The Education of Queenie McBride

7/31/2019 The Education of Queenie McBride

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The Education

of

Queenie McBride

Copyright 2012 by Lyndsey DArcangeo

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This boo# is dedicated to

a those indi'iduas (ho

%a#e a differencein the i'es of

LBT ho%eess teens&

+o%eti%es the %ost i%portant

education happens

outside of the cassroo%&

CA-TE 1

Pudge sared !roug! !e "lear glass #indo# ino !e Burger $ing on !e "orner of %arvardand Brig!on avenues and li"&ed !er dr', sal' li(s as !e s)ell of grease !i !er nose* Bringing

!er !ands o !er e'es, s!e s+uined !roug! !e glass of !e fas food resauran and loo&ed

around* five-'ear-old girl siing near !e #indo# !a((il' raised a fis full of fres! ren"! friesino !e air and s!oved !e) ino !er )ou!, )u"! o !er )o!er.s disgus* n old )an #i!

neal' "o)/ed silver !air sa in !e "orner drin&ing a "u( of !o "offee, reading !e ne#s(a(er*

%e loo&ed u( /riefl' in Pudge.s dire"ion, and !en +ui"&l' urned a#a'*

Pudge dre# /a"& fro) !e #indo#, sill salivaing, and #al&ed a fe# fee do#n !e dus'side#al&* !e sa on !e "on"ree and resed !er /a"& agains a /ri"& #all* !e "ard/oard sign

nex o !er fee read Please !el(* %o)eless and need food* Parens &i"&ed )e ou /e"ause .)ga'* Bu no one see)ed o "are*%er so)a"! gro#led in frusraion, and a slig! gurgle of ironi" laug!er es"a(ed !er li(s*

Before s!e /e"a)e !o)eless, Pudge #as a lile on !e "!u//' side* !a.s #!' all of !er friends

"alled !er Pudge* #asn. )ean o /e )ean or s(ieful or an'!ing, us a er) ofendear)en* i"&na)es are funn' li&e !a* o)e of !e) are !ard o ex(lain o!ers are +uie

o/vious* Bu in )os "ases, !e' do see) o si"& o !e (erson !e' are given o #i!ou r!')e

or reason* nd !e' end o sa' su"& even #!en !e' no longer are relevan an')ore* Pudge#as an'!ing /u "!u//' !ese da's* n fa", s!e #as !inner !an s!e !ad ever /een in !er enire

life*

%er so)a"! gro#led again, and Pudge #in"ed fro) !e (ain* #as us (as #o in !e

afernoon and s!e !adn. eaen all da'* !e las i)e s!e.d eaen an'!ing #as 'eserda')orning, #!en !a ni"e lad' in Boson Co))on gave !er a !alf-finis!ed /ag of (o("orn*

Boson Co))on #as a grea (la"e o s"rounge for a /ie o ea, /e"ause !ere #ere so )an' food

vendors around and los of (eo(le #illing o give a eenage girl !e /enefi of !e dou/* Bu s!eevenuall' !ad /een "!ased a#a' /' a (oli"e)an for /egging* %arvard venue #ould !ave o do

for no#*


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fer siing on !e side#al& for a good !our, Pudge !ad seen onl' one (erson ni"e enoug! o

give !er so)e "!ange* !e ingled !e "oins oge!er in !er (o"&e as !e #ar)! of !e

afernoon sun offered !er so)e s')(a!'* !e iled /a"& !er !ead and "losed !er e'es*e an' )one' 'e:

Pudge loo&ed u( and /lin&ed /lindl' ino !e sunlig!* %er friend a) #as sanding dire"l'

over !er*o reall', s!e said, rea"!ing ino !er (o"&e and (ulling ou so)e "!ange* "olle"ed

!ir'-six "ens*

!a.s no even enoug! for a /urger, !e said sourl'* Co)e on, le.s go*;!ere:

o )ee u( #i! C!ris*

!oug! !e go arresed:

o(e* %e ouran !e "o(s !is i)e* %e.s la'ing lo# for a lile /i in ou! Boson* !ere.s!is a/andoned /uilding !e.s /een slee(ing in, and i.s &ind of "ool* !ere.s roo) for us, oo*

/e !e even !as so)e food*

Pudge.s so)a"! gro#led on"e )ore as i #ised iself ino a (ainful &no* !e #asn. a fanof C!ris, /e"ause !e #as al#a's geing ino rou/le on !e sree* Bu !er !unger #as geing !e

/es of !er* nd #!a s!e needed )os rig! no# #as so)e!ing o ea*gains !er /eer udg)en, Pudge "li)/ed u( fro) !e side#al& and (i"&ed u( !er sign*

?e.s go*

CA-TE 2

;ill 'ou ge u( alread':

!eard 'ou !e firs five i)es, @ueenie gru)/led fro) /enea! !e "overs of !er /ed* !e)orning sunlig! !ad alread' /egun o filer ino !er /edroo), des(ie !e fa" !a !e s!ades#ere dra#n*

!en #!' are 'ou sill in /ed: AA "oninued* !e 'an&ed aggressivel' a !e s!ades, lifing

!e) u( all a on"e* .s no a lo of fun !aving o a" li&e 'our )o!er all of !e i)e*!en so(* ou.re a !orri/le a"or, an'#a'*

O&a', if 'ou #an o /e lae for "lass again, !en fine* Bu saring off 'our "ollege "areer /'

going ou and "lu//ing ever' nig! (ro/a/l' isn. !e s)ares !ing o do*ive )ore )inues, @ueenie groaned, ugging a (illo# over !er fa"e*

re 'ou &idding )e, @ueenie: AA 'elled, !ro#ing !er !ands #ildl' ino !e air* !is isn.

!ig! s"!ool an')ore* ou aren. going o /e a/le o "oas !roug! 'our "lasses li&e 'ou did a

a)(son "ade)'* ou a"uall' !ave o o(en a /oo& or #o* ;e.re in "ollege no#,re)e)/er:

%o# "ould forge !a fa" #!en 'ou re)ind )e several i)es a da':

AA u)(ed on @ueenie.s /ed and sna"!ed !e (illo# a#a' fro) !er fa"e* don. ge 'oulael'* %ere 'ou are, a fres!)an a Boson =niversi', one of !e /es s"!ools on !e as Coas*

ou.re !undreds of )iles a#a' fro) 'our (arens and 'ou.re living in a fun "i' #i! 'our /es

friend* ;!' #ould 'ou #an o !ro# !a all a#a' /' flun&ing ou:


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@ueenie glared u( !roug! slee(' e'es* ou &no#, if !is #!ole #riing !ing doesn. #or&

ou for 'ou, a "areer in )oivaional s(ea&ing is a good /a"&-u( (lan*

O!, !an&s ver' )u"!, .ll &ee( !a in )ind, AA said* !e u)(ed off !e /ed and s"oo(edu( !er /a"&(a"& fro) !e floor*


