! NURSE )A
SNIFF4 8,"S P W TELL ANY OLD LIE 6-E TO
,AM]ICA40
  ,MOPSY1 :O LOV$ "EYBODY1 N[ HAT$   #IB
S"EAL BOYS 9 CLASS PLUS ! NURSE4
8,ALAKE1 DON'T LI/5 6H]4 ,I "K Y DIDN'T
TELL ANY LIES40
  ,ALAKE'S EYELIDS QUIV]$1 : ,MOPSY FIG-
UR$ 0 A SIGN ( /R;G EMO;N4
  ,9 ! CAFET]IA L9E1 ,ALAKE WD N PICK UP
A TRAY OR T\* ! FOOD1 S ,MOPSY LOAD$ A
TRAY ) /UFF NORMAL P LIK$ & W5T 6H] FA-
VORITE TA#1 ": "EYBODY MADE ROOM & SD
HELLO & !N TOOK (F5SE 2C ,ALAKE WASN'T
GRATE;L 6BE WELCOM$4 8,GET OV] X60
SNAPP$ ,MOPSY4 8,ALAKE IS DO+ ! BE/ %E
C40
  ,MOPSY N"E SNAPP$ AT ANYBODY1 S H] FRS
GI7L$ & GOT OV] X4
  ,MOPSY SET A LL PLACE = ,ALAKE1 )
PLATE1 =K1 SPOON & DR9K4 ,%E "ND ! FOODS
& *ATT$ AB H[ YUMMY "EY?+ WAS4 ,MOPSY'S
FRS CDN'T SAY :AT"E !Y 7 ?9K+1 S ! TOPIC
( ,AFRICANS LIV+ 9 YR B$ROOM 0 N M5;N$ &
9/1D !Y 4CUSS$ TELEVI.N4 ,"EYBODY _H
WAT*$ DI6]5T %[S ! NI<T 2F1 S !Y FILL$
EA* O!R IN4
  ,MOPSY 0 PRETTY SURE T ,ALAKE'S EYES
_H N[ FA/5$ ON H] FOOD4 ,B !Y 7      #IC
GO+ 6RUN \ ( LUN*"T 2F ,ALAKE MADE ! DE-
CI.N 6*EW OR N 6*EW4 ,S9CE "EYBODY ELSE
LIK$ FIVE M9UTES 9 ! BA?ROOM 6GOSSIP &
FIX _! HAIR1 & TWO OR ?REE M9UTES 6SAUN-
T] BACK 6CLASS1 ! O!R GIRLS LEFT :ILE
,MOPSY & ,ALAKE 3T9U$ 6SIT4
  ,ALAKE WAT*$ !M G4
  ,MOPSY 0 PL1S$4 ,ALAKE KNEW T ?+S 7
HAPP5+ & "O "D %E WD JUMP IN4
  ,I W TOT,Y SAVE H]1 ?"\ ,MOPSY PR\DLY4

  ,MATTU'S F/ P]IOD 0 SP5T 9 ,GUID.E1 )!
PR9CIPAL1 TWO C\NSELORS &! S*OOL NURSE
HANG+ OV] HM4 ,NOBODY 0 HAPPY )! PAP]"W
,MATTU 0 PRES5T+4 ,J>$ 0 GLAD "SBODY 0
SITT+ UP & TAK+ NOTICE T ? 0 S]I\SLY
SKIMPY PAP]"W 6*ANGE C.TRIES BY4 ,B HE
SD1 8,A P]SON GETT+ MURD]$ DOESN'T /OP
6GRAB A LI/ (! DATES :5 HE GOT %OTS40
,HE WANT$ 6PO9T \ ,MATTU'S SC>1 S T !Y
WD R1LIZE H[ FA/ ,MATTU _H _H 6RUN4 ,B
,MATTU 0 SITT+ S T ! ADULTS DIDN'T SEE T
SIDE ( 8 FACE1 & ,J>$ DIDN'T WANT 6TR1T
HM L AN >T EXHIBIT OR "S?+--,SEE ? L9E8
,XS M1N+ IS FE> & SPE$4              #ID
  8,TELL U AB ! S*OOL Y ATT5D$1 ,MATTU10
SD ! PR9CIPAL4
  ,MATTU SPR1D 8 H&S 9 A SORT ( %RUG4
,!Y LOOK$ L BASKETBALL H&S4 ,J>$ PAS.N-
ATELY LOV$ BASKETBALL & 0 N GD AT X4 ,HE
_H A PA9;L VI.N ( ,MATTU 2+ RE,Y GD AT
"EY?+4
  8,I F9I%$ F\R? GRADE10 SD ,MATTU4
8,!N1 = S"EAL YE>S ( W>1 NO?+4 ,!N1 9 !
