,,COLD] ,,?AN ,,ICE

           ,,DAVID ,,PATN1UDE

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,ALB]T ,:ITMAN & ,-PANY1
        ,MORTON ,GROVE1 ,ILL9OIS
    ,COPY"R #BJJC 0,DAVID ,PATN1UDE
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,C>OLYN ,RI<I1 ,LAURA ,MELTON1
    ,B]NICE ,NORMAN1 ,G9NY ,SPADONI1
             & ,LAURA ,COX
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
            ,S1TTLE ,WA%+TON

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

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









     ,6,JASP] & ,KAI1 FUTURE R1D]S4

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    & ,SYLVIE1 = PLAY+ A 8CRITICAL0
        RULE 9 ! %AP+ ( ? /ORY4










                 ,3T5TS             ;III
                                   ,PAGE
#A ,A ,FRE% ,/>T """""""""""""""""""" #A
#B ,! ,NATURAL """"""""""""""""""""" #AA
#C ,/UD5T ,C\NCIL ,PRESID5T """""""" #BG
#D ,*RI/MAS IS ,-+ """"""""""""""""" #CC
#E ,CAN>IES """""""""""""""""""""""" #DE
#F ,WEI<T """""""""""""""""""""""""" #EC
#G ,J ,ANO!R ,KID """""""""""""""""" #FE
#H ,POOR ,ROONEY'S ,POND """"""""""" #GC
#I ,\ ( ,3TROL """"""""""""""""""""" #HA














                                     ;IV
























          ,,COLD] ,,?AN ,,ICE         #A

                   #A
             ,A ,FRE% ,/>T

  8,JO%UA ,SN[AT]80 ,! SECRET>Y LOOK$ UP
F H] DESK4 ,H] VOICE 0 GRAVELLY & L\D4
,%E PE]$ AT ! TWO KIDS WAIT+ 9 ! (FICE3
,JO% &! SMALL BOY SITT+ NEXT 6HM4
  8,%[ALT]10 ,JO% SD4
  ,%E HELD ! PIECE ( PAP] AT >M'S L5G?4
8,%[ALT]10 %E SD4 8,S X IS40 ,%E PULL$ A
TISSUE F A BOX & BLEW H] NOSE4 ,TRUMPET
S.DS B\NC$ (F ! WALLS4 ,! SMALL BOY
JUMP$4 8,ALL]GIES10 %E SD4 ,%E WA4$ UP !
TISSUE & %OT X T[>D A WA/EBASKET FIFTE5
FEET AWAY4 ,X POPP$ 9 P]FECTLY1 & %E
RAIS$ H] FI/S 9 TRIUMPH4 8,EAT YR HE>T
\1 ,%AQ60 %E BOOM$4
  ,! SMALL BOY $G$ CLOS] 6,JO%4
  8,YR T1*]1 ,MS4 ,MURPHY1 J CALL$10 !
SECRET>Y TOLD ,JO%4 8,%E'LL 2 S5D+ A /U-
D5T 6TAKE Y 6YR CLASSROOM 9 A C\PLE M9-
UTES40
  8,OKAY40 ,HE PLAY$ BACK 8 DAD'S ^WS F
! NI<T 2F--..A *.E =A FRE% ./>T4      #B
,HE WANT$ T *.E4 ,HE WOND]$ IF HE CD 2
"SBODY 2SS "O (! PACK--OKAY /UD5T1 OKAY
A?LETE1 K9D ( OV]WEI<T B OKAY LOOK+4
,:AT WD X 2 L 6BE ."SBODY8
  ,B T PROSPECT DIDN'T MAKE HM LESS N]V-
\S4 ,HE WASN'T EAG] 6GET 6HIS CLASSROOM4
,HE WASN'T LOOK+ =W>D 6ANY ( ?3 NEW T[N
ON ,IDAHO'S SK9NY PANH&LE1 NEW S*OOL1
NEW T1*]1 NEW KIDS4 ,&A K9D]G>T5-TO-
SEV5?-GRADE S*OOL8 ,:AT 0 UP ) T8
  ,BACK 9 ,S1TTLE1 SIX? GRADE 0 ! />T (
MI4LE S*OOL4 ,"H HE _H ALM TWO M YE>S )
LL KIDS1 !N TWO YE>S ( JUNIOR HI< 2F
HE'D GET 6! HI< S*OOL ": 8 DAD _H J />T$
T1*+4 ,0!N HE'D H :ISK]S & SIZE-TWELVE
FEET & 2 LI/5+ 6OP]A4
  ,! SECRET>Y />$4 8,:Y ! L;G FACE1 BU4Y
BOY80
  ,HE %RU7$4
  8,X'S ONLY GIV+ UP YR FREEDOM4 ,X'S
ONLY SITT+ AT A DESK SIX H\RS A "D :ILE
! _W D.ES AL;G )\T Y40 ,%E SMIL$4 8,X'S
ONLY S*OOL40 ,%E W5T BACK 6H] PAP]S4
  ,A KID--A SK9NY ?IRD- OR F\R?-GRADE
BOY ) B$-H1D--SKI4$ 96! (FICE &       #C
HURRI$ UP 6! SECRET>Y'S DESK4 ,%E TOOK
H] "T LOOK+ UP1 & :5 %E DID "! 0 A FR[N
ON H] R.D FACE4 8,YES1 ,MR4 ,SPE$ ,DE-
MON80
  ,! KID WAV$ A PIECE ( PAP] AT H]4
8,I'M SUPPOS$ 6GIVE ? 6,MRS4 ,DRAG]40
  8.,I'LL D T10 ! SECRET>Y SD4 8,MRS4
,DRAG] IS BUSY40
  8,MY T1*]--,MRS4 ,/ANWOOD--SD ME1
.,I'M SUPPOS$ TO40
  ,! SECRET>Y SNAT*$ ! PAP] F ! KID'S
H&4 8,\R =M] PR9CIPAL TAU<T ME A LA/+
LESSON1 "Y MAN--.MY JOB 0 6KEEP FOLKS
AWAY F 8 DOOR S HE CD D .8 JOB4 ,I'M
SURE ,MRS4 ,DRAG] FEELS ! SAME WAY40
  ,! KID'S M\? HUNG OP51 B HE DIDN'T SAY
ANY?+4
  8,N[ G BACK 6YR CLASSROOM40
  ,! BOY %U6L$ AWAY4 ,JO% FELT SORRY =
HM1 & SORRI] = HMF4 ,S F>1 N S GD4 ,S
F>1 ? S*OOL SEEM$ L A /EP BACKW>D4 ,MRS4
,NORDLUND1 ! SECRET>Y AT 8 OLD S*OOL1 _H
BE5 A P1*4 ,? SECRET>Y 0 M L A PRUNE4 ,B
AT L1/ X 0 A %ORT WEEK4 ,! ,?ANKSGIV+
HOLI"D 0 -+1 & ON ,?URS"D HE'D H "O   #D
?+ = SURE 6BE ?ANK;L =3 SURVIV+ 8 F/
?REE "DS4 ,HE TURN$ 6! KID NEXT 6HM4
8,:AT GRADE >E Y IN80
  8,FUW/40
  8,F/80
  ,! KID NO4$4
  8,YR F/ "D1 TOO80
  ,! KID %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I H 6G 6SPEE* F]-
APY TD40
  ,A MO;T LAT] A GRAY-HAIR$ WOMAN PEEK$
"? ! DOOR4 8,R1DY1 ,AN?ONY80
  ,! LL GUY B\NC$ UP & WALK$ \ ) 8 RES-
CU]4
  ,JO% /OOD & LOOK$ AT ! "NPLATE ON !
SECRET>Y'S DESK3 ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT4 ,2Y H]1
2H A MO/LY CLOS$ DOOR1 A WOMAN--! PR9CI-
PAL1 HE GUESS$--WAS TALK+ ON ! PH"O4 ,!
"N ON ! DOOR 0 ,MRS4 ,DRAG]4
  ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT EY$ HM4 ,HE SAT BACK
D[N--TOO QKLY4 ,! *AIR 0 SMALL--A LL
KID'S *AIR--& X CR1K$ "U 8 WEI<T4 ,S5S+
4A/]1 HE J]K$ 8 BOTTOM 96! AIR & WAIT$4
,! *AIR /OOD FA/4 ,HE EAS$ HMF D[N AG1
%IFT+ 8 ATT5;N 6HIS ANKLES1 ": ! LEGS (
8 J1NS 7 BUN*$ AT ! TOPS ( 8 %OES4    #E
,!Y REM9D$ HM (! /ACK ( PANCAKES HE'D
D[N$ = BR1KFA/4
  ,HE'D TOLD 8 MOM NO M 8HUSKIES10 :
M1NT %E _H 6GET TWO SIZES BI7]--SIZE #AH
--6FIT HM 9 ! WAI/4 8,LOOK AT ! CU6S10
%E'D SD4 8,!Y'LL 2 %R$D$ 9 A WEEK40 ,B
HE 0 OLD 5 6H "S SAY3 8,? IS H[ ALL !
KIDS WE> J1NS2 !Y'RE P]FECT10 HE'D TOLD
H]4 ,N[ HE WASN'T S SURE4
  ,HE LOOK$ >.D AT ! WALLS--PICTURES (
M.TA9S & LAKES & FAM\S P R1D+ BOOKS2
PO/]S ) RULES = D1L+ ) BULLIES2 A SIGN T
SD ,,M.TA9 ,,VIEW ,,S*OOL1 ,,HOME ,,(
,,! ,,HI<CLIMB]S1 ABV A CASE FILL$ )
TROPHIES & RI2ONS & PLAQUES & NEWSPAP]
>TICLES4
  ,HE GOT UP C>E;LLY & WALK$ 6! CASE4
,"S (! AW>DS 7 = SPORTS1 "S 7 = CLASS-
ROOM /UFF--SPELL+ BEES1 MA? -PETI;NS4
,"O NEWSPAP] >TICLE1 YELL[$ ) AGE1 0 AB
A GIRL :O _H PLAC$ SECOND AT ! /ATE
SPELL+ BEE4 ,A NEW "O REPORT$ ON A BOY--
,COREY ,KIT*5S1 AGE ?IRTE51 /UD5T C\NCIL
PRESID5T AT ,M.TA9 ,VIEW--:O _H WON A
C.TYWIDE FREE-?R[ 3TE/ & 0 MOV+ ON    #F
6! /ATE -PETI;N4 ,JO% /UDI$ ! PHOTO (!
KID3 ,FREE-?R[ ,*AMPION%IP ;,T-%IRT1
BALL TUCK$ "U 8 >M1 TROPHY HELD HI<1
COCKY SMILE ON 8 FACE4
  ,JO% PICTUR$ HMF 9 ! PHOTO3 BALL1 TRO-
PHY1 ;,T-%IRT 7J A LL TI<T71 REGUL>
SMILE ON A R.D FACE4 ,HE CD %OOT FREE-
?R[S1 MAYBE BETT] ?AN ,COREY ,KIT*5S4
,AF ALL1 ,JO% _H PRACTIC,Y GR[N UP 9
GYMS4 ,MAYBE "S"D HE'D 2 ! FREE-?R[
*AMP4 ,MAYBE HE'D GET *OS5 = /UD5T C\N-
CIL4 ,MAYBE HE'D EV5 H A ?9 FACE & CLO!S
T FIT4
  ,A CLOCK NE> ! DOOR R1D #I3BJ4 ,8 MOM
WD 2 AT H] NEW JOB 9 ,COEUR D',AL5E1 8
DAD WD 2 AT ! HI< S*OOL4 ,8 SI/]1 ,L9D-
SAY8 ,PRES*OOL1 ": %E'D PROBABLY MADE A
DOZ5 FRS 0N[4 ,X 0 H>D] 9 SIX? GRADE1 :5
"EYBODY ALR _H _! FRS1 OLD & NEW4 ,HE
?"\ AB 8 OLD FRS--,*>LES1 ,AHM$1 ,LL
,JOE4 ,:AT 7 !Y UP TO8 ,!Y SD !Y WD MISS
HM1 B DID !Y8 ,!Y _H EA* O!R2 "R N[ HE
_H NO "O1 & NO PROSPECTS4
  ,Y1H1 HE CD WAIT = T /UD5T 6-E & GET
HM4 ,EV5 ) ONLY ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT =      #G
-PANY4
  ,HE HE>D VOICES 9 ! HALL4 ,A TALL WOM-
AN 9 A L;G GRE5 COAT WALK$ 96! (FICE1
FOLL[$ 0A KID AB ,JO%'S AGE4 ,8 HAIR 0 !
BR[NI% COLOR ( ,JO%'S1 B ! RESEMBL.E 5D$
"!4 ,8 SK9 _H ! FRAGILE1 ALM-:ITE1 ALM-
%9Y LOOK ( E7%ELLS1 & HE 0 ?9 & SMALL4
,HE GL.ED T[>D ,JO%1 B N RE,Y AT HM1 M L
OV] 8 %\LD]4 ,JO% F.D HMF />+ AT ! KID'S
EYES--! B"RE/1 BLUE/ BLUE HE'D "E SE51 Z
IF !Y _H LI<TS 2H !M4
  ,! WOMAN W5T UP 6! C.T] & WAIT$ =
,MRS4 ,B5EDICT 6LOOK UP4 ,%E DIDN'T4
8,MY SON IS 2G9N+ S*OOL "H TD10 ! WOMAN
SD F9,Y4
  ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT SQU9T$ AT ! WOMAN &
KID4 8,"N80
  8,HIS "N IS ,SILV]?ORN4 ,M>K ,SILV]-
?ORN40
  ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT SMIL$4 8,N[ .T'S :AT ,I
CALL A ."N40 ,%E L1F$ "? "S PAP]S4
  8.,NEXT ,MON"D10 ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT SD4
8,N DUE UNTIL .NEXT ,MON"D40
  8,WE 7 A# 6>RIVE E>LI]4 ,IS T
A3EPTA#80                             #H
  8,! E>LI] ! BETT]60 ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT
RO>$4 8,! E>LY BIRD GETS ! *OCOLATE60
,%E WROTE "S?+ ON A PIECE ( PAP]4
  8,GD10 ! WOMAN SD4 8,W Y TAKE HM 6HIS
T1*]80
  8,OH1 ,I DON'T D .T4 .,I'M NE$$ ."H4
,I'M K9D ( L ! MOAT1 & ,MRS4 ,DRAG]'S (-
FICE IS ! CA/LE4 ,"!'S A /UD5T -+ 6GET
,MR4 ,SN[AT]1 ?\<40 ,%E NO4$ 9 ,JO%'S
DIREC;N4 8,!Y'LL 2 9 ! SAME CLASSROOM40
  ,! WOMAN TURN$ 6LOOK AT ,JO% =! F/ "T4
,H] SK91 H] EYES1 7 ! SAME Z ,M>K'S--
E7%ELL PALE1 GLACI] BLUE4 8,WOND];L10 %E
SD1 SMIL+4 8,P]H Y TWO C GET ACQUA9T$40
,%E GAVE H] SON A QK HUG &A L;G LOOK4
8,I'LL SEE Y AT HOME ? AFN1 ,M>K10 %E
SD1 & WALK$ \ ! DOOR4
  ,M>K TURN$ T[>D ,JO%1 B 8 EYES /
AVOID$ ,JO%'S FACE4 ,!Y FOCUS$ _! BLUE;S
ON ! WALL 2H HM1 &= AN 9/ANT ,JO% _H TO
LOOK 6SEE :AT 0 S 9T]E/+4 ,NO?+ B PLA9
OLD PA9T4 8,,MR4 ,,SN[AT]80 ,M>K SD4 ,8
VOICE 0 HI<-PIT*$ ?"U--L\D] ?AN ,MRS4
,B5EDICT'S1 EV5--ROLL+ >.D ! ROOM1 GETT+
"U ,JO%'S SK94                        #I
  ,JO% =C$ HMF 6/&4 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,MY
"N'S ,JO% .,%[ALT]40 ,HE TOOK A /EP =W>D
& /UCK \ 8 H&1 B ,M>K FLUNG UP 8 H&S
%\LD]-HI<1 L LL %IELDS4 ,HE ?REW BACK 8
H1D & LAU<$ UPRO>I\SLY1 Z IF ,JO% _H J
POK$ HM )A L;G /ICK 9 8 MO/ TICKLI%
PLACE4
  ,JO% DROPP$ 8 H&4 ,:AT 0 UP ) ? GUY8
  ,ANO!R BOY TRUDG$ 96! (FICE4 ,HE 0
NE>LY Z BIG Z ,JO%1 NE>LY Z WIDE4 ,8
FACE 0 R.D & FRECKL$ & TOPP$ ) R$DI%-
BLOND HAIR4 ,8 J1NS BUN*$ AT ! ANKLES1
TOO4 ,HE GNAW$ N]V\SLY AT 8 F+]S4
  8,I'M "H =! NEW KID10 HE SD 6,MRS4
,B5EDICT "? 8 KNUCKLES4 ,B 2F %E CD SAY
ANY?+1 HE SPOTT$ ,JO%4 ,HE /OPP$ GNAW+4
,8 FACE FROZE1 !N BROKE 96A BROAD SMILE4
8.,Y'RE ! NEW KID80
  8,"O ( 'EM4 ,M>K'S NEW1 TOO40
  ,! KID IGNOR$ ,M>K4 ,HE J LOOK$ ,JO%
UP & D[N4 8,Y'RE BIG10 HE SD4 8,Y'RE
.BIG40
  ,JO% NO4$4 ,": DID ? GUY L1VE 8 MAN-
N]S8
  8,Y'RE 9 SIX? GRADE80              #AJ
  8,UH-HUH10 ,JO% SD4 8,S'S ,M>K40
  8,:AT D Y WEI<80
  8,SAME Z Y1 PROBABLY40
  8,I ?9K Y'RE H1VI]4 ,TW5TY P.DS1 MAY-
BE40
  8,S80 ,:AT 0 ? GUY'S PRO#M8 ,0 "! ANY-
BODY NORMAL 9 ? S*OOL8
  8,NO?9'40 ,! SMILE FAD$4 8,J CURI\S40
  ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT HELD UP "S PAP]S4 ,%E
LOOK$ AT ! NEWE/1 WEIRDE/ >RIVAL4 8,BO?
( ^! G5TLEM51 ,M>K ,SILV]?ORN & ,JO%UA
.,%[ALT]1 >E 6G ) Y1 ,ALEX4 ,GIVE ^! =MS
6,MS4 ,MURPHY Z SOON Z Y GET 6YR CLASS-
ROOM40
  ,ALEX TOOK ! PAP]S4 8,OKAY4 ,C D4 ,"R
AWAY1 ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT40 ,HE'D LO/ 8
TRUDGE2 HE HURRI$ ACR ! (FICE4 8,LET'S
G1 GUYS40
  ,JO% GRA2$ 8 BACKPACK & FOLL[$ !M \ !
DOOR4 8,L;G FACES >E = HORSES1 BU4Y
BOY10 ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT CALL$ AF HM4



