,,YANG ,,! ,,"YE/
          ,,& ,,8 ,,T]RI# ,,E>

           ,,L5SEY ,,NAMIOKA

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       ,DELL ,BOOKS = ,"Y ,R1D]S
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     ,COPY"R #AIIB 0,L5SEY ,NAMIOKA
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

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                                     ;II











          ,6,"F & ,ELDE/ ,SI/]












           ,,YANG ,,! ,,"YE/          #A
          ,,& ,,8 ,,T]RI# ,,E>

                   #A

  ,YANG ! ,ELDE/ DREW 8 B[ ACR 8 VIOL9
/R+S1 &A %[] ( SP>KL+ NOTES FELL OV] !
ROOM4
  ,YANG ! ,SECOND ,ELDE/ DREW H] B[ ACR
H] VIOLA /R+S1 &A RA9B[ ( NOTES HUNG
B"RLY 9 ! AIR4
  ,YANG ! ,?IRD ,ELDE/ DREW H] B[ ACR H]
CELLO /R+S1 &A WAVE ( DEEP1 MELL[ NOTES
WA%$ OV] U4
  ,YANG ! ,"YE/--T'S ME--DREW MY B[ ACR
MY VIOL9 /R+S1 & X W5T .,,SCREE*4
  ,I'M ! "YE/ * 9 \R ,YANG FAMILY ( F\R
*N4 ,AC 6\R ,*9ESE CU/OM1 ,I'M N ALL[$
6CALL MY ELD] BRO!R & MY TWO SI/]S 0_!
GIV5 "NS4 ,9/1D1 ,I H 6A4RESS !M Z ,ELD-
E/ ,BRO!R1 ,SECOND ,SI/]1 & ,?IRD ,SI/]4
,!Y CALL ME ,F\R? ,BRO!R4
  ,MY P>5TS >E BO? MUSICIANS4 ,"F 0 A
VIOL9I/ 9 ! ,%ANGHAI ,PHILH>MONIC ,OR-
*E/RA UNTIL A FEW MON?S AGO1 :5 WE LEFT
,*9A & CAME 6LIVE 9 ,AM]ICA4 ,N[ HE   #B
HAS A JOB )! ,S1TTLE ,SYMPHONY ,OR*E/RA4
  ,"M IS PIANI/2 %E US$ 6A3OMPANY ,"F :5
HE GAVE 3C]TS4 ,B %E HASN'T BE5 A# 6F9D
A JOB S9CE -+ 6,AM]ICA4 ,OR*E/RAS C USE
_M VIOL9I/S1 B !Y DON'T NE$ M ?AN "O PI-
ANI/4 ,S ^! "DS ,"M SP5DS MO/ ( H] "T
%OPP+ & COOK+ 6FE$ ALL ( U4
  ,X ISN'T EASY 6FE$ A FAMILY ( SIX ON
,"F'S SAL>Y4 ,HE IS :AT'S CALL$ AN ALT]-
NATE1 : M1NS HE GETS 6PLAY ONLY :5 "O (!
O!R VIOL9I/S IS ABS5T4
  ,"F AL MAKES "S M"OY GIV+ PRIVATE LES-
SONS4 ,AT F/ HE DIDN'T GET _M /UD5TS4
,P>5TS DIDN'T WANT 6BR+ _! *N 6A MUSIC
T1*] :O SPOKE S LL ,5GLI% & _H S* A /R;G
,*9ESE A35T4
  ,B MUSIC IS MUSIC 9 ANY LANGUAGE1 &
,"F DOESN'T H 6SAY M* DUR+ ! LESSONS4
,:5 "O ( 8 /UD5TS PLAYS WELL1 HE SMILES4
,& :5 A /UD5T PLAYS A S\R NOTE1 ,"F J
PUTS ON A LOOK ( GRT SU6]+4
  ,I "K T LOOK3 :5 ,"F GIVES ME MY MUSIC
LESSON1 X N"E L1VES 8 FACE4 ,I />T$
PLAY+ ! VIOL9 :5 ,I 0 FIVE1 & N[1 F\R
YE>S LAT]1 ,"F'S EXPRES.N IS / !      #C
SAME4
  ,I DON'T EXACTLY 5JOY ! LESSONS1 EI1 B
,I DON'T SU6] Z M* Z HE DOES4 ,T'S 2C ,I
C'T HE> :AT ,I'M DO+ WR;G4 ,9 FACT T'S
MY PRO#M3 ,I H A .T]RI# E>4
  ,MY P>5TS DIDN'T 2LIEVE T CD HAPP5 6"O
( _! *N4 ,!Y BO? _H GD E>S1 & S DID
,ELDE/ ,BRO!R1 ,SECOND ,SI/]1 & ,?IRD
,SI/]4
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R 0 HUMM+ TUNES EV5 2F HE
CD TALK4 ,"M TAU<T HM BO? ,*9ESE & ,AM]-
ICAN S;GS4 ,SOON HE 0 S++ 8,OLD ,MC,DON-
ALD ,_H A ,F>M10 "R ON PIT*1 EV5 ON !
8O9K O9K0 &! 8QUACK QUACK0 "PS4
  ,ON ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R'S F\R? BIR?"D1 MY
P>5TS GAVE HM A VIOL9 T 0 "O-EI<? ! SIZE
(A REGUL> "O4 ,HE IS FIFTE5 N[1 & HE HAS
BE5 "R ON PIT* "E S9CE4
  ,SECOND ,SI/]1 TWO YE>S "Y] ?AN ,ELDE/
,BRO!R1 />T$ S++ AL;G DUR+ 8 VIOL9 LES-
SONS4 ,S %E GOT A VIOLA1 "O-EI<? SIZE4
  ,?IRD ,SI/]1 :O IS ?REE YE>S "Y] ?AN
,SECOND ,SI/]1 />T$ 0PLAY+ ! VIOLA T _H
2COME TOO SMALL = ,SECOND ,SI/]4 ,B %E 0
S %ORT T %E _H 6/& UP & HOLD ! IN-    #D
/RU;T ON XS 5D1 L A CELLO4 ,%E GOT A R1L
CELLO Z SOON Z %E GREW TALL 5\<4
  ,:5 ,I 0 BORN MY P>5TS 7 PL1S$1 2C N[
!Y CD H A -PLETE /R+ QU>TET3 TWO VIOL9S1
A VIOLA1 &A CELLO4 ,!Y N"E IMAG9$ T !
SECOND VIOL9 WD TURN \ 6BE S BAD4
  ,B .,I KNEW4 ,I 2GAN 6SUSPECT "S?+ 0
WR;G1 2C :5"E ,I />T$ S++1 P WD MOVE
AWAY F ME4 ,I LOV$ S;GS--AT L1/ ,I LOV$
! ^WS4 ,9 ,*9A1 WE (T5 SANG ,AM]ICAN
S;GS1 &! MO/ POPUL> "O 0 8,OH ,SUSANNA40
,B .MY FAVORITE S;G 0 ! "O AB ! F>M] & 8
ANIMALS1 : ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R _H TAU<T ME4
  8,F\R? ,BRO!R IS S++ ,8,OLD ,MC,DONALD
,_H A ,F>M10'0 ,?IRD ,SI/] ANN\NC$ PR\D-
LY "O "D4
  8,NO1 HE'S N60 SD ,"F4 8,! TUNE HE'S
S++ IS Q DI6]5T40
  8,WELL1 AT L1/ HE'S DO+ ! O9KS &!
QUACKS10 %E SD4
  ,?IRD ,SI/] HAS ALW BE5 CLOSE/ 6ME4
,X'S N J T WE'RE CLOSE 9 AGE 7%E'S ONLY
A YE> OLD] ?AN ,I AM71 B :5 "EY"O ELSE
?"\ ,I WASN'T RE,Y TRY+ H>D 5 6PLAY 9
TUNE1 %E 0 ! ONLY "O :O KNEW T ,I 0   #E
DO+ ! BE/ ,I CD4
  ,! TR\# IS T EXCEPT =! O9KS &! QUACKS1
8,OLD ,MC,DONALD ,_H A ,F>M0 S.DS 6ME A
LOT L 8,M>Y ,_H A ,LL ,LAMB40 ,I AM :AT
!Y CALL 8T"O-D1F40
  ,Y'D ?9K T 2+ ,*9ESE & T"O-D1F CD 2 A
R1L PRO#M1 2C ! ,*9ESE LANGUAGE IS FULL
( T"OS4 ,IF Y MAKE ! SAME S.DS1 B ) DIF-
F]5T T"OS1 Y *ANGE ! M1N+ -PLETELY4
  ,LUCKILY1 ?+S >5'T T BAD = ME1 2C !
T"OS 9 ,*9ESE SLIDE UP & D[N1 & ,I .C
HE> ! DI6];E 2T A S.D SLID+ UP &A S.D
SLID+ D[N4 ,MY PRO#M IS T ,I DON'T "K
.H[ .M* 6SLIDE UP OR D[N4 ,? IS N GD :5
Y H 6PLAY ! VIOL94
  ,AT L1/ ,I DIDN'T H 6WORRY AB RHY?M4
,HAV+ A T]RI# E> M1NS ,I H A PRO#M )
PIT*4 ,B ,I C C.T Z WELL Z ANY (!
,YANGS1 & ,I ALW -E 9 ON "T4 ,! O!RS
PROBABLY WI%$ ,I WDN'T -E 9 ON "T4 ,"S-
"TS ,I SUSPECT$ !Y WI%$ ,I WDN'T -E 9 AT
ALL4
  ,S "! ,I WAS1 -+ 9 ON "T1 SLID+ UP &
D[N1 DO+ ! BE/ ,I CD4 ,& Z USUAL1 MY BE/
WASN'T GD 5\<4                        #F
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R ROLL$ 8 EYES4 8,Y H TO
.LI/5 H>D]1 ,F\R? ,BRO!R60
  8,2F Y PLAY1 S+ ! NOTES 9 YR H1D F/10
ORD]$ ,SECOND ,SI/]4
  ,T'S EASY = H] 6SAY4 ,I CDN'T EV5 S+ !
NOTES 9 MY ?ROAT4
  8,MAYBE HE'S A MUTANT10 SD ,?IRD ,SIS-
T]4
  8,A MUTANT80 ASK$ ,SECOND ,SI/]4
8,DON'T Y M1N A MUTE8 ,HE C]TA9LY NE$S
AN EXTRA-SIZE MUTE40
  ,A .MUTE IS A LL BUTTON-L ?+ Y PUT ON
YR VIOL9 :5 Y WANT 6S.D S(T]4 ,SECOND
,SI/] _H ONCE SU7E/$ P]MAN5T MUTES ON MY
VIOL94
  ,?IRD ,SI/] GI7L$4 ,%E'S ! GI7L] (!
FAMILY 2C %E "KS H] DIMPLES >E CUTE4
  ,WE ALL H \R [N WAYS ( LE>N+ ,5GLI%1 &
,?IRD ,SI/]'S IS 6MAKE A LI/ ( FIVE NEW
^WS E "D & MEMORIZE !M4 .,MUTANT 0 ON H]
LI/ TD4
  8.,MUTANT M1NS Y TURN \ RE,Y DI6]5T F
YR P>5TS10 %E EXPLA9$4 8,F\R? ,BRO!R
ISN'T LAZY2 HE 0 J BORN DI6]5T4 ,"!'S
NO?+ HE C D AB X40                    #G
  8,NONS5SE10 SD ,SECOND ,SI/]4 ,%E 0
?IRTE5 &A "Y LADY4 ,"Y LADIES DIDN'T
GI7LE & DIDN'T PUT UP ) NONS5SE4
  8,LET'S /OP TALK+ & GET BACK 6PRACTIC-
+10 SD ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R4 ,Z ! ELDE/ (! FAM-
ILY1 HE 0 M S]I\S ?AN ! RE/ ( U4 ,:5"E
WE />T$ 6WA/E "T1 HE QKLY GOT U BACK TO
"W4
  ,WE IMMLY PICK$ UP \R 9/RU;TS AG4 ,WE
W]5'T SC>$ ( ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R--N V M*1 ANY-
WAY--B WE KNEW WE _H 6PRACTICE4
  ,A V IMPORTANT RECITAL 0 2+ PLANN$4 ,=
,"F'S SAKE1 =! SAKE (! ,YANG FAMILY1 WE
_H 6MAKE A GD IMPRES.N4
  ,AT A RECITAL1 ALL ! /UD5TS PLAY A
PIECE ( MUSIC1 & _! FAMILIES & FRS >E
9VIT$ 6HE> !M4 ,? 0 ! F/ RECITAL ,"F _H
ORGANIZ$ S9CE HE />T$ GIV+ MUSIC LESSONS
"H 9 ,S1TTLE4 ,IF 8 /UD5TS DID WELL1 _!
P>5TS WD TELL O!R P>5TS4 ,!N ,"F WD GET
A LOT M /UD5TS4
  8,AT ! 5D10 ANN\NC$ ,"F1 8! F\R ( Y W
2 PLAY+ A POR;N F A /R+ QU>TET4 ,X W 2 !
GR& F9ALE (! :OLE RECITAL40
  ,WE ALL KNEW ! LA/ PIECE ON !       #H
PROGRAM 0 ! MO/ IMPORTANT "O4 ,T 0 ! "O
! AUDI;E WD REMEMB] BE/ :5 !Y W5T HOME4
,IF WE CD IMPRESS ! AUDI;E ) \R SKILL1
WE WD RE,Y %[ !M :AT A GRT T1*] ,"F WAS4
  ,NORM,Y1 ,I DIDN'T SU6] M* DUR+ MY
LESSONS4 ,I J RAN "? ! PIECE Z BE/ Z ,I
CD1 & IF O!R P SU6]$1 TOO BAD = !M4
  ,B ? RECITAL WORRI$ ME4 ,:5 !Y HE>D ME
PLAY+ S BADLY1 ! P>5TS 9 ! AUDI;E WD SAY
6!MVS1 8,IF ,MR4 ,YANG C'T EV5 T1* 8 [N
SON 6PLAY1 H[ C HE T1* \R *N80
  ,N[ Z WE PRACTIC$1 ,I F.D MYF SW1T+ )
N]V\S;S4 ,MY H& FELT UN/1DY1 & ,I CDN'T
GET A GD GRIP ON ! VIOL9 B[4 ,X SLID >.D
ON ! /R+1 & PRODUC$ ^? T]RI# SCREE*ES4
,? GOT ON "EYBODY'S N]VES4
  ,EV5 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R F9,Y LO/ 8 PATI;E4
8,X'S BAD 5 T Y PLAY \ ( TUNE6 ,D Y H TO
KEEP SCREE*+1 TOO80
  8,I'M SORRY10 ,I MUM#D4 ,I WIP$ MY H&S
ON MY PANTS1 !N WIP$ MY BR[1 : 0 /R1M+4
,? MADE MY H&S WET AG1 & ,I _H 6BORR[
,?IRD ,SI/]'S H&K]*IEF4
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R SI<$ DEEPLY & PUT 8
VIOL9 "U 8 *94 8,LET'S TRY ^? LA/     #I
F\R B>S AG40
  ,SECOND ,SI/] PICK$ UP H] B[1 & ,?IRD
,SI/] B5T OV] H] CELLO4
  ,"O 0"O1 ! O!R ?REE ,YANGS />T$ PLAY+
_! SP>KL+ NOTES4 ,:5 MY 5TR.E CAME1 ,I
PRESS$ H>D]1 6KEEP MY B[+ H& F WO2L+4 ,B
ALL ,I GOT 0 AN EXTRA L\D .,,SCREE*4
  ,A LOOK ( DEEP SU6]+ CAME OV] ,ELDE/
,BRO!R'S FACE4 ,AT "TS L ^!1 HE LOOKS A
LOT L ,"F4 ,HE HAS ! SAME L;G FACE1 &!
SAME WIDE M\? T CURVES D[N AT ! CORN]S
:5 HE IS 9 PA94
  8,F\R? ,BRO!R10 HE SD1 FIX+ ME ) 8
/]NE/ LOOK1 8,I "K T MUSIC DOESN'T M1N Z
M* 6Y Z X DOES 6! RE/ ( U4 ,B Y RE,Y H
6TRY H>D]4 ,Y "K ! SAY+1 T H>D "W C OV]-
-E T5 ?\S& PRO#MS40
  8,HE J DOESN'T .C>E AB PLAY+ 9 TUNE10
SD ,SECOND ,SI/]4 8,I DON'T ?9K "!'S ANY
USE PRACTIC+ UNTIL 8 ATTITUDE IS BETT]40
  ,%E PUT H] 9/RU;T BACK 9 XS CASE1
FIRMLY CLOS$ ! LID1 & SNAPP$ ! CAT*4
  ,I TRI$ N 6%[ X1 B ,I 0 HURT4 ,I AD-
MIR$ ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R & ,SECOND ,SI/]
DEEPLY = 2+ S D$ICAT$ 6MUSIC1 EV5    #AJ
IF ,I CDN'T %>E _! D$IC,N4 ,X M/ 2 WON-
D];L 6"K EXACTLY :AT Y WANT$ 6D4 ,I
DIDN'T "K :AT ,I WANT$ 6D4 ,ALL ,I KNEW
0 T ,I DIDN'T WANT 6BE A MIS]A# SECOND
VIOL94
  ,AF ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R & ,SECOND ,SI/] _H
LEFT1 ,?IRD ,SI/] CAME OV] & PUT H] >MS
>.D ME4 8,DON'T FEEL S BAD10 %E SD S(T-
LY4 8,I "K Y'RE DO+ YR BE/40
  ,H] K9D;S ONLY MADE ME FEEL L CRY+4
8,I'LL SPOIL "EY?+4 ,I'LL RU9 ! RECIT-
AL40
  8,MAYBE WE C ?9K ( "S?+10 %E SD4
8,MAYBE WE C FIX X S T ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R
PLAYS MO/ ( YR NOTES40
  8,! ONLY WAY 6SAVE ! RECITAL IS =
,ELDE/ ,BRO!R 6PLAY .ALL ( MY NOTES10 ,I
MUTT]$4
  ,9 A /R+ QU>TET1 ! SECOND VIOL9--ME--
USU,Y HAS ! L1/ IMPORTANT "P4 ,B EV5
PLAY+ ! L1/ IMPORTANT "P1 ,I CD / RU9
?+S4 ,& ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R CDN'T ALW COV] =
ME4 ,HE _H 8 [N NOTES 6PLAY4
  ,"! 0 NO WAY1 ABSOLUTELY NO WAY1 T ,I
CD PLAY 9 ! RECITAL )\T S.D+ AW;L4   #AA
,& IF ,I S.D$ AW;L1 ! :OLE QU>TET 0 GO+
6S.D AW;L4 ,& S9CE \R QU>TET 0 ! LA/
PIECE1 ! AUDI;E WD G HOME ) AN AW;L IM-
PRES.N (! RECITAL4
  ,I WANT$ S M* 6PL1SE MY FAMILY1 B X
SEEM$ HOPE.S4 ,MAYBE ,?IRD ,SI/] 0 "R3
,I 0 A MUTANT4 ,I WD N"E 2 "O (! MUSICAL
,YANGS4
  ,:AT IF ,I GOT S SICK T ,I CDN'T PLAY8
,:5 ! O!RS SAW ME 9 PA91 !Y'D FEEL SORRY
= CRITICIZ+ ME4 ,I'D 2 LY+1 PALE & SU6]-
+1 9 B$1 & ,I WDN'T 2 >.D = !M 6PICK ON
ANYMORE4
  ,B MAYBE !Y WDN'T 2 SORRY4 ,I 0 NO GD4
,MY P>5TS MI<T EV5 2 GLAD IF !Y CD EX-
*ANGE ME = "S"O ELSE4 ,"S"O )A GD MUSI-
CAL E>4
  ,!N ,I R1LIZ$ T ,I 0 WALL[+ 9 SELF-
P;Y1 & ,I 2CAME 4GU/$ ) MYF4
  ,I REMEMB]$ ,"F'S ANXI\S FACE Z HE
C.T$ H1DS :5 WE BO>D$ ! PLANE -+ 6,AM]I-
CA4 ,I REMEMB]$ 8 BIG SMILE :5 HE SAW
ALL F\R ( U SAFELY /RAPP$ 9 \R S1TS4 ,I
REMEMB]$ ,"M C>E;LLY DIVID+ A ,H]%EY
*OCOLATE B> ) ALMONDS 96F\R EXACT-   #AB
LY EQUAL PIECES4 ,MY P>5TS DID LOVE ME Z
M* Z ! O!RS1 ,I KNEW T4
  ,B :AT CD ,I D 6PREV5T ! RECITAL F 2+
A 4A/]8 ,I _H MANAG$ 6GET \ ( TI<T SPOTS
2F4 ,:5 ,I 0 S++ 9 ! *ORUS ( MY ,*9ESE
S*OOL1 ,I ALW LOOK$ >.D AT ! P]SON 2H ME
:5"E ! MUSIC T1*] SC[L$ 9 MY DIREC;N4 ,B
? WASN'T S SIMPLE4
  ,I _H 6?9K ( "S?+ 6SAVE ! RECITAL4 ,I
J _H TO4














