“But no matter,” Grandmother said. “Let’s let small-minded people live within the confines of their small-minded assumptions while the rest of us carry on with our lives.”

“We’ll be back,” he said. I had to admire how well he controlled the abject terror in his heart. “I’ll be waiting,” Grandmother replied.”

“I didn’t pick this fight, gentlemen. The first move is yours,” Grandmother growled. “And the final one, I assure you, will be mine.”

“It’s funny you bring that up,” I said. “In some countries, red hair was considered a sign of witchcraft. They actually burned people at the stake for it. Can you imagine? Just goes to show that a little ignorance can go a long way—if you let it go unchallenged, that is.”

“Because suddenly I knew that Graham could boss me around only if I let him. No one has power over me unless I surrender it.”

“Need a ride home?""Yes."But she keeps sitting there."Let's go.""You're taking me?""It's a pretty standard way of offering," I say. "I wasn't asking for informational purposes. Fascinating as the answer was.”

“God, when did Elli go from cute to hot? I mean, I've sensed it coming for a while, but all at once, here she is. Trouble on two legs. Two very nice legs.And now I need to go home and wash my brain out with soap.”