                   #B                #AA
              ,! ,NATURAL

  8.,TWO ( Y80 ,MS4 ,MURPHY1 "Y & D>K-
HAIR$1 MET !M AT ! CLASSROOM DOOR1 WE>+
A SMILE4 ,FRLY1 ,JO% ?"\ ) RELIEF4 ,NOR-
MAL1 MAYBE4 8,": DID Y F9D .TWO1 ,ALEX80
  ,ALEX H&$ H] ! PAP]S4
  8,GD10 %E SD1 %U6L+ !M "? H] F+]S1
GLANC+4 8,N[ :O'S ,M>K & :O'S ,JO%UA80
  8,I ,,AM ,,M>K40 ,M>K'S VOICE B\NC$
>.D ! CLASSROOM1 REM9D+ ,JO% (! BOOM+
VOICE (A GUY :O P$DL$ FI% AT ! ,PIKE
,PLACE ,M>KET 9 ,S1TTLE4
  ,MS4 ,MURPHY BL9K$4 8,WE'RE GLAD Y CD
JO9 U E>LY1 ,M>K40
  8,I AM1 AL10 ,M>K SD1 GAZ+ OV] H] %\L-
D]4 ,MS4 ,MURPHY R1*$ \ H] H& 6%AKE1 B
,M>K'S H&S FLEW UP AG4 ,8 H1D TIPP$
BACK4 ,HE LAU<$ RAUC\SLY4 ,MS4 ,MURPHY'S
>M HUNG 9 ! AIR4 ,! CLASSROOM W5T SIL5T4
,M>K /OPP$ LAU<+ & />$ \ ! W9D[1 Z IF
WI%+ HE 7 "S": ELSE4
  8,& Y'RE ,JO%UA80 ,MS4 ,MURPHY BRAVELY
HELD H] H& \ 6HM1 & HE TOOK X4 ,!Y %OOK4
,HE LOOK$ H] 9 ! EYE1 ! WAY 8 DAD    #AB
_H TAU<T HM4 ,MAYBE ,M>K DIDN'T H A DAD4
  ,!Y'D MOV$ 6! FRONT (! CLASSROOM4 ,JO%
CD FEEL A C\PLE DOZ5 SETS ( EYES ON HM4
,HE *ECK$ ! BOTTOMS ( 8 J1NS 6SEE H[ M*
!Y 7 BUN*+4 ,HE SUCK$ 9 8 /OMA*4 8,JO%40
  8,NICE 6H Y "H1 ,JO%10 ,MS4 ,MURPHY
SD4 8,2F Y BO? SIT D[N1 WD Y M9D TELL+ !
CLASS ": Y'RE F1 & :AT BR"\ Y 6,RA?DRUM1
,IDAHO80
  ,JO% DIDN'T L /&+ UP 9 FRONT ( P &
TALK+4 ,B HE FIGUR$ HE _H NO *OICE4
8,S1TTLE10 HE BLURT$ \4 ,HE CDN'T REMEM-
B] :AT HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6SAY NEXT4 ,HE LOOK$
>.D ! ROOM =A FRLY FACE4 ,9 ! BACK CORN]
SAT A BLOND GIRL ) GLASSES4 ,%E SMIL$ AT
HM1 AMUS$ B FRLY4
  8,& :AT BR"\ Y "H1 ,JO%80
  ,JO% KEPT 8 EYES ON ! GIRL4 ,%E SMIL$
AG4 8,MY DAD'S A T1*]4 ,HE GOT A JOB
T1*+ & COA*+ BASKETBALL & TRACK AT
,LAKEL& ,HI< ,S*OOL4 ,HE'S BE5 "H S9CE
S*OOL />T$4 ,! RE/ (! FAMILY _H 6/AY 9
,S1TTLE UNTIL \R H\SE SOLD4 ,N[ MY MOM'S
AN A3.TANT 9 ,COEUR D',AL5E40
  8,ANY BRO!RS OR SI/]S80            #AC
  8,A SI/]4 ,L9DSAY4 ,%E'S F\R40
  8,GD4 ,WE HOPE Y'RE HAPPY "H40 ,%E
TURN$ 6,M>K1 :O 0 />+ \ ! W9D[S4 8,M>K80
  8,IS X SN[+80 HE SD4 ,E FACE 9 ! ROOM
%IFT$ HOPE;LLY T[>D ! W9D[S4 ,JO% SQU9T$
8 EYES1 B HE CDN'T SEE EV5 A FLAKE (
SN[4
  ,MS4 ,MURPHY LOOK$ \ AT ! SKY4 8,!
W1!RMAN SAYS LAT] 9 ! "D IS A POSSIBILI-
TY4 ,NO?+ N[1 ,M>K40
  8,I DON'T L SN[10 HE SD1 &A MURMUR
MOV$ ACR ! CLASSROOM L A WAVE4 ,LOOKS
PASS$ 2T KIDS L SECRET NOTES3 ,:AT KID
DOESN'T L SN[8
  8,": D WE SIT80 ,M>K ASK$4
  8,C Y TELL U ": Y'RE F1 F/80 ,MS4
,MURPHY SD4
  8,M9NESOTA10 ,M>K SD4
  8,& :AT BR"\ Y "H80
  8,MY "F'S JOB40 ,S ,M>K .DID H A DAD4
  8,& :AT DOES HE D80
  ,M>K HESITAT$4 8,HE HELPS FAMILIES40
  ,MS4 ,MURPHY /UDI$ HM =A MO;T1 Z IF %E
0 AB 6ASK HM :AT T M1NT4 ,!N %E ?"\
BETT] ( X4 8,9T]E/+4 ,BRO!RS OR      #AD
SI/]S80
  ,M>K SPR1D 8 >MS WIDE1 8 H&S OP5 6!
CLASS4 8,I ,,2LIEVE ,,WE ,,>E ,,ALL
,,BRO!RS ,,& ,,SI/]S40 ,M LOOKS--SMIRKS
? "T4 ,JO% $G$ AWAY F HM4 ,MS4 ,MURPHY
/>$1 Z IF %E WANT$ 6PE] 9SIDE 8 SKULL4
  ,%E /UDI$ "O (! PAP]S 9 H] H&4 8,OH10
%E SD "U H] BR1?4 8,OH40 ,%E GL.ED AT
,M>K1 :O 0 BACK 6GAZ+ \ ! W9D[4 8,?ANK Y
BO? = %>+10 %E SD F9,Y1 ATTEMPT+ A
SMILE4 8,CLASS1 C WE GIVE !M A SIX?-
GRADE WELCOME80
  ,! CLASS *E]$ & CLAPP$ :ILE ,MS4 ,MUR-
PHY ESCORT$ ,M>K & ,JO% 6_! *AIRS4 ,!Y 7
6SIT TGR AT A TA# )! BLOND-HAIR$ GIRL4
,! "NTAG TAP$ 6! SURFACE 9 FRONT ( H] SD
8,SKYE ,FI%]1 ,ROOKIE40
  8,SKYE1 :Y DON'T Y %[ ,M>K & ,JO% ":
6F9D SUPPLIES S !Y C MAKE "NTAGS10 ,MS4
,MURPHY SD4 8,! RE/ ( Y C R1D SIL5TLY
:ILE ,I TAKE C>E ( "S PAP]"W40
  ,ON ! WAY 6! SUPPLY CAB9ET1 ,JO% NO-
TIC$ ,ALEX'S SMILE1 AIM$ 8 WAY4 ,X FELT
GD 6H A /RANG] GLAD 6SEE Y4 ,HE SMIL$
BACK4                                #AE
  ,JO% & ,M>K MADE "NTAGS3 8,M>K ,SILV]-
?ORN1 ,ROOKIE10 & 8,JO% ,%[ALT]1 ,ROOK-
IE40 ,SKYE SU7E/$ ! 8ROOKIE0 "P 2C !Y
ALL 7 NEW 6,M.TA9 ,VIEW4 ,%E'D />T$ 9
,SEPTEMB]4
  8,WE C 2 ! ROOKIE TA#10 %E SD4 ,JO%
WASN'T SURE HE WANT$ 6BE "KN Z A ROOKIE2
HE 0 TRY+ 6FIT IN1 N /ICK \4 ,B HE WD G
AL;G ) X1 AT L1/ = N[4
  ,:5 !Y 7 D"O1 ,M>K PULL$ A FANCY-LOOK+
CAM]A--BLACK ) LOTS ( *ROME & BUTTONS &
GLASS--F 8 BACKPACK & 2GAN MESS+ >.D )
X4 ,HE TOOK PICTURES ( ,MS4 ,MURPHY1
,SKYE & ,JO%1 & "S O!R KIDS1 :O %>$ :IS-
P]S & ^? SMIRKY LOOKS AG4 ,:5 ,MS4 ,MUR-
PHY'S BACK 0 TURN$1 !Y HELD IMAG9>Y CAM-
]AS 6_! FACES & TOOK IMAG9>Y PICTURES (!
SC5E \TSIDE ! W9D[4 ,IMAG9>Y SN[1 ,JO%
FIGUR$4 ,HE EXPECT$ ,MS4 ,MURPHY 6SAY
"S?+ 6,M>K1 B %E ACT$ Z IF HAV+ A CLASS-
ROOM PHOTOGRAPH] 0 NO?+ NEW 6H]4
  ,AF SIL5T R1D+ !Y _H MA?1 !N LANGUAGE
>TS1 ": ,MS4 ,MURPHY TALK$ AB C9QUA9 PO-
ETRY4 ,JO% ALR KNEW H[ 6D ! MA?2 HE'D
ALR LE>N$ AB C9QUA9 POEMS AT 8 OLD   #AF
S*OOL4 ,HE FELT A LL BETT]4 ,S F> ! "W
WASN'T H>D] "H4 ,HE WDN'T />T \ AT ,M\N-
TA9 ,VIEW 2H "EY"O ELSE4
  ,! WALL CLOCK MOV$ 6#AA3AJ4 ,! LUN*
BELL RANG4
  8,Y GUYS PLAY SO3]80 ,SKYE ASK$1 GETT+
UP F H] *AIR4
  8,FULLBACK10 ,JO% SD4 8,MY T1M J F9I%$
XS S1SON #I & #A40 ,HE DIDN'T SAY ANY?+
AB ! L;G M9UTES HE'D SP5T ON ! SIDEL9ES
:ILE ! COA* LET ! O!R GUYS GET MO/ (!
PLAY+ "T4
  8,AWE"S10 ,SKYE SD4 8,IF WE HURRY "?
LUN*1 WE'LL H A LOT ( "T = SO3]4 ,RECESS
DOESN'T 5D TILL NOON40
  8,I'VE SE5 SO3]10 ,M>K SD4 ,HE SLIPP$
8 CAM]A 96A CASE1 SLUNG X OV] 8 %\LD]1 &
/OOD4
  ,SKYE GAVE HM A LL FR[N1 !N H1D$ =!
DOOR4 8,LET'S G40
  ,!Y WOLF$ D[N LUN* 9 A NOISY CAFET]IA
T SMELL$ J L ! CAFET]IA AT ,JO%'S OLD
S*OOL4 ,\TSIDE1 ! PLAYGR.D 0 BIG &
GRASSY1 ) BALD PAT*ES ( S&Y MUD4 ,! F>
HALF _H SO3] GOALS AT EA* 5D4 ,TWO   #AG
GR\PS ( KIDS 7 GA!R$ 9 ! C5T] (! FIELD4
  8,-E ON60 ,SKYE SD4 8,!Y'RE ALR *OOS+
UP60
  ,!Y JO7$ 6! FIELD4 ,! AIR 0 FRO/ GO+
96,JO%'S LUNGS1 :ITE VAPOR -+ \4 ,SN[
W1!R1 MAYBE4
  ,!Y ANGL$ T[>D ! BI7] GR\P4 ,9 X 7 "S
BOYS &A FEW GIRLS ,JO% REMEMB]$ F 8
CLASS1 & O!R KIDS HE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE4
,"S LOOK$ OLD]4 ,SEV5?-GRAD]S1 PROBABLY4
,HE FELT ! NEW-KID-AT-S*OOL LUMP GETT+
BI7] 9 8 ?ROAT4
  ,"EY"O 0 J /&+ >.D4 8,:AT >E Y GUYS
DO+1 ,HALLIE80 ,SKYE ASK$ "O (! GIRLS4
  8,WAIT+ = ,COREY'S LL MEET+ 6BR1K UP40
  8,:Y D WE ALW H 6WAIT = HM80
  ,HALLIE TURN$ UP H] PALMS 9 A :O-"KS8
GE/URE4
  8,:AT >E !Y DO+80 ,SKYE ASK$1 B %E
DIDN'T GET AN ANSW]4 ,%E GL>$ AT !
SMALL] CLU/] ( KIDS3 ,ALEX & TWO OLD]
GUYS4 ,"O 0 TALL1 ) BLONDI%-BR[N HAIR4
,HE WORE A ,/AN=D SW1T%IRT )! SLEEVES
CUT AWAY 6%[ (F BROAD %\LD]S & BICEPS T
/OOD \ L KNOTS ON A ROPE4 ,HE _H A   #AH
FAMILI> FACE4 ,X TOOK ,JO% A MO;T 6FIG-
URE \ :Y4
  ,HE 0 ! KID F ! TROPHY CASE4 ,COREY
,:AT'S-HIS-"N4 ,! FREE-?R[ *AMP4 ,! /U-
D5T C\NCIL PRESID5T4 ,MR4 ,POPUL>;Y4
,MR4 ,GUY-IN-*>GE4 ,:AT WD X 2 L 6BE ALL
^? ?+S1 6H KIDS /&+ >.D WAIT+ = Y 6TELL
!M H[ HI< 6JUMP8
  ,:5 ,ALEX F9I%$ TALK+1 ALL ?REE ( !M
LOOK$ T[>D ! BIG GR\P4 ,T[>D ,JO%4 ,HE 0
SURE ( X4 ,COREY LAU<$1 !N SD "S?+4 ,!
MOOD *ANG$3 S]I\S1 ALL (A SU454
  8,,:Y ,,>E ,,WE ,,WAIT+80 ,M>K SD4
  ,COREY SWA7]$ T[>D !M1 TRAIL+ ! O!R
TWO L L9T BALLS4 8,ME & ,BUNK >E CAP-
TA9S10 HE ANN\NC$4
  8,AG80 ,SKYE SD4
  8,Y DON'T L X1 .,SKYE80
  8,X'S N FAIR1 .,COREY40
  8,!N DON'T PLAY40
  ,SKYE'S *EEKS FLU%$ P9K2 %E /UCK \ H]
JAW4 8,I'M PLAY+40
  ,COREY LOOK$ AT ,JO%1 !N ,M>K4 8,:Y
DON'T Y TELL U :O YR NEW FRS >E10 HE SD
6,SKYE4                              #AI
  8,!Y C TELL Y !MVS1 IF !Y WANT40
  8,:Y WDN'T !Y80 ,HE EY$ ,M>K UP & D[N4
8,Y WANT 6TELL ME :O Y >E1 "R1 KID80
  ,M>K LOOK$ PA/ ,COREY'S WIDE %\LD]1
SMIL+ Z IF HE 7 ON ! 9SIDE ( AN IN-JOKE4
,8 EYES SP>K$4
  8,:AT'S T /UPID SMILE =80
  8,I 2LIEVE Y ALR H ASC]TA9$ MY "N40
  8,8,I 2LIEVE Y ALR H ASC]TA9$ MY "N0'8
,":'D .Y LE>N 6TALK80
  ,M>K SMIL$ WID]4
  8,Y "K :AT8 ,I .HE>D YR "N B ,I DON'T
Q .2LIEVE X4 .,SILV]?ORN8 ,:AT K9D ( "N
IS .,SILV]?ORN8 ,& :Y DON'T Y LOOK AT ME
:5 ,I'M TALK+80
  ,M>K LOOK$ AT ! GR.D4 8,A FAMILY "N40
  8,": Y F80
  8,M9NESOTA40
  8,Y DON'T .S.D L Y'RE F ,M9NESOTA10
,COREY SD4 8,Y DON'T .LOOK L Y'RE F ,M9-
NESOTA4 ,I WD'VE GUESS$1 L1 .,M>S40 ,HE
LAU<$ A PHONY LAU< & EYEBALL$ 8 BU4IES4
,BUNK =C$ A *UCKLE2 ,ALEX JO9$ 9 )A W1K
GI7LE4
  8,M>S NO L;G] SUPPORTS LIFE10      #BJ
,M>K TOLD ! DIRT AT 8 FEET4
  8,8,M>S NO L;G] SUPPORTS LIFE10'0
,COREY P>ROT$4 ,HE N>R[$ 8 EYES AT ,M>K1
:O DIDN'T NOTICE4 8,:AT A LOS]40
  8,LET HM AL"O1 ,COREY10 ,SKYE SD4
  ,COREY %OOK 8 H1D AT ,SKYE1 LAU<$ 8
PHONY LAU< AG1 & %IFT$ 8 ATT5;N 6,JO%4
8,! O!R NEW KID10 HE SD4 ,! COLD LOOK
LEFT 8 EYES2 HE SMIL$ :AT LOOK$ L A R1L
SMILE4
  8,JO% ,%[ALT]40 ,JO% DIDN'T WANT 6GET
ON ANY"O'S BAD SIDE ON 8 F/ "D1 & ? GUY
WASN'T J ANY"O4
  8,I "K10 ,COREY SD4 8,I'VE HE>D AB Y4
,I'VE HE>D YR DAD'S ! NEW COA* AT ,LAKE-
L& ,HI<40
  ,JO% /OOD A LL TALL]4 8,BASKETBALL &
TRACK40
  8,"R4 ,& Y'RE PROBABLY GD AT SPORTS1
TOO40
  8,FAIRLY GD40
  8,8.,FAIRLY GD40' ,I BET Y'RE BETT]
?AN FAIRLY GD40
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,JO% SD4 ,? GUY 0 OKAY1
AF ALL4 ,SKYE & ,M>K _H BE5 K9D (    #BA
ASK+ = X4
  ,COREY /UCK \ 8 H&4 8,I'M ,COREY
,KIT*5S40 ,JO% %OOK X4
  8,"T'S WA/+ AWAY1 ,COREY10 ,BUNK SD4
  8,OKAY4 ,LET'S GET 6*OOS+40 ,COREY
LOOK$ OV] ! GR\P1 !N LET 8 EYES /OP ON
,JO%4 8,I'LL TAKE ! ,JO%/]10 HE SD4
  ,JO% CDN'T 2LIEVE X3 ..! F/ "O .*OS56
,? N"E WD H HAPP5$ AT 8 OLD S*OOL4 ,HE
WALK$ OV] & /OOD 0,COREY1 :O GAVE HM A
HI< FIVE & ANO!R SMILE4 ,JO% TRI$ N TO
GR91 B HE CDN'T HELP X4 ,HE LOOK$ AT
,SKYE & ,M>K4 ,NEI LOOK$ HAPPY = HM4
,SKYE'S NOSE 0 SCRUN*$ UP1 Z IF %E 7
SMELL+ "S?+ BAD4 ,M>K FR[N$ AT ! GR.D4
,MAYBE !Y 7 J1L\S4
  ,BUNK *OSE ANO!R OLD] KID1 !N X 0
,COREY'S TURN AG4 ,!Y PICK$ UNTIL EA*
T1M _H EI<T4 ,SKYE 0 ! LA/ *OICE ON
,COREY'S T1M4 ,M>K1 D1D LA/1 5D$ UP )
,BUNK4
  ,JO% MOV$ T[>D A FULLBACK POSI;N4
  8,": Y GO9'1 ,JO%80 ,COREY ASK$4
  8,I PLAY FULLBACK10 ,JO% SD4 8,USU,Y40
,SU45LY HE 0 AFRAID ,COREY 0 GO+     #BB
6S5D HM BACK 6! SIDEL9ES4
  8,N ON ? T1M10 ,COREY SD4 8,I WANT Y
UP FRONT ": Y C KNOCK 9 "S GOALS4 ,Y
TAKE /RIK]40 ,HE RAIS$ 8 VOICE S "EY"O
CD HE> HM4 8,WE'LL LET ,SKYE PLAY FULL-
BACK4 ,WE'LL KEEP H] 2H U ": WE DON'T H
6LOOK AT H]40 ,HE LAU<$ A DONKEY-MEETS-
HY5A LAU<4 ,BUNK & ,ALEX JO9$ IN4 ,JO%
PUT ON A SMILE--2C HE GOT 6PLAY =W>D1 HE
TOLD HMF--B HE CDN'T LOOK AT ,SKYE Z %E
WALK$ BACK T[>D ! GOAL =! KICK(F4
  ,JO% SOON 4COV]$ HE WASN'T ! FA/E/ KID
ON ! FIELD--T WD 2 ,COREY OR ,SKYE--B HE
DID A GD JOB ( PLAY+ 8 POSI;N4 ,& E "T
HE 0 OP51 ,COREY1 A MIDFIELD]1 WD TRY TO
GET HM ! BALL4 ,HALFWAY "? RECESS1 ,JO%
SNUCK 2H ,M>K1 ,COREY GAVE HM A P]FECT
PASS1 & HE PUN*$ ! BALL PA/ ! GOALIE4
,HE'D SCOR$6
  8,A NATURAL10 ,COREY SD Z ! T1M--MO/ (
!M1 ANYWAY--HI<-FIV$ AT MIDFIELD4 ,SKYE
HUNG BACK AT H] SPOT4
  ,BUNK YELL$ AT ,M>K4 8,Y /9K1 KID60 ,B
,M>K DIDN'T EV5 LOOK UP4 ,HE 0 /UDY+ "S
R$ & YELL[ L1VES T _H SWIRL$ 96A     #BC
SMALL PILE NE> "O (! GOAL PO/S4
  ,! O!R T1M KICK$ (F & GOT X DEEP 2F
,SKYE 9T]CEPT$ A PASS & DRIB#D ALL ! WAY
UPFIELD4 ,J Z %E POSI;N$ H]F 6%OOT1
,BUNK CUT H] (F & KNOCK$ H] AWAY F !
BALL4 ,%E 0 M* SMALL]1 B %E CAME "R BACK
AT HM1 FI<T+ = POSSES.N4 ,%E 0 .GD4 .,%E
0 ! NATURAL4 ,JO% WOND]$ H[ %E'D GOTT5
PICK$ LA/4
  ,M>K 0 A DI6]5T /ORY4 ,EV5 AF HE TORE
HMF AWAY F ! L1VES1 HE SP5T M ( 8 "T
WAT*+ ?AN PLAY+4 ,HE CD RUN1 B HE LOOK$
K9D ( UNCOORD9AT$1 & HE TR1T$ ! SO3]
BALL L A CURIOS;Y1 DANC+ >.D X1 ORBIT+ X
L A 4TANT PLANET4 ,AF ,BUNK %\T$ AT HM
"O M "T1 HE W&]$ (F ! FIELD1 PICK$ UP 8
CAM]A1 & 2GAN SNAPP+ PICTURES4 ,HE MOV$
UP & D[N ! SIDEL9E1 /&+1 /OOP+1 D[N ON A
KNEE4 ,HE RETURN$ 6! FIELD1 GOT D[N ON 8
ELB[S1 & SNAPP$ (F "S PHOTOS (! L1VES4
  8,:AT >E Y DO9'1 ,SILLYCORN80 ,BUNK
YELL$4 8,Y'RE SUPPOS$ 6BE PLAY+ DEF5SE40
  ,COREY LAU<$4 8,SILLYCORN60 HE RO>$4
8,I L T4 ,Y'RE BETT] (F )\T HM1 ,BUNK40
  ,9 2T L;G LOOKS AT ! SKY--= :AT1   #BD
SN[8--,M>K KEPT TAK+ PICTURES4 ,HE IG-
NOR$ ! SO3] PLAY]S4
  ,! RE/ (! GAME 0 SCORE.S1 AL? ,COREY
KEPT TRY+ 6PASS ! BALL 6,JO%4 ,SKYE 0
BATTL+ X \ ) ,BUNK AG Z ! BELL RANG4
  8,AFN RECESS80 ,COREY ASK$ ,JO% Z !Y
NE>$ ! S*OOL BUILD+4
  8,SURE10 ,JO% SD4
  8,:AT AB HOCKEY80 ,COREY SD4 8,D Y
PLAY80
  8,WE DON'T H M* HOCKEY 9 ,S1TTLE40
  8,WE D "H10 ,BUNK SD4 8,/REET HOCKEY 9
! SUMM]1 ICE HOCKEY 9 ! W9T]4 ,X'S AWE-
"S40
  8,I'VE GOT 9L9E SKATES10 ,JO% SD4
  8,ME1 TOO10 ,COREY SD4 8,B ICE HOCK-
EY'S ! BE/40
  8,":'S ! ICE80
  8,! KIDS >.D "H G 6,POOR ,ROONEY'S
,POND10 ,COREY SD4
  ,A WEIRD "N =A POND1 ,JO% ?"\1 B !N
:AT K9D ( "N 0 .,BUNK8 8,I SAW A LAKE4
,"! WASN'T ANY ICE40
  8,N YET4 ,B X WON'T 2 L;G10 ,BUNK SD4
  8,I DON'T H ICE SKATES40           #BE
  8,!Y'VE GOT GD HOCKEY SKATES 9 ,COEUR
D',AL5E = EI<TY OR N9ETY BUCKS10 ,COREY
SD4 8,*1P4 ,I BET YR DAD WD GET 'EM =
Y40
  8,MAYBE40 ,B ,JO% D\BT$ X4 ,EI<TY OR
N9ETY BUCKS DIDN'T S.D *1P4
  8,TALK 6HM10 ,COREY SD4 8,Y'D 2 A NAT-
URAL4 ,& WE NE$ AN 5=C] \ "!--"SBODY )
"S SIZE40
  ,"S .SIZE4 ,"S .SIZE S.D$ BETT] ?AN "S
.FAT4 ,JO% MADE UP 8 M9D4 ,HE WD TALK TO
8 P>5TS4 ,HE MI<T 2 A NATURAL4
  ,? "D 0 GO+ BETT] ?AN HE "E CD H
DR1M$4










