,,S+ ,A ,,S;G ,,( ,,TUNA ,,FI%
   ,A ,MEMOIR ( ,MY ,FIF?-,GRADE ,YE>

        ,,ESM@E ,,RAJI ,,CODELL

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
       ,HYP]ION ,PAP]BACKS = ,*N
               ,NEW ,YORK
  ,COPY"R #BJJD 0,ESM@E ,RAJI ,CODELL
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
      ,LAURA ,COX1 ,MELODY ,MOORE1
      ,3NIE ,WOODS1 ,JACQUE ,BAK]1
    ,BE? ,MC,GU691 & ,NANCY ,S*LOSS]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #A ,VOLUME
         ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #A-AAB

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











               ,6,*ICAGO












                 ,3T5TS             ;III

                                   ,PAGE
,9TRODUC;N """""""""""""""""""""""""" #A
#A ,! ,EGG ,PATROL """""""""""""""""" #C
#B ,MY ,NEI<BORHOOD """""""""""""""" #AA
#C ,A ,DI6]5T ,K9D ( ,S*OOL+ """"""" #BG
#D ,X ,SN[$ & ,X ,SN[$ & ,X ,SN[$ "" #DG
#E ,/1L+ ! ,AFIKOMEN """"""""""""""" #FA
#F ,LOVE ,HAS ,NO ,EXP]TS """""""""" #GE
#G ,GR&MA'S ,FUN ,H\SE """"""""""""" #IE














                                     ;IV
























     ,,S+ ,A ,,S;G ,,( ,,TUNA ,,FI%   #A

               ,9TRODUC;N

  ,LET ME TELL Y "S?+4
  ,:5 Y >E A KID1 Y ?9K Y >E GO+ 6REMEM-
B] "EY?+4 ,Y ?9K Y >E GO+ 6REMEMB] "EY"O
:O SITS NEXT 6Y 9 CLASS & ALL ! ?+S T
CRACK Y UP4 ,Y ?9K Y >E GO+ 6REMEMB] ALL
YR FAVORITE FOODS & TOYS &! PLACE ": Y
LIVE & ALL ! ?+S T MAKE YR FAMILY YRS1 &
N ! FAMILY D[N ! HALL OR ACR ! /REET4 ,Y
?9K Y >E GO+ 6REMEMB] E PUNI%;T & BIG
TE/ & RA9Y "D4 ,Y ?9K Y >E GO+ 6REMEMB]
H[ Y FEEL 2+ A KID4 ,Y ?9K Y W REMEMB] S
WELL T Y W 2 ! BE/ GR[N-UP :O "E LIV$4
  ,& Y MI<T4
  ,OR Y MI<T 2 L ME1 :O ISN'T ALL T OLD
YET B ALR OLD 5 6GET A K9D ( AMNESIA4
,MEMORIES >E L "DS & B"OS & PAP]3 !Y C
TURN 6DU/1 & !Y *ANGE IF !Y >E N PRE-
S]V$4 ,M]CI;LLY1 A FEW >E PACK$ AWAY4
,:5 Y'RE A GR[N-UP1 YR BRA9 IS "S?+ L AN
ATTIC4 ,Y H 6%OVE /UFF >.D & DIG 9 "S
OLD BOXES 2F Y F9D :AT Y'RE LOOK+ =4
,T'S :Y IF Y ASK GR[N-UPS =A /ORY1    #B
"S"TS !Y H 6SCRAT* _! H1DS OR PULL _!
*9S4 ,!Y >E LOOK+ = /ORIES 9 _! ATTIC4
,SE>*+ 9 MY ATTIC1 ,I F.D A BOX M>K$
#AIGI4 ,AF BL[+ AWAY ! DU/1 ,I F.D "S
MEMORIES T SURVIV$ ! PASSAGE ( "T4 ,^!
>E ! /ORIES T /UCK4
  ,:O "KS8 ,MAYBE Y C USE MY /ORIES4
,MAYBE !Y W HELP Y PACK YR [N M C>E;LLY1
J 9 CASE ! /RANGE & IMPROBA# "D %D >RIVE
T Y =GET :AT X 0 L 6BE A *4
  ,?\< ,I HOPE X N"E DOES4













                   #A                 #C
            ,! ,EGG ,PATROL

  ,LET ME TELL Y "S?+ AB MY MOM4
  ,=A :ILE "!1 %E WASN'T AFRAID ( BURN+
BRIDGES4 ,T M1NS1 %E WASN'T AFRAID (
MAK+ X H>D 6G BACK 6"S": %E _H BE54 ,=
9/.E3 :5 MY "M QUIT H] JOB Z A WAITRESS1
%E SMA%$ A KET*UP BOTTLE AG/ ! WALL4 8,Y
"W S H>D = S LL M"OY1 & !N !Y WANT "S?+
EXTRA10 %E EXPLA9$4
  ,:Y N BURN BRIDGES8 ,G AH1D4 ,IF Y "W
H>D ONCE1 Y "K Y C "W H>D AG1 S Y DON'T
H 6BE AFRAID4 ,B BUILD+ BRIDGE AF BRIDGE
6REPLACE ! "OS Y'VE BURN$ MAKES A P]SON
TIR$1 &A LL ORN]Y4 ,MY "M "W$ V H>D ALL
H] LIFE4 ,AF %E 0 A WAITRESS %E 0 A
H\SEKEEP]2 !N %E SETTL$ 9 62+ A SECRE-
T>Y1 L H] [N "M4 ,%E "W$ 9 FANCY AIR-
3DI;N$ (FICES D[NT[N1 TYP+ M ?AN A HUN-
DR$ ^WS A M9UTE4 ,ONCE ,I W5T 6MY MOM'S
(FICE & WAT*$ "O ( H] BOSSES FLIRT ) H]4
  8,I'M GO+ ON A BUSI;S TRIP1 ,KITTY10
HE SD1 EV5 ?\< MY MOM'S "N 0 ,BETTY4 8,Y
GO+ 6MISS ME80
  8,NO10 %E SD4 8,N AT ALL40          #D
  8,AAWW1 -E ON40 ,HE SAT ON H] DESK4
8,TELL ME T Y'LL MISS ME40
  8,SURE10 %E SD4 8,I'M GRT AT LY+4 ,-E
BACK SOON4 ,DON'T GET 9 A FI]Y CRA%40
  ,HE F9,Y GAVE UP4
  8,MOM1 :Y'D Y LET HM CALL Y ,KITTY8
,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL HM TO '''0
  ,MOM KEPT TYP+ & DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ AT
ALL1 : M1NT1 ..,"S"D Y'LL "K .:Y4 ,B ,I
DIDN'T WORRY1 2C H["E L;G ,MOM BOTTL$
?+S UP1 SOON] OR LAT] %E WD SMA% T BOT-
TLE4

  ,! "P ( ,*ICAGO ": ,I LIV$ _H BE5 A V
FANCY NEI<BORHOOD ONCE ^U A "T4 ,9 ! E>-
LY #AIJJS1 MOVIE /UDIOS SPR\T$ UP 9 ,UP-
T[N2 ! SIL5T-FILM /> ,*>LIE ,*APL9 MADE
MOVIES "!2 & RI* P LIV$ AM;G DELUXE
BRICK SIX-FLATS1 DE"P;T /ORES1 & GR& !A-
T]S4 ,:5 ,I 0 GR[+ UP1 "! 7 NO M SIL5T
MOVIES1 & MO/LY POOR P LIV$ 9 ! BUILD+S4
,B ,MOM N"E SD .POOR4 ,P 9 .O!R NEI<BOR-
HOODS 7 POOR1 B P >.D "H 7 J .BROKE4 ,!
A"P;TS 7 CRUMBL+ B / SPACI\S1 ) SA7+
BALCONIES HANG+ 9 FRONT & BACK1 ":    #E
BROKE P CD SIT & RELAX4
  ,>.D ELEV5 O'C "O SUMM] NI<T1 ,I /OOD
ON ! BALCONY ( \R A"P;T ) MY "M4 ,A
FULL1 YELL[ MOON HUNG L[ & EASY1 L1N+ ON
A S+LE CL\D4 ,! CRAT]S GAVE ! MOON A
FACE1 LOOK+ D[N ^U ! SAME SC5E Z MY "M &
,I4 ,! COOL W9DS (F ,LAKE ,MI*IGAN
WRAPP$ MY DRESS >.D MY ?9 LEGS4 ,MY "M
RE/$ AG/ ! BALCONY RAIL+1 MONITOR+ "S
TE5AGE BOYS WALK+ 9 ! MI4LE (! /REET4
,ALL 0 S]5E4
  ,A C> CAME D[N ! /REET--A %9Y R$ ,JAG-
U>4 ,X P>K$ AT ! HYDRANT 9 FRONT (! PUB-
LIC H\S+ HI<-RISE NEXT DOOR4 ,A MAN GOT
\ (! C> & /ROLL$ 96! 3DOM9IUM ACR !
/REET1 ": RI* P :O 7 WAIT+ = BROKE P TO
MOVE \ _H 2GUN 6MOVE IN4 ,HE C>RI$ A
SIX-PACK ( BE] "U 8 >M4
  8,S*MUCK10 ,MOM SD1 "U H] BR1?4 8,LOOK
AT T1 H[ T S*MUCK P>K$ AT ! HYDRANT4
,:AT A PIG40
  8,LOOK AT 8 %9Y C>10 ,I -;T$4
  8,:AT'S WR;G ) BUSSES80 ,MOM WANT$ TO
"K4
  8,NO?+10 ,I SD4 8,X J LOOKS NEW4    #F
,D Y ?9K HE'S RI*80
  8,,HA60 H[L$ ,MOM4 8,( C\RSE HE'S RI*6
,D Y ?9K A BROKE P]SON J P>KS ANY OLD
PLACE8 ,,HA6 ,,NO6 ,A .BROKE P]SON
DOESN'T EV5 .H A C>6 ,DID Y SEE HM /RUT
96T 3DO ) 8 .BEEEE]80 ,MY "M CD N SEEM
6PRON\NCE ! "N ( ANY ALCOHOLIC B"EAGE )
ANY?+ B 3TEMPT4
  8,:AT IF ! HI<-RISE HAS A FIRE80 ,I
ASK$4
  8,:AT A JOKE6 ,I'M LAU<+6 ,,HA6 ,:AT
DOES HE C>E8 ,Z L;G Z HE GETS A SPACE40
,I 9T]RUPT$ ,MOM 6PULL AT H] SLEEVE &
PO9T4 ,A POLICE C> 0 -+ D[N ! /REET4 ,X
PASS$ ! C> )\T SL[+4 8,SEE8 ,SEE80 SNE]$
MY MOM4 8,HE DOESN'T EV5 GET A TICKET4
,NO?+ 6/OP HM F DO+ :AT HE WANTS4 ,NO?+
6%[ HM WE DON'T L X40 ,MY "M %OOK H]
H1D4 8,& ..,I DON'T L .X40
  ,%E W5T 96! A"P;T & CAME BACK \ AG4
  ,)A C>TON ( E7S4
  8.,MA60
  8,:AT8 ,HE'S A S*MUCK4 ,! MAN'S A
S*MUCK40
  8,B .,MAAAA6 ,GEE4 ,Y RE,Y GO+ 6D   #G
X80
  8,NO10 %E SD4 ,%E OP5$ ! C>TON & H&$
ME AN EGG4
  8,MA6 ,T'S N FAIR60
  ,I'M YR "M & Y'LL D :AT ,I TELL Y10 %E
SD PLA9LY4 8,N[1 HIT ! W9D%IELD40
  ,I HELD ! EGG 9 MY H&4 ,X 0 S COLD &
SMOO?4 ,I SMIL$4 ,YES1 HE 0 A S*MUCK4
,YES1 LET'S BOMB HM4 ,I LOOK$ AT ! %9Y
R$ C> F \R ?IRD-FLOOR POR*4 ,^: BOSS 0
.HE8 .,HEY1 .,KITTY1 .,KITTY '''4
  8,X'S PRETTY F>10 ,I PO9T$ \4
  8,Y C D X10 SD MY SUPPORTIVE "M4
  8,IS ANY"O >.D8 ,IS T POLICE C> >.D80
,WE LOOK$ UP & D[N ! /REET4 ,N A S\L 9
SI<T4
  8,D X10 ,MOM HISS$4
  ,I PULL$ MY H& BACK & FLUNG ! EGG HI<
96! AIR4 ,TRULY1 "O (! MO/ B1UTI;L ?+S
,I H SE5 9 MY LIFE 0 T LL IVORY MISSILE
PASS+ ACR ! MOON4 ,X GLID$ "? ! AIR S
SL[LY1 Z ?\< X _H W+S4 ,3SID]+ X 0 AN
EGG1 X .CD H _H W+S ''' B WE'LL N"E "K1
2C X L&$ ON ! HOOD )A T]RI# .SPLUR%4
  8,PRETTY GD10 SD ,MOM1 H&+ ME AN-   #H
O!R EGG4 8,AIM M 6! LEFT1 G-G-G60
  ,I LOOK$ AT MY MOM 9 4BELIEF1 & !N
PIT*$ ! EGG4 ,! ?RILL 0 N G"O4
  .,SPLIRT*4
  ,! EGG SPLATT]$ ON ! W9D%IELD4
  8,YAY60 ,MY "M *E]$ & HU7$ ME4 8,NICE
%OT40
  8,WANT ME 6D ANO!R "O80
  8,NO40 ,MY "M CLOS$ ! C>TON4 8,"! >E P
/>V+4 ,WE DON'T WANT 6WA/E40
  8,D WE H ANY BACON80 ,I LAU<$4
  ,MY "M PUT H] >M >.D ME4 8,WE'RE VIGI-
LANTES40 ,%E SI<$1 LOOK+ D[N AT \R "W4
8,WE'RE ! EGG PATROL40
  8,MOM10 ,I SD4 8,LOOK AT ! MOON4
,DOESN'T X LOOK L X'S />+ AT U8 ,L X'S
.MAD AT U80
  ,MY "M N]V\SLY LOOK$ AT ! MOON4 8,NO10
%E DECID$4 8,X ?9KS X 0 A GD JOKE40
  8,MOM1 IS ? A BAD NEI<BORHOOD80
  8,LOTS ( NUTS >.D "H10 %E SD4
  8,WELL1 :AT IF T GUY GETS \ ( T "PY
RE,Y LATE1 & HE SEES ! EGG ON 8 W9D%IELD
& X'S ALL DRI$ UP4 ,S HE GOES BACK 6!
"PY 6GET PAP] T[ELS1 & :ILE HE'S      #I
WIP+ UP 8 W9D%IELD1 "S GUYS -E & HOLD HM
UP & KILL HM40 ,WE 7 SIL5T4 8,OR1 :AT IF
HE DOESN'T CL1N 8 W9D%IELD1 S HE C'T SEE
": HE'S DRIV+ & HE GETS 9 A CRA%80
  8,SHVIEG10 SD MY "M4 8,T WON'T HAPP540
,WE GAZ$ D[N AT ! EGG :ITE1 GLIMM]+ WET
"U ! /REETLI<T4 8,HE %DN'T P>K 9 FRONT (
HYDRANTS40
  8,WELL1 T "O "T WE DID H A C>1 DIDN'T
Y GET A HUNDR$ & TW5TY DOLL>S 9 P>K+
TICKETS80
  8,ALW TALK+10 SD MY "M4 8,Y DON'T "K
:5 6/OP TALK+40
  ,I LOOK$ UP AT ! MOON4 ,NO1 ,I 0 .SURE
X 0 FR[N+4 ,XS CRAT] EYEBR[S 7 ALL
SCRUN*$ UP ) 3C]N & 4DA94 8,I'M GO+ IN10
,I SD QUIETLY1 & TUCK$ MYF 96B$4 ,I
CDN'T /OP ?9K+ AB ! FR[N+ MOON4
  ,MY "M CAME 96! B$ROOM & KISS$ ME ON
MY =EH1D4
  8.,MAAA6 ,I FEEL GUILTY10 ,I MOAN$4
  8,%HH60 ,%E 0 GR9N+4 8,I FEEL GUILTY1
TOO4 ,WASN'T X FUN8 ,DON'T WORRY4 ,TM
Y'LL ONLY FEEL GUILTY 2C Y WON'T FEEL
GUILTY ANYMORE40                     #AJ
  ,MOM LAY D[N 2S ME4 ,WE 7 QUIET =A
:ILE4
  8,MOM80
  8,UH-HUH80
  8,:5 ,I ?R[ E7S ) MY *N "S"D1 WE'LL
CL1N UP AF40
  8,OY10 SD MY "M4 8,T'S A GD GIRL40

















                   #B                #AA
            ,MY ,NEI<BORHOOD

  ,N[1 LET ME TELL Y "S?+ AB ": WE LIV$4
  ,MY NEI<BORHOOD 0 MY _W :5 ,I 0 GR[+
UP4 ,X 0 A V CRAMP$ _W4 ,I DID N L 6G
\TSIDE M*1 2C ,I 0 SC>$ ( ?+S4 ,I DID N
L 6WALK >.D )\T MY "F1 2C A LOT (! M5 7
\ ( "W & WD SIT 9 _! C>S & ON ! /OOPS &
:I/LE AT MY "M4 ,"! 7 B>S & LIQUOR /ORES
"EY": & P 7 (T5 FI<T+4 ,IF ,I 0 /&+ AL"O
& WAIT+ AT ! CORN] =A PUBLIC BUS1 M5 WD
PULL UP & OP5 ! PASS5G] SIDE DOOR & "!
WD 2 M"OY ON ! S1T4 ,MY "M _H TAU<T ME
WELL 5 N 6GET IN1 B X 0 / SC>Y & %OCK+ &
,I _H 6LE>N 6SAY NO & LOOK MAD4 ,:5 ,I
GOT (F ! BUS AF S*OOL1 "S"TS ,I FELT Z
?\< ,I 0 2+ FOLL[$1 & ,I WD WAVE UP AT
EMPTY W9D[S 6GIVE ! IMPRES.N T "S"O _H
_! EYE ON ME4 ,9 FACT1 ,I CD N G 6! COR-
N] )\T "O ( MY P>5TS WAT*+ ME ! :OLE WAY
F \R W9D[4 ,MY LL BRO!R 0 BRAV] ?AN ,I
WAS1 & REBELL$4 ,HE PLAY$ \TSIDE & WD N
ALW TELL MY "F ": HE 0 GO+4 ,EV5 :5 HE 0
V LL1 HE 0 N AFRAID ( TAK+ D>ES & GETT+
9 FI<TS & PLAY+ ) MAT*ES1 IF X       #AB
M1NT HE CD MAKE FRS4 ,HE WD 2 \TSIDE ALL
"D1 PLAY+ BASEBALL 9 ! BACK P>K+ LOTS4
,HE _H A M* NIC] "T1 ,I ?9K4
  ,"H IS A T\R ( "S PLACES Y WD H F.D 9
MY NEI<BORHOOD ALL ^? YE>S AGO4 ,TAKE MY
"F'S H&1 & Y WON'T H 6BE AFRAID4