5/108

arrived a !e a((ro(riae "lassroo) /uilding and found !erself in fron of !er "lass door, s!e

alread' #as )ore !an for'-five )inues lae*

@ueenie &ne# s!e #ouldn. /e a/le o snea& in unnoi"ed* n inrodu"or' "ourse, so"iolog'#as a le"ure !all "lass* /ou a !undred diligen sudens sa lisening inenl' as Professor


6/108

Jeall': one a all: %e s)iled a !er in a "!ar)ing 'e "ondes"ending #a'* #ould

!in& !a a res(onsi/le suden su"! as 'ou #ould /e a/le o "onri/ue so)e!ing o an o(en

"onversaion a/ou !e reading assign)en fro) las nig!*@ueenie fel !e e'es of !e enire "lass Iero in on !er /u s!e &e( !er aenion fo"used on

Professor /la!, /la!,

/li((i'-/la!* see rig! !roug! 'ou, !e said insead*

%u!:

!a.s a "!oi"e #ord in 'our vo"a/ular', Professor


7/108

avoiding an'!ing, ei!er* ou don. &no# an'!ing a/ou )e* !e ru! is .ve never /een )ore

se"ure !an a) a !is ver' )o)en*

&no# )ore a/ou 'ou !an 'ou !in&*?i&e #!a:

or sarers, &no# !a 'ou "o)e fro) a (rivae s"!ool in Eirginia, and !a 'our (arens

)a&e a (re' good living*%o# do 'ou &no# !a:

Je)e)/er !e s!ee as&ed ever'one in "lass o fill ou a !e /eginning of !e se)eser so

!a "ould ge o &no# )' sudens a lile /eer:O!, 'ea!, said @ueenie, #is!ing s!e.d fi//ed a lile /i #!en s!e filled ou !e

+uesionnaire* Bu us /e"ause 'ou read a s!or ans#er a/ou )' /a"&ground on so)e (ie"e of

(a(er doesn. )ean 'ou &no# )e* us )eans 'ou &no# "erain !ings a/ou )e*

.ll gran 'ou !a* ven so, found 'our ans#ers o /e "o)(elling* #ill /e ineresing osee 'ou evolve and gro# !roug!ou !e se)eser* Bear in )ind !a los of sudens go !roug!

an adus)en (eriod #!en !e' firs sar "ollege* or #!ere !er (arens lived*

!e' rened !e firs floor of a dou/le on oser ree* !e ouside of !e !ouse #as (ained red,

and !ere #as a (or"! #i! a /rig! #!ie railing on !e fron* Pudge used o si on !e (or"! andread all da' during su))ers, and !er )o!er #ould /ring !er all glasses of le)onade #!en i

#as reall' !o ouside*

!e (or"! #as e)(' #!en Pudge arrived* !e sood a"ross !e sree, leaning agains asreelig! #i! "!i((ed green (ain* #as )id)orning and /o! of !er (arens #ere a #or&*

!e onl' so((ed /' during !e da', so !a !er (arens #ouldn. see !er sanding !ere*

o)ei)es, s!e even dared o si on !e fron se(s of !e (or"! !in&ing a/ou #aiing unil !er)o!er "a)e !o)e so !a s!e "ould al& #i! !er* Bu afer an !our or so, s!e.d sar o ge

nervous* !e.d /e afraid !a !er )o!er #ould onl' urn !er #a' again* !en s!e.d !ave no

!o)e o go o, ever* leas !is #a', !ere #as sill a "!an"e !e'.d "!ange !eir )inds* nd

so)eda', Pudge &ne#, s!e.d ge u( enoug! "ourage o &no"& on !e door and as& !e) if s!e


8/108

"ould "o)e !o)e* !e.d /e read' o !ear !eir ans#er* Bu unil !a da', s!e #as "onen o

sand a"ross !e sree and re)inis"e a/ou !e da's #!en !er (arens didn. &no# s!e #as ga'

and !e' loved !er un"ondiionall'*

CA-TE 4

AA didn. ge !o)e fro) !er #riing #or&s!o( unil afer eig! !a evening, and /' !en@ueenie !ad alread' !ad !er fill of reali' elevision* !e #as l'ing on !e "ou"! in !e living

roo) #i! !er fa"e s+uis!ed in !e side of a (illo# and a red +uiled /lan&e dra(ed over !er

!ead li&e a nun.s !a/i*Please ell )e !a 'ou #en o "lass oda', AA said as soon as s!e sa# !e )oionless lu)(

on !e "ou"!* nd !a 'ou didn. s(end !e enire da' #a"!ing soa( o(eras and reruns of !e ?

;ord*

#en o "lass, @ueenie sna((ed fro) undernea! !e /lan&e* o so( nagging )e*

eeI, #!a.s #rong #i! 'ou:o!ing*

o!ing:o!ing*

f i.s no!ing !en #!' are 'ou l'ing !ere #i! a /lan&e over 'our !ead, sul&ing li&e a

lile &id: AA sa on !e floor nex !e "ou"! and /egan o ea !e C!inese a&eou s!e !ad /oug!a !e resauran around !e "orner fro) !eir #o-/edroo) a(ar)en*

@ueenie sa u( and re)oved !e /lan&e* !e sill !adn. s!o#ered, and !er golden-/londe

!air #as )essed and si"&ing ou in all differen dire"ions*


9/108

$endal F"Car!' li&ed 'ou or no* never !ad o sud' or #orr' a/ou #!a #aned o /e #!en

gre# u(* "ould do #!a #aned and !ave a good i)e* Bu ever'!ing is differen !ere*

AA se !er food aside and go u( fro) !e floor* ;i!ou sa'ing a #ord, s!e sa on !e "ou"!nex o @ueenie* !is #as an a#ard siuaion for AA>seeing @ueenie in su"! a vulnera/le

sae #as rare indeed* !e #asn. +uie sure #!a o sa'*

.) no used o !is*=sed o #!a: @ueenie as&ed*

Pi"&ing 'ou u( off !e floor and "!eering 'ou u(* or)all', i.s !e o!er #a' around* Bu

.ll give i a s!o* !e ru! is !oug! .d /e !e one #!o.d !ave a !ard i)e adusing,es(e"iall' #i! $endal going o "ollege a Barnard in e# or& Ci' and )e /eing so far a#a'

fro) !o)e* Bu #aned o r' and )a&e !e /es of i* =nli&e 'ou, al#a's !ad o sud' !ard o

ge good grades a a)(son* nd no# !a #e are in "ollege !ave o sud' even !arder* Fa'/e

'ou need o (u in a lile )ore effor* ;e aren. in !ig! s"!ool an')ore* ou "an. ex(e" !ingso /e as eas' as !e' #ere /efore* ou "an sill !ave a good i)e, !ere us needs o /e a !eal!'