                                     #BF
























                   #C                #BG
        ,/UD5T ,C\NCIL ,PRESID5T

  8,COREY'S J 2+ NICE 6Y 2C YR DAD'S !
HI< S*OOL COA*10 ,SKYE :ISP]$ 6,JO% :5
HE GOT BACK 6_! TA#4
  8,:Y WD HE C>E :AT MY DAD DOES80
  8,HE ?9KS HE'S A /> BASKETBALL PLAY]4
,& HE'LL 2 AT ! HI< S*OOL 9 A FEW YE>S40
  8,S80
  8,S X WD HELP HM 6BE BU4Y-BU4Y )!
COA*'S KID40
  8,MAYBE HE J LIKES ME10 ,JO% SD4 8,DID
Y ?9K ( T80
  8,N RE,Y10 ,SKYE SD4
  ,M>K LAU<$1 L\D 5 6ATTRACT />ES4 ,JO%
FELT 8 FACE GETT+ W>M4 8,A RIV] FL[S ON-
LY D[NHILL10 ,M>K SD4 8,ASK ! FI%40
  ,:AT DID T M1N8 ,YES8 ,NO8 ,JO% CDN'T
TELL F ! VACANT EXPRES.N ON ,M>K'S FACE1
OR ! BLANK />E =M+ 9 8 EYES4 ,HE 0 AB TO
ASK :5 HE HE>D A WAVE ( VOICES--HU%$ B
EXCIT$--RISE AT ! W9D[S & ROLL OV] !
CLASSROOM4 ,MS4 ,MURPHY HELD UP H] H& =
SIL;E1 B MURMURS KEPT SWIRL+ >.D ! ROOM4
,X 0 />T+ 6SN[4                      #BH
  ,M>K PULL$ "S?+ \ ( 8 BACKPACK & UN-
ROLL$ X4 ,X 0 A HAT1 A FLOPPY "O )A BRIM
ALL >.D ! CR[N1 ! K9D FI%]M5 WE>4 ,HE
PUT X ON ! TA#1 "R 9 FRONT ( HM1 KEEP+ X
CLOSE4
  ,! EXCITE;T DI$ D[N A BIT1 H1DS /OPP$
TURN+1 Z ! FLAKES KEPT FALL+4 ..,/ICK+
OR N ./ICK+8 0 ! "Q4 8,Y GO+ FI%+80 ,JO%
ASK$ ,M>K4
  8,I DON'T L SN[10 ,M>K :ISP]$4 8,I
DON'T L X FALL+ ON ME4 ,I MI<T H 6CALL
MY "M 6-E & GET ME40 ,HE F+]$ 8 HAT &
LIFT$ X UP 6HIS H1D4 ,0 HE GO+ 6PUT X
ON8
  8,"EYBODY LIKES SN[10 ,JO% SD4
  8,M>K DOESN'T10 ,SKYE SD4 ,%E SMIL$ AT
,M>K4 ,HE RETURN$ ! HAT 6! TA#4
  ,MS4 ,MURPHY EXPLA9$ A WEEKLY ASSIGN;T
CALL$ 8,/ATE ,/ATS0 6,JO% & ,M>K4 ,!Y _H
6TURN 9 REPORTS & MAPS = TWO /ATES--,WE/
,VIRG9IA & ,K5TUCKY--BY ,W$NES"D4 ,! F/
"D AT S*OOL1 & HOME"W _H ALR />T$4
  ,! SN[ /OPP$1 L1V+ NO TRACE ON ! GR.D4
,M>K LO/ 8 N]V\S LOOK4 ,AFN RECESS--
TW5TY M9UTES ( FREEDOM-->RIV$1 B     #BI
,M>K /AY$ 9SIDE4 ,MS4 ,MURPHY TOLD HM !Y
NE$$ 6TALK AB "S?+4
  ,\TSIDE1 ,COREY & ,BUNK QKLY *OSE
SIDES = ANO!R SO3] GAME4 ,? "T ,BUNK _H
! F/ PICK1 & HE US$ X 6TAKE ,JO%4 ,SKYE
5D$ UP ON ,JO%'S T1M AG4 ,HALFWAY "? !
GAME1 %E DRIB#D >.D ,COREY & SCOR$ )A
ROCKET %OT (F H] LEFT FOOT4 ,! NEXT "T
%E GOT D[NFIELD1 ,COREY KNOCK$ H] 6!
GR.D1 BOOT$ ! BALL UPFIELD1 !N /OOD OV]
H]1 LAU<+4 ,%E B\NC$ UP1 GLASSES CROOK$1
FACE DIRTY1 & RAN BACK 6H] POSI;N1 B
,JO% SAW TE>S 9 H] EYES4
  8,IF Y C'T TAKE X1 DON'T PLAY60 ,COREY
%\T$ AF H]4 ,BUNK LAU<$1 ,ALEX LAU<$4
,SKYE PLAY$ H>D]4 ,%E W5T BACK 6DEF5SE1
& NO?+ GOT PA/ H]4 ,JO% DIDN'T SCORE1 B
HE _H "S *.ES1 MO/LY ON PASSES F ,BUNK4
  ,BACK 9 ! CLASSROOM1 ,SKYE ?REW H]F
96H] *AIR1 R$-FAC$1 EYES ON FIRE4
  8,:Y >E Y & ,COREY S FRLY80 ,JO% ASK$
H]4
  8,HE HATES ME4 ,"E S9CE MY F/ "D AT
,M.TA9 ,VIEW1 :5 ,I SCOR$ A GOAL AG/ HM1
& SMIL$ AB X40 ,SKYE L[]$ H] VOICE   #CJ
Z S"EAL KIDS TURN$ 6LOOK4 8,I DON'T C>E
IF HE'S /UD5T C\NCIL PRESID5T & :AT"E
ELSE HE ?9KS HE IS1 HE'S ! BI7E/ J]K 9 !
S*OOL4 ,A SPOIL$ BRAT4 ,A BULLY4 ,HE ALW
HAS 6BE ! BE/1 ESPECI,Y >.D GIRLS40
  8,G 6,MS4 ,MURPHY10 ,M>K SD4 8,%E LIS-
T5S 6U LL P4 ,GIVE H] A CR[N & %E'D 2 A
PR9CESS40
  8,I DID--LA/ MON?4 ,%E SU7E/$ ? M$I,N
?+ ! S*OOL HAS40
  8,WE _H T AT MY OLD S*OOL10 ,JO% SD4
8,ANO!R KID GETS PICK$ 6HELP SETTLE A
FI<T4 ,Y H L A GET-TGR ) "EYBODY40
  8,:AT HAPP5$80 ,M>K ASK$ ,SKYE4
  8,MS4 ,MURPHY >RANG$ ? MEET+ ) ME1
,COREY1 &A JUNIOR HI< GIRL4 ,HE FAK$ 8
WAY "? X1 & HE 0 OKAY =A C\PLE ( "DS1 B
!N HE TOOK (F ! SMILEY-FACE MASK4 ,HE 0
WORSE ?AN "E4 ,8,WAIT TILL WE'RE 9 JUN-
IOR HI<10' HE TOLD ME1 ,8!N Y'LL RE,Y 2
9 = X40'0
  ,JO% TRI$ 6IMAG9E :AT ,COREY _H PLANN$
= H]4 ,NO?+1 HE DECID$4 ,BIG TALK1 P]I-
OD4 ,SKYE J RU2$ ,COREY ! WR;G WAY4
8,TELL YR P>5TS40                    #CA
  8.,P>5T4 ,MY MOM'S 9 ,CALI=NIA ) H]
NEW HUSB&4 ,MY DAD SP5DS MO/ ( 8 "T TRY+
6GET OV] H]1 TRY+ 6PRET5D "EY?+'S OKAY4
,HE TRIES S H>D1 & HE'S WORRI$ AB 8 NEW
JOB4 ,I C'T TELL HM "EY?+'S N OKAY4 ,I H
6FIGURE ? \ MYF40
  ,M>K FR[N$ AT 8 H&S1 KNOTT$ TGR ON !
TA# 9 FRONT ( HM4 ,HE DIDN'T LOOK UP :5
HE TALK$4 8,! PR9CIPAL10 HE SD4 8,G 6!
S*OOL PR9CIPAL4 ,MRS4 ,DRAG]80
  ,SKYE %OOK H] H1D4 8,!Y DON'T CALL H]
,8,! ,DRAGON0' = NO?+4 ,!Y SAY %E QUIT
T1*+ 2C %E C'T /& KIDS4 ,T %E 2CAME A
PR9CIPAL ? YE> S %E CD HIDE \ 9 H] (-
FICE4 ,8,DON'T G 96! ,DRAGON'S ,LAIR10'
"EY"O SAYS4 ,ANYWAY1 Y C'T GET PA/ ,MRS4
,B5EDICT40
  ,SKYE LOOK$ L %E 0 GO+ 6CRY1 &=A MO;T
,JO% FELT SORRY = H]4
  ,B N R1L SORRY4 ,COREY WASN'T S BAD4
8,MAYBE Y J NE$ 6QUIT BU7+ HM10 HE SD4
  8,D Y H "S?+ 63TRIBUTE 6! CLASS1
,JO%80 ,MS4 ,MURPHY ASK$4
  ,H1DS TURN$1 ,JO% SWALL[$1 ,SKYE
FR[N$1 ,M>K />$ AT 8 H&S4            #CB
  8,NO10 ,JO% SD4
  8,T'S = SURE10 ,SKYE :ISP]$4
  ,! FACES TURN$ 6! FRONT (! ROOM4 ,JO%
SETTL$ BACK 9 8 *AIR1 TRY+ 6PUT ON A
SMILE1 TRY+ 6SMILE 9SIDE4 ,HE 0 HAV+ A
GD "D1 WAY BETT] ?AN HE'D EXPECT$4 ,HE
WASN'T GO+ 6?9K AB ANY?+ ELSE4

