                   #B                #AC

  ,\R FAMILY >RIV$ 9 ,AM]ICA 9 ! W9T]1 &
! S*OOL YE> 0 ALM HALF OV]4 ,S :5 ,I
/>T$ S*OOL1 ! O!R /UD5TS 9 MY CLASS ALR
KNEW EA* O!R4 ,6MAKE ?+S WORSE1 ,I
DIDN'T EV5 "K 5 ,5GLI% 6TRY 6MAKE FRS4
  ,B LANGUAGE 0 ONLY "O ( MY PRO#MS4
,AM]ICAN KIDS SC>$ ME AT F/4 ,!Y YELL$
T]RIBLY L\D & RAN FA/ 9 ! HALLWAYS4
  ,=! F/ FEW WEEKS1 ,I F.D MYF HU7+ !
WALLS4 ,X 0 L ! "T 9 ,*9A :5 ,I LE>N$ TO
SWIM4 ,I 0 AFRAID 6LET G (! SIDE (! POOL
2C 9 ! MI4LE 7 O!R SWIMM]S SPLA%+ >.D L
%>KS4
  ,ONCE :5 ,I 0 WALK+ 9 ! HALLWAY AT
S*OOL1 ,I TURN$ A CORN] & BUMP$ 96A BOY4
,HE 0 RUNN+ S FA/ T HE KNOCK$ ME (F MY
FEET4
  ,HE PULL$ ME UP"R & %OOK ME A LL4
,MAYBE HE WANT$ 6SEE IF ANY "PS 7 RATTL+
LOOSE4 ,:5 HE SAW T ,I WASN'T HURT1 HE
W9K$ AT ME1 LAU<$1 & SD1 8,HEY1 NO
SW1T60
  ,HE LOOK$ S *E];L T ,I LAU<$1 TOO4
8,NO SW1T0 S.D$ L A GD PHRASE1 &     #AD
,I TOLD ,?IRD ,SI/] AB X4 ,%E A4$ X 6H]
LI/4
  ,9 A FEW WEEKS ,I LE>N$ 6WALK J Z FA/
& %OVE MY WAY J Z H>D Z ! O!R KIDS4
  ,MY P>5TS EV5 -PLA9$ AB X4 8,Y'RE BE-
-+ TOO R\<1 ,Y+TAO4 ,:Y D Y H 6/OMP YR
FEET S H>D80
  ,2F ,I GOT US$ 6! ,AM]ICAN S*OOL1 !
O!R KIDS LAU<$ AT "S (! ?+S ,I DID4 ,EA*
MORN+1 Z SOON Z ! T1*] CAME 96! ROOM1 ,I
JUMP$ 6MY FEET & /OOD /I6LY AT ATT5;N4
,T 0 H[ WE %[$ \R RESPECT 6! T1*] 9 ,*I-
NA4
  ,! F/ "T ,I DID X "H1 ! T1*] ASK$ ME
:E!R ,I NE$$ "S?+4 ,I LOOK$ >.D & SAW T
NOBODY ELSE 0 /&+ UP4 ,FEEL+ FOOLI%1 ,I
%OOK MY H1D & SAT D[N4
  ,:5 ,I DID X AG ! NEXT "D1 A C\PLE (
KIDS 2H ME />T$ 6SNI7]4 ,AF T1 ,I REMEM-
B]$ N 6JUMP UP1 B ,I HALF ROSE A FEW
"TS4 ,"O BOY US$ 6WAT* ME1 & IF HE SAW
MY BOTTOM L1VE MY S1T1 HE WD :ISP]1
8,D[N1 ,FIDO60
  ,?IRD ,SI/] 0 A GRT HELP DUR+ ^? E>LY
"DS4 ,:ILE ! O!R KIDS 7 BUSY TALK+   #AE
OR PLAY+ GAMES AT RECESS1 %E & ,I /OOD 9
A CORN] & KEPT EA* O!R -PANY4
  ,E "D WE WALK$ TGR 6\R ELE;T>Y S*OOL1
: 0 N F> F \R H\SE4 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R &
,SECOND ,SI/] TOOK A BIG YELL[ BUS 6A
S*OOL T 0 F>!R AWAY4
  ,IF ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R _H TR\# MAK+ FRS1 X
DIDN'T SEEM 6BO!R HM4 ,MUSIC 0 ! ONLY ?+
HE RE,Y C>$ AB4
  ,I ?9K ,SECOND ,SI/] FELT ! L"OLIE/4
,9 ,*9A1 P ALW SD %E WD TURN \ 6BE A R1L
B1UTY4 ,%E _H BE5 POPUL> AT S*OOL "!1
ALW SURR.D$ 0FRS4 ,B 9 ,AM]ICA N _M P
TOLD H] %E 0 B1UTI;L4 ,^! "DS %E 0 (T5
CRANKY & SAD4 ,"M TOLD ! RE/ ( U T WE J
_H 6BE PATI5T ) ,SECOND ,SI/]4
  ,?IRD ,SI/] _H NO TR\# AT ALL MAK+
FRS4 ,EV5 2F %E CD SP1K M* ,5GLI%1 %E
2GAN *ATT+ ) O!R KIDS4 ,%E CD ALW FILL 9
! GAPS ) LAU<T]4
  ,DUR+ LUN* %E & ,I SAT AT A TA# ) MO/-
LY ,ASIAN-,AM]ICANS4 ,AT F/ WE DIDN'T
"U/& :AT ,ASIAN-,AM]ICANS W]E4 ,:5 WE 7
FILL+ \ REGI/R,N =MS AT S*OOL1 WE PUT
D[N 8,*9ESE0 9 ! SPACE M>K$          #AF
8RACE40
  ,! SECRET>Y AT ! S*OOL TOLD U 6*ANGE X
TO 8,ASIAN-,AM]ICAN40 ,)A BIG SMILE1 %E
SD1 8,WE H A NUMB] ( ,ASIAN-,AM]ICANS AT
? S*OOL1 S Y'LL 2 A# 6MAKE FRS EASILY40
  ,MY T1*] M/ H FELT ! SAME 2C ON MY F/
"D 9 CLASS1 %E S1T$ ME NEXT 6A GIRL :O 0
AL ,ASIAN-,AM]ICAN4
  ,I GREET$ H] 9 ,*9ESE1 B %E J %OOK H]
H1D4 8,I'M AFRAID ,I DON'T "U/& ,JAPA-
NESE10 %E SD 9 ,5GLI%4
  8,I WASN'T SP1K+ ,JAPANESE10 ,I TOLD
H]4 8,I 0 SP1K+ ,*9ESE40
  8,SORRY4 ,I DON'T "U/& T1 EI4 ,MY FAM-
ILY IS F ,KOREA40
  ,I DIDN'T "K M* AB ,KOREA1 EXCEPT T MY
C.TRY _H ONCE 9VAD$ H] C.TRY4 ,I HOP$ %E
DIDN'T HOLD X AG/ ME4
  8,Y SP1K GD ,5GLI%10 ,I SD4 8,:5 DID Y
>RIVE80
  8,I 0 BORN 9 ,AM]ICA10 %E SD4 8,S 7 MY
P>5TS40
  ,9 SPITE ( ? BAD />T1 %E TRI$ 6BE
HELP;L 6ME4 ,B WE N"E 2CAME CLOSE FRS4
  ,S ,I 0 L"OLY4 ,AF ,?IRD ,SI/]     #AG
MADE FRS 9 H] CLASS1 %E 2GAN 6SP5D LESS
& LESS "T ) ME4
  ,!N ,I MET ,MAT!W4 ,DUR+ RECESS "O "D1
,?IRD ,SI/] 0 BUSY TALK+ 6"S NEW FRS1 &
,I 0 LOOK+ WI/;LLY AT "S BOYS PLAY+ CAT*
& WOND]+ IF ,I CD F9D ! N]VE 6JO9 !M4
  ,SU45LY ,I FELT "S"O PLUCK MY P5 F MY
POCKET4 ,? 0 A BALLPO9T P5 ,I _H BR"\ )
ME F ,*9A1 )A PICTURE (A P&A ON ! SIDE (
X4 ,:5"E ,I ?"\ AB ,*9A & MISS$ ! FRS ,I
_H LEFT 2H1 ,I WD TAKE \ ! P5 & LOOK AT
! PICTURE4
  ,! BOY :O _H TAK5 ! P5 0 RUNN+ AWAY1
LAU<+4 ,I RAN AF HM1 %\T+4 ,! T1*] CAME
UP & ASK$ ME :AT ! TR\# WAS4
  8,HE TOOK MY ''' MY '''0 ,I /OPP$1 2C
,I DIDN'T "K ! ,5GLI% ^W = P54 ,9 ,*9ESE
WE H ! SAME ^W1 .BI1 = P51 P5CIL1 &
BRU%4 8,HE TOOK MY WRIT+ /ICK10 ,I F9I%$
LAMELY4
  ,! BOY :O'D TAK5 ! P5 /OOD "! & GR9N$1
:ILE ! T1*] LOOK$ PUZZL$4
  8,JAKE TOOK 8 BALLPO9T P510 SD A TALL1
FRECKL$ BOY ) CURLY BR[N HAIR4 8,I SAW !
:OLE ?+40                            #AH
  ,! T1*] TURN$ & FR[N$ AT ,JAKE4 8,IS ?
TRUE80
  8,AW1 ,I 0 J T1S+ HM A LL10 SD ,JAKE1
QKLY H&+ ! P5 BACK 6ME4 8,HE'S ALW PLAY+
) X1 S ,I GOT CURI\S40
  ,I ?ANK$ ! BOY )! CURLY HAIR4 8,DON'T
M9D ,JAKE10 HE SD4 8,HE DIDN'T M1N ANY-
?+40
  8,MY "N IS ,YANG ,Y+TAO10 ,I 9TRODUC$
MYF4 ,!N ,I REMEMB]$ T 9 ,AM]ICA P SD _!
FAMILY "N LA/ & _! GIV5 "N F/4
  8,Y+TAO IS MY LA/ "N10 ,I TOLD HM4
8,EXCEPT T 9 ,AM]ICA MY LA/ "N IS RE,Y
MY F/ "N & MY F/ "N IS MY LA/ "N4 ,S
,I'M ,YANG ,Y+TAO 9 ,*9A & ,Y+TAO ,YANG
9 ,AM]ICA40
  ,! BOY LOOK$ 3FUS$4 ,J !N ! BELL RANG4
8,I'M ,MAT!W ,3N]10 HE SD QKLY4 8,SEE Y
>.D60
  ,I 2GAN 6FEEL A LL LESS L"OLY4

  ,WE 4COV]$ T \R S*OOL _H AN AF-S*OOL
OR*E/RA1 : MET TWICE A WEEK4 ,MY P>5TS
?"\ T ,?IRD ,SI/] & ,I 7 V LUCKY1 & !Y
SIGN$ U UP =! OR*E/RA "R AWAY4 ,!Y   #AI
N"E EV5 ASK$ U :E!R WE WANT$ 6JO94
  ,2F ,?IRD ,SI/] & ,I CD PLAY 9 ! OR-
*E/RA1 ! 3DUCTOR GAVE U AN AUDI;N2 T IS1
HE ASK$ EA* ( U 6PLAY A FEW B>S ( MUSIC
AL"O4
  ,HE LOOK$ PL1S$ :5 HE HE>D ,?IRD ,SI/]
PLAY ! CELLO4 ,HE IMMLY PUT H] NE> !
FRONT (! OR*E/RA4
  ,!N X 0 MY TURN 6PLAY ! VIOL94 ,HE
/OPP$ ME AF ONLY F\R M1SURES & LOOK$ AT
ME ?"\;LLY4 8,WD Y L 6TRY ! TRIANGLE IN-
/1D80
  ,MAYBE ,I %D H FELT 9SULT$1 B 9 FACT
,I 0 TEMPT$ 6A3EPT4 ,Y DON'T NE$ A GD E>
6PLAY ! TRIANGLE1 S9CE ALL Y D IS J HIT
X )A /ICK4 ,Y ONLY NE$ 6-E 9 ON "T1 & ,I
0 GD AT T4 ,& 2SS1 ! TRIANGLE MAKES ONLY
A SMALL T9KLE1 S Y C'T D M* H>M4
  ,B ,I KNEW MY P>5TS WD 2 UPSET4 8,I H
MY [N VIOL910 ,I TOLD ! 3DUCTOR UNHAPPI-
LY4 8,MY P>5TS W EXPECT ME 6PLAY X40
  ,HE SI<$4 8,V WELL4 ,I "K :AT P>5TS >E
L40 ,HE PUT ME 9 ! V LA/ R[ (! VIOL9
SEC;N--Z F> AWAY F ! AUDI;E Z POSSI#4
  ,:5 ,I TOOK MY PLACE1 ! BOY %>+    #BJ
A MUSIC /& ) ME SD1 8,HI1 LOOKS L ,I'LL
2 YR /& "PN]40
  ,X 0 ,MAT!W1 ! BOY :O _H GOTT5 MY P5
BACK4 ,I 0 V GLAD 6SEE HM4
  ,!N ! 3DUCTOR RAIS$ 8 /ICK &! OR*E/RA
2GAN 6PLAY4
  ,:5 PLAY+ TGR ) O!R P1 MY TRICK 0 TO
DRAW MY B[ BACK & =?1 )\T Q T\*+ ! /R+S4
,? HELP$ "EYBODY4 ,X HELP$ ME2 X HELP$ !
O!R PLAY]S2 X HELP$ ! 3DUCTOR2 & MO/ (
ALL1 X HELP$ ! AUDI;E4
  ,AF A FEW B>S WE /OPP$ PLAY+ :ILE !
3DUCTOR TRI$ 6*E] UP ! TROMB"O PLAY]1 :O
0 MAK+ BU2L+ S.DS :5 HE TRI$ 6BL[4
  ,MAT!W TURN$ 6ME4 8,Y DON'T PLAY V
L\DLY1 D Y8 ,I CDN'T HE> Y AT ALL40
  8,Y'RE LUCKY10 ,I TOLD HM4
  ,HE LOOK$ PUZZL$1 B ,I _H NO "T 6EX-
PLA9 2C ! 3DUCTOR RAIS$ 8 /ICK AG4
  ,MAT!W PLAY$ )A DR1MY LOOK ON 8 FACE4
,I CDN'T TELL IF HE 0 GD OR N1 B HE C]-
TA9LY SEEM$ 6BE 5JOY+ HMF4
  ,AF ! REHE>SAL ! 3DUCTOR ASK$ ,?IRD
,SI/] 6/AY 2H & PLAY A %ORT PIECE = HM4
,I WAIT$ = H] \TSIDE S WE CD G       #BA
HOME TGR4
  ,MAT!W CAME UP 6ME :ILE ,I 0 WAIT+4
8,I HE>D YR SI/] TELL ! 3DUCTOR T YR "F
IS A VIOL9 T1*]40
  8,YES1 HE IS10 ,I ANSW]$4 ,MAYBE ? 0 A
*.E 6GET ,"F ANO!R /UD5T8 8,D Y WANT TO
TAKE LESSONS80
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ V UNCOM=TA#4 8,I'D RE,Y L
TO1 B MY FOLKS C'T AF=D X40
  8,MY "F IS *1P10 ,I SD EAG]LY1 AL? ,I
DIDN'T ACTU,Y "K H[ M* ,"F *>G$4 ,B ,I
FELT SURE HE WD LOVE 6H A NEW /UD5T1 ES-
PECI,Y "S"O :O RE,Y LIK$ MUSIC4
  ,:5 ,?IRD ,SI/] CAME \1 %E 0 SMIL+4
8,! 3DUCTOR WANTS ME 6PLAY A SOLO = \R
F/ 3C]T60
  ,I 0 V HAPPY = H]1 & EV5 ,MAT!W LOOK$
GLAD4 8,HEY1 T'S GRT60 HE SD4
  8,? IS MY /& "PN]1 ,MAT!W10 ,I SD4 8,&
? IS MY ?IRD SI/]--0
  8,HI1 MY "N IS ,M>Y10 9T]RUPT$ ,?IRD
,SI/]4
  ,I />$ AT H]4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 "K %E _H
AN ,AM]ICAN "N4 ,%E M/ H PICK$ X )\T
TELL+ ! RE/ (! FAMILY4 ,MAYBE %E     #BB
FELT X WD 2 EASI] = H] NEW FRS 6REMEMB]4
  ,I'D NOTIC$ T _M ,AM]ICANS _H TR\# )
,*9ESE "NS4 ,:5 ,I TOLD P MY "N 0 ,Y+-
TAO1 !Y ALW ASK$ ME 6SPELL X4 ,EV5 AF ,I
SPELL$ X1 !Y _H TR\# REMEMB]+ X4
  8,I HE>D Y PLAY J N[10 ,MAT!W SD TO
,?IRD ,SI/]4 8,Y'RE RE,Y GD60
  ,?IRD ,SI/] DIMPL$ AG4 8,I'M T]RI#4
,Y'RE J SAY+ T 6BE NICE40
  ,%E DIDN'T M1N X1 ( C\RSE4 ,T'S ! WAY
MY P>5TS TAU<T U 6ANSW] :5 "S"O PRAISES
U4
  8,WELL1 ,I GUESS ,I'D BETT] RUN10 SD
,MAT!W4 ,B HE DIDN'T SEEM 9 A HURRY 6G4
  ,NEI 0 ,?IRD ,SI/] EAG] 6H HM G--N :5
HE _H J TOLD H] H[ M* HE ADMIR$ H] PLAY-
+4 8,WD Y L 6-E 6\R H\SE & MEET MY ELD]
BRO!R & SI/]8 ,!Y AL PLAY MUSICAL 9/RU-
;TS40
  ,MAT!W GR9N$4 8,SURE1 IF X'S OKAY ) YR
FOLKS40
  8,MY P>5TS WD 2 GLAD 6MEET "O ( ,F\R?
,BRO!R'S FRS10 %E TOLD HM4
  ,I LIK$ ! WAY %E SD T--Z IF ,MAT!W 0
RE,Y MY FR1 Z IF ,I _H LOTS ( O!R    #BC
FRS4
  ,MY P>5TS W]5'T HOME1 B WE F.D ,SECOND
,SI/] 9 ! KIT*51 CUTT+ TEA BAGS4 8,? IS
MY O!R SI/]10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,%E PLAYS !
VIOLA40
  ,SECOND ,SI/] LOOK$ A LL MOODY B N TOO
MOODY 6GREET ,MAT!W POLITELY ) 8,HELLO40
  ,I WAIT$ 6SEE IF %E _H *OS5 AN ,AM]I-
CAN "N1 TOO4 ,B %E J PICK$ UP H] SCIS-
SORS AG4
  ,Z WE W5T UP ! /AIRS1 ,MAT!W LOOK$ AT
ME4 8,:AT 0 YR SI/] DO+ 9 ! KIT*58 ,X
LOOK$ L %E 0 CUTT+ UP TEA BAGS40
  8,%E WAS40
  ,AT ! L&+ ,MAT!W /OPP$ & LOOK$ AT ME
AG4 8,:AT =80
  ,I 0 US$ 6SEE+ ,SECOND ,SI/] CUTT+ TEA
BAGS1 & X _H N"E O3URR$ 6ME T X MI<T
LOOK FUNNY4 8,:5 WE MAKE TEA1 WE PUT "S
TEA L1VES 9 ! BOTTOM (! CUP1 & P\R HOT
WAT] OV] !M10 ,I SD4 8,X'S R1DY 6DR9K :5
ALL ! L1VES >E WET & S9K 6! BOTTOM40
  8,B :Y D Y NE$ 6CUT ! BAGS80
  8,WELL1 MY "M SAW "S TEA = SALE AT !
M>KET "O "D1 & %E B"\ A BIG BOX4     #BD
,B X TURN$ \ 6BE ALL TEA BAGS1 N LOOSE
TEA4 ,S ,SECOND ,SI/] CUTS UP A FEW BAGS
E "D & P\RS ! LOOSE TEA 96A J>40
  ,X 0 P]FECTLY OBVI\S 6ME T TEA WD /EEP
BETT] :5 X'S LOOSE ?AN :5 X'S TI<TLY
PACK$ 96A T9Y BAG4
  ,B ,I GUESS ,MAT!W DIDN'T ?9K S4 ,HE 0
/ %AK+ 8 H1D & LOOK+ PUZZL$4
  ,I OP5$ ! DOOR 6! ROOM ,I %>$ ) ,ELDE/
,BRO!R4 ,HE 0 9SIDE1 SITT+ ON ! FLOOR &
SCREW+ KNOBS 96! 5DS ( ORANGE CRATES4
,2S HM 7 A C\PLE ( BO>DS & "S BRICKS4
  ,I 9TRODUC$ ,MAT!W1 :O LOOK$ WIDE-EY$
AT ! CRATES & BO>DS4 8,:AT >E Y MAK+80
  8,I'M MAK+ A *E/ ( DRAW]S10 SD ,ELDE/
,BRO!R4 8,! BO>DS W SIT OV] ! PILES (
BRICKS 6MAKE A TOP1 &! ORANGE CRATES >E
! DRAW]S4 ,! KNOBS MAKE X EASI] 6PULL !M
\40
  ,MAT!W PE]$ 96"O (! CRATES1 : ALR CON-
TA9$ MY %IRTS & "UWE>4 8,:Y DON'T Y PUT
YR CLO!S 9 A REGUL> DRESS]80
  8,WE DON'T H 5 M"OY 6BUY M* FURNI-
TURE10 EXPLA9$ ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R4
  8,GEE1 ,I'M SORRY10 ,MAT!W SD1     #BE
TURN+ R$4 8,I DIDN'T M1N 6S.D RUDE OR
NOSY40 ,= "S R1SON1 HE 0 V S5SITIVE AB
M"OY4
  ,I _H 6%[ ,MAT!W T WE DIDN'T M9D4 ,*I-
NESE P >5'T AT ALL EMB>RASS$ 6TALK AB
M"OY4 ,:5 WE MEET "S"O1 WE (T5 ASK HM H[
M* M"OY HE MAKES4
  8,T'S OKAY10 ,I TOLD ,MAT!W4 8,I DON'T
?9K Y'RE RUDE OR NOSY AT ALL40
  8,MY "M 0 GLAD :5 %E F.D ALL ^! ORANGE
CRATES %E CD H = FREE10 ,ELD] ,BRO!R SD4
  ,Z HE 3T9U$ 6PUT ! KNOBS IN1 ,I TOLD
HM T ,MAT!W LOV$ MUSIC4
  ,ELD] ,BRO!R LOOK$ PL1S$4 8,>E Y 9 !
S*OOL OR*E/RA80
  8,I PLAY ! VIOL910 ANSW]$ ,MAT!W4
8,I'M ,Y+TAO'S /& "PN]40
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R /OPP$ SMIL+4 8,DID !
3DUCTOR PUT Y "! AF ! AUDI;N80
  ,I KNEW :Y HE ASK$ T4 ,HE 0 TRY+ 6F9D
\ IF ,MAT!W 0 MY /& "PN] 2C HE PLAY$ Z
BADLY Z ,I DID4
  8,I'M A 2G9N]10 SD ,MAT!W4 8,I ONLY
/>T$ PLAY+ ! VIOL9 LA/ FALL4 ,! S*OOL _H
AN EXTRA VIOL9 T NOBODY ELSE 0 US-   #BF
+1 S ,I ASK$ IF ,I CD BORR[ X40
  8,D Y TAKE LESSONS80 ASK$ ,ELDE/
,BRO!R4
  ,AG ,MAT!W TURN$ R$4 8,MY P>5TS C'T
AF=D !M10 HE MUM#D4 8,MY "F IS \ ( "W "R
N[40
  ,I SU45LY _H AN IDEA4 8,MAYBE Y C GIVE
HM "S FREE LESSONS10 ,I SD 6,ELDE/
,BRO!R4 8,!Y DON'T H 6BE M ?AN FIFTE5
M9UTES1 J L;G 5 6%[ HM :AT HE'S DO+
WR;G40
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R LOOK$ ?"\;L4 ,F9,Y HE
GOT UP & W5T 6HIS VIOL9 CASE4 8,PLAY "S-
?+10 HE SD1 TAK+ \ ! 9/RU;T & H&+ X TO
,MAT!W4
  ,MAT!W SWALL[$ & WIP$ 8 H&S ON 8
PANTS4 ,!N HE TOOK ! VIOL9 C>E;LLY &
LOOK$ AT X ) WIDE EYES4 8,W[10 HE BR1!D4
8,? IS B1UTI;L60
  ,HE CLOS$ 8 EYES =A M9UTE & !N 2GAN TO
PLAY4 ,F ! EXPRES.N ON ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R'S
FACE1 ,I KNEW T HE LIK$ ! S.D ( :AT HE 0
HE>+4
  ,:5 ,MAT!W F9I%$1 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R /OOD
SIL5T & !N SMIL$4 8,X'S C]TA9LY      #BG
CLE> T Y H N BE5 PLAY+ V L;G4 ,B Y H A
NICE FEEL =! VIOL940
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ ALM SC>$4 8,!N ''' !N
'''0
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R SMIL$ M WIDELY4 8,ALL
"R1 ,I'LL GIVE Y LESSONS4 ,WE C />T AF
D9N] TN1 IF Y WANT4 ,:Y DON'T Y /AY &
EAT ) U80
  ,MAT!W A3EPT$ & W5T 6PH"O 8 P>5TS =
P]MIS.N4 ,:5 HE CAME BACK HE ASK$ IF HE
CD G 6! BA?ROOM4
  ,I 0 SURPRIS$4 ,DID ,AM]ICANS ALW TAKE
A BA? 2F D9N]8
  8,IS X ALL "R IF Y DIDN'T TAKE A BA? J
N[80 ,I ASK$ HM4 8,\R TUB HAS "S?+ 9 X40
  ,X 0 ,MAT!W'S TURN 6LOOK SURPRIS$4 8,I
DON'T NE$ A BA?40
  8,!N :Y DID Y TELL ME Y WANT$ "O80 ,I
DEM&$4
  8,I J WANT 6G 6! TOILET10 HE EXPLA9$4
,HE 2GAN 6LAU<4 8,& Y ?"\ ,I ACTU,Y ASK$
6TAKE A BA?8 ,)\T "S"O MAK+ ME80
  ,I LAU<$1 TOO4 ,? 0 N L ,JAKE &! O!RS
LAU<+ AT ME = /&+ AT ATT5;N :5 ! T1*]
CAME IN4 ,WE 7 LAU<+ TGR 2C WE 7     #BH
%>+ A JOKE4 ,I 2GAN 6L ,MAT!W V M*4
  ,:5 HE CAME \ (! BA?ROOM1 HE LOOK$
%OCK$4 8,WAS ,I SEE+ ?+S1 OR 7 "! RE,Y
FI% SWIMM+ 9 YR BA?TUB80
  8,T'S J "S C>P MY "M B"\ 9 ,*9AT[N TD4
,WE'RE HAV+ !M = D9N] TN40
  8,B !Y'RE ALIVE60
  8,( C\RSE !Y'RE ALIVE60 ,I SNORT$4
8,MY "M WD N"E BUY D1D FI%4 ,!Y'RE N
FRE%40
  8,I'VE N"E _H LIVE FI%10 ,MAT!W SD1 Z
WE W5T D[N/AIRS4 8,! FI% ,I EAT >E NICE
& D1D4 ,!Y -E 9 A C1 OR !Y'RE FROZ5
/ICKS COV]$ ) BR1D CRUMBS40
  ,:5 WE CAME 96! D9+ ROOM1 ,MAT!W 0
MUTT]+1 8''' CUT-UP TEA BAGS1 KNOBS ON
ORANGE CRATES1 FI% 9 ! BA?TUB '''0
  8,DOES YR FR ALW TALK 6HMF80 :ISP]$
,SECOND ,SI/] Z ,I HELP$ H] SET ! TA#4
  ,I J SMIL$4 ,X 0 A GD ?+ T ,SECOND
,SI/] CDN'T HE> :AT HE 0 SAY+4
  ,MAT!W 0 \R F/ ,AM]ICAN D9N] GUE/4 ,"F
NO4$ APPROVAL :5 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R 9TRODUC$
HM Z MY FR & SD HE _H A V GD E>4
  ,:5 WE EAT D9N]1 WE NORM,Y HELP    #BI
\RVS 6FOOD F ! PLATT]S 9 ! MI4LE (! TA#4
,B S9CE ,MAT!W 0 MY GUE/1 ,I ACT$ Z A
HO/ & S]V$ HM ) FOOD4
  ,AF A :ILE ,I NOTIC$ T HE WASN'T EAT+
M*4 ,HE SP5T MO/ (! "T />+ AT ! *OP/ICKS
9 MY "R H&4
  8,:AT'S WR;G80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I'VE N"E US$ *OP/ICKS 2F10 HE ADMIT-
T$ %EEPI%LY4
  8,:Y DON'T Y GIVE HM A =K1 ,Y+TAO80
SU7E/$ ,"M4
  8,NO1 PL1SE10 ,MAT!W SD QKLY4 8,I RE,Y
WANT 6LE>N H[ 6USE *OP/ICKS40
  ,S ,I TAU<T HM4 ,I %[$ HM H[ 6GRIP "O
(! TWO /ICKS /1DY & JI7LE ! O!R /ICK TO
CLOSE D[N ON A PIECE ( M1T4
  ,HE MANAG$ 6EAT MO/ (! FOOD ,I S]V$
HM1 B ,I NOTIC$ HE DIDN'T EAT M* (! FI%4
8,I'M N US$ 6EAT+ "S"O ,I SAW SWIMM+ J A
LL :ILE AGO10 HE :ISP]$ APOLOGETIC,Y4
  ,MAT!W LE>N$ FA/1 & 0! 5D (! M1L HE 0
US+ *OP/ICKS PRETTY WELL4 8,HEY1 ? IS GD
F+] EX]CISE60 HE JOK$4 8,I BET X'S GO+
6HELP MY VIOL9 PLAY+40
  8,IF T'S TRUE1 !N :Y DOESN'T       #CJ
,F\R? ,BRO!R PLAY A LL BETT]80 SNI6$
,SECOND ,SI/]4 8,HE'S BE5 US+ *OP/ICKS
S9CE HE 0 TWO YE>S OLD60
  ,MAT!W GAVE ME A SYMPA!TIC SMILE4 ,I 0
US$ 6REM>KS F ! FAMILY AB MY VIOL9 PLAY-
+1 B X 0 / NICE 6H "S"O :O 0 ON MY SIDE4


















