,,T5 ,,WAYS ,,TO
      ,,MAKE ,,MY ,,SI/] ,,4APPE>

          ,,NORMA ,,FOX ,,MAZ]

       ,PUBLI%$ 0,?ORNDIKE ,PRESS
           ,DETROIT1 ,MI*IGAN
  ,COPY"R ^C #BJJG 0,NORMA ,FOX ,MAZ]
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
   ,NANCY ,S*LOSS]1 ,MAI ,DE,BLIECK1
     ,B]NICE ,NORMAN1 ,3NIE ,WOODS1
            & ,JOAN ,BLACK]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #B ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
        ,PAGES ;I-;VIII & #A-IJ

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (          ;II
     ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-A-DAJD-JEAJ-D
       ,,ISBN-#AJ3 #A-DAJD-JEAJ-I






















       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

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




















                                     ;IV
























                                      ;V






               ,? "O IS =
       MY ,NOR? ,/REET NEI<BORS4
              ,:AT LUCK 6H
             L&$ 9 YR MID/6
              ,&) ?ANKS TO
          ,M>ION ,DANE ,BAU]1
              ,ANNE ,MAZ]1
            & ,ELL5 ,MILES1
            EA* ( :OM R1D ?
       /ORY AT V>I\S /ATES & GAVE
            ME VALUA# -;TS4







                                     ;VI
























                ,,3T5TS             ;VII
                                   ,PAGE
#A4 ,SPRIG ,EW+'S ,_W """"""""""""""" #A
#B4 ,SMOO*]9O ,FEV] """"""""""""""""" #I
#C4 ,GUESS+ ,GAMES """"""""""""""""" #AE
#D4 ,! ,"Q ,?IEF """"""""""""""""""" #BA
#E4 ,ORANGE ,*ALK &A ,GIANT
  ,MOSQUITO """""""""""""""""""""""" #BG
#F4 ,! ,CUTE/ ,BOY ON ! ,MOON """""" #CC
#G4 ,RIS+1 ,RIS+1 ,RIS+ """""""""""" #DA
#H4 ,TOMATOES & ,CUCUMB]S """""""""" #DE
#I4 ,BAD ,NEWS """"""""""""""""""""" #EA
#AJ4 ,*IMPS """""""""""""""""""""""" #EI
#AA4 ,! ,APPE>.E ( ,?OMAS ,BUCK?ORN  #FG
#AB4 ,AIR ,KISSES """""""""""""""""" #GA
#AC4 ,! ,GRE5 ,41SE """""""""""""""" #HA









                                   ;VIII
























         ,,T5 ,,WAYS ,,6,,MAKE        #A
          ,,MY ,,SI/] ,,4APPE>

                   #A
           ,SPRIG ,EW+'S ,_W

  ,T5 HAS ALW BE5 ,SPRIG'S LUCKY NUMB]1
& ? IS H] T5? YE>1 ! BE/ YE> "E4 ,2+ T5
IS .GRT1 S M* BETT] ?AN N9E4 ,%E ABSO-
LUTELY FEELS OLD] & M MATURE1 & %E'S ALR
LOOK+ =W>D 6H] NEXT BIR?"D1 :5 %E W 2 T5
PLUS "O OR1 Z "S P 9SI/ ON CALL+ X1
ELEV54
  ,SITT+ NEXT 6H] OLD] SI/]1 ,DAKOTA1 9
! BACK ( _! C> ON ! WAY 6! AIRPORT ON
,SUN"D1 ,JANU>Y #AJ1 ,SPRIG *ECKS H]
WAT*4 #D3BJ P4M4 ,%E 0 BORN ON ! T5? "D
(! T5? MON? AT #D3AJ P4M4 ,AT ? V MO;T1
%E IS EXACTLY T5 YE>S PLUS ?REE MON?S
PLUS T5 M9UTES4 8,MOM60 ,%E L1NS =W>D &
TAPS H] "M ON ! %\LD] 6GIVE H] ? NEWS4
  ,H] "M GL.ES 96! RE>VIEW MIRROR4 8,:AT
IS X1 SWEETIE80
  8,MOM'S DRIV+4 ,/OP 4TRACT+ H]10 ,DA-
KOTA HISSES 96,SPRIG'S E>4 8,D Y HE> ME8
,ANSW]1 PL1SE40                       #B
  8,I HE> Y1 ,I HE> Y10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
,DAKOTA US$ 6BE S M* NIC]4 ,X SEEMS L A
MILLION YE>S AGO1 B !Y US$ 6PLAY TGR1
GI7LE AB ?+S1 EV5 SLEEP TGR1 B :5 ,DAKO-
TA TURN$ TWELVE 9 ,AUGU/8 .,BOOM1 J L T1
L "S?+ FELL \ (! SKY & HIT H] ON ! H1D1
%E AL TURN$ BOSSY & "K-X-ALL4
  8,MOM10 ,SPRIG SAYS1 8X'S #D3BJ0
  8,I "K10 H] "M ANSW]S4 8,X'S A LL
LATE1 B WE'LL GET YR "F 6! AIRPORT 9
"T40
  ,H] "M IS N GETT+ ! SIGNIFIC.E (! MO-
;T4 ,ANYWAY1 N[ X'S #D3BA1 ! MO;T HAS
PASS$1 J L ! :OLE "D4 ,9/1D ( L+]+1 Z
,SPRIG WANT$ X TO1 Z S _M "DS D1 TD HAS
:IRL$ 0L ! :ITE1 SN[Y _W \TSIDE ! C>
W9D[4 ,J .:IRL$ BY6
  ,MAYBE ? IS :AT ,MOM M1NT :5 ,SPRIG
OV]HE>D H] YE/]"D1 SAY+ 6,DAD1 8,D>N X1
,L>RY1 "EY?+ 9 LIFE GOES 0TOO FA/40
  ,TOO FA/8 ,NO WAY6 ,ASIDE F TD1 ,SPRIG
DEF9ITELY DOES N AGREE ) T4 ,X TAKES
.AGES = "T 6PASS1 ESPECI,Y :5 Y'RE WAIT+
= "S?+1 ! WAY %E'S GO+ 6BE WAIT+ = ,DAD
6RETURN F 8 TRIP4 ,%E'S ALR WAIT+ =   #C
HM 6RETURN1 & HE HASN'T EV5 LEFT4 ,! "T
AH1D ( H] :5 HE'LL 2 AWAY LOOMS L DOOM4
,L ET]N;Y4 ,L .="E4
  8,DADS10 %E SAYS1 L1N+ =W>D4 ,HE'S
*ECK+ 8 ;E-TICKET & DOESN'T ANSW]4
  8,8,DADS80'0 ,DAKOTA SAYS1 2H H]4
8,EXCUSE ME1 ,I DON'T ?9K T'S 9 ! ,5GLI%
LANGUAGE40
  ,SPRIG DECIDES 6MATURELY IGNORE H]
SI/]4 ,%E RU6LES H] "F'S HAIR & SAYS1
8,HELLO4 ,I WANT 6ASK Y "S?+40
  8,UH-HUH4 ,:AT IS X1 ,BABY80
  .,GRACE IS H] R1L1 PROP] "N1 X'S "R "!
ON H] BIR? C]TIFICATE1 B "E S9CE ,DAD
SAW H] =! F/ "T 7HE 0 AWAY :5 %E 0 BORN7
& CALL$ H] 8A LL SPRIG ( FRE%;S10 X'S
BE5 EI ,SPRIG OR ,BABY4 ,HE RE,Y %D /OP
CALL+ H] T1 EV5 ?\< %E LIKES X :5 HE
DOES1 MAYBE EV5 .LOVES X4
  ,DAKOTA TAPS ,SPRIG ON ! 2H4 8,HEY4
,N[ Y'RE 4TRACT+ ,DAD4 ,HE'S GOT IMPOR-
TANT ?+S 6?9K AB4 .,BABY10 %E A4S4
  8,OH1 PL1SE1 %UT .UP10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,I'LL TAKE T :9E ) *EESE40
  8,FUNNY40                           #D
  8,?ANK Y10 ,DAKOTA SAYS1 FLIPP+ H]
HAIR 2H H] E>S4 8,I ?"\ S40 ,DAKOTA HAS
B1UTI;L R$ HAIR1 %E'S AN ;,A /UD5T1 &
LA/ YE> 9 SIX? GRADE1 H] CLASSMATES VOT$
H] ,EASIE/ 6,GET ,AL;G ,)4 ,LA/ YE>1
,SPRIG AGRE$4 ,? YE>8 .,N4
  8,TD1 ( ALL "DS10 ,DAKOTA GOES ON LEC-
TUR+1 8:5 ,DAD IS GO+ AWAY1 &! P>5TS >E
/RESS$1 Y'D ?9K Y CD 3TROL YRF40
  8,QUIET1 Y UGLY B1/40 ,! ^WS SPR+ \ (
,SPRIG'S M\?4 ,%E BITES BACK A SMILE4
,%E .LOVES :AT %E J SD4 ,X'S N V (T5 T
%E GETS (F A Z+] T L1VES H] P]FECT SI/]
SPEE*.S4
  8,DADS80 ,%E L1NS F>!R OV] 8 S1T UNTIL
H] *EEK RE/S AG/ HIS4 8,D Y H 6BE G"O =
SIX :OLE WEEKS80 ,MAYBE ? "T A MIRACLE W
O3UR1 &! ANSW] W 2 ! "O %E WANTS4 ..,BA-
BY1 ,I WDN'T /AY AWAY F MY FAVORITE
DAU<T] T L;G6 ,I'LL 2 BACK NEXT .WEEK4
  ,%E SMOO?S 8 HAIR4 ,HE'S S H&"S EV5 IF
HE IS A LL BIT \ ( %APE--& S SM>T T IF
HE WANT$ 6BE ,PRESID5T1 HE CD J G = X4
,& H[ AB 8 VOICE6 ,X'S GRT1 RE,Y DEEP &1
WELL1 J .GRT4 ,HE CD 2 A POP S+]4     #E
,OR A S;GWRIT]4 ,A L;G "T AGO1 HE MADE
UP ? RE,Y FUNNY S;G T HE WD S+ 6H]4
..,I'VE GOT A LL GIRL1 %E'S K9DA GI7LY1
LIKES 6TWIRL4 ,OH1 Y1H1 Y1H1 Y1H4 ,I'VE
GOT A LL DAU<T]1 %E'S K9DA SK9NY1 CD 2
FATT]4 ,OH1 Y1H1 Y1H1 .Y1H4 ,( C\RSE1 Y
H 6SAY 8DATT]10 N DAU<T]1 6MAKE X RHYME1
B /1 ,SPRIG IS SURE HE CD 2 A GRT S+]
SLA% S;GWRIT]4 ,S;GWRIT]S PROBABLY GET
6/AY HOME MO/ (! "T4
  ,DAD SAYS HE DOESN'T L TRAVEL+1 B ! ?+
IS1 HE DOESN'T WANT 6BE ANY?+ B :AT HE
IS1 AN >*ITECT SLA% 5G9E]1 A SPECIALI/ 9
PUBLIC BUILD+S4 ,AB A DOZ5 "TS A YE>1
HE'S CALL$ AWAY 63SULT ) ? -PANY OR T
-PANY1 ) ? T[N OR T C;Y4 ,"S"TS X'S ONLY
=A "D OR TWO1 B N ? TRIP4 ,HE'S GO+ TO
,WA%+TON1 ,D4,C41 63SULT ) "S IMPORTANT
GOV]N;T P]SON--"S"O !Y CALL AN "USECRE-
T>Y1 : IS A RE,Y WEIRD TITLE2 X MAKES
,SPRIG ?9K ( "SBODY CR\*+ "U A TA#4
,!Y'RE GO+ 6TALK AB BUILD+ S*OOLS 9 ,AF-
<ANI/AN4 ,!Y MI<T EV5 DECIDE 6S5D ,DAD
ALL ! WAY OV] "!4 ,6": ^? AW;L P1 !
,TALIBAN1 W5T >.D %OOT+ M5 :O %AV$    #F
& :IPP+ WOM5 :O TRI$ 6G 6"W4 ,!Y WDN'T
EV5 LET GIRLS G 6S*OOL6
  8,DADS10 ,SPRIG SAYS AG1 8GET YR "W
D"O FA/ & -E HOME SOON]4 ,L 9 TWO
WEEKS40
  ,HE'S /UDY+ A BUN* ( PAP]S SPR1D \ ON
8 BRIEFCASE4 8,HMM1 MAYBE40
  ,SPRIG C TELL HE DIDN'T RE,Y HE> H]4
,%E SP1KS URG5TLY 6CAPTURE 8 ATT5;N4 8,W
Y TRY8 ,I DON'T SEE :Y A 3F];E HAS 6BE S
L;G4 ,X SEEMS /UPID1 ,DAD4 ,& :Y--0
  8,SPRIG1 PL1SE10 H] "M SAYS1 PE]+ \ !
W9D[4 8,C Y KEEP X "U WRAPS UNTIL--OH1
D>N6 ,L>RY1 DID ,I MISS ! TURN8 ,WE'RE
ALR RUNN+ LATE40
  8,EASY1 ,LUCIE1 X'S ! NEXT "O10 H] "F
SAYS4 ,HE'S ALW CALM4
  ,DAKOTA L1NS ACR ! S1T & PRODS ,SPRIG
9 ! >M4 8,SEE :AT Y DID ) ALL YR *ATT]8
,Y MADE ,MOM ALM MISS ! TURN40
  8,Y POK$ ME60
  8,D>L+1 ,I J T\*$ Y40
  8,POK$ ME60
  8,I REP1T10 ,DAKOTA SAYS1 8,I ONLY
T\*$ Y4 ,& ANO!R ?+1 E "T ,DAD GOES   #G
AWAY1 Y ASK HM ! EXACT SAME "QS40
  8,I DON'T1 ,DAKOTA4 ,I DON'T D T10
,SPRIG SAYS4 ,WOND]+ IF %E DOES4
  8,! EXACT SAME "QS10 ,DAKOTA DR"OS 9
H] ,I-AM-YR-MA/] VOICE4 8,Y REP1T YRF4
,D Y R1LIZE T'S BOR+ 6P8 ,RE,Y .BOR+40
  8,MOM10 ,SPRIG 2G9S1 B !N1 LOOK+ AT H]
"M'S H&S CLAMP$ ON ! /E]+ :EEL &! WAY
%E'S HUN*+ H] %\LD]S1 ,SPRIG CLOSES H]
M\? & />ES \ ! W9D[1 ?9K+ H[ GRT & WON-
D];L & AMAZ+ & P]FECT & J PLA9 .GD H]
LIFE WD BE1 IF ONLY TWO LL--WELL1 TWO
BIG--?+S *ANG$4
  ,IF ONLY ,DAD DIDN'T G AWAY1 ."E4
  ,& IF ONLY ,DAKOTA DID1 .="E4
  ,SAY ,DAKOTA *ANGES PLACES ) ,DAD4 ,HE
/AYS HOME & %E FLIES AWAY4 ,SAY ! PLANE
FLIES 6! ,ANT>CTIC4 ,SPRIG C SEE X ALL3
! PLANE L&+1 ,DAKOTA /EPP+ \ ONTO AN ICE
FLOE1 ! B1UTI;L :ITE _W1 ! AMAZ+ BLUE
SKY1 & !N ''' ! W9D ''' & ,DAKOTA FLOAT+
G5TLY1 G5TLY1 OH S G5TLY .AWAY4 '''


                                      #H
























                   #B                 #I
            ,SMOO*]9O ,FEV]

