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Ihad dinner on the table by the time my mother woke up. She scratched herself like a bear coming out of hibernation and grabbed a beer on her way to the table. We were eating tuna casserole tonight and she helped herself to the cheesiest corner.

“I have tonight off. I think we should do something fun.”

Allie and I looked at one another. “Like…what?”

Hey beautiful.

My phone was in my pocket and after all the crass messages I’d gotten, Darius’s stuck out like a diamond.

Hey yourself

I texted back, while pretending to pay attention to the conversation at hand.

You’d better be using your thumbs.

I am

I lied.

“Can we go to the movies?” Allie asked, bouncing.

Things get better?

Yes and no.

You were supposed to let me know if they didn’t stop.

I didn’t want to bug you.

“Too expensive. We could rent one on the TV though. Jessie?”

I looked around. “Sure. Why not?”

“I want to pick!” Allie declared.

My mother made a face. “I don’t think so?—”

It wouldn’t be bugging.

I’m your sidekick, remember?

Heh. I do. What’re you up to tonight then?

Trying on tights?

And what if I was?

I’m out at highway 13. You?

“Mom. Mom. Mom—please. Please.” Allie was pressing her luck, since our mom appeared to be in a good mood.

Sitting at the dinner table. Listening to my sister attempt to get my mom to rent the latest Spongebob.

What’s on Highway 13?

Nothing, currently. Bruce was supposed to meet me here ten minutes ago.

Bruce. Ugh.