/alan"e /e#een #or& and (la'*

&no#*

#!a.s i going o a&e o )a&e 'ou sna( ou of i:

@ueenie !oug! long and !ard /u "ouldn. find a definiive ans#er* !e loo&ed do#n andexa)ined !er flannel (aa)a (ans and red-!ooded s#eas!ir #i! )a(le s'ru( su"& o !er

sleeve fro) las uesda'.s s(onaneous (an"a&e /rea&fas* s s!e ran !er fingers !roug! !er

!air and fel !e oil' angles, a loo& of disgus for)ed on !er fa"e* "an. /elieve i.s "o)e o !is, s!e said, rising u( and ossing !e /lan&e aside* ?oo& a

)e* loo& disgusingK

#as going o )enion !a /u didn. #an o !ur 'our feelings* AA grinned* "an. go on li&e !is, said @ueenie* guess i.s i)e sared o (u so)e effor ino !is

"ollege !ing /efore )' (arens see )' grades and 'an& )e ou of s"!ool aloge!er*


10/108

!a.s rig!, AA said, s#inging !er for& for e)(!asis* ou &no# !o# )an' of our friends

#ould love o /e in 'our (osiion* our (arens are (a'ing for 'our enire "ollege, #!i"! )eans

no s"!ool loans*


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!a.s exa"l' #!a said* AA sre"!ed and 'a#ned as s!e !eld !er "ell (!one u( o !er ear*

sounds li&e an ox')oron*

Fa'/e s!e.s us !aving a !ard i)e adusing o "ollege, said $endal* &no# a)*ver'!ing is so fas-(a"ed and inense* .s a definie "!ange fro) life a a)(son "ade)'*

Je)e)/er !o# i oo& us onl' five )inues o #al& a"ross !e enire "a)(us:

&no# #!a 'ou )ean* .) !aving rou/le adusing o "ollege, oo, /u a leas .) r'ingo )a&e !e /es of i* didn. ell @ueenie a/ou )' (ro/le) !oug!, /e"ause #as oo /us'

r'ing o )a&e !er feel /eer* !e.s /een in a reall' /ad fun& lael', and didn. #an o )a&e i

#orse* !in& ever'one our age goes !roug! an adus)en (eriod #!en !e' go o "ollege*

s(e"iall' #!en 'ou )ove fro) a s)all o#n (rivae s"!ool o a /ig "i' "ollege li&e #e did*

;e.ll feel differenl' afer a fe# )ore #ee&s, even @ueenie* us a&es so)e geing used o*

%o#.s ever'!ing else:


12/108

.) fine, AA lied* sill !ave a lo of reading o ge !roug!, !a.s all* s!ould (ro/a/l'

ge going /efore sar sressing ou*

;ill 'ou "all )e o)orro# afer 'ou.re done #i! "lasses:ure, said AA*

%ave a good nig!*

ou, oo* AA (aused, $endal:ea!:

#as rig! !ere on !e i( of AA.s ongue, ever'!ing s!e #aned o sa' and )ore a/ou !e

#a' s!e !ad /een feeling a/ou !eir relaions!i( lael'* Bu so)e!ing !eld !er /a"& fro)a"uall' sa'ing i*

ever )ind, AA )uered* .ll al& o 'ou o)orro#* %ave a good nig!*

CA-TE 5

@ueenie sa do#n on !e /rig! green grass of Boson Co))on and fiddled #i! !er "ell(!one* !e Co))on, #!i"! @ueenie iniiall' !ad /een sur(rised o learn #as )eri"a.s oldes

(ar&, #as filled #i! sna"& vendors, runners, #al&ers, sudens, nannies (us!ing /a/' srollers,s&ae/oarders, sree )usi"ians and /rea&-dan"ers, and !o)eless vaga/onds* or )os of !e), i

#as a us an average aurda' afernoon*

Bu for @ueenie i #as so)e!ing of a /lur* o )u"! !ad !a((ened sin"e s!e.d )ade !ede"ision o ex(lore !e "i' !e o!er nig! and se ou for !er #al&* o )u"!, and s!e !adn. !ad

i)e 'e o figure ou #!a o do nex* !e &ne# s!e !ad o do so)e!ing*

!e (un"!ed in !e nu)/ers 9-1-1 )ore !an a fe# i)es /u "ouldn. /ring !erself o !i !e

send /uon* #as a ridi"ulous noion* fer all, #!a #ould s!e sa': !a s!e /u)(ed ino a!o)eless eenager and #as #orried a/ou !er: !e'.d as& !er o "o)e do#n o !e (oli"e saion

and fill ou a re(or or sa' so)e!ing on re"ord* Fa'/e s!e "ould us )a&e an anon')ous i(insead: Of "ourse, if s!e "alled fro) !er "ell (!one !e' "ould us ra"e !e "all*;!' do !ese !ings al#a's !a((en o )e: @ueenie )uered o !erself* !e !re# !e "ell

(!one do#n /eside !er and fell ono !er /a"&* sof /u "!ill' /reeIe raveled !e leng! of !er

ar)s, i"&led !er fa"e and ruffled !er !air*ll s!e !ad #aned #as a si)(le "!an"e o go for a long #al& in !e "i' and o /rea!e

so)e fres! fall air* Bu i didn. go as (lanned* nsead of "learing !er !ead and finding !erself,

@ueenie !ad found Pudge*!e "losed !er e'es and (i"ured !e /on' 'oung eenager in !er )ind* !e "ould sill s)ell

!e oil' s"en !a lingered around !er au/urn !air, and "ould sill see !er dir-sained fa"e, !er

grung' gra' s#eas!ir, and !e insaia/l' !ungr' loo& in !er (ale green e'es* !e na)e Pudge

!ardl' fi* Pudge #as a in', frail lile girl #!o loo&ed as !oug! s!e !adn. !ad a de"en )eal ina )on!* Fa'/e #o*

@ueenie !adn. noi"e !er a firs as s!e.d #al&ed along !e side#al&, a&ing in !e sig!s of

!e "i'* Jounding a sree "orner, s!e.d "arelessl' s!a)/led !roug! a (ile of s"aeredne#s(a(ers, "ard/oard and dis"arded ras!*

;a"! #!ere 'ou.re goingK Pudge !ad /ar&ed fro) /enea! !e !ea(*

.) sorr', @ueenie !ad re(lied insanl'* didn. see 'ou* re 'ou o&a': #as /efore 'ou so)(ed rig! over )e #i! 'our /ig, fa fee*