  ,:ILE ,DAD WAITS 9 L9E 6USE ! MA*9E TO
GET 8 BO>D+ PASS1 ,MOM /AYS ) HM4 ,!Y >E
HOLD+ H&S4
  8,MOM'S SAD T ,DAD IS GO+ AWAY10 ,DA-
KOTA SAYS4
  8,ME TOO10 ,SPRIG SAYS4 ,! GIRLS >E
/&+ ON ! O!R SIDE (! ROPE4 8,ME & ,MOM
>E SAD40
  8,MOM & .,I >E SAD10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4
  8,Y DON'T ACT SAD1 ,DAKOTA40
  8,I 0 CORRECT+ YR GRAMM>10 ,DAKOTA
SAYS4 8,8,ME & ,MOM0' IS ILLIT]ATE40
   8,OH1 .EXCUSE ME1 ,MS4 ,5GLI% ,T1*]40
  8,& J 2C ,I DON'T MAKE A BIG D1L & CRY
BOO-HOO-HOO1 L "S P1 ,I WON'T M5;N "NS1
DOESN'T M1N ,I'M N SAD AB ,DAD4 ,ANYWAY1
,I J WI% HE 0 /AY+ HOME40
  8,I HATE X :5 HE GOES AWAY10 ,SPRIG
SAYS4
  8,WELL1 Y C'T D ANY?+ AB X1 S DON'T
MOPE >.D4 ,>E Y GO+ 6SAY GD-BYE 6HM *E]-
;LLY80
  8,YESSS40                          #AJ
  8,Y'RE N GO+ 6CRY80
  8,NOOO40
  8,PROMISE80
  8,DAKOTA4 ,I SD X6 ,L1VE ME AL"O40
  ,SPRIG HAS ALR GIV5 H]F A TALK+-TO AB
CRY+--T IS1 AB .N CRY+--& %E IS RESOLV$
T N "O TE> IS GO+ 6FALL4 ,& IF %E FEELS
!M -+1 WELL1 %E HAS AN EM]G5CY PLAN4
,%E'LL C.T 6T5--SIL5TLY1 ( C\RSE--&
IMAG9E EA* NUMB] Z A DI6]5T P]SON4 ,"O1
A SK9NY GIRL ON A DIET ''' TWO1 A GIRL
KNEEL+ ''' ?REE1 A GIRL ) SIDEWAYS BOOBS
''' ET CET]A4 ,0! "T %E GETS 6T51 SK9NY
& H] FAT FR1 %E %D 2 SAFELY DRY-EY$4
  .,GD .PLAN1 %E 3GRATULATES H]F4 ,%E
HAS ALW CRI$1 Z ,MOM SAYS1 AT ! DROP (A
HAT4 ,MOM US$ 6HUG H] :5 X HAPP5$1 B AF
H] BIR?"D TWO MON?S AGO1 ,MOM & ,SPRIG
_H A LL TALK4 8,MAYBE1 SWEETIE1 Y CD "W
ON N CRY+ S M*80 ,MOM SD1 & ,SPRIG PROM-
IS$ 6TRY4 ,5D ( TALK4
  ,%E HAS BE5 DEF9ITELY TRY+1 B X'S H>D
N 6CRY :5 ?+S HAPP51 L FAIL+ YR SWIMM+
TE/ AT ! ;,Y &1 ON ! SAME "D1 YR SPELL+
TE/ 9 S*OOL4 ,& H[ C Y N CRY :5 Y    #AA
F9D A LL YELL[ DOG D1D 9 ! ROAD1 "R ACR
F YR H\SE8 ,T AFN1 ,SPRIG _H RUN 96!
ROAD & PICK$ UP ! LIMP BODY1 EV5 ?\<
,DAKOTA 0 YELL+1 8,/OP1 DON'T D T4 ,C>S
>E -+6 ,Y'RE GO+ 6BE ROADKILL60
  ,X 0 ,DAKOTA1 ?\<1 :O F.D ! DOG'S "N1
,OSC>1 ON 8 TAGS & :O CALL$ ! NUMB] &
TALK$ 6! MAN :O CAME 6CLAIM HM4 ,:5 !
MAN SAW ,OSC> LY+ /IFF & COLD ON _!
/EPS1 HE PICK$ UP ! DOG & CRADL$ HM4
8,OSC>1 MY FR1 ,I'M GO+ 6MISS Y40
  ,T'S :5 ,SPRIG />T$ RE,Y CRY+4
  ,J REMEMB]+ ALL ? N[1 9 ! AIRPORT1
MAKES H] *OKE UP4
  8,HEY10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,>E Y BAWL+
ALR80
  8,NO40 ,SPRIG GULPS & SWIPES H] EYES )
H] SLEEVE4
  8,T'S BETT]10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,KEEP T
CRY+ ?+ "U 3TROL4 ,MOM & ,I "K X'S J YR
WAY ( GETT+ ATT5;N40
  ,SPRIG GRABS H] SI/]'S >M4 .,T .CRY+
.?+4 ,Z IF %E TURNS X ON & (F1 L A FAU-
CET4 ,Z IF %E DOES X =A R1SON4 ,=
.ATT5;N4 8,TAKE T BACK60 %E SAYS4    #AB
  8,PLEEEASE10 ,DAKOTA SAYS ) EXA7]AT$
C\RTESY4 8,Y'RE 2+ VIOL5T40 ,%E UNPEELS
,SPRIG'S F+]S & /RAI<T5S H] JACKET4
  8,GIRLS10 ,MOM CALLS4 ,DAD IS F9,Y D"O
AT ! TICKET MA*9E1 & HE & ,MOM >E WALK+
T[>D ! ESCALATOR4
  ,DAKOTA GRABS ,SPRIG'S H&1 & !Y RU% AF
_! P>5TS4 ,Z !Y JUMP ONTO ! ESCALATOR1
,DAKOTA1 :O'S WE>+ NEW BOOTS ) ?ICK
HEELS1 /UM#S & ALM FALLS4 ,SPRIG LAT*ES
ONTO H] >M AG & /1DIES H]4 8,SAV$ Y60 %E
SAYS4 8,>E Y GRATE;L80
  8,TREM5D\SLY4 ,?ANK Y40
  8,Y'RE WELCOME40
  ,:5 !Y GET 6! SECUR;Y GATE1 _! P>5TS
>E WAIT+ = !M4 ,OR >E !Y8 ,D !Y EV5 SEE
T ,DAKOTA & ,SPRIG >E "H8 ,MOM & ,DAD H
_! >MS >.D EA* O!R1 & !Y'RE KISS+4 ,P >E
WALK+ 0!M1 & !Y DON'T EV5 NOTICE1 !Y J
KEEP KISS+4
  8,KILL ME N[10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,!Y'RE
SMOO*+ L TE5AG]S40
  8,SMOO*]9O FEV]60 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  ,! SI/]S LOOK AT EA* O!R1 & !Y C'T
HELP LAU<+4                          #AC
























                                     #AD
























                   #C                #AE
             ,GUESS+ ,GAMES

  ,TUES"D NI<T1 ,MOM & ,DAKOTA >E MAK+
SUPP]--A BIG SALAD ) YUMMY BLUE *EESE
DRESS+1 GRILL$ SALMON 7: M1NS DELICI\S1
CRU/Y PIECES ( FI%71 PAN-FRI$ POTATOES1
& G>LIC BR1D4 ,A P]FECT SUPP]--,SPRIG'S
M\? WAT]S1 J ?9K+ AB X--B X WD 2 M P]-
FECT IF .%E 0 ! "O COOK+ ) ,MOM4 ,%E C D
"EY?+ ,DAKOTA C D1 & MO/LY ,MOM LETS !M
TAKE TURNS1 B "S"TS1 IF %E'S 9 A RU%1 L
TN :5 %E HAS KNITT+ GR\P1 %E GIVES ,DA-
KOTA EXTRA TURNS4
  ,SPRIG F9I%ES SETT+ ! TA# & ,DAKOTA
P\RS DRESS+ OV] ! SALAD & PUTS X 9 !
MI4LE (! KIT*5 TA#4 ,:5 ,DAD IS HOME1 !Y
EAT 9 ! D9+ ROOM4 8,SIT D[N1 GIRLS1 FI%
IS D"O1 & ,I'LL 2 "R BACK10 ,MOM SAYS1
RUNN+ UP ! /AIRS4 8,I H 6GET MY KNITT+
/UFF40
  ,DAKOTA SITS D[N & RE>RANGES H] SILV]-
W>E4 8,=K ON ! LEFT1 KNIFE & SPOON ON !
"R10 %E 9/RUCTS4
  8,I L PUTT+ !M ALL ON "O SIDE10 ,SPRIG
SAYS4 8,MOM DOESN'T C>E40            #AF
  8.,I C>E40
  8,WELL1 ,I DON'T10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,& ,I DON'T C>E T Y DON'T C>E40
  ,DOES ,DAKOTA ALW H 6H ! LA/ ^W8
,SPRIG TAKES ! SALAD T;GS & CLAPS !M
TGR1 A NICE CRISP S.D--! WAY H] VOICE %D
2 :5 %E TALKS 6H] SI/]4 8,DAKOTA10 %E
SAYS4 8,TN :5 ,DAD CALLS1 .,I TALK 6HM
F/40
  8,GUESS :AT6 ,Y'RE WR;G40
  8,NOOO6 ,LA/ NI<T Y TALK$ 6HM F/40
  8,T'S "R1 2C ,I'M OLD]1 & 2C Y'LL
PROBABLY CRY4 ,GUESS :AT1 ,I'M GIV+ Y "T
6PULL YRF TGR40
  ,SPRIG ISN'T SURE : IS M 9FURIAT+1
,DAKOTA'S SAY+ .GUESS .:AT OR SAY+ %E'LL
CRY4 ,TRUE1 %E DID CRY LA/ NI<T :5 %E
TALK$ 6,DAD1 B ONLY A LL & ONLY 2C %E'S
N YET US$ 6HIS 2+ AWAY4 ,E "T HE GOES ON
"O ( 8 "W TRIPS1 X'S K9D ( L T4 ,X'S AN
.ADJU/;T4
  ,MOM IS BACK1 & !Y SIT D[N & />T PASS+
>.D ! FOOD4 ,ALM IMMLY1 ! PH"O R+S4 ,MOM
LOOKS AT ! CLOCK4 8,TOO E>LY = YR "F4
,HE SD HE'D CALL >.D N9E4 ,M/ 2      #AG
,M>CY 6TELL ME %E'S GO+ 6MISS \R KNITT+
GR\P40
  8,NO1 ,MOM1 ,I'M SURE X'S ,VICKI ,W9-
T]S10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,6BORR[ MY MA?
HOME"W40
  ,GUESS+ :O'S CALL+ 2F ANY"O ANSW]S !
PH"O IS A FAMILY GAME4 ,:5 ,DAD'S HOME1
HE MAKES UP RE,Y FUNNY /UFF1 L ! CALL]
IS A MOVIE />1 OR "S"O 6SAY HE'S WON
FIFTY-SIX MILLION DOLL>S 9 ! LOTT]Y &
DOES HE H 8 TICKET 9 A SAFE PLACE8
  ,SPRIG WANTS 6GUESS ,DAD1 B ,MOM IS
PROBABLY "R4 ,Z ! PH"O R+S AG1 & ,MOM
/&S 6GET X1 ,SPRIG SAYS1 8,UM1 ,BLISS
,G>DN]40 ,H] NEW BE/ FR4
  ,MOM W9KS AT H]1 PICKS UP ! PH"O &
SAYS1 8,HELLO80
  ,SPRIG LOVES ! WAY ,MOM SAYS T1 TWO
NOTES & ?REE SYLLA#S4 ,HELL[-OOOH4 ,UP !
SCALE1 !N D[N4 8,HELL[-OOOH10 %E E*OES
AF ,MOM4
  8,Y'RE MIMICK+ ,MOM80 ,DAKOTA SAYS4
  8,NO60
  8,Y'RE MOCK+ H]40
  8,I AM N60                         #AH
  8,DON'T TRY 6WRI7LE \ ( X4 ,I HE>D Y40
  8,GIRLS10 ,MOM SAYS1 SMIL+1 8X'S YR
DAD40
  ,SPRIG PU%ES BACK H] *AIR4 ,S %E 0
CORRECT6 ,%E %D H /UCK 6H] GUNS4 ,T'S
:AT ,DAD SAYS--..,GIRLS1 /ICK 6YR .GUNS4
,M1NS1 DON'T GIVE UP ON :AT Y "K IS "R4
,DAD IS S SM>T6
  ,:ILE %E'S ?9K+ ?1 ,DAKOTA HAS TAK5 !
PH"O4 ,SPRIG MAKES FI/S & TAPS H]F ON !
JAW4 .,WAKE .UP6 %E TELLS H]F4 ,TOO
LATE6 ,DAKOTA IS TELL+ ,DAD ."EY?+--:AT
!Y'RE HAV+ = SUPP]1 & H[ ! S*OOL BUS _H
6TURN >.D ? MORN+ 2C ! W9D BLEW D[N A
TREE AT ! 5D (! /REET1 & H[1 =A FEW M9-
UTES1 !Y ?"\ ! S*OOL BUS WDN'T 2 A# 6GET
"?1 & "EYBODY 0 *E]+4
  ,SPRIG 0 GO+ 6GIVE ,DAD ALL T NEWS6
,N[ :AT DOES %E H = HM8 ..,? MORN+1 X 0
Z]O DEGREES4 ,I SAW ! FULL MOON LA/
NI<T4 ,WE H A SUB/ITUTE T1*]4 ,? IS 8
SECOND "D4 ,8 "N IS ,MR4 .,JULIUS4 ,U<1
S BOR+6 ,2SS1 %E ALR TOLD HM AB ,MR4
,JULIUS4
  ,DAKOTA'S HOLD+ \ ! PH"O4 ,X'S     #AI
H] TURN4 8,H[ >E Y1 ,BABY80 ,DAD SAYS4
  8,GD1 ,DADS4 ,H[ AB Y80
  8,T]RIFIC6 ,I'M PLAY+ T5NIS E MORN+ AT
! CLUBH\SE 9 ? BUILD+40
  8,OH4 ,T'S GD4 ,DADS80
  8,Y1H1 SWEETIE80
  8,I--,I--0
  8,:AT IS X80 ,HE'S LAU<+4 8,DON'T MAKE
ME GUESS40
  8,I MISS Y40 ,J ?REE LL ^WS1 B H]
?ROAT CLOGS UP4
  8,HEY1 ,I'VE ONLY BE5 G"O TWO "DS40
  ,SPRIG LAU<S ) ,DAD1 B X'S A WO2LY
LAU<1 A .PA!TIC LAU<4 ,S PA!TIC %E CD
CRY--& %E DOES1 B AT L1/ %E'S A# 6HOLD X
(F UNTIL %E'S 9 B$ )! LI<TS \ &! BLANKET
PULL$ OV] H] H1D4