REFUGEE CAMP1 MIS.N>Y T1*]S40
  8,WE'VE GOT 6D LOTS ( TE/+1 !N10 SD !
C\NSELOR1 ?RILL$ AT ! PROSPECT ( MAK+
"SBODY SU6] "? ALL T4
  8,I PROMIS$ ,MATTU HE CD HANG \ 9
CLASS ) ME =! F/ "D OR TWO10 SD ,J>$4
  ,! >GU;T 0 WON 0,MATTU'S PL1D+ EYES1
WAY BI7] ?AN ,AM]ICAN EYES1 )A WAY BI7]
E6ECT ON ! PR9CIPAL4
  ,!Y >RIV$ LATE = ,AM]ICAN HI/ORY1 B
,MRS4 ,D[L+ B1M$4 8,MATTU1 WE >E S GLAD
6H Y4 ,YR PRES;E W MAKE CLASS M* M 9T]-
E/+1 ) NEW VIEWPO9TS & EXP]I;ES40
  ,9 8 B1UTI;L ,5GLI%1 ,MATTU SD1 8,I
?ANK Y = YR WELCOME4 ,I AM 9 YR CLASS )
JOY & RESPECT40                      #IE
  ,W[4 ,WELL1 HE 0 ! ONLY "O4 ,MRS4 ,D[-
L+ 0 N POPUL>4
  ,MO/ (! KIDS GI7L$1 B ,TAY1 :O 0 A
PI/OL & CD />T ANYBODY (F 9 ANY DIREC;N1
SMIL$ AT ,MATTU4 8,MY "F WD LOVE Y1
,MATTU4 ,HE'S BE5 WAIT+ ALL 8 LIFE = ME
6SAY ?+S L T4 ,& YR ,5GLI% IS EXCELL5T4
,BETT] ?AN \RS40
  ,TAY 0 "O ( ^? P :O DID N NE$ A LA/
"N2 NOBODY ELSE 9 ! T[N1 MAYBE ! /ATE1 0
"ND ,TAY4 ,%E _H G"O "? EI<? GRADE AT !
,C.TRY ,"D ,S*OOL & 3V9C$ H] P>5TS 6LET
H] ATT5D PUBLIC HI< S*OOL4 ,!Y W]5'T
HAPPY AB H] *OICE1 & !Y RE,Y W]5'T HAPPY
AB ! ACADEMIC /&>DS 7N"O1 !Y SD74 ,F H]
GOLF GAME 6H] TAN1 F H] YELL[ HAIR 6H]
,LAT9 V]BS1 ,TAY 0 ABV & 2Y ANY O!R GIRL
AT S*OOL1 & WAY \ ( ,J>$'S L1GUE4
  ,J>$ GOT AN EXTRA *AIR1 PULL$ X NEXT
6HIS DESK1 GE/UR$ ,MATTU 96X & OP5$ 8
HI/ORY BOOK1 3FID5T T X 0 N GO+ 6MATT]
:E!R HE'D R1D ! *APT]4
  8,5GLI% IS MY NATIVE T;GUE10 ,MATTU
EXPLA9$ 6,TAY4 ,HE SAT D[N1 RUNN+ 8 H&S
AL;G ! DESK & EXCIT$LY /ROK+ !       #IF
TEXTBOOK4 ,HE DID N SEEM BO!R$ AT 2+ !
ONLY BLACK KID2 R1 HE 2HAV$ Z IF HE 7 !