                   #D                #CC
            ,*RI/MAS ,IS ,-+

  ,\TSIDE ! S*OOL 5TR.E1 PA/ ! S*OOL
BUSES1 PA/ ! SIGN T SD ,,WELCOME ,,TO
,,M.TA9 ,,VIEW ,,ELE;T>Y1 SAT ,COREY &
,BUNK4 ,!Y 7 P]*$ ON A L[ CE;T WALL1
PUTT+ ON _! 9L9E SKATES4 ,COREY YELL$1
8,HEY1 ,JO%/]6 ,WE'RE PRACTIC+ UP =!
ICE60 ,HE GAVE ,JO% A ?UMBS-UP SIGN &
SMIL$4
  ,JO% WAV$4 ,COREY & ,BUNK GOT 6_!
FEET1 %RU7$ ON _! BACKPACKS1 & SKAT$ \ (
! P>K+ LOT & ACR ! /REET4 ,JO% WAT*$ Z
!Y TURN$ AT ! NEXT /REET & H1D$ T[>D
,RA?DRUM ,M.TA94
  8,YR BU4IES L1VE Y 2H80 ,SKYE _H WALK$
UP QUIETLY 2H HM4 ,M>K /OOD AT H] SIDE1
LOOK+ UP AT ! SKY4 ,JO% FELT ! NE$LE 9
H] ^WS1 B HE 0 GLAD 6HE> !M1 ANYWAY4 ,HE
WANT$ 6BE H] FR4
  8,!Y'RE N MY BU4IES4 ,EXACTLY40
  8,Y'RE "R10 %E SD4 8,!Y WON'T 2 ?9K+ (
Y ON _! LL SKATE HOME40
  8,DON'T Y H 6CAT* A BUS80 ,JO% ASK$
H]4 ,! NE$LE 0 />T+ 6/+4             #CD
  8,I'M A WALK]10 %E SD4
  8,ME1 TOO10 ,M>K SD4
  8,": D Y GUYS LIVE80 ,JO% ASK$4
  8,"R OV] "!10 %E SD4 8,SUNLI<T
,ACRES40
  8,Y1H80 ,JO% SD4 8,T'S ": ,I LIVE40
  8,I "K4 ,I SAW Y %OOT+ BASKETS 9 YR
DRIVEWAY YE/]"D40
  8,OH40
  8,I LIVE ON ,BAXT] ,ROAD10 ,M>K SD4
8,I'VE PRACTIC$ ! R\TE40 ,HE CLOS$ 8
EYES4 8,LEFT1 "R1 LEFT1 M$IUM /RAI<T1
"R1 LEFT1 L;G /RAI<T1 LEFT4 ,HOME40
  8,BAXT]80 ,SKYE SD4 8,T'S WAY ON ! O!R
SIDE (! DEVELOP;T4 ,T'S BUS RID] 4T.E40
  ,M>K WR9KL$ 8 NOSE4 8,BUSES SMELL4
,BUSES H BIG W9D[S & NO S1T BELTS40
  8,!Y'RE US$ 6WALK+ 9 ,M9NESOTA10 ,JO%
SD4 8,:5 !Y'RE N RID+ SN[MOBILES40
  8,I DON'T RIDE SN[MOBILES--!Y DON'T H
RO(S10 ,M>K SD4 8,SN[ FALLS "R ON Y40
,HE *ECK$ ! CL\DS AG :ILE ,SKYE PULL$ A
SMALL1 SCU6$-UP SO3] BALL F H] BACKPACK
& DROPP$ X AT H] FEET4 ,)\T LOOK+ D[N1
%E SMOO?LY BOOM]ANG$ ! BALL F FOOT   #CE
6FOOT1 JU7L$ X A C\PLE ( "TS1 & S&WI*$ X
AG/ ! GRASS )! SOLE ( H] %OE4
  8,:AT'S T =80 ,JO% SD4
  8,PRACTICE10 ,SKYE SD4 8,GETT+ BETT]40
  ,!Y CROSS$ ! /REET1 !N ANO!R4 ,M>K
SEEM$ 6BE /ICK+ 6A MAP HE _H 9 8 H1D1 NO
ME&]+4 ,2F !Y TURN$ 96,SUNLI<T ,ACRES1
,JO% LOOK$ T[>D ! M.TA94 ,HE CD SEE
,COREY & ,BUNK--T9Y1 N[--IN ! 4T.E1
SKAT+ AL;G ! %\LD] (! ROAD4
  ,!Y WALK$ PA/ ,JO%'S H\SE1 ,SKYE /
DRI2L+4 ,HE _H 6G 6! ,S9CLAIRS'1 ?REE
H\SES AWAY1 S ,MRS4 ,S9CLAIR CD KEEP AN
EYE ON HM UNTIL EI 8 MOM OR DAD CAME
HOME4
  8,I'M J 9 ! NEXT BLOCK10 ,SKYE SD1
PO9T+ T[>D M R[S ( H\SES4 8,MAYBE WE CD
KICK ! SO3] BALL >.D "S"T40
  8,I'D L T10 ,JO% SD4
  8,Y1 TOO10 %E SD 6,M>K4
  8,I H /UDIES10 HE SD1 EYES D[N4
  8,I DIDN'T M1N TD10 %E SD4 8,J "S"T40
,!Y /OPP$ 9 FRONT (! ,S9CLAIRS'4
  8,I H /UDIES10 ,M>K REP1T$4 8,& S X
GOES4 ,& S ,I G40 ,HE HURRI$ (F1     #CF
LOOK+ AT ! SIDEWALK1 N LOOK+ BACK4
  ,JO% RAIS$ 8 EYEBR[S AT ,SKYE1 EXPECT+
A -;T ON ,M>K'S WEIRD 2HAVIOR4 ,9/1D1 %E
TURN$ & WAT*$ HM 4APPE> D[N ! /REET1 !N
LOOK$ BACK AT ,JO%4 ,%E JAMM$ H] H&S 9
H] SW1T%IRT POCKETS & /OOD1 N MOV+1 SAD-
EY$ 2H H] GLASSES1 "O FOOT AN*OR+ H]
SO3] BALL 6! SIDEWALK1 Z IF %E WASN'T
EAG] 6GET HOME4
  8,Y MISS YR MOM80 ,JO% ASK$4 ,! "Q
S.D$ /UPID 6HM1 B X 0 ALR \4
  8,%E'S BE5 G"O ALM A YE>10 ,SKYE AN-
SW]$4 8,DAD GOT CU/ODY40
  ,JO% /UDI$ H] FACE1 WAIT+4
  8,E "D10 %E A4$4 8,EV5 :5 ,I'VE VISIT-
$1 :5 ,I'M .) H]1 ,I MISS H]4 ,I "K %E'S
N -+ BACK40
  ,JO% TRI$ 6?9K ( "S?+ -=T+ 6SAY4
8,SORRY10 HE SD F9,Y4 8,I BET T'S AW;L40
  ,%E SI<$ & SMIL$ A ?9 SMILE4
  8,I GUESS ,I'M LUCKY10 HE 3T9U$ LAME-
LY4 8,MY P>5TS GET 9 >GU;TS "S"TS1 B !Y
ALW TELL ME N 6WORRY1 T !Y CDN'T AF=D TO
GET A DIVORCE4 ,X'S _! IDEA ( HUMOR40
  ,SKYE SMIL$ WID]4 ,X 0 GD 6SEE4    #CG
,%E RAIS$ H] H& 9 ! AIR & HE HI<-FIV$
H]4 8,HOORAY = POOR P>5TS10 %E SD4 ,%E
BACK$ AWAY1 / SMIL+1 !N TURN$ & />T$ =
HOME1 DRI2L+ QK] N[4
  8,SEE Y TM10 ,JO% SD4
  8,OKAY1 ,ROOKIE10 %E CALL$ BACK4

  ,AT D9N] T NI<T1 ,JO% TOLD ! FAMILY AB
8 "D4 ,!Y WANT$ 6HE> AB S*OOL1 8 T1*]1 8
CLASSMATES1 B HE HURRI$ "? T /UFF4 ,HE
WANT$ 6TALK AB SO3]1 AB GETT+ *OS5 F/1
AB SCOR+ A GOAL1 AB ,COREY & ,BUNK4 ,HE
TOLD !M AB ,SKYE & H[ GD %E 0 AT SO3]1
AB ,M>K 2+ AFRAID ( SN[4 ,B MO/ ( ALL
,JO% WANT$ 6TALK AB ICE SKAT+1 AB HOCKEY
SKATES4
  8,*RI/MAS IS -+10 8 DAD SD4
  8,^! GUYS WANT ME 6PLAY .SOON10 ,JO%
SD4 8,!Y L ME40
  8,LOTS ( P L Y1 ,JO%10 8 MOM SD4
  8,B ^! GUYS >E SEV5?-GRAD]S10 HE SD4
8.,POPUL> SEV5?-GRAD]S40
  8,*RI/MAS ISN'T T F> (F10 8 MOM SD4
8,?ANKSGIV+'S PRACTIC,Y "H40
  8,SKATES >E ONLY EI<TY DOLL>S10    #CH
,JO% SD4 ,HE ?"\ 8 MOM WD 2 M ON 8 SIDE4
,WASN'T %E GLAD HE 0 MAK+ NEW FRS8
  8,D .Y H T K9D ( M"OY80 ,JO%'S DAD SD4
  8,N "R N[40
  8,WE'RE GLAD Y'VE MADE "S NEW FRS10 8
MOM SD1 8& WE WANT Y 6BE A# 6D ?+S ) !M
'''0 ,H] VOICE TRAIL$ (F4 ,JO% WAIT$ =!
.B4
  8,HOCKEY'S A T\< SPORT10 8 DAD SD4 8,X
WD TAKE A LOT ( PRACTICE 6GET GD AT X4
,& Y HAV5'T EXACTLY "W$ H>D AT ! O!R ?+S
Y'VE TRI$40
  ,JO% ?"\ (! O!R SPORTS--BASKETBALL1
BASEBALL1 FOOTBALL 7N TRACK1 N ) 8 BODY7
--HIS DAD _H DANGL$ 9 FRONT ( HM4 ,HE
?"\ ( ALL ! "UUS$ EQUIP;T GA!R+ DU/ "S-
":4 ,B MAYBE HOCKEY RE,Y .WD 2 8 SPORT4
8,? WD 2 DI6]5T10 HE SD4
  8,WELL1 ,*RI/MAS IS -+10 8 DAD SD4 8,B
IF Y DON'T WANT 6WAIT1 WE CD -E UP ) "S
JOBS = Y4 ,WE'VE GOT A F;E 6BUILD1 & "!
>E TONS ( ROCKS T NE$ 6BE M9$ \ ( T
BACKY>D 2F WE C PUT 9 A LAWN40
  ,JO% WASN'T SURE HE WANT$ ! SKATES T
BAD4 ,B H[ ELSE WD HE GET !M 9 "T8   #CI
8,MAYBE ,I CD TRY ! ROCK M9+40
  8,LET ME "K :510 8 DAD SD4 8,I'LL %[ Y
:AT ,I WANT1 & WE C -E UP )A FAIR WAGE40
  8,SOON40 ,JO% DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ AB !
WAGE4 ,HE'D H 6?9K AB X4 ,B HE 0 SURE 8
IDEA ( FAIR WDN'T 2 9 ! SAME BALLP>K Z 8
DAD'S4 8,D Y "K ": MY 9L9E SKATES >E80
  8,PROBABLY 9 ! G>AGE10 8 DAD SD4 8,!
BOX %D 2 M>K$40
  ,AF D9N] ,JO% W5T 6! G>AGE & F.D 8
SKATES4 ,HE TRI$ !M ON4 ,!Y 7 A LL SNUG1
B HE'D 2 A# 6G \ & PRACTICE TM AF S*OOL4
  ,:5 HE F9,Y W5T 6B$1 HE _H A H>D "T
FALL+ ASLEEP4 ,"PLY X 0 ! UNFAMILI> SUR-
R.D+S1 B MO/LY X 0 EXCITE;T4 ,X 0 SO3]4
,X 0 HOCKEY & SKATES4 ,X 0 NEW FRS4 ,X 0
GUYS :O .LIK$ HM = 8 SIZE4 ,X 0 ALL !
?+S T _H HAPP5$ T "D & ALL ! ?+S T MI<T
HAPP5 ! NEXT4
  ,& X 0 "O M ?+3 A LL $GY FEEL+ HE TRI$
6IGNORE4 ,A LL $GY FEEL+ T "S?+ WASN'T Q
"R4