                   #C                #CA

  ,F T "D ON ,MAT!W 0 MY BE/ FR4 ,I
DIDN'T H 6/& 0MYF AT RECESS ANYMORE1 &
WE HELP$ EA* O!R A LOT 9 S*OOL4
  ,I 0 A# 6HELP ,MAT!W ) 8 MA? HOME"W4
,*9ESE S*OOLS >E AH1D ( ,AM]ICAN S*OOLS
9 MA?1 S "EYBODY ?"\ ,I 0 A MA? G5IUS :5
,I ALW F9I%$ MY "W L;G 2F ANY"O ELSE4
,MAT!W TOLD ME T MO/ KIDS HAT$ MA?1 EX-
CEPT ^? :O 7 G5IUSES4
  ,I'M C]TA9LY NO G5IUS1 & ,?IRD ,SI/]
IS M* BETT] AT MA? ?AN ,I AM4 ,B ,I 0
HAPPY 6H P ?9K ,I 0 GD AT "S?+1 S ,I
DIDN'T SAY ANY?+4
  ,MAT!W HELP$ ME ) SPELL+4 ,I _H A LOT
( TR\# 2C ,5GLI% J DIDN'T S.D ! WAY X
LOOK$4 ,S ,MAT!W DRILL$ ME ON T\< ^WS L
8C\<10 85\<10 & 8D\<40
  ,I 0 GETT+ US$ 6,AM]ICAN S*OOLS4 ,N
ONLY DID ,I /OP JUMP+ 6ATT5;N :5 ! T1*]
CAME 96! ROOM1 ,I 2GAN 6SL\* 9 MY S1T L
! O!R KIDS4 ,ONCE ,I EV5 9T]RUPT$ 6ASK A
"Q4 ,9 ,*9A1 ! ONLY "T WE WD 9T]RUPT !
T1*] WD 2 IF ! BUILD+ 0 ON FIRE OR "O (!
/UD5TS 0 HAV+ A FIT4                 #CB
  ,I 2GAN 6EAT LUN* ) ,MAT!W & 8 FRS4
,?IRD ,SI/] LOOK$ RELIEV$1 2C N[ %E CD
SIT & EAT ) H] [N FRS4
  ,"S (! BOYS MADE FUN ( MY LUN*1 2C
,I'D BR+ S&WI*ES ) FILL+S L /IR-FRI$ B1N
SPR\TS4 ,AT F/ ,MAT!W GOT ANGRY :5 8 FRS
LAU<$1 B HE SOON SAW T ,I DIDN'T M9D TOO
M*4
  8,DOESN'T X BO!R Y T ^? GUYS >E ALW
BU7+ Y80 HE ASK$ AFW4
  8,NO1 X'S OKAY10 ,I SD4 8,I'M US$ 6X4
,I GET A LOT ( X AT HOME40
  8,Y "K1 Y'RE T\<1 ,Y+TAO--A LOT T\<]
?AN Y LOOK40
  ,"! 0 R1L ADMIR,N 9 8 VOICE1 & ,I SUD-
D5LY FELT TWICE Z TALL4 ,"! ,I WAS1
,YANG ! SCRAWNY1 ,YANG ! "YE/1 & MY FR 0
TELL+ ME ,I 0 T\<4
  ,J 2F \R SPR+ VAC,N1 WE _H AN ASSEM-
BLY4 ,ALL ! CLASSES 9 ! S*OOL W5T 96A
HUGE AUDITORIUM1 & WE HE>D SPEE*ES 0PUB-
LIC (FICIALS4 ,WE _H A LOT ( SPEE*ES 9
,*9A1 TOO1 B !Y 7 DI6]5T4 ,ONCE ,I TRI$
6TELL ,MAT!W1 ,JAKE &! O!RS AB !
POLITICAL SPEE*ES WE _H 9 ,*9A4 ,B   #CC
!Y DIDN'T "U/& :5 ,I TRI$ 6EXPLA94 ,MAY-
BE X 0 2C ,I DIDN'T "U/&1 MYF4
  ,\R OR*E/RA AL PLAY$ "S PIECES1 & S"E-
AL PLAY]S _H SOLOS1 9CLUD+ ,?IRD ,SI/]4
,B :AT ,I LIK$ BE/ ON ! PROGRAM 7 ! FUN-
NY SKITS PUT ON 0! FIF? GRADE /UD5TS4 ,9
"O ( !M1 A TALL BOY SANG A S;G 9 A HI<
VOICE1 J L A GIRL'S4 ,!N X TURN$ \ T HE
0 ONLY MOV+ 8 LIPS1 :ILE A GIRL HID+ 2H
A SCRE5 0 DO+ ! R1L S++4 ,MAT!W TOLD ME
AFW T ? 0 CALL$ LIP SYNC4

  ,AF S*OOL "O "D1 ,MAT!W TOOK ME 6A
FIELD NE>BY 6WAT* HM PLAY BASEBALL )!
NEI<BORHOOD BOYS' T1M4 ,2F !Y />T$ PLAY+
! GAME1 !Y SP5T "S "T ?R[+ ! BALL >.D4
,MAT!W SU45LY TURN$ & ?REW ! BALL AT ME4
  ,)\T EV5 ?9K+1 ,I /RET*$ \ MY >M &
CAU<T X4 ,I LOV$ ! FEEL+ (! BALL SMACK+
AG/ MY H&4
  8,GRT CAT*60 CRI$ ! O!R BOYS4
  ,I 0 S HAPPY T ,I J /OOD "! )A BIG GR9
ON MY FACE4
  ,! COA* CAME UP 6U & SD1 8,MAT!W1 :Y
DON'T Y ASK YR FR IF HE'D L 6PLAY8   #CD
,J]RY C'T -E TD40
  8,SURE10 SD ,MAT!W HAPPILY4 8,I ?9K
,Y+TAO IS DY+ 6PLAY40 ,HE TURN$ 6ME4
8,"H1 TAKE MY BAT & G UP 6! PLATE40
  ,=A SECOND ,I J />$ AT HM4
  ,A BAT IS A SMALL FLY+ ANIMAL T IS
SUPPOS$ 6BR+ GD LUCK1 ,I ?"\4 ,I LOOK$
AT ! BIG /ICK ,MAT!W HELD \ 6ME4 ,0 ? A
BAT1 TOO8
  ,I TOOK ! /ICK & LOOK$ >.D =! PLATE4
,WE DIDN'T USE D9N] PLATES 9 ,*9A1 B ,I
_H EAT5 ,WE/]N M1LS 2F1 & ,I KNEW :AT
PLATES LOOK$ L3 BIG1 FLAT1 %9Y1 R.D ?+S
MADE ( *9A 7B N ALW F ,*9A74
  8,:AT >E Y WAIT+ =80 ASK$ ! BOY :O 0
CAT*]4 8,GET OV] "H60 ,HE PO9T$ 6A SPOT
9 FRONT ( HM ON ! GR.D1 : 0 \TL9$ 9 :ITE
*ALK4
  ,S T 0 ! PLATE4 ,X 0 H>D 5 6LE>N ,5G-
LI%1 & N[ ,I 0 4COV]+ T ,5GLI% ^WS M1NT
"S?+ -PLETELY DI6]5T 9 BASEBALL LAN-
GUAGE4 ,B ,I _H 6LE>N X IF ,I WANT$ TO
PLAY4
  ,! PIT*] />$ AT ME =A MO;T1 RAIS$ "O
LEG HI< 9 ! AIR1 & SU45LY ?REW !     #CE
BALL H>D AT ME4
  ,! BALL %RANK 9 SIZE & LOOK$ NO BI7]
?AN A WALNUT4 ,H[ CD ,I POSSIBLY HIT T
T9Y ?+8
  ,TRY+ 6REMEMB] :AT ! O!R BATT]S _H
D"O1 ,I SWUNG MY BAT FURI\SLY4 ,I MISS$
-PLETELY1 & NE>LY LO/ MY BAL.E4
  8,/RIKE60 CALL$ ! MAN :O SEEM$ 6BE
ACT+ Z JUDGE4
  ,/RIKE8 ,:Y DID HE CALL X A /RIKE8 ,I
_HN'T /RUCK ! BALL AT ALL4 ,I _H MISS$4
,X DIDN'T MAKE S5SE AT ALL4
  ,! PIT*] ?REW AG4 ,I CD SEE T ! BALL 0
-+ TOO L[ = ME 6HIT X WELL1 S ,I DIDN'T
EV5 TRY 6SW+ ! BAT4
  8,BALL60 CALL$ ! JUDGE4
  ,( C\RSE X 0 A BALL4 ,X 0 R.D1 & 2SS1
:AT ELSE DID Y USE 9 BASEBALL8 ,! JUDGE
DIDN'T H 6TELL ME4 ,:ILE ,I 0 / TRY+ TO
MAKE S5SE \ ( :AT 0 HAPP5+1 ! PIT*] ?REW
A BALL AT ME AG4
  8,/RIKE60 SD ! JUDGE4
  ,DID ! JUDGE H TR\# ) 8 EYES8 ,MAYBE
HE NE$$ GLASSES4 ,B 6MY SURPRISE1
"EYBODY ELSE SEEM$ 6AGREE ) HM4 ,I   #CF
0 TOT,Y 3FUS$4
  ,AG ! PIT*] ?REW :ILE ,I 0 N R1DY1 &
AG ! JUDGE YELL$ 8,BALL60
  ,I PULL$ MYF TGR1 & :5 ! NEXT BALL
CAME1 ,I SWUNG MY BAT H>D4 ,I HE>D A
B1UTI;L CRACK & KNEW T ,I _H HIT ! BALL
AT LA/4 ,B ! BALL FLEW HI< UP 9 ! AIR &
0 CAU<T 0"O (! PLAY]S ON ! O!R T1M4
  8,\60 CRI$ ! JUDGE4 ,I DIDN'T NE$ 6BE
TOLD :AT T M1NT4
  ,MAT!W CAME OV] &1 6MY SURPRISE1 TOLD
ME T ,I _H D"O WELL4 8,Y CD TELL T BALL
0 L[1 CDN'T Y80 HE SD4 8,I BET Y'LL MAKE
A GRT BATT] "S"D40
  8,Y1H1 ALL HE NE$S IS A LL PRACTICE10
SD ANO!R BOY4 ,SU45LY ,I F.D MYF SURR.D$
0P :O ACTU,Y APPROV$ ( ME4 ,= AN 9/ANT1
,I EV5 ?"\ ,I SAW ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R AM;G !
O!RS4 ,B X TURN$ \ 6BE J AN ,AM]ICAN BOY
:O 0 SL5D] & _H BLACK HAIR4
  ,X 0 / WOND];L 6H P SMIL+ AT "S?+ ,I
_H D"O1 9/1D ( SCREW+ UP _! FACES ) PA94
,I FELT L FLOAT+ AWAY 96! SKY4 ,I _H (T5
SE5 A HAPPY1 FLOAT+-AWAY LOOK ON ,ELDE/
,BRO!R'S FACE :5 HE PLAY$ A PIECE    #CG
HE RE,Y LIK$4 ,I _H N"E ?"\ ,I'D FEEL X
MYF4

  ,F T "D ON1 9/1D ( WALK+ HOME AF S*OOL
) ,?IRD ,SI/]1 ,I 2GAN 6/OP 0! FIELD )
,MAT!W & PRACTICE BASEBALL Z (T5 Z ,I
CD4 ,I FELT A LL GUILTY AB X1 2C ,I KNEW
,I %D H BE5 SP5D+ ! "T PRACTIC+ MY VIO-
L94 ,B ,I DIDN'T FEEL .TOO GUILTY1 2C ,I
KNEW T X DIDN'T MAKE M* DI6];E :E!R ,I
PRACTIC$ OR N4 ,?IRD ,SI/] KNEW H[ M* ,I
5JOY$ BASEBALL1 & %E DIDN'T TELL ON ME4
  ,B ,I CDN'T KEEP ! BASEBALL PLAY+ A
SECRET4 ,DUR+ "O ( MY LESSONS ) ,"F1 HE
NOTIC$ T ,I 0 HOLD+ MY B[ DI6]5TLY4
8,:AT HAPP5$ 6YR H&80 HE ASK$1 PO9T+ 6MY
KNUCKLES1 : 7 RAW4
  8,I SCRAP$ MY H& SLID+ ON ! GR.D10 ,I
MUM#D4 ,"O (! O!R PLAY]S _H TAU<T ME H[
6SLIDE 9 ! DIRT & 6T\* ! HOME PLATE 2F !
BALL CD R1* ! CAT*]4
  ,"F FR[N$4 8,& J :Y H Y BE5 SLID+ ON !
GR.D80
  ,BIT 0BIT ! TRU? CAME \4 ,I _H 6TELL
HM AB BASEBALL1 AB GO+ 6! FIELD AF   #CH
S*OOL & PLAY+ ON ! NEI<BORHOOD T1M4
  ,I 0 AFRAID ,"F WD 2 V ANGRY4 ,9/1D1
HE LOOK$ SAD4 8,Y+TAO1 YR "M & ,I BO? "K
T Y >E LESS FOND ( MUSIC ?AN YR BRO!R &
SI/]S4 ,X'S CLE> T YR HE>T ISN'T 9 YR
PLAY+4 ,B :Y DON'T Y AT L1/ TRY H>D]--J
? ONCE1 J =! RECITAL8 ,X'S V IMPORTANT
6ME4 ,X'S IMPORTANT 6\R :OLE FAMILY40
  ,HE 0 BE7+4 ,I HAT$ 6SEE ,"F L ?4 ,I'D
R H HM %\T+ AT ME4
  ,H[ CD ,I TELL HM T ) OR )\T SCRAP$
KNUCKLES1 ,I WD PLAY MIS]ABLY--T NO MAT-
T] H[ H>D ,I TRI$1 ,I SIMPLY CD N PLAY 9
TUNE8 ,9 \R /R+ QU>TET1 ,I 0 AB Z USE;L
Z A RICK%AW ) "O :EEL4
  ,X WDN'T 2 S BAD IF WE W]5'T PLAY+ A
/R+ QU>TET4 ,:5 ,I PLAY$ 9 ! OR*E/RA OR
SANG 9 A *ORUS1 ,I _H MY USUAL WAYS 6ES-
CAPE4 ,B 9 A /R+ QU>TET1 "! 0 NO ESCAPE1
NO WAY = ME 6COV] UP4
  8,"F1 :Y D Y MAKE U PLAY A /R+ QU>TET
9 ! RECITAL80 ,I ASK$4 8,:Y C'T Y J H
,ELDE/ ,BRO!R PLAY A SOLO80
  ,"F ?"\ =A MO;T 2F ANSW]+ MY "Q4
8,I'LL TELL Y :Y1 ,Y+TAO4 ,:5 Y'RE   #CI
PLAY+ A SOLO PIECE1 Y C>E ONLY AB YRF4
,:5 Y'RE PLAY+ 9 A L>GE OR*E/RA1 Y D :AT
"EY"O ELSE IS DO+4 ,B 9 A QU>TET1 Y H TO
COOP]ATE )! O!RS1 & AT ! SAME "T Y SP1K
\ = YRF4 ,EA* VOICE IS HE>D4 ,T'S :Y ,I
LOVE /R+ QU>TETS BE/ ( ALL ! DI6]5T K9DS
( MUSIC40
  ,I KNEW T HE 2LIEV$ 9 LETT+ EA* P]SON
SP1K \1 9 LETT+ EA* VOICE 2 HE>D4 ,WE _H
HE>D HM SAY X (T54 ,9 ,*9A N "EYBODY
AGRE$ ) HM4 ,ONCE ,I OV]HE>D ,"M TELL+
HM 6BE C>E;L :5 HE SD T4
  ,9 MO/ ,*9ESE FAMILIES1 USU,Y ! "F
MAKES ALL ! DECI.NS &! RE/ SIL5TLY A3EPT
!M4 ,B 9 \R H\SE ,"F WD 5C\RAGE U 6SP1K
\ & LET EA* VOICE 9 ! FAMILY 2 HE>D4 ,WE
LOV$ HM = X4
  ,B X 0 2C ,I LOV$ HM S M* T ,I CDN'T
SP1K \4 ,I KNEW T IF ,I TOLD HM ,I HAT$
! VIOL91 X WD HURT HM DEEPLY4 ,! TR\#
IS1 9 ? CASE WE WD RE,Y 2 BETT] (F IF !
VOICE ( MY VIOL9 .CDN'T 2 HE>D4

  ,AF HE />T$ LESSONS F ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R1
,MAT!W IMPROV$ V FA/4 ,B 9 ! S*OOL   #DJ
OR*E/RA1 HE / SAT ) ME 9 ! BACK R[1 ": !
WOR/ PLAY]S W]E4 ,! 3DUCTOR 0 TOO BUSY
6NOTICE ,MAT!W'S IMPROVE;T1 & UNTIL "! 0
ANO!R AUDI;N = ALL ! PLAY]S1 ,MAT!W WD H
6/AY ": HE WAS4
  ,HE DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ AB X1 B ,I KNEW
HE WANT$ "S PRO( T HE 0 GETT+ BETT]4
  8,MY BRO!R SAYS T AF ONLY "O MON? (
LESSONS1 Y'RE ALR PLAY+ BETT] ?AN ,I DID
AF F\R YE>S ( LESSONS10 ,I TOLD HM4
  ,HE DIDN'T LOOK 3V9C$4 8,YR BRO!R 0 J
2+ NICE4 ,MY FOLKS / HATE ! S.D ( MY
FI4LE40
  ,MY FAMILY 0 GETT+ US$ 6HAV+ ,MAT!W
EAT ) U4 ,0! "T 8 LESSON ) ,ELD] ,BRO!R
0 F9I%$1 X 0 (T5 D9N]"T ALR4
  ,MAT!W 2GAN 6BE EMB>RASS$4 8,I'M EAT+
D9N] AT YR H\SE A LOT1 LATELY4 ,& ,I'M
GETT+ FREE MUSIC LESSONS1 TOO40
  8,T'S ALL "R10 ,I SD4 8,WE (T5 H GUE/S
= D9N]4 ,WE J SET "S EXTRA PLATES & *OP-
/ICKS & ADD WAT] 6! S\P40
  8,B H[ D Y "K IF Y'LL H 5 FOOD 6G
>.D80
  8,"EYBODY J EATS A LL LESS4 ,WE    #DA
C ALW FILL UP ON RICE40
  8,Y M/ RUN \ ( RICE A LOT !N10 SD
,MAT!W4
  ,HE 0 "R4 ,WE NE$$ M RICE T V AFN4
,USU,Y1 ,SECOND ,SI/] W5T %OPP+ ) ,"M1 B
%E 0 9 "O ( H] MOODS TD4
  8,MAT!W & ,I C G & C>RY = Y10 ,I SD TO
,"M4
  ,LOOK+ F/ AT ME & !N AT ,MAT!W1 ,"M
SMIL$4 8,S9CE "! >E TWO ( Y 6HELP C>RY1
,I'LL BUY A BIG SACK ( RICE ? "T--A
FIFTY-P.D BAG40
  ,EV5 )! TWO ( U1 WE 7 PANT+ H>D :5 WE
F9,Y H1V$ ! SACK ( RICE 96! BUS4 ,MAT!W
DIDN'T 2LIEVE ME AT F/ :5 ,I TOLD HM T
WE WD EAT UP ALL ! RICE 9 AB TWO MON?S4
  8,GEE1 ,I DON'T "K H[ Y /AY S SK9NY :5
Y EAT S M*60 HE SD4
  8,HEY1 ,MAT!W60 "SBODY YELL$ :5 WE _H
5T]$ ! BUS & >RANG$ ! SACK ( RICE AT \R
FEET4 8,:AT H Y GOT "!8 ,CE;T80
  ,X 0 ,JAKE1 ! BOY :O _H TAK5 MY P5
DUR+ RECESS AT S*OOL4 ,HE CAME OV] 6LOOK
AT ! SACK4 8,PHOENIX ,BR& ,FRAGRANT
,RICE1 FIFTY P.DS10 HE SD1 R1D+ !    #DB
LABEL4
  ,!N HE GR9N$4 8,IF Y EAT ALL ?1 ,MAT-
!W1 ! CURL W G \ ( YR HAIR1 & Y'LL H
/RAI<T BLACK HAIR L YR ,*9ESE FR "H40
  ,JAKE W5T BACK 6HIS FRS AT ! BACK (!
BUS1 & ,I HE>D LAU<T]4
  ,MAT!W PRET5D$ N 6HE>1 B 8 FACE TURN$
A LL R$4 ,=! F/ "T1 ,I R1LIZ$ T 2+ FRS )
ME CD 2 EMB>RASS+ = HM4
  ,B T DIDN'T /OP ,MAT!W F /AY+ 6D9N] T
EV5+4 ,HE 0 US+ *OP/ICKS PRETTY WELL BY
N[1 & HE ONLY DROPP$ A FEW ?+S ON ! TA#4
,HE EV5 ATE A LL FI%4
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ UP F 8 FI% B"OS4 8,C ,I
/AY >.D & LI/5 6! QU>TET PRACTICE TN80
HE ASK$ ,"F4
  8,( C\RSE Y C60 SD ,"F1 LOOK+ PL1S$4
,HE TURN$ 6ME4 8,SEE H[ S]I\S YR FR IS
AB MUSIC1 ,Y+TAO4 ,Y C LE>N F 8 EXAM-
PLE40
  8,MAYBE HE C EV5 PLAY YR "P 9 ! QU>TET
=A LL :ILE10 SU7E/$ ,"M4 8,!N Y C HE> H[
X'S .SUPPOS$ 6S.D40
  ,"M DIDN'T SAY ? 6BE CRUEL4 ,%E RE,Y
?"\ X WD IMPROVE MY 8ATTITUDE40      #DC
,EXCEPT = ,?IRD ,SI/]1 "EYBODY 9 ! FAMI-
LY _H BE5 SAY+ ?+S L ? = YE>S4 ,I %D H
BE5 US$ 6X1 B "SH[ X FELT WORSE :5 !Y SD
X 9 FRONT ( MY FR4
  ,S ,MAT!W /AY$ 9 ! LIV+ ROOM ) U :ILE
WE SET UP ! /&S & PUT \ ! MUSIC =! QU>-
TET4
  ,Z USUAL WE _H 6/OP AF PLAY+ ONLY A
FEW B>S1 &! PLACE ": WE /OPP$ 0 ! PLACE
": ,I />T$ PLAY+4 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R SCREW$
UP 8 FACE4 ,HE LOOK$ L "S"O :O _H BITT5
96A GRE5 P]SIMMON4
  ,I GL.ED AT ,MAT!W & SAW ! SAME SU6]+
ON 8 FACE1 AL? HE TRI$ N 6%[ X4 ,=A MO;T
,I FELT BAD4 ,EV5 MY BE/ FR CDN'T /& MY
PLAY+4
  ,OH1 WELL1 IF MY [N BRO!R & SI/]S
CDN'T BE> 6LI/51 H[ CD ,I EXPECT A FR
TO8
  ,!N1 ,SECOND ,SI/] REMEMB]$ ,"M'S SUG-
GES;N4 8,F\R? ,BRO!R1 :Y DON'T Y LET
,MAT!W PLAY ! SECOND VIOL9 "P8 ,J S T Y
GET AN IDEA40
  ,I GOT UP & LET HM TAKE MY S1T4 ,/&+
0MYF 9 A CORN]1 ,I WAT*$ ! F\R (     #DD
!M />T 6PLAY4
  ,AT F/ ,MAT!W MADE "S MISTAKES1 MO/LY
9 C.T+ "T4 ,! MUSIC 0 NEW 6HM1 AF ALL4
,B HE LE>N$ QKLY1 & SOON HE 0 PLAY+
AWAY4 ,I SAW ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R NOD4 ,EV5 8
FUSSY E> 0 SATISFI$4
  ,X 0 TRUE T ,MAT!W'S CURLY BR[N HAIR
LOOK$ FUNNY1 SURR.D$ 0! /RAI<T BLACK
HAIR (! ,YANGS4 ,B Z ,JAKE _H SD 9 !
BUS1 MAYBE IF HE ATE 5 RICE '''
  ,SU45LY ,I FELT AN A*E 9 MY *E/4 ,I
WASN'T EXACTLY J1L\S ( ,MAT!W--AF ALL1
HE 0 MY BE/ FR1 & ,I 0 ! "O :O _H 9VIT$
HM OV]4 ,B ,I FELT LEFT \4
  ,AF T1 ,MAT!W CAME REGUL>LY 6\R RE-
HE>SALS4 ,SECOND ,SI/] WD /OP ! PLAY+ AF
AB T5 B>S 96! QU>TET4 8,:Y DON'T Y LET
,MAT!W TAKE OV]1 ,F\R? ,BRO!R10 %E WD
SAY4 8,!N Y C HE> H[ YR "P IS SUPPOS$ TO
S.D40
  ,S ,MAT!W 5D$ UP PLAY+ ! SECOND VIOL9
"P MO/ (! "T4 ,N"O (! O!RS OBJECT$4
  ,!N "O "D1 HE TOLD ME 9 S*OOL T HE
WDN'T 2 A# 6-E 6MY H\SE T AFN = 8 LESSON
) ,ELD] ,BRO!R4                      #DE
  8,MY P>5TS ?9K T ,I'M SP5D+ TOO M* "T
AT YR H\SE10 HE SD4
  8,:AT'S WR;G ) T80 ,I ASK$4 ,!N AN UN-
-=TA# ?"\ /RUCK ME4 8,IS X 2C WE'RE
,*9ESE80
  8,NO1 ( C\RSE N60 ,MAT!W SD QKLY--MAY-
BE TOO QKLY8 8,SEE1 ,I'M EAT+ D9N] ) Y A
C\PLE ( "TS A WEEK ALR1 & MY MOM IS EM-
B>RASS$ AB T40
  8,%E DOESN'T H 6BE10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,WE
/ H AB ?IRTY P.DS ( RICE LEFT4 ,& Y C
HELP ME C>RY ANO!R FIFTY-P.D SACK IF WE
RUN \40
  ,MAT!W %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,B
,I'LL "W ON MY MOM & TRY 6*ANGE H] M9D40
  ,A C\PLE ( "DS LAT] HE SD 8 P>5TS _H
9VIT$ ME OV] 6D9N] AT 8 H\SE4
  ,I SUSPECT$ !Y WANT$ 6LOOK ME OV]4 ,I
KNEW T :5 ,I W5T 6,MAT!W'S H\SE T EV5+1
,I _H 6MAKE A RE,Y GD IMPRES.N4