    ,WOOLWOR?'S
  ,"! 0 A /ORE T !Y DON'T RE,Y H ANY-
MORE2 X 0 :AT MY GR&MA CALL$ 8! FIVE &
DIME10 OR ,WOOLWOR?'S4 ,N[A"DS WE H
,KM>T & ,WAL-,M>T & ,T>GET1 & ,WOOL-
WOR?'S 0 K9D ( L T1 ONLY ! /UFF 0 *1P] &
EASI] 6R1*4 ,!Y SOLD LOTS ( "EY"D ?+S
ALL L9$ UP 9 AISLES3 ?R1D & Y>N & NEE-
DLES1 APRONS1 HANG+ PLANTS & SILK FL[]S1
GREET+ C>DS1 & P]FUMES T SMELL$ L A
DRUNK MAN'S BR1?4 ,! TOYS !Y SOLD 7
PRETTY GD3 BUB#S1 DOLLS Z TALL Z ,I WAS1
TOY CA% REGI/]S1 DOCTOR'S KITS ) C&Y
PILLS1 & BAGS ( LL PLA/IC D9OSAURS T MY
BRO!R LIK$ 7Y CD AL GET >MY GUYS OR F>M
ANIMALS IF Y PREF]R$74 ,! BE/ "P (
,WOOLWOR?'S 0 ! BACK (! /ORE1 ": !Y KEPT
! LIVE ANIMALS1 OR REC5TLY LIVE      #AC
ANIMALS4 ,"! 7 %RIEK+ BUDGIE P>AKEETS1
HAM/]S JO7+ 9 :EELS1 & TANKS ( SNAILS &
GOLDFI% S CR[D$ TGR !Y CD H>DLY TURN4
,"! 0 USU,Y A GOLDFI% FLOAT+ BELLY UP1
OR FLA7+ ON XS SIDE )A CL\D+ EYE4 ,"S"TS
!Y W]5'T V WELL TAK5 C>E (1 B ,I ?9K T
MADE !M T\<4 ,WE B"\ A GOLDFI% "ND ,SAM-
MY "!1 & HE LIV$ = SEV5 YE>S4
  ,T[>D ! CA%I] "! 7 USU,Y ,MEXICAN
JUMP+ B1NS RATTL+ 9SIDE LL PLA/IC BOXES
) CLE> COV]S4 ,I ?"\ !Y 7 MAGIC4 ,HOLD+
!M 9 MY H&1 ,I CD N 2LIEVE B1NS CD JUMP1
B "! 0 ! EVID;E6 ,LAT]1 "S"O TOLD ME T A
T9Y WORM IS 9 EA* B1N1 & :5 ! B1N GETS
W>M1 ! WORM WI7LES--T'S :AT MAKES X
JUMP4 7,I AM N SURE IF ? IS TRUE1 & ,I
DON'T WANT 6"K47 ,WOOLWOR?'S AL SOLD
,V5US FLYTRAPS1 : >E PLANTS F ,NOR? ,C>-
OL9A T CAT* & EAT FLIES4 ,!Y 7 FUN =A
:ILE1 B :5 !Y DID CAT* A FLY1 X 0 K9D (
GROSS & ,I FELT BAD =! FLY1 & :5 !Y
DIDN'T CAT* A FLY !Y TURN$ BR[N4 ,X 0
K9D (A LOSE-LOSE PLANT4
  ,Z WE EXIT$ ,WOOLWOR?'S1 MY "F ALW DUG
96HIS POCKET = *ANGE 2C "! 7 LOTS    #AD
( GUMBALL MA*9ES1 A LL BOO? )A CURTA9 ":
Y CD H YR PHOTO TAK51 &A BIG ME*ANICAL
HORSE T SWAY$ =W>D & BACKW>D4 ,"! 0 AL A
SCALE T WD GIVE Y YR WEI<T & YR HORO-
SCOPE4 ,I RE,Y LIK$ WAT*+ ! :EEL SP9 6MY
WEI<T 7#ED P.DS71 B ,I DIDN'T L GETT+ MY
HOROSCOPE4 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6"K :AT WD
HAPP5 NEXT4 ,I'D R X 2 A SURPRISE4

    ,DAVIDSON'S ,BAK]Y
  ,DAVIDSON'S ,BAK]Y _H LOTS ( LOVELY
SAMPLE CAKES 9 ! W9D[4 ,! CAKES LOOK$
R1L1 B !Y 7 MADE ( C>DBO>D & PLA/]4 ,Y
CD PO9T 6"O1 &! WOM5 9 :ITE SMOCKS WD
MAKE "O = Y \ ( R1L CAKE & FRO/+4 ,2H !
PLATE GLASS Y CD VIEW CAKES ) TRA9S ON A
TRACK1 OR A BASEBALL FIELD )A BATT] &A
PIT*]4 ,"! 7 CAKES ) /ORKS C>RY+ BABIES1
& CAKES %AP$ L BOOKS1 OV]FL[+ ) FL[]S =
F/ ,-MUNIONS4 ,B ,I LIK$ ! CAKES T _H A
DOLL ON TOP--A DOLL ) S(T HAIR 9 F+]
CURLS1 POIS$ ON A HE>T-%AP$ /&1 ) EYES T
OP5$ & CLOS$ IF Y TILT$ X4 ,! DOLL 0
SURR.D$ 0SUG> ROSES1 & ,I ?"\ T P MAK+
ROSES \ ( FRO/+ 0 A MIRACLE4 ,& H[   #AE
DID !Y GET ! SPR9KLES >.D ! SIDE (! CAKE
S EV5LY8 ,I IMAG9$ !Y US$ "S SORT (
GANG/] GUN T SPRAY$ SPR9KLES4 ,"! 7 W$D+
CAKES ) LAY]S HELD UP 0PILL>S1 & "O EV5
_H A T9Y "W+ F.TA94 ,I ?"\ X WD MAKE A V
NICE HAT4
  ,CAKES 7 SPECIAL1 ?\<4 ,USU,Y WE GOT
COOKIES1 : ! LADIES PUT 9 A CL1N :ITE
BOX & TI$ ) TW9E4 ,MY FAVORITES 7 LL
COOKIES )A P9K SUG> BUTTON 9 ! MI4LE4
,6PUT "O ( ^? ON YR T;GUE 0 L TA/+ A C&Y
CL\D4 ,!Y _H A /RANGE SMELL1 VANILLA &
3FEC;N]'S SUG>1 : 6ME 0 BETT] ?AN P]-
FUME4 ,I ?"\1 ,:5 ,I'M A GR[N-UP LADY1
,I HOPE ,I C F9D P]FUME T SMELLS L ^!
COOKIES6 7,I / HAV5'T47

    ,CURR5CY ,EX*ANGE
  ,! CURR5CY EX*ANGE 0 AN IMPORTANT
PLACE4 ,MY "F CAME "H A LOT 6PAY ! GAS
BILL & COLLECT FOOD /AMPS F A MAN 2H !
GLASS :O ONLY SPOKE "? A METAL GRATE4
,MY BRO!R & ,I LIK$ X 2C "! 7 LOTS (
P5S1 & =MS 6FILL \4 ,X FELT V (FICIAL4
,"! 7 LOTS ( PO/]S AB 5]GY & UTIL-   #AF
;Y -PANIES--PO/]S ) BLUE FLAMES & ^WS L
8P[]0 & 8SAV+S40 ,OR WE CD G />E AT !
ANGRY FACES ( CRIM9ALS ON ! 8WANT$0 PO/-
]S1 & SEE H[ !Y WD LOOK _H !Y DECID$ TO
GR[ A MU/A*E :ILE !Y 7 ON ! LAM4

    ,SV5 ! ,B>B]
  ,SV5'S ,,TV 0 ALW TUN$ 6..,! ,PRICE
,IS .,"R4 ,HE _H A BIG SWORDFI% HANG+
OV] ! MIRROR4 ,"! 7 -IC BOOKS & MAGAZ9ES
) NAK$ LADIES4 ,SV5'S %OP _H ALL SORTS (
BOTTLES FULL ( SPRAYS & FOAMS1 & WEIRD-
%AP$ BRU%ES & -BS SOAK+ 9 TURQUOISE WA-
T]4 ,"! 7 USU,Y OLD] M5 9 "! :O W]5'T
EV5 GETT+ A HAIRCUT2 !Y 7 J SITT+4 ,"S-
"TS !Y DIDN'T EV5 H ANY HAIR4 ,SV5 LIK$
MY DAD1 & MY DAD LIK$ ,SV51 EV5 ?\< :5
WE GOT ON ! SIDEWALK HE USU,Y SD1 8,I'LL
FIX X :5 ,I GET HOME40

    ,MEL'S
  ,MEL'S ,D9] 0 A S+LE C.T] & ALW OP5
ALL H\RS1 9 ! TRIANGUL> BUILD+ ":
,BROADWAY MET ,CL>5DON4 ,IF ,I 0 LUCKY1
MY DAD WD TAKE ME 9 ! MI4LE (!       #AG
NI<T4 ,HE WD LET ME RIDE ON 8 %\LD]S !
:OLE WAY4 ,"! 0 USU,Y A BL MAN "!--A
REGUL>--HE _H AN EV51 BUZZ+ VOICE T S.D$
L A TRANSI/OR RADIO4 ,! M5 7 OLD] & WORE
JACKETS EV5 :5 X 0 W>M1 & LIK$ 6TALK AB
SPORTS4 ,ALL ! S.DS ( ^! M5 & _! DEEP
LAU<T] MIX$ 9 )! S.DS (! GRILL1 FRY+ &
SCRAP+4 ,X 0 "O (! COZIE/ PLACES ,I "E
KNEW4
  ,I CD N"E "U/& :Y ! HOLD-UP M5 %OT
,MEL4 ,I 0 SURE ,MEL WD H J GIV5 !M !
M"OY--"EY"O 0 SURE--HE 0 ALW GIV+ AWAY
M"OY & FOOD4 ,!Y DIDN'T H 6KILL HM4 ,ALL
!Y _H 6D 0 ASK4 ,B !Y 7 N"E CAU<T1 S NO-
BODY CD TELL !M S4
  ,! CORN] GOT BO>D$ UP & AB&ON$ AF HE
DI$4

    ,HA-,LO ,GIFT ,%OP
  ,HA-,LO 0 A /,N]Y & (FICE SUPPLY /ORE1
& ,I LOV$ ! R[S ( PRETTY GREET+ C>DS1 !
ELEGANT GOLD /ICK]S ) 9ITIALS EMBOSS$ ON
!M1 &! CRISP LR-WRIT+ PAP] T MADE ME
WANT 6MAKE M FRS S ,I CD H M LRS 6WRITE4
,! WOMAN :O RAN ! /ORE WORE GLASS-   #AH
ES & H] HAIR 9 A BUN1 & 0 "S"TS FRLY1
"S"TS N4 ,! ,HA-,LO ,GIFT ,%OP _H A MYS-
T]Y SURPRISE 9 X4 ,X _H A SECRET BASE;T
ROOM4 ,Y NE$$ A P>5T ) Y 6G IN4 ,:5 MY
BIR?"D 0 -+1 ! WOMAN WD TURN ON ! LI<T &
MY "M & ,I WD FOLL[ H] D[N ! WIDE FLI<T
( /AIRS1 ": "! 7 "PY SUPPLIES & AN
,ALA49'S CAVE ( "PY FAVORS4 ,MY "M HELD
\ A BIG PLA/IC BASKET & WE WD PICK PACK-
ET AF PACKET ( KAZOOS1 NOTEPADS1 NECK-
LACES & BRACELETS1 TOY C>S1 RU2] SNAKES1
:I/LES1 /ICK]S1 P5CIL %>P5]S1 FAKE M"Y1
T9Y GAMES ": Y ROLL BALL BE>+S 96HOLES
''' "EY?+1 "EY?+ A KID CD "E WANT 9 A
GDY BAG4 ,WE WD PICK \ /R1M]S & BL[]S &
FUNNY HATS4 ,MY "M N"E SD NO 6ANY?+4 ,IF
,I EV5 LOOK$ AT "S?+ 9 T BASE;T1 %E R1D
MY FACE & ?REW X 9 ! BASKET4 ,0! "T WE
LEFT1 \R F+]S 7 P9*$ )! WEI<T (! %OPP+
BAGS1 & MY HE>T 0 J Z FULL4 ,X IS WOND]-
;L 6BE SPOIL$ Z A *4

    ,! ,LAUNDROMAT
  ,I ?9K ,I SP5T AB A ?IRD ( MY *ILDHOOD
9 ! ,LAUNDROMAT4 ,I N"E LIK$ ! ^W    #AI
8BOR+10 EV5 Z A *1 B ,I H 6SAY ,I ?"\ X
0 ! MO/ BOR+ PLACE "E4 ,! HI<LI<T 0 PUT-
T+ ! CO9S 9 ! WA%]S & DRY]S1 OR GETT+
CO9S F ! *ANGE MA*9E4 ,"S"TS MY BRO!R &
,I CD PU% EA* O!R 9 ! C>TS1 B G5],Y ? 0
FR[N$ ^U4 ,USU,Y1 WE WD />E AT ! WA%] &
C.T UP 6A NUMB] & SEE IF ! CYCLE 0 D"O
0T NUMB]1 EV5 ?\< X USU,Y WASN'T4 ,WE 7
LUCKI] ?AN MO/1 2C \R P>5TS WD TAKE U =A
WALK DUR+ ! WA% CYCLE & "S"TS WE WD GET
,MC,DONALD'S4 ,MO/ P DIDN'T D>E L1VE _!
LAUNDRY1 2C "S"O MI<T /1L X4 ,"! 7 USU,Y
A LOT ( KIDS 9 ! ,LAUNDROMAT1 B Z (T5 Z
N WE DIDN'T SP1K ! SAME LANGUAGE1 S Y _H
6PLAY QUIET1 PO9T.S GAMES L ROCK-PAP]-
SCISSORS4 ,"S FAMILIES BR"\ 9 S M* LAUN-
DRY1 X 0 AMAZ+4 ,!Y H1V$ 5D.S B\LD]S (
DIRTY CLO!S & _H 6BE "! ="E4 ,:5 ! WA%+
& DRY+ 7 D"O1 !N CAME ! FOLD+1 FOLD+1
FOLD+1 ! 5D.S FOLD+4 ,IF Y =GOT "S?+ TO
R1D1 Y 7 \ ( LUCK1 2C !N Y J _H 6M$ITATE
OR R1D ! RELIGI\S PAMPHLETS LEFT ON !
PLA/IC *AIRS1 : ALL SD ! SAME ?+3 Y 7
GO+ 6HELL4 ,I DIDN'T WORRY TOO M* AB X1
?\<4 ,HELL 0 PROBABLY A ,LAUNDRO-    #BJ
MAT1 & ,I 0 ALR MANAG+ 6SURVIVE4

    ,BUS ,/OPS
  ,AF ,LAUNDROMATS1 WE SP5T ! MO/ "T
WAIT+ AT BUS /OPS4 ,MY "F DIDN'T DRIVE4
,HE FELT ALL ^! C>S 9T]F]$ ) MAN'S ABIL-
;Y 6?9K & WRITE POETRY1 : 0 TOO HI< A
CO/ = J GETT+ "S":4 ,MY "M FELT HAV+ A
C> 0 TOO HI< A CO/1 P]IOD1 S WE TOOK
BUSES "EY":4 ,IF ,I WAIT$ =A BUS ) MY "M
X 0 NO PRO#M1 2C %E _H A TRICK4 ,%E WD
LI<T A CIG>ETTE1 &A BUS WD -E ALM IMMLY4
,B S9CE MY "F DIDN'T SMOKE1 HE _H 6WAIT
A L;G "T = 8 BUSSES 6-E4 ,! M URG5T X 0
T WE GET "S":1 ! M LIKELY X 0 T WE WD
MISS \R BUS 0A NANOSECOND4 ,WE WD WAIT 9
ALL K9DS ( W1!R1 & MY "F WD />T \ V OP-
TIMI/IC,Y1 SAY+ ANO!R BUS 0 SURE 6FOLL[
V SOON4 ,B AF A :ILE1 HE WD />T PAC+ &
/EPP+ (F ! CURB 96! /REET & SQU9T+ 8
EYES4 ,AF A :ILE L;G] ?AN T1 HE WD />T
SWE>+4 ,AF A :ILE L;G] ?AN T1 HE WD />T
TALK+ AB GOV]N;T 3SPIRACIES AG/ HM4 ,&
AF A :ILE L;G] ?AN T1 HE WD />T TALK+ AB
MY "M'S ROLE 9 GOV]N;T 3SPIRACIES    #BA
AG/ HM4 ,& IF 7,H1V5 HELP U7 WE PASS$ !
=TY-FIVE-M9UTE M>K &! BUS / _H N -E1 MY
"F WD />T RAIL+ 9 A -PLICAT$ T;GUE T 0
UN"KN 6ANY"O EXCEPT = HM &! MAN :O TALK$
6! MAILBOX4 ,HE WD />T FOAM+ AT ! CORN]S
( 8 M\?1 & ANY"O ELSE :O 0 WAIT+ WD DE-
CIDE 6TAKE A LL WALK 6! NEXT /OP4 ,:5 !
BUS F9,Y CAME1 "! 7 ALW ?REE 9 A R[1 & X
0 ALL HE CD D 6KEEP F FL++ ! *ANGE 9 !
DRIV]'S FACE4 ,!N WE WD SIT D[N & HE WD
SI< A BIG SI< & SMILE A BIG SMILE & WIPE
! FRO? F ! CORN]S ( 8 LIPS & SAY1 8,SEE1
,I TOLD Y X WD -E40

    ,WAVEL& ,B[L
  ,MY "F LIK$ 6TAKE U B[L+4 ,"S"TS \R
MAILMAN W5T ) U--HE LIK$ 6B[L1 TOO4 ,WE
WD TIE ON ! FLOPPY TWO-TON$ %OES & *E]
AWAY AN AFN4 ,N[A"DS B[L+ ALLEYS >E AU-
TOMAT$1 B BACK !N ! MAN WD GIVE Y A
SCORE %EET &A %ORT P5CIL ) NO ERAS] TO
KEEP TRACK4 ,? M1NT Y CD TAKE A LOT (
PRACTICE ROLLS4 ,:AT"E SCORE WE GOT1 MY
DAD WD TELL U T X 0 V GD = \R AGE4 ,MY
BRO!R / GOT FRU/RAT$ 0HIS SCORE4     #BB
  ,WAVEL& ,B[L _H A GRT SODA MA*9E T
DIDN'T J DROP CANS4 ,9/1D1 A CUP WD FALL
D[N A *UTE & SIT :ILE TWO /R1MS P\R$ 9TO
X1 ! FLAVOR+ &! SELTZ]4 ,I WD ALW *OOSE
BLACK *]RY4 ,MY "F ALW *OSE ) "S C]EMO-
NY1 2C HE 3FESS$ X _H BE5 8 DR1M S9CE
*ILDHOOD 6GET TWO FLAVORS AT ONCE4 ,S HE
ALW TRI$ 6PRESS TWO BUTTONS AT ! SAME
"T4 ,X N"E "W$4

    ,TWO ,DI6ICULT ,/ORES
  ,"! 7 TWO T9Y /ORES ON ! SAME /REET4
,"O 0 ! CIG> /ORE ON ! CORN]4 ,! 5TIRE
W9D[ 0 FILL$1 TOP 6BOTTOM1 ) JUNK KIDS
L3 YO-YOS & CAP GUNS & FA%ION DOLLS 9
BA?+ SUITS1 & TONS ( GAGS L :OOPEE CU%-
IONS & BLACK GUM & 9VISI# 9K4 ,X SEEM$ L
"EY?+ !Y _H 0 WRAPP$ 9 PLA/IC & ATTA*$
6A COLOR;L PIECE ( C>DBO>D4 ,:5 Y W5T
IN1 ! /ORE 0 S SMALL Y CD H>DLY MOVE--X
0 M L A HALLWAY ?AN A /ORE4 ,Y _H 6SAY
8EXCUSE ME0 6TURN >.D1 & IF "S"O AT ! 5D
(! /ORE OPPOSITE ! DOOR WANT$ 6L1VE1
"EY"O _H 6BACK \ ONTO ! SIDEWALK 6MAKE
ROOM4 ,"EY?+ 0 ATTA*$ 6! WALL2 Y     #BC
_H 6TELL ! MAN :AT Y WANT$ & HE'D GET X
= Y F 2H ! C.T]4 ,! CIG> /ORE AL SOLD
C&Y4 ,MY BRO!R LIK$ 6GET A ,LIK-A-,/IK1
: 0 A BLOCK ( H>D SUG> T Y WD LICK & !N
DIP 96PACKS ( DI6]5T FLAVOR$ LOOSE SUG>4
,2SS AN O3A.NAL LICORICE PIPE1 ,I USU,Y
DIDN'T GET ANY C&Y "!4 ,X 0 5 6WAT* MY
BRO!R AF HE ATE 8 ,LIK-A-,/IK4 ,HE WD
RUN >.D S FA/ X LOOK$ L A CAM]A TRICK4
  ,! O!R LL /ORE SOLD W> MEMORABILIA4
,WE DID N USU,Y G 9 T /ORE4 ,FLAGS )
SWA/IKAS 7 4PLAY$ 9 ! W9D[1 AL;G ) LI<T-
]S1 H>MONICAS1 KNIVES 9 %1!S1 & LOTS (
JA7$ METAL ?+S T SEEM$ 6BE = ?R[+ AT P4
,X 0 KITTY-CORN] 6A RE/AURANT *A9 CALL$
,,IHOP1 ! ,9T]N,NAL ,H\SE ( ,PANCAKES1 S
MY "F CALL$ ! /ORE ,,IHON1 : 0 %ORT =!
,9T]N,NAL ,H\SE ( ,NAZIS4 ,WALK+ 9 !
DOOR FELT L WALK+ 9SIDE AN OLD BLACK-&-
:ITE MOVIE4 ,"EY?+ 0 GRAY & SMOKY & COV-
]$ )A LAY] ( L9T4 ,I WD PULL MY %\LD]S &
>MS Z CLOSE 6MY BODY Z ,I CD S ,I WDN'T
GET DU/Y4 ,X FELT S SC>Y 9 "! & SMELL$ S
BAD1 L ! 9SIDE (A BOOT4 ,! M5 9 "! WD
LOOK AT ME1 B N"E GREET$ ME4 ,MY     #BD
"F WD PAY = 8 SAXOPH"O RE$S OR %OELACES
& WE WD L1VE4 ,I WD H BAD DR1MS AB T
/ORE1 & "S"TS ,I CDN'T EV5 LOOK 9 ! W9-
D[4 ,:AT D P WANT 6REMEMB] W> =8 ,I WON-
D]$4 ,I 0 GLAD :5 !Y CLOS$ D[N4

