“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“The instant I saw Lori’s dad and Frances across the hot asphalt road, I spun around, hoping Lori was still hidden by the trees.She stood right behind me, in full view. And if my expression matched hers, we couldn’t have looked more guilty.I turned back around. Her dad’s face was even worse. Glaring at me, he worked his jaw like he was going to say something, but he wanted to make sure he’d thought ofthe worst possible insult first. He turned redder and seemed to swell, like all his holes were plugged up and the pressure had nowhere to escape.He opened his mouth.“It was my fault,” I said quickly.“I know!” he roared.At the same time, Lori stepped in front of me and muttered, “Wrong thing to say, Adam.”“Right.” I put my hand on Lori’s shoulder and pushed her an arm’s length away so it wouldn’t look like I was hiding behind her. “It’s nobody’s fault, because we didn’tdo anything wrong.”

“Adam found a break through the thicket and up the hill. He turnedaround and extended his hand to help me up.I froze, staring at him in the thick heat, leaves tickling my legs. Boys did not help girls. Not in my experience, anyway. When I was one of the boys, they tromped aheadof me and never once looked back to see if I was still there, much less in need of assistance. Boys had helped me only recently, when they wanted something.No, this walk through the woods would not be innocent.Taking his hand, I said, “Fank woo.”“Hm,” he laughed with his mouth closed.”

“Tiffany, this is Officer After, who arrested you. Officer After, this is Tiffany Hart, who doesn't remember you.”

“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.”