                                     #BJ
























                   #D                #BA
              ,! ,"Q ,?IEF

  ,-+ (F ! S*OOL BUS1 ,SPRIG /AMPS H]
FEET1 : >E COLD1 COLD1 COLD1 EV5 ?\<
%E'S WE>+ FUR-L9$ BOOTS4 ,ALL UP & D[N
,BAYLOR ,/REET1 ! TREES SP>KLE ) _! LOAD
( SN[1 & *IMNEYS P\R :ITE SMOKE 96!
FRO/Y AIR1 SMOKE T RISES 96! %>P BLUE (!
SKY4 ,%E />TS ACR ! /REET1 B ,DAKOTA
GRABS ! BACK ( H] JACKET4
  8,:OA "!60 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,I DIDN'T
SEE Y LOOK BO? WAYS40
  ,SPRIG J]KS FREE ( H] SI/]'S GRIP4
8,MR4 ,>NETT HAS ! ,,/OP SIGN \4 ,LOOK60
,%E PO9TS 6! L9E ( C>S 9 FRONT & 9 BACK
(! BUS4
  8,Y / H 6BE C>E;L40
  8,I "K T6 ,Y TELL ME ! SAME ?+ E "D40
  8,I'M RESPONSI# = Y :5 ,MOM IS "W+1 &
GUESS :AT80 ,DAKOTA /AYS ON ,SPRIG'S
HEELS Z !Y CROSS ! /REET4 8,I DON'T WANT
6BE ! "O SCRAP+ Y UP (F ! PAVE;T40
  8,SCRAP+ ME UP (F ! PAVE;T10 ,SPRIG
MUTT]S4 8,NICE60 ,%E /AMPS UP !
DRIVEWAY1 CRU%+ ! ICY RUTS "U H]     #BB
BOOTS4 .,%E %D 2 9 *>GE ( ,DAKOTA6 ,MAY-
BE %E WORRIES OV] A LOT ( ?+S1 B .%E IS
N BOY-CRAZY4 ,%E DOES N & N"E W *ANGE H]
CLO!S A MILLION "TS1 Z IF %E'S GO+ "S":1
& !N 5D UP 9 B$4 .,&1 IF .%E _H A "Y]
SI/]1 %E WD 2 M* NIC] 6H]4 ,: WD 2 SUP]-
S5SI#1 2C !N1 GU>ANTE$1 H] LL--NO1 H]
."Y]--SI/] WD LOVE H] 6PIECES4
  ,Z X IS1 ,SPRIG HAS 6LAVI% ALL H] LOVE
ON ,MISS ,RU?IE'S ,CORA1 :O1 "R ? M9UTE1
IS /UMBL+ D[N ! DRIVEWAY T[>D H]4 ,SPRIG
RUNS 6MEET H]4 8,CORA1 MY SWEETHE>T40
,%E B5DS D[N 6KISS H]1 & 9 RETURN ,CORA
KISS-LICKS ,SPRIG'S FACE ALL OV] ) H]
S(T T;GUE4 ,CORA IS N9E1 SIXTY-?REE 9
DOG YE>S4 8,I'M SORRY Y'RE S OLD10
,SPRIG :ISP]S 96H] E>4 ,CORA / HAS F\R
%9+ :ITE PAWS 6G ) H] BR[N COAT1 B %E'S
AL GOT >?RITIS 9 H] JO9TS & EYES DIMM$
0GLAUCOMA4
  8,HELLO1 ,SPRIG10 ,MISS ,RU?IE CALLS
D[N F H] LL SQU>E POR*4 8,HELLO1 ,DAKO-
TA40 ,MISS ,RU?IE HAS LIV$ 9 ! A"P;T OV]
! ,EW+S' G>AGE ALL ( ,SPRIG'S LIFE &1
,SPRIG ?9KS1 %E'S L A GD OLD         #BC
AUNTIE )A LL HE>+ PRO#M & "S FUNNY HAB-
ITS4 8,-E UP "H1 D>L+ GIRLS1 & TALK TO
ME10 %E SAYS4 ,L1N+ ON ! RAIL+1 H] ELB[S
PLUNK$ 96! CAKE ( SN[1 %E'S KNITT+1 "W+
AWAY AT H] LATE/ PROJECT4
  8,SPRIG1 L1VE ,CORA AL"O10 ,DAKOTA
SAYS1 GIV+ H] A PU%1 8& G SAY HELLO TO
,MISS ,RU?IE40
  8,Y TOO40 ,SPRIG TAKES H] SI/]'S >M4
8,X'S S COLD \ TD1 ,DAKOTA4 ,D Y ?9K
,MISS ,RU?IE'S H&S >E W>M 5\<80
  8,/OP WORRY+ AB ?+S T DON'T 3C]N Y10
,DAKOTA SAYS1 E*O+ ,MOM4 8,MISS ,RU?IE
"KS :AT %E'S DO+4 ,DON'T =GET1 ! OLD] Y
GET1 ! SM>T] Y GET4 ,I'M OLD] ?AN Y1 &
,I'M WAY SM>T]40
  8,Y1H1 "R10 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,HA-HA40 ,%E
/>TS UP ! /AIRS1 ) ,CORA PANT+ W>MLY 2H
H]4 8,MISS ,RU?IE10 %E CALLS1 PIT*+ H]
VOICE HI<1 8T SC>F Y'RE KNITT+ IS S
PRETTY4 ,! COLORS LOOK L TREES 9 !
FALL40
  8,Y'RE ADORA#40 ,MISS ,RU?IE B1MS AT
H]4 8,S "Y & S SM>T40
  8,I'M N T "Y4 ,I'M .T51 REMEM-     #BD
B]80
  8,HELLO1 ,MISS ,RU?IE10 ,DAKOTA SAYS1
2H H]4 8,T .IS A PRETTY SC>F40 ,& )\T
MISS+ A B1T1 %E A4S1 8,>E YR H&S W>M
5\<80
  ,SPRIG DROPS H] BACKPACK )A ?UMP4 ,T 0
H] "Q6 ,DAKOTA J FLAT-\ /OLE X4
  8,OH1 ,I'M F9E40 ,MISS ,RU?IE PUTS D[N
H] KNITT+ NE$LES & HOLDS \ H] H&S 6%[ T
%E'S WE>+ HALF GLOVES4 8,B ?ANK Y = ASK-
+1 DE>4 ,T'S V ?"\;L40
  ,S6 ,N ONLY DID ,DAKOTA /1L ,SPRIG'S
"Q1 %E /OLE ! PRAISE = ASK+ ! "Q4 ,X'S A
CRIME1 A D\# CRIME6 ,:AT WD ,JUDGE ,JUDY
SAY AB .T8 ,%E'D L1N =W>D OV] H] HI<
DESK & P.D H] GAVEL4 ..,DAKOTA ,EW+1
Y'RE A -MON "Q ?IEF4 ,I'M PUTT+ Y AWAY 9
! .SLAMM]4
  8,GIRLS10 ,MISS ,RU?IE IS SAY+1 8:AT D
Y HE> F YR "F80
  8,HE'S GD1 ,MISS ,RU?IE10 ,SPRIG SAYS
HA/ILY4 8,HE'S PLAY+ T5NIS E MORN+ AT ?
CLUBH\SE--0
  8,HE'S "W+ H>D10 ,DAKOTA 9T]RUPTS4
8,HE HAS TONS ( MEET+S40             #BE
  8,HE CALLS U E NI<T10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,& %E0--,DAKOTA PO9TS 6,SPRIG--8CRIES
E "T40
  8,DAKOTA60 ,SPRIG GL.ES AT ,MISS ,RU?-
IE1 !N TURNS ON H] SI/] & SAYS1 L[-
VOIC$1 8,Y %DN'T SAY T "H4 ,X'S N '''
.LOYAL40
  ,DAKOTA %RUGS1 B H] *EEKS TURN A B"R
R$4















                                     #BF
























                   #E                #BG
   ,ORANGE ,*ALK &A ,GIANT ,MOSQUITO

  ,EXT5D+ "O ( 8 L;G1 SPID]Y >MS1 ,MR4
,JULIUS WRITES ,,HOME"W ON ! BLACKBO>D 9
B"R ORANGE *ALK4 8,UGLY COLOR10 ,SPRIG
SAYS1 "U H] BR1?4 ,H] REGUL> T1*]1 ,MRS4
,FOOTE1 ALW US$ EI :ITE OR PALE BLUE4
,ORANGE IS .S* A BAD *OICE B1 ANYWAY1
:AT C Y EXPECT (A SUB/ITUTE1 /&-IN1 N-!-
R1L-?+ T1*]8 ,LA/ WEEK1 ,MRS4 ,FOOTE _H
H] BABY4 ,F ! "D ,MR4 ,JULIUS TOOK OV]
_! CLASS1 X'S BE5 CLE> T HE DOES .NO?+ !
WAY ,MRS4 ,FOOTE DOES4 ,HE TALKS TOO M*1
5DS J AB E S5T;E ) 8OKAY810 & 8 H&WRIT+
IS WEIRD1 FLOPPY1 & LOOSE1 J L 8 >MS4
  8,PRES5T+ ,MY ,FAMILY10 HE SCRAWLS ON
! BLACKBO>D4 ,M ORANGE *ALK4 ,MAYBE "S"O
%D TELL HM ,HALL[E5 IS L;G G"O4 8,? IS
GO+ 6BE A P]SONAL ESSAY1 KIDS4 ,X W HELP
ME GET 6"K Y GUYS1 OKAY8 ,I'M GO+ 6GIVE
Y PL5TY ( "T4 ,TD'S ,?URS"D1 OKAY8 ,X
WON'T 2 DUE UNTIL AF ! WEEK5D1 LET'S SAY
ON ,TUES"D4 ,T'S SIX "DS40
  8,FIVE10 ,RUSSELL ,EZRA-,EVANS CALLS \
F 2H ,SPRIG4                         #BH
  8,GD CALL40 ,MR4 ,JULIUS ?R[S ! ORANGE
*ALK UP 9 ! AIR & CAT*ES X4 8,NO -PUT]S
OR PR9T]S1 OKAY8 ,"EY?+ ! OLD-FA%ION$
WAY1 S MAKE SURE ,I C R1D YR H&WRIT+4
,ANY "QS80
  ,SIL;E4
  8,NO80 ,MR4 ,JULIUS S.DS 4APPO9T$4
,SPRIG RAISES H] H&4 8,W Y WRITE A P]-
SONAL ESSAY AL80
  ,A FEW P 9 ! ROOM GI7LE1 B ,MR4 ,JU-
LIUS SAYS1 8,T'S AN 9T]E/+ IDEA1 UH0--HE
LOOKS D[N AT 8 LI/ ( /UD5T "NS--
8,GRACE40
  8,SPRIG10 %E REM9DS HM4 8,REMEMB]8
,"EYBODY CALLS ME ,SPRIG40
  8,OH1 "R4 ,&1 YES1 ,SPRIG1 ,I'LL WRITE
A P]SONAL ESSAY40
  8,& W Y R1D X \ L\D80
  8,DON'T M9D H]1 ,MR4 ,JULIUS10 ,RUS-
SELL ,EZRA-,EVANS SAYS F ! S1T 2H
,SPRIG1 9 8 DEEP1 MAN'S VOICE4 8,%E ALW
ASKS "QS40 ,A MO;T LAT]1 ,RUSSELL'S FOOT
MAKES 3TACT ) ,SPRIG'S LEG4 ,MAYBE X'S
A3ID5TAL4 ,Y1H1 "R4 ,HE'S ALW KNOCK+ 9TO
H]4 ,?ANKS 6_! LA/ "NS--,EW+ &       #BI
,EZRA-,EVANS--"E S9CE K9D]G>T5 ,RUSSELL
HAS BE5 A PESKY PRES;E 9 ,SPRIG'S LIFE4
  8,ACTU,Y1 T'S ANO!R EXCELL5T SU7ES;N F
,SPRIG--0 ,AG1 ,MR4 ,JULIUS LOOKS D[N AT
8 LI/ ( "NS4
  8,HE'S ,RUSSELL ,EZRA-,EVANS40 ,T'S
T9Y ,BLISS ,G>DN]1 ,SPRIG'S FR1 :O SITS
ACR ! AISLE F H]4
  8,YES1 ,I AM10 ,RUSSELL BOOMS 6CLASS
LAU<T]4 8,LA/ "T ,I LOOK$1 T 0 ME40

  8,HE'S S CUTE10 ,BLISS SAYS LAT]1 Z !Y
WALK \ ( S*OOL TGR T[>D ! P>K+ LOT4 ,!
BUSES >E L9$ UP L YELL[ ANIMALS PANT+
CL\DS ( BLUE BR1? 96! COLD AIR4
  8,:O'S CUTE80 ,SPRIG ASKS4
  8,RUSSELL40
  8.,RUSSELL80 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,PL1SE TELL
ME Y DIDN'T SAY T40
  8,NO1 ,I M1N X4 ,RE,Y1 HE'S SORT (
ADORA#40
  8,AB Z ADORA# Z A GIANT MOSQUITO40
  8,-E ON1 ?9K AB X4 ,! WAY HE'S ALW
T1S+ ON Y8 ,Y C TELL HE DOESN'T M1N
ANY?+ BAD 0X4 ,HE LIKES Y40          #CJ
  8,RUSSELL DOES N L ME4 ,HE HATES ME40
  ,!Y /OP 0,SPRIG'S BUS1 NUMB] #CHJ4
,X'S C>RY+ A LAY] ( W9DBL[N SN[ ON !
RO(4 8,HE PROBABLY WANTS 6BE YR BOYFR10
,BLISS SAYS4
  8,EWWW1 NO6 ,IF ,I WANT$ A BOYFR1 X WD
N 2 ,MR4 ,SUP]SIZE1 ,MR4 ,GIANT ,MOSQUI-
TO1 ,MR4 ,HUGE1 ,MR4 ,HUM;G\S1 ,MR4--0
  8,/OP10 ,BLISS SAYS1 B %E'S LAU<+4
8,T'S S M1N4 ,DON'T Y FEEL ! L1/ BIT
SORRY = HM8 ,X M/ 2 H>D 6BE S M* BI7]
?AN "EY"O ELSE40
  8,I H NO P;Y = T BOZO40
  8,WELL '''0 ,BLISS %IFTS H] BACKPACK4
8,MAYBE Y %D4 ,I "K :AT T FEELS L1 2+
DI6]5T F "EY"O40
  8,Y D N10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,I D6 ,I'M ALW ! %ORTE/ "O1 ! SMALLE/
"O1 & Y "K :AT8 ,"!'S ALW "S"O :O'S GON-
NA PAT ME ON ! H1D1 L ,I'M A BABY OR A
DOG OR "S?+40
  ,SPRIG C'T RESI/4 ,%E PATS ,BLISS ON !
H1D4 8,Y M1N1 L ?80
  8,HEY60 ,BLISS PU%ES H] H& AWAY4
8,DON'T D T60                        #CA
  8,SOR-RY40 ,SPRIG BACK-/EPS4 8,Y RE,Y
DON'T L T1 D Y80
  8,I .S]I\SLY DON'T L X40 ,BLISS'S FACE
IS SCRUN*$ UP TI<T4 8,X MAKES ME RE,Y--0
,%E TAKES 9 A BR1?4 8,OH1 =GET X40 ,%E
LOOKS PA/ ,SPRIG T[>D ! O!R SIDE (! P>K+
LOT4 8,"!'S MY BUS1 ,I H 6G40
  8,WAIT A SECOND10 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,>E Y
MAD AT ME80
  8,NO10 ,BLISS SAYS1 S.D+ L .YES4
8,BYE4 ,SEE YA40 ,%E WALKS (F1 H] H&S
SUPPORT+ ! WEI<T ( H] BACKPACK4
  8,BLISS8 ,BLISS60 ,SPRIG RUNS AF H]4
8,I DIDN'T M1N 6HURT YR FEEL+S OR ANY?+4
,I WDN'T WANT 6HURT Y60
  ,BLISS LOOKS AT H] =A MO;T Z IF %E'S
DECID+ "S?+1 !N %E SAYS1 8,I "K T40
  8,S IS X OKAY80 ,SPRIG SAYS &1 )\T
WAIT+ = AN ANSW]1 %E ?R[S H] >MS >.D
,BLISS4 ,!Y HUG =A MO;T4 ,"O (! BUS
DRIV]S IS SITT+ ON 8 HORN4
  8,GOTTA G10 ,BLISS SAYS1 & %E RUNS =!
BUS4
  8,:AT 0 T ALL AB80 ,DAKOTA /ROLLS UP1
>M 9 >M ) ,KRY/EE ,HAMPL]1 H] BE/    #CB
FR ? YE>1 A TALL GIRL )A S>CA/IC T;GUE &
B"R GRE5 EYES1 : %E C CROSS AT W4
  ,KRY/EE TUGS ON ,SPRIG'S PONYTAIL4
8,LL GIRLS HAV+ A FI<TY-FI<T & KISSY
MAK+ UP80
  8,N"O ( YR BUSI;S10 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,GET
YR H&S (F MY HAIR40
  8,:AT A *>M+ *10 ,KRY/EE CROONS &
CROSSES H] EYES AT ,SPRIG4 ,)A LL EF=T1
,SPRIG MANAGES 6CROSS H] EYES BACK AT
,KRY/EE4 8,DAKOTA10 ,KRY/EE %RIEKS GLEE-
;LLY1 8YR LL BABY SI/] IS FUNNY4 .,N60
  ,ALL ! WAY HOME1 ON ! SMELLY1 OV]H1T$
BUS1 T PHRASE1 .LL .BABY .SI/]1 REP1TS
XF 9 ,SPRIG'S M9D4 ,?REE ^WS T TAK5 SEP-
>ATELY >E1 WELL1 .OKAY1 B PUT TGR8 ,TO-
T,Y ANNOY+6