                                     #DF
























                   #D                #DG

  ,MR4 ,3N]1 ,MAT!W'S "F1 OP5$ ! DOOR4
8,HELLO1 Y M/ 2 ''' UH '''0 ,HE TURN$ TO
,MAT!W4
  8,? IS ,Y+TAO10 SD ,MAT!W4
  8,SORRY10 SD ,MR4 ,3N]4 8,I H A H>D "T
) ,*9ESE "NS40
  8,T'S OKAY10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,I H A H>D
"T ) ,AM]ICAN "NS40
  ,MR4 ,3N] LOOK$ />TL$4 ,MAYBE HE
WASN'T EXPECT+ ME 6SP1K :OLE S5T;ES4
  8,YR MOM'S GETT+ "S GROC]IES10 HE SD
6,MAT!W4 8,SUPP] W 2 A LL LATE40
  8,-E ON1 LET'S G 6MY ROOM10 ,MAT!W SD
6ME4
  8,%DN'T WE G 6! /ORE & HELP YR "M C>RY
! GROC]IES HOME80 ,I ASK$4
  8,X'S ALL "R10 SD ,MAT!W4 8,MOM'S
DRIV+40
  ,I 0 SURPRIS$4 ,S9CE ,MAT!W _H TOLD ME
T 8 "F _H LO/ 8 JOB & CDN'T AF=D 6PAY =
MUSIC LESSONS1 ,I EXPECT$ ! ,3N] FAMILY
6BE RE,Y POOR4 8,YR FAMILY C AF=D 6DRIVE
A C>80 ,I ASK$4
  ,N[ ,MAT!W LOOK$ SURPRIS$4 8,(     #DH
C\RSE4 ,"EYBODY DRIVES40
  8,IN ,*9A1 ONLY (FICIALS & EXECUTIVES
( BIG -PANIES H C>S10 ,I TOLD HM4
  ,! ,3N]S C]TA9LY DIDN'T LOOK POOR4 ,_!
H\SE 0 MADE ( WOOD1 PA9T$ 9 A NICE LI<T
BLUE COLOR1 & X _H A Y>D BO? 9 FRONT & 9
BACK1 ) N1TLY CUT LAWNS4
  8,D Y %>E YR H\SE ) ANO!R FAMILY80 ,I
ASK$4
  ,MAT!W %OOK 8 H1D4 8,NOPE4 ,WE H X ALL
6\RVS4 ,]IC & ,I EA* H \R [N ROOM40
  ,I LOOK$ >.D 9 WOND] AT ! SPACI\S LIV+
ROOM ) XS MAT*+ S(A & >M*AIRS1 & AT !
D9+ ROOM1 : _H A TA#1 MAT*+ D9+ *AIRS1 &
CUPBO>DS4
  8,I RE,Y L YR H\SE10 ,I TOLD ,MAT!W4
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ PL1S$4 8,DAD B"\ ? H\SE
*1P & FIX$ X UP4 ,]IC & ,I HELP$ HM40
  ,I 0 IMPRESS$4 8,Y RE,Y HELP$ HM )!
C>P5TRY "W80
  8,WELL1 WE MO/LY H&$ HM 8 TOOLS10 AD-
MITT$ ,MAT!W4 8,B HE DID LET U P.D A FEW
NAILS40
  ,I CDN'T IMAG9E ,"F "W+ ON A H\SE4 ,9
,*9A1 :5 "S?+ NE$$ 6BE D"O 9 \R      #DI
A"P;T1 WE J CALL$ 9 A C>P5T]4 ,WE EV5 _H
A C>P5T] -E 9 6MAKE B$S = U4 ,X 0 *1P]
?AN BUY+ R1DY-MADE B$S4 ,AF WE CAME TO
,AM]ICA1 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R GOT A HAMM] & DID
A LL REPAIR "W1 B ,I DIDN'T ?9K HE WD
ASK ME 6HELP HM4
  8,X M/ 2 NICE 6HELP YR "F FIX UP YR [N
H\SE10 ,I SD WI/;LLY4 8,WE'RE R5T+1 & WE
C AF=D ONLY HALF (A H\SE4 ,WE ALL H 6D\#
UP 9 ! B$ROOMS40
  8,WELL1 T'S 2C Y'RE NEWCOM]S 6? C\N-
TRY10 SD ,MAT!W4 8,I BET Y _H M ROOM
BACK 9 ,*9A40
  ,I NE>LY LAU<$4 8,IN ,*9A1 ALL F\R ( U
_H 6%>E "O B$ROOM4 ,WE ATE \R M1LS 9 !
LIV+ ROOM1 & T'S ": MY P>5TS SLEPT AT
NI<T4 ,AT L1/ WE 7 LUCKY & _H \R [N
KIT*540
  8,Y M1N "S A"P;TS DON'T H _! [N KIT*-
5S80 ASK$ ,MAT!W1 SURPRIS$4
  8,MO/ ( !M DON'T4 ,_M ( \R FRS _H 6%>E
A KIT*5 ) TWO OR EV5 F\R O!R FAMILIES4
,WE _H 6%>E A BA?ROOM & TOILET ) \R
NEI<BORS ACR ! HALL40
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ /UNN$4 8,B ''' B      #EJ
''' YR BRO!R HAS T B1UTI;L VIOL94 ,Y ALL
H EXP5SIVE 9/RU;TS4 ,YR FAMILY C'T 2 T
H>D UP60
  8,WE .H 6H GD 9/RU;TS10 ,I SD4 8,AC TO
,"F1 Y C'T MAKE GD MUSIC )\T GD 9/RU-
;TS40
  ,B Y C H A GD 9/RU;T & / MAKE T]RI#
MUSIC1 ,I SD 6MYF4 ,MAT!W 0 SIL5T & ?"\-
;L Z WE W5T UP ! /AIRS 6HIS ROOM4
  ,I F.D 8 ROOM FILL$ ) FURNITURE4 ,2SS
A B$1 HE _H A BOOK%ELF1 A DESK1 &A *E/ )
SIX DRAW]S4 ,! W9D[S EV5 _H CLO? CURTA9S
) RU6LES4
  ,9 ! ROOM ,I %>$ ) ,ELD] ,BRO!R1 "! 7
ONLY ROLL$ %ADES4 ,WE PULL$ !M D[N :5 !
SUN 0 9 \R EYES1 B !Y WD ROLL UP )A L\D
SNAP1 ESPECI,Y :5 ,I 0 PRACTIC+4 ,I /
CDN'T GET US$ 6!M4
  ,I W5T >.D1 ADMIR+ ,MAT!W'S ROOM4 ,!
WALLS 7 ALM -PLETELY COV]$ ) PHOTO-
GRAPHS4 ,!Y 7 DIVID$ 96TWO K9DS3 PIC-
TURES ( BASEBALL PLAY]S & PICTURES ( VI-
OL9I/S4
  ,X 0 FUNNY1 SEE+ ! PHOTO (A BALLPLAY]
9 8 UNI=M HOLD+ A BAT1 & NEXT 6X !   #EA
PHOTO (A MUSICIAN 9 A TUX$O HOLD+ A VIO-
L9 &A B[4 ,I LAU<$4
  8,Y'RE J L MY BRO!R ,]IC10 GRUM#D
,MAT!W4 8,HE ?9KS Y C'T 2 A BASEBALL FAN
&A MUSIC FAN AT ! SAME "T40
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ ANNOY$1 S ,I *ANG$ ! SUB-
JECT & ASK$ HM AB 8 "F4 8,:AT DID YR "F
D 2F HE LO/ 8 JOB80
  8,HE 0 A MA*9I/10 SD ,MAT!W4 8,HE GOT
LAID (F :5 8 -PANY %UT D[N "O ( _!
PLANTS "H40
  8,LAID (F8 ,0 HE HURT BADLY80
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ PUZZL$4 8,I DIDN'T SAY HE
0 HURT40
  8,B ''' B ''' ,I ?"\ HE 0 LAID (F ON A
/RET*] OR "S?+40
  8,OH BOY1 "H WE G AG10 SD ,MAT!W4 ,HE
TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 8,8,LAID (F0' DOESN'T
H ANY?+ 6D ) LY+ D[N4 ,X'S ANO!R WAY (
SAY+ HE LO/ 8 JOB40
  8,OH4 ,T'S TOO BAD4 ,H[ L;G AGO DID HE
GET ''' ] ''' LAID (F80
  8,X'S BE5 M ?AN TWO MON?S N[40
  8,NO WOND] Y DON'T H M"OY = MUSIC
LESSONS10 ,I SD4 ,MAT!W _H BE5       #EB
SURPRIS$ 2C WE _H EXP5SIVE 9/RU;TS1 B NO
M"OY = FURNITURE4 ,! ,3N]S _H A BIG1
B1UTI;L H\SE FULL ( FURNITURE1 B NO M"OY
= MUSIC LESSONS4 ,DID !Y H M"OY = FOOD8
  ,I />T$ 6WORRY AB D9N]4 ,"SH[ ,I
DIDN'T ?9K ! ,3N]S B"\ FIFTY-P.D BAGS (
RICE4 8,W Y H 5 FOOD TN IF ,I EAT "H80
  8,LOOK1 WE'RE N EXACTLY />V+ >.D "H60
,MAT!W LOOK$ A LL (F5D$ 0MY "Q1 & AL 0MY
REM9D] T HE DIDN'T H 5 M"OY = MUSIC LES-
SONS4
  8,I'M SORRY10 ,I SD QKLY4 8,I DIDN'T
M1N '''0
  8,NO1 T'S OKAY4 ,DAD HAS UNEMPLOY;T
B5EFITS1 & ,MOM HAS A "P-"T JOB4 ,2SS1
BO? ,]IC & ,I H PAP] R\TES40
  8,A PAP] R\TE40 ,I *EW$ OV] ! ^WS4
,"S"TS1 IF ,I SAY ! ^WS V1 V SL[LY1 !Y
2G9 6MAKE S5SE4 ,B N ? "T4
  ,MAT!W EXPLA9$4 8,A PAP] R\TE M1NS DE-
LIV]+ NEWSPAP]S4 ,E MORN+ WE G >.D & ?R[
NEWSPAP]S ON P'S FRONT POR*ES4 ,WE D X
2F GO+ 6S*OOL40
  8,T M1NS Y H 6GET UP E>LY 9 ! MORN+10
,I SD1 FEEL+ SORRY = HM4 ,I FELT     #EC
SORRY = ANY"O :O _H 6GET UP E>LY4
  ,MAT!W %RU7$4 8,X'S N TOO BAD4 ,]IC &
,I MAKE GD M"OY4 ,WE E>N 5 6BUY \R [N
CLO!S & GAMES & /UFF40
  ,HE LOOK$ AT ME CURI\SLY4 8,DON'T Y
GUYS "W8 ,H[ AB YR SI/]S8 ,D !Y MAKE ANY
M"OY BABY-SITT+80
  8,BABY-SITT+80
  8,Y "K1 SIT BABIES1 :5 _! P>5TS G \10
,MAT!W SD PATI5TLY--MAYBE TOO PATI5TLY4
  ,TALK+ 6,AM]ICANS IS L WALK+ AL;G A
C.TRY FOOTPA? 9 ,*9A4 ,Y ?9K ! PA? IS
NICE & FIRM1 B YR FOOT SU45LY SLIPS ON A
MU4Y /RET* & Y L& )A BIG SPLA% 9 A WET
RICE PA4Y4
  ,MY FAMILY TRIES H>D 6/UDY ,5GLI%4
,:5"E WE -E ACR A /RANGE ^W1 WE LOOK X
UP 9 A DIC;N>Y4 ,B "K+ :AT EA* ^W M1NS
ISN'T ALW 5\<4
  8,Y M1N SIT A BABY D[N ON A *AIR80 ,I
F9,Y ASK$ ,MAT!W4 8,:Y %D MY SI/]S E>N
ANY M"OY DO+ T80
  ,MAT!W TU7$ AT 8 HAIR4 ,HE DID ? A LOT
:5 WE TALK$ TGR4 ,ANO!R ?+ HE DID 0 TO
TAKE A FEW DEEP BR1?S4 ,HE DID ?     #ED
N[4 8,=GET X4 ,D Y & YR BRO!R & SI/]S
E>N ANY M"OY80
  8,:Y %D WE80 ,I ASK$1 PUZZL$4 8,WE'VE
GOT 5 6EAT1 & WE H A NICE A"P;T4 ,X'S N
Z NICE Z YR H\SE1 B X'S GD 5 = U40
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ RE,Y %OCK$4
  8,"EYBODY NE$S "S SP5D+ M"OY6 ,I M1N1
Y C'T BEG YR P>5TS = M"OY E "T Y G 6!
MOVIES1 OR "S?+40
  ,I 2GAN 6FEEL UNCOM=TA#4 8,X'S TRUE WE
ASK \R P>5TS = M"OY IF WE WANT 6G 6!
MOVIES4 ,B WE DON'T G A LOT1 & WE DON'T
RE,Y G D[N ON \R KNEES 6BEG40
  8,IN ,AM]ICA1 MO/ KIDS GET A JOB & E>N
_! [N POCKET M"OY4 ,2SS1 X HELPS _! P>-
5TS \40
  8,WE C'T GET A JOB10 ,I SD4 8,WE'RE /
GO+ 6S*OOL40
  8,Y1H8 ,WELL1 ,]IC & ,I G 6S*OOL1 TOO4
,I M1N1 DON'T Y E>N M"OY 9 YR EXTRA "T80
  8,WE SP5D ALL \R EXTRA "T /UDY+ &
PRACTIC+ MUSIC4 ,WE DON'T H ANY "T LEFT
= JOBS40
  ,MAT!W FR[N$4 8,I GUESS T'S :Y MY DAD
DOESN'T WANT ME 6TAKE MUSIC LES-     #EE
SONS4 ,X'S N J ! M"OY4 ,MAYBE HE ?9KS
PRACTIC+ MUSIC WA/ES TOO M* "T40
  ,MY P>5TS 2LIEV$ T PRACTIC+ MUSIC 0
N"E A WA/E ( "T4 ,9 MY CASE !Y 7 WR;G1 B
NO?+ CD *ANGE _! M9DS4
  ,2F WE CD SAY ANY M1 A BOY'S VOICE
CALL$1 8,SUPP]'S R1DY60
  ,WE RAN D[N/AIRS4 ,I 0 9TRODUC$ 6,MRS4
,3N]1 :O LOOK$ TIR$4 ,%E BRU%$ A DAMP
CURL F H] =EH1D1 SMIL$ QKLY1 & 2GAN 6C>-
RY DI%ES ( FOOD F ! KIT*54
  8,AW1 N TUNA CASS]OLE AG60 SD ,]IC1
,MAT!W'S OLD] BRO!R4
  8,SAY HELLO 6,MAT!W'S FR10 GR[L$ ,MR4
,3N]4
  ,]IC ROLL$ 8 EYES1 B HE DID SAY 8,HI0
6ME4 ,!N HE W5T BACK 6GL>+ AT ! TUNA DI%
9 ! MI4LE (! TA#4
  ,I CDN'T "U/& :Y ,]IC DIDN'T L TUNA4
,I F.D X DELICI\S4 ,S1FOOD IS EXP5SIVE 9
,*9A1 & ,I L X BETT] ?AN M1T4 ,I HOP$ T
,MRS4 ,3N] DIDN'T H 6SP5D A LOT ( M"OY
ON ! D9N]--N :5 ,MR4 ,3N] 0 \ ( "W1 N :5
,MAT!W DIDN'T H M"OY = MUSIC LESSONS4
  ,"! WASN'T M* TALK AT ! D9N] TA-   #EF
#4 ,MR4 ,3N] ATE SL[LY B DELIB]ATELY4 ,I
REMEMB]$ T ,MAT!W _H SD 8 "F 0 A MA*9I/4
,MAYBE HE LIK$ ?+S 6"W SMOO?LY4 ,MRS4
,3N] 0 BUSY PASS+ ! DI%ES ( FOOD >.D4
  ,I FELT ! EYES (! :OLE ,3N] FAMILY ON
ME1 & ,I KNEW !Y 7 WAIT+ 6SEE IF ,I'D D
"S?+ FUNNY1 L BR++ ! SALAD B[L 6MY M\? &
DR9K+ UP ! DRESS+ LEFT AT ! BOTTOM4
  ,9 FACT T 0 :AT ,I _H TRI$ 6D ! F/ "T
WE W5T 6,MC,DONALD'S & _H _! SALAD4 ,B
,"M _H /OPP$ ME4 ,:5 WE GOT HOME1 %E
GAVE U ALL A LESSON 9 ! PROP] WAY 6EAT 9
,AM]ICA4 ,%E AL B"\ U A BOOK ON ETI-
QUETTE4
  ,AT L1/ LE>N+ 6EAT 9 ,AM]ICA 0 A LOT
EASI] ?AN LE>N+ 6TALK4 ,WE LE>N$ H[ 6USE
A KNIFE & =K1 N 6SLURP ! SPA<ETTI1 N TO
HUN* OV] ! D9N] PLATE1 & S ON4 ,WE J
FOLL[$ ! RULES4 ,X'S N L TALK+1 :5 Y
C>E;LLY LOOK UP NEW ^WS 9 A DIC;N>Y1 & /
FALL 96TRAPS AB 2+ LAID (F & BABY-SITT+4
  ,AT F/ ! ,3N]S LOOK$ A LL 4APPO9T$ :5
,I DIDN'T D ANY?+ /RANGE4 ,B AF A :ILE
,I SAW !M RELAX1 & SOON !Y 2GAN 6*AT4
  ,]IC PICK$ \ ! GRE5 P1S 9 ! TUNA   #EG
DI%4 8,MAT!W TOLD ME Y ATE LIVE FI%10 HE
SD 6ME4 8,? TUNA PROBABLY LOOKS PRETTY
TAME 6Y40
  8,LIVE FI%80 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT HE M1NT4
  8,LIVE C>P10 HE SD1 8T Y SCOOP UP F YR
BA?TUB40
  8,]IC1 ! C>P 0 ALIVE 9 ! TUB1 B !Y
COOK$ X AFW10 SD ,MAT!W1 8 FACE TURN+
R$4 8,:Y DON'T Y "E LI/580
  ,I 5JOY$ HE>+ ! PHRASE 8,:Y DON'T Y "E
LI/580 2+ SD 6"SBODY ELSE =A *ANGE4 ,DID
,]IC H A T]RI# E>1 TOO8
  ,I 0 AL A LL SURPRIS$ T ,MAT!W _H SPO-
K5 T WAY 6,]IC1 8 ELD] BRO!R4 ,9 \R FAM-
ILY1 ,I _H 6SP1K RESPECT;LLY 6,ELDE/
,BRO!R1 ,SECOND ,SI/]1 & ,?IRD ,SI/]1
AL? !Y CD ALL 2 9SULT+ 6ME1 ! "YE/
,YANG4
  ,B ,]IC ONLY SC[L$ AT 8 "Y] BRO!R &
W5T BACK 6PICK+ \ P1S4
  ,MR4 ,3N] TURN$ 6ME4 8,MAT!W SAYS YR
FAMILY IS RE,Y MUSICAL40
  8,N ME10 ,I SD4 8,I'M T]RI# AT MUSIC40
  8,I'M SURE Y'RE J 2+ MODE/10 SD ,MRS4
,3N]4                                #EH
  8,NO1 HE RE,Y IS AW;L10 SD ,MAT!W4
8,HE'S PROBABLY ! WOR/ PLAY] 9 \R OR*ES-
TRA--& T'S SAY+ A LOT60
  8,MAT!W60 SD 8 "M4 8,T'S NO WAY 6TALK
AB YR FR60
  ,I _H 6%[ !M ,I WASN'T ANGRY4 8,MAT!W
IS "R4 ,I H A T]RI# E>4 ,I WI% ,I N"E _H
6T\* MY VIOL9 AG40
  ,MR4 ,3N] LOOK$ UP F 8 PLATE4 8,IS T A
FACT8 ,!N :Y D Y PLAY80
  8,MY P>5TS MAKE ME10 ,I MUM#D4
  8,OH1 Y POOR ?+10 SD ,MRS4 ,3N]4 ,H]
EYES 7 W>M ) SYMPA?Y4 8,"H1 H "S M TUNA
CASS]OLE40
  ,EV5 ,]IC SEEM$ M FRLY4 8,IF Y DON'T L
MUSIC1 :AT D Y L80
  8,:5 ,I W5T 6S*OOL 9 ,*9A1 :AT ,I LIK$
BE/ 0 GYMNA/ICS40
  ,I _H N"E SD ? 6MY FAMILY4 ,& "H1 ON
MY V F/ VISIT1 ,I 0 TELL+ ! ,3N]S4
  ,]IC MADE A FACE4 8,GYMNA/ICS8 ,X'S
MO/LY GIRLS :O G 9 = T40
  8,I L O!R SPORTS1 TOO10 ,I SD4 8,MAT!W
TOOK ME 6WAT* HM & 8 FRS PLAY BASEBALL4
,I EV5 PLAY "S"TS4 ,X'S RE,Y FUN40   #EI
  ,MR4 ,3N] SMIL$4 8,HEY1 T'S GRT4
,BASEBALL IS \R N,NAL SPORT4 ,IF Y L
BASEBALL1 Y'LL 2 "R AT HOME "H40
  ,HE TURN$ 6,MAT!W4 8,I'M GLAD Y MADE
FRS ) ''' UH '''0
  8,Y+TAO10 ,I SUPPLI$4
  8,Y1H1 ) ,Y+TAO4 ,A BOY %D H LOTS (
DI6]5T 9T]E/S & N SP5D ALL 8 "T ON MU-
SIC40
  ,MRS4 ,3N] SMIL$1 TOO4 8,WE 7 GETT+
EMB>RASS$ 2C ,MAT!W 0 EAT+ D9N] AT YR
H\SE S M*4 ,I'M GLAD Y CD -E OV] "H =A
*ANGE40
  8,MAYBE WE C G \ 9 ! Y>D & HIT A FEW
BALLS LAT]10 ,]IC SD 6ME4
  ,AF D9N] ,MAT!W HELP$ 8 "M WA% ! DI%-
ES4 ,I />T$ 6JO9 !M4
  8,GUE/S DON'T H 6D ! DI%ES10 SD ,]IC4
8,-E ON1 LET'S G \TSIDE40
  ,]IC BR"\ 8 BASEBALL \ 96! Y>D1 & WE
2GAN 6PRACTICE ?R[+4
  8,HEY1 N BAD60 HE SD1 :5 ,I JUMP$ UP
6CAT* A ?R[ T ALM SAIL$ 96! NEI<BOR'S
Y>D4
  8,MAT!W TAU<T ME H[ 6D T10 ,I      #FJ
SD4
  ,AT ! M5;N ( 8 BRO!R1 ,]IC MADE A
FACE4 8,MAT!W IS NO FUN ANYMORE1 N[ T
HE'S 96MUSIC40
  ,I WASN'T Q SURE :AT HE M1NT4 8,:Y N8
,Y M1N HE'S TOO BUSY 6PLAY ) Y80
  ,]IC LOOK$ AT 8 FEET4 8,HE LOOKS L S*
A N]D1 C>RY+ T VIOL9 CASE >.D60
  8,:AT'S A N]D80 ,? ^W _HN'T -E UP ON
ANY ( ,?IRD ,SI/]'S LI/S4
  8,A N]D IS ''' WELL1 A WIMP40
  8,:AT'S A WIMP80 ,T 0 ANO!R ^W N ON
,?IRD ,SI/]'S LI/S4
  ,]IC TU7$ AT 8 HAIR4 ,MAYBE ? 0 A HAB-
IT T RAN 9 ! ,3N] FAMILY4 8,X'S ''' X'S
K9D (A SISSY40
  ,F9,Y A ^W ,I KNEW4 ,A SISSY 0 "S"O :O
0 AFRAID ( "EY?+4 ,MAT!W 0 "O (! BI7]
BOYS 9 \R CLASS1 & ,I _H N"E SE5 HM
LOOK+ AFRAID4 8,I DON'T ?9K ,MAT!W IS A
SISSY AT ALL40
  8,! O!R KIDS LAU< & CALL HM ,MAT!W !
,BOY ,G5IUS10 MUTT]$ ,]IC4
  8,I'M SURE :AT ! O!R KIDS SAY DOESN'T
BO!R ,MAT!W10 ,I TOLD ,]IC4          #FA
  8,WELL1 X BO!RS .ME10 GRUM#D ,]IC4 8,&
X BO!RS MY DAD1 TOO40
  ,I _H LE>N$ "S?+4 ,9 ,AM]ICA1 X SEEM$
T PLAY+ A VIOL9 MADE A BOY A N]D1 A
WIMP1 A SISSY4
  8,MY ELD] BRO!R & ,I BO? PLAY ! VIO-
L910 ,I SD4
  ,]IC %U6L$ 8 FEET4 8,T'S DI6]5T4 ,Y'RE
,*9ESE4 ,"EYBODY "KS ,*9ESE KIDS D T K9D
( ?+--Y "K--/UDY H>D1 PLAY ! VIOL940
  8,DOES T M1N ,*9ESE KIDS >E ALL N]DS80
  8,N Y60 ,]IC SD QKLY4 8,Y'RE ALL "R40