13/108

said #as sorr', @ueenie /i rig! /a"&* ;!a in !e #orld are 'ou doing ouside,

an'#a': .s lae and 'ou don. loo& )ore !an #elve*

!a((en o /e foureen, Pudge de"lared* .) us s)all for )' age*#elve, foureen>#!a.s !e differen"e: ou s!ouldn. /e ou so lae on a s"!ool nig!*

a's #!o:

a's )os of so"ie'*


14/108

or !e firs i)e in !er )ou!' life, @ueenie !ad /een a a loss for #ords* !e loo&ed around

>a&ing in !e gri)' side#al&s, !e o#ering /uildings, !e /us' srees, !e endless srea) of

)oving "ars, ever'!ing>for #!a see)ed li&ed !e ver' firs i)e sin"e s!e !ad /een living inBoson* !is #as i* !is in' "on"ree se"ion of !e "i' #as #!ere Pudge lived*

ure, @ueenie !ad a u)uluous relaions!i( #i! !er o#n (arens* !e li&ed o (rovo&e !e)

and ge under !eir s&in a lile /i* Bu des(ie !eir differen"es, s!e sill loved !e)* fer all,!e' !ad (u u( #i! all of !er uvenile ani"s and !e fa" !a s!e !ad goen &i"&ed ou of

nu)erous (rivae s"!ools /efore a)(son "ade)'* nd no on"e did !e' ever !ro# !er ou

of !e !ouse, even #!en s!e !ad (us!ed !e) o !e ver' li)i of !eir sani'* !e "ouldn.i)agine #!a /eing "as aside /' 'our ver' o#n fa)il' #ould feel li&e, and s!e also &ne# s!e

didn. (ossess even an oun"e of !e "ourage !a Pudge a((arenl' !ad in order o survive on !e

srees* nd !ere s!e #as, sill a&ing !er (arens, and !eir "us!' /an& a""oun, for graned*

re 'ou !ungr': @ueenie !ad as&ed, s(oing a Burger $ing a"ross !e sree* "ould ea, Pudge said evenl', as if !e si)(le !oug! of so)e greas' ren"! fries #asn.

)a&ing !er )ou! #aer "onsidera/l'*

Co)e on, .ll /u' 'ou a "!eese/urger* ou loo& li&e 'ou "ould use one*

Pudge "!e#ed on !e inside of !er "!ee&* ou.re serious: a&e i 'ou aren. offered free "!eese/urgers on a regular /asis:

?oose "!ange is )ore li&e i* Bu even !a.s !ard o "o)e /'*;ell, said @ueenie, oda' is 'our lu"&' da'* .ve go )ore !an loose "!ange on )e* n

fa", .ve go enoug! )one' o /u' 'ou en "!eese/urgers if 'ou #an* ;!en Pudge didn.

)ove, s!e ugged a !er ra' s#eas!ir* ;!a.s !e )aer:


15/108

;!ere are 'ou: AA as&ed, "radling !er "ell (!one agains !er ear*.) siing a Boson Co))on a&ing in so)e sun on !is ni"e and /reeI' fall da', @ueenie

re(lied* !e )e)or' of !er )eeing #i! Pudge vanis!ed as soon as !e (!one rang ;!':

ou.ve !ardl' /een around all #ee&end* !ave suff going on*

;!a suff:

Aus suff*our (arens "alled !ere a/ou an !our ago* !e' said !a !e' ried 'our "ell (!one /u

!a i !ad /een urned off* !e' #ere a lile "on"erned /e"ause !e' !aven. !eard fro) 'ou all

#ee&, so go #orried*

ou #orr' oo )u"!, said @ueenie* #as us doing so)e !in&ing*/ou #!a:

!e ironi" side of life*

%u!:

ever )ind* ;!a are 'ou doing no#:o )u"!* .ve /een #a"!ing elevision all )orning and .ve seen !e sa)e !ree

"o))er"ials a leas five i)es* i!er !a or .) !allu"inaing* !in& 'ou need a dose of fres! air* ;an o )ee )e a aneuil %all Far&e(la"e: !e

side#al& a"s are al#a's good for a /i of )indless enerain)en* Fa'/e !e "ross-e'ed uggler

#i! !e (oin' ears #ill /e !ere again*;o#, !e "ross-e'ed uggler: AA feigned ex"ie)en* %o# "ould (ossi/l' (ass u(

so)e!ing li&e !a: need o a&e a +ui"& s!o#er firs* .ll /e !ere in a /i*

@ueenie "losed !er "ell (!one and slid i in !er /a"& (o"&e, /u no /efore urning i off on"e

)ore, us in "ase !er (arens ried o ge !old of !er again* !e de/aed long and !ard #!e!er orno s!e s!ould ell AA a/ou Pudge* Bu #!a #ould s!e sa':

fer !e' !ad finis!ed !eir )eal a Burger $ing !e nig! !e' )e, @ueenie !ad ried o

give Pudge so)e )one' /e"ause i #as !e onl' #a' s!e &ne# !o# o !el(* Bu Pudge #anedno!ing o do #i! "!ari' or (i' )one' as s!e "alled i* #as oo eas' o a&e )one' fro)

@ueenie and i #ould )ean !a Pudge #asn. a/le o find )one' on !er o#n>even if i )ean

/egging on !e sree* @ueenie !oug! i )ade no sense a all and figured !a i #as reall' a)aer of (ride*

!e' (ared #a's in fron of !e Burger $ing so)ei)e afer en, #i! Pudge !eading /a"& o

!er "ard/oard (ala"e and @ueenie a&ing a long #al& /a"& o !er "oI' lile a(ar)en #i! is

s)oo! !ard#ood floors and vauled "eilings* AA !ad /een aslee( in !er /edroo) #!en s!e go!o)e, and @ueenie s(en !e res of !e nig! ossing and urning, #ondering a/ou !e #elfare

of a !o)eless eenage girl s!e !ardl' &ne#*

n !e (as fe# da's, s!e (ur(osel' even !ad #al&ed /' !e ver' sa)e Burger $ing, !o(ingo run ino Pudge again* Bu s!e #as no#!ere o /e found* fer a da' or so, even !e "ard/oard

/oxes and ne#s(a(ers !ad /een "leared a#a'*

n over#!el)ing sensaion of guil greeed @ueenie ever' )orning as soon as s!e loo&ed a!erself in !e )irror* !e #aned o a&e Pudge s!o((ing and /u' !er so)e ne# "lo!es, )a'/e

even ge !er "leaned u( a lile /i* !e !ad (len' of )one' a !er dis(osal o do so* %er (arens

#ouldn. even /lin& #i"e a !e exra "!arges on !e "redi "ard /ill* Bu !o# #as s!e ever

going o find !er again: Boson #asn. exa"l' a s)all "i'* !e "ould /e an'#!ere*


16/108

s @ueenie #al&ed a"ross overn)en Cener on !er #a' o aneuil %all Far&e(la"e, s!e

#ondered #!a Pudge #as u( o a !a ver' )o)en*

3 3 3

don. &no# if !is is su"! a good idea, Pudge said* !e #as "rou"!ed do#n on !er &nees,

in !e )iddle of a "ir"le #i! a fe# o!er &ids #!o also lived on !e srees* !e' #ere /us'