                                     #DJ
























                   #E                #DA
                ,CAN>IES

  ,! SKY 0 GRAY1 ! AIR *ILLY1 :5 ,JO%
WALK$ \TSIDE ! NEXT MORN+4 ,B "! 0 NO
FRO/1 NO LAY] ( ICE ON ! PU4LES 9 !
/REET4 ,MAYBE HE WDN'T NE$ ^? ICE SKATES
2F ,*RI/MAS4
  8,,JO%60 ,! VOICE C>RI$ "? ! / AIR Z
IF X _H -E OV] A L\DSP1K]4 ,HE LOOK$ UP
! BLOCK 6SEE ,M>K HURRY+ T[>D HM4
  8,HEY1 ,M>K10 HE SD Z !Y TURN$ T[>D
S*OOL4 ,HE GL.ED BACK1 WOND]+ AB ,SKYE4
,%E 0 NO": 9 SI<T4
  8,HEY10 ,M>K SD1 N LOOK+ ,JO% 9 ! FACE
B 9/1D />+ AT 8 "R %\LD]4 8,DID Y "W ON
YR /ATE REPORT LA/ NI<T80
  8,I ?"\ AB X10 ,JO% SD4
  8,DID Y "K T ,ABRAHAM ,L9COLN 0 BORN 9
,K5TUCKY80
  8,NO40 ,JO% DIDN'T RE,Y C>E4
  8,DID Y "K T 9 ,K5TUCKY & ,WE/ ,VIRG9-
IA1 M5 G DEEP 96! E>? 6M9E = COAL80 ,M>K
SD4
  8,I'VE HE>D AB T40
  8,X US$ 6BE A RE,Y DANG]\S JOB4    #DB
,"! 7 CAVE-9S1 & ILL;SES1 & FIRES1 & EX-
PLO.NS4 ,D Y "K T OLD-"T M9]S C>RI$
BIRDS--CAN>IES--IN CAGES ) !M80
  8,:Y80 ,N[ ,JO% 0 CURI\S4
  8,COAL GAS4 ,IF "! 0 A L1K ( COAL GAS
96! M9E1 ! CAN>IES WD 2 ! F/ "OS A6ECT$4
,!Y'D DIE1 !N ! M5 WD "K !Y _H 6GET \40
  8,! CAN>IES DI$80
  8,6SAVE ! M540
  8,!Y PROBABLY ?"\ ! M5 7 J 2+ NICE TO
!M1 L GO+ ON A PICNIC OR "S?+40 ,JO%
PICTUR$ A LL BIRD 9 A WIRE CAGE1 SW++ ON
A TRAPEZE1 *IRP+ *E];LLY1 !N GR[+ SLEEPY
& TOPPL+ OV]4
  8,!Y 7 FOOL$10 ,M>K SD4
  8,I DON'T ?9K BIRDS H M* (A BRA940
  8,WAT* \60 ,SU45LY ,M>K GRA2$ ,JO%'S
ELB[ & /E]$ HM >.D A FRE%LY DEPOSIT$ DOG
PILE 9 ! MI4LE (! SIDEWALK4 ,M>K SEEM$
6H A H>D "T LOOK+ AT A P]SON'S FACE1 B
"S"TS HE SAW ?+S NOBODY ELSE NOTIC$4
  8,:Y D Y L ,COREY & ,BUNK80 ,M>K ASK$4
  ,M>K 0 FULL ( "QS ? MORN+4 ,JO% ?"\ =A
M9UTE4 ,HE WASN'T SURE HE RE,Y DID .L
!M4 ,B O!R KIDS M/4 ,COREY & ,BUNK   #DC
7 9 ! POPUL> GR\P1 PROBABLY ON TOP ( X4
,ANYWAY1 HE CD 2 9 _! LL CIRCLE )\T 2+
.L !M4 ,HE CD / 2 HMF4 8,!Y'RE PRETTY
COOL GUYS10 HE SD4 8,= ,RA?DRUM1 ANY-
WAY40
  8,COOL80
  8,Y1H4 ,Y J NE$ 6BE COOL] >.D !M &
!Y'LL L Y1 TOO4 ,DON'T SAY /UFF T MAKES
,COREY MAD4 ,LAU< :5 HE SAYS "S?+ FUNNY4
,PASS HM ! BALL :5 HE'S ON YR T1M4
,DON'T %[ HM UP :5 HE ISN'T40
  8,IF ,I CD %[ HM UP1 ,I WD10 ,M>K SD4
8,I'D 2 L ,SKYE1 "U 8 SK9 L A TICK4 ,B
,I'M N GD AT SPORTS4 ,I DON'T L SPORTS4
,EV5 IF ,I DID1 ,I DON'T WANT 6PLAY ) T
BULLY4 ,HE'S M1N 6,SKYE4 ,I'LL 2 ! (FI-
CIAL PHOTOGRAPH]4 ,I'M BETT] AT PHOTOG-
RAPHY40
  8,SKYE'S ASK+ = TR\#4 ,ALL WE H 6D IS
MAKE X "? ? YE>1 2 NICE 6! BIG GUYS1 !N
NEXT YE> WE'LL RULE40
  8,BE NICE 6,COREY & ,BUNK80 ,M>K SD4
8,Y W WALK 96A ROOM & P W ?9K (! DROPP+S
( DOGS40
  ,JO% %OOK 8 H1D4 8,!Y'RE N T       #DD
BAD40
  8,6"K ! ROAD AH1D10 ,M>K SD1 8ASK ^?
-+ BACK40 ,ANO!R ( ,M>K'S LL SAY+S4 ,JO%
_H AN IDEA :AT ? "O M1NT3 ,M>K _H ALR
BE5 D[N ! ROAD ) ,COREY4
  ,!Y DIDN'T TALK ! RE/ (! WAY4 ,:5 !Y
GOT 6! S*OOL GR.DS1 ,COREY & ,BUNK 7
SITT+ \ FRONT1 TAK+ (F _! SKATES1 PUTT+
!M 9 _! BACKPACKS4
  8,! .,JO%/]10 ,COREY SD4 ,JO% /OPP$1
,M>K KEPT ON GO+4 8,DON'T G AWAY MAD1
.,SILLYCORN1 J G AWAY10 ,COREY SD TO
,M>K'S BACK4 ,COREY SNICK]$1 & ,BUNK
JO9$ IN4 ,ALEX WALK$ UP1 EAT+ A C&Y B> &
SMIL+1 AL? HE'D >RIV$ TOO LATE 6"K :Y
,COREY & ,BUNK 7 LAU<+4
  8,GIMME T10 ,COREY SD 6,ALEX1 :O H&$
OV] ! C&Y4 ,COREY TOOK A BIG BITE F !
UNEAT5 5D1 *EW$1 SWALL[$1 BEL*$1 & ?REW
! RE/ T[>D A G>BAGE C4 ,X B\NC$ (F & L&$
ON ! GRASS4 8,PICK X UP10 HE GR[L$ AT
,ALEX1 & ,ALEX DID4 ,B 8 EYES GOT
GLASSY4 ,HE WIP$ AT !M Z HE TURN$ & />T$
=! S*OOL4
  ,JO% FELT 8 9SIDES KNOT UP4 ,HE    #DE
?"\ AB :AT ,M>K _H J SD--AB ^? -+ BACK4
,:AT WD ,ALEX H 6SAY AB ,COREY8
  8,DID Y TALK 6YR P>5TS AB ! SKATES1
,JO% BU4Y80 ,COREY SD4
  8,MAYBE = ,*RI/MAS1 !Y TOLD ME40
  8,HEY1 Y'LL MISS \ ON A :OLE MON? (
SKAT+10 ,BUNK SD4
  8,I F.D MY /REET SKATES10 ,JO% SD4 8,I
C PRACTICE ON ^?40
  8,X'S J N ! SAME1 ,JO%/]40 ,COREY R1*$
96HIS JACKET POCKET4 8,LOOK40
  ,JO% /EPP$ CLOSE Z ,COREY HELD UP A
PHOTO3 FIVE KIDS1 SMIL+1 DRESS$ =! COLD
9 ?ICK P>KAS4 ,!Y WORE ICE SKATES2 !Y
HELD HOCKEY /ICKS 0_! SIDES L TROPHY
FI%4 ,!Y /OOD ON A %EET ( SMOO? :ITE ICE
T /RET*$ 2H !M 6A /EEP1 *ALKY %OREL9E
%AD[$ 0D>K P9ES H1VY ) SN[4 ,X 0 ,COREY
& ,BUNK & ?REE O!R SEV5?-GRAD]S ,JO% _H
SE5 AT RECESS4
  8,POOR ,ROONEY'S ,POND10 ,COREY SD4
8,LA/ W9T]4 ,:AT D Y ?9K80
  ,JO%'S HE>T FILL$ ) L;G+4 8,AWE"S40
  8,Y C 2 "!1 MAN10 ,BUNK SD4
  8,Y J GOTTA GET ^? P>5TS 6SPR+ =   #DF
! SKATES10 ,COREY SD4
  8,MAYBE ,I C E>N M"OY40
  8,T WD TAKE TOO L;G10 ,COREY SD4
8,WE'LL H ICE SOON4 ,Y DON'T WANT 6MISS
! F/ "T \ "!4 ,MAYBE Y CD [E X TO 'EM4
,Y "K1 "W X (F LAT]40
  8,MAYBE40 ,! BACKY>D ROCK PROJECT
DIDN'T SEEM L S* A *ORE N[4
  8.,D .X10 ,FUNK ORD]$1 & ,JO% FELT !
^WS L A SURPRISE KNEE 6! *E/4 ,!Y TOOK 8
BR1? AWAY4
  ,COREY GAVE ,BUNK A LOOK1 !N SMIL$ AT
,JO%4 8,! M ! M]RI]1 ,JO%/]40 ,8 GR9
TURN$ 6A FR[N Z 8 EYES %IFT$ F ,JO%'S
FACE 6A SPOT "S": PA/ ,JO%'S %\LD]4 ,JO%
FOLL[$ 8 GAZE3 FIFTY FEET AWAY1 ,SKYE--
H1D D[N1 JAW SET--WAS MAK+ A BEEL9E =!
D\# DOORS4 ,JO% LOOK$ BACK AT ,COREY1 :O
/>$ AT H]1 COLD-EY$1 UNTIL %E 0 9SIDE4
  8,Y RE,Y ?9K ,I CD PLAY80 ,JO% SD1
TRY+ 64TRACT ,COREY--=A FEW M9UTES1 AT
L1/--F :AT"E ?"\S HE 0 HAV+ AB ,SKYE4
  8,NO D\BT1 ,JO% BU4Y4 ,I'VE SE5 Y ON !
SO3] FIELD1 REMEMB]80
  ,JO% DIDN'T ?9K HE'D BE5 T IM-     #DG
PRESSIVE1 B HE'D TRY 6TRU/ ,COREY ON ?
"O4 8,Y1H40
  ,COREY HELD UP ! PHOTO4 8,Y CD 2 9 ?
PICTURE NEXT "T40
  ,JO% NO4$4 ,HE LOOK$ D[N1 ": 8 J1NS 7
BUN*$ UP AT 8 ANKLES4 ,HE IMAG9$ HMF
LI<T ON 8 FEET1 ROCKET+ ACR ! ICE ON %9Y
NEW HOCKEY SKATES ) FLA%+ BLADES4
  8,WANT 6G SEE X80 ,COREY J]K$ 8 H1D
T[>D ! M.TA94 8,WE'LL TAKE Y \ "!4 ,Y C
LOOK AT X YRF40
  8,:580
  8,AF S*OOL4 ,OR 2F4 ,ANY"T Y C G40
  8,X'S LESS ?AN A MILE10 ,BUNK SD4
8,FIFTE5 M9UTES WALK+40
  ,! BELL RANG1 & !Y />T$ =! DOORS4
8,MAYBE ,I C40
  8,Y GOTTA SEE X10 ,COREY SD4 8,TALK TO
YR P>5TS40
  ,! SKY FAIL$ 6%$ ANY SN[ T MORN+4 ,ON
! WAY \ 6LUN* RECESS1 ,ALEX HURRI$ 6CAT*
,JO%4 8,Y'RE GONNA GET SKATES80 HE ASK$4
  8,I HOPE S40
  8,Y'VE GOT TO4 ,X'S S COOL \ AT !
POND40                               #DH
  8,I HATE HOCKEY10 ,SKYE SD4 ,%E & ,M>K
_H -E \ 2H !M4 8,X'S J AN EXCUSE 6G
CRA%+ 96P40
  8,I C'T WAIT10 ,ALEX SD4
  ,JO% ?"\ ( ,COREY'S PHOTO2 HE PICTUR$
8 FACE 9 ! MI4LE ( X4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,SKYE
& ,M>K4 8,Y GUYS %D -E1 TOO40
  8,W ,COREY 2 "!80 ,M>K SD1 />+ PA/
,ALEX'S FACE4
  8,HE'S ! MAN10 ,ALEX SD4
  8,,N ,,ME10 ,M>K SD4
  ,!Y GOT 6! SO3] FIELD4 ,COREY & ,BUNK
*OSE SIDES AG4 ,!Y />T$ PLAY4 ,JO% GOT A
D1D-ON PASS F ,COREY B MU6$ ! WIDE-OP5
%OT4 ,COREY %RU7$ Z IF HE DIDN'T C>E1 B
8 FACE H>D5$4 ,HE SPIT AT ! DIRT4 ,JO%'S
9SIDES FLIP-FLOPP$ Z HE /RU7L$ 6GET BACK
UPFIELD1 FEEL+ CLUMSY & H1VY4
  ,SKYE RAC$ 9 F ! W+ & SCOR$ = ,BUNK'S
T1M DESPITE ,COREY'S ATTEMPT 6TAKE H]
D[N )A WICK$ SLIDE TACKLE F ! SIDE4
  ,M>K1 WAT*+ F ! SIDEL9ES1 SNAPP+ (F
PICTURES1 GIV+ A NON/OP PLAY-BY-PLAY (!
AC;N ON ! FIELD1 GREW L\D]4 8,,& ,,SKYE
,,SPR9TS ,,IN4 ,,%E ,,ELUDES         #DI
,,COREY'S ,,VICI\S ,,TACKLE ,,& ,,RACES
,,0,,HM ,,) ,,! ,,BALL ,,DANC+ ,,AT ,,H]
,,FEET4 ,,%E ,,DRIVES ,,! ,,BALL ,,PA/
,,! ,,HELP.S ,,DIV+ ,,GOALIE ,,&
,,SCORES40
  ,SKYE LAU<$4 ,COREY GOT UP1 MU4Y1 &
/ORM$ AF H]4 8,%UT UP1 ,SILLYCORN60 HE
YELL$ AT ,M>K4 ,=! RE/ (! GAME1 ,COREY
DIDN'T PLAY A POSI;N4 ,:]"E ,SKYE WAS1
HE WAS1 %\LD]+ H] (F ! BALL1 PU%+1 TRIP-
P+1 %OV+ H] 6! GR.D4 ,B %E DIDN'T GIVE
UP4
  ,M>K KEPT UP ! PLAY-BY-PLAY4 8,,!
,,OPPON5TS ,,RESORT ,,6,,DIRTY ,,PLAY1
,,B ,,SKYE ,,REFUSES ,,6,,WILT4 ,,%E'S
,,"EY":1 ,A ,,?ORN ,,9 ,,COREY'S
,,SIDE40
  8,C'T TAKE X1 ,SILLYCORN80 ,COREY SD Z
! GAME 5D$ & !Y />T$ =! S*OOL4 8,GOTTA
/& ON ! SIDEL9ES L A LL GIRLIE *E]L1D]80
  8,:Y D Y BO!R ,SKYE80
  8.,%E BO!RS ME4 ,& S D Y4 ,ANY M (!
SPORTS ANN\NC] ACT & Y'LL 2 *EW+ ON
DIRT40
  8,%E DOES NO?+ 6Y4 ,Y %D /OP       #EJ
TR\BL+ H]40
  8,Y GONNA1 L1 .MAKE ME1 TW]P80
  8,I C TAKE C>E ( MYF10 ,SKYE SD4 ,H]
J1NS & SW1T%IRT 7 CAK$ ) MUD1 B %E
DIDN'T SEEM 6NOTICE4 ,JO% WAT*$ H] JAW
TI<T52 HE FELT 8 ?ROAT DO+ ! SAME4
  8,SURE Y C1 ,SKYE10 ,COREY SD4 8,=
.N[40
  ,SKYE /OPP$ 9 H] TRACKS2 ,M>K /AY$ )
H]4 ,COREY1 ,BUNK1 & ,ALEX WALK$ ON4
,JO% FELT /RET*$1 !N TORN4 ,HE TOOK A
FEW /EPS & SL[$ 6A /OP1 WAT*+ ! ?REE
GUYS 3T9UE ON T[>D ! 5TR.E4
  ,COREY TURN$4 8,SEE YA'1 ,JO% BU4Y10
HE SD1 & ,JO% GAVE A FEE# WAVE AT _!
BACKS4
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y G ) 'EM1 .,JO% .BU4Y80
,SKYE SD4
  8,HE SEES :AT !Y >E10 ,M>K SD1 HOLD+ 8
NOSE4
  ,JO% ?"\ ( T MORN+ ON ! WAY 6S*OOL1 !
DOG POOP4 ,HE IMAG9$ P SNI6+ ! AIR :5 HE
WALK$ 96A ROOM ) ,COREY & ,BUNK'S SMELL
ON HM4
  8,! .,JO%/]80 ,SKYE SD4 8,HE       #EA
?9KS !Y'RE .COOL4 ,HE'S _! .FR40
  8,N RE,Y10 ,JO% SD4 8,!Y J ?9K ,I'M GD
AT SPORTS40 ,AT L1/ !Y US$ TO4 ,HE
WASN'T S SURE N[4 ,MAYBE HE'D 2 A# 6RE-
DEEM HMF ONCE ! POND IC$ OV]1 ONCE HE
GOT 8 SKATES4 ,ALL ! "T HE'D SP5T ON
/REET SKATES WD H 6HELP4 ,HE HOP$4
  8,Y %D G 6,MRS4 ,DRAG]10 ,M>K SD TO
,SKYE4 8,COREY IS H>ASS+ Y40
  8,I CDN'T GET PA/ H] GU>D DOG10 ,SKYE
SD4 8,& X WD J 2 MY ^W AG/ HIS40
  8,I CD G ) Y10 ,M>K SD 6H]1 B 8 EYES 7
ON 8 CAM]A4 8,TWO VOICES40
  8,?ANKS10 ,SKYE SD4 8,I'LL ?9K AB X40
,%E GAVE ,M>K A SMILE1 WIDE & W>M1 &
,JO% WOND]$ :AT .HE CD D 6E>N T SMILE
AG4
  ,2SS A TRIP 6! PR9CIPAL1 T IS4 ,HE
WASN'T R1DY 6G 6! ,DRAGON'S ,LAIR4 ,COR-
EY ACT$ L A BULLY "S"TS1 B HE _HN'T
PICK$ ON ,JO%4 ,COREY 0 ,JO%'S TICKET TO
POPUL>;Y4 ,IF ,SKYE & ,M>K CD J FIGURE \
A WAY 6GET ON ,COREY'S GD SIDE1 ,JO%
WDN'T H 6MAKE A *OICE HE DIDN'T WANT TO
MAKE4                                #EB
  ,HE WDN'T H 6FEEL Z IF HE 7 /&+ ON A
TRA9 /,N PLAT=M1 COLD 6! B"O1 TRY+ 6DE-
CIDE 2T TWO TRA9S H1D+ (F 9 OPPOSITE DI-
REC;NS1 WANT+ 6GET ON BO?1 N WANT+ 6WAVE
GD-BYE 6EI4



