    ,! ,BASKETBALL ,C\RT
  ,*ICAGO IS V GRE51 Z F> Z CITIES G2 Y
W -E ACR A PUBLIC P>K E FEW BLOCKS4 ,"?
MO/ ANY OP5 W9D[ 9 ! W>M] MON?S1 Y C
SMELL LI<T] FLUID & *ICK5 ON ! GRILL1 OR
HE> ! *E]S & GROANS (A CR[D 5JOY+ "S
SPORT4 ,ONCE ,I WALK$ TOO CLOSE 6A BASE-
BALL FIELD1 &A L9E-DRIVE F\L GAVE ME A
BLACK EYE4 ,AF T ,I TOOK 6WE>+ A FLUO-
RESC5T GRE5 ,OAKL& ,A'S BATT+ HELMET :]-
"E ,I W5T4 ,! ,*ICAGO ,CUBS PLAY$ AB A
MILE F MY H\SE1 B ! ,OAKL& ,A'S 7 [N$ BY
,*>LEY ,F9LEY1 :O 9V5T$ ! ORANGE BASE-
BALL--:1 0! WAY1 Y C SEE -+ M* M EASILY
?AN A :ITE BASEBALL IF Y HAPP5 6BE WALK+
9 A P>K4
  ,! P>K NE> \R HOME AL _H A BASKETBALL
C\RT1 ": MY BRO!R & ,I WD WAT* MY "F
PLAY4 ,! S.D (! BALL AG/ ! SIDE-     #BE
WALK Z MY "F DRIB#D SANG XS HI< NOTE 96!
AIR AG & AG1 & MY "F WD SNAP 8 GUM ) E
/EP4 ,HE 0 USU,Y ! ONLY :ITE MAN PLAY+1
& S9CE MY "F'S "N 0 ,B>RY1 ALL ! O!R M5
WD CALL HM 8,RICK ,B>RY10 AF A FAM\S
BASKETBALL PLAY] :O 0 AL USU,Y ! ONLY
:ITE GUY ON ! C\RT4 ,! R1L ,RICK ,B>RY
_H A FUNNY TE*NIQUE ( %OOT+ FREE ?R[S
"UH& F 2T 8 LEGS1 L A LL GIRL1 & :5"E MY
"F W5T 6! L9E HE IMITAT$ HM & MADE "EY"O
LAU<4 ,X 0 WOND];L 6WAT* ! M5 -E 6! NET
ALL AT ONCE1 BR[N >MS GA!R+ "UN1? L /EMS
R1*+ UP =! SAME ORANGE FL[]4

    ,! ,MAGIC ,SIDEWALK
  ,! 3CRETE 9 ! SIDEWALK \TSIDE ! FREE
CL9IC _H "S SORT ( SP>KL+ ROCK MIX$ IN4
,ON A SUNNY "D1 X GL9T$ L DIAMONDS1 TRU-
LY L DIAMONDS1 *ANG+ B"RLY 9 ! LI<T4 ,X
0 V /RANGE & WOND];L4 ,I ASK$ MY "F1 :AT
MAKES ! SIDEWALK TW9KLE L T8 ,HE TOLD U
T M5 W5T 96\T] SPACE & GOT A /> & GR.D X
UP 6MAKE T SIDEWALK4 ,I WOND]$ AT H[
VALUA# X M/ BE4 ,:Y WD ! GOV]N;T GIVE P
L U ! />8 ,I ?"\ !Y M/ N H BE5       #BF
PAY+ V GD ATT5;N1 PUTT+ ! /> SIDEWALK "R
ACR ! /REET F ! LIQUOR /ORE1 AL;G A WALL
T GANGS _H SPRAY PA9T$ ) UPSIDE D[N
PIT*=KS & SCRIB#D "NS4 ,POOR />4 ,LUCKY
U4
  ,MY SIX-YE>-OLD BRO!R WD WALK S SL[LY
ON T SIDEWALK1 2+ DAZZL$4 8,OH1 -E .ON60
,I HOLL]$ "O "D4 8,X'S .HOT60 ,MY "F
TOOK MY H& & SD G5TLY1 8,WE H 6BE V PA-
TI5T 2C HE IS A LL BOY & HE HASN'T BE5
ON ,E>? V L;G4 ,"EY?+ IS NEW 6HM & HE
NE$S 6LOOK40 ,S ,I WD HOLD MY "F'S H& &
SI<1 & WAT* MY BRO!R WALK S SL[LY1 GETT+
US$ 6! PLANET4










                   #C                #BG
       ,A ,DI6]5T ,K9D ( ,S*OOL+

  ,LET ME TELL Y "S?+ AB $UC,N4
  ,MY MOM & DAD DID N SEEM 6C>E M* =
S*OOL4 8;,A 9 S*OOL1 ;,F 9 LIFE10 !Y SD
M ?AN ONCE4 ,!Y 7 ALW LOOK+ =A R1SON N
6S5D ME4 ,I NOTIC$ ? EV5 ON MY F/ "D (
K9D]G>T54 ,AT SNACK "T1 ! T1*] PASS$ >.D
A BASKET ( COOKIES4 ,I TOOK TWO1 & %E
CORRECT$ ME3 8EH-EH-.EHHH1 ONLY ."O
COOKIE1 ,ESM@E40 ,AF S*OOL MY "M ASK$ ME
H[ X W5T1 & :5 ,I CAME 6! COOKIE "P1 MY
"M GREW V ANGRY4 8,:O "E HE>D ( J "O
COOKIE =A FIVE-YE>-OLD GIRL8 ,X'S .UN-
NATURAL6 ,"O COOKIE P] H&1 AT L1/6 ,ANY-
"O "KS .T6 ,& AF :AT MY GR&P>5TS W5T "?
6GET "H '''6 ,WELL1 Y DON'T H 6G BACK IF
Y DON'T WANT TO60 ,& ,I DIDN'T ESPECI,Y
WANT TO1 S ,I DIDN'T H TO4
  ,:5 ,I 0 OLD 5 S T ,I _H TO1 MY P>5TS
W5T 6GRT EXP5SE 6S5D ME 6A S*OOL ": Y
ONLY DID :AT Y WANT$4 ,MY "M WD PACK ME
A LUN* & TAKE ME ON ! PUBLIC BUS4 ,MO/ (
! O!R KIDS 7 :ITE1 & _H P>5TS :O 7
LAWY]S OR >*ITECTS OR 9 ADV]TIS+1    #BH
OR 7 POETS OR SCULPTORS4 ,MO/ (! P>5TS
_H M"OY & LIV$ 9 H\SES1 B Y CDN'T TELL
0LOOK+ AT ! KIDS4 ,! P>5TS LET ! KIDS
DRESS !MVS1 S !Y USU,Y WORE _! ,HALL[E5
CO/UMES OR CLO!S T DIDN'T MAT*1 OR !Y
WORE ! SAME ?+ E "D4 ,IF X 0 HOT1 "S"TS
! KIDS DIDN'T WE> ANY?+ AT ALL4 ,"S (!
*N _H "NS L 8,SPACE0 & 8,DAWN40 ,! KIDS
7 2T SIX & SIXTE5 YE>S OLD4 ,"! 7 NO RE-
PORT C>DS4 ,WE DID N SIT AT DESKS1 WE
SAT ON S(AS4 ,EA* MORN+ Y SIMPLY WROTE
YR "N ON SIGN-UP %EETS = ACTIVITIES T
9T]E/$ Y1 !N "PICIPAT$ 9 !M OV] ! C\RSE
(! "D4 ,"! 0 A LL MA? & R1D+ T Y _H 6D1
B =! MO/ "P1 Y CD TAKE CLASSES 9 ?+S L
ROLL] SKAT+ & 4CO DANC+1 OR MAK+ PUP-
PETS4 ,OR Y CD 3/RUCT A GEODESIC DOME1
OR S+ S;GS )A LADY & H] GUIT>4 ,OR MUL*
A G>D54 ,OR SIT )A GR\P & ROLL P1NUT-
BUTT] BALLS 9 GRANOLA4 ,OR R1D A BOOK AB
H[ BABIES >E MADE4 ,OR ?R[ A B[L ON !
POTT]Y :EEL4 ,OR WRITE LRS 6S5ATORS4 ,OR
USE ! MIMEOGRAPH MA*9E 6MAKE A S*OOL
NEWSPAP]4 ,OR CRANK ICE CR1M4 ,IF Y _H
"S?+ BETT] 6D ?AN ALL ( T1 Y CD G    #BI
D T1 TOO4 ,"S"TS ,I W5T (F 0MYF & WROTE
PLAYS1 & !N ,I MADE A SIGN-UP %EET = P
:O WANT$ 6ACT 9 !M1 & S O3A.N,Y ! :OLE
S*OOL WD PUT ON MY %[S4
  ,X 0 AN 9T]E/+ S*OOL1 & ,I LE>N$ A LOT
( ?+S ,I WD N H LE>N$ O!RWISE1 B X 0 A
LL WILD1 TOO4 ,"O GIRL _H A PET RAT1 &
%E 0 ALL[$ 6BR+ X 6S*OOL4 ,X WD SIT ON
H] %\LD] ALL "D4 ,X _H A TAIL L A WORM &
EYES ! COLOR ( BLOOD1 & "S"TS X WD URI-
NATE ON H] %\LD]4 ,I ?"\ X 0 ! MO/ T]RI#
& EVIL ?+ 9 ! _W & ,I CD N 2LIEVE !
GR[N-UPS KEPT LETT+ H] BR+ X4
  ,ANO!R N-S-NICE ?+ ,I LE>N$ AT T S*OOL
0 T :5 GR[N-UPS ACT L "EY?+'S OKAY ) !M
:5 X RE,Y IS N1 EV5TU,Y !Y EXPLODE4 ,N L
A BOMB1 EXACTLY1 B A LL L A BOMB4 ,= IN-
/.E1 ! *N WD >GUE )! T1*]S ALL ! "T1 &
TALK BACK4 ,! T1*]S WDN'T SAY ANY?+ AB X
= WEEKS1 B !N E S (T5 "O (! T1*]S WD
SCR1M & EV5 HIT A *1 & !N "EY"O 9 ! :OLE
S*OOL WD H 6GET 9 A CIRCLE & WE'D TALK
AB \R FEEL+S4 ,I DID N TELL MY P>5TS AB
! RAT1 OR ! HITT+1 OR ! *N N HAV+ 6WE>
CLO!S4 ,I DIDN'T "K MY S*OOL 0       #CJ
DI6]5T F O!R S*OOLS1 S :5 !Y ASK$ ME H[
MY "D WAS1 ,I WD SAY1 8! USUAL10 OR %[
!M "S?+ ,I _H WRITT5 DUR+ MY 8*OICE "T40
  ,?+S />T$ 6*ANGE 9 MY FAMILY4 ,MY LL
BRO!R />T$ S*OOL1 & MY "F NE$$ A JOB4 ,X
0 H>D 6MAKE PAY;TS 6! S*OOL1 S MY "F
CAME 6(F] SOCIAL /UDIES =A :ILE & GET A
PRICE BR1K4 ,:5 HE SAW :AT 0 GO+ ON1 HE
DECID$ 6RUN A V DI6]5T PROGRAM4 ,HE
.MADE "EY"O -E 6HIS CLASS1 & "EY"O DID1
2C 2+ TOLD 6D "S?+ 0 S DI6]5T & NEW4 ,HE
PUT TA#S & *AIRS 9 8 ROOM & HE WDN'T LET
U SIT ON ! S(AS T 7 "!4 ,HE R1D ,M>K
,TWA9'S .,HUCKLEB]RY .,F9N & ,ANNE
,FRANK'S ..,DI>Y (A ,"Y .,GIRL AL\D 6U4
,HE MADE U /UDY AB M5 L ,HUB]T ,HUMPHREY
& ,VASCO DA ,GAMA1 & WE _H 6WRITE RE-
PORTS4 ,! 2G9N+ (! 5D HAPP5$ :5 HE TOLD
P>5TS HE 0 TAK+ A GR\P ( U ON A FIELD
TRIP4 ,HE BR"\ ALL ( 8 FAVORITE /UD5TS
OV] 6\R A"P;T ON ! PUBLIC BUS1 & WE ALL
ATE BOIL$ HOT DOGS & WAT*$ ! ,*ICAGO
,:ITE ,SOX PLAY _! OP5+ GAME ON ,,TV4 ,T
0 FUN4 ,MY "F 0 FIR$ %ORTLY AF T4
  ,MY "F & "M LIK$ U 6/AY HOME       #CA
ANYWAY2 !Y FELT WE LE>N$ AT L1/ Z M* BY
WAT*+ OLD MOVIES & 0DO+ \R [N PROJECTS4
,WE DID KEEP BUSY4 ,MY BRO!R LIK$ 6LOOK
AT 8 BASEBALL C>DS & PLAY VIDEO GAMES1 :
_H J BE5 9V5T$4 ,I LIK$ 6D.E & R1D -IC
BOOKS4 ,Y MAY WOND]1 :AT 0 X L 6H A MOM
& DAD :O >E HAPPY :5 Y D N G 6S*OOL8
,:AT D Y ?9K8 ,X 0 WOND];L4 ,B H>D1 TOO1
2C 9 ! .,LL .,LULU -IC BOOKS ,I R1D1 !
GIRL _H A V K9D T1*] "ND ,MISS ,FE5Y &
"EY"O SAT 9 DESKS & DID ! SAME ?+ AT !
SAME "T4 ,I R1LIZ$ T MAYBE N E S*OOL 0 L
! S*OOL ,I _H ATT5D$4 ,I ?"\ H[ NICE X
WD 2 6H MY [N DESK FILL$ ) BOOKS1 &A P]-
SON TRY+ 6TELL ME NEW ?+S ALL "D L;G4 ,X
SEEM$ L A V ORGANIZ$ & FANCY >RANGE;T4
  ,ONCE ! DU/ SETTL$1 MY MOM & DAD GAVE
UP TRY+ 6F9D ANO!R PRIVATE S*OOL = ME4
,!Y S5T ME 6! NEI<BORHOOD S*OOL4 ,Z SOON
Z ,I WALK$ 96! BUILD+1 ,I CD SMELL AMAZ+
SMELLS ( *EESE & TOMATO SAUCE & PA9T &
WOOD1 ALL MIX$ TGR4 ,"! 7 SEP>ATE BA?-
ROOMS = BOYS & GIRLS4 ,:5 ,I WALK$ "? !
POLI%$ HALLS1 MY %OES MADE A CL1N
.CLICK1 .CLICK S.D4 ,"! 0 A LL       #CB
C\RTY>D 9 ! MI4LE (! S*OOL )A TREE )
L1VES FALL+1 &A B5*--Y CD SEE X "? BIG
GLASS W9D[S T R1*$ D[N 6! FLOOR4 ,& !N1
,I W5T 96MY CLASSROOM4 ,MY NEW T1*]1
,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ1 _H JET-BLACK HAIR & WORE
A /RAI<T SKIRT & HEELS & PE>LS1 J L
,MISS ,FE5Y 9 ! .,LL .,LULU -IC BOOKS4
,%E _H ! /RET*IE/ SMILE ,I _H E SE51 &
H] TEE? 7 S :ITE & WIDE T "! SEEM$ 6BE
R[S ( LL SMILES 9SIDE H] BIG SMILE4 ,B !
BE/ ?+ AB H] 0 H] VOICE4 ,%E DIDN'T TALK
L ME4 ,E ^W %E SD _H A *E];L B\NCE 6X1 L
%E 0 *EW+ GUM :ILE %E SPOKE4 ,I F.D \
LAT] %E 0 F ,BROOKLYN & _H A ,NEW ,YORK
A35T4
  ,%E GAVE ME MY DESK & %E GAVE ME MY
BOOKS1 & ,I GOT 6SIT ) O!R LL GIRLS1 :O
_H PRETTY "NS L ,AMELIA & ,RUBY & ,JOSE-
F9A4 ,"EY"O 0 ALL DI6]5T COLORS & WORE
ALL DI6]5T K9DS ( CLO!S1 B !Y ALL SAT
/RAI<T 9 _! *AIRS & SEEM$ 6"K J :AT 6D
:5 ! T1*] PASS$ \ L;G /RIPS ( PAP]4 ,!
GIRL SITT+ NEXT 6ME :ISP]$ & TOLD ME TO
NUMB] MY PAP] "O 6TW5TY1 & !N TRY 6SPELL
! ^WS4 ,AT T5 YE>S OLD1 ,I 0 TAK+    #CC
MY F/ SPELL+ TE/4 ,I CDN'T 2LIEVE T :5 !
T1*] SD ! ^W1 NOBODY ANN\NC$ T !Y DIDN'T
FEEL L WRIT+ ! ^W1 "EY"O J WROTE X &
KEPT _! EYES ON _! PAP]4 ,"O BOY RAIS$ 8
H& & SD1 8H[ D Y SPELL X80 & "EY"O LAU<$
AT ! SAME "T1 TOO4 ..,? IS ! MO/ ORGAN-
IZ$ PLACE 9 ! ._W6 ,I ?"\4 ,AT LUN*1 ,I
/OOD 9 L9E &A LADY GAVE ME A W>M TRAY (
SPA<ETTI ) *EESE &A :OLE BOX ( *OCOLATE
MILK4 ,! CAFET]IA D\#D Z A LIBR>Y1 S ,I
ATE SURR.D$ 0BOOKS4 ,"S GIRLS GAVE ME
COOKIES 2C ,I 0 NEW4 ,:5 WE RETURN$ F
LUN*1 ! SLIPS ( PAP] 7 H&$ BACK4 ,! T1*]
_H WRITT5 .#AJJ@3P6 .,GD .JOB6 ACR !
TOP1 & _H DRAWN A SMILEY FACE4 ,!N !
T1*] W5T ON 6TALK ALL AB ! DI6]5T CLI-
MATES 9 DI6]5T "PS (! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES4
  ,I 0 SURE ,I _H DI$ & G"O 6H1V54