                   #F                #CC
       ,! ,CUTE/ ,BOY ON ! ,MOON

  8,SPRIG10 ,MOM CALLS F H] B$ROOM4 8,-E
"H1 PL1SE40
  8,I'M ALM R1DY1 ,MOM10 ,SPRIG YELLS4
,%E YANKS AT H] BLUE %IRT1 CLATT]+ !
HANG] 6! FLOOR4
  8,OH1 PL1SE1 MAKE "S M NOISE10 ,DAKOTA
SAYS4 ,%E'S AT H] DESK4 8,I'M ONLY TRY+
6/UDY "H40
  ,SPRIG PULLS ON ! %IRT & /ICKS H] FEET
96H] CLOGS4 ,TN IS ! MON?LY ,"M-,DAU<T]
,R1D+ ,CLUB MEET+ AT ! LIBR>Y1 A SPECIAL
?+ %E & ,MOM D TGR4 8,^! BUTTONS >E
WICK$ T9Y10 %E SAYS1 FUMBL+ )! LA/ TWO4
  8,C'M]E10 ,DAKOTA BECKONS )\T LOOK+
UP4 ,SPRIG GOES OV] 6H]1 & ,DAKOTA F9I%-
ES ! BUTTON+4 8,"! Y >E40 ,%E PATS
,SPRIG ON ! *EEK1 A LL TOO H>D4 8,N[ .G1
W Y80
  ,SPRIG PICKS UP H] BOOK1 A FANTASY
CALL$ .,WAT] .,%AP] AB ? PR9CESS "ND
,M>GOT4 ,%E HAS T5 M PAGES 6R1D1 B %E'S
BE5 PUTT+ X (F1 N WANT+ ! /ORY 65D4 ,T'S
:AT %E'LL SAY 9 ,R1D+ ,CLUB TN4      #CD
..,:5 ,I R1D A RE,Y GD BOOK L ? "O1 X'S
Z IF ,I'M N EV5 "H ANYMORE4 .,I'M 9 ..!
/ORY4 ,"EY?+ 4APPE>S1 L MY H\SE1 MY
ROOM1 MY .SI/] ''' %E ..TOT,Y 4APPE>S1 &
T'S J .GRT6 ,WELL1 MAYBE N T LA/ "P AB
,DAKOTA1 N ) ,MOM "R "!4
  ,%E CLOPS ACR ! HALL4 ,MOM'S LY+ ON !
B$1 H] H& OV] H] EYES1 ! AF<AN ,MISS
,RU?IE MADE = H] PULL$ UP OV] H] %\LD]S4
8,MOM10 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,>E Y SLEEP+8 ,I'M
R1DY40
  ,MOM HALF SITS UP4 8,I H A T]RI# H1D-
A*E4 ,X'S BE5 -+ ON ALL "D1 B X J HIT
ME40 ,%E FALLS BACK AG/ ! PILL[4 8,I'M
SORRY1 H"OY10 %E SAYS1 COV]+ H] EYES AG4
8,I DON'T ?9K ,I C MAKE X TN40
  ,=A MO;T1 ,SPRIG IS S 4APPO9T$ %E C
H>DLY SP1K4 8,D Y WANT ME 6BR+ Y ANY?+80
%E ASKS F9,Y4 8,L TEA OR "S?+80
  8,NO4 ,I J NE$ ''' SLEEP '''40 ,MOM
MURMURS4 8,?ANKS1 SWEETIE40
  ,SPRIG TIPTOES \ & CLOSES ! DOOR4
8,MOM HAS A H1DA*E10 %E TELLS ,DAKOTA4
8,WE'RE N GO+ 6! ,R1D+ ,CLUB40
  8,CRAP10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,I WANT$   #CE
"S PRIVACY4 ,:AT >E Y GO+ 6D N[80
  8,"W ON MY ESSAY1 ,I GUESS4 ,I H 6H& X
9 TM1 & ,I'M ONLY HALF D"O40
  8,:5 DID Y ?9K Y 7 GO+ 6F9I% X80
  8,TM MORN+40
  ,DAKOTA %AKES H] H1D4 8,GRT PLANN+4 ,Y
BETT] G D X40
  8,C ,I H ! DESK80
  8,NO1 Y C'T H ! DESK4 ,G "W ON ! D9+
ROOM TA#4 ,G ON4 .,G40
  ,SPRIG SITS D[N ON H] B$ & CROSSES H]
>MS4 8,IF ,I WANT 6/AY "H1 Y C'T KICK ME
\40
  ,DAKOTA SP9S >.D ON H] *AIR4 8,I "K1
,I "K1 ,I ."K6 ,D Y ?9K ! P>5TS W "E BUY
A H\SE ) ANO!R B$ROOM1 S ,I C H MY [N
ROOM80
  8,MOM SAYS X'S H>D 6F9D ! "T 6LOOK :5
!Y'RE BO? "W+1 & ,DAD'S AWAY & "EY?+40
,SPRIG FALLS SIL5T1 ?9K+ ( ,AF<ANI/AN4
,AF A :ILE1 %E GETS UP4 8,OKAY1 ,I'M GO+
6"W 9 ! D9+ ROOM4 ,Y C H YR PRIVACY4 ,I
BET Y'RE GO+ 6,,IM YR 2LOV$ ,KRY/EE40
  8,I MI<T10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 ,%E ALR HAS !
-PUT] TURN$ ON4                      #CF
  ,LAT]1 ,SPRIG IS NE>LY F9I%$ ) H] ES-
SAY :5 ,DAKOTA APPE>S & FL+S H]F 96A
*AIR4 8,SPRIG4 ,:AT D Y ?9K AB BOYS80
  ,IS ? A TRICK "Q8 8,BOYS8 ,!Y'RE OKAY4
,!Y'RE1 Y "K1 .BOYS40
  8,I LOVE !M10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,GUESS :O
,KRY/EE & ,I ?9K IS ! CUTE/ BOY 9 ! :OLE
S*OOL60 ,DAKOTA'S *EEKS >E V P9K4 8,HE'S
PROBABLY ! CUTE/ BOY 9 ! :OLE ,UNIT$
,/ATES4 ,IF WE LIV$ ON ! MOON8 ,HE WD 2
! CUTE/ BOY ON ! MOON1 NO 3TE/4 ,S C Y
GUESS8 ,X'S "S"O Y "K40
  ,SPRIG PU%ES H] PAP] ASIDE4 ,TALK+ TO
,DAKOTA L ? IS M* M FUN ?AN WRIT+ AN ES-
SAY4 8,I "K A TON ( BOYS4 ,GIVE ME A
CLUE40
  8,X'S "S"O Y SEE E "D40
  ,! "N T POPS 96,SPRIG'S H1D IS ,RUS-
SELL ,EZRA-,EVANS4 ,: IS RIDICUL\S4
,CUTE/ BOY8 ,N EV5 9 ! RUNN+4
  8,GIVE UP80 ,DAKOTA ASKS4 8,OKAY1 X'S
,?OMAS4 ,BUCK?ORN40 ,?OMAS ,BUCK?ORN IS
9 ,DAKOTA'S CLASS4 ,HE HAS D>K CURLY
HAIR & L;G EYELA%ES1 &A GR\P ( NOISY
BOYS >E ALW >.D HM ON ! S*OOL BUS4   #CG
  8,I "K ,?OMAS10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,( C\RSE Y D4 ,DUH40 ,DAKOTA SPR+S
UP4 8,S IS HE ! CUTE/ OR--0 ,%E /OPS1
LOOK+ OV] ,SPRIG'S %\LD]4 8,:AT >E Y
WRIT+ "!80 ,%E SNAT*ES UP ! PAP] & R1DS
AL\D1 8,8,MY SI/]1 ,DAKOTA1 IS OBSESS$ )
H] HAIR4 ,%E -BS X = AT L1/ AN H\R E
MORN+40' ,T IS CRAP6 ,& :O GAVE Y P]MIS-
.N 6WRITE .ANY?+ AB ME8 ,CROSS T \ "R
N[40
  8,DAKOTA1 ,I C'T MESS X UP ) CROSS-
\TS40 ,SPRIG SMOO?S \ H] PAP]4 8,I TOLD
Y1 ,I H 6H& X 9 TM40
  8,NO WAY Y'RE GO+ 6H& 9 T ,I -B MY
HAIR = AN H\R E MORN+4 ,T IS AN UTT]1
TOTAL .LIE40
  8,Y -B X =A L;G "T40
  8,N AN H\R40
  8,H[ L;G8 ,I M1N1 EXACTLY H[ L;G80
  8,T5 M9UTES1 TOPS40
  8,I'M SURE X'S M4 ,I'LL "T Y TM MORN-
+40
  8,N UN.S ,I GIVE Y P]MIS.N4 ,& ,I D N4
,& ,I D N GIVE Y P]MIS.N 6WRITE AB ME40
,DAKOTA'S H&S -E D[N ON ,SPRIG'S     #CH
%\LD]S4 8.,NO .P]MIS.N40
  8,/OP BR1?+ ON MY NECK4 ,& GET YR
CREEPY H&S (F ME40
  8,W D10 ,DAKOTA SAYS1 & R1*ES =
,SPRIG'S PAP]4
  8,NO60 ,SPRIG YELLS4 ,=A MO;T1 !Y'RE
BO? TU7+ ON ! PAP]4 ,! 9EVITA# HAPP5S--X
RIPS4
  8,SORRY1 ,SPRIG10 ,DAKOTA SAYS1 LETT+
G4
  8,N[ ,I H 6/>T ALL OV]10 ,SPRIG WAILS4
  8,WELL '''0 ,DAKOTA PATS H] %\LD]4
8,?9K ( X ? WAY4 ,:5 Y REWRITE1 Y'LL D
AN EV5 BETT] ESSAY4 ,ESPECI,Y L1V+ MY
HAIR \ ( X10 %E A4S4
  ,SPRIG />ES AT ! TORN1 WR9KL$ MESS 9
FRONT ( H]4 ,IF ONLY ,DAKOTA 7 A PIECE (
PAP]6 ,%E'D CRUMPLE H] UP4 ,LITT] !
FLOOR ) H]4 ,& SWEEP H] 96! WA/EBASKET1
2F ,MOM EV5 NOTIC$ T H] D>L+ DAU<T] 0
G"O4



              ,SPRIG ,EW+            #CI
           ,P]SONAL ,ESSAY =
          ,MR4 ,JULIUS' CLASS

              ,MY ,FAMILY

  ,HELLO6 ,I AM ,GRACE ,BLUE ,EW+1 B ,I
AM CALL$ ,SPRIG 0"EY"O4 ,I ESPECI,Y L MY
MI4LE "N1 S9CE BLUE IS & ALW W 2 MY FA-
VORITE COLOR4 ,MY FAMILY IS ME1 MY SI/]
& MY P>5TS1 & !Y >E MO/LY GRT1 B :5 ,I
?9K AB X1 ,I R1LIZE "EY"O HAS A PRO#M4
  ,MY "F'S PRO#M IS T HE RE,Y DOESN'T L
6BE AWAY F U1 B HE LOVES 8 JOB1 & HE HAS
6TRAVEL = X4 ,HE'S AN 5G5E] & >*ITECT &
"R N[1 HE'S 9 ,WA%+TON1 ,D4,C41 3SULT+ )
! GOV]N;T4 ,:5 HE'S HOME HE C 2 LITE-
HE>T$ &A LOT ( FUN4
  ,MY "M IS A M S]E\S P]SON1 EXCEPT :5
WE ALL G ON VAC,N TGR ,7LA/ YE> WE W5T
6,GETTYSBURG7'1 & !N %E C GET SILLY & 2
A LOT ( FUN4 ,%E'S A BANK MANAG]1 : IS A
RESPONSI# JOB1 S H] PRO#M IS %E N"E HAS
5 "T = "EY?+4
  ,MY SI/]'S PRO#M IS T %E ?9KS %E HAS
NO PRO#MS4 ,%E ?9KS 2C %E'S OLD] T   #DJ
%E'S SUP]OR 6ME1 : IS EXTREMELY ANNOY+4
,%E IS ALW CORRECT+ ME & SAY+ %E "KS :AT
,I %D D & T %E IS SM>T] 2C %E'S OLD]4 ,:
,I ?9K IS BASIC,Y RIDICULUS4
  ,C Y TELL T MY PRO#M IS BASIC,Y MY
SI/]8 ,I'M USU,Y A HAPPY P]SON1 EXCEPT
:5 %E'S BO!R+ ME4 ,I LOVE 6R1D1 X'S ALM
MY HO2Y4 ,I AL LOVE 6SKI 9 W9T]1 SWIM 9
SUMM]1 "DDR1M & MAKE LI/S4 ,I LOVE ANI-
MALS1 B MY "M IS HI<LY ALL]GIC1 S WE C'T
H ANY PETS1 B \R FR ,MISS ,RU?IE HAS
,CORA1 :O'S A V LOVA# DOG4 ,MISS ,RU?IE
IS L AN HONOR>Y MEMB] ( \R FAMILY4 ,WE
ALL LOVE H]4 ,I DON'T ?9K %E HAS ANY
PRO#MS1 EXCEPT T %E'S GETT+ OLD1 : IS
,CORA'S PRO#M1 TOO1 2SS 2+ HALF BL4 ,I
WORRY AB ,CORA4 ,"S"TS ,I WORRY T ,I
WORRY TOO M*4
  ,I HOPE ,I H GIV5 Y A GD PICTURE ( MY
LIFE & MY FAMILY4

                ,,! ,,5D


                   #G                #DA
          ,RIS+1 ,RIS+1 ,RIS+

  8,SPRIG6 ,DAKOTA60 ,MISS ,RU?IE IS /&+
ON H] POR*1 WAV+ 6!M1 Z !Y -E UP !
DRIVEWAY AF S*OOL4 8,I H "S?+ 6ASK Y10
%E S+S \4 ,%E'S WE>+ H] L;G PU6Y GRE5
COAT )A CAP PULL$ D[N OV] H] E>S4
  8,:AT'S T1 ,MISS ,RU?IE80 ,SPRIG RUNS
UP ! /EPS & HUGS ,CORA1 :O'S GR9N+ AT
H]4
  8,I'M GO+ 6,BO/ON NEXT ,SATUR"D 6VISIT
MY BRO!R & MY NIECES4 ,I'LL G ON ! BUS
E>LY ,SATUR"D MORN+ & 2 BACK ,SUN"D
NI<T1 & ,I NE$ "S"O 6LOOK AF ,CORA4 ,FE$
H]1 WALK H]1 MAKE SURE %E DOES H] BUSI-
;S1 ALL T4 ,WD "O ( Y L ! JOB80
  8,YES10 ,SPRIG & ,DAKOTA SAY1 AT !
SAME MO;T1 B ( C\RSE ,DAKOTA SAYS X L\D-
]1 &( C\RSE %E HAS ! S5SE 6ADD1 8,I WD 2
RE,Y HAPPY 6D X1 ,MISS ,RU?IE40
  8,WOND];L4 ,BO? ( Y >E J WOND];L4
,TELL ME1 :AT D Y ?9K WD 2 FAIR PAY8
,REMEMB]1 X'S TWO :OLE "DS40
  ..,:Y 2 PD AT .ALL8 ,SPRIG ?9KS4 ,TAK+
C>E ( ,CORA WD 2 FUN1 N "W4 ,2SS1    #DB
,MISS ,RU?IE DOESN'T H A LOT ( M"OY4
,"S"TS %E TAKES C>E ( *N1 & "S"TS %E
FILLS 9 = H] FR ,NAD9E1 :O "WS AT ,!
,FA%ION ,%OPPE1 B %E DOESN'T H A REGUL>
JOB4
  8,MISS ,RU?IE80 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,Y C
PAY ME :AT"E Y ?9K IS FAIR40
  8,ME TOO10 ,SPRIG SAYS HA/ILY4 8,T'S
:AT ,I 0 GO+ 6SAY40
  8,T'S V SWEET10 ,MISS ,RU?IE SAYS TO
,SPRIG4 8,B Y "K :AT1 DE>1 WE'LL LET
,DAKOTA D X ? "T4 ,-E 9 ! A"P;T ) ME1
,DAKOTA4 ,I'LL %[ Y ": "EY?+ IS1 ! FOOD
& ,CORA'S TR1TS & H] TOYS & H] B$40
  ,DAKOTA BRU%ES PA/ ,SPRIG & FOLL[S
,MISS ,RU?IE 9SIDE4 ,SPRIG BURIES H]
FACE 9 ,CORA'S W>M1 /9KY FUR4 8.,I "K ":
YR FOOD IS10 %E TELLS ,CORA4 8,& YR B$1
& YR TOYS4 ,I "K H[ M* 6GIVE Y 6EAT1 "O
?IRD (A C TWO "TS A "D1 & "O SCOOP (
DRY4 ,I WD TAKE GD C>E ( Y1 ,CORA1 BETT]
?AN ,DAKOTA6 ,I'D ?R[ ! BALL = Y1 & 2
PATI5T1 & N RU% Y DO+ YR BUSI;S40
  ,W ,DAKOTA D ALL T8 ,MAYBE ''' & MAYBE
N4 ,B ,DAKOTA GOT ! JOB4 ,%E ALW     #DC
GETS ALL ! GD /UFF1 /AYS UP ! LATE/1
SEES ! MO/ ,,TV %[S1 & TALKS 6,DAD F/ &
L;GE/4 ,X'S J N FAIR4
  8,Y "K :AT ,I WI%1 DON'T Y1 ,CORA80 ,!
DOG LICKS ,SPRIG'S FACE & GAZES SYMPA!T-
IC,Y AT H]4 8,N T ,I WD WANT ANY?+ .BAD
6HAPP5 6,DAKOTA10 ,SPRIG A4S4 ,NO1 DE-
SPITE "EY?+1 %E J WANTS H] 6G1 ! WAY
SMOKE GOES 9 W9T]4 ,9 ALL ! COLD WEEKS1
Y SEE ! :ITE SMOKE CURL+ \ (! *IMNEYS1
"S"TS GO+ /RAI<T UP 96! AIR1 "S"TS TAK5
? WAY & T 0! W9D1 B ALW1 .POOO(1 X 4AP-
PE>S4 ,X'S G"O4 ,IF SMOKE C D X1 :Y N A
P]SON8 ,:Y N ,DAKOTA8
  ,L1N+ H] H1D AG/ ,CORA'S W>M BACK1
,SPRIG N>R[S H] EYES & LOOKS UP 96! SKY1
&1 .YES1 %E SEES H] SI/] UP "!4 ,DAKOTA
9 A GAUZY1 SMOKY :ITE DRESS T FLOATS >.D
H] L1 WELL1 SMOKE4 ,& L SMOKE RIS+1 ,DA-
KOTA TOO IS RIS+4 ,RIS+1 RIS+1 RIS+4
,2COM+ SMALL] & SMALL]1 FA9T] & FA9T]
''' UNTIL ''' .POOO( ''' %E'S G"O4