NORM &! :ITE KIDS 7 A DIORAMA AT ! NATU-
RAL HI/ORY MUSEUM4
  8,Y M/ H AN ,AFRICAN T;GUE10 9SI/$
,TAY4
  8,WE SP1K A TRIBAL LANGUAGE AT HOME10
AGRE$ ,MATTU POLITELY4
  ,X O3URR$ 6,J>$ T HE _H N HE>D ANY
,AMABO SP1K 6ANY O!R ,AMABO4
  8,B MO/LY WE SP1K ,5GLI%10 SD ,MATTU1
82C ,SI]RA ,LE"O 0 ONCE AN ,5GLI% COLO-
NY40
  ,Y'RE F ,LIB]IA1 ?"\ ,J>$4 ,KIRK
,CRICK SD S4 ,LIB]IA 0 N"E AN ,5GLI%
COLONY4 ,X 0 F.D$ 0FRE$ ,AM]ICAN SLAVES
:O W5T BACK 6,AFRICA4
  8,I GOT X WR;G1 !N10 SD ,MRS4 ,D[L+4
8,I ?"\ :5 %E TELEPHON$ ? MORN+ T ,J>$'S
"M SD Y 7 F ,LIB]IA40
  ,MATTU PAUS$4
  ,6?9K8 WOND]$ ,J>$4 ,OR 6?9K UP LIES8
  8,2C ( CIVIL W>S1 WE _H 6FLEE F ,SI]RA
,LE"O 6,LIB]IA1 ": WE LIV$ UNTIL ! W>
%IFT$ & WE CROSS$ ! BORD] AG4 ,!N    #IG
W> BROKE \ 9 ! V PLACE WE HOP$ 6BE SAFE1
& AF _M SORR[S & M* DANG]1 WE >RIV$ 9
,NIG]IA4 ,"! 0 M* 3FU.N4 ,IF ,I MAY ,I
PREF] N 64CUSS X40
  ,TAY 4CUSS$ :AT"E %E FELT L 4CUSS+4
8,I ?"\ A P]SON F A REFUGEE CAMP WD 2
HALF />V$4 ,Y LOOK PRETTY GD 6ME1 ,MAT-
TU40
  ,%E 0 FLIRT+1 B ,MATTU DIDN'T R1LIZE
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9 ! REFUGEE CAMP ?AN P 9 ! HO/ C.TRY H4
,"! >E RIOTS IF ! REFUGEES C EAT &! NA-
TIVE P _C40
  8,I'D J LOVE Y 6GIVE U A TALK AB ,SI]-
RA ,LE"O CULTURE &! ,M5DE TRIBE10 SD
,MRS4 ,D[L+4
  ,MATTU'S FACE 0 BLANK4
  ,HE DOESN'T "K ANY?+ AB ,SI]RA ,LE"O
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DON'T %>E "O4 ,!Y C'T TALK 9 _! TRIBAL
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  ,J>$ WOND]$ H[ ,MOPSY 0 F>+ ) ,ALAKE4
,GOD HELP ,MOPSY4

  ,ALAKE ALM KNEW ": %E WAS4
  ,%E ALM KNEW T %E 0 ATT5D+ S*OOL4
  ,! MEMORY T PLAGU$ H] LIFE--IF ? 0
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  ,ALAKE _H BE5 WE>+ H] S*OOL UNI=M4 ,%E
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DEEP FRONT POCKETS4 ,ALAKE LOV$ POCKETS1
&! WAY Y CD SLIP YR TR1SURES 96!M4
  ,"EYBODY 9 ,ALAKE'S -P.D _H MOV$ \T-
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? _H HAPP5$4 ,_H !Y BE5 GO+ "S":8 ,_H !Y
?"\ "! 0 "T 6RUN8 ,OR 7 !Y J WAV+ GD-BYE
Z ! GIRLS LEFT = S*OOL8
  ,X TURN$ \ N 6MATT]4               #II
  ,VICTOR'S P M[$ E "O ( !M D[N ) MA*9E
GUNS4
  ,ONLY ,ALAKE & H] SI/] 7 LEFT /&+4
,ALAKE DIDN'T "K :Y1 & PROBABLY ,VICTOR
DIDN'T "K EI4 ,HE DIDN'T H A PURPOSE =
ANY?+4 ,HE DID ?+S 2C HE CD4
  ,ALAKE _H H] H&S TUCK$ 9 H] POCKETS4
,MAYBE T 0 :Y ,VICTOR GRA2$ ,ALAKE'S
SI/] 9/1D--H] H& 0 \4
  ,P]H ,VICTOR _H M1NT 6TAKE ,ALAKE'S
SI/] 96! WOR/ FUTURE ON E>?--6BE A *
SOLDI]4 ,P]H HE _H PLANN$ 6RAPE H] 2F