  8,MY FOLKS LIK$ Y10 ,MAT!W TOLD ME
LAT] Z ,I 0 GETT+ R1DY 6L1VE4 8,N[ T
!Y'VE MET Y1 !Y >5'T WORRI$ ANYMORE40
  ,I 0 PUZZL$4 8,:Y 7 !Y WORRI$80
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ AWAY4 8,I GUESS !Y 7
AFRAID T ,I'D GET EV5 M 9VOLV$ ) MUSIC
IF ,I W5T 6YR H\SE S M*4 ,B Y TOLD !M Y
LIK$ SPORTS1 S N[ !Y ?9K Y'RE OKAY40
  ,I _H PASS$ ! TE/4 ,MAT!W'S P>5TS ?"\
,I 0 GD = HM4
  8,Y "K1 Y'RE RE,Y LUCKY60 ,MAT!W SD
SU45LY4                              #FB
  ,I 0 SURPRIS$4 8,Y'RE ! "O :O'S LUCKY4
,Y'RE MUSICAL4 ,MY BRO!R SAYS S1 & S
DOES MY "F40
  8,B AT .YR H\SE1 P >E HAPPY :5 Y MAKE
MUSIC10 ,MAT!W SD 9 A L[ VOICE4 8,AT .MY
H\SE1 P SAY1 ,8,OH1 N T AG60' :5 ,I PLAY
MY VIOL940
  8,AT MY H\SE1 P >E .N HAPPY :5 ,I MAKE
MUSIC10 ,I SD4 8,P SAY1 ,8,OH N T AG60'
:5 .,I'M ! "O :O IS PLAY+ ! VIOL940
  ,WE LOOK$ AT EA* O!R4 8,TOO BAD WE C'T
TRADE PLACES10 SI<$ ,MAT!W4
  ,T 0 :5 ,I _H MY BRILLIANT IDEA4
8,MAYBE10 ,I SD SL[LY1 8WE C40










                   #E                #FC

  ,LIP SYNC1 T 0 ! IDEA4 ,ONLY X WDN'T 2
LIP SYNC1 B B[ SYNC4 ,MAT!W WD HIDE 2H A
SCRE5 AT ! RECITAL & PLAY MY "P :ILE ,I
MOV$ MY B[ BACK & =? SIL5TLY4
  ,MAT!W 0 %OCK$ :5 ,I TOLD HM AB MY
IDEA4 8,SURE1 ,I WANT 6HELP Y1 ,Y+TAO1 B
? IS CRAZY6 ,WE'LL N"E GET AWAY ) X60
  8,X'S N CRAZY10 ,I 9SI/$4 8,I'VE _H
LOTS ( PRACTICE MOV+ MY B[ 9 "T 6! MU-
SIC4 ,DON'T Y WANT 6PLAY 9 ! QU>TET8 ,?
IS YR *.E40
  ,X TOOK A :ILE1 B ,I F9,Y 3V9C$ HM4
  ,HE EV5 2GAN 6LOOK EXCIT$4 8,IF ,I C
P]=M ) YR BRO!R & SI/] 9 A R1L RECITAL1
X'LL PROVE T ,I'M GD10 HE SD S(TLY4
,LATELY ,MAT!W _H S.D$ 4C\RAG$ 2C 9 !
S*OOL OR*E/RA HE 0 / S1T$ NEXT 6ME1 9 !
V LA/ R[4
  8,Y M/ "K 0N[ T Y'RE TAL5T$10 ,I SD4
8,MY BRO!R & SI/]S ALL SAY S40
  8,!Y'RE J SAY+ T 6BE NICE10 HE MUTT]$4
  8,!N :Y C'T !Y TELL .ME ,I'M TAL5T$ &
2 NICE 6ME1 TOO80 ,I DEM&$4
  ,MAT!W GR9N$4 8,2C !Y "K Y WDN'T   #FD
2LIEVE !M40 ,HE 2CAME S]I\S4 8,MAYBE !Y
KEEP SAY+ H[ GD ,I AM 6MAKE Y "W H>D]1
6IMPROVE YR S-CALL$ ATTITUDE40
  8,WELL1 IF T'S :AT Y 2LIEVE10 ,I SD
QKLY1 8!N Y %D C]TA9LY PLAY 9 ! RECITAL4
,X W 2 A TE/1 SORT (40 ,I A4$1 8,B Y C'T
TELL ANY"O40
  8,NO1 B ,I'LL PROVE "S?+ 6.MYF10 HE
SD4 8,T'S ALL ,I C>E AB40
  ,LOOK+ AT 8 %9+ EYES1 ,I KNEW T ,MAT!W
RE,Y LOV$ MUSIC4 ,HE DIDN'T PLAY 6IM-
PRESS AN AUDI;E1 6HE> P CLAPP+ = HM4 ,HE
WD PLAY 8 HE>T \ EV5 IF NOBODY CD SEE
HM4
  ,? 0 :AT A R1L MUSIC LOV] 0 L4 ,I RE-
MEMB]$ ! "TS :5 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R PLAY$ A
PIECE AL"O 9 8 ROOM1 N 6PRACTICE =A LES-
SON OR A RECITAL--J 2C HE 5JOY$ PLAY+4
  ,S9CE ,MAT!W _H ALR BE5 PRACTIC+ !
SECOND VIOL9 "P (! QU>TET1 HE DIDN'T EV5
NE$ 6REHE>SE )! O!RS4 ,ALL WE _H 6D 0 >-
RANGE = HM 6PLAY 9 ! RECITAL XF4
  ,F/1 WE NE$$ A SCRE5 6HIDE HM--& ,I
KNEW J :AT WE CD USE4 ,"M _H B"\ AN OLD
FOLD+ SCRE5 AT A G>AGE SALE1 & %E    #FE
0 PLANN+ 6FIX X UP & USE X 6DIVIDE \R
D9+ >EA F ! LIV+ ROOM4
  8,Y "K ! SCRE5 Y B"\ LA/ WEEK80 ,I SD
6,"M4 8,C WE USE X =! RECITAL80
  8,:AT =80 %E ASK$4 8,X NE$S PA9T1 & "O
(! H+ES IS BROK540
  8,X'LL LOOK M L A /AGE T WAY10 ,I SD4
8,DON'T WE WANT ?+S 6LOOK NICE80
  ,SECOND ,SI/] SNI6$4 8,:Y DON'T Y WOR-
RY LESS AB ! LOOK (! RECITAL & M AB !
S.D80
  ,:5 ,I TOLD ,MAT!W AB US+ ! SCRE51 HE
?"\ =A MO;T4 8,MAYBE ,M>Y C HELP U SELL
! IDEA (A SCRE5 6YR FAMILY10 HE SD F9,Y4
  8,:O'S ,M>Y80 ,I ASK$1 PUZZL$4
  ,HE />$ AT ME4 8,:O'S ,M>Y8 ,H[ C Y =-
GET YR [N SI/]'S "N80
  ,9 FACT ,I _H =GOTT5 MY SI/]'S "N4
,?IRD ,SI/] _HN'T TOLD ! RE/ (! FAMILY T
%E _H *OS5 ! ,5GLI% "N ( ,M>Y1 & %E 0
CALL$ T ONLY 0H] FRS AT S*OOL4
  ,I GUESS ,SECOND ,SI/] 0 TOO PR\D TO
*ANGE H] "N 9 ORD] 6JO9 ! CR[D4 ,UNLIKE
,?IRD ,SI/]1 :O _H ALR *ANG$ H] HAIRCUT
6LOOK M L ! O!R GIRLS 9 S*OOL1       #FF
,SECOND ,SI/] / WORE H] HAIR 9 TWO L;G
BRAIDS1 EXACTLY ! WAY %E _H D"O 9 ,*9A4
  ,I AGRE$ ) ,MAT!W T X WD 2 A GD IDEA
6GET ,?IRD ,SI/]'S HELP4 ,! V NEXT "D AF
S*OOL1 WE TALK$ 6H] AB \R PLAN4 ,Z WE _H
HOP$1 %E APPROV$4
  8,Y'RE "R1 ? IS \R ONLY WAY 6SAVE !
RECITAL40 ,!N %E A4$1 8,Y C'T MAKE A
SILK PURSE \ (A S['S E>40
  ,^! "DS ,?IRD ,SI/] WASN'T SATISFI$ )
LE>N+ FIVE NEW ^WS E "D4 ,%E 0 2G9N+ TO
MAKE LI/S ( :OLE NEW S5T;ES T WD 2 USE-
;L4
  ,I DIDN'T "U/&1 & %E _H 6EXPLA9 T %E
M1NT WE CD N"E MAKE A T"O-D1F P]SON 7A
S['S E>7 96A VIOL9I/ 7A SILK PURSE74
  ,MAYBE ,I _H A T]RI# E>1 B ,I ?"\ T
-P>+ ME 6A S[ 0 N V K9D4
  ,! IMPORTANT ?+1 ?\<1 0 T ,?IRD ,SI/]
HELP$ U 63V9CE ! FAMILY4 ,%E ANN\NC$ T
WE %D H A PAIR ( ,*9ESE SC5ES PA9T$ ON !
FOLD+ SCRE54
  ,T GOT ,SECOND ,SI/] 9T]E/$4 ,%E 0 !
BE/ "O 9 ! FAMILY )! ,*9ESE BRU%1 & %E
(F]$ 6D "S BRU% PA9T+S4              #FG
  ,EV5 ,"M LIK$ ! IDEA4 8,"S ,*9ESE PIC-
TURES WD MAKE A F9E BACKGR.D4 ,IF WE D A
GD JOB1 WE C USE ! SCRE5 = ALL \R FUTURE
RECITALS40
  ,US+ A ?ICK ,*9ESE BRU% & BLACK 9K1
,SECOND ,SI/] PA9T$ TWO L;G & N>R[ PIC-
TURES1 "O = EA* PANEL (! SCRE54 ,! F/ "O
%[$ "S ROCKY M.TA9S COV]$ ) P9E TREES1 &
! SECOND "O %[$ A LL BOAT GO+ D[N ! RIV-
]4
  ,I 0 SURPRIS$ AT H[ M* "T %E SP5T ON !
PA9T+S4 ,AF S*OOL "O "D1 ,I SAW H] B5T
OV] ! D9+ TA#1 )A L;G PIECE ( PAP] SPR1D
\ 9 FRONT ( H]4 ,0H] ELB[ 0 ! 9K/"O1 :
WE _H BR"\ ) U F ,*9A4 ,X'S A FLAT PIECE
( C>V$ /"O1 )A DEPRES.N 9 ! MI4LE4 ,Y
PUT A FEW DROPS ( WAT] 9 & RUB AN 9K
/ICK AG/ ! BOTTOM (! DEPRES.N UNTIL Y
GET A POOL ( ?ICK1 BLACK 9K4
  ,SECOND ,SI/] 0 HOLD+ H] BRU% OV] !
POOL ( 9K1 & SU45LY ,I SAW A DROP ( WAT]
SPLA% D[N4 ,X DIDN'T -E F ! BRU%4 ,X
CAME F HI<] UP4 ,ANO!R DROP PLOPP$ 96!
9K4 ,SECOND ,SI/] 0 CRY+6
  ,( ALL ! ,YANGS1 %E 0 ! MO/        #FH
HOMESICK = ,*9A4 ,"F 0 TOO BUSY "W+ TO
SUPPORT ! FAMILY1 & ,"M SP5T ALL H] "T
TRY+ 6FE$ U4 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R 0 TOT,Y
WRAPP$ UP 9 8 MUSIC1 & ,I _H ,MAT!W'S
FR%IP & BASEBALL 63SOLE ME4 ,?IRD ,SI/]
ALR FELT AT HOME 9 ,AM]ICA4 ,B ,SECOND
,SI/] / MISS$ H] OLD C.TRY & H] OLD FRS4
  ,%E M/ H HE>D ME -E IN4 ,%E QKLY PUT
D[N H] BRU% & TOOK \ A H&K]*IEF 6BL[ H]
NOSE4
  ,I TRI$ 6F9D "S?+ -=T+ 6SAY4 8,I L T
PICTURE (! LL BOAT4 ,X REM9DS ME (! "T
:5 WE W5T 6SEE ! CANALS 9 ,*ANGZH\40
  ,SECOND ,SI/] CLE>$ H] ?ROAT4 8,I'M
SURPRIS$ Y / REMEMB] ,*9A40
  8,( C\RSE ,I D60 ,I LOOK$ AWAY1 :ILE
%E WIP$ H] EYES4 8,I'M GLAD Y'RE PA9T+
^? PICTURES4 ,N[ WE'LL ALW H !M 6REM9D U
( \R OLD LIFE40
  ,I HE>D "S SNU6LES4 ,AF A MO;T1 ,SEC-
OND ,SI/] SD HUSKILY1 8,Y'RE ACTU,Y A
PRETTY NICE BOY1 ,F\R? ,BRO!R '''0
  ,0 ? ! />T (A NEW REL,N%IP 2T U8 ,WD
%E PICK ON ME A LL LESS F N[ ON8
  8''' :5 Y DON'T H A VIOL9 "U YR    #FI
*910 %E F9I%$4
  ,OH1 WELL4
  ,AF ! PA9T+S 7 D"O1 WE ALL GOT 6"W4
,ELDE/ ,BRO!R PUT "S NEW SCREWS 96! H+ES
HOLD+ ! TWO PANELS (! SCRE5 TGR4 ,?IRD
,SI/] & ,I PA/$ ,SECOND ,SI/]'S PA9T+S
ON ! FRAME4
  ,I _H 6MAKE SURE T ,MAT!W1 SITT+ 2H !
SCRE51 CD SEE ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R "? ! CRACK
": ! TWO PANELS 7 JO9$4 ,HE _H 6BE A# TO
SEE S HE CD -E 9 TGR )! O!RS4
  ,?IRD ,SI/] & ,I TRI$ \ ! SCRE5 9 !
LIV+ ROOM1 & ,I 0 GLAD 6F9D T ,I CD SEE
"? ! CRACK4
  ,MAT!W SD HE KNEW 8 "P & EXPECT$ 6H NO
TR\# ) X4 ,"EY?+ SEEM$ 6BE GO+ WELL UN-
TIL \R P>5TS />T$ 6-PLA94

  ,! TR\# 0 T ,MAT!W & ,I 7 SP5D+ A LOT
( "T TGR1 BO? 9 & \ ( S*OOL4 ,ALM E AFN1
,I W5T 6PRACTICE BASEBALL AF S*OOL1 & :5
,I 0 F9,Y A3EPT$ Z A REGUL> MEMB] (!
T1M1 X 0 ! PR\DE/ MO;T ( MY LIFE4
  ,"O "D ,MR4 ,3N] CAME 6! PLAYFIELD AF
S*OOL4 ,HE 0 SUB/ITUT+ = \R BASE-    #GJ
BALL COA*1 :O 0 \ ( T[N4
  8,I ALM GOT 6PLAY PROFES.N,Y10 HE TOLD
ME4 8,MISS$ 0A HAIR GETT+ 96"O (! M9OR
L1GUES40
  ,HE LOOK$ S HAPPY1 ?R[+ ! BALL 96!
AIR1 T ,I CDN'T HELP GR9N+4 8,I'M GLAD
Y'RE "H1 ,MR4 ,3N]40
  8,HAV5'T GOT ANY?+ ELSE 6D1 N[ T ,I'M
\ ( "W10 HE GR[L$4
  8,I HOPE Y C HELP ME ) MY BATT+10 ,I
SD QKLY4
  8,Y BET ''' UH '''0
  8,Y+TAO10 ,I SD4
  8,Y1H1 ,Y+TAO4 ,Y'RE KE51 & T'S :AT
C.TS4 ,Y'LL MAKE A GRT BATT] "S"D40
  ,HE %[$ ME H[ 6HOLD MY %\LD]S S ,I CD
PUT ALL MY /R5G? 96! SW+4 ,I 0 SMALL]
?AN ! O!R PLAY]S1 & N Z /R;G1 S ,I CD N
HIT ! BALL Z F> Z ! RE/4
  ,B ,I SOON F.D T ,I _H "O TAL5T4 ,I CD
SEE EXACTLY H[ A BALL 0 -+ AT ME3 :E!R X
0 HI<1 L[1 (F 6"O SIDE1 & :E!R X 0 TURN+
Z X CAME--_H A SP91 Z ! O!RS SD4
  ,? HELP$ ME A LOT 9 DECID+ :E!R 6HIT !
BALL & H[ 6HIT X4 ,T'S :Y ,I 0 A#    #GA
6GET "S BASE HITS1 AL? ,I SELDOM GOT A
D\# OR A TRIPLE4 ,Z =A HOME RUN1 X 0 AN
IMPOSSI# DR1M4
  ,MAT!W'S ROOM _H PICTURES ( GRT HOME
RUN HITT]S (! PA/1 L ,BABE ,RU?1 ! ,SUL-
TAN ( ,SWAT4 ,B !Y 7 MY?ICAL FIGURES TO
ME1 L ! ,MONKEY ,K+ 9 MY FAVORITE ,*9ESE
/ORY4
  ,/1 EV5 GETT+ J "O-BASE HITS1 ,I 0
C.T$ Z A DEF9ITE PLUS ON \R T1M4 ,! BE/
"P 0 :5 ,I CAME UP 6BAT 9 ! GAME & SAW T
! P 7 LOOK+ AT ME HOPE;LLY 9/1D ( CR++4
  ,MR4 ,3N] 0 DELI<T$ :5 ,I GOT A HIT T
N ONLY PUT ME ON F/ BASE B S5T ! BOY ON
?IRD BASE HOME4 8,GD "W60 HE YELL$1 &
ALM JUMP$ UP & D[N 9 8 EXCITE;T4
  ,\R T1M TI$ ! SCORE & NE$$ ONLY "O M
RUN 6W94 ,TWO M5 7 \ ALR1 B WE _H "O MAN
ON F/ & "O ON SECOND4
  ,MAT!W CAME UP 6BAT4 ,HE 0 A GD HITT]1
S WE _H A R1L *.E 6MAKE T RUN4
  ,! PIT*] W.D UP & ?REW4 ,EV5 F ": ,I
/OOD1 ,I CD SEE ! BALL 0 HI<4 ,I WANT$
6%\T 6,MAT!W1 8,DON'T HIT X60
  ,B HE SWUNG H>D1 &! BALL FLEW      #GB
HI< 96! AIR4 ,! BOY 9 ! \TFIELD CAU<T X
EASILY1 & \R SIDE 0 RETIR$4
  ,9 ! LA/ 9N+1 ! O!R T1M MADE ANO!R RUN
& WON ! GAME4 ,! P]SON :O FELT ! LOSS
MO/ 0 ,MR4 ,3N]4
  8,AW1 -E ON1 ,DAD10 SD ,MAT!W1 PATT+ 8
"F ON ! BACK4 8,X'S N ! 5D (! _W6 ,WE'VE
LO/ 2F1 & WE'LL PROBABLY LOSE AG4 ,WE'LL
PROBABLY W9 AG1 TOO40
  ,MR4 ,3N] %OOK ,MAT!W'S H& (F4 8,N IF
Y KEEP ON PLAY+ L T6 ,Y POPP$ T FLY 2C Y
W]5'T PAY+ ATT5;N6 ,ANYBODY CD'VE SE5 T
BALL 0 HI<6 ,ANYBODY EXCEPT MY MUSICAL
G5IUS SON60
  ,I TRI$ 64TRACT HM4 8,IS T :Y ,BABE
,RU? IS CALL$ ! ,SULTAN ( ,SWAT8 ,2C HE
HIT FLIES80
  ,"S (! BOYS LAU<$1 & AF A MO;T1 EV5
,MR4 ,3N] _H 6SMILE4 8,A WISE GUY1 HUH8
,2SS MAK+ BASE HITS1 Y MAKE JOKES1 TOO80
  ,B ,MR4 ,3N] SOON W5T BACK 6HIS GRUM-
BL+4 8,Y "K :AT'S WR;G ) Y80 HE SD 6HIS
SON4 8,Y'RE N 3C5TRAT+40
  ,WALK+ 2H ! ,3N]S1 ,I _H A /RANGE
FEEL+ Z ,I LI/5$ 6! T"O ( ,MR4       #GC
,3N]'S VOICE4 ,SU45LY X REM9D$ ME ( .MY
"F4

  ,! ,SATUR"D 2F ! RECITAL1 ! ,3N]S IN-
VIT$ ME 6G ) !M 6A ,M>9]S GAME AT ! ,K+-
DOME4 ,MY BRO!R & SI/]S 7 GO+ 6SP5D !
:OLE WEEK5D PRACTIC+1 B S9CE PRACTIC+
WDN'T D ME ANY GD1 ,I IMMLY A3EPT$4 ,"F
0 AT ! ,S1TTLE ,SYMPHONY PLAY+ 9 AN AFN
3C]T1 & ,"M 0 (F %OPP+4 ,S )\T ASK+ =
P]MIS.N1 ,I J W5T4
  ,I 5JOY$ ! GAME TOO M* 6?9K AB ! RE/ (
!M BUSY PRACTIC+ AT HOME4 ,EV5 ?\< !
,M>9]S LO/1 X 0 GRT 6SEE R1L PROFES.NALS
PLAY+4 ,? M/ 2 H[ ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R FELT T
"T 9 ,*9A :5 HE GOT 6HE> ,ISAAC ,/]N
PLAY 9 A 3C]T4
  ,I EAG]LY WAT*$ H[ ! PIT*] W>M$ UP1 H[
! BATT] TE/$ ! WEI<T (! BAT1 H[ ! \T-
FIELD] RAN BACKW>D 6CAT* A FLY BALL4
  ,:5 ,I TOLD ,MR4 ,3N] AFW H[ M* ,I
LOV$ ! GAME1 HE 0 V PL1S$4 8,Y "K H[ TO
KEEP YR EYES OP51 KID4 ,I BET Y LE>N$ A
FEW ?+S TD40
  ,! WOND];L FEEL+ F ! GAME 4AP-     #GD
PE>$ :5 ,I WALK$ 9 \R FRONT DOOR4 ,"F _H
RETURN$ & 0 WAIT+ = ME )A /ONY FACE4
8,": H Y BE580 HE DEM&$4 8,H Y =GOTT5 T
! RECITAL IS ONLY "O WEEK AWAY80
  ,I CDN'T MEET 8 EYES4 8,! ,3N]S 9VIT$
ME 6G ) !M 6A BASEBALL GAME40
  ,"F TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 8,Y+TAO10 HE SD
F9,Y1 8Y M/ "K 0N[ T Y NE$ ! PRACTICE M
?AN YR BRO!R & YR SI/]S4 ,DON'T Y C>E AB
! RECITAL AT ALL80 ,HE DIDN'T LOOK AN-
GRY1 ONLY T]RIBLY SAD4
  ,I WANT$ 6TELL HM T ,I DID C>E AB !
RECITAL1 T ,I C>$ A LOT4 ,B HE W5T ON4
8,F N[ ON1 "! W 2 NO M BASEBALL = Y UN-
TIL YR VIOL9 PLAY+ IMPROVES40
  ,I CREPT UP 6MY ROOM4 8,UNTIL YR VIOL9
PLAY+ IMPROVES '''0 ,? M1NT T ,I MI<T
N"E PLAY BASEBALL AG4