  ,N[1 EV5 ?\< MY P>5TS DIDN'T C>E M* =
S*OOL1 !Y C>$ A LOT AB LE>N+4 ,ESPECI,Y
:5 X CAME 6MUSIC4 ,WE _H A GR& PIANO 9
\R A"P;T1 ONLY X WASN'T S GR& ANYMORE4
,X _H BE5 A W$D+ GIFT 6MY P>5TS4 ,MY "M
PUT PLANTS ON X & "S"TS %E OV]WA-    #CD
T]$ !M &! MOI/URE MADE ! WOOD PEEL4 ,:5
%E SAW :AT %E _H D"O1 %E CRI$1 B !N ,I
GUESS %E FIGUR$ :AT ! HECK1 2C ! PLANTS
/AY$ "!4 ,:5 ,I 0 A V LL GIRL ,I _H
WRITT5 ! "NS (! NOTES ON ! KEYS1 US+
,MAGIC ,M>K]1 : DIDN'T HELP MATT]S4 ,ALL
( ? POOR TR1T;T 0 OV]SE5 0A H1VY BU/ (
,BEE?OV51 :O HMF SU6]$ F A *IPP$ NOSE4
,B ! PIANO / _H A F9E T"O1 & MY "F 5JOY$
PLAY+ F ?REE S;GBOOKS 9 "PICUL>3 ..,!
,J]OME ,K]N .,S;GBOOK1 ..,! ,COLE ,PORT]
.,S;GBOOK1 & ..,! ,RODG]S & ,HAMM]/E9
.,S;GBOOK4 ,HE SD ^! -POS]S LIV$ ON ,T9
,PAN ,ALLEY 9 ,NEW ,YORK1 AL;G ) ,GEORGE
,G]%W91 :O WROTE ! GRT 3C]TO ..,AN ,AM]-
ICAN 9 .,P>IS & ^: "N 0 SPOK5 ) Z M*
R"E;E 9 MY H\SEHOLD Z ,GOD4 ,I CD J
IMAG9E ^! M51 EAT+ CANS ( BAK$ B1NS F _!
T9 PANS1 & !N GO+ BACK 6"W ON _! S;GS ON
GR& PIANOS COV]$ ) PLANTS1 POK+ \ OH-
SWEET-&-LOVE-LY-LA-DY-BE-GD ON ! KEYS4
  ,:5 MY "M & BRO!R 7 \ (! A"P;T1 MY "F
& ,I WD SKIB# OV] 6! PIANO L MICE :O >E
AB 6PLAY :ILE ! CAT IS AWAY & H A
PRIVATE S+-AL;G4 ,I DON'T "K :Y WE   #CE
WDN'T D ? :5 O!R P 7 >.D--MAYBE HE 0 Z
SELF-3SCI\S AB PLAY+ ! PIANO Z ,I 0 AB
S++4 ,AT ANY RATE1 X 0 "S?+ WE KEPT 2T
U4 ,MY "F LIK$ ME 6S+ A S;G T W5T 8,MY
HE>T 2L;GS 6DA4Y1 S ,I SIMPLY CDN'T 2
BAD40 ,HE AL LIK$ 6PRET5D HE 0 ,DONALD
,O',3NOR & ,I PRET5D$ ,I 0 ,E!L ,M]MAN1
& WE WD S+ A DUET CALL$ 8,J 9 ,LOVE10 AB
A GUY :O ?9KS HE NE$S 6G 6A PSY*IATRI/
2C HE IS SEE+ & HE>+ & SMELL+ ?+S NOBODY
ELSE C SEE1 HE>1 OR SMELL1 B AN OLD]1
EXP]I;ED WOMAN 3SOLES HM 0SAY+ HE'S N
SICK1 HE'S J 9 LOVE4 ,EV5 N[1 ,I C D A
PRETTY GD IMIT,N ( ,E!L ,M]MAN4 ,: IS
TOO BAD1 2C MO/ P N[A"DS DON'T "K :O
,E!L ,M]MAN IS4
  ,2SS S+-AL;GS ) MY DAD1 MY FAVORITE ?+
6D 9 LIFE 0 LI/5 6RECORDS4 ,RECORDS >E L
,,CD'S--!Y >E FLAT & R.D & PLAY MUSIC--B
RECORDS >E M* BI7] & MADE ( BLACK V9YL )
A HOLE 9 ! MI4LE4 ,!Y H 6BE PLAY$ ON A
RECORD PLAY]1 A SP9N+ TURNTA# ON : Y LAY
A L;G >M AT ! $GE (! RECORD1 &A T9Y NEE-
DLE RUNS AG/ A GROOVE 9 ! RECORD 6MAKE !
MUSIC HAPP54 ,! NE$LE FOLL[S !       #CF
GROOVE R.D & R.D & R.D1 UNTIL ALL ! MU-
SIC PLAYS XF \1 & !N AT ! 5D Y C HE> !
NE$LE L A TIR$ HE>TB1T ?UMP1 ?UMP1 ?UMP+
AG/ ! LABEL4 ,:5 Y FLICK ! REP1T SWIT*1
AN 9VISI# H& LIFTS ! >M & PLACES ! NE$LE
P]FECTLY BACK AT ! />T (! RECORD4 ,I ?"\
! TE*NOLOGY 0 SIMPLY AMAZ+4
  ,MY P>5TS _H HUNDR$S ( RECORDS 9 _!
COLLEC;N1 ) PL5TY ( ,MOT[N1 ROCK & ROLL1
,BROADWAY %[ TUNES1 & JAZZ4 ,!Y N"E MADE
U PUT ! RECORDS AWAY 9 _! PAP] ALBUM
COV]S1 & "S (! COV]S 7 MISS+4 ,I ?9K IF
!Y _H BE5 /ICKL]S = TIDI;S1 ,I WD N H
LIK$ MUSIC S M*1 2C "P (! FUN 0 SWIT*+
RECORDS AB E TWO M9UTES1 TOSS+ (F ! NEE-
DLE )A RIPP+ S.D ! MO;T A S;G GREW TIRE-
"S4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 0N PUTT+ AWAY ! REC-
ORDS1 !Y 2CAME SCRAT*$ & W>P$ & "S"TS
SKIPP$ :5 WE PLAY$ !M4 ,MY BRO!R & ,I
MEMORIZ$ ! SKIPS1 S :5 WE CAME 6T "P WE
WD J SAY ! ^WS OV] & OV] UNTIL "O ( U
%OV$ ! NE$LE F>!R AL;G ON ! RECORD 78,I
WANNA/,I WANNA/,I WANNA/,I WANNA/HOLD YR
H&074 ,ANO!R TE*NIQUE 0 6BAL.E CO9S ON !
H1D (! NE$LE S T :5 X CAME 6A        #CG
SCRAT*1 ! NE$LE 0 WEI<$ D[N 5 6RIDE OV]
X4
  ,:5 WE PLAY$ RECORDS1 MY BRO!R LIK$ TO
/& ON ! CORN] (! C\* & PLAY AIR GUIT>4
,HE _H A V ORIG9AL TE*NIQUE1 MAK+ A
CROOK 9 8 >M &A /ROK+ MO;N ) 8 O!R H&1
K9D ( L A ROBOT -=T+ A BABY4 ,HE 0 A GD
S+]1 & "S"TS ,I WD /& ON ! OPPOSITE COR-
N] (! S(A & 2 8 AIR DRUMM] & BACKUP4 ,?
WD IRRITATE HM V M* & HE ASK$ T IF ,I 0
9 8 B&1 CD ,I PL1SE LIP-SYN*4

  ,DESPITE MY LOVE = MUSIC1 ,I _H NO R1L
DESIRE 6LE>N H[ 6PLAY ANY 9/RU;T4 ,UN=-
TUNATELY1 ! D[N/AIRS NEI<BOR DIRECTLY 2L
U GAVE PIANO LESSONS4 ,E ,MON"D MY "F WD
GIVE ME FIVE DOLL>S1 MY MUSIC BOOKS &
METRONOME1 & ,I WD KNOCK ON H] DOOR4 ,S
2GAN ! L;GE/ HALF H\R ( MY WEEK4
  ,M>IA _H A /ATUE ( ,JESUS ON ! CROSS
HANG+ OV] ! PIANO4 ,HE _H NAILS 9 8 H&S
& FEET1 &A CR[N ( ?ORNS ON 8 H1D4 ,HE 0
BLE$+ PA9T$ BLOOD1 LOOK+ Z SAD Z HE CD
BE4 ,I ASK$ MY DAD :O HE WAS1 & HE SD1
8A V FAM\S RA2I T ! ,ROMANS NAIL$    #CH
6! CROSS A L;G "T AGO40 ,I KNEW A LL AB
? 2C ,I LIV$ NE> A *UR* T _H A BIG BILL-
BO>D Y CD SEE = BLOCKS T SD ..,*RI/ ,DI$
,= ,YR .,S9S4 ,"! 0 AL A 8,JOY]IA10 OR
,SPANI% JEWELRY /ORE ) LOTS ( /ATUES (
,JESUS'S "M1 ,M>Y1 9 ! W9D[1 :O DID N
LOOK M* HAPPI] ?AN ,JESUS DID4 ,:AT RE,Y
GOT ME AB ,JESUS ON ! CROSS 7 ! NAILS4
,I DID N "K M* AB H>DW>E1 B ,I DID "K H[
6GET A NAIL \ (A WALL1 & ,I FELT PRETTY
SURE T IF ,I SAW A NAIL 9 "S"O'S FOOT1
,I WD USE ! BACKSIDE (A HAMM] & TAKE X
\4 ,I CD N "U/& ? AT ALL1 :Y "EY"O /OOD
>.D :ILE ,JESUS _H NAILS 9 8 H&S & FEET4
,OBVI\SLY "SBODY _H A HAMM] 6NAIL HM IN4
,DIDN'T ANY"O H A HAMM] 6TAKE HM \8 ,& Z
IF 2+ NAIL$ 6A CROSS WASN'T 5\<1 HE 0
PO/$ "R OV] ! PIANO & _H 6LI/5 6*N PRAC-
TICE4 ,X SEEM$ L A4+ 9SULT 69JURY4 ,!
:OLE ?+ MADE ME S MAD4 ,"S"TS ,I WD N
HE> :AT ,M>IA 0 SAY+ 6ME1 ,I 0 S BUSY
FANTASIZ+ AB TAK+ ,JESUS (F T WALL &
LETT+ HM RE/ 9 MY NICE1 QUIET DOLL BU7Y4
  ,M>IA _H A BOTTOM T 0 L A K+-SIZ$
PILL[1 S ,I J _H A LL CORN] (!       #CI
B5*4 ,%E WD SP5D ! F/ T5 M9UTES (! LES-
SON -PLA9+ AB ALL ! ?+S ! L&LADY NE$$ TO
FIX 9 \R BUILD+4 ,%E WD ASK ME IF ,I
PRACTIC$1 : 0 N A FAIR "Q1 2C S9CE %E
LIV$ "R 2L U %E CD HE> :E!R ,I _H OR
_HN'T4 ,!N %E WD OP5 MY MUSIC BOOK1 ..,!
,JOHN ,S*AUM ,BLUE .,BOOK4 ,N[ T ,I AM A
GR[N-UP1 ,I AM SURE T ,MR4 ,S*AUM IS A
P]FECTLY LOVELY MAN1 B :5 ,I 0 T5 YE>S
OLD ,I US$ 6WRITE HM %ORT HATE LRS1 SUG-
GE/+ T MAYBE HE G BACK 6,T9 ,PAN ,ALLEY
& TAKE "S LESSONS HMF4 ,LUCKILY1 ,I DID
N "K ": 6MAIL !M4
  ,M>IA WD DEMON/RATE ! PIECE1 : WD G
"S?+ L ?3

,,TU,'-NA FI%1 ,,TU,'-NA FI%1
,S+ A S;G ( ,,TU-NA-FI%6
,,TU,'-NA FI%1 OH1 ,,TU,'-NA FI%1
,X'S A ,,FAV,'-RITE DI%6
,EV-]Y-BO-DEE-LOVES X ,,SOOO1
,F ,NEW ,YORK 6,,KO-KO-MOOO '''

  ,MY LL SECRET 0 T EV5 AF A YE> (
LESSONS1 ,I CD N R1D A NOTE ( MU-    #DJ
SIC4 ,I WD J WAT* ,M>IA'S H&S S C>E;LLY1
& !N :5 X 0 MY TURN1 ,I WD COPY H] MOVE-
;TS & FOLL[ 0E>1 J LOOK+ UP AT ! MUSIC F
"T 6"T S X LOOK$ L ,I KNEW :AT ,I 0 DO+4
  ,ANO!R PRO#M 0 T "S"TS ,I CD N "U/&
:AT ,M>IA 0 TRY+ 6TELL ME4 ,%E 0 F ,CUBA
& DID N SP1K ,5GLI% V WELL4 ,%E _H H] [N
WAY ( PRON\NC+ ?+S4 8,/ACKA-,,TOE6
,/ACKA-,,TOE60 %E WD %\T 96MY E> & MA%
MY F+]S H>%LY AG/ ! KEYS4 ,I 0 A GR[N-UP
2F ,I "U/OOD %E 0 TRY+ 6TELL ME 6PLAY !
NOTES 8/A3ATO10 OR 9 A %ORT1 JUMPY WAY4
  ,S _M MIS"U/&+S6 ,DID ! BILLBO>D SAY
8,*RI/ DI$ .= \R S9S10 OR 8.F \R S9S80
,I WASN'T SURE4 ,JESUS'S EYES LOOK$ L !Y
7 ROLL+4

  ,MY BE/ FR AT S*OOL 0 A GIRL "ND ,AKI-
LA4 ,%E _H BR[N SK9 & BLACK BRAIDS &
WORE A R$ DOT 9 ! MI4LE ( H] =EH1D4 ,%E
_H CALM EYES &A /1DY L9E (A M\?4 ,%E 0 V
SM>T4 ,%E 0 S SM>T1 ,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ LET H]
HELP GRADE ! MA? PAP]S4 ,? HAPP5$ 6BE !
WAY WE 2CAME FRS4 ,"O "D :ILE WE 7 9 L9E
= LUN*1 %E TAPP$ ME ON MY %\LD]4     #DA
  8,OH1 ,ESM@E1 Y >E S T]RI# AT MA?S10
%E SD4
  8,I "K10 ,I SD4 ,& ,I DID "K4 ,I H>DLY
"E *OSE MA? AT MY OLD S*OOL4 ,S N[ ! O!R
*N 9 ! CLASS 7 DO+ MULTIPLIC,N & DIVI.N1
:ILE ,I 0 / RU%+ 6GET ! HANG ( PLACE
VALUE4 ,/1 ,I DID N ?9K X 0 V NICE ( H]
6M5;N X4
  8,Y GET M WR;G ?AN Y GET "R ON ALM E
TE/40
  8.,I ."K10 ,I REP1T$4
  8,IF Y DON'T LE>N YR MA?S SOON1 Y W
GET A V BAD GRADE ON YR REPORT C>D10 %E
PO9T$ \4
  8,X'S N ,8MA?S10' X'S .MA?10 ,I SD4
8,& ,I ,,"K40
  8,:Y DON'T Y LET ME TUTOR Y80 %E SD4
,I'LL %[ Y H[ 6D X4 ,X'S N S H>D40
  ,I _H 6ADMIT1 X 0 A V K9D (F]1 & AF A
C\PLE M BAD GRADES ,I TOOK H] UP ON X4
,%E LIV$ 9 ! HI<-RISE "R NEXT 6MY BUILD-
+4 ,USU,Y H] P>5TS W]5'T HOME1 J H] SIS-
T]1 :O 0 9 EI<? GRADE4 ,H] SI/] RU2$ PO-
MADE 9 H] HAIR 6MAKE X %9Y1 & X SMELL$ S
P[];LLY L RANCID OLIVE OIL T ,I      #DB
ALM *OK$ E "T %E GREET$ ME4 ,%E AL _H !
WOR/ TEE? ,I _H "E SE5--X 0 Z IF "S"O _H
PUT !M 9 UPSIDE D[N4 ,B %E 0 S FRLY &
"MLY T )9 A M9UTE OR TWO X 0 EASY 6=GET
^! ?+S AB H] \TSIDES & SEE H] Z ! R>E
K9D ( ATTRACTIVE T ONLY -ES F A G5TLE
HE>T4
  ,"S"TS ,AKILA & ,I WD "W ON \R HOME"W
& SNACK ON C&Y-COV]$ PIECES ( ANISE4
,O!R "TS ,AKILA WD %[ ME ! MAKEUP KIT %E
US$ 6PA9T H] B9DIS1 ! DOTS %E WORE ON H]
=EH1D4 ,%E TOLD ME T IF %E _H N -E 6?
C.TRY1 %E WD H BE5 M>RI$ 0N[4 ,%E 0
ELEV5 YE>S OLD1 S ,I ?"\ %E 0 KI4+1 B %E
ASSUR$ ME T %E WASN'T4 ,%E SD H] P>5TS
SNUCK H] & H] SI/] \ ( _! VILLAGE 9 ,IN-
DIA 9 ! MI4LE (! NI<T & CAME "H S !Y CD
GET AN $UC,N4 ,X 0 ! F/ "T ,I R1LIZ$ E *
9 ! _W DOESN'T GET 6G 6S*OOL1 & T 6G 6A
NICE S*OOL L ,I DID 0 EV5 M SPECIAL ?AN
,I _H "E 2LIEV$4
  ,AKILA & ,I WALK$ 6& F S*OOL TGR4 ,"O
,MON"D1 ,I TOLD ,AKILA H[ M* ,I DIDN'T L
PIANO LESSONS & :AT A WA/E ( "T !Y 7 2C
AF A :OLE YE> ,I CDN'T R1D MUSIC1    #DC
& ,I WD N"E 2 A# 62C "! 0 TOO M* MA?4
,AKILA1 :O _H BE5 TRY+ 6HELP ME ) MY MA?
= WEEKS1 KNEW ? 0 PROBABLY TRUE & TOOK
MY -PLA9T S]I\SLY4
  8,Y'RE "R10 %E SD4 8,X IS A WA/E4 ,B
:AT C Y D80
  8,I WI% ,I J _H ? "O WEEK (F10 ,I SD4
8,!N WE CD PLAY40 ,WE /OOD 9 ! MI4LE (!
SIDEWALK & TRI$ 6?9K (A PLAN1 \R BR1?
ESCAP+ F U 9 LL CL\DS4 8,I "K10 ,I SD4
8,Y C B1T ME UP40
  8,:AT6 ,I DON'T WANT 6GET 9 TR\#60
  8,I WON'T TELL ON Y10 ,I PROMIS$4 8,J
HURT ME A LL40
  8,NO10 %E REFUS$4 8,I'VE N"E B1T ANY"O
UP 2F40
  8,!N Y %D LE>N10 ,I SD1 8S Y'LL 2 GD
AT X 9 CASE Y NE$ X40
  ,AKILA 0 A V PRACTICAL GIRL4 8,ALL
"R10 %E SD4 ,%E HIT MY >MS & KICK$ ME A
FEW "TS1 B X WASN'T 5 6KEEP ME HOME F
PIANO LESSONS4
  8,Y'RE N MAK+ A D5T10 ,I A3US$4 8,MY
LL BRO!R HITS H>D]4 ,Y'RE N TRY+40
  8,I AM10 %E 9SI/$1 8B :5 ,I H      #DD
SE5 KIDS GET HURT1 !Y W]5'T /&+ S /4 ,I
?9K Y H 6FI<T1 TOO4 ,CR1TE RESI/.E40
  8,I C'T FI<T Y10 ,I SD4
  8,Y C'T D MA?S1 EI10 %E SD4 8,/UPID40
  ,S ,I LUNG$ AT H] & WE WRE/L$ 6! SIDE-
WALK4 ,I /RU7L$ ON MY BACK :ILE %E PULL$
(F H] MITT5 & RAIS$ A FI/ & SPLIT MY
LIP4 ,%E GASP$ & /OOD UP4 ,I GASP$1 TOO1
& PUT MY H& 6MY M\? & TA/$ SALT4 ,!N ,I
SMIL$ AT H]4
  8,I DID X60 %E *E]$1 B\NC+ UP & D[N ON
H] TOES4
  8,HURRY60 ,I SD4 8,WE'VE GOT 6GET HOME
:ILE ,I'M / BLE$+40
  ,WE RAN 6MY A"P;T & ,I BUR/ "? ! DOOR1
CRY+4 ,MY "F CAME RUNN+4 8,:AT HAPP5$60
  8,"S BAD BOYS B1T ME UP10 ,I WEPT4
8,[60
  ,MY "F WIP$ MY FACE )A WA%CLO?4 8,Y H
6G HOME N[1 ,AKILA40
  8,C'T %E /AY80
  8,Y H PIANO LESSONS TD40
  8,B ,DAD6 ,MY .LIP60 ,I WAIL$4
  8,Y DON'T PLAY PIANO ) YR LIP1 D Y80
,HE H&$ ME FIVE DOLL>S1 MY MUSIC     #DE
BOOKS1 & METRONOME4 ,AKILA LOOK$ V SOR-
RY4
  ,I [$ T GIRL A LOT ( FAVORS4





