                                     #DD
























                   #H                #DE
         ,TOMATOES & ,CUCUMB]S

  8,:AT >E Y TRY+ 6D1 ,SPRIG1 KILL T
HAMBURG]80 ,/&+ AT ! S9K1 ,DAKOTA %AKES
! LETTUCE 9 ! COL&]4 8,HURRY UP1 ,I WANT
6GET "EY?+ D"O 2F ,MOM -ES HOME40
  8,I'M ALM F9I%$40 ,SPRIG TAKES ANO!R
*UNK ( HAMBURG] & SLAPS ! M1T 2T H]
PALMS4 ,%E LOVES ? JOB1 ! RHY?MIC .SLAP
.SLAP .SLAP4 ,X REM9DS H] ( 2+ LL &
PLAY+ ) CLAY1 & H[ %E US$ 6?9K AB ?+S :5
%E DID T4
  ,%E'S ?9K+ AB ?+S N[ TOO1 ?9K+ AB H[
,DAKOTA GOT T JOB AWAY F H] .SLAP .SLAP
.SLAP & H[ TD IS ! T5? "D ..SLAP SLAP
SLAP SLAP SLAP .SLAP T ,DAD HAS BE5 G"O4
,OKAY1 %E HAS 6?9K AB "S?+ ELSE1 L !
,MI<TY ,PE/ & H[ ,BLISS KEEPS SAY+ HE'S
CUTE1 H[ MAYBE ,MR4 ,JULIUS W ?9K H] ES-
SAY IS J WOND];L & GIVE H] AN ;,A &--
  8,OKAY1 /OP60 ,DAKOTA HAS -E OV] & IS
9SPECT+ ! PLATE ( RAW PATTIES4 8,T'S
PL5TY4 ,WA% YR H&S & GET ME ! TOMATOES40
  8,GET !M YRF4 ,I'M N YR S]VANT1
,DAKOTA10 ,SPRIG SAYS1 B %E AM#S     #DF
OV] 6! REFRIG]ATOR1 TAKES A TOMATO F !
VEGETA# B91 & PUTS X ON ! F> 5D (! C.T]
S ,DAKOTA HAS 6R1* = X4
  8,J "O8 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,MOM LIKES A
LOT ( TOMATOES 9 ! SALAD4 ,GET ME "S M4
,!Y'RE A V IMPORTANT FRUIT40
  8,HA1 HA1 Y M1N VEGETA#40
  8,HA1 HA1 ,I M1N .FRUIT4 ,TOMATOES >E
FRUIT1 = YR 9=M,N1 & !Y'RE WAY GD = Y4
,TONS ( VITAM9 ;,C1 VITAM9S ;,A & ;,K1
PLUS POTASSIUM1 PLUS--0
  8,OKAY1 OKAY4 ,DON'T GIVE ME A FOOD
LECTURE40 ,SPRIG FL+S OP5 ! REFRIG]ATOR
DOOR4
  8,:ILE Y'RE "!10 ,DAKOTA SAYS1 8GET ME
A C\PLE ( CUCUMB]S TOO40
  8,SAY PL1SE40
  8,-E ON1 ,SPRIG1 J GET ME ! /UFF40
  ,SPRIG'S H& HOV]S OV] ! VEGETA# B94
8,OKAY1 N[ Y H 6SAY1 ,8,PL1SE GET ME TO-
MATOES & CUCUMB]S1 MY 2LOV$ ,SPRIG40'0
  8,IN YR DR1MS1 GIRL4 ,J GET ME !
/UFF40 ,:5 ,SPRIG DOESN'T MOVE1 ,DAKOTA
SI<S & SAYS1 8.,PL1SE40
  ,LAT]1 Z !Y'RE F9I%+ SUPP]1 ,DAD   #DG
CALLS4 ,MOM TALKS 6HM F/4 ,2F %E TAKES !
PH"O 96! D9+ ROOM = PRIVACY1 %E SAYS1
8,GIRLS1 Y DID A GRT JOB ON SUPP]4 ,I'LL
TELL YR "F40
  8,LET'S SURPRISE ,MOM & CL1N UP TOO10
,DAKOTA SAYS1 & />TS CLE>+ ! TA#4 8,I'LL
D ! DI%WA%]1 Y SWEEP4 ,I TALK 6,DAD
NEXT10 %E A4S4
  8,NO10 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,I WANT 6TALK 6HM
NEXT40
  8,SORRY1 TN X'S 9 ORD] ( AGE4 ,MOM1 !N
ME1 !N Y40
  ,DAKOTA'S LOGIC IS P]FECT--& MA45+4
,SPRIG GRABS ! BROOM & SWEEPS FURI\SLY
>.D H] SI/]4
  ,DAKOTA JUMPS \ (! WAY1 H] :ITE %IRT
BILL[+ \ OV] H] GRE5 PANTS4 ,GRE5 &
:ITE1 SAME COLORS Z ! CUCUMB]S %E CUT
96_! SALAD4 ,IS X POSSI# T ,DAKOTA IS A
CUCUMB] 9 4GUISE8 ,SPRIG ROLLS ? IDEA
>.D 9 H] M9D4 ,) J A T\* ( IMAG9,N1 %E C
SEE X4 ,YES1 %E C DEF9ITELY SEE ,DAKOTA
Z A CUCUMB]1 "O ( ^? JUICY1 CRUN*Y CU-
CUMB]S4 ,A CUCUMB] FIT =! SALAD B[L4
.,CRUN*1 .CRUN*4 ,YUM1 YUM4 ,D[N !   #DH
HAT*4 ,BYE1 BYE1 CUCUMB]4 ,BYE1 BYE1
,DAKOTA4
  ,CRUN*+ UP ,DAKOTA PUTS ,SPRIG 9 A GD
MOOD AG1 & :5 X'S H] TURN 6TALK 6,DAD1
%E GREETS HM EXUB]ANTLY4 8,DADS6 ,"H ,I
AM4 ,LA/1 B N L1/60
  ,HE LAU<S1 & SAYS1 8,Y >E S "R1 MY BA-
BY40 ,: MAKES H] FEEL EV5 BETT]1 & !Y H
A RE,Y GD 3V]S,N4 ,J 2F !Y HANG UP1 HE
ASKS H] IF %E "KS ANY?+ AB ,AF<ANI/AN4
  8,A LL10 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,DIDN'T !Y H ^?
P CALL$ ! ,TALIBAN1 :O 7 S BAD !Y WDN'T
EV5 LET GIRLS G 6S*OOL8 ,&1 UH1 !Y _H A
LOT ( W> "!1 B X'S OV] N[4 ,I ?9K X IS10
%E A4S4
  8,GD 2G9N+10 ,DAD SAYS APPROV+LY4
8,T'S MY GIRL4 ,LOOK UP ,AF<ANI/AN 9 !
ATLAS10 HE GOES ON4 8,! "O ,I KEEP ON MY
DESK 9 ,MOM'S & MY /UDY4 ,R1D AB ! C\N-
TRY1 OR Y C G ON ! ,NET4 ,*ECK \ _!
FOOD1 >*ITECTURE1 ?+S L T40
  8,:Y D Y WANT ME 6D T1 ,DAD80
  8,X'S "O ( MY 9T]E/S10 HE SAYS4 8,A
FASC9AT+ PLACE--! >T1 ! P--GRT P4 ,WE'LL
TALK AB X AG40                       #DI
























                                     #EJ
























                   #I                #EA
               ,BAD ,NEWS

  ,GO+ HOME ON ! S*OOL BUS1 ,SPRIG IS
TRY+ 6REMEMB] "EY?+ %E "E R1D OR HE>D OR
SAW ON ! NEWS AB ,AF<ANI/AN1 S %E C TELL
,DAD :5 HE CALLS4 ,LA/ YE>1 ,MISS ,RU?IE
MADE T AF<AN = ,MOM'S BIR?"D1 SQU>ES (
PURPLE & VIOLET & GRE54 ,MOM KEEPS X ON
! FOOT ( H] B$4 ,D !Y MAKE AF<ANS 9 ,AF-
<ANI/AN8 ,X S.DS L A RI4LE4 ,%E'LL H TO
LOOK T UP TOO1 & TELL ,DAD4
  ,! BUS LUMB]S SL[LY "? ! SN[-CLO7$
/REETS4 ,9 ! S1T 2H H]1 ,DAKOTA & ,KRYS-
TEE >E :ISP]+ AB BOYS4 ,DOESN'T ,DAKOTA
C>E AB ANY?+ ELSE8 ,%E PROBABLY N"E EV5
TALKS 6,KRY/EE AB ,DAD & ,AF<ANI/AN4
8,HE'S A T510 %E HE>S ,DAKOTA SAY+4
  8,I'D ONLY GIVE HM AN EI<T10 ,KRY/EE
SAYS4 8,OR MAYBE A SEV5 &A HALF40
  8,Y'RE CRAZY1 ,BUCK?ORN IS AT L1/ A
N9E40
  ,SPRIG TWI/S >.D4 8,W Y TWO PL1SE %UT
UP8 ,I'M TRY+ 6?9K "H40
  8,! * IS TRY+ 6?9K10 ,KRY/EE SAYS4 8,I
AM .S IMPRESS$40                     #EB
  ,NEXT ,KRY/EE W CROSS H] EYES4 ,:Y
DOESN'T %E TRY T LOVELY TRICK ON ,?OMAS
,BUCK?ORN8 ,! CUTE/ BOY ON ! MOON IS
SITT+ ON ! BACK B5* 9 ! MI4LE (A TANGLE
( 8 FRS1 :O >E TAK+ TURNS GIV+ EA* O!R
%OTS 9 ! >M4
  8,WE >E HAV+ A PRIVATE 3V]S,N10 ,DAKO-
TA SAYS4 8,TURN >.D1 PL1SE40
  8,TURN1 DO7Y10 ,KRY/EE SAYS4
  8,>F4 ,>F10 ,DAKOTA *IMES IN1 ELB[+
,KRY/EE4
  ,H[ M1N4 ,X'S ,KRY/EE'S FAULT6 ,%E'S A
TOTAL BAD 9FLU;E ON ,DAKOTA4 ,6,SPRIG'S
4MAY1 H] EYES FILL4 ,%E DOESN'T .RE,Y
C>E T !Y'RE 2+ M1N1 & %E'S SURE %E WDN'T
C>E AT ALL1 IF ,DAD 0 HOME4
  8,DO7Y10 ,DAKOTA SAYS1 S.D+ J L ! ,BAD
,9FLU;E4 8,>E Y GO+ 6CRY80
  ,IS %E GO+ 6CRY8 ,9 FRONT ( .!M8 ,NO6
,SPRIG BL9KS H>D1 BL9KS FURI\SLY 6HOLD
BACK ! TE>S4 ,%E BL9KS & BL9KS & BL9KS1
UNTIL ,DAKOTA BLURS 9 FRONT ( H] WET
EYES & 4APPE>S 9 A PU4LE ( %IMM]Y DOTS4
  ,T NI<T1 WAIT+ = ,DAD 6CALL1 & ALR 9
H] PJ'S1 ,SPRIG IS LOOK+ \ ! B$-     #EC
ROOM W9D[ AT ! SN[Y FIELD 2H _! H\SE4 ,!
WAX+ MOON IS ALM FULL1 &! FIELD IS S B"R
T %E GETS CAU<T UP 9 A DR1M ( DANC+ ACR
T ICY SLICK;S1 H] FEET N"E T\*+ ! SN[1
N"E FEEL+ ! COLD4 ,OH1 H[ GRACE;L %E IS6
,ALL UP & D[N ,BAYLOR ,/REET P P\R \ (
_! H\SES 6WAT* H] & TAKE H] PICTURE4 ,%E
D.ES AWAY F ! W9D[1 D.ES >.D ! ROOM1 2T
! B$S1 RAIS+ H] >MS1 B5D+ & DIPP+ &--
  8,:AT >E Y .DO+80 ,DAKOTA SAYS4
  ,SPRIG /OPS ABRUPTLY4 ,GRT4 ,N[ ,DAKO-
TA W *ANNEL ,KRY/EE & SAY "S?+ M1N L ..!
:OLE H\SE IS .%AK+1 OR ..F/ "T ,I "E SAW
A DOG .D.E4 ,9/1D1 ,DAKOTA GRABS
,SPRIG'S H&S & D.ES >.D ! ROOM ) H]4
8,FA/]1 FA/]10 ,DAKOTA ORD]S1 & !Y :IRL
& /AMP & GALLOP TGR UNTIL !Y COLLAPSE ON
,DAKOTA'S B$1 LAU<+ & \ ( BR1?4
  ,! NEXT MORN+1 ,SPRIG & ,DAKOTA >E
MAK+ _! LUN*ES AT ! TA# :5 ,MOM PUTS D[N
H] C(FEE CUP & SAYS1 8,GIRLS1 LA/ NI<T Y
7 SLEEP+ :5 YR "F CALL$4 ,X 0 ALM "O
O'C4 ,I 0 S.D ASLEEP MYF60
  8,:Y'D HE CALL S LATE80 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,I 0 GO+ 6/AY UP10 ,DAKOTA        #ED
SAYS1 8B ,I GOT TOO TIR$40
  8,HE 0 9 A MEET+ T RAN RE,Y1 RE,Y
LATE10 ,MOM SAYS4 8,"S IMPORTANT DECI.NS
7 2+ MADE1 & T'S :AT ,I NE$ 6TALK 6Y BO?
AB40
  ,SPRIG FREEZES1 HOLD+ ! MU/>D KNIFE 9
MID-AIR4 ,%E DOESN'T L ! S.D ( T ^W
.NE$4 ,OR ! "O T CAME 2F--.DECI.NS4
  8,YR "F'S GO+ 6BE 9 A LOT ( MEET+S 9 !
NEXT FEW "DS40 ,MOM GL.ES AT H] WAT*4
  8,:AT K9D ( MEET+S80 ,DAKOTA ASKS4
  8,WE'LL TALK AB ALL ? 9 M DETAIL LAT]1
B ! L;G &! %ORT ( X IS T1 FAIRLY SOON1
YR "F W 2 GO+--0
  8,MOM10 ,SPRIG 9T]RUPTS4 ,A BLOB (
MU/>D FALLS 6! TA#4 8,MOM1 WE NE$ BR1D
&--0
  8,SPRIG1 LET ME F9I% :AT ,I'M SAY+1
PL1SE40
  ,MAYBE ,SPRIG DOESN'T WANT ,MOM 6F9I%4
,MAYBE H] SOM]SAULT+ /OMA* DOESN'T WANT
6HE> :AT ,MOM IS AB 6SAY4 8,LETTUCE TOO4
,I C G 6! /ORE AF S*OOL IF Y--0
  8.,SPRIG40 ,MOM TAKES H] >M4 8,LI/5 TO
ME1 H"OY4 ,Y NE$ 6HE> ?4 ,YR DAD W   #EE
2 GO+ 6,AF<ANI/AN SOON40
  8,AF<ANI/AN10 ,SPRIG REP1TS4 ,S X IS
BAD NEWS4
  8,WE'RE N SURE (! DATE YET10 ,MOM
SAYS1 8B HE'LL PROBABLY 2 L1V+ )9 ! NEXT
WEEK OR S4 ,HE'LL WANT 6TALK 6BO? ( Y AB
X1 ( C\RSE1 &--0
  8,:Y IS HE GO+ "!80 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,AF-
<ANI/AN IS S F> AWAY60
  8,WELL1 YES10 ,MOM SAYS4 8,B HE'LL 2
DO+ :AT HE ALW DOES1 3SULT+ AB BUILD+S1
9 ? CASE1 S*OOLS4 ,T'S A RE,Y GD ?+1 &
HE'S EXCIT$ 6BE "P ( ? PROJECT40
  8,MOM1 :AT IF "S?+ HAPP5S 6HM80
,SPRIG'S VOICE -ES \ SMALL4
  8,NO?+'S GO+ 6HAPP5 6,DAD10 ,DAKOTA
SNAPS4 8,DON'T 2 /UPID40
  ,SPRIG CRU%ES H] S&WI* 96A BA7IE4
,MU/>D IS SME>$ ALL OV]4 8,P >E GETT+
HURT OV] "!4 ,EV5 KILL$4 ,L ,IRAQ6 ,I
SAW X ON ! NEWS40
  8,YR "F'S GO+ 6,KABUL1 T'S ! CAPITAL4
,! ,U4,N4 IS "! 6PROTECT P4 ,HE WON'T 2
GO+ 96! DANG] >EA40 ,MOM GL.ES AT H]
WAT* AG4 8,LOOK1 WE'LL TALK AB ? A   #EF
LOT M1 B "R N[ ,I H 6GET GO+1 & Y GIRLS
HU/LE TOO1 OR Y'LL MISS YR BUS40 ,%E
KISSES ,SPRIG ON ! H1D4 8,TRY N 6WORRY1
H"OY40
  ,SPRIG NODS4 ,%E LI/5S Z ,MOM L1VES !
H\SE4 ,%E LI/5S 6! S.D (! C> CRUN*+ D[N
! DRIVEWAY4 8,-E .ON10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4
8,:Y >E Y J /&+ "!80 ,%E /U6S ,SPRIG'S
LUN* 96H] BACKPACK & H&S X 6H]4 8,HEY10
%E SAYS1 8GET T ZOMBIE LOOK (F YR FACE40
  ,SPRIG PUTS ON H] COAT & BOOTS & FOL-
L[S ,DAKOTA \ (! H\SE4 ,MISS ,RU?IE IS
AT H] W9D[1 WAV+ 6!M4 8,HI1 ,MISS ,RU?-
IE10 ,SPRIG SAYS 9 A LL VOICE4
  8,:Y >E Y TALK+ L T80 ,DAKOTA LOOKS
UP4 8,HI1 ,MISS ,RU?IE60 %E YELLS4
  8,DAKOTA--0 ,/1 ! LL VOICE4 8,I DON'T
WANT ,DAD 6G "!40
  8,WELL1 D Y ?9K ,I D80
  8,NO40
  8,Y'VE GOT T "R1 ANYWAY4 ,2SS1 HE
ISN'T GO+ ? M9UTE4 ,MAYBE "S?+ W HAPP51
&! PLANS W *ANGE40
  8,RE,Y8 ,D Y RE,Y ?9K T CD HAPP51
,DAKOTA80                            #EG
  ,DAKOTA L1NS \ OV] ! CURB1 LOOK+ =!
BUS4 8,I SD X1 DIDN'T ,I80






