(lanning !eir nex /ig !eis in a desered alle' /e!ind a fe# a(ar)en /uildings*Co)e on, "o)(lained a /lond /o' #i! a in' s"ar on !is lef "!ee&* .s !e /es idea

/e"ause no one #ill ex(e" i* .) si"& of siing on !e sree "orner, /egging for )one'* o one

ever (a's aenion o us, and all #e ever ge is a "ou(le of /u"&s* ;!a good is !a:

Bu i.s aurda', Pudge (roesed* !ere.s going o /e a lo of (eo(le !ere* o)e/od' isgoing o see us for sure* !e'.ll "all !e "o(s* ;e.ll all ge "aug!*

ven if so)eone sees us, !e' #on. /e a/le o "a"! us*

Bu #!a if !e' do:

ou.re su"! a /a/'* a) no, said Pudge, adding a roug! edge o !er voi"e* .) us no du)/ enoug! o r'

and seal )one' in !e )iddle of a !uge "ro#d li&e 'ou are*!e /lond-!aired /o' sneered a !er, and !en !i a) on !e s!oulder* ou /roug! !er

!ere #i! 'ou* ou )a&e !er go along #i! !e (lan* .) doing !is #i! or #i!ou 'ou #o*

a) urned !is sof green e'es o#ard Pudge, ruffling a !and !roug! !is (a"! of un&e)(red !air* %e #as so !ungr' !a !e "ould gna# off !is o#n ar)* Co)e on, !e (leaded* .)

sarving* C!ris is rig!, !o# else are #e going o ge enoug! )one' for all of us o ea:

don. &no#, said Pudge* !ere.s go o /e a /eer #a' !an !is*

?i&e #!a:C!ris leaned over, #aiing for Pudge.s res(onse* !e glared a !i), go u( fro) !er &nees,

and dragged a) off o !e side of !e alle'* ;!' don. #e us go /a"& o !e s!eler on

Bo'lson ree: s!e suggesed* ;e "an ge so)e!ing o ea !ere and i.s free* ;e don. !aveo seal and ris& geing ino rou/le* C!ris is /ad ne#s and 'ou &no# i* ?e.s di"! !i) no#

#!ile #e sill "an*

a) loo&ed over !is s!oulder o )a&e sure C!ris #asn. eavesdro((ing* alread' (ro)ised.d !el( !i) ou #i! !is* o#e !i) for leing us "ras! a !e a/andoned !ouse !e o!er da'*

Je)e)/er:

Pudge fro#ned*

Fa'/e #e "an ge enoug! )one' o ea for a "ou(le of da's, said a)* Besides, !es!eler is al#a's so "ro#ded*

ea!, /u i.s /eer !an a ail "ell, Pudge re)inded !i)*

Co)e on, a) #!ined* ou !eard C!ris* ;e aren. going o ge "aug!*!is "o)ing fro) a &id #!o ges arresed )ore !an ?indse' ?o!an:

a) laug!ed*

re 'ou #o in or are 'ou ou: C!ris de)anded as !e rose o !is fee* .) si"& of#aiing*

.) no going o do i, Pudge de"lared* .) going o !e s!eler insead*

(ro)ise !a !is #ill /e !e las i)e, a) (leaded on"e )ore* #on. )a&e 'ou "o)e

#i! )e o !el( C!ris ever again*


17/108

Pudge #avered for a )o)en, feeling !e over#!el)ing urge o us #al& a#a'*

Please: /egged a)* .ll even go /a"& o !e s!eler #i! 'ou afer#ards*

ine, Pudge re(lied, s!a&ing !er !ead* Bu as soon as #e ge !e )one', .) ou of !ere* don. #an o do !is suff an')ore* don. "are if 'ou "o)e #i! )e or no* Bu .) done*

O&a', a) nodded* Co)e on, le.s ge i over #i!*

3 3 3

(o(ular ouris ara"ion and oudoor )all, aneuil %all Far&e(la"e #as (a"&ed o !e

!il* @ueenie !ad o (us! !er #a' !roug! "ro#ds of ouriss so !a s!e "ould ge a /eer loo& a

!e !i( !o( dan"ers #!o #ere (erfor)ing for i(s and "!eers* =nforunael', !e "ross-e'ed

uggler #as no#!ere in sig!* !e found a s)all o(en s(a"e nex o a grou( of ou-of-o#nersfrani"all' (oining !eir "ell (!ones a !e dan"ers, sna((ing (i"ures*

@ueenie )arveled a !eir en!usias) !en )ade !er #a' over o !e i( ar and dro((ed in a

en dollar /ill* Aus as i landed on o( of !e (ile of "oins and "as!, a grou( of &ids rus!ed /' and

sole !e ar rig! in fron of !er*%e', s!e 'elled afer !e)* ive !a /a"&K

!e' oo& off running, s"aering in all dire"ions* !e "ro#d dis(ersed as !e dan"ers /ro&efro) !eir rouine and gave "!ase, and @ueenie !ad no "!oi"e /u o oin !e)* !e ran afer !e

girl #!o !ad gra//ed !e ar, and s(oed !er eing do#n an alle' o#ard ae ree in !e

)iddle of !e inan"ial


18/108

us #an o )a&e sure 'ou are o&a'* gus of #ind ga!ered u( in !e alle' and "ir"led

around !e)* ou "an. &ee( living on !e srees* .s going o ge "old soon and 'ou.ll freeIe

o dea!* ?e )e ge 'ou a !oel roo) or so)e!ing*;!' do 'ou "are so )u"!: Aus /e"ause 'ou.re ga' doesn. )ean 'ou &no# #!a .) going

!roug!*

@ueenie #as a/ou o argue #!en so)eone 'elled, !a.s !erK !e urned around and#a"!ed as !e grou( of dan"ers and a (oli"e)an on !orse/a"& "a)e o#ard !e) a full s(eed*

"an. ge arresed, Pudge said +ui"&l'* !e'.ll "all "!ild (roe"ive servi"es on )e*

Bu )a'/e !a.s exa"l' #!a 'ou need*ou don. undersandK f !e' "all "!ild (roe"ive servi"es on )e !en !e'.ll )a&e )e go

o a !o)e or (u )e in foser "are* don. #an o do ei!er*

Bu>

f 'ou reall' #an o !el( )e li&e 'ou sa' 'ou do, !en don. le )e ge arresed*@ueenie (eered over !er s!oulder* !e !ad less !an a se"ond /efore !e angr' )o/ of

dan"ers #ould /e u(on !e)*

Please, Pudge /egged*

@ueenie s#allo#ed !ard as !e dan"ers surrounded !e) in a ig! "ir"le* !a.s !er, oneof !e) (oined a Pudge #i! a )ean finger* !e.s !e one #!o oo& our )one'*