                   #F                #EC
                 ,WEI<T

  8,": ON ,BAXT] ,ROAD D Y LIVE80 ,SKYE
ASK$ ,M>K4 ,%E TO$ H] LL SO3] BALL AH1D
( H] ON ! SIDEWALK4 ,JO% 0 B>ELY LI/5+ Z
! ?REE ( !M H1D$ T[>D ! 5TR.E 6,SUNLI<T
,ACRES4 ,HE DIDN'T "K ,BAXT] ,ROAD F BA?
WAT]4 ,! W9D ON 8 FACE 0 COLD 5 6MAKE 8
EYES HURT4 ,! AIR SMELL$ DI6]5T F ,S1T-
TLE AIR2 X SMELL$ L SN[4 ,ONCE AG 8 M9D
0 ON ^? SKATES & H[ HE CD GET !M--FA/4
  8,! ,BAXT] F>M10 ,M>K SD4
  8,! OLD ,BAXT] PLACE80 ,SKYE SD1 &
,JO%'S E>S P]K$ UP4 ,HE LIK$ 8 NEW H\SE1
B "S?+ AB LIV+ ON A F>M CALL$ 8! OLD
,BAXT] PLACE0 S.D$ A LOT M 9T]E/+4
  8,I HE>D AB X F ! LIBR>IAN AF WE MOV$
9 LA/ SUMM]10 ,SKYE 3T9U$4 8,%E SD X'S
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  8,X 0 VACANT :5 WE MOV$ IN10 ,M>K SD4
  8,I'VE BE5 PA/ X A LOT10 ,SKYE SD4
8,BIG :ITE H\SE1 R$ B>N1 EV5 A SILO4 ,X
LOOKS COOL40
  8,D Y ?9K WE CD SEE X "S"T80 ,JO% SD4
  ,M>K SMIL$ AT ! B>E LIMBS (A       #ED
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  8,H[ AB TD80 ,SKYE SD4 8,I DON'T H PI-
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  8,TD80 ,M>K'S VOICE ROSE4 8,,RE,Y80
  8,I'LL J H 6ASK MY DAD10 ,SKYE SD4
  8,ME1 TOO10 ,JO% SD4 8,I'LL H 6CALL MY
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RI$4
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#E3JJ4 ,AT ,SKYE'S H\SE !Y MET H] DAD1 A
REPORT] =! .,COEUR .D',AL5E .,PRESS1 :O
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  ,AT ! BACK 5TR.E 6,SUNLI<T ,ACRES !Y
TURN$ WE/1 T[>D ,RA?DRUM ,M.TA94 ,!Y
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) HORSES & CATTLE & %EEP & EV5 A PAIR (
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,BAXT] ,ROAD4
  8,LEFT10 ,M>K ANN\NC$1 & !Y TOOK   #EE
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P9E TREES1 & WALK$ UNTIL ! ROAD TURN$ TO
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  8,"!10 HE SD1 & ,SKYE NO4$4 ,(F 6_!
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BR[N GRASS & CLUMPS ( SCRU2Y GRE5 P9ES4
,2H ! H\SE SAT A R$ B>N1 BADLY 9 NE$ (
PA9T1 &A WOOD5 SILO ! SAME COLOR & 3DI-
;N4 ,!Y TURN$ D[N ! DIRT DRIVEWAY1 PA/ !
REMA9S (A RAIL F;E4
  ,M>K OP5$ ! BACK DOOR & MO;N$ = ,JO% &
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D9+ ROOM & 5D$ UP AT ! BOTTOM (A /AIR-
CASE NE> ! FRONT DOOR4
  8,,"M60 ,M>K'S VOICE FILL$ ! :OLE EN-
TRYWAY1 B\NC+ (F ! WOOD FLOOR & B>E
WALLS4
  ,JO% HE>D A VOICE1 !N FOOT/EPS1 F OV]-
H1D4 ,A MO;T LAT] ,M>K'S MOM APPE>$ ON !
UP/AIRS L&+4
  8,WE'RE "H10 ,M>K SD4
  8,& :O IS ,8WE0'80 ,M>K'S MOM      #EF
SMIL$ T BIG %9Y SMILE Z %E CAME D[N !
/AIRS4 ,JO% 0 GLAD 6SEE X2 ,M>K _HN'T
GIV5 H] ANY W>N+ AB VISITORS4 8,>E Y GO+
69TRODUCE YR FRS1 ,M>K80
  8,MY "M10 ,M>K SD1 GLANC+ AT ! FLOOR1
! WALL1 ! CEIL+1 "EY": B AT H]4 8,SKYE &
,JO%4 ,F S*OOL40
  8,I REMEMB] ,JO%10 ,M>K'S MOM SD1 H]
EYES GL[+ ) BLUE FIRE4 8,X'S GD 6SEE Y
AG4 ,& X'S V NICE 6MEET Y1 ,SKYE4 ,I
LOVE YR "N40
  8,?ANK Y10 ,SKYE SD4
  ,JO%1 !N ,SKYE1 %OOK H] H&4 ,H] GRIP 0
W>M4
  8,MAY WE G UP/AIRS80 ,M>K SD4
  8,( C\RSE10 8 MOM SD4
  ,M>K'S ROOM 0 TOA/Y1 DESPITE ! BIG W9-
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,UNLIKE ,JO%'S B$ AT HOME1 ? "O LOOK$ Z
IF X _H N"E BE5 SLEPT IN4 ,! D>K BLUE
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  8,Y SLEEP ON ! FLOOR OR "S?+80     #EG
,JO% SD4
  ,M>K SMIL$4 8,ON ! B$40
  8,YR MOM MAKE X = Y80
  8,%E TAU<T ME1 B ,I MAKE X4 ,I L MY
ROOM N1T40
  ,JO% EY$ ! B$4 ,HE ?RUMM$ 8 F+]S AG/ !
SPR1D1 FEEL+ ! VIBR,NS4 8,Y GET UP A
HALF-H\R E>LY J 6MAKE YR B$80
  8,X TAKES =TY-?REE SECONDS1 ON AV]-
AGE40
  ,SKYE :I/L$4 8,H[ D Y D X80
  8,I SLEEP ON TOP (! COV]S10 ,M>K SD4
8,I WE> MY SW1TS40
  8,J S Y DON'T MESS UP YR B$80 ,JO% SD4
  8,N 5TIRELY10 ,M>K SD4
  8,:AT !N80 ,JO% SD4
  8,"!'S ! WEI<T PRO#M10 ,M>K SD4
  ,JO% WAIT$ = AN EXPLAN,N4
  8,WEI<T PRO#M80 ,SKYE SD4
  ,M>K B\NC$ UP & D[N ON ! POLI%$ WOOD
FLOOR4 ,X :ISP]$ A S]IES ( CR1KS4
8,WE'RE ON ! SECOND /ORY10 HE SD4 8,?
H\SE IS A HUNDR$ YE>S OLD40
  8,S80 ,JO% SD4
  8,IF "!'S TOO M* WEI<T UP "H1 !    #EH
FLOOR CD COLLAPSE10 ,M>K SD4
  8,OH40 ,JO% FELT Z IF HE'D SLIPP$ 96A
PLACE ": "EY"D ^WS _H A DI6]5T M1N+4
8,:AT'S T GOT 6D ) Y SLEEP+ ON TOP ( YR
COV]S80
  ,M>K SMIL$ A PATI5T SMILE4 8,WEI<T10
HE SD4 8,IF ! COV]S >E ON TOP ( ME1
,I'LL WEI< M4 ,MAYBE TOO M*4 ,I CD CAUSE
! B$ 6CRA% "R "? ! FLOOR40
  8,B--0 ,JO% 2GAN4
  8,! FLOOR FEELS R1L SOLID10 ,SKYE SD1
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L&$ FLAT-FOOT$4 8,B>ELY A CR1K10 %E SD4
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PULL$ 8 CAM]A F 8 BACKPACK & AIM$ X AT
,SKYE4 8,D T AG40
  8,:AT80
  8,KNOCK ON ! FLOOR4 ,JUMP HI< & L&
H>D40
  8,IS "! FILM 9 ! CAM]A80 %E SD4
  8,X'S DIGITAL40
  8,OKAY40 ,%E B5T & KNOCK$ ON ! FLOOR
UNTIL ,M>K _H SNAPP$ (F HALF A       #EI
DOZ5 PHOTOS4 ,%E CR\*$ & L1P$ ONCE & AG
& AG :ILE HE CLICK$ AWAY4
  8,?ANK Y10 HE SD4
  8,WANT ME 6D X N[80 ,JO% SD4
  ,FR[N+1 ,M>K LOOK$ ,JO% UP & D[N4 8,!
KNOCK+10 HE SD S(TLY4 ,8 FACE COLOR$ A
LL4 8,N ! L1P+--Y'RE TOO ''' BIG4
,PL1SE40
  8,NO PRO#M40 ,JO% B5T D[N & RAPP$
FIRMLY ON ! FLOORBO>DS & SMIL$ AT ! CAM-
]A :ILE ,M>K TOOK M PICTURES4 ,! FLOOR 0
/\T4 ,M>K CD H _H A COLLEC;N ( B>NY>D
ANIMALS VISIT 8 ROOM )\T X COLLAPS+4
  ,M>K'S MOM POK$ H] H1D 96! ROOM4 8,H[
IS X80 %E ASK$ ,JO%1 Z IF TE/+ ,M>K'S
B$ROOM FLOOR 0 ! MO/ NORMAL ?+ 9 ! _W4
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  8,GD10 ,JO% SD4 8,ROCK-SOLID40
  8,& Y H ! PICTURES1 ,M>K10 %E SD 6HM4
  8,YES40
  ,%E SMIL$ & LEFT4
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IF XS WEI<T MI<T 2 A PRO#M4 ,ON ! DESK1
S&WI*$ 2T PILES ( VIDEOTAPES &       #FJ
,,DVD'S & /ACKS ( BOOKS1 SAT A -PUT]4
,NEXT 6! DESK 0 A TALL CAB9ET )A ,,TV1
,,VCR1 ,,DVD PLAY]1 & /]EO SY/EM4 ,XS
RADIO1 ! S\RCE (! VOICES ,JO% _H HE>D1 0
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8,Y LI/5 6T80 HE ASK$ ,M>K1 :O HELD UP A
F+] 6SIGNAL QUIET4 ,A WOMAN ON ! RADIO 0
SAY+ "S?+ AB AN 9T]VIEW )A SCI5TI/ S*$-
UL$ =! NEXT "D4 ,M>K GRA2$ A NOTE PAD F
8 DESK & SCRIB#D D[N ! "T4
  8,WOND];L 9=M,N10 HE SD4
  8,NO MUSIC10 ,JO% SD4
  8,"S"TS "! IS40
  ,JO% MADE A FACE4 ,OP]A1 PROBABLY4 ,HE
PICK$ UP A ?ICK1 H1VY BOOK & LOOK$ AT !
COV]3 ..,M9]ALS ( ,NOR? .,AM]ICA4 ,HE
SET X BACK D[N ON ANO!R BRUIS]3 ..,!
,FIELD ,GUIDE 6,PACIFIC ,NOR?WE/ .,WILD-
LIFE4 ,N EXACTLY PAGE-TURN]S4 ,!N HE
SPOTT$ ..,BIGFOOT & ,O!R ,UNUSUAL ,PHE-
NOM5A3 ,A ,SCI5TIFIC .,APPROA*4 ,HE
WDN'T M9D CRACK+ OP5 T "O4 8,H Y R1D ALL
^! BOOKS80
  8,N AT ! SAME "T40
  ,\TSIDE ! W9D[S1 ": LIFE / SEEM$   #FA
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8 WAT*4 8,I'VE GOTTA GET GO+40
  8,ME1 TOO1 ,I GUESS10 ,SKYE SD4
  8,C Y /AY A FEW M M9UTES80 ,M>K SD1 8
EYES FOCUS$ ON ! EMPTY SPACE 2T !M4 8,WE
H COOKIES F ! /ORE4 ,X'S A BIG PACKAGE40
  8,OKAY10 ,JO% SD4 ,HE DID H A FEW M9-
UTES4 ,& Z USUAL1 HE 0 HUNGRY4
  ,Z !Y />T$ D[N ! /AIRS1 HE HE>D ! WOM-
AN ON ! RADIO SAY T A COLD FRONT 0 EX-
PECT$ 6MOVE 96EA/]N ,WA%+TON & NOR!RN
,IDAHO4 ,SOON4
  ,!Y D[N$ COOKIES & MILK SITT+ AT A
WOOD5 TA# 9 ! BIG KIT*54 ,!Y 7 NE>LY D"O
:5 ,JO% HE>D ! FRONT DOOR OP5 & CLOSE4
,A MO;T LAT] A MAN CAME 96! ROOM4 ,HE
WORE A D>K GRAY SUIT1 A :ITE %IRT1 &A
BLUE-&-GRAY /RIP$ TIE4 ,8 BLACK %OES
REFLECT$ ! GL[ F ! CEIL+ LI<T4 ,HE SET A
GROC]Y BAG ON ! C.T] & SMIL$ AT ,M>K4
  8,HEY1 ,M>KY10 HE SD4 ,HE _H A G5TLE1
B$"T-/ORY VOICE4 ,HE CAME OV] & GAVE
,M>K A BIG HUG4 ,M>K /I65$4 ,! MAN SMIL$
AT ,SKYE1 !N ,JO%4 8,>E Y GO+ 69TRODUCE
U1 ,M>KY80 HE SD4                    #FB
  ,M>K LEVEL$ 8 EYES AT ! MAN'S *E/4
8,SKYE & ,JO%1 ? IS MY DAD40
  ,M>K'S DAD R1*$ \ 6%AKE H&S ) ,SKYE1
!N ,JO%4 ,HE LOOK$ !M 9 ! EYE4 8,NICE TO
MEET BO? ( Y10 HE SD1 & !Y TOLD HM X 0
NICE 6MEET HM1 TOO4 8,I HOPE Y'LL -E
BACK & VISIT U AG10 HE SD4 ,HE S.D$ Z IF
HE M1NT X4 8,I "K ? H\SE IS A LL (F !
B1T5 PA?1 B WE L X4 ,& "!'S PL5TY ( ROOM
6PLAY40 ,JO% REMEMB]$ ,M>K SAY+ T 8
DAD'S JOB 0 HELP+ P4 ,JO% CD IMAG9E HM
DO+ T1 B :AT K9D ( HELP+ WD X BE8
  ,MR4 ,SILV]?ORN LEFT ! ROOM4 ,JO% &
,SKYE F9I%$ _! SNACK1 !N ,M>K WALK$ !M
6! ROAD4 ,! GRAY "D _H *ANG$ 6*>COAL :5
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,M>K4 ,HE WAV$ BACK1 B 8 EYES1 GL[+ 9 !
TWILI<T1 LOOK$ (F AT "S TREES4 ,JO% FELT
-=T$ & UNCOM=TA# AT ! SAME "T4 ,HE LIK$
,M>K1 B :AT 0 UP ) HM8
  8,WEIRD KID10 ,JO% SD4
  8,HE'S N T M* DI6]5T F U40
  8,Y1 MAYBE10 ,JO% SD4 8,I'M N AFRAID
SN[ MI<T FALL ON MY H1D4 ,I LOOK P 9 !
FACE :5 ,I'M TALK+ 6!M4 ,:5 MY DAD   #FC
HUGS ME1 ,I HUG HM BACK4 ,I DON'T D
PLAY-BY-PLAY ON KIDS' SO3] GAMES4 ,!N
"!'S ,M>K'S B$4 ,! ,8WEI<T PRO#M0'8
,DOES T MAKE ANY S5SE8 ,H[ AB TAK+ PIC-
TURES ( P TE/+ A FLOOR T WD PROBABLY
HOLD UP "U A H]D ( C[S8 ,H[ AB ! WAY HE
TALKS1 L A %ORT GR[NUP80
  8,I'D *OOSE ,M>K OV] YR BU4IES40
  8,!Y'RE N MY BU4IES40
  8,Y'RE "R10 ,SKYE SD4 8,!Y'RE TR\#40
  8,N = ME40
  8,= "EYBODY4 ,COREY WANTS "S?+ F Y40
  8,I DON'T H ANY?+ HE WANTS40
  8,Y ?9K HE'D EV5 2 TALK+ 6Y IF Y W]5'T
! COA*'S KID80
  ,SKYE WASN'T LOOK+ = AN ANSW]1 HE
KNEW1 B HE WANT$ 6SAY ,,YES1 L\D 5 6DR[N
\ ! NOISE ( 8 [N D\BTS4 8,:Y D Y C>E80
  ,%E SMIL$ A LL SMILE T HE B>ELY CAU<T
9 ! E>LY-EV5+ GLOOM4 8,I DON'T RE,Y "K--
MAYBE 2C ROOKIES H 6/ICK TGR40



                                     #FD
























                   #G                #FE
             ,J ,ANO!R ,KID

  ,! COLD FRONT >RIV$ ! NEXT "D1 ,W$NES-
"D4 ,N BITT]1 YET1 B BIT+4 ,A LUMPY
QUILT ( GUNMETAL GRAY CL\DS HUNG L[ OV]
! VALLEY Z ,JO% /EPP$ \TSIDE4 ,6! EA/
SUNRISE 0 B>ELY A PROMISE1 B /1 9 T DIM
LI<T1 HE NOTIC$ A %IMM] ( ICE ON ! PUD-
DLES 9 ! /REET4
  ,ON ! WAY 6S*OOL1 ,M>K SEEM$ N]V\S4
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PECT$ X 6FALL ON 8 H1D4 ,HE WORE ! HAT )
! WRAP>.D BRIM4 ,AT 8 SIDE HE CLUT*$ A
BIG :ITE-&-GRE5-/RIP$ GOLF UMBRELLA4 ,HE
F+]$ ! REL1SE BUTTON1 R1DY 6PRESS X AT !
F/ SIGN ( TR\#4
  ,2F ! BELL RANG1 ,MS4 ,MURPHY CALL$ !
?REE ( !M UP 6H] DESK4 ,SPECIAL ATT5;N F
A T1*] MADE ,JO% N]V\S4 ,HE WOND]$ :AT
K9D ( TR\# !Y 7 IN4
  8,? AFN ,I'M GO+ 6MAKE AN ANN\NCE;T10
,MS4 ,MURPHY SD4 8,I'M GO+ 6TELL "EY"O T
WE'RE GO+ 6*ANGE ! S1T+ >RANGE;TS4
,WE'LL H AT L1/ TWO KIDS F EA* TA# MOVE
6DI6]5T "OS40                        #FF
  8,:Y80 ,JO% 0 J GETT+ SETTL$ IN4 ,HE
LIK$ ": HE WAS4 ,HE LIK$ 2+ ) ,SKYE &
,M>K4
  8,I ?9K *ANGE IS GD =! DYNAMICS (!
CLASS1 ,JO%10 ,MS4 ,MURPHY SD4 8,B !
R1SON ,I BR"\ Y ?REE UP "H IS 6TELL Y
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  ,M>K LOOK$ \ ! W9D[S1 GR9N+4 ,JO% NOD-
D$1 RELIEV$4
  ,SKYE SMIL$4 ,%E LOOK$ CURI\S4 8,:Y80
  8,M>K & ,I H ALR TALK$ AB ?10 ,MS4
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CLOCK ON ! WALL1 ! CEIL+4 ,8 FACE COL-
OR$4 8,:Y DON'T Y /AY 2H =A FEW M9UTES
:5 ! CLASS GOES 6LUN*1 ,SKYE8 ,Y TOO1
,JO%4 ,WE C TAKE Z M* "T Z Y WANT TO
TALK40
  ,& MISS LUN* RECESS8 8,X'S OKAY10 ,JO%
SD4 8,I WANT 6/AY TGR40
  8,S D ,I10 ,SKYE SD4
  8,WE NE$ 6TALK10 ,MS4 ,MURPHY SD1
8ANYWAY40
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CLASSROOM DOOR4                      #FG
  8,Y ASK$ :Y ,I 0 KEEP+ Y TGR10 ,MS4
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YR CLASSMATES ASKS1 X'S 2C Y'RE J GETT+
6"K EA* O!R4 ,B ! R1L R1SON IS T "S"TS
LIFE GIVES U AN OPPORTUN;Y 6HELP "S"O4
,EV5 IF WE >5'T LOOK+ =! OPPORTUN;Y40
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/UDY+ _! FACES4
  ,SKYE 0 NO4+1 Z IF %E KNEW "S?+4
  8,Y TWO H ONLY "KN EA* O!R =A FEW
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,M>K ANY L;G]4 ,B ,I'VE WAT*$ ! ?REE ( Y
TGR4 ,I'VE WAT*$ ! WAY Y ACT >.D HM4 ,I
L :AT ,I SEE4 ,I L ! WAY Y TR1T HM L J
ANO!R KID40
  8,HE'S N80 ,SKYE SD4
  8,SKYE ?"\ HE WAS10 ,JO% SD4
  8,Y ?"\ HE 0 A FR1K10 ,SKYE SD4
  8,I DIDN'T SAY T40
  ,MS4 ,MURPHY HELD UP H] H&1 3TROLL+ !
TRA6IC ( ^WS4 8,D Y L HM1 ,JO%80
  8,Y1H4 ,HE'S J DI6]5T4 ,HE LIKES DI6]-
5T /UFF4 ,HE ACTS DI6]5T40
  8,UNIQUE10 ,SKYE SD4
  8,EXACTLY10 ,MS4 ,MURPHY SD4       #FH
8,UNIQUE4 ,EXCEP;NAL4 ,L A LOT ( KIDS--&
ADULTS--,M>K HAS "S EXCEP;NAL NE$S4 ,WE
WANT 6D \R BE/ 6MEET !M4 ,! S*OOL--!
T1*]S & O!R P :O "W "H--W D :AT X C4 ,B
X'S J Z IMPORTANT = 8 S*OOLMATES 6D :AT
!Y C1 PROBABLY M S40
  8,T'S ": WE -E IN80 ,SKYE SD4
  8,YES4 ,I "K X'S ASK+ A LOT1 B IF Y
ALR 3SID] HM YR FR1 MAYBE Y WON'T ?9K (
? Z S* A BURD54 ,:AT ,I WANT Y 6D IS 2
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YR SUPPORT1 OV]LOOK 8 DI6];ES :ILE AT !
SAME "T A3OMMODAT+ !M4 ,KEEP TR1T+ HM Z
IF HE'S A REGUL> ,JOE40
  8,BE 8 FR10 ,JO% SD4
  8,& M10 ,MS4 ,MURPHY SD4 8,Y'LL LE>N
?+S F ,M>K T Y CD N"E LE>N F AN "EY"D
KID40
  8,:Y'S HE S--80 ,JO% 2GAN4
  8,E35TRIC10 ,SKYE F9I%$ = HM1 B T
WASN'T EXACTLY :AT HE 0 ?9K+4 ,HE 0 ?9K+
GO(Y1 B N A BAD K9D ( GO(Y4
  8,M>K ASK$ T ? N G 2Y Y TWO10 ,MS4
,MURPHY SD4 8,C Y HONOR T REQUE/80
  ,JO% & ,SKYE NO4$ 9 UNISON4        #FI
  8,GD10 ,MS4 ,MURPHY SD4 8,H EI ( Y
HE>D ( AUTISM80
  8,I SAW "S?+ ON ,,TV AB X10 ,SKYE SD1
& ,JO% ?"\ T HE _H1 TOO4 ,KIDS :O LIV$ 9
_! [N _W4 ,!Y DIDN'T LI/5 OR TALK OR ACT
L !Y KNEW ANY"O ELSE 0 >.D4 8,CLOS$-DOOR
KIDS10 ,SKYE 3T9U$4 8,"S?+'S GO+ ON IN-
SIDE !M1 B NO "O "KS :AT40
  8,EXACTLY10 ,MS4 ,MURPHY SD4 8,"S"TS
"S?+ SURPRIS+ -ES \40
  8,T'S N ,M>K10 ,JO% SD4
  8,NO & YES10 ,MS4 ,MURPHY SD4 8,M>K
HAS A V MILD =M ( AUTISM4 ,KIDS--&
ADULTS--:O H ? K9D ( AUTISM C -MUNICATE4
,!Y C LE>N & ?9K1 "S"TS BRILLIANTLY4 ,B
!Y DON'T D ^! ?+S ! WAY MO/ ( U D4 ,"S
EXP]TS SAY !Y ?9K 9 PICTURES 9/1D (
^WS40
  ,JO% ?"\ AB ,M>K'S CAM]A4 ,0 ? ?9K+-
IN-PICTURES ?+ ! R1SON ,M>K 0 S 9T]E/$ 9
PHOTOGRAPHY8
  8,? AUTISM ,M>K HAS10 ,SKYE SD4
8,:AT'S X CALL$80
  8,X HAS A L;G "N10 ,MS4 ,MURPHY SD4
8,ASP]G] SYNDROME40                  #GJ
  8,Y DON'T H 6WORRY AB ME REMEMB]+ T10
,JO% SD4
  ,MS4 ,MURPHY SMIL$4 8,Y WON'T 2 TE/$
ON X40
  8,D 8 P>5TS "K80 ,SKYE SD4
  8,!Y'VE "KN =A L;G "T4 ,!Y'VE SE5 HM
MAKE PROGRESS1 9CLUD+ FR%IPS1 AT 8 LA/
S*OOL4 ,WE WANT 6MAKE SURE 8 GA9S 3T9-
UE40
  8,?ANKS = TELL+ U10 ,SKYE SD1 SITT+ A
LL TALL]4
  8,S :AT D Y ?9K80 ,MS4 ,MURPHY SD4
  8,I ?9K WE H AN OPPORTUN;Y10 ,SKYE SD4
  ,JO% /OOD4 8,ROOKIES RULE10 HE SD4
8,LET'S EAT LUN*40
  ,0! "T ,JO% & ,SKYE _H EAT51 RECESS 0
W9D+ D[N4 ,& X LOOK$ EV5 COLD] \TSIDE4
,!Y DECID$ 6WALK 6! LIBR>Y1 TAK+ _! "T
D[N ! L;G HALLWAY4
  8,D Y ?9K ,M>K "KS :AT ,MS4 ,MURPHY
TOLD U80 ,JO% SD4
  8,%E GOT 8 OKAY1 S HE "KS %E TOLD U
"S?+4 ,MAYBE T HE'S A LL DI6]5T4 ,T HE
HAS "S PRO#MS40
  8,I GUESS10 ,JO% SD4 ,HE HOP$      #GA
,M>K DIDN'T FEEL L A SIDE%[ ATTRAC;N4
,JO% REMEMB]$ H[ 8 FR ,LL ,JOE _H BE5
/>$ AT & TALK$ AB & T1S$ J 2C HE 0 %ORT4
  ,BACK AT ! CLASSROOM1 X 0 MOV+ "T =
NE>LY "EY"O B ! ROOKIES4 ,!Y GOT A FEW
LOOKS F O!R KIDS1 B NO "O ASK$ :Y !Y
W]5'T 2+ /IRR$ 96! NEW MIXTURE4
  ,A FEW M9UTES AF "EY"O SETTL$ 96_!
PLACES1 ! GRAY-HAIR$ T1*] ,JO% _H SE5 9
! (FICE ON 8 F/ "D CAME 6! CLASSROOM
DOOR4 ,%E _H A %ORT1 QUIET 3V]S,N ) ,MS4
,MURPHY1 !N ,MS4 ,MURPHY CAME OV] & ASK$
,M>K 6G )! WOMAN =A :ILE4
  8,CLOCK REPAIR10 ,M>K SD "U 8 BR1? Z
HE GOT UP 6L1VE4