                                     #EH
























                  #AJ                #EI
                 ,*IMPS

  8,I / ?9K TAK+ C>E ( ,CORA %D H BE5 MY
JOB10 ,SPRIG SAYS4 ,%E & ,BLISS >E
SPRAWL$ ON ,SPRIG'S B$1 )A PLATE ( *OCO-
LATE *IP COOKIES 2T !M4 ,X'S ,FRI"D AFN4
,TM MORN+ ,MISS ,RU?IE IS GO+ 6,BO/ON4
  8,TOT,Y "R10 ,BLISS SAYS LOY,Y4 ,%E'S
SLEEP+ OV]4 ,S IS ,KRY/EE4 ,U<4 8,L1
GUESS :O'S ! ANIMAL LOV]40 ,BLISS PO9TS
6! PICTURES ( BOY S+]S ON ,DAKOTA'S SIDE
(! ROOM1 & !N 6,SPRIG'S WALL ) XS PIC-
TURES ( *IMPANZEES & DOGS4
  ,%E TAKES ANO!R COOKIE1 MUN*ES1 &
MAKES APPRECIATIVE S.DS4 8,^! >E S GD6
,Y CD 2 A PROFES.NAL BAK]40
  8,NO ?ANKS4 ,I WANT 6D ANIMAL RESE>*1
L ,JANE ,GOODALL4 ,"R 9 ! JUNGLE )! *IM-
PANZEES4 ,I M1N1 IF "! >E ANY LEFT4
,!Y'RE AN 5DANG]$ SPECIES1 & !Y'RE \R
CLOSE/ RELATIVES4 ,BLISS1 WE'RE LETT+
MEMB]S ( \R [N FAMILY DIE60
  8,C\S9S ,I N"E KNEW ,I _H40 ,BLISS
SCRAT*ES "U H] >MS1 HUN*+ H] %\LD]S &
MAK+ HU6+ *IMP NOISES4               #FJ
  8,BLISS1 D Y "K H[ 9TELLIG5T !Y >E8
,!Y USE TOOLS1 !Y'RE PRO#M-SOLV]S1 !Y
DON'T TALK L WE D1 B !Y -MUNICATE1 & !Y
H FABUL\S MEMORIES4 ,WE %>E N9ETY-EI<T
P]C5T ( \R G5ES ) *IMPS40
  8,T'S AWE"S10 ,BLISS SAYS4 8,I H 6TELL
T 6MY DAD4 ,HE LOVES NUMB]S--X'S ! MA?-
T1*] ?+4 ,DID ,I TELL Y T HE WANTS ME TO
2 A MA? T1*]8 ,HE ?9KS X'S ! GRTE/ JOB40
  8,Y'RE GD 9 MA? TOO4 ,D Y WANT 6D T80
  ,BLISS %AKES H] H1D4 8,I'M M ! SOCIAL-
"W] TYPE1 L MY MOM40
  8,I'M DEF9ITELY GO+ 6D "S?+ DI6]5T F
MY P>5TS40 ,SPRIG ROLLS OV] & />ES UP AT
! />S PA9T$ ON ! CEIL+4 ,MOM PUT !M UP
"!1 AGES AGO4 8,MY MOM IS ALW "W+ LATE &
?9K+ AB PRO#MS4 ,MY DAD1 Y "K :AT MY DAD
DOES1 ,I TOLD Y AB HM & ,AF<ANI/AN40 ,Z
SOON Z %E SAYS T1 %E HAS 6CLE> H] ?ROAT4
  ,J !N1 ,DAKOTA WALKS 9 ) ,KRY/EE4
8,"T'S UP10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,GD-BYE4 ,?
IS \R ROOM4 ,WE NE$ \R PRIVACY40
  8,:Y DON'T Y TWO SLEEP 9 ! P>5TS'
/UDY80 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  ,DAKOTA SMOO?S H] B1UTI;L R$       #FA
HAIR 2H H] E>S4 8,Y GUYS >E SLEEP+ "!4
,WE AGRE$1 T'S ! PLAN40
  8,T'S :AT ,I HE>D10 ,KRY/EE DRAWLS4
8,DON'T 2 A BRAT40 ,Z IF X'S H] H\SE4
  ,SPRIG PICKS UP ! PLATE ( COOKIES4
8,-E ON1 ,BLISS4 ,LET'S G60
  ,BLISS FOLL[S H] 6! DOOR1 B !N %E /OPS
& SAYS SWEETLY1 8,KRY/EE4 ,D Y "K T Y'RE
A F/ C\S9 6A *IMPANZEE80
  8.,:AT80 ,KRY/EE SAYS4
  ,SPRIG & ,BLISS >E / LAU<+ :5 !Y CLOSE
! DOOR 6! /UDY4 8,T 0 S P]FECT10 ,SPRIG
SAYS4 8,X 0 BRILLIANT40
  8,WELL1 Y TOLD ME10 ,BLISS SAYS MODE/-
LY4
  ,!Y SET 6"W1 F/ BL[+ UP ! CAMP MAT-
TRESSES1 !N UNROLL+ ! SLEEP+ BAGS4 8,?
IS S FUN10 ,BLISS SAYS4 8,L CAMP+1 )\T !
BUGS4 ,T GIRL ,KRY/EE--:Y IS YR SI/] FRS
) H]80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,FATAL ATTRAC;N OR "S-
?+40 ,SPRIG LIES D[N 6TE/ ! MATTRESS4
8,Y "K :AT1 ,BLISS1 "S"TS ,I LOVE MY
SI/]1 & "S"TS ,I J .HATE H]4 ,D Y ?9K
T'S SICK & T]RI#80                   #FB
  8,"S"TS ,I HATE MY LL BRO!R40
  ,SPRIG SITS UP4 8,NO WAY6 ,I ?"\ "EY?+
0 P]FECT 9 YR FAMILY40
  8,I WI%4 ,MY P>5TS DOTE ON ,SP;E1 HE
C'T D ANY?+ WR;G1 & :AT"E HAPP5S1 X'S1
L1 ALW MY FAULT40 ,%E SMOO?S \ ! SLEEP+
BAG4 8,LET'S TALK AB "S?+ ELSE4 ,"S?+
SILLY4 ,:AT'S YR FAVORITE COLOR80
  8,BLUE ''' ( C\RSE--MY MI4LE "N4 ,& T5
IS MY FAVORITE NUMB]4 ,I L 6MAKE LI/S (
T5 ?+S--L MY T5 FAVORITE FOODS OR MY T5
BE/ ID1S4 ,OR T5 WAYS 6MAKE MY SI/] 4AP-
PE>4 ,I ?"\ (A GD "O YE/]"D :5 ,I 0 BAK+
! COOKIES4 ,IF ,I CD MIX ,DAKOTA 96! D\<
& BAKE H]--0
  8,!N EAT X80 ,BLISS C'T /OP LAU<+4
8,N[ T IS SICK4 ,D Y RE,Y H T5 ?+S L T80
  8,I'M / "W+ ON X4 ,WANT 6SEE80 ,SPRIG
ROOTS >.D 9 H] BACKPACK1 !N PULLS \ H]
LI/ & H&S X 6,BLISS4
  8,I J ?"\ ( "O = Y10 ,BLISS SAYS AF %E
R1DS ! LI/4 ,%E GRABS H] KNEES & ROCKS
EXCIT$LY4 8,PUT YR SI/] ON A RAFT &
FLOAT H] \ 6! OC1N60
  8,T'S GD4 ,I'M GO+ 6WRITE X        #FC
D[N40
  8,"H'S ANO!R "O ,I J MADE UP4 ,S5D H]
>.D ! _W 9 A HOT-AIR BALLOON6 ,D Y L T
"O80
  8,I LOVE X10 ,SPRIG SAYS1 SCRI2L+4
  8,X'S RE,Y N ORIG9AL10 ,BLISS SAYS
APOLOGETIC,Y4 8,WE ALL WAT*$ ..,>.D !
,_W 9 ,EI<TY .,"DS LA/ WEEK5D40
  8,SPRIG10 ,MOM SAYS1 -+ IN4 8,H[ >E Y
DO+1 H"OY80 ,MOM'S 9 H] "W+ CLO!S1 A D>K
SKIRT &A GRAY PL1T$ BL\SE4 8,BLISS1
.HELLO10 %E SAYS1 9 T WAY ,SPRIG LOVES4
,%E B5DS OV] & KISSES ,SPRIG4 8,I SEE Y
TWO >E ALL SETTL$4 ,! B$S >E OKAY80
  8,TOT,Y6 ,!Y'RE SUP]COMFY10 ,BLISS
SAYS 5?USIA/IC,Y1 ! WAY %E SAYS ALM "EY-
?+1 ! WAY %E SD1 ..,PUT H] ON A RAFT &
FLOAT H] \ 6! .OC1N6
  ,= ,BLISS1 ,SPRIG R1LIZES1 H] T5 WAYS
LI/ IS J ANO!R GAME1 & 9 A WAY X IS =
,SPRIG TOO--B X'S AL M4 ,E "T %E ?9KS (A
NEW WAY1 X'S L LETT+ \ A BR1? T %E'S BE5
HOLD+4
  ,& N[1 ) ,BLISS'S TWO GRT ID1S1 %E HAS
N9E WAYS ( MAK+ ,DAKOTA 4APPE>4      #FD
,TOO BAD %E DIDN'T ?9K ( !M H]F4 8,D Y
?9K X'S SORT ( *1T+ 6TAKE YR ID1S80 %E
ASKS ,BLISS1 AF ,MOM L1VES4
  8,NO10 ,BLISS SAYS4 8,"EY"O HAS DI6]5T
ID1S4 ,T'S H[ 9V5;NS & 4COV]IES HAPP54
,MY MOM SAYS T 2+ OP5 6NEW ID1S MAKES YR
LIFE JUICY40
  8.,JUICY10 ,SPRIG REP1TS4 8,CUTE6 ,T
GIVES ME ANO!R IDEA40 ,%E SMOO?S \ ! PA-
P] & WRITES1 !N %[S X 6,BLISS4
  8,EUUUW10 ,BLISS SAYS4 8,POOR ,DAKO-
TA60

   ,T5 ,WAYS 6,MAKE ,MY ,SI/] ,4APPE>

#A4 ,DAKOTA /EPS ONTO AN ICE FLOE 9 !
  ,ANT>CTIC ''' & DRIFTS (F4
#B4 ,PUT H] 9 PRISON = /1L+ MY "Q4
#C4 ,A CUCUMB] %E IS ''' & ,I CRUN* H]
  '''
#D4 ,IF %E 7 MADE ( PAP] ''' OH1 S _M
  *OICES6 ,CRUMPLE6 ,RUMPLE6 ,TE> &
  TOSS6
#E4 ,L SMOKE1 %E RISES 96! AIR1 &1
  POOO( '''                          #FE
#F4 ,I BL9K H] 96A WAT]Y PU4LE4
#G4 ,BAKE H] L A COOKIE '''
#H4 ,FLOAT H] \ 6! OC1N ON A RAFT4
#I4 ,PUT H] 9 A HOT AIR BALLOON & S5D X
  >.D ! _W4
#AJ4 ,JUICE H] L AN ORANGE & DR9K H]
  D[N4

