!e (oli"e)an dis)ouned !is !orse and rerieved !e i( ar fro) @ueenie.s !ands* !en !erea"!ed over and for"efull' gra//ed Pudge /' !e ar)*

;ai, said @ueenie* !e didn. a&e !e )one'* did*

sa# !er a&e !e ar, said one of !e dan"ers* ou "!ased !er do#n for us* ou #erer'ing o !el( us ge i /a"&*

o, @ueenie lied* !a #as !e (lan* ee, old !er o a&e !e ar and give i o )e on"e

#e rea"!ed !e alle'* don. even &no# !er* !e.s us an inno"en (a#n in )' devious s"!e)e*

eno' ri((ing off sree (erfor)ers for fun*!e (oli"e)an "onsidered @ueenie.s sor' #i! a furro#ed /ro#* !en !e urned o Pudge

and sared !er do#n #i! seel' e'es* s !a rue:


19/108

CA-TE 6

ou.re in ail: AA as&ed in"redulousl'*

!a.s rig!, @ueenie ans#ered* ;!a "an sa': .) a regular !ug*

;!a in !e #orld did 'ou do:.s a long sor'* us "alled o le 'ou &no# #!ere #as so 'ou #eren. running all over

aneuil %all Far&e(la"e loo&ing for )e* #as us a si)(le )isundersanding, !a.s all* .ll /e

!o)e a so)e (oin, and .ll ex(lain ever'!ing !en*Before AA !ad a "!an"e o sa' an'!ing else, @ueenie !ung u( !e (!one and #in&ed s)arl'

a !e over#eig! (oli"e)an #!o #as siing a"ross !e des& fro) !er*

!an&s for leing )e )a&e )' one (!one "all, s!e old !i)*ou "an )a&e )ore !an one, !e re(lied as !e si((ed fro) a )ug of sea)ing "offee*

ou.re no under arres*

;ell, !a.s a relief* #ouldn. #an o /le)is! )' (erfe" re"ord*

!e dan"e grou( isn. (ressing "!arges* ;e us needed o fill ou a re(or a/ou !e in"iden

and !en .) su((osed o send 'ou off #i! a #arning* Bu so)e!ing ells )e !a 'ou aren. !ere(ea offender '(e*

@ueenie leaned for#ard in !er "!air, %o# "an 'ou /e so sure: !ave +uie !e "!e"&ered(as, 'ou &no#*

!e (oli"e)an s)iled in a)use)en and /i ino !e (u)(&in-flavored )uffin !e #as

!olding* Can as& 'ou an !ones +uesion:!a de(ends* Can ans#er freel' #i!ou a la#'er (resen: .ve #a"!ed (len' of ?a#

and Order e(isodes, so &no# !o# !ese !ings #or&*

;!' did 'ou "over for !e runa#a' #!o reall' sole !e i( ar:

;!a )a&es 'ou !in& "overed for !er: @ueenie re(lied, r'ing o loo& inno"en* read !e re(or* !e offi"er on !e s"ene see)s o !in& 'ou oo& !e fall so !a !e o!er

girl "ould ge a#a'* nd fro) !e loo&s of 'ou, end o agree* ou don. a((ear o /e !ard u(for )one'*@ueenie glan"ed do#n a !er "lo!es* !e #as #earing a (lainu) i)e(ie"e #i! real

dia)onds on !e fa"e, !er favorie rero lea!er a"&e, designer eans and a fres! (air of /la"&

lea!er /oos*One of !e dan"ers even sa# 'ou dro( so)e )one' in !e i( ar /efore i #as a&en, !e

(oli"e)an added* o 'our sor' doesn. reall' add u(*

O&a', @ueenie ad)ied* ou go )e* did (u a lile )one' in !e i( ar* Bu !en realiIed !a needed i /a"&* o (ani"&ed and oo& !e #!ole !ing insead* #as all us a

!uge )isundersanding*

ou.re (re' +ui"& on 'our fee* !e (oli"e)an "!u"&led* nd !oug! 'our ex(lanaion

see)s !ig!l' unli&el', if !a.s #!a 'ou #an us o /elieve, !en so /e i* #ould li&e o offerone #ord of advi"e, !o#ever*


20/108

;ell, #ell * * * loo& #!o i is* Fa'/e #e s!ould "!ange 'our ni"&na)e o Dsi"&' fingers.

insead of DPudge*. .s fis )u"! /eer*

%a !a, Pudge re(lied, "rossing !er ar)s* Eer' funn'*.) us sa'ing, said @ueenie* f !e "ri)inal roue is !e one 'ou #an o a&e, 'ou )ig!

as #ell !ave a ni"&na)e o go #i! i*

don. need a le"ure, o&a': &no# #!a did #as #rong* us #aned o !an& 'ou for"overing for )e* !a #as, 'ou &no#, &ind of a "ool !ing o do*

o)e )ig! sa' i #as a su(id !ing o do, /u .) &no#n for doing su(id !ings no# and

!en* @ueenie loo&ed u( and do#n !e sree* ;!ere are 'ou off o no#:


21/108

i"e o )ee 'ou* .) II' Fan"ini* #or& !ere a !e s!eler as !e voluneer "oordinaor*

!e ousled Pudge.s !air* .) also in "!arge of "oordinaing dail' a"iviies for our eenage

dro(-ins*Pudge du"&ed ou fro) under !er rea"!*

.s al)os dinneri)e, said II' as s!e "!e"&ed !er #ris#a"!*


22/108

&no# !o# i loo&s* Bu i.s no #!a 'ou !in&* .ve us !ad a lo going on lael'* s i

o&a' if "o)e in and ex(lain a fe# !ings:

Professor


23/108

Per!a(s, /u i.s no !a "o)(li"aed ei!er* ou.ve alread' )issed "lasses /e"ause of !is

siuaion, and i sounds li&e 'ou are geing in over 'our !ead* .) sure !a 'our o!er (rofessors

are us as "on"erned* ;e.re al&ing a/ou 'our "ollege edu"aion !ere, @ueenie* ou !ave ano((oruni' !a isn. afforded o ever'one* .s i)e o sar )a&ing i a (riori'*

@ueenie (us!ed !er "!air /a"& for"efull'* ou &no#, !e las !ing ex(e"ed fro) 'ou #as

a le"ure* "a)e o 'ou /e"ause !oug! 'ou.d undersand* !oug! 'ou "ould give )e so)eadvi"e on #!a o do*

a) giving 'ou advi"e on #!a o do* ?eave i alone*

"an.* .s li&e 'ou said>.) oo involved* "an. #al& a#a' no#* !e rea"!ed for !eoffi"e door and !eaved i o(en* ou &no#, 'ou al& a (re' good ga)e* !oug! 'ou #ere

differen /e"ause 'ou ea"! so"iolog'* ou.re su((osed o undersand !ese &inds of Dso"ial.

