Are you okay?" she whispers, giggling. Me? Oh sure. You might have to carry me out of here, though." What happened?" I created a distraction." I gathered that." Step stool, encyclopedias, floor." I see. Well, I can't thank you enough." Sure you can. Help me flunk enough tests, so I drop out of the 'torian range." Can't you just tell Abernethy that you have a reputation as a dumbshit to keep up, and you don't want the attention?" Flunking is more fun.

Oh baby," he whispers. Steps back. Out of the doorway. His face ashen. He walks slowly back to the kitchen. Leans over the counter. Puts his head in his hands. His hair falls over his fingers. The bathroom door clicks shut. She stays there for a long time. He's pulling his hair out.

If you want to touch me, Kendall, touch me. Don't hide behind those little girl slaps.

Feels like I'm in a play and I don't know all my lines.

Because there's no way on earth she's going to make it through college unless she grows some serious ovaries and turns this train wreck around

Hippie said he couldn't stay. Be back tomorrow -Love,Mom

He moves like a dancer.