  ,ON ! WAY HOME1 ,M>K WORE 8 FI%]MAN
HAT1 PULL$ L[ AG/ ! W9D & COLD4 ,HE _H 8
UMBRELLA R1DY4
  8,EXPECT+ SN[80 ,JO% SD4
  8,SOON1 ,I ?9K10 ,M>K SD4 8,SN[1 SOON4
,& ICE4 ,& COLD T W TE/ YR HE>T40


                                     #GB
























                   #H                #GC
         ,POOR ,ROONEY'S ,POND

  ,?ANKSGIV+ "D PASS$ QUIETLY4 ,JO%
WAT*$ TOO M* FOOTBALL1 ATE TOO M* FOOD1
& SAT >.D A LOT4 ,AF D9N] HE SKAT$ UP &
D[N ! /REET =A HALF-H\R OR S1 B ! COLD
DROVE HM BACK 9SIDE4
  ,:5 HE W5T 6B$ T NI<T1 ! W1!RMAN ON A
,COEUR D',AL5E RADIO /,N 0 GIV+ ! RE-
PORT3 3T9U+ POSSIBIL;Y ( SN[2 TW5TY-?REE
DEGREES & FALL+4
  ,FRI"D CAME4 ,M FOOTBALL ON ,,TV4 ,M
/REET SKAT+4 ,HE DRESS$ W>M] AG/ ! DEEP-
5+ COLD1 & LA/$ L;G]4 ,HE FELT M -=TA#1
LI<T] ON 8 FEET4 ,HE CDN'T KEEP 8 M9D (F
! POND & :AT X WD 2 L 6BE \ "! ON R1L
HOCKEY SKATES1 %[+ ,COREY :AT HE CD D4
,HE HOP$4
  ,9 ! AFN1 ,JO% "W$ ON 8 HOME"W & DUG 9
! H>D BACKY>D1 PROSPECT+ = ROCKS4 ,HE
GOT 9 A C\PLE T\< H\RS1 A C\PLE PILES (
ROCKS1 B AT F\R DOLL>S AN H\R1 ! PAY HE
& 8 DAD _H SETTL$ ON1 X 0 GO+ 6BE A L;G
:ILE 2F HE WD E>N 5 =A PAIR ( SKATES4
  ,SN[ FELL OV]NI<T1 AN 9* OR S (    #GD
:ITE4 ,ON ,SATUR"D MORN+ ! CL\DS CLE>$
AWAY1 & ,JO%1 SORE-H&$1 W5T 6! G>AGE TO
REUNITE HMF )! %OVEL4 ,B ! Y>D 0 CRU/Y )
NEW SN[ &) FRO/ T _H R1*$ EV5 F>!R D[N
6=M A /U2ORN %ELL ( FROZ5 DIRT4 ,HE MADE
ANO!R SMALL PILE ( ROCKS1 ANO!R F\R DOL-
L>S1 !N GAVE UP4 ,HE 0 MILES F GETT+ ^?
SKATES4
  ,SATUR"D AFN ! PH"O RANG4 ,JO%'S DAD
CALL$ HM 6! KIT*54
  8,JO%/]60 ! VOICE ON ! PH"O SD4
  8,COREY80
  8,Y GOT X1 ,JO% BU4Y40
  ,"S?+ 9 ,COREY'S VOICE REM9D$ ,JO% (
:AT ,M>K _H SD AB ! DROPP+S ( DOGS4
8,:AT'S GO+ ON80
  8.,Y4 ,I ?"\ ,I'D *ECK & SEE IF Y WANT
6G \ 6! POND ) ME & TAKE A LOOK4 ,I H A
FEEL+ "!'S "S ICE \ "! 0N[40
  8,SURE60
  8,GD4 ,J H1D D[N ! ROAD L Y'RE GO+ 6!
,HEI<TS4 ,WE'LL MEET Y40
  8,:580
  8,H[ SOON C Y L1VE80
  ,JO% *ECK$ ) 8 DAD1 !N CAME BACK   #GE
6! PH"O4 8,FIVE M9UTES40
  8,GRT4 ,WE'LL MEET Y 9 AB FIFTE540
  ,JO% SPOTT$ ,COREY & ,BUNK Z HE WALK$
UP ! L;G1 G5TLE HILL 6,PRAIRIE ,HEI<TS4
,!Y WAV$ & MO;N$ = HM 6FOLL[ !M D[N A
GRAVEL SIDE ROAD4 ,HE CAU<T UP ) !M J
PA/ A D1D 5D SIGN1 ": ! ROAD N>R[$ &
CURV$ 96A D5SE GROVE ( P9ES4
  8,! ,JO%/]10 ,COREY SD1 & PUN*$ HM
PLAY;LLY ON ! %\LD]4 8,H[ Y DO9'1 BU4Y80
  8,GD40
  8,Y DIDN'T GET ANY UNEXPECT$ ,?ANKS-
GIV+ GIFTS1 DID Y80 ,COREY SD4 8,L A
PAIR ( SKATES1 = 9/.E80
  8,AFRAID N40
  8,MAYBE ,SANTA W -E E>LY10 ,COREY SD4
  8,OR ! ,EA/] ,BUNNY10 ,BUNK SD4
  ,JO% FIGUR$ "O 0 AB Z LIKELY Z ! O!R4
8,D\BT X40
  ,LI<T BROKE "? ! TREES UP AH1D4 ,!
ROAD ANGL$ "R1 D1D-5D+ 96A CLE>+1 & SUD-
D5LY "! X WAS4 ,! POND4 ,ALM L ! PIC-
TURE1 B N Q4 ,! TREES SURR.D+ X 7 MO/LY
FREE ( SN[1 ! GR.D %[$ "? BR[N & GRE5 9
PAT*ES1 &! ICE _HN'T TAK5 OV]4 ,N    #GF
YET4 ,X _H "W$ XS WAY \ F ! %OREL9E = =-
TY FEET OR S1 B ! POND 0 BIG--AN OVAL
NE>LY ! SIZE (A FOOTBALL FIELD4 ,XS C5-
T]1 MO/ (! POND1 0 / CLE> ( ICE1 B !
BLUE WAT] LOOK$ ?ICK & SLU7I%4
  ,COREY :I/L$4 8,WON'T 2 L;G N[4 ,N 9 ?
W1!R40
  ,!Y WALK$ 6! POND'S $GE1 & ,BUNK KICK$
A SMALL ROCK ONTO ! ICE4 ,X B\NC$ &
SKI4$ & PLOPP$ 96! WAT]4 ,JO% IMAG9$ HMF
/&+ \ ON ! FROZ5 SURFACE1 SKATES ON 8
FEET1 A HOCKEY /ICK 9 8 H&1 POS+ =A PIC-
TURE1 !N TAK+ (F1 BLADES FLA%+1 =A RUN
AT ! GOAL4 ,8 DAD SD HOCKEY 0 A T\<
SPORT1 B H[ H>D CD X BE8
  ,COREY PICK$ UP A BI7] ROCK--BASEBALL-
SIZE--& LO2$ X ONTO ! ICE4 ,SLIV]S ( ICE
SKIPP$ 6! $GE & SLIPP$ (F4 8,IN A FEW
"DS X'LL SURVIVE A BOMB BLA/10 HE SD1
GR9N+4
  ,JO% WASN'T SURE AB T4
  ,HE REMEMB]$ A COLD SPELL 9 ,S1TTLE &!
SIGNS AT ,GRE5 ,LAKE W>N+ P 6/AY (F !
ICE4 ,HE'D HE>D /ORIES AB KIDS BR1K+ "?
ICE & DR[N+4                         #GG
  8,H[ DID X GET XS "N80 HE ASK$4
  8,XS "N80 ,COREY SD4
  8,Y "K--,POOR ,ROONEY'S ,POND40
  8,:O "KS80 ,COREY SD4 8,MAYBE "S GUY
:O US$ 6LIVE >.D "H 0 "ND ,ROONEY4 ,MAY-
BE HE 0 POOR40
  8,OH40 ,JO% PUT "O FOOT C>E;LLY ON !
ICE1 %IFT$ 8 WEI<T ONTO X1 & FELT LUN*--
A TURKEY S&WI*--RISE UP 9 8 /OMA* Z !
SURFACE SEEM$ 6GIVE4 ,HE BACK$ (F4 ,!
PR9T ( 8 %OE %[$ P]FECTLY 9 ! ?9 LAY] (
SN[4 ,COREY1 !N ,BUNK1 /EPP$ ON ) BO?
FEET4 ,G+]LY4
  8,SOLID10 ,COREY SD1 B HE W5T NO F>!R
?AN ! $GE4 ,NEI DID ,BUNK4 ,:5 !Y EAS$
(F ! ICE1 !Y LEFT F\R M PR9TS1 ! SIZE (
,JO%'S B N Z DEEP4 ,HE WI%$ HE'D G"O
EASI] ON ! ,?ANKSGIV+ D9N] &! LEFTOV]S &
ALL ! O!R JUNK HE'D PUT AWAY ! LA/ FEW
"DS4 ,HE CD FEEL ! FAT CELLS MULTIPLY+1
PU%+ AG/ ! WAI/ ( 8 J1NS L RIS+ BR1D
D\<4
  ,HE LOOK$ UP AT ! D>K5+ SKY4 8,I %D
GET BACK40
  8,U1 TOO10 ,COREY SD4 8,B :AT D    #GH
Y ?9K80
  8,AWE"S40
  8,Y WON'T "K H[ AWE"S TILL Y TRY X10
,COREY SD4 8,Y'LL 2 A />1 MAN40
  8,%9+10 ,BUNK SD4
  ,JO% WASN'T SURE4 ,B HE 0 PRETTY C]TA9
AB "O ?+3 HE WANT$ 6BE \ "!4 8,I J NE$
6GET MY SKATES40
  ,COREY TOOK (F A GLOVE & R1*$ 9 8
POCKET4 ,HE PULL$ \ A QU>T] & H&$ X TO
,JO%4 8,MAKE A WI%10 HE SD1 8& TOSS X 9
! POND40
  ,JO% LOOK$ AT ! QU>T]1 !N AT ,COREY1
TRY+ 6DECIDE IF HE 0 S]I\S4
  8,G AH1D10 ,COREY SD4 8,"S"TS WI%ES -E
TRUE40
  ,JO% CLOS$ 8 EYES1 PICTUR+ ^? SKATES1
PICTUR+ !M ON 8 FEET4 ,HE OP5$ 8 EYES1
/>$ \ AT T ICY WAT]1 & ?REW ! QU>T]4 ,X
L&$ F> 2Y ! ICE )A LL PLOP1 A B>ELY VIS-
I# SPLA%4
  8,A NATURAL10 ,COREY SD1 & SMIL$4
  ,:5 ,JO% GOT HOME1 8 DAD 0 HANG+ A NEW
!RMOMET] \TSIDE ! BACK DOOR4
  ,X R1D N9ETE5 DEGREES4             #GI
























