“I wouldn't never bathe with him or pass water when he were near. He got suspicious quick. Seems real boys are awfully eager to parade their bits around.”

“Much were bent over in laughter. I pushed him, and he rolled to the floor without my intended insult. “Come off it!” I stamped my foot.“What’s so funny?” John asked, coming over in the middle of eating an apple. He tossed me an apple and I threw it at Much. He only laughed harder. “K-k-kissed Scar!” he hooted.“Someone kissed you?” John asked, turning to me. He didn’t look like it were too funny. “Who is he?”This made Much laugh more.“None of your business, John Little,” I told him.He stepped closer to me with a flat face that, if I could ape it, I’d never be kissed by a stupid girl when I didn’t want to be. “Who, Scar?”“Jenny Percy!” Much roared.John’s face broke open, like a smile could split a blackmood. “Wait till Rob hears this.”

“He takes the guilt and responsibility that others can't. John takes the punches. I just take the hunger, and most times it feels like awful little.”

“You have to stay safe, Scar. Maybe it's your bits in a dress and maybe it's just you, but I'm awful fond of something in there. So don't get killed.”

“You traitorous bitch!" he yelled. "You goddamn liar!"I laughed. "You knew I were a bitch and a liar when you married me, Guy. It's your own damn fault for agreeing to it.”

“Rob looked a little shocked. "Don't you look at me like that," I snapped at him. "Just because I can't trim a beard don't mean I can't swear.""Like a sailor," he added. "I've never heard so many curses in my whole life. All combined.”

“Never would I have a man saying what or who were best for me, and that were all there were to it.”