siuaions, rig!: Bu a((arenl' 'ou.re us li&e ever'one else* ou !in& !a if 'ou urn 'our

/a"&, !e (ro/le) #ill us go a#a'* Bu !e fa" is !a !e (ro/le) #ill sill /e !ere* &no##!a i.s li&e o /e a ga' eenager and i.s no eas', /u a leas )' (arens didn. urn !eir /a"&s

on )e* Pudge !as o deal #i! /eing ga' and living on !e srees, don. 'ou ge !a: f "an

!el( !er, !en !a.s exa"l' #!a a) going o do>even if i )eans failing 'our su(id "lass*

%o#.s !a for so"iolog':

CA-TE 7

@ueenie sla))ed !e a(ar)en door so !ard !a a /oo& fell off !e &i"!en "ouner and ono

!e floor* AA "a)e running ino !e roo), dressed in gra' s#ea(ans, a !ooded s#eas!ir and a

#orn Jed ox /ase/all "a(*

;!ere in !e #orld !ave 'ou /een all #ee&end: "alled 'our "ell (!one a /illion i)es /ui &e( going sraig! o voi"e)ail* ;!a !a((ened: re 'ou o&a': ;!' didn. 'ou "all )e:

;!en did 'ou ge ou of ail:@ueenie (i"&ed !e /oo& u( off !e floor and (assed i over o AA #i!ou so )u"! as glan"ingin !er dire"ion* ;ere 'ou !is )u"! of a nag a a)(son: "an. see) o re)e)/er*

AA ossed !e /oo& aside* .) no nagging 'ou, .) us a lile "urious as o !o# one ges

arresed in !e )iddle of a aurda' afernoon #!ile srolling inno"enl' !roug! aneuil %allFar&e(la"e, !en so)e!o# )agi"all' disa((ears for !e res of !e #ee&end: .) 'our /es

friend so !ave a rig! o &no# !ese !ings*

ou are nagging )e, @ueenie s(a as s!e slid ono !e "ou"! and (i"&ed u( !e elevisionre)oe* ou.ve /een nagging )e ever sin"e #e )oved !ere /e"ause 'ou don. !ave %

$endal F"Car!' o &ee( 'ou o""u(ied an')ore* !e "li"&ed on !e elevision and urned u(

!e volu)e*

AA.s )ou! o(ened #ide #i! resen)en* "an. /elieve 'ou us said !a o )e* ;!a.s u(#i! 'ou: ou.re as e)oional as a s"orned 50-'ear-old )eno(ausal #o)an*

;!en @ueenie didn. res(ond #i! !er o#n #i' reor, AA &ne# so)e!ing #as seriousl'

#rong* !e #al&ed in fron of !e elevision and sre"!ed !er ar)s ou o fur!er /lo"& !es"reen* !e even urned !er /ase/all "a( around o le @ueenie &no# s!e )ean /usiness*

f re"all !e las i)e 'ou did !is, ossed 'ou aside li&e a ragdoll, @ueenie #arned*


24/108

AA didn. )ove* !e &ne# @ueenie #as )u"! sronger !an s!e #as and o#ered over !er

(eie 5.4 fra)e* Bu if !is is #!a i oo& ge o !e /oo) of #!aever #as going on #i! !er

/es friend, s!e #as )ore !an read' o ris& a fe# /ruises* don. #an o fig! #i! 'ou, @ueenie old !er* .s no a/ou 'ou*

!en so((ing a"ing li&e a er& and ell )e #!a !a((ened, said AA* ;!ere !ave 'ou

/een:fer !e #!ole Dgeing arresed. in"iden, s(en #o nig!s in a !oel* us needed so)e

i)e o )'self o "lear )' !ead, o&a':

O&a'* AA "!e#ed on !e inside of !er "!ee&* ;!' "ouldn. 'ou us "all )e and ell )e!a:

don. &no#* didn. feel li&e al&ing o an'one a !a (oin* o even 'ou* @ueenie

urned off !e elevision and ossed !e re)oe ono !e "ou"!* !e sared sraig! a !e #all, a

no!ing in (ari"ular* !ave a grea idea for a sor', s!e said* ou.re going o love i* alread' old 'ou !a !ave no ineres in #riing 'our )e)oir*

.s no a/ou )e, said @ueenie* .s a/ou a !o)eless girl na)ed Pudge*

ood na)e for a "!ara"er* ;!a.s !e (lo:

!e.s a foureen-'ear-old #!o #as &i"&ed ou of !er !ouse for /eing ga', and no# s!e.sliving on !e sree*

AA oo& off !er !a and ran !er fingers !roug! !er !air* re 'ou serious: s!e as&ed* s !isfor real:

es*

a&e i 'our lile sin in !e ail!ouse !ad so)e!ing o do #i! !is*s al#a's, 'ou.re +uie (er"e(ive*

o, #!a !a((ened exa"l': AA as&ed*

Je)e)/er las #ee& #!en )' (rofessor "alled )e inse"ure:

%o# "ould forge: .ve never seen 'ou loo& so )isera/le /efore*fer 'ou and !ad !a al&, #en for a #al& in !e "i' and ran ino Pudge on !e sree*

!e relu"anl' old )e a/ou !er siuaion, so /oug! !er so)e food a Burger $ing /e"ause

didn. &no# #!a else o do* Bu ever sin"e !en, !is lile voi"e in )' !ead &ee(s elling )e s!ould !ave done )ore*

!a #ould /e 'our "ons"ien"e s(ea&ing*

unn', @ueenie said dr'l'* ((arenl', !e =niverse agrees #i! )' "ons"ien"e /e"ause ran ino Pudge again on aurda' a Boson Co))on* !e #as r'ing o s#i(e so)e )one'

fro) a fe# sree (erfor)ers, and "aug! !er* Bu #!en !e "o(s "a)e, oo& !e fall*

o !a.s #!' 'ou go arresed, AA said, in"redulousl'*

ea!, and 'ou don. !ave o ell )e i #as a du)/ )ove /e"ause .ve alread' figured !aou*

#asn. going o sa' an'!ing, said AA* ;!a !a((ened afer !a:

o!ing, said @ueenie* #al&ed Pudge o a !o)eless s!eler and fel good a/ou leaving!er !ere* !a #as unil so)e (re' e)(lo'ee na)ed II' s"olded )e a/ou )' la"& of

a#areness regarding !o)eless ga' eens* !e said !a "ouldn. D/u'. Pudge.s #a' off !e

sree* !en ried going o )' so"iolog' (rofessor !is )orning for advi"e, /u !e !re# !e#!ole Di.s-no-#or!-)essing-u(-'our-"ollege-"areer. !ing in )' fa"e* %e !in&s .) geing