                                     #DF
























                   #D                #DG
     ,X ,SN[$ & ,X ,SN[$ & ,X ,SN[$

  ,LET ME TELL Y "S?+ AB ! W1!R4
  ,W1!R 9 ,*ICAGO 0 V DRAMATIC4 ,9 !
SPR+ WE WD H S* VIOL5T ?"U/ORMS T !
CL\DS SEEM$ 6BE BOIL+1 & LI<TN+ WD SLICE
L SILV] KNIVES ACR E CORN] (! SKY4 ,HUGE
EXPLO.NS ( ?"U WD S5D DOGS :IMP]+ "U B$S
& C> AL>MS WAIL+1 & WD BL[ \ ALL ! ELEC-
TRIC;Y = H\RS1 L1V+ U 6LOOK = EA* O!R 9
! <O/LY /ROBES (! LI<TN+ FLA%ES4 ,"S"TS
! W9D GU/$ S H>D T UMBRELLAS TURN$ 9SIDE
\ & P WD /OP & HANG ON 6LAMPPO/S 6KEEP F
FALL+ D[N4
  ,! SUMM]S BLI/]$ U1 &! /REET FILL$ ) P
ON /OOPS1 &! 5D.S NOISE ( D\#-,DUT*
*ANTS1 ICE CR1M TRUCK J+LES1 GANG :IS-
TLES1 FIRECRACK]S1 MUSIC PLAY+ L\DLY F
C>S1 & WOM5 CALL+ = HELP4 ,! HYDRANT 0
OP5$1 & *N COV]$ ) MOSQUITO BITES & SUN-
BURN SCR1M$ ) RELIEF4
  ,! W9T]S 7 Z BRUTAL Z ! SUMM]S4 ,!
FROZ5 W9DS MADE X FEEL L Y 7 HAV+ A HE>T
ATTACK J WALK+ D[N ! /REET4 ,ON A COLD
"D 9 ,*ICAGO1 EV5 YR EYEBALLS >E     #DH
COLD4 ,B NO W9T] 0 COLD] ?AN ! "O :5 ,I
0 T5 YE>S OLD 9 #AIGI4
  ,! ONLY WAY ,I C DESCRIBE X IS 6SAY T
X SN[$ & X SN[$ & X SN[$ & X SN[$4 ,X
SN[$ UNTIL X 0 Z HI< Z ! C>S1 & !N X
SN[$ "S M1 UNTIL NOBODY CD F9D _! C>S4
,X SN[$ UNTIL ! TOPS ( TREES LOOK$ L LL
:ITE BU%ES -+ \ (! SIDEWALK4 ,X SN[$ UN-
TIL1 :5 !Y CLE>$ ! SIDEWALK1 X 0 L WALK+
D[N A :ITE HALLWAY1 L ,MOSES CROSS+ A
FROZ51 "P$ SEA4 ,& !N X SN[$ "S M4
  ,"EY?+ CLOS$ D[N 2C "S P CD N EV5 GET
\ ( _! DOORS1 & EV5 IF !Y CD1 NOBODY CD
FIGURE \ ": ! SIDEWALK 5D$ &! /REET BE-
GAN4 ,? M1NT SN[ "DS F S*OOL4 ,! A"P;T
GREW D>K] & D>K] Z ! FANS ( FRO/ SPR1D 9
LAY]S ACR ! W9D[S1 TURN+ !M 96PANES (
ICE T BURN$ 6! T\* & TREM#D AG/ ! L[1
ANGRY MOAN+ (! W9D \TSIDE4 ,! RADIATORS
CLANG$4 ,X 0 S COLD1 EV5 \R /+Y L&LADY
_H 6TURN ON ! H1T4 ,6KEEP X (F WD H BE5
MURD]4
  ,F9,Y1 AF S"EAL "DS & NI<TS1 ! SN[+ &!
BL[+ SUBSID$1 & MY BRO!R & ,I PUT ON ALL
( \R W9T] LAY]S & GOT \R SL$ \ (!    #DI
CLOSET4 ,X IS A FUNNY ?+ 6H A SL$ 9 ,*I-
CAGO1 2C X IS A V FLAT PLACE ": 8SL$D+0
USU,Y M1NS 8PULL+40 ,WE B.D$ \ \R DOOR &
DID N EV5 H 6G D[N ! FLI<T ( /AIRS 6!
SIDEWALK1 2C ! /AIRS _H 4APPE>$ & X
SEEM$ Z IF ! SIDEWALK _H RIS5 UP 6MEET
U4
  8,YAY60 ,WE *E]$1 & RAN \ ONTO \R NEW1
:ITE /REET4 8,YAY6 ,YAY6 ,YAY6 ,YAY60
  ,SU45LY1 ,I R1LIZ$ ,I 0 ! ONLY "O SAY+
8YAY10 & MY BRO!R 0 SAY+ 8HEY40 ,I TURN$
>.D4 ,": 0 MY BRO!R8
  ,I TOOK A FEW /EPS BACK T[>D ! H\SE &
SAW A R.D HOLE 9 ! SN[4 ,I SAW MY BRO?-
]'S SURPRIS$ FACE LOOK+ UP AT ME4 ,HE _H
FALL5 "? ! SN[4
  ,I LAY ON MY BELLY & R1*$ MY >M 96!
HOLE4 ,HE GRA2$ X & CLIMB$ \4 ,WE PLAY$
=A LL :ILE1 B N V L;G4 ,X IS TOO SC>Y TO
PLAY ON TOP ( SN[ T C SWALL[ Y UP4
  ,! SN[ DIDN'T MELT4 ,LIFE W5T ON1 B AT
A M* SL[] PACE4 ,WE TEET]$ 6S*OOL AL;G !
DRIFTS 0GRIPP+ ON 6! TOPS ( F;ES T SUR-
R.D$ BUILD+S4 ,T1*]S /OPP$ M>K+ U LATE4
  ,"O "D AT S*OOL1 MY T1*] ASK$ ME   #EJ
6DELIV] A NOTE 6ANO!R T1*] :O 0 9 A 8MO-
BILE0 CLASSROOM \ 9 ! S*OOLY>D4 7,!
S*OOL _H RUN \ ( ROOM = ALL ! *N1 S "S
CLASSES 7 HELD 9 LL TRAIL]S \TSIDE (!
MA9 BUILD+47 ,I _H 6GET DRESS$ ) MY COAT
& HAT & BOOTS & S*1 J 6DELIV] ? NOTE4 ,X
_H BE5 SN[+ ALL MORN+1 S :5 ,I GOT \T-
SIDE1 ! 5TIRE PLAYGR.D 0 DAZZL+1 SP>KL+
L A PLACID SEA4 ,A PA?WAY _H BE5 CLE>$1
B ,I DIDN'T TAKE X4 ,9/1D1 ,I CLIMB$ UP
! DRIFTS1 GETT+ A SECRET ?RILL F MAK+ !
F/ L9E ( FOOT/EPS4 ,6M> "S?+ S P]FECT
FELT L MIS*IEF1 L SWIP+ A F+] ACR FRO/+
ON A BIR?"D CAKE4 ,"! 7 S"EAL MOBILE
CLASSROOMS1 B ! ICICLES 7 HANG+ S L[ OV]
! DOORS T ,I CDN'T MAKE \ ! ROOM NUMB]S4
,I />T$ WALK+ T[>D "O (! TRAIL]S1 B !
SN[ >.D MY FEET SEEM$ 6CAVE IN4 ,I JUMP$
G+]LY BACK A FEW /EPS & HUNG ON 6! GUTT]
( "O (! TRAIL]S4 ,I KNOCK$ ON ! W9D[1 B
! CLASSROOM 0 D>K4 ,"! 0 SN[ PIL$ AG/ !
DOOR4 ,? TRAIL] 0 AB&ON$ & EMPTY4 ,!Y M/
H MOV$ ! CLASSES 6! TRAIL]S NE>] 6!
CLE>$ PA?1 X O3URR$ 6ME4 ,OR MAYBE !Y 7
MOV$ 9SIDE ! MA9 BUILD+4 ..,MAYBE    #EA
NOBODY IS \ "H AT .ALL4
  ,I LOOK$ >.D & R1LIZ$ ,I 0 SURR.D$ BY
SN[4 ,I V5TUR$ ANO!R /EP & HE>D A /RANGE
ICY CRACK+1 L A MU6L$ ZIPP] 2+ PULL$ 9 A
CROOK$ L9E "S": 2L ! GL9T+ :ITE SURFACE4
,X 0 AT L1/ A DOZ5 /EPS 6! NEXT HALF-
BURI$ TRAIL]4 ,WD ! _W 2N ME UNZIP8 ,I
?"\ ( MY BRO!R4 ,B :O WD PULL ME \8 ,0 X
POSSI# 6DR[N 9 SN[8
  ,I CLUNG 6! GUTT] M DESP]ATELY1 CRACK+
ICICLES T DROPP$ /RAI<T D[N & MADE P]-
FECT HOLES L BULLETS ": !Y FELL4
  ,!N ,I HE>D A DOOR SLAM4 8,ESM@E60
CALL$ A VOICE1 B ,I CDN'T SEE ANY"O4 ,!N
A KNITT$ R$ HAT ) POMPOMS APPE>$ AT !
$GE (! DRIFT4 ,AKILA4 ,I BR1!D AG & FELT
! FLAT1 BIT+ COLD FILL MY LUNGS4 ,I CD
ONLY SEE ! TOP ( H] H1D1 Z %E 0 /&+ ON !
CLE>$ PA? >.D ! S*OOL4 8,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ
S5T ME 6*ECK ON Y4 ,Y 7 TAK+ S L;G4
,OH60 ,AKILA TOOK 9 MY PREDICA;T & H]
EYES GREW R.D4 8,H[ C Y TELL : IS :AT60
  8,I C'T10 ,I CALL$4
  8,!N Y'D BETT] -E BACK10 ,AKILA SD
S5SIBLY4                             #EB
  8,I C'T D T EI10 ,I EXPLA9$4 8,! SN['S
TOO S(T4 ,I'LL FALL & 4APPE>40
  8,WELL1 !N1 H[ DID Y GET ALL ! WAY
"!80
  8,LUCK10 ,I GUESS$1 EV5 ?\< ,I DID N
FEEL V LUCKY4
  ,AKILA CLIMB$ ONTO ! DRIFT4 8,IF Y
FALL1 ,I W PULL Y \40 ,2F ,I CD /OP H]1
%E /1DI$ H]F & /EPP$ \ T[>D ME4 ,H] LEG
4APPE>$ 6H] KNEE & %E TEET]$ =W>D & GAVE
A /RANGE LL B>K4 8,AHHH60 ,%E PULL$ H]
LEG \ ) BO? H&S & /UM#D BACK 6! CLE>
PA?4 8,T'S N GO+ 6"W4 ,X'S L QKS&10 SD
,AKILA4
  8,I DON'T "K :AT 6D10 ,I SD4 ,MY FACE
HURT--EV5 MY EYELA%ES SEEM$ COLD4 ,I CD
NO L;G] FEEL MY TOES1 & MY H& 0 CRAMP$
>.D ,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ'S NOTE4 ,WE /OOD 9 SI-
L;E4
  8,I'M SORRY ,I PUN*$ Y 9 ! FACE T "T10
CALL$ ,AKILA4 8,& ,I'M SORRY ,I SD Y 7
BAD AT MA?S40
  8,I .AM BAD AT MA?40
  8,B ,I'M SORRY ,I SD S10 %E SD4
  8,PL1SE /OP TALK+ L T10 ,I SD4     #EC
8,I'M N GO+ 6BE \ "H .="E40
  ,AKILA DIDN'T SAY ANY?+4 ,= "S R1SON1
T MADE ME %RIEK 9 T]ROR4 8,AHHHHH60
  ,AKILA B"R5$4 8,T'S A GD IDEA6
,,AHHHH60
  8,AAA,,AAAAAHHHH60 WE BO? YELL$4
  ,A W9D[ SLAMM$ OP54 8,= ,PETE'S SAKE1
:AT'S ALL T NOISE60 ,MRS4 ,F9/]'S H1D
/UCK \ (A TRAIL]4 8,WE'RE TRY+ 6TAKE A
SPELL+ TE/ 9 "H60
  8,I ''' ,I H A NOTE = Y10 ,I CALL$4
8,F ,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ40
  8,WELL1 GIVE X OV]60 ,%E SNAPP$4 ,I
LOOK$ AT ,AKILA1 & ,AKILA LOOK$ BACK AT
ME4
  8,%E C'T10 SD ,AKILA4 8,%E'LL FALL
"?40
  8,!N Y C DELIV] X 6ME 9 SPR+ ?AW10 SD
,MRS4 ,F9/]4
  ,T SEEM$ A L;G "T AWAY4 ,I DIDN'T FEEL
S AFRAID )A GR[N-UP WAT*+1 ESPECI,Y
,MRS4 ,F9/]4 ,EV5 ! SN[ WDN'T MESS )
,MRS4 ,F9/]4 ,I %EEPI%LY TEET]$ OV]1
S9K+ 6MY KNEES B NO DEEP]1 & DELIV]$ !
NOTE4 ,%E R1D X )A S]I\S FACE4       #ED
  8,MMGPH60 ,MISS ,F9/] MADE A GRUMPY
NOISE4 8,TELL H] ANY?+ B AN*OVIES &
BLACK OLIVES IS F9E10 %E SD1 2F %E
SLAMM$ ! W9D[ %UT4

  ,9 FACT1 ,I %D N H BE5 AFRAID4 ,!
WEEKS ( COLD &! WEI<T (! SN[ & TRA6IC _H
PACK$ "EY?+ 2L 96CAKES ( ICE1 B ! C;Y _H
6C>RY ON1 &1 SL[LY1 BRAVE DELIV]Y TRUCKS
2GAN REAPPE>+ ON ! /REETS4 ,S 2GAN A NEW
GAME1 ESPECI,Y POPUL> ) BOYS1 CALL$
8SKIT*+40 ,BOYS WD GRAB ON 6! BACK F5D]
(A DELIV]Y TRUCK & 2 PULL$ AL;G ON ! ICY
/REETS = BLOCKS4
  ,! VICE PR9CIPAL CAME 6EA* CLASSROOM &
W>N$ U N 6D X1 T X 0 EXTREMELY DANG]\S1
T ! DRIV]S CDN'T EV5 SEE U BACK "! & !Y
MI<T SKID OR /OP SU45LY4 ''' ,H] W>N+ 0
L A -M]CIAL 6"S (! M D>+ BOYS4 ,B !N "O
"D1 ! SKIT*+ CAME 6A SU45 /OP4
  ,"! 7 :ISP]S ON ! PLAYGR.D4
  ..,D1D4
  ..,D1D8 ,:O8
  ..,T BOY1 9 #AJE1 ! O!R FIF?-GRADE
ROOM4                                #EE
  ..,HE WORE T SW1T] "S"TS4 ,REMEMB] HM8
  ..,>E Y SURE8
  ..,Y1H4 ,D1D4 ,8 FR 0 ) HM4 '''
  .,D1D4
  ,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ LET ! BOY'S FR -E 6\R
CLASSROOM 6TELL 8 /ORY1 &! VICE PR9CIPAL
CAME1 TOO4 ,I CD TELL 0! WAY !Y LOOK$ AT
HM !Y ?"\ X WD 2 GD = HM 6TALK AB X & GD
= U 6HE> X1 S WE WDN'T MAKE UP /ORIES OR
ASK HM ALL ! "T4 ,_M (! BOYS 9 \R CLASS
KNEW ! BOY :O DI$4 ,X SEEM$ T SU45LY !Y
KNEW HM WELL4 ,!Y ALL SE>*$ H>D = "S?+
!Y REMEMB]$1 L A CO9 !Y _H =GOTT5 9 A
POCKET B SU45LY 7 DI7+ DEEP =4
  ..,I REMEMB] HE LIK$ *OCOLATE MILK4
,REMEMB]8 ,HE ASK$ ME ONCE1 DID ,I WANT
M9E1 & ,I SD NO1 Y C H X4
  ..,HE GAVE ME A TURN ON ! SW+S1 HE N"E
HO7$ ! SW+S4 ,HE 0 A GD .GUY4
  ,B TRU?;LLY1 WE ALL KNEW ! ONLY "O :O
RE,Y KNEW HM 0 ? BOY1 8 FR1 ! "O :O 0
"!4 ,HE WORE A SKI CAP OV] 8 CURLY HAIR2
EV5 ! VICE PR9CIPAL DIDN'T MAKE HM TAKE
X (F4 ,HE _H A /RANGE ORANGE-BR[N
-PLEXION1 FRECKLES1 & L>GE TEE?4     #EF
,HE SEEM$ EAG] 6TALK4 ,WE ALL L1N$ =W>D4
  8,HIS H& SLIPP$ & HE FELL4 ,8 H1D HIT
A FUNNY WAY4 ,8 EYES ROLL$ BACK 9 8 H1D4
,I YELL$ BLOODY MURD]4 ,BLOODY MURD]60
,8 VOICE ROSE1 & S DID ! HAIR ON \R
BACKS4 8,"EY"O HE>D ME2 W9D[S OP5$ &
WOM5 />T$ YELL+ = "S"O 6CALL AN AMBUL.E4
,EV5 ! DRIV] HE>D ME4 ,! TRUCK BRAK$ &!
GUY JUMP$ \ & RAN OV]4 ,I TOLD HM1 HE'S
D1D4 ,I KNEW HE WAS1 "! 0 A TRICKLE (
BLOOD ON 8 E>4 ,HE PICK$ HM UP1 EV5 ?\<
"S"O YELL$1 ,8DON'T MOVE HM1 DON'T MOVE
HM60' ,HE PICK$ HM UP ANYWAY1 & WE BO?
/>T$ SCR1M+4 ,! MAN YELL$ AT ME0--! BOY
GL.ED AT ! VICE PR9CIPAL--8,8,:Y ! HELL
Y KIDS GOT 6PLAY L T80' ,& ,I SD1 ,8,I
DON'T "K40' ,!N HE GRA2$ ME1 TOO1 & HELD
ME S TI<T1 & />T$ CRY+ & CRY+1 R1L H>D40
  .,OH1 .MY .,GOD1 ,I ?"\4 ,MAKE HM /OP4
.,MAKE .HM ./OP6
  ,B HE DIDN'T /OP4 8,T WASN'T ! SC>IE/
"P10 HE SD1 & WAIT$4 ,I LOOK$ AT HM &
WOND]$1 ,IS HE 5JOY+ ?8 ,HE _H A FUNNY
LOOK ON 8 FACE1 B X WASN'T EXACTLY A
SMILE4 ,HE SEEM$ 6BE TRY+ 6GET 5     #EG
BR1? 6SAY ! NEXT ?+4 ,AIR SEEM$ 6BE "W+
DI6]5TLY = HM4
  8,:AT80 ,"O BOY CDN'T TAKE X ANYMORE4
  8,! WOR/ "P10 HE SD1 8WAS4 ,:5 ,I W5T4
,)! POLICEMAN4 ,6HIS "M4 ,6TELL :AT HAP-
P5$4 ,&! POLICEMAN TOLD H]4 ,8,YR SON IS
D1D40' ,& %E 0 DO+ ! DI%ES4 ,& %E WDN'T
/OP DO+ ! DI%ES4 ,S ! POLICEMAN4 ,SD X
OV] AG4 ,& %E SD1 ,8,NO1 N MY SON4 ,"!
M/ 2 "S MISTAKE4 ,HE'S ON 8 WAY HOME F
S*OOL40' ,& ,I SD1 ,8.,MIRA1 LOOK1 X'S
ME1 X'S NO MISTAKE6 ,X 0 HM60' ,& %E
SMIL$ & T\*$ MY *EEK & SD1 ,8,NO1 NO1 Y
>E MISTAK54 ,X 0 N MY SON4 ,MY SON IS A
LL LATE "S"TS4 ,X 0 N MY SON40' ,& %E
KEPT SAY+ X UNTIL %E 0 SCR1M+ X & ?R[+
?+S40 ,HE T\*$ BO? 8 E>S AT ! SAME "T1 Z
IF 8 E>S 7 / R++1 & _M ( U T\*$ \R E>S1
TOO4 ,HE NOTIC$ HE DID ? & PUT 8 H&S D[N
& LAU<$ AT HMF4 ,A QUIET LAU< RIPPL$ ALL
"? ! AISLES4 8,!N ! POLICEMAN HELD H] &
!N !Y TOOK ME AWAY40 ,HE LOOK$ AT U )
OLD EYES4 8,%E'S GONNA WAIT = H] SON =-
"E10 HE SD1 8B HE A9'T "E -+ HOME4 ,S J
Y 2 C>E;L40 ,HE PO9T$ AT ALL ( U4    #EH
8,IF "S?+ HAPP5S 6Y1 YR MOMMA'S GONNA
MISS Y40
  ,H[ CD HE N CRY8 ,WE />$ AT HM ) ALL (
\R EYES & ALL ( \R M\?S OP51 PANT+ L
DOGS 6KEEP F BAWL+4 ,! FR %IFT$ ON 8
FEET & SMIL$ UNEXPECT$LY & HUMBLY1 L A
BOY :O WASN'T US$ 6DO+ WELL 9 S*OOL B
F.D HMF 6BE GIV+ A GD REPORT4
  8,P D1L ) D1? 9 DI6]5T WAYS10 EXPLA9$
,MRS4 ,S*ULTZ4 ,%E EXT5D$ SYMPA?IES ON
2HALF ( \R CLASS4 ,!N %E TOLD U AB A MO-
;T ( SIL;E4 ,WE _H "O4 ,I DIDN'T "K !
BOY1 S ,I J WAT*$ ! SECOND H& ON ! BIG
CLASSROOM CLOCK SWEEP C>E.SLY OV] A M9-
UTE T BOY DIDN'T GET 6LIVE4
  8,N[ WE ALL "K ! /ORY40 ,! VICE PR9CI-
PAL PATT$ ! FR'S %\LD]S4 8,S Y DON'T H
6ASK HM ANY M AB X1 ;HM80 ,%E /RAI<T5$4
8,& >E Y "E GO+ SKIT*+ AG80 %E ASK$ H]
SPOKESP]SON4
  8,NO WAY6 ,NO WAY1 MAN10 HE SD4 8,B IF
,I D1 ,I'LL HOLD ON R1L TI<T40

  ,! ?AW CAME & RAN AL;G ! GUTT]S1 ! LA/
(! W9T]'S TE>S4 ,X MU4I$ ! BIG P>K   #EI
& QU5*$ ! ?IR/Y E>? 2L4 ,CLOV] CAME UP T
SPR+ L N"E 2F1 & D&ELION SE$S FLOAT$ ALL
>.D U L ! <O/S (A MILLION SN[FLAKES4





