                                     #FF
























                  #AA                #FG
     ,! ,APPE>.E ( ,?OMAS ,BUCK?ORN

  ,SATUR"D MORN+1 ,KRY/EE'S "M -ES = H]
"R AF !Y F9I% BR1KFA/1 S %E C G 6H]
FLUTE LESSON4 ,FIFTE5 M9UTES LAT]1
,BLISS'S "F PICKS H] UP 6TAKE H] 6GYM-
NA/ICS CLASS4 ,& AT N9E O'C1 ,MOM DRIVES
,MISS ,RU?IE 6! BUS /,N1 & ,DAKOTA TAKES
,CORA =A WALK4
  ,SPRIG IS %OVEL+ A PA? 6,MISS ,RU?IE'S
/EPS4 ,X'S "O ( ^? COLD1 BLUE W9T] "DS4
,A SQUIRREL TUNNELS "? ! SN[1 4APPE>S1
!N POPS UP1 *EEKS P\*$ & FACE SPLATT$ )
:ITE4 8,I SEE Y'RE GA!R+ NUTS10 ,SPRIG
SAYS4
  8,NO WAY10 "S"O SAYS 2H H]4 ,X'S ,?OM-
AS ,BUCK?ORN ON CROSS-C.TRY SKIS1 A POLE
9 EA* H&1 A R$ SKI CAP PU%$ 6! BACK ( 8
CURLY BLACK HAIR4
  8,":'D Y -E F80 %E SAYS4
  ,?OMAS PO9TS 6! WOOD$ HILL 2H _! H\SE4
8,I LIVE OV] "!1 ON ! O!R SIDE ( ,POKE
,HILL4 ,S1 :AT'RE Y DO+80
  8,HELLO80 ,%E HOLDS UP ! %OVEL1 !N
SCRAPES UP A %OVEL;L & TOSSES X 6!   #FH
SIDE4 8,SEE ,SPRIG4 ,SEE ,SPRIG %OVEL
SN[40
  ,?OMAS IS N AMUS$4 ,NO S5SE ( HUMOR4
,OR MAYBE X WASN'T FUNNY8 ,MAYBE %E 0
*ANNEL+ S>CA/IC ,KRY/EE--.BAD ?"\4 ,%E
RE/S H] *9 ON ! H&LE (! SN[ %OVEL &
LOOKS ,?OMAS OV]4 ,MAYBE NO S5SE ( HU-
MOR1 B ,DAKOTA IS "R--DEF9ITELY CUTE4
  ,HE SLIDES BACK & =? ON 8 SKIS4 8,Y
GETT+ PD = DO+ T80
  8,NO40
  8,!N :Y >E Y DO+ X80
  8,? IS "P (! /UFF ,I D = MY ALL[.E40
  8,I GET PD = "EY?+ ,I D10 HE SAYS4
8,MY "F IS A BUSI;SMAN1 & HE SAYS GETT+
PD = :AT Y D IS ! WAY 6LE>N ! VALUE (
M"OY40
  8,D Y GET PD = BR1?+1 & EAT+1 & SLEEP-
+80
  8,T'S RE,Y FUNNY10 ,?OMAS SAYS4 8,I
GUESS ,I %D LAU<40
  8,OH1 DON'T BO!R10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,OKAY1 ,I WON'T40
  ,=A FEW MO;TS1 ! ONLY S.DS >E ! SCRAPE
(! %OVEL &! SLIPP]Y .SWIII% (        #FI
,?OMAS'S SKIS1 Z HE POLES BACK & =?4 ,:Y
IS HE HANG+ >.D8 8,D Y WANT "S?+80
,SPRIG F9,Y SAYS4
  8,J WOND]+ IF Y SKI40 ,%E NODS4 8,D[N-
HILL OR CROSS-C.TRY80
  8,BO?40
  8,S ''' :AT AB YR SI/]8 ,DOES %E L TO
SKI80
  ,OKAY1 ,SPRIG GETS X N[4 8,YES1 %E
DOES40
  8,CROSS-C.TRY OR--0
  8,BO?4 ,L ME40
  ,?OMAS %U%ES BACK & =? ON 8 SKIS4 8,S
''' ": IS %E80
  8,"W+40
  8,OH4 ,%E'S GETT+ PD80 ,SPRIG GUESSES
T ? IS PO9TS 9 ,DAKOTA'S FAVOR4 8,L1 :AT
DOES %E D80
  ,HE KEEPS SAY+ .%E4 8,BUCK?ORN10
,SPRIG SAYS4 8,MY SI/] HAS A "N40
  ,HE GIVES H] A SMILE4 8,S1 .,SPRIG1 ":
IS .,DAKOTA80
  ,%E PO9TS D[NT[N1 T[>D ! P>K4 8,WALK+
\R NEI<BOR'S DOG40
  ,HE GIVES H] ANO!R DAZZL+ SMILE    #GJ
& PU%ES (F4
  ,SPRIG WAT*ES Z HE SKIS SMOO?LY ACR !
FIELD1 >MS & LEGS "W+ 9 A /1DY RHY?M4
,HE IS DEF9ITELY CUTE4 ,HE 0 NICE 5 TOO4
.,& HE KNEW H] "N4 8,HEY1 ,?OMAS60 %E
CALLS4 8,?OMAS ,BUCK?ORN60
  ,%E'S N SURE :Y %E CALLS HM4 ,%E PACKS
A SN[BALL & TURN+ 6! SIDE 7! WAY ,DAD
TAU<T H]71 %E ?R[S X Z H>D Z %E C AT
,?OMAS'S RETR1T+ BACK4 ,0!N1 ?\<1 HE'S S
F> 96! FIELD T ! SN[BALL N"E EV5 GETS
CLOSE4












                  #AB                #GA
              ,AIR ,KISSES

  ,SUN"D MORN+1 ,DAD CALLS E>LY4 8,BA-
BY10 HE SAYS1 :5 HE TALKS 6,SPRIG4 8,MOM
TELLS ME Y'RE UPSET AB MY GO+ 6,AF<ANI-
/AN40
  8,OH1 NO10 %E SAYS1 WANT+ 6S.D BRAVE4
  8,? TRIP IS A *.E = ME 6D "S R1L GD10
HE SAYS1 8"S?+ T C.TS40
  8,Y'RE ALW DO+ GD ?+S1 ,DAD40
  8,? IS A SPECIAL OPPORTUN;Y4 ,LI/51
ONCE "! 7 SIX ?\S& S*OOLS 9 ,AF<ANI/AN &
PROBABLY N 5\<1 EV5 S1 B MO/ (! S*OOLS H
BE5 DE/ROY$ 9 ! LA/ C\PLE DECADES40
  8,I GOOGL$ ,AF<ANI/AN ! O!R NI<T1
,DAD4 ,X'S N SAFE "!4 ,I WANT Y 6BE
SAFE40
  8,SPRIG4 ,GIRLS CDN'T G 6S*OOL "U !
,TALIBAN4 ,!Y _H 6/AY 9 ! H\SE1 & _! "MS
CDN'T "W4 ,?9K AB X1 H"OY4 ,! ONLY ?+S
WOM5 & GIRLS 7 ALL[$ 6D 7 COOK1 CL1N1 &
TAKE C>E (! *N40
  8,T'S S /UPID10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,"R6 ,& T'S EXACTLY :Y Y C 2 GLAD T
,I'M GO+ 6BE 9VOLV$ 9 PLANN+         #GB
S*OOLS4 ,S*OOLS = GIRLS4 ,S*OOLS T WON'T
EXCLUDE GIRLS40
  8,B :AT IF !Y D80
  8,NO1 T'S N GO+ 6HAPP51 OR ,I WON'T H
ANY?+ 6D ) ? PROJECT4 ,T'S A PROMISE F
ME 6Y4 ,I WANT Y 6BE PR\D ( YR "F40
  8,I .AM10 %E SAYS4 8,I AM PR\D ( Y40
  8,OKAY1 !N WE'RE ON ! SAME PAGE AB ?
TRIP1 >5'T WE8 ,W Y GIVE ME T1 H"OY80
  8,OKAY1 ,DAD10 %E SAYS1 LOV+ ! APPROV-
AL 9 8 VOICE4 8,SAME PAGE40
  ,B LAT]1 SCOOP+ UP ! LA/ SO7Y CORN-
FLAKES F H] B[L1 %E WOND]S H[ %E CAME TO
AGREE T X'S A GD ?+ HE'S GO+ 6,AF<ANI-
/AN4 ,%E DIDN'T M1N 6SAY T6
  8,SPRIG80 ,DAKOTA -ES GALLOP+ 96!
KIT*51 H] SKI BOOTS LAC$ OV] H] %\LD]4
8,SPRIG1 Y H 6HELP ME4 ,I TOT,Y =GOT T
,KRY/EE & ,I 7 GO+ SKI+ ? MORN+ &--0
  8,":'RE Y GO+80 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,C ,I
G80
  8,NO Y C'T G6 ,SORRY10 %E A4S1 N S.D+
SORRY AT ALL4 8,KRY/EE'S MOM IS PICK+ ME
UP 9 FIVE M9UTES40 ,DAKOTA'S VOICE
RISES4 8,& ,I H 6TAKE ,CORA \ = H]   #GC
WALK & FE$ H]40
  ,SPRIG WAITS A B1T1 & !N SAYS1 8,I'LL
FE$ ,CORA & TAKE H] =A WALK40
  8,Y W6 ,OH1 GD SI/]60 ,DAKOTA H&S H] !
KEY 6,MISS ,RU?IE'S A"P;T4 8,DON'T =GET
6WA% ,CORA'S DI%10 %E SAYS4 8,& R9SE \ !
DOG FOOD C & PUT X 9 ! RECYCLE B9 "U !
S9K40
  8,I "K1 ,I "K40 ,SPRIG TOSSES ! KEY
96! AIR & CAT*ES X1 ! WAY ,MR4 ,JULIUS
CAT*ES ! ORANGE *ALK4
  ,DAKOTA P\RS A GLASS ( MILK & GULPS X
D[N4 8,"!6 ,TELL ,MOM ,I _H BR1KFA/4
,OH1 & WD Y SORT ( CL1N UP ,MISS ,RU?-
IE'S KIT*51 L SWEEP ! FLOOR & WIPE !
C.T]S8 ,WE DON'T WANT H] 6-E BACK 6A
MESS40
  8,DAKOTA1 Y'RE SUPPOS$ 6D ALL T4 ,X'S
"P ( YR JOB40
  8,I 0 GO+ 6D X1 B N[ ,I MI<T N 2 BACK
UNTIL TOO LATE4 ,PL1SE1 ,SPRIG40 ,A HORN
HONKS \TSIDE4 8,"! !Y >E60 ,%E KISSES
,SPRIG ON ! H1D ! WAY ,MOM DOES1 & SAYS1
8.,PL1SE1 H"OY40
  8,OKAY10 ,SPRIG SAYS4              #GD
  8,GRT60 ,DAKOTA ZIPS UP H] JACKET &
PULLS ON H] SKI CAP4 8,I H MY CELL1
,SPRIG40 ,%E PATS H] JACKET POCKET4 8,Y
C ALW CALL ME IF Y H ANY PRO#MS4 ,Y
WON'T =GET ANY?+1 W Y8 ,Y WON'T =GET TO
FILL ,CORA'S B[L ) FRE% WAT] & TAKE H]
\1 &--0
  8,DAKOTA1 IF Y SAY "O M ?+1 ,I'M N GO+
6D X40 ,SPRIG PU%ES H] SI/] "? ! KIT*51
96! GLASS-5CLOS$ POR*1 & \ ! DOOR4 ,X'S
A P]FECT "D = SKI+1 COLD & CLE>4 ,AT !
FOOT (! DRIVEWAY1 ,KRY/EE IS L1N+ \ !
W9D[ ( H] "M'S C>4 ,DAKOTA WAVES4 8,"H
,I -E10 %E CALLS \ & SPR+S D[N ! /EPS4
  8,DAKOTA10 ,SPRIG YELLS4 8.,WAIT4 ,Y
=GOT "S?+40 ,%E C'T HELP SMIRK+ Z %E H&S
OV] ,DAKOTA'S SKIS4

  ,A LL AF F\R T AFN1 ,SPRIG IS 9 ,MISS
,RU?IE'S A"P;T1 SWEEP+ ! KIT*5 FLOOR1 :5
,DAKOTA WALKS IN1 H] FACE %9+4 8,HI6
,I'M "H10 %E SAYS4 8,":'S ,CORA80 ,AT !
S.D ( H] "N1 ,CORA1 :O'S BE5 LY+ ON H]
RUG NE> ! H1T]1 ?UMPS H] TAIL4 8,"! Y
>E60 ,DAKOTA CRIES4 8,DID ,SPRIG     #GE
TAKE GD C>E ( Y80
  8,YES1 ,SPRIG TOOK GD C>E ( H]10
,SPRIG SAYS4 8,SPRIG WALK$ ,CORA TWO
"TS1 ONCE ? MORN+ & ONCE ? AFN40
  8,GRT60 ,DAKOTA B1MS Z %E PEELS (F H]
JACKET4 8,%E DID H] BUSI;S80
  8,YES1 B %E _H A H>D "T POOP+4 ,& !N
%E DID X ON "S"O'S PROP]TY1 & X 0 K9D (
YUCKY40
  ,DAKOTA SPRAWLS 96A *AIR4 8,D ,I H 6"K
ALL ! DETAILS8 ,T'S S GROSS40
  8,X'S N GROSS1 ,DAKOTA1 X'S NATURAL4
,I CDN'T J L1VE X "!4 ,I WANT$ 6J ?R[
SN[ OV] X1 B ,I ?"\ T 0 *1T+1 S ,I CL1N$
X UP )A PLA/IC BAG40
  8,:AT"E10 ,DAKOTA SAYS1 LOOK+ UP AT !
CEIL+ & SMIL+4
  ,SPRIG'S EYES FOLL[ ,DAKOTA'S4 ,:AT %E
SEES IS :AT %E EXPECTS--! CEIL+4 8,:AT
IS T WEIRD LOOK ON YR FACE80
  8,CORA6 ,D ,I H A WEIRD LOOK ON MY
FACE8 ,-E ON1 TELL ME ! TRU?40 ,CORA
LUMB]S 6H] FEET & LIES D[N NE> ,DAKOTA4
  8,CORA'S WORRI$ AB Y10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
8,%E ?9KS Y'RE WEIRD40               #GF
  8,IS T :AT Y ?9K1 DO7Y DOG80 ,DAKOTA
SL+S H] FEET ONTO ,CORA'S BACK4
  8,HEY6 ,TAKE YR FEET (F ,CORA10 ,SPRIG
SAYS4 8,Y'RE 2+ 4RESPECT;L4 ,CORA'S OLD4
,L ,MISS ,RU?IE4 ,H[ D Y ?9K ,MISS ,RU?-
IE WD FEEL IF Y PUT YR FEET ON H] &
CALL$ H] DO7Y DOG80
  8,>E Y NUTS8 ,I WD N"E D T4 ,ANYWAY1
,CORA LIKES HAV+ MY FEET ON H]40
  ,SPRIG TAKES ,CORA'S H1D 9 H] H&S4
8,IS T TRUE1 ,CORA80 ,%E KISSES ! DOG'S
NOSE4
  8,Y L KISS+ H]1 DON'T Y80 ,DAKOTA
SAYS1 & T SAME PECULI> SMILE CROSSES H]
FACE4 ,%E L1NS =W>D4 8,WANT ME 6TELL Y A
SECRET80
  8,TAKE YR FEET (F ,CORA1 & Y C TELL
ME40
  8,B C ,I TRU/ Y80 ,%E GRABS ,SPRIG'S
*94 8,IF ,I TELL Y1 Y H 6PROMISE N 6TELL
ANY"O40
  8,OKAY1 ,I PROMISE4 ,:AT'S ! BIG SE-
CRET80
  ,DAKOTA PUCK]S UP H] LIPS & AIR-KISSES
,SPRIG4 8,I'LL GIVE Y A H9T4         #GG
,?OMAS ,BUCK?ORN 0 AT ! SKI LODGE TOO40
  8,OKAY1 ,I GET X6 ,HE FOLL[$ Y40
  8,:Y WD Y ?9K T80
  8,2C HE CAME "H YE/]"D 6F9D Y40
  8.,:AT8 ,HE DIDN'T60
  8,YES1 HE DID40
  8,%UT .UP6 ,?OMAS ,BUCK?ORN 0 "H1 "R
"H80
  8,SPRIG NODS4 8,X 0 :5 ,I 0 %OVEL+ !
WALK4 ,HE 0 ON 8 CROSS-C.TRY SKIS4 ,& HE
KNEW MY "N10 %E A4S4
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y CALL ME80 ,DAKOTA PULLS
AT ! LL SILV] R+S 9 H] E>LOBES4 ,I C'T
2LIEVE ?6 ,WAIT UNTIL ,I TELL ,KRY/EE4
,Y %D H CALL$ ME40
  8,DAKOTA4 ,Y 7 \ WALK+ ,CORA40
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL ME :5 ,I CAME
HOME80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,I GUESS ,I =GOT40
  8,SWE> Y'RE N MAK+ X UP4 ,? IS RE,Y
TRUE1 ,SPRIG8 ,ON YR HONOR80
  ,SPRIG NODS4 8,HE SKI$ OV] F 8 H\SE1 &
!N HE ASK$ ME ALL ^! "QS1 L1 DID ,I L
D[NHILL OR CROSS-C.TRY BETT]40
  8,HE ASK$ .Y T8 ,:Y80              #GH
  8,SPRIG %RUGS4 8,MAYBE HE WANT$ ME 6G
SKI+ ) HM40
  8,IN YR DR1MS1 H"OY4 ,:AT DID HE SAY
AB ME80
  8,HE WANT$ 6"K IF Y L CROSS-C.TRY OR
D[NHILL BETT]40
  8,I HOPE Y DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ /UPID40
  8,I TOLD HM ,I ?"\ Y LIK$ BO?40
  8,OKAY4 ,T'S OKAY40 ,DAKOTA FI4LES )
H] HAIR1 PIL+ X ON TOP ( H] H1D1 !N LET-
T+ X DROP4 8,: WAY D Y L BE/80 %E ASKS4
  ,SPRIG CROSSES H] >MS & 3SID]S4 8,Y
LOOK PRETTY BO? WAYS1 B Y LOOK OLD] :5
X'S UP40
  8,I D80 ,HOLD+ H] HAIR UP1 ,DAKOTA
*ECKS H] REFLEC;N 9 ! SLI<TLY SPOTT$
MIRROR ON ! WALL4 8,DID ,?OMAS SAY ANY?+
ELSE AB ME80
  8,N RE,Y4 ,I TOLD HM T Y 7 "W+4 ,I ?9K
HE LIK$ T40
  8,HE'S S CUTE10 ,DAKOTA SAYS4 8,I C'T
2LIEVE ,I 0 G"O :5 HE 0 "H40
  8,B Y SAW HM TD10 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,S T
MAKES X EV540
  8,TRUE1 TRUE40 ,DAKOTA PU%ES       #GI
ASIDE ,SPRIG'S HAIR & SP1KS 96H] E> 9 A
HALF :ISP]4 8,? IS ! SECRET4 ,?OMAS & ,I
SKI$ AH1D ( ,KRY/EE1 & :5 WE GOT OV] ON
! O!R SIDE (! HILL8 .,HE .KISS$ .ME40
,DAKOTA SITS D[N & TILTS BACK 9 ! *AIR4
8,:AT D Y ?9K ( .T60


