KILL+ H]4 ,B ,ALAKE'S SI/] WR5*$ FREE &
FL$ 6,ALAKE1 SCR1M+1 8,DON'T LET HM HURT
ME60
  ,ALAKE TOOK H] H&S \ ( H] POCKETS &
WRAPP$ H] >MS >.D H] SI/]1 ?9K+1 ,!Y W
KILL U N[4 ,"!'S NO "T 6BE AFRAID4 ,AT
L1/ ,I W 2 HOLD+ H] :5 X HAPP5S4
  ,B ,VICTOR--( C\RSE1 %E _H N "KN 8 "N
!N2 %E LE>N$ X LAT]--DID N ORD] 8 BOY
SOLDI]S 6KILL ,ALAKE & H] SI/]4 ,HE OR-
D]$ !M 6SURR.D ! S*OOL4 ,9 H] MEMORY1 !
S*OOL 0 NEXT 6H] H\SE1 EV5 ?\< %E KNEW !
S*OOL 0 Q A WALK UPRIV]4            #AJJ
  ,H[ _H !Y GOTT5 6! S*OOL1 ,ALAKE & H]
SI/]8
  ,:Y _HN'T ,ALAKE & H] SI/] TAK5 ADVAN-
TAGE :5 ! SOLDI]S' ATT5;N 0 ELSE":8 ,:Y
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  ,! S*OOL 0 N A BUILD+ 9 ! S5SE T ?
,AM]ICAN S*OOL WAS4 ,X _H A RO( = %ADE4
,X _H B5*ES4 ,"! 0 A %ELF ( BOOKS4
,ALAKE US$ 6LOVE :5 X 0 H] TURN 6HOLD A
BOOK & R1D4 ,! S*OOL DID N H WALLS 6SP1K
(1 S :5 ! MA*9E GUNS FIR$1 ! *N ON !
B5*ES1 ! *N ON ! FLOOR &! *N ALR RUNN+ 7
CUT D[N4
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  ,:5 ! E*OES DI$ D[N &! BLOOD C1S$ TO
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T1*]S /OOD "! />+ AT _! FATE4
  ,P]H ,VICTOR 0 A MAN EASILY BOR$ 0!
SAME OLD KILL+4 ,P]H T 0 :Y HE HURL$
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WAY 2T ! MON/R\S LAU<+ * SOLDI]S &! T]-
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  8,Y WANT YR SI/] 6LIVE80 ASK$ ,VICTOR4
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  ,VICTOR H&$ ! MA*9E GUN TO        #AJA
,ALAKE4 8,KILL YR T1*]S & ,I W LET YR
SI/] G40

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A J]K1 PRAY+ 6NO?+4
  ,B ,J>$ DIDN'T L H[ ,ALAKE'S EYES _H
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  ,A LL %IV] RAN D[N ! BACK ( 8 EYES1 Z
IF ! PRAY] _H LODG$ "!1 COLD & TRUE4
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6TURN ^! GUYS IN8 ,& "!'S NO -P>ISON TO
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OR TWO--OR S"EAL HUNDR$--6GET \ (A REFU-
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SLACK10 HE SD 6,TAY1 8& J H CLASS 9/1D (
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,D1? WD 2 BETT]4
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,SU45LY !Y 7 9 ! LA/ CLASS (! "D1 PHYS
$4 8,/&S = ,8PHYSICAL $UC,N10'0 EXPLA9$
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  ,MATTU _H N"E SE5 A GYMNASIUM4 ,! %9+
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  ,MATTU NO4$ S]I\SLY1 Z IF HE MI<T
WRITE ? ,AM]ICAN PHILOSOPHY D[N4
  ,/&+ ON ! SIDEL9ES 0 ,DANIEL1 "O (!