                                     #FJ
























                   #E                #FA
           ,/1L+ ! ,AFIKOMEN

  ,LET ME TELL Y "S?+ AB RELIGION4
  ,MY P>5TS S5T ME 6,HEBREW S*OOL AT A
3S]VATIVE SYNAGOGUE EV5 ?\< WE W]5'T OB-
S]VANT ,JEWS4 ,!Y WANT$ ME 6LE>N AB MY
CULTURE1 & ? SYNAGOGUE 0 ! MO/ 3V5I5TLY
LOCAT$4 ,RA2I ,DEIT*] 0 \R T1*]4 ,HE 0
/\T1 )A %ORT BR[N BE>D & MU/A*E1 TW9KLY
EYES1 &A *ORTL+ LAU<4 ,HE 0 ALW S PL1S$
) U = ANY LL GD ?+ WE DID4 ,HE 0 L ,SAN-
TA'S ,JEWI% "Y] BRO!R4 ,MOM W>N$ ME AG/
%>+ T OBS]V,N ) HM1 AL;G )! FACT T WE
PUT UP A ,*RI/MAS TREE E ,DECEMB]4
  ,WE LE>N$ 6WRITE ,HEBREW LRS3 .%91
.GIMMEL1 .HEY4 ,SOON ,I CD S.D \ S5T;ES1
B ,I DIDN'T "K :AT !Y M1NT & CDN'T IMAG-
9E "K+4 ,/1 X 0 A MY/]I\S & MUSICAL LAN-
GUAGE1 & ,I LIK$ 6/UDY X4 ,IF WE /UDI$
H>D WE MI<T "S"D H A .B> OR .BAT .MITZ-
VAH1 A "PY T WD RIVAL \R W$D+S & U%] U
96ADULTHOOD4 ,RUMOR _H X T ? "PY AL M1NT
WE WD GET A LOT ( CA% GIFTS F \R FRS &
NEI<BORS1 : WE CD PUT ASIDE = COLLEGE4
,: FRS & NEI<BORS >E GO+ 6GIVE ME    #FB
^! CA% GIFTS8 ,I WOND]$4 ,! GIRLS TURN+
D\# ,DUT* 9 FRONT (! HI<-RISE :O ALW
MOO* (F MY CORN *IPS8 ,I WASN'T HOLD+ MY
BR1?4
  ,RA2I ,DEIT*] TRI$ 6T1* U ,JEWI% HI/O-
RY4 ,HE TOLD U 6PUT \R H1DS D[N & CLOSE
\R EYES & !N TOLD U AB H[ DUR+ ,_W ,W>
,,II1 ,NAZIS CAME & BUR/ 9 & SEP>AT$ *N
J L U F _! P>5TS & PUT !M 9 %[]S T SPEW$
POISON GAS 9/1D ( WAT]4 ,:5 ! RA2I P.D$
ON ! DOOR ) BO? FI/S 6IMITATE ,G]MANS
BR1K+ IN1 ,I ALM JUMP$ \ ( MY SK94
  ,RA2I ,DEIT*] TOLD U ,JEWS H N"E ?R[N
! F/ PUN*4 ,N"E1 "E1 ."E4
  8,N"E80 ,I ASK$1 J 6BE SURE4
  8.,N"E10 HE REP1T$4
  8,WELL10 ,I SD1 8"S"TS ,I HIT MY BRO!R
F/4 ,& ,I'M ,JEWI%40
  ,RA2I ,DEIT*] *UCKL$1 !N CLE>$ 8
?ROAT4 8,N"E UNPROVOK$10 HE CL>IFI$1
HOLD+ 8 F+] 9 ! AIR4 8,WE N"E ./>T ANY-
?+40
  ,I _H "S?+ 6SAY AB T1 TOO1 B ,I FIGUR$
X WDN'T MAKE ME LOOK TOO GD1 S ,I KEPT
MY M\? %UT4                          #FC
  ,RA2I ,DEIT*] TAU<T U 9 A CLASSROOM1 B
"O "D HE TOOK U 96! TEMPLE1 : 0 ALL AGL[
9 /A9$ GLASS4 ,HE TOOK ! ,TORAH F ! >K
6%[ U4 ,X 0 ! HOLY BOOK1 WRITT5 ON H1VY
SCROLLS & WRAPP$ 9 VELVET4 ,! RA2I TOLD
U T DUR+ S]VICES ! ,TORAH IS C>RI$1 & IF
WE "E SEE ANY"O DROP ! ,TORAH1 WE M/ FA/
=A MON?4
  8,:AT'S ,8FA/0'80
  8,Y M/ N EAT40
  ,N EAT6 ,=A MON?6 ,\R REFRIG]ATOR AT
HOME _H BE5 BROK5 = WEEKS1 & "! 0 PRE-
CI\S LL 5 6EAT4 ,I C]TA9LY WASN'T AB TO
EAT ANY LESS2 ,I GOT HUNGRY J ?9K+ AB X4
,I CLOS$ MY EYES TI<TLY Z ! RA2I RETURN$
! ,TORAH 6! >K4 ,I WASN'T TAK+ ANY *.ES4
  8,GOD IS 9 ? TEMPLE10 ! RA2I TOLD U1
8B N ONLY 9 ? TEMPLE4 ,GOD IS "EY":4
,LET'S "N ! PLACES4 ,AT HOME1 AT S*OOL
'''0
  8,H[ AB 2H ^? CURTA9S80 ,I ASK$4
  ,! RA2I SMIL$4 8,"EY":40 ,HE LECTUR$
ON1 B ,I CDN'T /OP />+ AT ! H1VY R$
DRAPES4 ,0 ,GOD RE,Y ."EY":8 ,EV5 2H !
DRAPES8 ,:AT SORT ( ,GOD 7 WE        #FD
TALK+ AB1 T HIDES 2H DRAPES8
  ,RA2I ,DEIT*] ESCORT$ U \1 B ,I HUNG
BACK & PEEK$ 2H ! DRAPES4 ,I DIDN'T SEE
ANY?+1 & BR1!D EASILY4 ,GOD IS N A
CREEP1 ,I DECID$4 ,GOD IS GD4 ,GOD HAS
BETT] ?+S 6D 2S HID+ 2H CURTA9S & SPY+
ON LL GIRLS4 ,MAYBE ,GOD HAS A LOT (
,,TV'S & E LIFE HAS A *ANNEL1 ,I ?"\4 ,I
DIDN'T "K4 ,I / DON'T4

  ,"O ( MY T1*]S F S*OOL1 :O AL 2L;G$ 6!
3GREG,N1 K9DLY (F]$ 6TAKE ME 6A ,S$] 9 !
BASE;T (! SYNAGOGUE4 ,! ,S$] IS A SYM-
BOLIC M1L EAT5 DUR+ ,PASSOV]1 A V HOLY
"T ON ! ,JEWI% CAL5D>1 DUR+ : WE REMEMB]
T WE 7 ONCE SLAVES 9 ,EGYPT4 ,:5 FLEE+
,EGYPT & 2+ PURSU$ 0A FURI\S K+1 ! ,JEWS
7 9 S* A HURRY T !Y DIDN'T H "T 6WAIT =!
BR1D 6RISE1 & FLAT MATZO CRACK]S REM9D U
( ?4 ,AT ! />T (! ,PASSOV] M1L1 AN AN-
N\NCE;T CAME F ! H1D TA# ": ALL ! RA2IS
SAT4 ,!Y SD !Y 7 TAK+ A SPECIAL PIECE (
MATZO1 ! .AFIKOMEN1 & WRAPP+ X 9 A CLO?4
,X WD 2 PLAC$ "U ! H1D RA2I'S *AIR4 ,&!
BOY :O CD TAKE X \ F "U ! RA2I'S     #FE
*AIR AT "S PO9T 9 ! EV5+ )\T ! WISE OLD
RA2I'S NOTIC+ CD ASK = .ANY-?+ HE WANT$4
  ,,ANY-?+8 ,I ?"\1 & Z IF 6ANSW] ME1 !
RA2IS *ORUS$1 ,,ANY?+6 ,,ANY?+ 9 !
,,:OLE ,,WIDE ,,_W6
  ,WELL1 ? S.D$ L A V GD PRIZE 9DE$4
  ,"H1 ALL ? "T ,I _H N"E BE5 6AN OC1N1
?\< ,I HE>D X 0 V LOVELY1 ) %ELLS & FI%
& WAVES & S*4 ,& N[1 ,I CD .H AN OC1N6
,AF ALL1 AN OC1N 0 "P ( ,,ANY-?+1 WASN'T
X8 ,& :AT AB />S & PLANETS8 ,NO1 NO1 X
_H 6BE 9 ! :OLE WIDE _W1 N \TSIDE ( X4
,:AT ELSE8 ,:AT ELSE8 ,! S]VICES 2GAN4
,WE DIPP$ BITT] H]BS 9 SALT WAT] 6REM9D
U ( TE>S1 & ,I 0 ALL[$ 6DR9K W9E1 ?\< X
GAVE ME A /RANGE1 CRAMP+ /OMA*A*E4 ,"EY-
"O SANG M]RILY & SWAY$4 ,I CD N /OP ?9K-
+1 ?\<1 AB ! AFIKOMEN "U ! RA2I'S *AIR4
,F9,Y1 ,I DECID$ ,I M/ TAKE X1 IF ONLY
6BE A# 6PAY ATT5;N 6! RE/ (! S]VICE4
  ,A HOLY PRAY] 2GAN4 ,I PRET5D$ 6DROP
MY NAPK9 & W5T "U ! TA#1 ": ,I CRAWL$ ON
MY BELLY ! L;G WAY T[>D ! H1D TA#1 6! R[
( BLACK %OES T 2L;G$ 6! RA2IS4 ,& "U !
MI4LE S1T '''                        #FF
  ,"! X WAS6 ,NO "O _H TAK5 X YET6
  ,! H1D RA2I'S FEET 7 ?UMP+ 6! RHY?M (!
PRAY]4 ,G+]LY1 ,I R1*$ 2T !M & TOOK !
AFIKOMEN1 !N /UM#D AL;G ON MY ELB[S &
KNEES1 BACK 6MY S1T4 ,I SAT BACK UP1
WIP$ MY M\? CASU,Y ) MY NAPK9 ) "O H&1 &
3C1L$ ! AFIKOMEN AG/ MY *AIR BACK4 ,I
CDN'T HELP SMIL+4
  ,"?\T ! EV5+1 ,I SAW ! H1DS ( BOYS 9 !
R[S ( GUE/S 4APPE>1 & !N REAPPE> "S M9-
UTES LAT]1 _! M\?S TWI/$ ) 4APPO9T;T4 ,I
0 AT F/ V PL1S$ ) MYF = ACT+ S QKLY1 B
!N A WORRY MADE XS WAY 96MY M9D4 ,DID OR
DID N ! RA2I SAY T ! .BOY :O TOOK ! AFI-
KOMEN CD H ANY?+8 ,WD X MATT] T A GIRL
_H TAK5 X8 ,7 GIRLS N SUPPOS$ 6WANT
PRIZES8 ,_H ,I 2HAV$ 9 AN UNLADYLIKE
WAY8 ,IF X WASN'T M1NT =A GIRL1 0 X L
/1L+8 ,WD ! RA2IS 2 ANGRY8 ,WD ,I 2 PUN-
I%$8 ,%D ,I PUT X BACK8 ,I WAT*$ Z ANO!R
BOY'S H1D REAPPE>$1 & FELT MYF H>D54
,NO1 ,I DECID$1 ,I WON'T PUT X BACK4 ,X
WASN'T FAIR 6(F] ANY?+ 9 ! _W J 6BOYS1 &
,I WD TELL !M S4 ,BETT]1 ,I WD %[ !M S4
,I LOOK$ AT ! CLOCK4 ,I 0 FEEL+      #FG
EXHAU/$ F ALL ! WORRY4
  ,F9,Y1 :5 ,I ?"\ ! EV5+ WD N"E 5D1 !
LA/ S;G 0 SUNG4 ,! OLD RA2I /OOD UP &!
ROOM GREW QUIET4 8,& N[10 HE SD1 8,I W
*ECK "U MY *AIR 6SEE IF ANY BOY 0 .BRAVE
5\<1 .CL"E 5\<1 6/1L ! AFIKOMEN40 ,HE
LOOK$ "U 8 *AIR4 8,X'S G"O60 HE EX-
CLAIM$4 ,"EY"O MOAN$ & APPLAUD$4 ,I FELT
MYF />T 6QUAKE4
  8,N[1 A PROMISE IS A PROMISE10 ! RA2I
3T9U$4 8,! BRAVE & CL"E BOY :O HAS TAK5
! AFIKOMEN C ASK = ,,ANY?+ HE WANTS4
,,ANY?+6 ,9 ! :OLE6 ,WIDE6 ,_W60
  8.,OOOHHH10 SD "EY"O4
  8,:AT W HE ASK =8 ,:AT WI% IS WAIT+ 9
A LL BOY'S HE>T8 ,WE W SOON F9D \40 ,!
RA2I W9K$4 8,W ! BOY :O HAS TAK5 ! AFI-
KOMEN F "U ! RA2I :O HAS SE5 A HUNDR$
,PASSOV]S .PL1SE .RISE60
  ,"EY"O MURMUR$ & LOOK$ >.D1 L1N+ OV] !
TA#S 6SEE : BOY 0 /&+4
  ,NO BOY 0 /&+4
  ,NOBODY 0 /&+ AT ALL4
  .,OOOHHH1 ,I ?"\4 .,? .IS .BAD4 ,I
WI%$ MY "M & "F 7 "!4 ,!Y WD "K      #FH
:AT 6D4 ,B ,I 0 ALL AL"O4
  8,:AT'S ?80 SD ! RA2I4 8,SURELY "O ( Y
HAS TAK5 X4 ,X'S N "!4 ,MATZOS DON'T GR[
LEGS & WALK AWAY 0!MVS1 D !Y80 ,"EY"O
LAU<$4 8,S1 -E4 ,DON'T 2 %Y4 ,/& & COL-
LECT :AT"E X IS Y WANT 9 ! :OLE _W40
  ,WELL1 WE C'T J SIT "H ALL NI<T1 ,I
DECID$4 ,I SWALL[$ H>D & /OOD UP4 ,I
R1*$ 2H ME & TOOK \ ! AFIKOMEN & HELD X
9 ! AIR4
  ,A SMALL GASP ROSE4
  ,I SWALL[$ AG4 8,I TOOK X10 ,I AN-
N\NC$1 9 CASE ANYBODY DIDN'T NOTICE4 8,B
,I'M N A BOY10 ,I AL ANN\NC$1 9 CASE
ANYBODY DIDN'T NOTICE4
  ,AT ?1 ! RA2IS AT ! H1D TA# AT ONCE
GA!R$ !MVS 96A FEV]I% HU4LE1 L BLACK-
BIRDS >.D FRE%LY LAID SE$4 8,"O MO;T
:ILE WE 3SID] ! SITU,N10 A VOICE CALL$4
,P MURMUR$1 &! BOYS :O _H E>LI] HUNT$ =!
TR1SURE SNICK]$ AT ME4 ,LL GIRLS LOOK$
AT ME WIDE-EY$4 ,!Y M/ 2 %OCK$1 ,I ?"\4
,OR DID !Y LOOK ''' EXCIT$8
  ,! RA2IS' HU4LE OP5$ UP & !Y FAC$ U4
8,WE H -E 6A DECI.N10 A "Y] RA2I     #FI
SD4 8,WE H DECID$3 A * IS A *4 ,:O"E HAS
! .*UTZPAH1 BOY OR GIRL1 6TAKE ! AFIKO-
MEN F "U ! *AIR (! H1D RA2I DES]VES !
PRIZE40
  ,A *E] W5T UP4 ,"EY"O APPLAUD$ AG4
8,MY /UD5T6 ,MY /UD5T60 ,RA2I ,DEIT*]
CALL$ F ! 5D (! TA#4 ,I FELT MYF BR1!
AG4
  8,S LET'S GET D[N 6BUSI;S1 ,ESM@E10 SD
! H1D RA2I4 8,,ANY-?+ Y WANT4 ,,ANY-?+ 9
! :OLE WIDE _W '''40
  ,YES1 YES1 ,I "K1 ,I ?"\1 MY M9D RAC+4
,I _H ALR _H "O WI% GRANT$1 6/1L ! AFI-
KOMEN1 &A SECOND WI% 9 N GETT+ 9 TR\# =
X4 ,S N[ ,I _H 6?9K QKLY (A GRE$Y ?IRD
WI%1 : ,I _H N S]I\SLY 3SID]$4 ,,ANY-?+8
,N[ T MY M9D 0 CLE>$ ( TR\#1 ! ANSW]
CAME QKLY4
  8,RA2I1 IF ,I MAY H ANY?+ 9 ! _W ,I WD
L ! KIT*5 (! SYNAGOGUE40
  ,HE LOOK$ AT ME QUIZZIC,Y4 8,EXCUSE
ME10 HE SD4 8,I AM OLD4 ,MY HE>+ M/ 2
PLAY+ TRICKS ON ME40
  8,! ''' ! KIT*510 ,I REP1T$4 8,J DUR+
! "D4 ,&( C\RSE1 ,I WON'T USE X ON   #GJ
,SATUR"DS40 ,P LOOK$ AT ME Z ?\< !Y 7
HAV+ TR\# ) _! HE>+4 8,X HAS A "W+ OV51
DOESN'T X8 ,&A REFRIG]ATOR80 ,MY "M & "F
WD 2 S PL1S$4 ,COLD BUTT] & MILK AG6
  8,YES1 B ''' B :AT DOES A "Y GIRL WANT
)A KIT*5 (A SYNAGOGUE80
  8,I WD L 6RUN A BAK]Y "? ! KIT*510 ,I
EXPLA9$4 8,I WD L 6MAKE COOKIES ) P9K
SUG> DOTS & BIR?"D CAKES ) ROSES ''' &
TRA9S40 ,I ?REW 9 G5]\SLY 6! DUMBF.D$
BOYS4 ,I FELT MYF GR[+ M & M EXCIT$4 8,I
W 2 HAPPY 6MAKE CAKES & COOKIES = ANY"O
"H :O NE$S !M40
  8,X'S A GD IDEA60 ,RA2I ,DEIT*] %OOK 8
F+] 9 ! AIR4 8,MY /UD5T60
  8,YES1 X IS V K9D10 AGRE$ ! H1D RA2I1
8& V 5T]PRIS+4 ,B WE _C GIVE Y ! KIT*5 (
! SYNAGOGUE4 ,WD Y N R H A NICE DOLL80
  8,?ANK Y10 ,I SD Z POLITELY Z ,I CD1
8B ,I WD N4 ,I ?"\ ! PRIZE 0 ANY?+ 9 !
:OLE WIDE _W4 ,I AM N ASK+ =! 5TIRE SYN-
AGOGUE4 ,I AM ASK+ ONLY 6USE ! KIT*540
  ,! RA2IS GAVE ME A WORRI$ LOOK & RE-
SUM$ _! HU4LE4 ,I HE>D P >.D ME />T+ TO
>GUE4                                #GA
  8,S :O IS US+ X8 ,LET H] USE X60
  8,%E %D BAKE 9 H] "M'S KIT*5 IF %E
WANTS 6BAKE40
  8,! RA2I DID SAY .ANY?+40
  8.,ANY?+ IS A FIGURE ( SPEE*40
  8,! RA2I SD %E CD ASK = ANY?+ 9 ! _W1
N GET X4 ,ASK6 ,N GET60
  8,:AT >E Y1 A FLIMFLAMM]8 ,( C\RSE
GETT+ IS :AT ! RA2I M1NT40
  8,WD WE GET A 4C.T ON MANDEL BR1D80
"S"O JOK$4
  ,F9,Y1 ! RA2IS TURN$ >.D4 8,WE H -E 6A
DECI.N4 ,! H1D RA2I HMF W SELECT A SPE-
CIAL SURPRISE & X W 2 PRES5T$ 6,ESM@E 9
,HEBREW S*OOL60
  ,! ?"\ ( M WAIT+ 0 TOO EXCRUCIAT+ TO
IMAG9E1 B X 0 CLE> T !Y 7 N GO+ 6GIVE ME
! KIT*54
  8,OKAY10 ,I SD4 8,?ANK Y40
  ,*E]S & APPLAUSE ?"U$4

  ,F9,Y1 ,TUES"D AFN >RIV$ & ,I WAIT$ Z
,RA2I ,DEIT*] W5T 96! BACK ROOM 6GET MY
PRIZE4 ,MY CLASSMATES SEEM$ Z EAG] Z ,I
WAS4 ,MAYBE X'S A CAKE1 ,I HOP$4     #GB
,A *OCOLATE CAKE ) :IPP$-CR1M FL[]S &A
DOLL ) EYES T OP5$ & CLOS$ ON A HE>T-
%AP$ /&4 ,FIVE MON?S 2F MY BIR?"D6 ,&
"EY"O WD 5JOY X4
  ,! RA2I BR"\ \ A LL BOX TI$ ) METALLIC
CORD1 A BOX M* TOO SMALL 6HOLD A CAKE4
,I OP5$ ! BOX & PULL$ \ A GOLD NECKLACE
)A LL GOLD *>M1 A .CHAI1 ! SYMBOL ( LIV-
+4 ,I 0 9/ANTLY (F5D$4 ,I TRI$ 6HIDE MY
4APPO9T;T ) E MOLECULE 9 MY BODY4
.,DON'T .2 .SPOIL$1 ,I SCOLD$ MYF4 ..,Y
"\ 6BE A%AM$6 ,A R1L GOLD NECKLACE6
,WON'T T LOOK PRETTY ) YR .DRESSES6 ,B
ANO!R1 L\D] "P ( ME ?"\1 ..,:AT ! HECK
K9D ( GIRL DOES T RA2I ?9K ,I .AM8 ,!N
,I R1LIZ$3 HE ?9KS ,I'M L E GIRL4 ,HE
?9KS ,I WANT GOLD & JEWELRY 9/1D ( CAKE
& COOKIES4 ,9/1D ( TOOLS & BR1D4 .,DON'T
.2 .ANGRY1 ,I TOLD MYF4 ..,X TAKES M ?AN
/1L+ A S+LE MATZO 6PROVE ,I AM N ? K9D (
GIRL4 ,X'S GO+ 6TAKE A LOT ( "T4 ,MAYBE
A .LIFE"T4 ,I GREW CLAMMY AT ! ?"\ ( ?
*ORE4 ,RA2I ,DEIT*] PASS$ \ JELLY C&IES
6CELEBRATE1 : MADE ME FEEL A LL BETT]4
  ,:5 ,I CAME HOME1 ,I GAVE !        #GC
.CHAI 6MY "M4 ,!N ,I TOLD H] ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6G 6,HEBREW S*OOL ANYMORE4
  8,:Y N80 %E ASK$4
  8,X'S TOO M* AB GETT+ /UFF10 ,I SD4
8,I DON'T WANT 6C>E S M* AB GETT+ /UFF40
  ,MY "F OV]HE>D1 & W5T 9 ! O!R ROOM ":
HE GA!R$ "S BOOKS 9 A PILE & H&$ !M 6ME4
,I LOOK$ AT ! SP9ES4 ..,Z5 ,FLE%1 ,Z5
.,B"OS4 ..,! ,SECRET (! ,GOLD5 .,FL[]4
.,SI4H>?A4 ,A PILE ( BOOKS AB ,BU4HISM4
  8,MAZEL TOV10 HE SD4













