“Lori, did you and Adam have a fight? I mean, another fight? A humdinger?”I snorted. “No, I’m sobbing in Frances’s lap because she will marry our father someday and bring back the vegi/soy mayonnaise.”“What’s the matter with vegi/soy mayonnaise?” Frances asked.McGillicuddy wrinkled his nose at the memory.”

“Here’s what you did wrong, Adam,” he barked. “I told your parents to make it clear to you that you were not to see Lori again. You did it anyway. at’s what you didwrong.”“But—,” I started.“Shhh,” Lori said beside me.“That’s—,” I started again.“Shut up,” Lori muttered.“—ridiculous,” I finished.“Adam, stop talking,” Lori said.“Adam, stop talking,” Frances repeated.”

“Better you than Cameron " McGillicuddy grumbled. "I know where Cameron's been." Sean snorted. Cameron said "I already told you I did NOT come on to Lori.”

“What did Kevin Ye get arrested for anyway? Didn't he steal a car?" "He stole the driver's ed car."I laughed. Then I saw how Adam was looking at me. "He gave it back." "They MAKE you give stuff back, Lori, after they arrest you for stealing it.”

“I knew I was only getting myself in more trouble. Lori’s dad unballed and balled his fists, daring me to talk back. I was beyond caring. I was right and he was wrong. Isaid, “Of course I’m going to see her. I live next door.”“Not for long,” he shouted. “Lori, go with Frances. Go home.”I balled my own fists then. Now it sounded like Lori was a dog.Lori gave me a wide-eyed warning look, then obediently jogged a few steps forward and walked with Frances toward her house.Her dad turned to me. “You. Follow me.”“Woof,” I said.”

“Her dad brought his hands together and popped a knuckle.“Trevor,” Frances said soothingly, rubbing her hand on his back. But she was looking hard at me over her glasses, telling me upstanding citizens did not act this way.When we were kids, that look from Frances could make Lori and her brother behave, and sometimes even my brothers, but I never seemed to get the message.“I saw you coming out of the woods,” Lori’s dad shouted at me. “Together!”“We weren’t rolling in the leaves or anything. Look, no evidence.” I put my other hand on Lori’s other shoulder and turned her around backward, hoping against hopeshe didn’t have scratches from the tree on her bare back, or bark on her butt.“Get your hands off my daughter.”

“I'm not stalking her," I insisted."I'm making sure she's safe. Besides, how could you stalk Lori McGillicuddy?She'd see you and come out to your truck and say, "Hi, I'm Lori. Are you my stalker? It's so neat to meet you! While you're stuck here watching my every move, can I bring you anything? Sweet tea?”