FEW BLACK KIDS 9 S*OOL4 ,8 "M 0 A PRO-
FESSOR AT ! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,3NECTICUT &
DROVE ALL ! WAY 6,/ORRS E "D1 :ILE 8 "F
0 A D]MATOLOGI/ & DROVE ALL ! WAY 6,NEW
,HAV54 ,BASIC,Y ,DANIEL N"E SAW 8 P>5TS1
:O 7 LUCKY T ,DANIEL WASN'T A TR\#MAK]4
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ME40
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VOLUNTE]$40
  8,:AT'S HE L80
  8,H>D 6SAY4 ,MA9LY HE'S POLITE4 ,Y
WANT 6MEET HM80                     #AJE
  ,DANIEL 3SID]$ ?4
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S9CE ,DANIEL'S ANCE/ORS _H 6H BE5
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,AMABOS 7 N JO9$ 0BLOOD1 !Y 7 N[ *A9$ TO
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6%AKE ,DANIEL'S1 A SMILE Z HUGE Z 8 EYES
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,DANIEL80
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T51 ANYWAY8 ,I DIDN'T ?9K HAT+ X 0 AN
EXCUSE40
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COLD40
  8,: WD /OP Y H[1 EXACTLY1 F PLAY+ SOC-
C]80 ,J>$ DEM&$4
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?RILL$ 6H ME ON ! SIDEL9ES40        #AJF
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  8,ME10 SD ,DANIEL1 SMIL+4 8,MY P>5TS
>E WAY 96EAT+ \1 ,MATTU4 ,Y GUYS L FI%8
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  ,MATTU _H NO IDEA :AT ,DANIEL 0 SAY+4
  8,HE'S 9VIT+ ! F\R ( Y = D9N] AT A
RE/AURANT10 SD ,J>$4
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  8,OR MAYBE WE %D WAIT A :ILE10 SD
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  ,MATTU 0 OBVI\SLY RELIEV$4
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F/ "D AT S*OOL _H BE54 ,J>$'S MOM DID N
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8,WE'RE H1D$ = ,SUP] ,/OP & ,%OP40
  8,N ME10 SD ,J>$4 8,I H HOME"W40
  8,NO10 SD 8 "M4 8,WE NE$ A RATIO ( "O
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ISN'T HOME F "W YET40               #AJG
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ANY :9+1 ,J>$1 & Y C G LIVE ) ,AUNT ,VA-
L]IE40
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GIV5 UP H] JOB Z A /OCKBROK] & B"\ A
RUN-D[N F>M 9 NOR?WE/ ,NEW ,YORK1 ": !
LAKE E6ECT DUMP$ A ?\S& FEET ( SN[ E
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BAD W1!R4
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A C>T \ = ,ALAKE8 ,ALAKE DID N LOOK AT
,MOPSY1 LET AL"O PUT H] F+]S ON ! H&LE4
,? DIDN'T BO!R ,MOPSY1 :O LOV$ GROC]Y
%OPP+4 ,%E B\NC$ UP & D[N ! AISLES L "S
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:ISP]$ 6,J>$1 8,IS ALL T R1L80
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CEL]Y & RADI%ES = SALAD1 &( C\RSE FRUIT
--LET'S SEE :AT LOOKS GD40
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FOOD4
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"EY?+ HE DID N1 S HE & ,MOM 2CAME A LL
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  ,&RE3 8,:AT IS T80
  ,MOM3 8,CAULIFL[]40
  ,&RE3 8,OH6 ,CAULIFL[]60
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= ALL ,J>$ KNEW1 !Y 7 J Z EXCIT$ 0CAULI-
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  8,! *UR* RAIS$ M"OY = GROC]IES4 ,I'VE
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6%[ ,CELE/9E A ?ICK WAD ( BILLS4
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JACKETS4
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ASK$ ,MOM1 H>DLY D>+ 6HOPE4
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MOV+1 WE DON'T H ALL "D4 ,BR1D60 ,MOM
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:O _H HI< BR1D /&>DS1 TRI$ 6GET "! F/ S
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  ,!Y 7 9 ! /ORE ALM ANO!R H\R1 & %E N"E
LET ! PRECI\S APPLE SAG4