                                     #GD
























                   #F                #GE
         ,LOVE ,HAS ,NO ,EXP]TS

  ,LET ME TELL Y "S?+ AB LOVE4
  ,WAIT1 WAIT6 ,DON'T CLOSE ! BOOK4
,BOOKS >E "O (! BE/ PLACES 6LE>N AB
LOVE1 ?\< "! C]TA9LY >E O!R S\RCES = 9=-
M,N4 ,IF Y WANT 6"K ! F/ 9ITIAL (! P]SON
Y >E GO+ 6M>RY1 "! >E _M WAYS 6D X4 ,Y C
SKIP A ROPE :ILE Y RECITE ! ALPHABET1
UNTIL Y MISS4 ,Y C TWI/ ! /EM ( AN APPLE
:ILE Y RECITE ! ALPHABET1 UNTIL ! /EM
-ES \4 ,Y C WRITE \ ! ALPHABET & ?9K H[
_M *N Y WD L 6H1 & !N CROSS \ A LR E "T
Y >RIVE AT T NUMB] UNTIL Y H ONLY "O LR
LEFT4 ,B RE,Y1 :Y D Y WANT 6G 6ALL ?
TR\# 6"K ! F/ 9ITIAL ( YR FUTURE BRIDE
OR GROOM8 ,! 9=M,N IS Q USE.S4 ,:AT IS
LESS USE.S IS ! PROMISE T "SBODY \ "! W
LOVE Y1 = BETT] OR WORSE 7HOPE;LLY1 BET-
T]71 9 SICK;S & 9 H1L? 7HOPE;LLY1 H1L?71
& RI*] OR POOR] 7S BUY LOTT]Y TICKETS74
  ,? IS :AT ,I KNEW AB LOVE :5 ,I 0 YR
AGE4

    ,LOVE ,IS ,MY/]I\S               #GF
  ,I 0 V EXCIT$ :5 ,GYPSIES MOV$ ONTO \R
BLOCK 2C ,I HE>D !Y CD TELL =TUNES1 & S
!Y MI<T 2 A# 6TELL ME M ?AN A TWI/$ AP-
PLE /EM CD4 ,X TURN$ \ !Y W]5'T RE,Y !
/OREFRONT =TUNE-TELL+ K9D ( ,GYPSIES1
AL? !Y 7 V SUP]/ITI\S & WORE LOTS ( PRO-
TECTIVE AMULETS4 ,"! 7 M P LIV+ 9 _!
A"P;T ?AN ,I CD KEEP TRACK (4 ,"S ( !M 7
MON/R\S LOOK+1 BRUTI% & PALE & B1DY-EY$1
& O!RS LOOK$ L FAIRY-TALE H]OES1 OLIVE-
SK9N$ & GL1M+1 Z B1UTI;L Z ANY P ,I H "E
SE54 ,!Y ALL SPOKE 6EA* O!R 9 A LANGUAGE
CALL$ ,RO_M4 ,"! 0 A T5T PIT*$ 9SIDE !
A"P;T & N M* FURNITURE O!RWISE4 ,EV5 ?\<
!Y DIDN'T SEEM 6H M* /UFF1 !Y 7 ALW HAV+
Y>D SALES1 SELL+ ?+S L HANG]S1 YELL[+
PORCELA9 PLATES1 B5T =KS WRAPP$ 9 BUN-
DLES1 & -B9,N LOCKS T !Y DID N "K ! -BI-
N,NS TO4 ,J A DOLL> EA*6
  ,MY BRO!R LIK$ 6G OV] 6_! PLACE1 &!
KIDS WD ALW *E] 6SEE HM AT ! DOOR1 ESPE-
CI,Y 2C "S ( !M DIDN'T G 6S*OOL AT ALL &
!Y 7 TIR$ ( "O ANO!R'S -PANY4 ,MY BRO!R
LIK$ !M 2C !Y 7 K9D ( WILD4 ,!Y LIK$ TO
PLAY A V].N ( TAG1 ": "S"O )A /ICK   #GG
FULL ( CROOK$ NAILS WD *ASE ! O!RS >.D4
,!Y AL _H A SEEM+LY 5D.S SUPPLY ( BIKES4
  ,I 0 LESS EXCIT$ AB VISIT+1 2C ! TE5-
AGE SI/]S ) L;G1 SL5D] FACES & BUCK TEE?
WD GLOM ON 6ME & TALK AB _! D[RIES1 &
CURSE _! P>5TS = N 2+ BETT] PLANN]S4 ,I
ASK$ !M :AT A D[RY WAS1 & !Y SD X 0 A
PRICE T ! FAMILY PD 6GET A MAN 6M>RY _!
DAU<T]4 ,I ?"\ T S.D$ AG/ ! LAW1 & TOLD
!M S1 B !Y J LAU<$ & SD1 NO1 X WASN'T
AG/ ,RO_M LAW4 ,"O (! SI/]S (F]$ 6R1D
TEA L1VES = ME 6SEE :O ,I WD M>RY4 ,? 0
! (F] ,I _H BE5 WAIT+ =6 ,%E PUT "S
BLACK L1VES 9 A CUP ( /1M+ WAT] & SWIRL$
!M >.D 2F DRA9+ X4 8,"S"O 9 HOTEL MAN-
AGE;T10 %E SD1 & PASS$ ! CUP AL;G 6! O!R
WOM5 9 ! ROOM1 9CLUD+ H] "M1 :O ALL PE]$
9 & GAVE %ORT1 MATT]-(-FACT NODS4 ,I
LOOK$ 96! CUP & SAW A MUL*Y-LOOK+ PILE
AT ! BOTTOM (! CUP1 & CD N =! LIFE ( ME
FIGURE \ H[ !Y SAW ! FUTURE 9 X4
  8,N[ D Y10 ,I SD4
  ,%E REP1T$ ! PROC$URE1 LOOK$1 & BUR/
96TE>S1 RUNN+ \ (! ROOM & SLAMM+ A DOOR
"S": D[N ! HALL4                     #GH
  ,! WOM5 PASS$ ! CUP AG & NO4$ 2F EXIT+
63SOLE H]4 ,H] "M TOOK A QK GL.E & ROLL$
H] EYES4 8,FA/ FOOD1 SAME Z ALW40
  ,! ,GYPSIES W]5'T ! ONLY FAMILY ) SU-
P]/ITI\S WOM54 ,MY GR&"M TOLD ME A /ORY
T :5 %E 0 A "Y WOMAN %E W5T 6A "PY & "!
0 A ,\IJA BO>D1 : IS A MAGICAL 9/RU;T4
,Y LAY YR F+]S ON A T9Y TA# )A W9D[ 9 X4
,! TA# MOVES SEEM+LY 0"S 9VISI# H& OV]
LRS (! ALPHABET ON A BO>D1 SPELL+ \ YR
HE>T'S DESIRE OR ANSW] 6ANY "Q4 ,MY GR&-
"M ASK$ :AT ! "N ( H] HUSB& WD BE1 &!
BO>D SPELL$ \ ,R-,I-,C-,H-,A-,R-,D4 ,&
LO & 2HOLD6 ,:O %D %E M>RY B A MAN "ND
,RI*>D8
  8,T'S AMAZ+1 T /ORY AB ,GR&MA &! ,\IJA
BO>D SPELL+ \ YR "N10 ,I REM>K$ 6MY GR&-
"F 9 A PRIVATE MO;T4
  ,HE BECKON$ ME CLOS] ) 8 F+]4 8,MY "N
IS ,ISIDORE10 HE SD4

    ,LOVE ,IS ,5T]TA9+
  ,MY P>5TS SEEM$ 6?9K T ! TELEVI.N 0 N
ONLY $UC,NAL B ! GRTE/ 9V5;N S9CE !
:EEL1 & WE 7 5C\RAG$ 6WAT* Z M* Z    #GI
POSSI#4 8,WE LIVE 9 A "T ( S* GRT 5T]-
TA9;T60 MY "F WD TE/IFY & MY "M WD NOD &
SI< & ALL B GET UP & SMOO* ! SET4 ,! OLD
,Z5I? _H A *ANNEL-*ANG+ SCREWDRIV] %OV$
96! HOLE T US$ 6H\SE ! DIAL1 & XS ANT5NA
_H BE5 BROK5 "S "T AGO1 B 0 AM5D$ )A
WIRE COAT HANG] WRAPP$ 9 ALUM9UM FOIL4
,X 0 ON FAIRLY 3/ANTLY1 & XS DR"O 2CAME
L ! VOICE ( ANO!R FAMILY MEMB]4
  ,S9CE ,I WAT*$ 2T ?REE & SEV5 H\RS (
TELEVI.N A "D1 ! L9ES 2T R1L LIFE & :AT
HAPP5$ ON ! SCRE5 7 A LL SMUDG$ AT "TS4
,I _H M CRU%ES ON C>TOON "*S ?AN ,I _H
ON R1L BOYS4 ,! ,JAPANESE RACE C> DRIV]
,SPE$ ,RAC] 0 ! MO/ HE>TBR1K+LY H&"S C>-
TOON MAN4 ,! MY/]I\S ,RAC] ;,X -PET$ AG/
,SPE$1 HID+ 8 SECRET ID5T;Y Z ,SPE$'S
OLD] BRO!R4 ,SPE$1 UN=TUNATELY = ME1 0
ALR ATTA*$ 6A GORGE\S GIRLFR "ND ,TRIX-
IE4 ,%E _H %ORT HAIR HELD 9 PLACE 0A LL
B>RETTE1 & L;G LEGS T BUCKL$ AT ! KNEES4
,I WANT$ 6BE EXACTLY L H] & !N /1L ,SPE$
F H]4 ,I PRACTIC$ SAY+ 8,SPE$6 .,SPE$60
9 T BR1?Y1 DESP]ATE WAY %E _H1 & !N
*UCKL$ A LL 6MYF AT ! ?"\ ( ,TRIX-   #HJ
IE GASP+ Z ,I WALK$ AWAY ) ,SPE$ ON MY
>M4 ,"EY"O ON T %[ 0 ALW GASP+1 E TURN (
PLOT OR ROAD 0 S H>R[+4 ,I ?"\ X 0 AL V
EXCIT+ T ,SPE$ KNEW H[ 6DRIVE & _H 8 [N
C>1 : HE EV5 "ND ! .,MA* .#E4 ,:O "NS A
C>8 ,COOL P1 T'S :O4 ,COOL ,JAPANESE C>-
TOON P4
  ,I AL _H A ?+ =A "* "ND ,WOODY ,WOOD-
PECK]1 : 0 EMB>RASS+1 N ONLY 2C HE 0 A
C>TOON B 2C HE 0 A BIRD1 & N ONLY 2C HE
0 A BIRD B 2C HE 0 A HORRIBLY .OBNOXI\S
BIRD :O WD ACTU,Y PECK O!R C>TOON "*S ON
! H1D4 ,B HE _H AN 9FECTI\S LAU<1 & "S-
"TS CALL$ P 8,DA4Y-O10 : MADE ME MELT A
LL BIT 9SIDE4 ,T 0 ! F/ "T ,I "U/OOD T
IF A GUY C MAKE A GIRL SMILE1 X RE,Y
DOESN'T MATT] S M* :AT HE LOOKS L4
  ,"! 0 "O C>TOON ,I WAT*$ ! MO/1 CALL$
8,POPEYE ! ,SAILOR ,MAN40 ,X 0 AB A
PIPE-SMOK+ SAILOR :O 0 K9D ( DE=M$ & _H
A SPEE* IMP$I;T1 B :5 HE ATE SP9A*1 HE
SU45LY 2CAME V GD AT PUN*+ P4 ,HE 0 9
LOVE ) ,OLIVE ,OYL1 :O 0 NO GRT B1UTY &A
LL :9Y & SEEM$ 6[N ONLY "O \TFIT1 B
MANAG$ 6H A LOT ( ADMIR]S4 ,%E _H    #HA
"S SORT ( REL,N%IP ) AN ABUSIVE1 HULK+
BOYFR "ND ,BLUTO4 ,%E US$ ! ATTRAC;N
,POPEYE & ,BLUTO FELT = H] 6CR1TE A RI-
VALRY 2T !M4
  ,I ALW ?"\ ,OLIVE _H A LOT ( 3FID;E1
2C IF ,I _H ONLY "O DRESS & NO %APE L %E
DID1 ,I WDN'T 2 S QK 6PLAY H1D GAMES )!
GUYS ,I LIK$4 ,I PD A LOT ( ATT5;N TO
,POPEYE & TRI$ 6LE>N F X1 2C X SEEM$ V
R1LI/IC4 ,I M1N1 Y CDN'T MAKE P L T UP1
CD Y8

    ,LOVE ,"KS ,NO ,B.DS
  ,:5 ,I 0 HOME F S*OOL "O "D1 !Y %[$
.,WU!R+ .,HEI<TS ON ! ,*ANNEL #I .,MORN+
.,MOVIE4 ,9 ! MOVIE1 ! GR[N-UPS 7 HY/]I-
CAL ) GRIEF 2C !Y DIDN'T H 5 "T 6SP5D
TGR4 ,:5 !Y 7 F9,Y 9 ! SAME ROOM1 ! MAN
YELL$ 9 ! WOMAN'S FACE AB H[ M* HE LOV$
H]1 &! WOMAN SEEM$ 6BE HALF FA9T$ 2C (!
YELL+4 ,!Y 7 V 3C]N$ AB DY+ & N 2+ A# TO
HAUNT EA* O!R1 S ,I 0 V PATI5T & WAIT$
AB TWO H\RS = "S <O/S 6APPE>1 B !Y N"E
DID4 ,ALL 9 ALL X 0 A PRETTY MU%Y %[1 B
! "O AWE"S "P 0 T ! WOMAN CALL$ H]   #HB
BOYFR'S "N1 8,H1?CLIFF6 ,H1?CLIFF60 ,& X
CD 2 HE>D F MILES AWAY1 N EV5 US+ A TEL-
EPH"O4
  ,I WD LIE 9 B$ AT NI<T1 ?9K+ AB H[ IM-
PROBA# ? WAS4 ,X WD DRIVE ME CRAZY4 ,H[
CD %E SAY 8,H1?CLIFF0 F WAY ACR ! MOOR &
HE CD HE> X8 ,-E ON6 ,X 0 IMPOSSI#6 ,I
DIDN'T "K M* AB SCI;E--CELL PH"OS _HN'T
EV5 BE5 9V5T$ YET--B ,I DID "K T :5 Y
TALK 6"S"O F> AWAY1 "!'S USU,Y "S K9D (
WIR+ 9VOLV$4 ,!N AG1 ,I _H HE>D (! 8P[]
( LOVE10 S MAYBE IF Y SD "S?+ RE,Y A6EC-
;NATE X WD CR1TE A K9D ( ELECTRICAL =CE
T CD ACTU,Y C>RY "? ! ATMOSPH]E4
  ,I KNEW F WAT*+ ,MICKEY ,ROONEY 9 .,"Y
.,TOM .,$ISON ON ! ,*ANNEL #I .,MORN+
.,MOVIE T :5 "! IS A SCI5TIFIC "Q1 ! ON-
LY WAY 6F9D ! ANSW] IS 0TE/+ & OBS]V,N4
,S ,I DECID$ 6TE/ MY HYPO!SIS4 ,]IC
,FO/NOT 0 A NEW BOY :O _H J TRANSF]R$
96MY CLASS4 ,HE 0 TALL] ?AN ! O!R BOYS &
TRIPP$ OV] ?+S :5 HE WALK$4 ,HE _H BR[N
HAIR T 0 S L;G & S(T T HE _H 6KEEP TOSS+
X \ ( 8 BR[N EYES1 & "S"TS :5 HE 0 "W+
HE WD BL[ 8 BANGS \ (! WAY4 ,HE 0    #HC
S H&"S T ,I ?"\ IF HE 7 CROSS+ ! /REET &
A C> 0 -+ & HE 0 AB 6BE /RUCK1 ,I J MI<T
H 6?R[ MYF 9 FRONT ( X 6PU% HM \ (! WAY1
& :5 HE WD LIFT MY BATT]$ BODY 9 8 >MS
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TOLD H] T X SEEM$ %E _H BE5 "H L;G 5 TO
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POEMS MY GR&MA _H WRITT5 H]F4 ,%E 0 A V
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PAP]1 OR WON 3TE/S1 : 0 EXCIT+4 ,%E ALW
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A HOT DOG /U6$ ) MELT$ ,AM]ICAN *EESE &
WRAPP$ 9 BACON4
  ,GR&MA _H AN UP"R PIANO 9 H] LIV+ ROOM
& LOTS ( OLD %EET MUSIC4 ,%E WD TAKE \ A
BRITTLE COPY ( ..,VICTOR ,H]B]T'S ,PIANO
,ALBUM =! .,"Y & PLAY HALT+LY :ILE ,I
SANG3