                                     #HJ
























                  #AC                #HA
             ,! ,GRE5 ,41SE

  8,WELL1 CLASS10 ,MR4 ,JULIUS SAYS1 UN-
H++ HMF F 2H 8 DESK & /&+ UP1 8,I WANT
6?ANK Y ALL = YR P]SONAL ESSAYS40
  ,SPRIG NOTICES T HE'S WE>+ 8 ORANGE
TIE AG1 ! "O ) PUMPK9S ON X1 B "SH[ %E
DOESN'T M9D Z M* Z %E DID J A FEW "DS
AGO4 ,S _M O!R ?+S SEEM M IMPORTANT1 OR
MAYBE J "O O!R ?+--! NEWS T ,DAD IS GO+
6,AF<ANI/AN4
  8,Y'RE GO+ 6CORRECT YR ESSAYS "R N[1
FOLKS4 ,I SAW Q A FEW C>E.S MISTAKES &A
LOT ( MISSPELL$ ^WS40
  ,IS HE LOOK+ AT ,SPRIG8 ,%E 0 9 S* A
HURRY :5 %E COPI$ OV] ! ESSAY ,SUN"D
NI<T4 ,: SEEMS L A ?\S& YE>S AGO4 ,A ?\-
S& YE>S 2F ,MOM TOLD !M AB ,DAD & ,AF-
<ANI/AN4 ,MR4 ,JULIUS />TS "? ! AISLES1
H&+ BACK ! ESSAYS4 ,:5 HE GETS 6,RUS-
SELL1 HE SAYS1 8,SKIMPY ON ! DETAILS "!1
,RUSSELL4 ,YR FAMILY 9 .F\R L9ES80
  ,SPRIG TURNS >.D4 ,RUSSELL IS LAU<+
AL;G ) "EY"O ELSE4 ,HE GR9S AT H] &
HOLDS UP F\R F+]S1 Z IF HE'S PR\D    #HB
( 8 F\R-L9E ESSAY4
  8,CLASS1 "O M ?+ 2F Y />T "W+10 ,MR4
,JULIUS SAYS1 Z HE GOES BACK 6HIS DESK4
8,ANY "QS AB :AT ,I WROTE ON YR PAP]1
3SULT ! P]SON SITT+ 2H Y40
  ,OH1 T]RIFIC4 ,T M1NS ,RUSSELL4 ,B N"E
M9D1 %E'S N GO+ 6ASK HM ANY?+4 ,LOOK :AT
,MR4 ,JULIUS WROTE ACR ! TOP ( H] PAP]3
..,NICELY D"O 9TRODUC;N 6YR FAMILY1
.,SPRIG4 ,%E'S PRETTY SURE HE DIDN'T
WRITE T = ,RUSSELL'S SKIMPY F\R L9ES6
,%E DEFLATES A LL Z %E LOOKS AT H] ESSAY
& C.TS ! NUMB] ( MISSPELL$ ^WS ,MR4 ,JU-
LIUS CIRCL$ 9 R$4 ,%E'S N"E BE5 A SUP]
SPELL]1 B SEV5 MISSPELL$ ^WS AT "O BL[
MI<T 2 A RECORD4 ,:AT 0 %E ?9K+ ( :5 %E
WROTE .LITE,'HEARTED8 ,DUMB MISTAKE4 ,%E
CORRECTS X4 ,NEXT1 .ENGENEER A TOT,Y
C>E.S MISTAKE4 ,DAD TAU<T H] 6SPELL T ^W
2F %E EV5 KNEW :AT X M1NT4 .,RIDICULUS
IS ANO!R C>E.S MISTAKE--L1V+ \ "O LR 9
H] HA/E 6F9I% ! PAP]4 ,B :AT AB .ESPECH-
ALLY1 .SEREOUS1 .SUPEROR & .EXTREMLY8
  ,RUSSELL TAPS H] ON ! BACK4 8,HEY1
,EW+4 ,I'M D"O ) M9E4 ,SIX M S5-     #HC
T;ES4 ,Y HAV+ ANY PRO#MS80 ,)\T WAIT+ =
AN ANSW]1 HE PE]S OV] H] %\LD]4 8,AHA6
,I ZEE Y H ZEE TR\# ) ZEE SPELL+40
  8,RUSSELL1 /OP BO!R+ ME60 ,SPRIG FLAPS
H] H& AT HM4 8,G AWAY40 ,%E HAS 63C5-
TRATE4 ,IS X .SUPPERIER8 ,OR .SOUPERIER8
,OR NEI8
  ,RUSSELL SLIDES A NOTE ONTO H] DESK4

  ,6,SPRIG ,EW+--,? IS A S]I\S NOTE4 ,I
AM ESPECI,Y GD AT SPELL+4 ,I HOPE Y
DON'T ?9K ,I AM ACT+ SUP]IOR = SAY+ S4
,I AM "H 6HELP Y4
    ,YR EXTREMELY FRLY SPELL]1
    ,RUSSELL ,EZRA-,EVANS

  8,T 0 S SWEET ( ,RUSSELL10 ,BLISS
SAYS1 Z !Y SIT D[N 9 ! CAFET]IA4
  8,I DON'T "K :Y ,I'M S* A BAD SPELL]10
,SPRIG SAYS4 8,I R1D1 ,I R1D ALL ! "T1 B
,I GUESS ,I DON'T LOOK AT ! WAY ^WS >E
SPELL$4 ,I'M J R1D+ !M6 ,I =GET T !Y'RE
EV5 ^WS4 ,I'M J SEE+ ! PICTURES T--OH1
"!'S ,RUSSELL N[1 -+ /RAI<T = U40
  8,HEY "!10 ,RUSSELL SAYS1 SITT+    #HD
D[N & OP5+ 8 LUN* BAG4 ,HE TAKES \ A
PLA/IC 3TA9] FULL ( SALAD4
  8,IS T ALL Y'RE HAV+ = LUN*80 ,BLISS
ASKS4
  8,T'S X4 ,I'M TRY+ 6LOSE ! FLAB4 ,DID
Y SEE ,MR4 ,JULIUS'S ESSAY8 ,HE PUT X UP
ON ! BULLET9 BO>D )A PICTURE ( 8 GIRLFR4
,%E'S S HOT4 ,HE WRITES ALL AB H]2 8
:OLE ESSAY IS AB H]1 PRACTIC,Y4 ,MR4
,JULIUS IS A COOL GUY40
  8,HE'S / N Z GD Z ,MRS4 ,FOOTE10
,SPRIG SAYS LOY,Y1 AL? %E HASN'T ?"\ AB
,MRS4 ,FOOTE = _M "DS N[4 8,HE'S J !
SUB/ITUTE4 ,%E'S A R1L T1*]40
  ,RUSSELL KICKS H] FOOT "U ! TA#4 8,BAD
ATTITUDE1 ,EW+40
  8,KEEP YR FEET 6YRF1 ,EZRA-,EVANS60
  8,I R1D ,MR4 ,JULIUS'S ESSAY TOO10
,BLISS SAYS4 8,HIS GIRLFR'S "N IS ,MEG-
AN4 ,W[1 %E'S S PRETTY1 & %E'S 9 ! >MY1
A HELICOPT] PILOT 9 ,AF<ANI/AN4 ,T IS S
COOL40
  8,I DON'T ?9K X'S S COOL10 ,SPRIG
SAYS4 8,BLISS6 ,AF<ANI/AN IS DANG]\S40
  8,WELL1 %E M/ 2 RE,Y BRAVE10       #HE
,BLISS SAYS1 A LL DEF5SIVELY4
  8,L MY DAD10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,:AT DOES %E M1N80 ,RUSSELL ASKS4
8,YR DAD'S N 9 ! ,>MY40
  8,?ANKS =! 9=M,N4 ,MY DAD'S GO+ 6,AF-
<ANI/AN 6HELP BUILD S*OOLS "!40 ,SPRIG
PU%ES AWAY H] FOOD4 ,%E DOESN'T WANT TO
TALK AB X4
  8,I N"E WANT 6BE 9 ! ,>MY10 ,BLISS
SAYS4 8,ANYWAY1 ,I "K ,I CDN'T 2 A PI-
LOT4 ,:5 WE FLY 6,>IZONA 6VISIT MY GR&-
"F8 ,I C'T EV5 LOOK \ ! W9D[ OR ,I'LL 2
SICK60
  ,RUSSELL GIVES 8 WEIRD LAU<1 SORT 7 L
A S1L B>K+4 ,BLISS SEEMS 6L X1 ?\<4 ,%E
LAU<S ) HM4 ,SPRIG SITS BACK & WAT*ES Z
,RUSSELL DIGS 96HIS PANTS POCKET & BR+S
\ A CRUMPL$ PIECE ( PAP]4 ,8 ESSAY4
8,LOOK AT ?1 ,BLISS10 HE SAYS1 8LOOK AT
ALL ! ?+S ,MR4 ,JULIUS WROTE AB MY ES-
SAY40
  8,! FAM\S F\R L9ES10 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8.,N[ ! FAM\S T510 ,RUSSELL SAYS4 8,I
A4$ /UFF AB MY BABY BRO!R4 ,HE'S FIVE
MON?S OLD1 &0--,RUSSELL =KS UP A     #HF
*UNK ( RAW BRO3OLI1 LOOKS AT X DOLE;LLY1
!N PUTS X 9 8 M\?--HIS "N IS ,:EEL40
  8.,:EEL80 ,SPRIG SAYS4
  8,CL1N \ YR E>S1 ,EW+4 ,I SD .,W4 ,D Y
L T "N80
  8,I L X BETT] ?AN ,:EEL1 ,EZRA-
,EVANS40
  8,X 0 S FUN WRIT+ AB MY FAMILY10
,BLISS SAYS4 8,MY DAD HAS ^! MA? JOKES T
>E SORT ( CORNY8 ,B !Y BR1K HM UP4 ,I
PUT 9 "O = ,MR4 ,JULIUS4 ,"Q3 ,:Y 0 !
SIX AFRAID (! SEV580
  8,:Y80 ,RUSSELL ASKS1 OBLIG+LY4
  8,2C SEV5 EI<T N9E40
  8,GRT JOKE10 ,RUSSELL SAYS4 ,HE EYES
,SPRIG'S DESS]T1 A D\# *OCOLATE CUPCAKE
) *OCOLATE FRO/+4 8,T CUPCAKE LOOKS
PRETTY GD40
  8,X'S YUMMY1 B Y C'T H ANY40
  8,SPRIG60 ,BLISS SAYS4
  8,WELL1 HE'S ON A DIET40 ,SPRIG PU%ES
! CUPCAKE ACR ! TA# 6,BLISS4 8,B Y >5'T1
H "S4 ,-E ON10 ,SPRIG URGES4 8,I "K Y
LOVE *OCOLATE40
  8,MAYBE J A SLIV]40 ,BLISS CUTS    #HG
(F A SMALL SLICE4
  ,RUSSELL PULLS ! CUPCAKE OV] 6HIS
SIDE4 8,I'LL H A SLIV] TOO4 ,MAN _C LIVE
ON BRO3OLI AL"O10 HE SAYS1 POPP+ A GD-
SIZE *UNK 96HIS M\?4 8,BLISS1 H "S M10
HE SAYS1 Z IF X'S 8 CUPCAKE4 ,HE WAT*ES
Z %E CUTS ANO!R SLICE4 8,GD10 HE AP-
PROVES4
  8,X'S = Y10 ,BLISS SAYS1 H&+ X 6HM4
,!Y SMILE AT EA* O!R4
  8,MY TURN10 ,SPRIG SAYS1 TAK+ BACK !
CUPCAKE4 8,OKAY ) Y GUYS IF ,I H A PIECE
( MY CUPCAKE80
  ,X ISN'T ! REMA9S ( H] *OCOLATE CUP-
CAKE T ,SPRIG BROODS OV] ON ! BUS GO+
HOME ?\<1 B T %>$ SMILE 2T ,BLISS &
,RUSSELL4 ,X DOESN'T SEEM FAIR6 ,DAD IS
AWAY1 HE'S GO+ 6BE S5T 6,AF<ANI/AN1 & Z
IF T ISN'T BAD 5\<1 N[ H] BE/ FR IS CO-
ZY+ UP TO--WELL1 N H] WOR/ 5EMY1 B !
L;GE/-RUNN+ PE/ 9 H] LIFE6 ,H] BELLY
A*ES Z IF %E'S SWALL[$ A T9Y1 %>P-TOO!D
DOG4 ,CD ? 2 ''' .J1L\SY8
  8,-E ON UP1 SWEETHE>T10 ,MISS ,RU?IE
CALLS F H] DOORWAY1 Z ,SPRIG IS      #HH
GO+ UP ! DRIVEWAY4 8,":'S YR SI/]8 ,I
WANT Y BO? 6MEET "S"O40
  8,DAKOTA W5T HOME ) H] GIRLFR10 ,SPRIG
SAYS1 /AMP+ SN[ (F H] BOOTS 9 ,MISS
,RU?IE'S KIT*54 ,%E LOOKS >.D1 B %E
DOESN'T SEE ANY"O EXCEPT ,CORA1 :O'S LY+
"U ! TA#4 8,:O DID Y WANT ME 6MEET80
  ,MISS ,RU?IE BECKONS H] 96! B$ROOM4
,CORA GETS UP & -ES AF ,SPRIG1 B ,MISS
,RU?IE WON'T LET ,CORA IN4 ,%E CLOSES !
B$ROOM DOOR & SAYS1 8,N[1 ,SPRIG1 TELL
ME :AT Y SEE T'S NEW 9 "H40
  ,SPRIG LOOKS >.D4 ,"!'S ,MISS ,RU?IE'S
D\# B$ ) XS LACY SPR1D1 "!'S ! TALL BU-
R1U )! L;G MIRROR ABV X & ,MISS ,RU?IE'S
-B & BRU% N1TLY LAID \1 & "!'S ! WALL
COV]$ ) MULTIPLE PICTURES ( ,MISS ,RU?-
IE'S TWO NIECES1 & "!'S ! W9D[ )--
8,W[60 ,SPRIG SAYS4 8,": DID %E -E F80
  8,HE10 ,MISS ,RU?IE CORRECTS4 8,DON'T
9SULT MY NEW FR40
  ,! .HE IS A SK9-&-B"OS1 BLACK-&-:ITE-
*ECK]$ CAT SITT+ ON ! W9D[SILL & />+ AT
,SPRIG )A 4T9CTLY UNFRLY LOOK4
  8,HE'S BE5 %[+ UP ON MY POR* =!    #HI
PA/ WEEK10 ,MISS ,RU?IE SAYS4 8,I'VE BE5
FE$+ HM & *ECK+ ! ,8LO/ CAT0' ADS1 B
LOOK H[ SK9NY HE IS1 POOR ?+4 ,I'M SURE
"S"O AB&ON$ HM40 ,%E PRESSES H] LIPS
TGR4 8,HE'S N GO+ 6G HUNGRY AG60
  8,:AT'S 8 "N80
  8,PLUCKY1 2C HE'S A SURVIVOR4 ,OH1
DON'T TRY 6PET HM10 %E W>NS Z ,SPRIG AP-
PROA*ES ! CAT4 8,HE'S A W>Y FELL[1 HE /
DOESN'T EV5 TRU/ ME4 ,LOOK AT HM6 ,HE
"KS "EY?+ WE'RE SAY+40
  8,DOES ,CORA L HM80 ,SPRIG ASKS4
  8,OH1 ,CORA6 ,%E'S J1L\S Z C BE4 ,Y %D
HE> H]6 ,%E .GR[LS AT ,PLUCKY4 ,N[ :5
DID Y "E HE> ,CORA GR[L80 ,MISS ,RU?IE
LAU<S4 8,OH1 %E'S GOT ! GRE5 41SE ALL
"R40
  ,J1L\SY AG6 ,& :Y %DN'T ,CORA 2 J1L\S1
,SPRIG ?9KS LAT]1 GO+ D[N ! /EPS4 ,AF
ALL1 ,CORA 0 ,MISS ,RU?IE'S FR .F/--Z
,BLISS 0 H]S4



                                     #IJ