  ,MAT!W 0 HAV+ PRO#MS1 TOO4 ,"EYBODY
/>T$ CALL+ HM 8,MAT!W ! ,MUSICAL ,G5-
IUS40 ,ONCE ,JAKE SD1 8,HEY1 ,MAT!W1 :Y
DON'T Y PLAY ON /REET CORN]S1 S P C ?R[
CO9S 9 YR VIOL9 CASE8 ,?9K H[ M* M"OY Y
C MAKE60                             #GE
  ,USU,Y ,MAT!W TURN$ R$ :5 HE 0 EMB>-
RASS$4 ,B ? "T HE TURN$ :ITE4 ,I KNEW T
HE 0 S5SITIVE AB M"OY & 0 V UPSET 2C 8
"F WASN'T "W+4
  ,AL1 PRACTIC+ 9 ! QU>TET CUT 96HIS "T
= BASEBALL4 ,0! "T HE F9,Y GOT 8 HOME"W
D"O1 HE ALW W5T 6B$ LATE4 ,!N HE _H 6GET
UP E>LY 9 ! MORN+ 6DELIV] PAP]S4
  ,? MADE HM S SLEEPY T :5 HE 0 UP AT
BAT1 HE KEPT /RIK+ \4
  8,HEY1 ,MAT!W1 WAKE UP60 ! COA* WD
YELL AT HM4
  ,"! 0 WORSE 6-E4 ,! T1M _H AN IMPOR-
TANT GAME -+ UP1 & ,MAT!W _H =GOTT5 EV5
6%[ UP = PRACTICE4 ,I WDN'T H =GOTT5--"E
--B ,I WASN'T "! 6REM9D HM4
  ,MR4 ,3N] 0 FURI\S :5 ,]IC TOLD HM :AT
_H HAPP5$4 ,HE SD T ,MAT!W CD N G 6\R
H\SE = M MUSIC UNTIL 8 BASEBALL IMPROV$4
  ,S9CE ,"F _H =BI45 ME 6PLAY BASEBALL1
,I _H 6GET NEWS AB ! T1M F ,MAT!W DUR+
LUN* H\R4
  8,:AT >E WE GO+ 6D80 ASK$ ,MAT!W4 ,HE
LOOK$ TIR$1 & "! 7 CIRCLES "U 8 EYES4 ,I
KNEW HE 0 "W+ TOO H>D4 ,? RECITAL    #GF
M1NT Z M* 6HM Z X DID 6ME4 ,IF HE DIDN'T
GET 6PLAY1 HE WD 2 CRU%$4 ,IF HE PLAY$ &
PLAY$ BADLY1 HE WD 2 EV5 M CRU%$4
  8,Y'RE N GETT+ 5 SLEEP10 ,I SD4 8,MAY-
BE IF Y DIDN'T H 6GET UP S E>LY 9 !
MORN+ '''0
  8,I NE$ ! PAP] R\TE10 ,MAT!W SD 9 A L[
VOICE4 8,\R FAMILY NE$S ! M"OY40
  ,I KNEW X UPSET HM 6ADMIT T4 ,B :Y %D
X8 ,X WASN'T 8 FAULT1 & HE CDN'T D ANY?+
AB X4
  ,OR CD HE8 ,)! M"OY !Y E>N$1 ,MAT!W &
,]IC PD = _! [N CLO!S & S*OOL SUPPLIES4
,S !Y CD HELP _! P>5TS Q A LOT4

  ,:AT ,MAT!W _H SD AB 8 PAP] R\TE MADE
ME ?"\;L4 ,CD ,I E>N "S M"OY & HELP MY
FAMILY1 TOO8
  ,:5"E ,I W5T GROC]Y %OPP+ ) MY "M1 ,I
NOTIC$ T %E _H 6C.T UP ALL ! NICKELS &
DIMES C>E;LLY4 ,%E 0 ALW TRY+ 6F9D B>-
GA9S4
  ,"O "D %E NOTIC$ ! GROC] PULL+ ! GRE5
L1VES F ! BRO3OLI /ALKS4 8,:AT >E Y GO+
6D ) ^! L1VES80 %E ASK$ HM4          #GG
  ,! GROC] TURN$ >.D4 8,^! L1VES80 ,WE
?R[ !M AWAY4 ,!Y J TAKE UP SPACE 9 ! B91
& \R CU/OM]S DON'T EAT !M1 ANYWAY40
  8,!N C Y GIVE !M 6ME80 ASK$ ,"M4
  8,SURE4 ,Y GOT RA2ITS OR GU9EA PIGS TO
FE$80
  8,I'VE GOT MY FAMILY 6FE$10 REPLI$
,"M4 8,^! L1VES >E DELICI\S1 & !Y'RE
FULL ( VITAM9S40
  ,! GROC] 0 A HUGE MAN1 & :5 HE LOOK$
D[N AT ,"M1 :O 0 T9Y1 HE GR9N$4 8,TELL Y
:AT4 ,F N[ ON1 ,I'LL SAVE ^! L1VES4 ,ANY
"T Y -E IN1 ,I'LL H A BAG WAIT+ = Y4 ,&
IF ,I'M N "H1 J TELL ! O!R GROC] T ,AL
WANTS Y 6H ! BRO3OLI L1VES40
  ,"M _H A S(T VOICE1 B %E "SH[ GOT P 6D
:AT %E WANT$4 ,WE'VE BE5 EAT+ FREE BROC-
COLI L1VES "E S9CE4 ,6ME !Y TA/E BETT]
?AN ! /ALKS4
  ,B ONCE :5 ,I 0 HELP+ ,"M C>RY AWAY H]
USUAL BAGS ( L1VES1 ,I OV]HE>D TWO WOM5
TALK+ 0! FRUIT B9S4
  8,LOOK AT ^? ,*9ESE OV] "! TAK+ AWAY
^? HUGE BAGS ( BRO3OLI L1VES10 SD "O (
!M4 8,>E !Y RE,Y GO+ 6EAT ALL T      #GH
/UFF80
  ,! O!R "O GI7L$4 8,I HE> T ! ,*9ESE W
EAT ALM ANY?+40
  ,X'S TRUE T S9CE "! >E TOO _M P 9 ,*9A
& N 5 FOOD1 WE WD EAT "EY?+ T'S N A D1D-
LY POISON4 ,B ! TWO WOM5 OBVI\SLY ?"\ T
EAT+ BRO3OLI L1VES 0 "S?+ %AME;L4
  ,I /OLE A LOOK AT ,"M & SAW T %E 0
BIT+ H] LIPS4 ,=A C\PLE ( WEEKS AFW1 WE
_H O!R VEGETA#S = D9N]4 ,B 9 ! 5D WE W5T
BACK 6BRO3OLI L1VES4
  ,"S"TS1 :5 ,I LOOK$ AT ,"M SP5D+ S M*
"T COOK+1 ,I FELT V SORRY = H]4 ,H] F9E
PIANI/'S H&S1 : US$ 6SP5D S M* "T OV] !
KEYBO>D1 7 N[ R\< F WA%+ VEGETA#S &
SCAL+ FI%4
  ,IF ,I CD E>N "S M"OY L ,MAT!W & 8
BRO!R1 !N ,"M WDN'T H 6"W Q S H>D TRY+
6SAVE M"OY4 ,MAYBE ,I CD DELIV] NEWSPA-
P]S1 TOO4
  8,C ,I G ) Y ON YR PAP] R.D NEXT "T80
,I ASK$ HM DUR+ S*OOL OR*E/RA4
  ,0N[ ,MAT!W 0 GETT+ US$ 6MY BR& ( ,5G-
LI%4 8,PAP] R\TE1 Y M1N10 HE CORRECT$4
8,SURE4 ,B Y H 6GET UP E>LY40        #GI
  ,I CD H>DLY 2LIEVE X :5 HE TOLD ME J
H[ E>LY4 ,NO WOND] HE 0 S SLEEPY4 ,AT
FIVE O'C ! NEXT MORN+1 ,I 0 /RU7L+ 6PUT
MY CLO!S ON 9 ! D>K;S4
  8,IS X "T 6GET UP ALR80 MUM#D ,ELDE/
,BRO!R4
  8,NO1 X'S E>LY4 ,I'M GETT+ UP 2C ,I'M
GO+ \ ) ,MAT!W ON 8 PAP] ROAD40
  8,Y'RE CRAZY10 GROAN$ ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R1
BURY+ 8 H1D "U ! COV]S AG4
  ,9 ,%ANGHAI1 WE "S"TS GOT UP V E>LY ON
SUMM] MORN+S 2C X 0 S HOT T MORN+ 0 !
ONLY -=TA# "T4 ,B ? WASN'T SUMM]4 ,I
%IV]$ Z ,I HURRI$ 6,MAT!W'S H\SE4
  ,HE 0 ALR WAIT+ = ME AT ! FRONT DOOR4
8,:AT KEPT Y80 HE ASK$4 8,WE'VE GOT TO
HURRY1 S9CE WE H 6FOLD ! PAP]S F/40
  ,MY F+]S 7 /IFF ) COLD :5 ,I />T$ TO
HELP ,MAT!W FOLD ! PAP]S1 B !Y SOON W>M$
UP4 ,!N ,I WAT*$ ,MAT!W ?R[ PAP]S AT !
H\SES AL;G 8 R\TE4 8,D Y WANT 6TRY80 HE
ASK$ AF A :ILE4
  ,9 ! 2G9N+ ,I MISS$ A FEW "TS1 & "S (!
PAP]S FELL %ORT OR L&$ 9 BU%ES4 ,I _H TO
PICK !M UP & ?R[ ALL OV] AG4         #HJ
  ,B MY AIM IMPROV$1 & SOON ,I 0 ?R[+ !
PAP]S Z A3URATELY Z ,MAT!W4 8,X'S J L
?R[+ ! BALL F F/ BASE 6! PIT*]60 ,I EX-
CLAIM$4
  ,0! "T WE R1*$ ! 5D ( ,MAT!W'S PAP]
ROAD--R\TE--X 0 "DLI<T1 & ,I 0 />V+4
  ,MAT!W LOOK$ AT ME GRATE;LLY4 8,I GOT
"? A LOT SOON] 2C Y 7 HELP+4 ,Y'RE RE,Y
GD AT ?R[+4 ,I BET Y C GET A JOB DELIV]+
PAP]S IF Y WANT40
  ,:5 HE TOLD ME H[ M* HE E>N$1 ,I 0
AMAZ$4 ,IF ,I CD GET A JOB L ?1 X WD
RE,Y HELP \R FAMILY4 ,B WD MY P>5TS LET
ME8

  ,I WASN'T ! ONLY "O 9 ! FAMILY ?9K+ AB
GETT+ A JOB4 ,?IRD ,SI/] LOOK$ ?"\;L AT
D9N] T EV5+4 ,%E F9,Y CLE>$ H] ?ROAT4
8,MY %OES >E WE>+ \4 ,I SAW "S RUNN+
%OES ON SALE AT ! /ORE TD4 ,ALL ! GIRLS
9 S*OOL >E WE>+ !M40
  ,"M SI<$4 8,Y "K WE C'T AF=D 6BUY Y
NEW %OES "R N[4 ,Y'LL J H 6H ! OLD "OS
REPAIR$40
  8,MAYBE ,I C GET A JOB & E>N "S    #HA
M"OY10 ,?IRD ,SI/] SD B"RLY4
  8,A "Y GIRL L Y1 GETT+ A JOB80 ASK$
,"M1 LOOK+ SURPRIS$4 8,:AT CD Y POSSIBLY
D80
  8,%E C BABY-SIT10 ,I SD4 ,I TURN$ TO
,SECOND ,SI/]4 8,Y C D X1 TOO4 ,BABY-
SITT+ DOESN'T M1N J SITT+ ! BABY 9 A
*AIR4 ,X M1NS TAK+ C>E ( "SBODY'S BABY
:ILE ! P>5TS G \40
  8,Y DON'T H 6GIVE ME A LECTURE10
SNAPP$ ,SECOND ,SI/]4 8,I "K :AT BABY-
SITT+ M1NS4 ,MY FRS 9 S*OOL TOLD ME AB
X40
  ,I 0 SURPRIS$4 ,X SEEMS T ,SECOND
,SI/] DID N SP5D ALL H] "T BROOD+ & L;G+
=! OLD "DS 9 ,*9A4 ,%E _H EV5 MADE FRS4
  ,SECOND ,SI/] TURN$ 6,"M4 8,"S (!
GIRLS E>N A LOT ( M"OY BABY-SITT+4 ,IF
,?IRD ,SI/] & ,I D X E WEEK5D1 WE C RE,Y
HELP )! EXP5SES4 ,I ?9K ,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ
MI<T GIVE ME A JOB40
  ,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ 0 ! "M ( ,"F'S "YE/ VIO-
L9 /UD5T1 ,PET]4 ,SECOND ,SI/] (T5 PLAY$
) HM UNTIL 8 "M CAME 6PICK HM UP4 ,ONCE
%E 0 T1*+ HM "S ,*9ESE *N'S GAMES1   #HB
& ,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ 0 IMPRESS$4
  ,"M LOOK$ D\BT;L4 8,I C'T IMAG9E T P>-
5TS W WANT 6TRU/ _! BABIES 6/RANGE "Y
GIRLS40 ,!N %E A4$ 9 A S(T VOICE1 8,ES-
PECI,Y ,*9ESE GIRLS40
  ,! T"O ( ,"M'S VOICE 0 A %OCK4 ,_H "S-
"O JE]$ AT H] 2C %E 0 ,*9ESE8 ,%E _H N"E
M5;N$ ANY UNPL1SANT EXP]I;ES 2F4
  ,!N ,I ?"\ (! TWO WOM5 9 ! GROC]Y /ORE
:O _H LAU<$ AT H] = TAK+ AWAY BIG BAGS (
BRO3OLI GRE5S4 ,= "S M9UTES WE ATE 9 UN-
-=TA# SIL;E4
  ,F9,Y ,"F BROKE ! SIL;E4 8,NO6 ,I W N
H ANY ( MY *N E>N+ M"OY ) LL JOBS \TSIDE
! H\SE6 ,"Y P %D 3C5TRATE ON :AT IS IM-
PORTANT4 ,Y %D N SACRIFICE YR S*OOL"W &
YR MUSIC J 6E>N M"OY =A PAIR ( %OES40
  8,B '''0 ,?IRD ,SI/] 2GAN4
  ,"F 0 FIRM4 8,MUSIC IS M IMPORTANT ?AN
M"OY40
  ,WE W5T BACK 6EAT+ D9N] 9 SIL;E4 ,I 0
GETT+ SLEEPY1 & :5 ,I PUT D[N MY RICE
B[L1 ,I S"M$ A YAWN4
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R LOOK$ AT ME4 8,Y GOT UP
TOO E>LY ? MORN+4 ,:AT 7 Y DO+ \ (   #HC
B$ AT FIVE80
  ,? 0 N ! "T 6TELL "EYBODY T ,I W5T \ )
,MAT!W 2C ,I 0 HOP+ 6E>N "S M"OY DELIV]+
NEWSPAP]S4 ,S ,I J MUM#D "S?+4
  ,B T DIDN'T /OP "EYBODY F />+ AT ME4
,"F FR[N$4 8,IF Y H ! 5]GY 6GET UP AT
FIVE O'C1 Y C SURELY SP>E "S ( X = YR
MUSIC6 ,X'S J A MATT] ( *ANNEL+ YR 5]-
GIES 96"S?+ WOR?:ILE4 ,Y'RE A H1L?Y1
LIVELY BOY1 ,Y+TAO4 ,/OP FRITT]+ YRF
AWAY ON FRIVOL\S ACTIVITIES6 ,H Y =GOTT5
T ! RECITAL IS -+ UP80

  ,MAT!W & ,I SAW LESS ( EA* O!R1 N[ T
,I _H /OPP$ PLAY+ BASEBALL1 & HE _H
/OPP$ -+ OV] 6\R H\SE = QU>TET PRACTICE4
,I 0 GETT+ M & M WORRI$ AB ! RECITAL4
  8,W Y / 2 A# 6PLAY80 ,I ASK$ ,MAT!W1
F/ ?+ ON ,MON"D4
  8,Y1H1 SURE1 ,I TRY 6GET "S PRACTIC+
D"O :5 NOBODY'S HOME10 HE REPLI$ QKLY4
,B ,I CDN'T TELL IF HE 0 J SAY+ T 6/OP
ME F WORRY+4
  ,AT MY H\SE1 TEMP]S 7 GETT+ %ORT4 ,I 0
PLAY+ ! SECOND VIOL9 "P ALL ! "T     #HD
N[1 &! S.D GOT ON "EY"O'S N]VES4
  ,"O NI<T1 AF "S "PICUL>LY H>D M1SURES1
,ELDE/ ,BRO!R ?REW 8 B[ D[N4 8,WE 7 DO+
S WELL =A :ILE6 ,:AT'S WR;G ) Y1 ,F\R?
,BRO!R80
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R R>ELY LO/ 8 TEMP]4 ,WE
KNEW ?+S 7 RE,Y GETT+ S]I\S4
  ,EV5 ,?IRD ,SI/] LOOK$ WORRI$4 ,%E
PULL$ ME ASIDE :5 WE F9I%$ PLAY+4 8,!
RECITAL IS ONLY A C\PLE ( "DS AWAY10 %E
:ISP]$4 8,:AT'S HAPP5$ 6,MAT!W8 ,DOES ?
M1N HE WON'T 2 PLAY+ AF ALL80 ,%E LOOK$
SICK AT ! PROSPECT4
  8,MAT!W W PLAY10 ,I SD ) M 3FID;E ?AN
,I FELT4
  ,!N ON ,FRI"D1 ! "D 2F ! RECITAL1 MY
P>5TS DID "S?+ T WD MAKE X Q IMPOSSI# =
,MAT!W 6PLAY4






                   #F                #HE

  ,X HAPP5$ AT D9N]4
  8,! QU>TET S.DS J AW;L10 ,SECOND ,SI/]
SD GLOOMILY4 8,X 0 M* BETT] :5 ,MAT!W
SAT 9 ) U4 ,I ?9K ,F\R? ,BRO!R ALW IM-
PROV$ :5 8 FR 0 >.D 65C\RAGE HM40
  8,:AT'S HAPP5$ 6,MAT!W80 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R
ASK$ ME4 8,:Y HASN'T HE BE5 -+ LATELY8
,HE DIDN'T EV5 %[ UP = 8 LESSONS40
  ,I />$ D[N 96MY RICE B[L4 8,HIS "F GOT
MAD AT HM 2C HE 0 SP5D+ TOO M* "T ON MU-
SIC & N 5 "T ON 8 BASEBALL4 ,S HE WON'T
LET ,MAT!W -E 6\R H\SE ANYMORE40
  ,I LOOK$ UP & SAW ! ,YANG FAMILY 9
%OCK4 ,"F'S H& 0 SUSP5D$ 9 AIR Z HE R1*$
=A PIECE ( FI%4 ,"M'S *OP/ICKS 7 FROZ5
HALFWAY 6H] M\?4 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R'S SPOON 0
DRIPP+ S\P ON ! TA#4 ,SECOND ,SI/] &
,?IRD ,SI/] SAT ) _! M\?S OP5+ & CLOS+1
L A PAIR ( GOLDFI%4
  ,\R FAMILY CD N IMAG9E A "F SCOLD+ 8
SON = SP5D+ .TOO .M* "T ON MUSIC4
  ,"F RECOV]$ HMF4 8,MAYBE ,I %D H A
TALK )! BOY'S "F 63V9CE HM T 8 SON HAS
TAL5T & %D 2 5C\RAG$40               #HF
  8,I H A BETT] IDEA10 SD ,"M4 8,:Y
DON'T WE 9VITE ,MAT!W'S FAMILY 6! RECIT-
AL8 ,!N !Y C SEE ALL ! O!R "Y P HAPPILY
PLAY+ _! 9/RU;TS4 ,X MI<T *ANGE _! M9DS
AB MUSIC40
  ,ACR ! TA# ,I MET ,?IRD ,SI/]'S EYES1
& ,I KNEW %E 0 ?9K+ ! SAME ?+ ,I WAS4
,IF ! ,3N]S CAME 6! RECITAL1 ,MAT!W WD 2
SITT+ 9 ! AUDI;E2 HE WDN'T 2 PLAY+ !
SECOND VIOL9 "P4
  8,I DON'T ?9K ,MR4 ,3N] WD A3EPT10 ,I
SD C>E;LLY4 8,HE HATES ! S.D (! VIOL94
,HE SAYS ! SCREE*+ HURTS 8 E>S40
  8,!N WE'LL H 63V9CE HM HE'S WR;G10 SD
,"F4
  ,N ) ? RECITAL1 Y WON'T1 ,I ?"\ 6MYF4
,I MADE ANO!R EF=T4 8,"F1 YR /UD5TS >E
HAV+ _! F/ RECITAL4 ,!Y'RE GO+ 6BE N]V-
\S1 S !Y'LL SCREE* M ?AN USUAL4 ,:Y N
9VITE ! ,3N]S 6! NEXT RECITAL80
  ,"F LOOK$ (F5D$4 8,MY /UD5TS DON'T
SCREE*60
  ,!N ,?IRD ,SI/] TRI$4 8,MAYBE WE C J
9VITE ,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,3N] & LET ,MAT!W & 8
BRO!R /AY HOME & PRACTICE _! BASE-   #HG
BALL40
  8,( C\RSE N60 SD ,"M4 8,HAV+ ,MAT!W "H
WD HELP ,Y+TAO'S MORALE60
  8,& 2SS10 A4$ ,"F1 8,MAT!W HAS BE5
HELP+ ,Y+TAO S M*1 X'S ONLY FAIR T HE %D
-E =! RECITAL40
  ,?IRD ,SI/] & ,I KNEW T 6>GUE ANY M WD
MAKE \R P>5TS SUSPICI\S4 ,WE WAT*$ ,"M G
6! TELEPH"O 6CALL UP ! ,3N]S4 ,I HOP$
DESP]ATELY T !Y WD 2 \ OR T !Y WD REFUSE
! 9VIT,N4
  ,MY HOPES 7 DA%$ :5 ,"M CAME BACK B1M-
+4 8,I _H 6"W PRETTY H>D 6P]SUADE !M1 B
!Y F9,Y A3EPT$40 ,%E TURN$ 6ME4 8,>5'T Y
GLAD1 ,Y+TAO8 ,I "K Y'LL 2 DO+ YR BE/1
N[ T YR FR W 2 "H 6HE> Y PLAY40
  ,T NI<T1 Z ,?IRD ,SI/] & ,I DID ! DI%-
ES1 WE TRI$ 6?9K :AT 6D4
  8,:Y DON'T Y TELL ,"F AB YR PLAN80 %E
:ISP]$4 8,TELL HM H[ M* Y WANT ! RECITAL
6BE A SU3ESS1 & T'S :Y Y WANT ,MAT!W TO
PLAY YR "P40
  ,I ?"\ ( ,"F'S SAD FACE LA/ WEEK :5 ,I
W5T 6! BASEBALL GAME )! ,3N]S 9/1D (
PRACTIC+4 8,I C'T D T10 ,I SD MIS-   #HH
]ABLY4 8,HE'LL J ?9K ,I'M N PLAY+ 2C ,I
WANT 6SP5D ALL MY "T ON BASEBALL40
  8,I GUESS Y'LL J H 6PLAY 9 ! QU>TET10
SI<$ ,?IRD ,SI/]4 8,ANYWAY1 X'S M H"O/ T
WAY1 & Y'LL FEEL BETT] AB X40
  8,X'S M H"O/10 ,I ADMITT$1 8B ,I WON'T
FEEL BETT] AB X40
  8,WELL1 ,MAT!W IS SM>T10 SD ,?IRD
,SI/]4 8,I'M SURE HE'LL ?9K (A WAY TO
PLAY40
  ,B MAYBE %E 0 SAY+ ? J 6CALM MY N]VES1
9 CASE ,I _H 6PLAY ! NEXT "D4