,BOB-BY ,%AF-TO'S G"O 6SEA1
,SILV] BUCKLES ON 8 KNEE1
,HE'LL -E BACK & M>RY ME1
,PRET-TY ,BOB-BY ,%AF-TO4

  ,I W9C$4 ,OBVI\SLY ,VICTOR ,H]B]T 0 A
RELATIVE ( MY PIANO-LESSON NEMESIS1
,JOHN ,S*AUM4 ,/1 ,I LIK$ S++ & 2+ SILLY
9 MY GR&MA'S LIV+ ROOM4 ,X 0 ALW CL1N &
VACUUM$1 )A GOLD LAM@E C\* ON "O SIDE (!
ROOM &A BLACK V9YL C\* ON ! O!R4 ,"! 0
PL5TY ( SPACE 2H BO? ( !M = HID+ & JUMP+
\ 6SURPRISE P 7IF ! HID+ PLACE ( *OICE1
! LAUNDRY HAMP]1 0 FULL74 ,GR&MA
DECORAT$ 9 AN ECLECTIC WAY1 :       #AJJ
M1NS %E US$ M ?AN "O /YLE4 ,S9CE MY GR&-
MA LIK$ ?+S F ,ASIA 7OR 8! ,ORI5T0 Z %E
PUT X71 "! 0 A BIG PLA/IC BAMBOO TREE &A
VASE ( TALL CATTAILS 9 ! LIV+ ROOM1 AL;G
)A GEI%A DOLL &A MIRACUL\S LL CORK
SCULPTURE (A BRIDGE OV] A ,JAPANESE G>-
D54 ,%E _H AN IMPOS+ PA9T+ HUNG ABV !
PIANO4 ,I CD N"E Q TELL :AT X WAS4 ,= _M
YE>S ,I ?"\ X 0 A PORTRAIT (A MON/]'S
FACE1 & ,I ?"\ MY GR&MA 0 V EXCIT+ 6%[-
CASE S* A MACABRE PA9T+ 9 ! MI4LE ( H]
LIV+ ROOM4 ,Z ,I GREW OLD]1 ?\<1 ,I R1L-
IZ$ X 0 N A MON/]'S FACE1 B A COLONIAL
HE>? )A COZY FIRE & TWO PLATES HUNG OV]
X4 ,? 0 4APPO9T+1 B ! PA9T+ 0 S D>K T X
LOOK$ M L A FI]Y FURNACE1 S X 0 / PRETTY
GD4 ,MY FAVORITE ITEM 0 A PORCELA9 FIG-
URE ( ,TEVYE1 ! MILKMAN F ..,FI4L] ON !
.,RO(4 ,IF Y TURN$ ! FIGURE ON XS /&1 A
LL MUSIC BOX 9SIDE WD />T 6PLAY 8,SUN-
RISE1 ,SUNSET40 ,I ALW LOV$ T FIGURE &
WD TELL H] S1 & %E WD TELL ME ,I CD H X
:5 %E DI$4 ,%E 0 V EXCIT$ AB DY+ 2C %E
_H B"\ PLOTS 9 ! ,GRACEL& ,CEMET]Y1 ": !
DE"P;T /ORE MOGUL ,M>%ALL ,FIELD    #AJA
0 BURI$4 ,I ASK$ H] IF WE WD ALL 2 BURI$
"!1 & %E %RU7$4 ,%E'D ONLY B"\ A FEW
PLOTS4 8,F/ -E1 F/ S]V$10 %E SD4
  ,! DOOR ( ,GR&MA'S BA?ROOM WDN'T CLOSE
ALL ! WAY1 : 0 "S"TS EMB>RASS+4 ,%E USU-
,Y _H H] NYLON /OCK+S SOAK+ 9 ! S9K2 !
FLE%-COLOR$ TANGLE ( BLOAT$ TUBES LOOK$
L A BRA94 ,H] BA?TUB DIDN'T H A %[]1 B X
DID H FEET L A LION4 ,"! 0 A TA# )A LOT
( BOOKS 9 ! KIT*5 S Y CD GRAB "O EN R\TE
6! BA?ROOM1 : ,I ?"\ 0 V CIVIL4 ,%E _H
LOTS ( APP1L+ BOOKS3 ADV5TURE NOVELS BY
,PE>L ,BUCK SET 9 8! ,ORI5T10 COLLEC;NS
( %ORT /ORIES 0,DORO?Y ,P>K]1 VOLUMES (
ADVICE COLUMNS 0,ANN ,L&]S1 & LOTS (
BOOKS AB ETIQUETTE & 5T]TA9+4 ,I WD LOSE
TRACK ( "T 9 "!1 PLANN+ IMAG9>Y "PIES4
  ,GR&MA'S B$ROOM _H A /RANGE LL S9K (F-
SET 9 ! WALL )A PORCELA9 B[L & BR[N
/RIPES ( RU/ RUNN+ D[N F ! H>DW>E4 ,E N[
& !N A />TL+ S.D WD -E UP F ! PLUMB+1 L
AN OLD P]SON TRY+ 6CLE> 8 ?ROAT F A HUN-
DR$ YE>S ( PHLEGM4 ,IF Y TURN$ ! FAUCET
H&LE & LEFT X =A FEW M9UTES1 X WD *OKE
UP A BLOB ( BR[N WAT]4 ,WE DIDN'T   #AJB
TURN ! FAUCET H&LE V (T54 ,X 0 M DECORA-
TIVE ?AN USE;L1 ,I GUESS Y CD SAY4 ,AL 9
,GR&MA'S B$ROOM 0 A RADIATOR )A LL T9
FLAP ON ! SIDE S Y CD R1* 9 & ADJU/ !
H1T1 B X AL MADE =A V N1T & SECRET MAIL-
BOX4 ,MY R$H1D$ C\S91 ,PET]1 :O 0 CLOSE
6MY AGE1 (T5 SP5T ! NI<T AT ,GR&MA'S &
WD L1VE ME NOTES "!1 & :5 ,I WD VISIT1
,I WD F9D !M & REPLY4
  ,ON MY GR&MA'S BUR1U NEXT 6H] B$ 0 A
GLASS PAP]WEI<T )A PICTURE ( ME F A PHO-
TO BOO? 5CAS$ 9SIDE4 ,T IS H[ ,I KNEW MY
,GR&MA LOV$ ME4 ,T &! WAY %E WD SMOO? MY
F+]NAILS E "T %E HELD MY H&4
  ,GR&MA _H WEIRD ?+S 6PLAY ) :5 WE CAME
6H] H\SE4 ,%E _H METAL ROLL] SKATES T 7
MISS+ A KEY & N"E FIT "R1 B Y CD TRY GO+
UP & D[N ! HALL ) !M ANYWAY UNTIL %E
SCR1M$ AT Y 6/OP4 ,9 "O CLOSET1 %E _H A
R1L ELECTRIC TRA9 T WD "S"TS SP>K :5 Y
PLU7$ X 9 & IF Y PLAY$ ) X A :ILE X
SMELL$ L "S?+ 0 ON FIRE4 ,GR&MA _H A
DRAW] FULL ( *N'S BOOKS1 & %E 0 N"E TOO
TIR$ 6R1D U \R FAVORITE1 .,MISS .,SUZY
0,MIRIAM ,"Y4 ,X 0 AB A SQUIRREL    #AJC
:O IS BULLI$ \ ( H] HOME 0"S BAD SQUIR-
RELS & GOES 6LIVE 9 A DOLLH\SE1 ": %E
MEETS "S TOY SOLDI]S1 :O LOVE H] & AV5GE
H] MISTR1T;T4 .,MISS .,SUZY 0 ALW A
?RILL4
  ,GR&MA 0 ALW A GD SPORT AT GAMES4 ,%E
_H A BO>D GAME CALL$ 8,YR ,AM]ICA0 T
%E'D ALW (F] 6PLAY ) U B WE WD REFUSE 2C
X LOOK$ TOO CORNY1 S 9/1D WE WD PLAY A
C>D GAME CALL$ 8,KAN-;,U-,G40 ,OR1 IF X
0 SUMM]"T1 WE CD SIT 9 LAWN *AIRS ON H]
BACK POR* & %E WD S+S;G1 8,I SPY1 ) MY
LL EYE1 "S?+ T 2G9S ) '''0 & WE'D H TO
GUESS :AT %E 0 LOOK+ AT1 )! F/ LR Z \R
ONLY CLUE4 ,X 0 A TRY+ GAME 2C "! WASN'T
M* 6*OOSE F3 W9D[S (! L[-R5T HI<-RISE1
OR ! C>S 9 ! P>K+ LOT (! L[-R5T HI<-
RISE1 OR PASS+ PLANES OR ! TOPS ( TREES1
OR EA* O!R'S CLO!S4 ,"S"TS A DRAGONFLY
WD 2 CAM\FLAG$ "S":1 OR A CL\D WD LOOK L
"S?+ ELSE4 ,X 0 A GD LESSON 9 LOOK+
CLOSELY4
  ,! MO/ FUN AT ,GR&MA'S 0 GO+ "? H]
DRESS] DRAW]S4 ,GR&MA KEPT E GREET+ C>D
T 0 GIV5 6H]1 & X SEEM$ L %E KEPT   #AJD
E SALVAGEA# PIECE ( WRAPP+ PAP]1 TOO4
,!Y 7 S PRETTY1 ,I LIK$ 6SPR1D !M \ &
PRET5D ,I RAN A /,N]Y /ORE4
  ,B ! BE/ DRAW] 0 ,GR&MA'S "PY DRAW]4
  ,GR&MA ?REW A LOT ( "PIES1 B %E ONLY
5T]TA9$ H] [N IMM FAMILY4 ,GR&MA ?REW
BIR?"D "PIES = EA* ( H] F\R *N1 EV5 ?\<
!Y 7 GR[N1 & "S"TS %E AL MADE "PIES =
SPECIAL HOLI"DS4 ,? 0 BRAVE 2C MY "M'S
SIDE (! FAMILY 0 NOTORI\SLY %ORT-TEMP]$4
,A FACIAL EXPRES.N OR LOOSE ^W CD IGNITE
,M.T ,VESUVIUS1 & USU,Y DID4 ,"S"O WD
M>* \1 %\T+ AB 8Y P60 OR "S"TS ,GR&MA
H]F WD GET F$ UP & TELL "EY"O 6GET \4 ,B
%E N"E GAVE UP4 ,A FEW MON?S WD PASS &!
"PY DRAW] WD OP5 AG1 Z %E GAM#D ON !
HOPE T \R FAMILY WD H A FEW H>MONI\S
H\RS 9 SU3ES.N1 : "S"TS HAPP5$1 ESPECI,Y
IF \R M\?S 7 FULL ( EI FOOD OR S;G4
  ,S9CE ,GR&MA ?REW A LOT ( "PIES &
WAT*$ H] GR&*N & AL "W$ FULL-"T Z A SEC-
RET>Y 9 A HOSPITAL1 %E 0 "S"TS TIR$4 ,&
S1 "O AFN :ILE MY C\S9 ,PET] & ,I 7 VIS-
IT+1 %E FELL ASLEEP ON ! BLACK V9YL C\*4
  8,:AT %D WE D80 ASK$ ,PET]4       #AJE
  8,I "K10 ,I SD4 8,GR&MA'S ALW ?R[+ P>-
TIES = U4 ,LET'S ?R[ A SURPRISE "PY =
H]60
  ,? SEEM$ L ! GRTE/ IDEA WE _H "E _H1 S
WE OP5$ UP ! "PY DRAW] & LAID "EY?+ \4
,:AT A /A%6 ,"! 7 MILES ( /R1M]S & CREPE
PAP] BELLS1 FRILLY FRUIT & NUT BASKETS &
ROSETTES MADE F TISSUE1 BL[]S1 BALLOONS1
BANN]S T SD "EY?+ F .,OV] .,! .,HILL TO
.,J .,M>RI$1 PLA/IC UT5SILS ( E COLOR1
NAPK9S ) PICTURES ( T[]+ P9K CAKES ON
!M1 &A MAT*+ TA#CLO?4 ,& !N "! 0 ! "M
LODE3 PACKAGES ( PRECI\S LL H>D-C&Y AL-
PHABETS T ,GR&MA US$ 6SPELL \ P]SONAL
MESSAGES ON CAKES4
  ,WE _H 6"W QKLY & QUIETLY4 ,:O KNEW :5
,GR&MA WD WAKE UP8 ,"W+ TGR1 WE UNROLL$
E REEL ( /R1M] D[N 6XS TI<T LL CORE &
TWIRL$ & TAP$ X 6E CORN] (! ROOM4 ,!N WE
HUNG E SIGN1 & E BELL & E ROSETTE4 ,WE
BLEW UP BALLOONS UNTIL \R H1DS SPUN4
  ,:ILE ,PET] SET ! TA#1 ,I ?"\ X WD 2 A
NICE T\* 6TAKE D[N E PIECE ( CRY/AL F !
PANTRY & PUT !M \4 ,X 0 A "PY1 AF ALL6
,!N ,PET] & ,I FILL$ ! NUT BAS-     #AJF
KETS ) ,GR&MA'S 3DI;T COLLEC;N4 ,WE LAID
\ ! W9DMILL COOKIES & E CRACK] WE CD F9D
7,GR&MA AL _H A GD RE/AURANT CRACK]-
PACKET COLLEC;N7 & ,I BOIL$ ALL ! HOT
DOGS 9 ! REFRIG]ATOR4 ,WE MADE A FLU6Y
PUN* J L ,GR&MA TAU<T U1 US+ RA9B[ %]BET
& G+] ALE1 9 H] CRY/AL PUN* B[L4 ,WE
HUNG ALL TWELVE CUPS >.D ! $GE ) _! LL
HOOKS4
  ,!N WE FELL BR1?.S 96! KIT*5 *AIRS4
  8,WE =GOT "S?+10 ,PET] SD4
  8,X J FEELS T WAY10 ,I SD4
  8,NO10 ,PET] 9SI/$1 & HELD UP ! SUG>-
C&Y LRS4
  ,WE _H WAT*$ ,GR&MA &! LRS DUR+ "PY
PREP>,NS 2F4 ,:5 ,GR&MA TOOK \ ! LRS1 X
0 ALW V SPECIAL4 ,%E WORE A S]I\S EX-
PRES.N Z %E LAID !M \1 2C %E 0 N"E SURE
IF %E _H ALL ! LRS %E NE$$4 ,%E DID N L
U 6EAT ! LRS %E WASN'T US+ 2C %E MI<T
NE$ !M NEXT "T4 ,B "H WE W]E1 )! :OLE
BAG ( SUG> LRS1 V[ELS .& 3SONANTS1 & EV5
A C\PLE ( COVET$ EXCLAM,N PO9TS4
  8;,P IS = ,PET]10 SD ,PET]4 8,I CALL
;,P40                               #AJG
  8,IF Y EAT ! ;,P10 ,I W>N$1 8Y MI<T 2
AN ,8ET]0' = YR BIR?"D40
  8,EXACTLY :AT ,I WANT 6BE40 ,PET]
GR9N$4
  8,MAYBE Y %D EAT ! ;,R10 ,I SU7E/$4
8,!N AT L1/ ,GR&MA C SPELL ,8,PETE40'
,MAYBE %E WON'T NOTICE40
  8,B %E NE$S ! ;,R = ,8BIR?"D40'0
  8,WELL1 %E NE$S TWO ;,P'S = ,8HAP-
PY10'0 ,I PO9T$ \4
  8;,E'S >E NO GD10 SD ,PET]4 8,WE BO?
NE$ ;,E'S40
  8,"!'S V[ELS 9 E ^W40 ,I TRI$ 6BE
SM>T4
  8,! V[ELS TA/E BETT]10 HE SD4
  8,NO1 !Y DON'T10 ,I SD1 B 8 SAY+ X ALR
MADE X TRUE4 ,PET] 0 ALR CRUN*+ "O4
8,:AT LR DID Y TAKE80
  8,AN EXCLAM,N PO9T40
  8,>E Y CRAZY80 ,I TOOK ! BAG F HM1
R1*$ 9 & /UCK "O 9 MY M\?4
  8,: "O DID .Y TAKE80
  8,I DON'T "K1 ,I DIDN'T LOOK40 ,X
DIDN'T TA/E L AN EXCLAM,N PO9T4 ,X TA/$
L *ALK1 & ,I NE>LY CRACK$ A TOO?    #AJH
ON X4
  8,WE DON'T H A CAKE10 ,PET] WORRI$4
  8,LET'S SPR1D CR1M *EESE ON CRACK]S10
,I SU7E/$4 ,WE MADE A L9E ( ,SALT9ES &
/>T$ SPELL+4 8,H[ AB1 ,8,HAPPY ,"EY?+1
,GR&MA40'0
  ,PET] FI%$ = LRS4 8,DID Y EAT ! ;,G80
  8,I DON'T "K40 ;,G IS = GUILTY4
  8,WELL1 !N1 ,8,HAPPY ,"EY?+1 ,EVE-
LYN40'0
  8,WE N"E CALL H] ,EVELYN10 ,I SD4
8,2SS1 WE DON'T H 5 ;,Y'S40
  8,"H'S ! ;,G10 SD ,PET]4 ,I SI<$ ) RE-
LIEF4 ,MAYBE ,I _H EAT5 A ;,Q 8,B ,I ?9K
,8,"EY?+0' IS TOO L;G40
  ,WE SETTL$ ON 8,HI ,GRAN ,F ,U40
  ,WE 7 EXHAU/$1 B WE CD N /OP ROTAT+1
ADMIR+ \R "W4
  8,LET'S WAKE H] UP10 SD ,PET]4
  ,WE 7 A LL AFRAID1 TIPTOE+ OV]4 ,"S"TS
GR[N-UPS >E 9 A BAD MOOD :5 !Y WAKE UP4
,B WE 7 EXCIT$ & T MADE U BRAVE4 ,0 T H[
,GR&MA FELT "S"TS1 2F A "PY8 8,GR&MA6
,WAKE UP60 WE HISS$4 ,%E B>ELY /IRR$4
8,WE DID SOMMMMMEETHIIIIIING10 WE   #AJI
:ISP]$ CAGILY4
  ,H] EYES FLEW OP54 8,:AT DID Y D80
  8,WE MADE A SURPRIIIIIIISSSSE40
  ,%E SAT "R UP4 8,:AT .K9D ( SURPRISE80
  8,-E ) U10 WE SD1 EA* TAK+ "O ( H]
H&S4 ,WE L$ H] 6! KIT*51 ": E S+LE SUR-
FACE 0 COV]$ ) "PY4
  8,OH1 MY ,GOD10 %E SD4 ,H] L[] JAW UN-
H+$4
  8,WE US$ YR :OLE "PY DRAW]1 ,GR&MA6
,WE DIDN'T WA/E10 ,PET] ANN\NC$ PR\DLY4
  8,HAPPY ,"EY?+10 ,I *E]$4
  8,OH1 MY ,GOD10 ,GR&MA REP1T$4 8,MY
,GOD60 ,PET] & ,I LOOK$ AT EA* O!R4 ,%E
0 .HAPPY1 "R8 8,I FEEL L ''' ,I'M 9 A
DAZE4 ,A .DR1M10 %E ANSW]$4 ,%E SAT D[N1
& WE S]V$ PUN* US+ ! LADLE4 ,%E ATE A
CRACK] ) GRAPE JELLY1 /1DILY EYE+ H]
KIT*5'S MAKEOV]1 Z WE _H D"O4
  8,>5'T Y GO+ 6EAT ! C&Y LRS1 ,GR&MA80
ASK$ ,PET]4
  8,^? >E ONLY = DECOR,N10 SD ,GR&MA1
SURPRIS$ T WE DIDN'T "K4 8,"S ( !M >E /
GD1 B "S GOT MIX$ 9 ) "OS F MY "M T >E
AT L1/ TW5TY YE>S OLD40 ,PET] &     #AAJ
,I LOOK$ AT EA* O!R AG1 B ,GR&MA DIDN'T
SEEM 6NOTICE4 8,": DID Y "E F9D S M*
TAPE80
  8,! WRAPP+-PAP] DRAW]10 ,I SD4
  8,Y NE$ M TAPE10 ,PET] 9=M$ H]4 8,Y'RE
\40
  8,MY ,GOD40
  8,GR&MA'S 9 %OCK60 ,PET] 0 B\NC+ UP &
D[N4
  8,Y L X80 ,I ASK$ HOPE;LLY4
  8,X'S L A DR1M10 ,GR&MA REP1T$4 8,I
CLOS$ MY EYES & :5 ,I OP5$ !M ,I 0 9 A
DR1M40 ,%E F9I%$ (F H] PUN*4 8,& N[ ,I'M
GO+ 6LIE D[N ON MY C\* & CLOSE MY EYES
AG & :5 ,I OP5 !M ,I W 2 AWAKE1 & MY
:OLE KIT*5 W 2 J Z X WAS1 ) E S+LE ?+
PUT BACK EXACTLY ": X WAS1 & ,I W ALW
REMEMB] ? WOND];L DR1M ": "! 0 A B1UTI;L
"PY GIV5 0MY GR&*N & ,I DIDN'T H 6CL1N
UP AF X40 ,PET] & ,I OP5$ \R M\?S 6PRO-
TE/1 B %E 0 ALR FLOAT+ D[N ! HALL4
8,B1UUUU-TI;L DREEEAAM]6 ,LA-DA-DE-DAAAA
'''0
  ,X SEEM$ 6TAKE TWICE Z L;G 6PEEL (F
ALL ! TAPE1 ROLL UP ALL ! /R1M]S    #AAA
& BAL.E ! CRY/AL BACK 9 ! PANTRY4 ,PET]
& ,I CD B>ELY MOVE 0! "T MY MOM RANG !
DOORBELL ?REE "TS1 AT : PO9T ,GR&MA 3V5-
I5TLY WOKE UP4 ,:5 !Y 5T]$ ! KIT*51
,GR&MA LOOK$ PL1S$ & CALM1 B ,MOM NOTIC$
\R PALE FACES4 8,DID Y H FUN80 ,MOM ASK$
U1 B ,GR&MA ANSW]$4
  8,I _H A LOVELY AFN4 ,I TOOK A NICE
L;G NAP & ,I _H ! MO/ B1UTI;L DR1M60
  8,I HOPE Y 7 GD :ILE ,GR&MA RE/$40
  8,OH1 YES40 ,GR&MA PUT H] >M >.D EA* (
U & KISS$ ! TOPS ( \R H1DS4 8,!Y 7 V1 V
GD40

  ,"O MORN+ ,I OP5$ MY EYES & SAW ,TEV-
YE'S MUSIC BOX ON MY [N BUR1U4 ..,F/ -E1
F/ .S]V$4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES AG & TRI$ TO
DR1M ANO!R B1UTI;L DR1M1 AB A LL GIRL :O
_H ALL ( H] GR&P>5TS 9 ! _W1 & ^: LIFE 0
S NEW T %E DIDN'T H 6TRY 6REMEMB] ANY?+4




  ,ESM@E ,RAJI ,CODELL KEPT A       #AAB
DOLL BU7Y FULL ( DI>IES :5 %E 0 GR[+ UP1
: HELP$ H] WRITE ? BOOK4 ,%E IS ! AC-
CLAIM$ AU?OR ( .,VIVE .LA .,P>IS1 ! COM-
PANION 6H] F/ NOVEL1 .,SAH>A .,SPECIAL1
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GUIDE = ADULTS ..,H[ 6,GET ,YR ,* 6,LOVE
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LIBR>IAN1 %E LIVES 9 ,*ICAGO ) H] HUSB&
& SON4 ,VISIT H] ,WEB SITE AT
_+WWW.PLANETESME.COM_:4