                                     #HJ
























                   #I                #HA
              ,\ ( ,3TROL

  ,MON"D MORN+ DAWN$1 COLD & ?R1T5+4
,JO% GULP$ D[N 8 CORNFLAKES & TOA/1 PUT
ON 8 HAT1 GOT 8 BACKPACK1 & W5T \TSIDE
6WAIT = ,SKYE & ,M>K4 ,A ?9 LAY] ( NEW
SN[ COV]$ ! GR.D4 ,HE KICK$ AT AN ICY
PU4LE AT ! CURB3 FROZ5 SOLID4 ,HE PIC-
TUR$ ,POOR ,ROONEY'S ,POND1 ?ICK5+ XS
ICE J = HM4
  ,SKYE & ,M>K >RIV$1 PU6S ( BR1? MU%-
ROOM+ 9 FRONT ( _! FACES4 ,SKYE 0 DRI2L+
H] SO3] BALL1 3TROLL+ X Z IF %E _H X TI$
6"O ( H] FEET4 ,M>K C>RI$ 8 UMBRELLA1
R1DY 6BE POPP$ OP5 AT ! F/ SIGN ( SN[4
,MAYBE 6BE EXTRA-PREP>$1 HE _H ! HOOD (
8 B"R YELL[ SKI JACKET UP4 ,B 8 EYES 7
D[N4 ,Z USUAL1 HE SEEM$ 6BE TAK+ PEEKS
96HIS [N CURI\S _W4
  ,SKYE DRIB#D AH1D TW5TY FEET OR S4 ,%E
TURN$ & PASS$ ! BALL BACK 9 ,JO% &
,M>K'S DIREC;N4 ,M>K AVOID$ X ! WAY HE
WD A L[-FLY+ CANNONBALL4 ,HE JO7$ AH1D1
A FEW /EPS 2Y ,SKYE4 ,JO% TRAPP$ ! BALL
& PASS$ X BACK 6H]4                  #HB
  ,!Y MOV$ ON1 A SMALL P>ADE1 ,M>K L1D+
! WAY4 ,SKYE CAME NEXT1 SCUTTL+ BACK-
W>DS1 PASS+ ! BALL BACK & =? 6,JO%4 ,Z
!Y NE>$ ! CORN]1 ,JO% NOTIC$ A SILV]-
COLOR$ VAN APPROA*+ F F> D[N ! BLOCK 6_!
LEFT1 5G9E HUMM+1 :EELS SLIPP+1 GO+ TOO
FA/ =! ICY ROAD4
  ,M>K M/ H SE5 X1 TOO4 ,HE 0 LOOK+ 9 !
DIREC;N (! VAN1 FLAPP+ 8 >MS UP & D[N 9
A ROBOTIC1 SL[-D[N MO;N4
  ,JO% HE>D VOICES4 ,HE HE>D FOOT/EPS4
,SU45LY ?REE SMALL KIDS1 BUNDL$ UP AG/ !
COLD1 JO/L+ EA* O!R1 RAC$ PA/ HM & T[>D
! CORN]4
  8,/OP60 ,JO% CALL$4
  ,TWO ( !M DID1 2F !Y GOT 6,SKYE4 ,B !
?IRD *1 A BOY )A BLUE /OCK+ HAT PULL$ L[
OV] 8 E>S1 SEEM$ N 6HE>4
  8,/OP60 ,JO% %\T$4 ,! LL KID LOOK$
BACK1 LAU<+1 Z HE RAC$ PA/ ,SKYE4 ,HE
DIDN'T SEE :AT 0 -+ F D[N ! /REET1 B
,M>K _H4 ,HE TRI$ 6GRAB ! BOY1 B X 0 AN
AWKW>D1 (F-BAL.E TRY1 & HE MISS$4
  ,! KID LUR*$ 96! /REET BACKW>DS4
  ,RU2] SLID DULLY AG/ ICE4 ,! VAN   #HC
SW]V$1 !N SPUN \ ( 3TROL1 HORN BL>+1 TO-
W>D ! BOY4 ,HE /OPP$ 9 ! MI4LE (! /REET1
WIDE-EY$4 ,HE TRI$ 6SCRAM# BACK B FELL1
FACE-D[N4
  ,JO% FROZE4 ,? 0 A DR1M4 ,"O ( ^?
DR1MS ": "S?+ BAD IS HAPP5+1 B Y C'T
MOVE 6/OP X4
  ,SKYE TURN$ T[>D ! SC5E 2H H]1 A F/
P>ALYZ+ GLIMPSE4
  ,B ,M>K 0 CLOSE/ 6! AC;N4 ,& HE M/ H
_H A PICTURE 9 8 H1D ( :AT 0 -+4 ,2C N[
HE MOV$4 ,HE /UM#D 96! /REET1 VE]+ T[>D
! KID1 LEGS *URN+4 ,CLUMSILY1 HE DIPP$ &
GRA2$4 ,& ? "T HE HELD ON4 ,HE KEPT GO+1
HALF-C>RY+1 HALF-SLID+ ! BOY T[>D ! O!R
SIDE4 ,)A F9AL LUNGE1 ,M>K HALF-FELL1
HALF-DOVE1 TAK+ ! KID ) HM 6! PAVE;T4
,!Y L&$ SIDE 0SIDE & SKI4$ ON ! ICE1
PIL+ UP AG/ ! F> CURB4 ,! VAN SLID PA/
!M & "? ! 9T]SEC;N1 TAIL F/4
  ,F9,Y ,JO% FELT ! MUSCLES 9 8 LEGS -E
6LIFE4 ,HE MOV$1 ,SKYE MOV$ ) HM4 ,! O!R
LL KIDS--A GIRL & BOY1 ,JO% SAW--/OOD ":
!Y W]E1 3FU.N 9 _! EYES4 ,JO% HE>D A
DOOR SLAM %UT4 ,A WOMAN HURRI$ TO-   #HD
W>D !M1 HI< HEELS CLICK+1 F D[N ! /REET
": H] VAN _H -E 6RE/4 ,%E HELP$ ! SMALL
BOY /&1 T\*+ HM1 EXAM9+ 8 FACE1 8 H1D4
,JO% & ,SKYE EAS$ ,M>K 6HIS FEET4 ,HE
WALK$ UN/1DILY BACK 6! O!R KIDS & /OOD )
!M4
  8,>E Y OKAY80 ! WOMAN ASK$ ! LL BOY4
8,D Y HURT ANY":8 ,C Y WALK80 ,H] FACE 0
PALE1 H] H&S 7 %AK+4 ,! KID NO4$ 8 H1D1
!N %OOK X1 !N NO4$ X AG4
  ,M>K %U6L$ ACR ! /REET1 H& 9 H& )! BOY
& GIRL1 BLUE EYES FOCUS$ OV] ! WOMAN'S
%\LD]4 8,Y B>ELY MISS$ HM10 HE SD4 8,Y
%D DRIVE SL[]4 ,HE IS "S"O'S PRECI\S *40
  8,YES10 %E ANSW]$4 8,>E Y ALL "R80 ,%E
KEPT H] EYES ON ,M>K Z %E WALK$ ! LL BOY
6! SIDEWALK4
  8,SC>$10 ,M>K SD4 ,HE PUT 8 H& ON 8
*E/4 8,HE>T ?UMP+40
  8,B Y'RE OKAY O!RWISE80
  ,M>K NO4$1 B ,JO% DIDN'T BUY X4 ,M>K &
! WOMAN BO? LOOK$ Z IF !Y'D BE5 RUN OV]4
,JO% FELT WIP$ \ HMF4
  ,! WOMAN EY$ ! LL BOY ONCE M1 UP &
D[N4 8,I NE$ 6CALL YR P>5TS1 H"OY4   #HE
,D Y "K YR PH"O NUMB]80
  ,! BOY NO4$1 B HE DIDN'T--OR CDN'T--
SAY ANY?+4 ,LUCKILY1 ! LL GIRL KNEW !
NUMB] & GAVE X &! BOY'S "N 6! WOMAN1 :O
US$ H] CELL PH"O 6CALL ! BOY'S MOM4 ,N[
! WOMAN KEPT H] VOICE CALM4
  ,%E F9I%$ H] CALL & KNELT 9 FRONT (!
BOY1 LOOK+ HM 9 ! FACE4 ,%E /RAI<T5$ 8
HAT & ?UMB$ AWAY A SME> ( DIRT F 8 *EEK4
8,YR MOM W 2 "H 9 A M9UTE10 %E SD1 WIP+
AT H] EYE4 8,!N WE'LL GET Y & YR LL FRS
6S*OOL40
  8,OKAY10 HE :ISP]$4
  ,%E /OOD & LOOK$ AT ,M>K1 :O GAZ$ T[>D
H] C>1 !N UP AT ! SKY4 8,Y BIG KIDS %D G
AH1D 6S*OOL10 %E SD4 8,WE'LL 2 OKAY "H40
,%E KEPT LOOK+ AT ,M>K4 8,B ,I DON'T "K
:AT WD H HAPP5$ IF '''0 ,H] VOICE FAD$4
  ,JO% WANT$ 6TELL H] :AT WD H HAPP5$ IF
,M>K _HN'T D"O :AT HE'D D"O1 B HE ?"\ %E
ALR KNEW4
  8,?ANK Y10 %E SD 6,M>K4
  ,HE %RU7$1 Z IF HE DID ? K9D ( ?+ E
"D4 8,WE'RE LATE10 HE SD 6NO "O 9
"PICUL>1 & />T$ D[N ! SIDEWALK4      #HF
,HE PLANT$ "O FOOT 9 FRONT (! O!R1 L A
BABY J LE>N+ 6WALK4 ,JO% FELL 9 /EP NEXT
6HM1 AFRAID HE MI<T H 6CAT* HM IF HE
COLLAPS$4 ,SKYE BOOK5D$ HM ON 8 O!R
SIDE4
  8,MY DAD SAYS ^? :O DON'T ACT >E NO
BETT] (F ?AN ^? :O C'T10 ,M>K SD4
  8,I FROZE10 ,JO% SD4
  8,S DID ,I10 ,SKYE SD4 8,I .?"\ AB :AT
,I %D D40
  8,MY DAD SAYS ,I %D PAY ATT5;N 6O!R
P10 ,M>K SD4 8,I'M TRY+40
  8,>E Y SURE Y'RE OKAY80 ,SKYE SD4 8,Y
ALM GOT KILL$40
  ,M>K /OPP$4 ,HE TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 ,HE
TU7$ 8 HOOD BACK UP4 8,I ,,DON'T ,,L
,,SPE$+ ,,C>S ,,ON ,,ICE40 ,8 F+]S TI<T-
5$ >.D 8 UMBRELLA4
  8,NO10 ,SKYE SD4
  8,B Y DID GRT10 ,JO% SD4
  8,Y TURN$ ! BAD 96"S?+ GD10 ,SKYE SD4
8,=! LL GUY4 ,! WOMAN40 ,%E BRU%$ "S
HALF-FROZ51 MA%$-UP L1VES F ! YELL[ (
,M>K'S *E/4 ,! %\LD] & SLEEVE ( 8 JACKET
7 SCU6$ & DIRTY4 8,LET'S GET Y TO    #HG
S*OOL10 %E SD1 8S Y C SIT D[N40
  8,SUP]H]OES DON'T NE$ 6SIT D[N10 ,JO%
SD4 8,!Y'RE N"E TIR$1 !Y'RE ALW R1DY =!
NEXT ?+40
  ,M>K DIDN'T LOOK AT ,JO%1 B HE SMIL$4
,HE HELD 8 H1D A LL HI<]4
  ,!Y WALK$ MO/LY 9 SIL;E ! RE/ (! WAY4
,JO% 0 BUSY ) 8 ?"\S4 ,:Y _HN'T .HE D"O
ANY?+8 ,:AT 0 WR;G ) HM8 ,H[ WD HE REACT
IF "S?+ L T "E HAPP5$ AG8
  ,F9,Y !Y GOT 6S*OOL4 ,M>K W5T AH1D TO
WA% \ ! SCRAPES ON 8 H&S & MAYBE G 6!
NURSE4
  8,HEY1 ,JO%/]60 ,COREY 0 WAIT+ 0! EN-
TR.E ) ,BUNK & ,ALEX4 8,GOT ^? SKATES
YET1 ,JO% BU4Y80 ,COREY BR1!D \ A *E/;L
( :ITE AIR4 8,I "K T HOLE 9 ! POND IS
IC+ OV]40
  8,I'M "W+ ON X40
  8,X WON'T TAKE L;G 9 ? W1!R4 ,ICE ?ICK
5 6DRIVE ON40
  8,X'S COOL10 ,ALEX SD4 8,Y GOTTA 2 "!
:5 ! ICE IS NEW & SMOO?40
  ,COREY GAVE ,ALEX A LOOK1 & ,ALEX %UT
UP4                                  #HH
  8,HEY1 ,SKYE1 PLAY+ SO3] TD80 ,BUNK
SD4
  8,! FIELD'S FROZ540 ,%E TRI$ 6WALK >.D
,COREY1 B HE BLOCK$ H] WAY4
  8,IS LL ,SKYE AFRAID %E'LL FALL D[N &
G BOOM80 ,COREY SD4 ,HE LAU<$1 ,BUNK
LAU<$1 ,ALEX GI7L$4
  ,SKYE PU%$ PA/ ,COREY1 B HE SNUCK \ 8
FOOT & %E TRIPP$1 LOS+ H] BAL.E &
SPRAWL+ ON ! SIDEWALK4
  8,Y %D WAT* YR /EP1 ,SKYE10 ,COREY SD4
,HE & 8 BU4IES HURRI$ PA/ H] & 96!
BUILD+4
  ,JO% />$ AF !M1 N BR1?+4 ,"! 0 / "T TO
SAY "S?+ 2F ! DOORS SWUNG %UT3 .,HEY6 OR
.,/OP6 OR .,LOS]6 ,ANY?+4 ,B ! ^WS /UCK
9 8 ?ROAT4 ,! DOORS CLOS$4 ,HE /OOD "!4
,FROZ5 AG4
  ,SKYE SAT UP1 SPUTT]+4 ,HE HELP$ H] TO
H] FEET1 FI<T+ (F A SICK FEEL+ 9 8 /OM-
A*4 ,H] FACE 0 R$1 A CLUMP ( SN[ /UCK 6!
FRAME ( H] GLASSES1 "O ( H] GLOVES 0
TORN4
  ,HE %D H SD "S?+1 HE %D H D"O "S?+4
,:AT 0 HE AFRAID (8 ,:AT 0 ! WOR/    #HI
?+ T CD H HAPP5$8 ,HAV+ ,COREY PLANT HM
FACE-D[N 9 ! SN[ NEXT 6,SKYE8 ,N S BAD4
,& N ! R1SON HE WIMP$ \1 RE,Y4 ,HE KNEW
! TRU?--,COREY RUL$1 & ,JO% WANT$ 6/AY
ON 8 GD SIDE4
  8,W Y G ) ME80 %E SD4
  8,":80 ,JO% ASK$1 B HE ALR KNEW ":4
  8,MRS4 ,DRAG]4 ,I C'T TAKE HM ANY-
MORE40
  8,SURE10 HE SD1 8 ?ROAT LUMP+ UP4 ,:AT
ELSE CD HE SAY8 8,:580
  8,N[40
  ,!Y PU%$ "? ! (FICE DOOR1 ,SKYE 9 !
L1D1 & /OOD AT ! C.T] 9 FRONT ( ,MRS4
,B5EDICT'S DESK1 WAIT+ = H] 6LOOK UP4
,AT LA/ H] FACE BROKE 96A SMILE4
  8,MR4 ,%[ALT]10 %E SD4 8,H[ Y DO9'80
  8,GD10 ,JO% SD4 8,B WE H 6SEE ,MRS4
,DRAG]40
  8.,WE80 ,%E EY$ ,SKYE4 8,Y & ? "Y LA-
DY1 Y M1N80
  8,SKYE10 %E SD4
  8,>5'T Y SUPPOS$ 6BE ON YR WAY 6!
CLASSROOM 0N[80 ,6PROVE H] PO9T1 ,MRS4
,B5EDICT />$ UP AT ! CLOCK :ILE XS   #IJ
SECOND H& 9*$ PA/ ! NUMB]S4
  8,WE'RE "H 6SEE ,MRS4 ,DRAG]40 ,SKYE
PULL$ (F H] TORN GLOVE & DANGL$ X OV] !
C.T]4
  8,:AT'S T80 ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT SD4
  8,MY NEW GLOVE1 RU9$10 ,SKYE SD4
8,COREY ,KIT*5S TRIPP$ ME ON PURPOSE4
,HE'S BE5 PICK+ ON ME & O!R KIDS ALL
YE>40
  8,COREY8 ,/UD5T ,C\NCIL ,PRESID5T
,COREY8 ,HE'S F A V F9E FAMILY4 ,I'M
SURE X 0 AN A3ID5T40
  8,Y DON'T "K ,COREY4 ,WE WANT 6SEE
,MRS4 ,DRAG]40
  8,(F LIMITS10 ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT SD4
  8,:AT80 ,SKYE'S VOICE BROKE A LL4
  8,I AM ! MOAT40 ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT FR[N$4
8,MRS4 ,DRAG]'S (FICE IS ! CA/LE4 ,(F
LIMITS4 ,? IS H] BUSIE/ "T (! "D--AN-
N\NCE;TS1 MEET+S1 3F];ES1 PH"O CALLS40
  8,WE'LL WAIT40
  8,Y'LL 2 T>DY )\T AN EXCUSE4 ,NAVIGAT+
! MOAT 9 A L1KY CANOE1 )\T A PA4LE40
  8,C'T WE J SEE H] =A M9UTE80 ,JO% SD4
,MRS4 ,DRAG]'S DOOR 0 MO/LY CLOS$1   #IA
B H] LI<T 0 ON1 & HE CD HE> TALK+4
,MAYBE HE %D J YELL AT H]4 ,HE CD BYPASS
,MRS4 ,B5EDICT & H] WAT*DOG ATTITUDE4 ,B
T WDN'T 2 A GD WAY 6MEET ! PR9CIPAL4
,ESPECI,Y IF ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT 0 FOLL[+
ORD]S4 8,COREY C 2 NICE--HE'S NICE 6ME--
B HE RE,Y IS PICK+ ON ,SKYE & ,M>K
,SILV]?ORN40
  ,MRS4 ,B5EDICT PO9T$ 6A 8,DYNAMIC
,DOZ50 PO/] ON ! (FICE WALL1 A LI/ (
WAYS 6D1L ) BULLIES3 %[ A /R;G PO/URE2
4PLAY A P[];L ATTITUDE2 KEEP UP YR SELF-
E/EEM2 MA9TA9 FR%IPS2 USE 8,I-MESSAGES0
6LET ! BULLY "K H[ Y FEEL2 DON'T LET !
BULLY SEE T HE/%E HAS GOTT5 ! BETT] ( Y2
DON'T TAKE ! BULLY+ P]SON,Y2 LE>N SELF-
DEF5SE = 3FID;E2 TRY ACT+ L A FR 9/1D (
AN 5EMY2 WALK AWAY2 /AY AWAY2 TELL AN
ADULT4
  8,IF Y ?9K Y'RE HAV+ A PRO#M ) ,COREY
,KIT*5S1 Y NE$ 6FOLL[ ^? SU7ES;NS10
,MRS4 ,B5EDICT SD1 8& FOLL[ !M 9 ORD]4
,8,TELL AN ADULT0' IS LA/40
  8,I'VE TRI$ MO/ ( ^?10 ,SKYE SD4 8,!Y
DIDN'T "W4 ,N ) ,COREY40             #IB
  8.,MO/ ISN'T ALL40 ,H] SMILE 0 G"O4
8,MRS4 ,DRAG] C'T SEE Y TD40
  ,SKYE />$ AT H] =A MO;T1 !N %RU7$4 8,H
A NICE WEEK10 %E SD4 8,LET'S G1 ,JO%40
  ,!Y HURRI$ \ ! DOOR2 !Y 7 GO+ 6BE
LATE4 ,JO% FELT SORRY = ,SKYE1 N S SORRY
= HMF4 ,HE 0 / ON ,COREY'S GD SIDE4
8,8,H A NICE WEEK0'80 HE SD4
  ,SKYE SMIL$ GRIMLY4 8,I 0 TRY+ 6ACT L
A FR 9/1D ( AN 5EMY40