  ,SATUR"D CAME4 ,I / _HN'T HE>D F ,MAT-
!W4 ,I WANT$ 6G OV] 6HIS H\SE 6TALK )
HM1 B ,"F 0 KEEP+ AN EYE ON ME1 MAK+
SURE ,I 0 /AY+ HOME 6PRACTICE4
  ,!N ,I ?"\ ( CALL+ ,MAT!W UP1 B E "T
,I W5T 96! KIT*5 6CALL1 "S"O 0 "!4 ,SEC-
OND ,SI/] 0 CUTT+ UP TEA BAGS1 OR ,"M 0
PREP>+ ! REFRE%;TS =! RECITAL4
  ,Z ! H\R =! RECITAL APPROA*$1 ,I SP5T
MY "T LOOK+ \ ! W9D[1 HOP+ =A SIGN F HM4
,"! 0 NO?+4
  ,! RECITAL 0 2+ HELD 9 \R LIV+     #HI
ROOM1 & X 0 62G9 AT TWO 9 ! AFN4 ,S9CE
,"F _H ONLY SIX /UD5TS1 WE CD EASILY
SQUEEZE "EYBODY IN4 ,! AUDI;E 7 MO/LY
RELATIVES--CLOSE RELATIVES--(! "Y PLAY-
]S1 & WE EXPECT$ AB TW5TY-FIVE P4
  ,"M 0 GO+ 6S]VE ORANGE SODA 6! "Y P &
TEA 6! ADULTS4 ,%E AL PLANN$ 6S]VE =TUNE
COOKIES4 ,WE _H ACTU,Y N"E SE5 =TUNE
COOKIES UNTIL WE CAME 6,AM]ICA4 ,AF ,"F
GOT 8 F/ PAY*ECK1 HE TR1T$ ! FAMILY 6A
D9N] 9 ,*9AT[N4 ,AL? ,"M 0 A GD COOK1 WE
7 GLAD 6H A *ANGE4 ,! FOOD 0 ,CANTONESE1
: 0 A LL DI6]5T F ! ,%ANGHAI FOOD WE _H
AT HOME1 B X 0 GD & N TOT,Y /RANGE4
  ,! "O /RANGE ITEM CAME AT ! 5D4 ,:5 !
WAIT] PRES5T$ ! BILL1 HE AL H&$ U A
SMALL PLATE ) SIX FUNNY-LOOK+ COOKIES4
,!Y 7 %AP$ L A SMALL1 R.D CAKE1 FOLD$ 9
HALF1 )! CORN]S B5T BACK4
  8,:AT >E ^!80 ASK$ ,"F4
  8,!Y >E =TUNE COOKIES10 SD ! WAIT]4
8,EA* COOKIE HAS A PIECE ( PAP] ) YR =-
TUNE ON X40 ,HE %[$ U H[ 6BR1K ! CRISP
COOKIE OP5 & GET AT ! T9Y SLIP ( PAP] )A
MESSAGE4                             #IJ
  ,WE EXCIT$LY BROKE OP5 \R COOKIES &
R1D ! MESSAGES4 ,M9E SD1 8,LI/5 C>E;LLY1
& YR 9N] VOICE W TELL Y :AT 6D40 ,EV5 MY
=TUNE COOKIE 0 TELL+ ME 6LI/5 C>E;LLY4
  ,"EY"O LIK$ ! =TUNE COOKIES V M*4 ,F T
"T ON1 ,"M B"\ !M = SPECIAL CELEBR,NS4
,=! RECITAL1 %E B"\ ! L>GE/ PACKAGE 9 !
/ORE4
  8,:5 ! RECITAL IS F9I%$1 WE'LL RE,Y H
"S?+ 6CELEBRATE10 %E SD4 ,%E 0 SMIL+
BRAVELY Z %E SPOKE1 B H] VOICE TREM#D A
LL4
  ,! ONLY PRO#M 0 H[ 6GET "EY"O S1T$4
,WE F9,Y BORR[$ 5 *AIRS F \R NEI<BORS =!
GR[N-UPS4 ,! KIDS 9 ! AUDI;E WD J H 6SIT
ON ! FLOOR4
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R SET UP ! SCRE5 9 ! LIV+
ROOM4 ,:ILE HE WASN'T LOOK+1 ,I MOV$ !
SCRE5 A LL S T X /OOD "R 9 FRONT (! DOOR
6! KIT*54 ,? WAY ,MAT!W CD MOVE 6HIS
PLACE 2H ! SCRE5 )\T 2+ SE54
  ,IF HE CAME4
  ,I CD H>DLY SWALL[ MY LUN*1 ,I 0 S
ANXI\S AB ,MAT!W4 ,( C\RSE1 ! RE/ (!
FAMILY ?"\ ,I 0 J SU6]+ F /AGE       #IA
F"R4
  8,Y'LL 2 ALL "R IF Y J 3C5TRATE1 ,Y+-
TAO10 ,"F SD HE>TILY4
  8,DON'T F9I% YR RICE IF Y DON'T FEEL L
X10 SD ,"M4 ,9 \R FAMILY--IN ANY ,*9ESE
FAMILY--N F9I%+ YR B[L ( RICE IS A T]RI#
?+4 ,S ,"M 0 RE,Y TRY+ 6BE K9D4
  8,ONCE Y GET ! F/ FEW M1SURES "R1 !
RE/ W -E EASILY10 SD ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R4 8,I
"K Y C D X40
  ,EV5 ,SECOND ,SI/] _H A K9D ^W 6SAY4
8,Y H A GD S5SE ( RHY?M1 ,F\R? ,BRO!R4
,WE ALL H 3FID;E 9 Y40
  ,CD !Y 2 "R8 ,MAYBE IF ,I 3C5TRAT$1
MAYBE IF ,I GOT ! F/ FEW M1SURES "R '''
,MAYBE "! 0 J A *.E T ,I MI<T N 4GRACE !
,YANG FAMILY AF ALL4
  ,= ONCE1 ,?IRD ,SI/] 0 ! ONLY "O :O
DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ 6*E] ME UP4 ,PROBABLY
2C %E KNEW H[ HOPE.S X WAS4
  ,AF LUN* ,"M LOOK$ AT ! LIV+ ROOM "O
LA/ "T & NO4$4 ,!N H] EYES W5T 6,SECOND
,SI/]'S PICTURES (! ,*9ESE SC5ES4 8,Y'VE
D"O A GD JOB10 %E SD S(TLY4
  ,WE 7 / PUTT+ \ ! REFRE%;TS :5 !   #IB
F/ ( ,"F'S /UD5TS >RIV$ ) _! P>5TS4 ,!Y
7 N ONLY ON "T2 !Y 7 E>LY4 ,I GUESS !
P>5TS 7 CURI\S AB H[ A ,*9ESE FAMILY
LIV$4
  ,! KIDS PROBABLY J WANT$ 6GET X OV] )4
,MO/ ( !M DIDN'T LOOK HAPPY AB PLAY+ 9
FRONT ( P4 ,I KNEW H[ !Y FELT4
  ,B /AGE F"R 0 ! L1/ ( MY WORRIES TD4
,I HUNG >.D ! BACKDOOR1 WAIT+ & HOP+ =
,MAT!W 6>RIVE4 ,:5 X 0 NE>LY TWO O'C &
MO/ (! GUE/S _H >RIV$1 "! 0 / NO SIGN (
HM4 ,SL[LY1 RELUCTANTLY1 ,I W5T 6MY ROOM
& GOT MY VIOL9 \4 ,EV5 ! 9/RU;T SEEM$
UNWILL+ 6L1VE XS CASE4
  8,HE'S "H60 ,X 0 ,?IRD ,SI/]'S VOICE4
8,HE SN1K$ 9 "? ! BACKDOOR )\T ANY"O
SEE+ HM60
  ,I SPUN >.D1 & "!1 /&+ 2H H]1 0 ,MAT-
!W4
  ,=A MO;T WE J /OOD "! LOOK+ AT EA* O?-
]4 ,NEI ( U CD SP1K4 ,I 0 TOO RELIEV$ TO
SAY ANY?+1 & ,MAT!W TOO HAPPY4
  ,!N HE GR9N$ & MADE A ?UMBS-UP SIGN4
8,I TOLD MY FOLKS T ,I 0 -+ D[N ) "S?+4
,I SD X 0 BETT] IF ,I DIDN'T G1 9    #IC
CASE ! O!R KIDS CAU<T X40
  8,-E ON1 WE H 6HURRY D[N10 :ISP]$
,?IRD ,SI/]4 ,%E 0 "R4 ,! O!RS WD 2 SUS-
PICI\S IF WE DIDN'T %[ UP SOON4
  ,I COPI$ ,MAT!W'S ?UMBS-UP SIGN1 &
HURRI$ AF ,?IRD ,SI/]4 ,AC 6\R PLAN1
,MAT!W 0 6WAIT 9 MY ROOM UNTIL X 0 "T =!
QU>TET1 & !N HE WD -E D[N/AIRS1 G "? !
KIT*51 & GET 6HIS PLACE 2H ! SCRE54
  ,! PROGRAM 2GAN "R ON "T4 ,"F _H >-
RANG$ ! RECITAL 9 ORD] ( AGE4 ,8 "YE/
/UD5T WD PLAY F/1 & !N ! NEXT "YE/1 & S
ON4 ,! LA/ NUMB] 0 \R QU>TET4
  ,F/ ON ! PROGRAM 0 ,PET] ,S*ULTZ1 :O 0
FIVE YE>S OLD &! ONLY BOY AM;G ,"F'S /U-
D5TS4 ,MAYBE HE 0 TOO "Y 6WORRY AB 2+
CALL$ A N]D1 A WIMP1 OR A SISSY4
  ,I 0 ! SAME AGE Z ,PET] :5 ,I GOT MY
F/ VIOL94 ,B UNLIKE ME1 ,PET] 0 N T"O-
D1F4 ,8 PRO#M 0 T HE CDN'T C.T "T4 ,HE
DIDN'T C>E IF HE PLAY$ 8 NOTES TOO SOON
OR TOO LATE1 Z L;G Z HE PLAY$ !M ALL4
,"M A3OMPANI$ ,PET] ON ! PIANO1 & %E _H
6SCRAM# 6/AY ) HM4
  ,AT ! 5D (! PIECE ,PET] B[$ &      #ID
B1M$ UNTIL 8 FACE ALM SPLIT 9 TWO4 ,WE
ALL CLAPP$ H>D4
  ,! RE/ ( ,"F'S /UD5TS 7 GIRLS4 ,F\R (
!M /UDI$ ! VIOL9 & "O ( !M ! VIOLA4
  ,! /R+ PLAY]S 9 \R S*OOL OR*E/RA1 !
VIOL9I/S1 VIOLI/S1 & CELLI/S1 7 ALM ALL
GIRLS4 ,B = "S R1SON X 0 ALL "R = BOYS
6PLAY W9D 9/RU;TS1 L ! TRUMPET &! CL>I-
NET4 ,X CDN'T H BE5 EASY = ,MAT!W 6KEEP
ON PLAY+ ! VIOL91 :5 ! O!R BOYS T1S$ HM
AB X4
  ,! GIRL :O PLAY$ NEXT 9 ! RECITAL 0
T]RIBLY N]V\S4 ,%E 0 BIT+ H] LIP Z %E
PLAY$1 & ,I F.D MYF BIT+ MY LIP1 TOO4
,ONCE %E _H 6/OP 9 ! MI4LE (! PIECE 2C
%E _H LO/ H] PLACE4
  ,%E LOOK$ R1DY 6CRY1 B ,"F W5T OV] &
TALK$ S(TLY 6H] =A M9UTE4 ,%E />T$ !
PIECE OV] AG1 & ? "T %E F9I%$ X4 ,WE
CLAPP$ EXTRA H>D4
  ,"O (! OLD] GIRLS PLAY$ A PIECE )A LOT
( FA/ NOTES4 ,"S (! LL KIDS 9 ! AUDI;E
SD1 8,OOH60
  ,AT ! 5D (! PIECE ! GIRL B[$ & QKLY
RAN BACK 6H] P>5TS4 ,!Y HU7$ H]1 &   #IE
,I CD HE> !M TELL+ H] H[ PR\D !Y 7 ( H]
PLAY+4
  ,MY P>5TS _H N"E TOLD ME !Y 7 PR\D (
MY PLAY+4 ,!Y N"E WD1 EI4
  ,I 2GAN 6LOOK OV] ! O!R P>5TS 9 ! AU-
DI;E4 ,SU45LY ,I RECOGNIZ$ A C\PLE SITT+
9 ! BACK R[4 ,X 0 ,MAT!W'S P>5TS4 ,:5
,MR4 ,3N] CAU<T MY EYE1 HE GAVE ME A BIG
W9K4 ,]IC WASN'T ) !M1 S HE _H MANAG$ TO
F9D AN EXCUSE 6/AY AWAY4
  ,! NEXT ?REE PIECES SEEM$ 6PASS V QK-
LY4 ,M* SOON] ?AN ,I EXPECT$1 X 0 "T =
\R QU>TET4
  ,I JUMP$ UP & RU%$ OV] 6HELP SET UP !
MUSIC /&S4 ,Z ,I 0 PUTT+ \ ! %EET MUSIC
=! QU>TET1 ,I NOTIC$ T ! $GE ( "O (
,SECOND ,SI/]'S PA9T+S _H -E LOOSE4 ,"!
0 A BIG GAP1 & ,I CD SEE "? X4 ,IF ,I CD
SEE "? X1 S CD ! AUDI;E4
  8,:AT'S ! MATT]80 ,ELDE/ BRO!R ASK$
ME4 8,:Y >E Y TAK+ S L;G80
  8,! PA9T+ IS -+ LOOSE "H10 ,I SD4
8,I'LL TRY 6GLUE X BACK40
  8,N"E M9D60 HISS$ ,SECOND ,SI/]4 ,%E
SEEM$ 9 A HURRY 6GET ! QU>TET OV]    #IF
)4 8,-E ON1 LET'S GET />T$40
  8,I WON'T 2 A M9UTE10 ,I MUTT]$1 &
RU%$ 96! KIT*54
  ,MAT!W 0 /&+ 2S ! REFRIG]ATOR4 8,:AT'S
HAPP5$80
  8,HAV5'T GOT "T 6EXPLA910 ,I GASP$4
8,! GLUE6 ,": IS ! GLUE80
  ,?IRD ,SI/] _H US$ A TUBE ( GLUE 6PUT
UP ! PA9T+S1 & ,I DIDN'T "K ": %E _H PUT
X4 ,!N ,I SAW MY B[L ( LEFTOV] RICE ON !
C.T]4 ,I GRA2$ A BIT ( X & KN1D$ X TGR )
MY F+]S UNTIL X 2CAME A /ICKY PA/E4 ,!N
,I RU%$ BACK 6! SCRE5 & QKLY DA2$ AT !
LOOSE $GE (! PA9T+ ) MY HOMEMADE PA/E4
,?IRD ,SI/] SOON SAW :AT ,I 0 DO+ &
HELP$ ME SMOO? ! PAP] D[N4
  8,I DIDN'T "K T PA9T+ 0 S IMPORTANT TO
Y10 GR[L$ ,SECOND ,SI/]4 ,B %E LOOK$
PL1S$4
  ,! AUDI;E 0 GETT+ RE/.S1 ESPECI,Y !
*N4 ,WE F9,Y SETTL$ D[N 9 \R S1TS4 ,"O (
! "MS GAVE A 8%U%10 &! *N QUIET$4 ,I
HE>D A FA9T RU/L+ 2H ! SCRE54
  ,I GL.ED AT ,?IRD ,SI/] 6SEE IF %E _H
AL HE>D ! RU/LE4 ,%E SMIL$ AT ME1    #IG
& H] DIMPLES FLA%$4
  ,:5 ,I SEE H] SMILE L T1 ,I "K %E'S
?9K+ ( "S MIS*IEF4 ,N[ %E 0 PROBABLY
SMIL+ 2C WE 7 PLAY+ A TRICK ON ! AUDI;E4
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R LIFT$ 8 B[ & 2GAN 6PLAY4
,SECOND ,SI/] FOLL[$ ) H] 5TR.E1 !N
,?IRD ,SI/]4 ,Z %E PLAY$ ! DEEP NOTES (
H] CELLO1 X 0 NE>LY "T = MY 5TR.E4 ,I
LIFT$ MY B[4 ,MY F+]S 7 /ICKY F ! RICE
PA/E1 B AT L1/ X GAVE ME A BETT] GRIP ON
! B[4
  ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R GRITT$ 8 TEE? & ,SECOND
,SI/] /I65$ H] %\LD]S Z !Y PREP>$ !MVS =
! S\R NOTES !Y EXPECT$ ME 6PRODUCE4
  ,!N ,I DREW MY B[ ACR ! /R+S--OR ,I
PRET5D$ TO4 ,0N[1 ,I 0 RE,Y GD AT KEEP+
MY B[ J A T9Y BIT ABV ! /R+S4 ,I 0 AN
EXP]T AT B[ SYNC4
  ,A RIPPLE ( NOTES CAME \ Z ,I MOV$ MY
B[ BACK & =?4 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R & ,SECOND
,SI/] 7 S SURPRIS$ T !Y BO? /OPP$ PLAY+
=A MO;T4 ,ONLY ,?IRD ,SI/]'S CELLO KEPT
ON GO+ SMOO?LY4
  ,B ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R & ,SECOND ,SI/]
RECOV]$ QKLY4 ,!Y _H BO? PLAY$ 9 A   #IH
LOT ( RECITALS BACK 9 ,*9A4 ,UNEXPECT$
?+S (T5 HAPP5 DUR+ A P]=M.E4 ,!Y F.D _!
PLACES AG1 &! QU>TET W5T AH1D4 ,6MY GRT
RELIEF1 ,MAT!W 0 KEEP+ UP P]FECTLY )!
O!RS4
  ,X DIDN'T TAKE L;G = ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R TO
FIGURE \ :AT 0 GO+ ON4 ,F 8 S1T1 HE CD
TELL ! SECOND VIOL9 "P WASN'T -+ F ME4
,& SOON HE KNEW X 0 -+ F 2H ! SCRE54
  ,I SAW ,SECOND ,SI/] LOOK AT ME4 ,%E
_H AL FIGUR$ \ :AT 0 HAPP5+4 ,%E PROBA-
BLY RECOGNIZ$ ,MAT!W'S WAY ( PLAY+4 ,B
"! 0 NO?+ %E CD D EXCEPT 3T9UE 6PLAY1 &
PLAY B1UTI;LLY4
  ,"EY?+ 0 F9E1 UNTIL ,I TOOK HOLD (!
CORN] (! MUSIC 6TURN X OV]4 ,! RICE PA/E
MADE MY F+]S /ICK 6! PAP]4 ,I BROKE \ 9
A SW1T Z ,I TRI$ 6%AKE ! PAP] LOOSE4
  ,M1N:ILE ! SECOND VIOL9 "P 3T9U$ 6IS-
SUE SMOO?LY F 2H ! SCRE54 ,DID ! AUDI;E
NOTICE T :ILE ,I 0 /RU7L+ )! %EET MUSIC1
MY VIOL9 0 PLAY+ 0XF8
  ,MAYBE N4 ,A LOT ( NOTES 7 FLY+ >.D1
&! AUDI;E CDN'T ALW TELL EXACTLY : NOTES
7 -+ F : PLAY]4 ,ONLY ! -POS]1       #II
,HAYDN1 WD "K EXACTLY1 & HE _H BE5 D1D =
ALM TWO HUNDR$ YE>S4
  ,0! "T ,I F9,Y GOT MY F+]S FREE1 MY
EYES 7 ALM BL9D$ 0SALTY SW1T4 ,I WIP$ MY
BR[ & W5T BACK 6SWI%+ MY B[ BACK & =?4
  ,I GAVE ! AUDI;E A QK PEEK & SAW T !Y
ALL LOOK$ Q 3T5T4 ,"M SMIL$1 & ,"F LOOK$
PL1SANTLY SURPRIS$4 ,!Y 7 PR\D ( ME4
  ,MY M\? FILL$ )A BITT] TA/E4 ,MY P>5TS
7 PR\D ( ME = "S?+ ,I DIDN'T D4
  ,SU45LY ,I WI%$ ,I _H N"E ?"\ (!
TRICK4 ,?IRD ,SI/] 0 "R4 ,X WD H BE5
BETT] = ME 6PLAY ! SECOND VIOL9 "P1 EV5
IF ,I S.D$ T]RI#4 ,AT L1/ T WD H BE5
H"O/4
  ,B X 0 TOO LATE 6*ANGE4 ,2SS1 ,MAT!W 0
9 ?1 TOO4 ,! QU>TET KEPT ON PLAY+1 & ,I
W5T ON MOV+ MY B[ BACK & =?--SIL5TLY4
  ,! MUSIC 2CAME FA/] & L\D] Z WE GOT
NE> ! 5D4 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R _H A %ORT SOLO
"P )A DAZZL+ SWIRL ( NOTES T CLIMB$ HI<]
& HI<]4 ,AF T1 ALL F\R ( U--ALL FIVE (
U8--PLAY$ TGR1 & WE F9I%$ )A BIG1 CRA%+
*ORD4
  ,! AUDI;E BUR/ \ CLAPP+1 EV5 !    #AJJ
LL KIDS4 ,I /OLE A LOOK AT ,MAT!W'S P>-
5TS4 ,!Y 7 CLAPP+ Z H>D Z "EYBODY ELSE4
  ,X 0 "T =! F\R ( U 6/& UP & TAKE A B[4
,?IRD ,SI/] SEEM$ 6BE HAV+ "S TR\#4 ,WE
7 CR[D$ TGR1 & %E _H 6GET H] CELLO \ (!
WAY 2F %E CD B[ PROP]LY4
  ,?IRD ,SI/] /EPP$ BACK A LL 6GIVE H]F
M ROOM4 ,%E MOV$ H] CELLO 6H] LEFT1 &
BUMP$ H>D AG/ ! SCRE54
  ,CRA%6 ,9 FULL VIEW (! AUDI;E /OOD
,MAT!W1 ) 8 VIOL9 / 9 8 H&S4
  ,"! 0 D1D SIL;E4 ,I CD SEE ! AUDI;E
TRY+ 6"U/& :AT 0 GO+ ON4 ,"F & ,"M 7 !
F/ 6SUSPECT ! TRU?4 ,_! EYES W5T F ME TO
,MAT!W & !N BACK 6ME AG4 ,I SWALL[$ H>D1
WANT+ 6MELT 96A PU4LE & S9K 96! GR.D )
%AME4
  ,:Y 0 ,MAT!W / /&+ "!8 ,HE _H PROMIS$
6/1L AWAY Z SOON Z ! QU>TET 0 OV]6 ,B ,I
CDN'T RE,Y BLAME HM = /AY+4 ,I ?9K HE
WANT$ 6HE> ! CLAPP+4 ,AF ALL1 HE _H E>N$
X4
  ,"F BROKE ! SIL;E4 8,S T'S :Y ! QU>TET
S.D$ S DI6]5T60 ,%OCK 0 2+ REPLAC$ 0ANG]
ON 8 FACE4                          #AJA
  ,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,3N] J /OOD /UNN$1 ) _!
M\?S OP54 ,F9,Y ,MRS4 ,3N] F.D H] VOICE4
8,MAT!W8 ,:AT >E Y DO+ "!8 ,I ?"\ Y 7
SICK60
  ,MAT!W GR9N$ %EEPI%LY B DIDN'T SAY
ANY?+4
  ,?IRD ,SI/] CLE>$ H] ?ROAT4 8,I'M GLAD
Y ALL LIK$ ! QU>TET10 %E SD & SMIL$ AT !
AUDI;E4
  ,T 0 :5 ,I R1LIZ$ %E _H KNOCK$ OV] !
SCRE5 ON PURPOSE4 ,%E M/ H PLANN$ ON DO+
X ALL AL;G4
  8,MAT!W ISN'T "O ( MY "F'S REGUL> /U-
D5TS10 %E 3T9U$1 8B WE WANT$ 6%[ Y :AT A
TAL5T$ MUSICIAN HE IS4 ,S WE PLAY$ ? LL
TRICK ON Y4 ,WE HOPE Y 5JOY$ X40
  ,%E LOOK$ AT ME %YLY1 SIL5TLY APOLO-
GIZ+4 ,I QKLY SMIL$1 LETT+ H] "K T ,I
WASN'T ANGRY AT H]4
  ,"! 0 A MURMUR+ Z ! AUDI;E F9,Y "U/OOD
:AT _H HAPP5$1 T ,MAT!W _H BE5 PLAY+ 2H
! SCRE54 ,! KIDS LOV$ ! :OLE ?+4 ,!Y
/>T$ *E]+ & CLAPP+4 ,AF A :ILE _! P>5TS
JO9$ IN4
  ,MY P>5TS 7 ! ONLY "OS N *E]+4    #AJB
























                   #G               #AJC

  ,I 0 T]RIFI$ ( FAC+ ,"F4 ,HE LOOK$ V
ANGRY1 & ,I KNEW HE WD 2 HAV+ A /]N TALK
) ME AT ANY MO;T4
  ,B HE DIDN'T H A *.E 6TALK 6ME AT F/4
,! RECITAL TURN$ \ 6BE A HUGE HIT1 M* M
SU3ESS;L ?AN WE _H D>$ 6HOPE4 ,! P>5TS
CR[D$ UP 6,"F & 3GRATULAT$ HM4
  8,6BE FRANK ) Y1 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6-E 6!
RECITAL10 3FESS$ ! "F (! GIRL :O _H BE5
N]V\S4 8,^! ?+S C 2 A R1L PA9 9 ! '''
[60
  ,8 WIFE _H KICK$ HM4 8,WE ALL _H S* A
GD "T ? AFN60 %E SD4 8,AF H] O!R RECIT-
ALS1 ,ALISON WD -E HOME 9 TE>S4 ,B TD1
%E ACTU,Y SEEMS 6BE 5JOY+ H]F40
  ,!Y LOOK$ >.D = ,ALISON & F.D H] )A
GR\P ( O!R *N R1D+ _! =TUNE COOKIE MES-
SAGES4 ,WE HE>D BUR/S ( LAU<T]4
  ,! "F ( ,PET] ,S*ULTZ1 ! LL BOY :O _H
PLAY$ F/1 FELT ! SAME WAY4 8,YR RECITAL
0 Z GD Z A %[10 HE SD4 8,X 0 A T]RIFIC
IDEA 6HIDE T BOY 2H ! SCRE560
  ,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ 0 TALK+ 6,SECOND ,SI/]4
8,I ?"\ YR QU>TET 0 B1UTI;L6 ,Y     #AJD
M/ ALL PRACTICE AN AW;L LOT40
  ,SECOND ,SI/] GL.ED AT ME4 8,YES1 WE
PRACTICE L;G & H>D1 ALL FIVE ( U10 %E SD
D>KLY4 ,!N %E TURN$ BACK 6,PET]'S "M &
SMIL$4 8,Y'RE V K9D40
  ,A ?"\;L LOOK CAME OV] ! FACE ( ,MRS4
,S*ULTZ4 8,I WOND]1 D Y D ANY BABY-
SITT+8 ,PET] SEEMS 6L Y A LOT4 ,D Y ?9K
'''0
  ,SECOND ,SI/] LOOK$ PL1S$4 8,I'LL H TO
TALK 6MY "M AB X F/40
  ,:5 ,SECOND ,SI/] TOLD ,"M :AT ,MRS4
,S*ULTZ _H SD1 ,"M LOOK$ SURPRIS$4 8,>E
Y SURE Y'D TRU/ YR SON 6A /RANG]80 ,%E
ASK$ ,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ4 8,A "Y GIRL L MY
DAU<T]80
  8,B YR DAU<T] ISN'T A /RANG]10 PROTE/$
,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ4 8,%E'S GD ) ,PET]4 ,2SS1
,I C TELL %E IS A S]I\S1 RESPONSI#
GIRL40
  ,:ILE ,"M W5T (F 6TALK 6ANO!R P>5T1
,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ & ,SECOND ,SI/] 2GAN 6TALK
AB H\RS & RATES4
  ,S"EAL (! P>5TS CAME UP 6,"F & SD !Y
KNEW P ^: *N WD 2 9T]E/$ 9 TAK+     #AJE
LESSONS4 8,Y H S* TAL5T$ *N60 SD ANO!R
P>5T4 8,Y M/ 2 RE,Y PR\D40
  ,"F LOOK$ M EMB>RASS$ ?AN PR\D4 ,:5 /
ANO!R P>5T 3GRATULAT$ HM ON 8 TAL5T$ *N1
HE />T$ 6PROTE/4 8,ACTU,Y1 MY "YE/ SON
ISN'T--0
  ,?IRD ,SI/] QKLY 9T]RUPT$4 8,YR DAU<T]
IS PRETTY TAL5T$ H]F10 %E SD 6! P>5T4
  ,I CD SEE T ,"F 0 TORN4 ,HE FELT HE %D
3FESS ! %AME;L TRU? AB ,YANG ! ,"YE/ & 8
T]RI# E>4 ,B ?+S 7 GO+ S WELL--! P>5TS 7
V PL1S$1 &! *N 7 ALL HAV+ A GD "T4 ,:Y
SPOIL ? NICE "PY8
  ,:ILE ! O!R GUE/S 7 BUSY *ATT+1 !
,3N]S J /OOD "! LOOK+ DAZ$4 ,NOBODY 9 !
AUDI;E _H BE5 M AMAZ$ ?AN 8 [N P>5TS :5
,MAT!W _H BE5 REV1L$ 2H ! SCRE54
  ,?IRD ,SI/] BR"\ "S REFRE%;TS OV] 6!M
& 9TRODUC$ H]F4 ,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,3N] /
SEEM$ 6H TR\# F9D+ ^WS4
  ,MAT!W F9I%$ PUTT+ AWAY 8 VIOL9 & CAME
6JO9 8 P>5TS4 8,S X'S TRUE80 DEM&$ ,MR4
,3N]4 8,Y 7 PLAY+ ALL ^? NOTES80
  ,MAT!W GR9N$4 8,N ALL ( !M1 J "S ( !M4
,9 FACT ,I PLAY$ LESS ?AN ! O!RS1   #AJF
2C ! SECOND VIOL9 HAS ! SMALLE/ "P40
  8,B Y KEPT UP )! O!RS10 SD ,MR4 ,3N]4
,"! 0 AWE 9 8 VOICE4 8,!Y 7 ALL GO+ A
MILE A M9UTE1 & Y KEPT UP60
  ,MRS4 ,3N] PUT H] >M >.D ,MAT!W4
8,I'VE N"E BE5 S SURPRIS$ 9 MY LIFE60
  ,"F1 :O 0 GO+ >.D GREET+ ALL ! P>5TS1
F9,Y CAME 6! ,3N]S4 ,MR4 ,3N] CLE>$ 8
?ROAT4 8,:5 YR WIFE 9VIT$ U1 ,I 0 GO+ TO
REFUSE4 ,DIDN'T "K Y 7 PLANN+ ? SURPRISE
= U40
  ,"F %OOK ,MR4 ,3N]'S H&4 8,Y M/ 2 V
PR\D ( ,MAT!W40
  8,WE DIDN'T "K T ! BOY 0 ANY GD10 AD-
MITT$ ,MR4 ,3N]4 8,ALL WE KNEW 0 T HE
SP5T A LOT ( "T PLAY+ 8 VIOL940
  8,MAT!W HAS A GIFT = MUSIC10 ,"F SD4
8,:5 "S"O HAS A GIFT = MUSIC10 HE W F9D
A WAY 6PLAY1 :E!R Y WANT HM 6OR N40
  8,Y'VE C]TA9LY OP5$ \R EYES10 SD ,MRS4
,3N]4 8,T M/ H BE5 :Y ,M>Y BUMP$ 96T
SCRE54 ,%E DID X ON PURPOSE1 6LET U "K T
X 0 ,MAT!W :O 0 PLAY+40
  ,"F LOOK$ 2WILD]$4 8,:O'S ,M>Y80
  ,MRS4 ,3N] LOOK$ 2WILD]$1 TOO4    #AJG
,%E PO9T$ 6,?IRD ,SI/]1 :O 0 PUTT+ AWAY
ORANGE SODA BOTTLES4 8,ISN'T T ,M>Y OV]
"!8 ,YR DAU<T]80
  8,%E M1NS ,?IRD ,SI/]10 ,I TOLD ,"F4
  ,MR4 ,3N] GR9N$4 8,KIDS C 2 R1L DEV-
ILS1 C'T !Y8 ,I BET ,M>Y & ''' ] '''0
  8,Y+TAO10 SUPPLI$ ,MAT!W4
  8,Y1H1 ,Y+TAO10 SD ,MR4 ,3N]4 8,I BET
! TWO ( !M COOK$ UP ! S*EME 2T !M40
  8,COOK$ UP80 REP1T$ ,"F FA9TLY4
  8,I ?9K :AT ,MR4 ,3N] M1NS IS T ,?IRD
,SI/] & ,I PLANN$ "EY?+ TGR10 ,I TOLD
,"F4
  ,B CLE>LY ,?IRD ,SI/] _H H] [N ID1S AB
H[ ! RECITAL %D 5D4
  ,I 0 GLAD %E DID X4 ,I 0 GLAD T "EY-
BODY N[ KNEW X 0 ,MAT!W1 N ME1 :O _H
PLAY$ ! SECOND VIOL9 "P4
  ,MR4 ,3N]'S FACE 2CAME S]I\S4 8,D Y
?9K Y CD TAKE ,MAT!W Z "O ( YR /UD5TS80
HE ASK$ ,"F4
  ,"F LOOK$ UNCOM=TA#4 8,I ?"\ ''' ,I
?"\ MY ELDE/ SON TOLD ME Y >E N "W+ "R
N[4 ,HE 0 GIV+ ,MAT!W "S FREE LESSONS1 &
HE WD 2 GLAD 63T9UE40               #AJH
  8,WE DON'T NE$ *>;Y10 ,MR4 ,3N] SD
/I6LY4 8,WE'LL F9D ! M"OY 6PAY Y40
  8,MAT!W E>NS "S M"OY HMF10 A4$ ,MRS4
,3N]4 8,HE C HELP PAY = 8 LESSONS40
  8,I'LL 2 GLAD 6PAY = MY LESSONS10
,MAT!W SD4 8,I M1N X40
  8,HE E>NS A LOT ( M"OY DELIV]+ NEWSPA-
P]S10 ,I TOLD ,"F4 8,HE SAYS ,I C D X1
TOO1 IF Y'LL LET ME40
  8,Y DON'T H "T =A JOB10 SD ,"F4 8,Y
NE$ 6/UDY & PRACTICE YR VIOL940
  8,AW1 -E ON10 SD ,MR4 ,3N]4 8,NOBODY
NE$S 6SP5D .ALL 8 "T /UDY+ & PRACTIC+4
,2SS1 HOLD+ A JOB IS GD =A KID4 ,T1*ES
HM ! VALUE ( M"OY40
  ,"F DID N LOOK 3V9C$4 8,I H SE5 TOO _M
,AM]ICAN "Y/]S E>N+ M"OY J 6BUY "S?+
TRIVIAL1 L A PAIR ( RUNN+ %OES4 ,M1N:ILE
_! /UDIES SU6]40
  8,N ALW10 SD ,MR4 ,3N]4 8,TAKE ,MAT!W
"H4 ,HE DELIV]S PAP]S E MORN+1 B HE /
GETS DEC5T GRADES 9 S*OOL40 ,HE A4$ %Y-
LY1 8,& Y CD SEE HE AL DID OKAY ) 8 FID-
DLE40
  ,:5 ,"F DIDN'T REPLY AT F/1       #AJI
,MR4 ,3N] TURN$ S]I\S4 8,Y J SD YRF T :5
A KID HAS A GIFT = MUSIC1 HE'LL PLAY
:E!R Y WANT HM 6OR N4 ,SEEMS 6ME ! OPPO-
SITE IS TRUE1 TOO4 ,IF HE .DOESN'T H A
GIFT = MUSIC1 MAK+ HM PRACTICE WON'T D
M* GD40
  ,"F W9C$4 ,EV5 ,MR4 ,3N] SAW T 8 ^WS 7
N V TACT;L4 8,\*6 ,I %DN'T H SD T4 ,:AT
,I RE,Y M1N IS T P >E ALL DI6]5T4 ,N[1
,YANGTO '''0
  8,Y+TAO10 CORRECT$ ,MAT!W4
  8,Y1H1 ,Y+TAO4 ,HE'S A GRT KID4 ,& ,I
RE,Y M1N X40
  8,Y+TAO IS WELCOME AT \R H\SE ANY"T10
SD ,MRS4 ,3N]4 8,HE'S A GD 9FLU;E ON
,MAT!W40
  8,Y BET10 SD ,MR4 ,3N]4 8,I'VE N"E SE5
ANY"O PICK UP BASEBALL S FA/4 ,IF WE'RE
TALK+ AB GIFTS1 HE'S GOT A R1L GIFT =
BASEBALL1 YR ''' ] ''' ,Y+TAO40
  ,"F />$ AT ,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,3N] & !N AT
ME4 8,HE'S GOT A R1L GIFT8 ,Y+TAO80
  ,HE _H _H A GRT NUMB] ( SURPRISES ?
AFN1 B ? 0 ! GRTE/ SURPRISE ( ALL4
  8,T'S "R10 SD ,MR4 ,3N]4 8,Y "\   #AAJ
6-E SEE HM PLAY "S"T--!N Y'LL SEE = YRF
H[ TAL5T$ HE IS40
  ,:5 ! DOOR CLOS$ 2H ! ,3N] FAMILY1 ,"F
LOOK$ V ?"\;L4
  ,"M & ,?IRD ,SI/] 7 CL1N+ UP1 :ILE
,ELDE/ ,BRO!R & ,SECOND ,SI/] W5T >.D
RETURN+ *AIRS 6\R NEI<BORS4
  ,ON H] WAY BACK ,SECOND ,SI/] DREW ME
ASIDE4 8,I'M PR\D ( Y1 ,F\R? ,BRO!R40
  ,ALL ? PRAISE 0 MAK+ ME LI<T-H1D$4
,F/1 X 0 ! ,3N]S1 & N[ ,SECOND ,SI/]1 :O
_H ALW BE5 ! MO/ IMPATI5T ) ME4
  8,:AT D Y M1N80 ,I ASK$4
  8,Y DON'T H 6PRET5D10 %E SD4 8,I "K
:AT Y DID4 ,Y GAVE UP YR PLACE 9 ! QU>-
TET S YR FR CD PLAY4 ,X 0 V G5]\S ( Y1
,F\R? ,BRO!R40
  8,I J WANT$ ! QU>TET 6S.D GD10 ,I MUT-
T]$1 EMB>RASS$4 8,I DIDN'T WANT 6RU9 !
RECITAL40
  8,T1 TOO1 0 NO# ( Y10 %E SD4 8,Y 7
SACRIFIC+ YRF =! GD (! FAMILY40
  ,WELL1 IF %E ?"\ X _H BE5 A GRT SACRI-
FICE ON MY "P1 ,I WASN'T GO+ 6TRY 6*ANGE
H] M9D4                             #AAA
  ,T EV5+1 Z USUAL1 WE ALL W5T 6PRAC-
TICE4 ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R PRACTIC$ VIOL9
SCALES 9 \R B$ROOM4 ,SECOND ,SI/] />T$ A
NEW VIOLA PIECE 9 ! LIV+ ROOM4
  ,?IRD ,SI/] W5T 96! BA?ROOM & SAT D[N
ON ! TOILET S1T ) H] CELLO4 ,%E LIK$ !
WAY ! S.D B\NC$ (F ! TIL$ WALLS4 ,%E AL
CLAIM$ T ! C>P 9 ! BA?TUB SPLA%$ _!
TAILS 6%[ !Y LIK$ ! MUSIC4
  ,9 ! KIT*5 ,I SI<$ & TOOK UP MY VIOL94
,I DIDN'T TRY 6TUNE X4 ,:AT 0 ! USE8
  ,B 2F ,I CD TUCK ! VIOL9 "U MY *91 ,"F
CAME IN4 8,Y+TAO1 ,I WANT 6TALK 6Y40
  ,MY HE>T 2GAN 6B1T FA/]4 ,X _H -E1 AT
LA/1 \R TALK4 ,HE 0 GO+ 6TELL ME ,I _H
4GRAC$ ! ,YANG FAMILY4
  ,HE SAT D[N ON A KIT*5 *AIR & MADE ME
SIT FAC+ HM4 8,= YE>S10 HE 2GAN1 8YR "M
& ,I 2LIEV$ T Y DID N H ! "R ATTITUDE
T[>D MUSIC1 T Y 7 SIMPLY N TRY+ H>D
5\<40
  8,I RE,Y D TRY H>D10 ,I PROTE/$ DESP]-
ATELY4
  ,"F NO4$4 8,AF LI/5+ 6! QU>TET ? AFN1
,I N[ 2LIEVE Y40                    #AAB
  8,B ,I DIDN'T PLAY ? AFN60
  8,PRECISELY10 SD ,"F4 8,"D AF "D1
,I'VE _H 6LI/5 6! F\R ( Y REHE>S+1 &
ALW1 ! SECOND VIOL9 "P S.D$ '''0
  ,HE /OPP$4 ,AT ! ?"\ ( H[ ! SECOND VI-
OL9 _H S.D$1 A LOOK ( DEEP SU6]+ CAME
OV] 8 FACE1 &! CORN]S ( 8 LIPS CURL$
D[N4
  8,!N ? AFN10 HE 3T9U$1 8,I HE>D ! QU>-
TET PLAY Z X _H N"E PLAY$ 2F4 ,I 0 A/ON-
I%$4 ,I N"E KNEW ! SECOND VIOL9 CD S.D L
T40
  8,2C X WASN'T ME10 ,I MUM#D4
  8,2C X WASN'T Y10 SD ,"F4 ,HE TOOK A
DEEP BR1?4 8,I'M AFRAID Y W N"E S.D L T4
,Y H 6FACE ! TRU?1 ,Y+TAO1 EV5 IF X'S V
PA9;L4 ,Y W N"E 2COME A GD VIOL9I/40
  ,? 0 AN IMPORTANT MO;T1 & ,I TRI$ TO
KEEP MY FACE S]I\S4 ,B X 0 H>D N 6BUR/ \
LAU<+4
  8,I GUESS Y C'T MAKE A SILK E> \ (A
S['S PURSE10 ,I SD1 QUOT+ ,?IRD ,SI/]4
  ,"F LOOK$ PUZZL$4 ,MAYBE ,I _H MIX$ UP
,?IRD ,SI/]'S S5T;E4
  8,I'M GLAD Y'RE TAK+ ? S WELL10   #AAC
SD ,"F4 8,I'M PR\D ( Y40























                                    #AAD
























                   #H               #AAE

  ,9 ! "DS T FOLL[$1 ! FAMILY W5T \ ( _!
WAY 6BE NICE 6ME4 ,ACTU,Y1 ! NICE/ ?+ !Y
DID 0 6/OP MAK+ ME PRACTICE ! VIOL94
  ,I W5T >.D LOOK+ BRAVE4 ,?IRD ,SI/]
"S"TS SMIL$ AT ME Z IF WE %>$ A SECRET4
,B ,I KNEW %E WDN'T TELL ON ME4
  ,MAT!W N[ CAME 6\R H\SE 6TAKE LESSONS
F ,"F4 ,HE 9SI/$ ON PAY+1 S ,"F *>G$ HM
"O DOLL> = EA* LESSON4
  ,I LOAN$ ,MAT!W MY VIOL94 ,HE NE$$ A
BETT] 9/RU;T ?AN ! S*OOL VIOL94 ,! NEWS
AB \R RECITAL GOT >.D1 & :5 \R OR*E/RA
3DUCTOR HE>D AB X1 HE DECID$ 6GIVE ,MAT-
!W ANO!R AUDI;N4 ,AF ! AUDI;N1 ! 3DUCTOR
MOV$ ,MAT!W 6! FRONT R[1 ": ! AUDI;E CD
HE> HM4
  ,Z = ME1 ,I TOLD ! 3DUCTOR ,I WANT$ TO
GIVE UP ! VIOL9 & PLAY ! TRIANGLE 9/1D4
,HE LOOK$ V RELIEV$4
  ,MAT!W / PLAYS QU>TETS ) MY BRO!R &
SI/]S "S"TS4 ,ON ^! "DS1 ,SECOND ,SI/]
ALW ASKS ME :E!R ,I M9D 2+ LEFT \4
  ,( C\RSE ,I TELL H] ,I DON'T M9D4 ,B
"S"TS :5 ,I LOOK AT ! F\R ( !M S    #AAF
WRAPP$ UP 9 ! MUSIC1 ,I REMEMB] A /ORY
,I US$ 6HE> 9 ,*9A AB A BL BOY4
  ,HE 0 BORN BL1 S HE N"E KNEW :AT X 0 L
6SEE COLORS4 8,TELL ME AG AB ! SUNSET10
HE WD ASK4
  ,& P WD TRY 6TELL HM4 ,!Y WD DESCRIBE
! ORANGE SKY DEEP5+ 96CRIMSON &! $GES (!
RO(TOPS L9$ ) GOLD4
  ,HE WD ?ANK !M POLITELY1 B !Y KNEW !Y
_H N BE5 A# 6MAKE HM SEE H[ B1UTI;L X
WAS4
  ,I FELT L T BL BOY Z ,I LI/5$ 6,MAT!W
&! RE/ (! ,YANGS TALK+ AB A C]TA9 PIECE
( MUSIC4

  ,9 ! 5D1 ,"F =GAVE ME = N 2+ A# 6PLAY
! VIOL94 ,HE EV5 B"\ ME MY [N BASEBALL
BAT4 ,B ! BE/ "P 0 :5 ,MR4 ,3N] F9,Y P]-
SUAD$ \R FAMILY 6ATT5D A GAME \R NEI<-
BORHOOD T1M 0 PLAY+4
  ,X WASN'T EASY4 8,I H 6PRACTICE10 SD
,ELDE/ ,BRO!R1 %AK+ 8 H1D4 8,"!'S / "O
PASSAGE ": ,I C'T SEEM 6GET ! F+]+ "R40
  8,WE DON'T "K ANY?+ AB BASEBALL10
-PLA9$ ,SECOND ,SI/]4 8,WE'LL 2     #AAG
BOR$ 6D1?40
  8,I C EXPLA9 :AT'S HAPP5+10 (F]$ ,MR4
,3N]4
  ,?IRD ,SI/] SAW H[ WI/;L ,I WAS4
8,F\R? ,BRO!R LI/5$ PATI5TLY 6MUSIC ALL
^! YE>S1 & HE N"E -PLA9$ AB 2+ BOR$4 ,!
L1/ WE C D IS G 6! GAME1 J ? ONCE40
  8,ALL "R1 LET'S G10 SD ,"F4 8,I'M CU-
RI\S4 ,I WANT 6"K :AT X IS T MAKES ,Y+-
TAO "W S H>D40
  ,! GAME />T$ BADLY4 ,! O!R T1M 0 GD1 &
!Y GOT TWO RUNS "R 9 ! F/ 9N+4
  ,9 ! F\R? 9N+1 !Y GOT A MAN ON F/
BASE1 & "O ( _! BE/ HITT]S CAME UP 6BAT4
,HE CD HIT H>D1 S \R \TFIELD]S GOT !MVS
R1DY =A L9E DRIVE4
  ,I 0 ! %ORT/OP1 & ,I 0 CLOSE 6! BATT]4
,F ! WAY 8 EYES MOV$ >.D1 ,I GUESS$ T HE
0 GO+ 6TRY 6BUNT4
  ,I 0 "R4 ,HE SWUNG 8 BAT1 &! BALL
B\NC$ ON ! GR.D 9 FRONT ( ME4 ,I 0 ALR
RUNN+ = X4 ,I SCOOP$ UP ! BALL & ?REW X
AT ! F/ BASEMAN 9 A S+LE UNBROK5 MOVE;T4
,! BATT] 0 \1 &! O!R SIDE 0 RETIR$4
  ,9 ! *E]S (! CR[D1 ,I ?"\ ,I      #AAH
HE>D A GIRL'S HI<1 %RILL VOICE4 ,X 0
PROBABLY ,?IRD ,SI/]4 ,%E CD PICK UP
,AM]ICAN *E]S FA/] ?AN ANYBODY4
  ,?+S 2GAN 6GET BETT]4 ,\R SIDE MADE A
RUN 9 ! SIX? 9N+4 ,:5 ,I CAME UP 6BAT 9
! SEV5? 9N+1 WE ALR _H "O MAN ON F/ BASE
& ,MAT!W 0 ON ?IRD4
  ,I C>E;LLY WIP$ MY H&S ON MY PANTS4
,"S?+ MADE ME LOOK UP AT ! /&S1 ": MY
FAMILY 0 SITT+4
  ,!Y 7 WAY UP FRONT1 & ,MR4 ,3N] 0 L1N+
OV]1 PROBABLY EXPLA9+ ! GAME 6!M4 ,ELDE/
,BRO!R LOOK$ 2WILD]$1 & ,SECOND ,SI/]
LOOK$ BOR$4 ,"M 0 FR[N+1 B ,?IRD ,SI/] 0
SMIL+4 ,"F'S FACE 0 EXPRES.N.S4
  ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1? & FAC$ ! PIT*]4
  ,! F/ PIT* 0 L[ &! SECOND "O WAY TOO
HI<4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 J]K MY BAT4
  ,! ?IRD "O SEEM$ 6BE \TSIDE1 B X CURV$
A LL AT ! LA/ M9UTE4 ,0!N X 0 TOO LATE
6SW+4
  8,/RIKE60 SD ! UMPIRE4 ,"! 0 A MURMUR+
F ! SPECTATORS4
  ,ANO!R ?R[1 ? "O DEF9ITELY \TSIDE4
  ,0 ! PIT*] GO+ 6WALK ME8 ,!       #AAI
BASES WD 2 LOAD$ !N4 ,B \R SIDE ALR _H
TWO M5 \1 S ! NEXT HITT] WD H 6MAKE A
HIT4
  ,%D ,I A3EPT A WALK1 OR %D ,I TRY =A
HIT1 EV5 IF ! PIT* 0 N A GD "O8
  ,I GL.ED UP AT ! /&S1 & MY EYES MET
,"F'S4 ,HE NO4$4 ,( C\RSE HE "U/OOD NO?+
AB BASEBALL1 B ,I KNEW :AT HE WANT$4
  ,:5 ! BALL CAME1 ,I SWUNG AT X ) "EY?+
,I _H4 ,X CRACK$ AG/ ! BAT & S5T A %OCK
UP MY >MS L ELECTRIC;Y4
  ,I DIDN'T WAIT 6SEE ": ! BALL W5T4 ,I
J ?REW ! BAT D[N1 L[]$ MY H1D1 & RAN L
MAD4
  ,X WASN'T A HOME RUN4 ,MAYBE ,I'LL N"E
LIVE 6HIT A HOME RUN4 ,B F ! SCR1MS (!
CR[D1 ,I KNEW T ,MAT!W _H GOT HOME SAFE-
LY4
  ,! RO>+ GOT L\D]4 ,I SLID 96F/ BASE1
PICK$ MYF UP1 & LOOK$ >.D4 ,! BOY :O _H
BE5 ON F/ BASE _H AL MADE X HOME4 ,AF T
NO?+ CD /OP U4 ,\R T1M GOT ANO!R RUN 9 !
N9?1 & WE WON ! GAME4 ,WE FIL$ (F !
FIELD 6! S.D ( *E]S4
  ,Z ,I PASS$ MY FAMILY1 ,I HE>D    #ABJ
A TAPP+ NOISE4 ,I LOOK$ BACK & SAW T
,ELDE/ ,BRO!R & ,SECOND ,SI/] 7 SMIL+ AT
ME & TAPP+ _! B5* ) _! P5CILS4
  ,SU45LY ,I "U/OOD :AT !Y 7 DO+4 ,DUR+
A REHE>SAL1 ! /R+ PLAY]S "S"TS WANT TO
TELL A SOLOI/ OR A GUE/ 3DUCTOR T !Y ?9K
HE DID WELL4 ,!Y %[ _! APPRECI,N 0LI<TLY
TAPP+ _! 9/RU;TS ) _! B[S4
  ,]IC />$ AT ,ELDE/ ,BRO!R & ,SECOND
,SI/]4 8,:AT >E !Y DO+ T =80 HE ASK$4
  ,MY ?ROAT 0 TI<T1 & ,I CDN'T ANSW]4
,MAT!W ANSW]$ = ME4 8,X'S _! WAY ( TELL+
,Y+TAO HE DID A GD JOB40
  8,I'LL SAY HE DID60 SD ,]IC4 8,Y CD
SEE T HITT] 0 GO+ 6BUNT1 CDN'T Y1 ,Y+-
TAO8 ,Y'VE GOT A GRT EYE60
  ,X MADE UP = HAV+ A T]RI# E>4