#a' oo involved*

%e.s go a (oin*


25/108

.ve us never deal #i! an issue #!ere "ouldn. /u' or s"!e)e )' #a' ou of i,

@ueenie ex(lained* !ave no idea #!a o do no#*

!a.s /e"ause 'ou usuall' don. deal #i! an'!ing* ou are !e D+ueen. of avoidan"e* o(un inended*

Can #e al& a/ou so)e!ing else:

Case in (oin, said AA*.s us frusraing* F' (rofessor old )e o #al& a#a' and do no!ing, and Fs* II'

s"olded )e for no doing enoug!* don. &no# #!a o do a !is (oin, /u !ere !as o /e a

!a((' )ediu)* !in& a/ou i AA>!e sa)e !ing "ould !ave !a((ened o ei!er one of us* ;!aif our (arens !ad !ro#n us ou for /eing ga': F' dad )a' !ave said a lo of !ars! !ings o )e

#!en firs "a)e ou, /u !e evenuall' "a)e around* %e #asn. as u(se a/ou !a as !e #as

a/ou all !e i)es go &i"&ed ou of (rivae s"!ools /efore a)(son "ade)'*

ou #ere !e )aser a !a, for sure*!is #!ole siuaion #i! Pudge )a&es )e #onder #!a #ould !ave !a((ened if !e !adn.

"o)e around* ;!a #ould !ave done: ;!ere #ould /e no#: don. !in& #ould !ave /een

as self-suffi"ien as Pudge, !a.s for sure* .s li&e s!e !as no fear a all*

AA sa do#n on !e "ou"! nex o @ueenie* don. &no# #!a #ould !ave done if )'(arens !ad &i"&ed )e ou, ei!er* .s /e"ause !e' #ere so su((orive !a evenuall' fel

"o)fora/le enoug! o /e )'self around o!er (eo(le, oo*xa"l'*

;!ere is 'our ne# friend no#:

Pudge: don. &no#* !e "ould /e an'#!ere* #as going o go /a"& o !e s!elero)orro# o see if s!e.s !ere*


26/108

!is is AA, @ueenie ex(lained* !e.s )' roo))ae* #aned !er o "o)e #i! )e o )ee

'ou* ou &no#, in "ase 'ou ever so( /eing so su//orn and a&e )e u( on )' offer and sa' a

)' (la"e*AA s!o @ueenie a loo&*

;e "an dis"uss !e (ari"ulars laer, @ueenie assured !er* !en s!e urned !er aenion

/a"& o Pudge* ;!a are 'ou u( o !is afernoon: nd #!ere.s II':o !a.s #!' 'ou "a)e /', said Pudge #i! a sl' ex(ression* ou #aned o al& o

II':

o, @ueenie )ainained* "a)e /' o "!e"& on 'ou* Bu if II' is !ere, )ig! as #ellsa' a friendl' !ello* didn. )a&e !e /es firs i)(ression on !er !e o!er da'*

don. &no# #!ere s!e #en* Bu 'ou "an !ang ou for a lile #!ile if 'ou #an* ;e.re

#a"!ing Aerse' !ore on FE*

@ueenie "onsuled !er #a"! !en #!is(ered o AA* !e' don.

&ee( )e in line, li&e 'ou said* f an'!ing, !e' "onvin"e )e o do !ings !a ge )e ino

rou/le* ?i&e, seal )one' fro) sree (erfor)ers* see* @ueenie s"ra"!ed a !e /ase of !er "!in, (reending o /e !in&ing* .ll ell 'ou

#!a* .ll /e 'our friend* ou &no#, !e &ind !a &ee(s 'ou in line and doesn. as& 'ou o

"o))i "ri)inal offenses*

.ll !ave o !in& a/ou i*!in& a/ou i: ou s!ould feel !onored !a #an o /e friends #i! 'ou* .) @ueenie

F"Bride, 'ou &no#: .) (ra"i"all' "onsidered ro'al' in !e ae of Eirginia*

ea!, rig!, said Pudge* ro'al (ain in !e>ood )orning, ladies*

@ueenie and Pudge s(un around o see II' sanding /e!ind !e) #i! !er ar)s folded

loosel' in fron of !er* !e #as dressed in a (air of ig!-fiing eans and a an "ardigan s#eaer*!ere #as a loo& of sus(i"ion in !er e'es, as if s!e &ne# !e' #ere u( o so)e!ing* #as a

loo& !a @ueenie !ad seen /efore, and s!e i))ediael' /egan o #onder if s!e #as a/ou o ge

s"olded on"e again*


27/108

#as us leing Pudge &no# !a #ill /e availa/le #!enever and #!erever s!e needs

)e, said @ueenie as s!e (la"ed !er ar) around Pudge.s s!oulders*

ren. lu"&', Pudge said, for"ing a fa&e s)ile /efore s!e (o&ed @ueenie in !e ri/s #i!!er el/o# and rereaed ino !e nex roo)*

$ids, @ueenie said "lu)sil'*


28/108

B' !e i)e !e' gro# and evolve .ll /e an old )an, a) said /ierl'*

;!en.s !e las i)e 'ou #ere !o)e: II' as&ed Pudge in an ae)( o redire" !e

"onversaion* !aven. /een !o)e in over !ree )on!s, Pudge ans#ered +uiel'*

%ave 'ou !oug! a/ou going /a"&:

o* Pudge lied and sa u( sraig! in !er "!air* don. need )' (arens* don. needan'/od'*

Bu 'ou "an. &ee( living on !e srees, said II'*

"an if )' (arens don. #an )e an')ore*Fa'/e i.s i)e for 'ou and a) o "onsider o!er o(ions* ;e !ave so"ial #or&ers !ere

#!o "an (la"e 'ou in a grou( !o)e or #i! a foser "are fa)il'*

a) !eaved !is s!oulders for#ard and laug!ed for"efull'* ea!, rig!* ;!' does ever'one

al#a's a" li&e foser "are is so grea: &no# a &id #!o is living #i! foser (arens #!o don.le !i) do an'!ing or go an'#!ere* /e !e ends u( running a#a' fro) !e), oo*

!ere are (len' of good and loving foser fa)ilies ou !ere, said II'* &no# )an' &ids

!a !ave "o)e !roug! !ere and #ere (la"ed ino foser "are* !e' are doing us fine, and !e'

are "o)(leel' !a((' #i! !eir foser (arens*ood for !e), a) s(a*

agree #i! II', said @ueenie, #!o !ad /een #a"!ing !e "onversaion unfold* !e#irled !er !ands in a "ir"le dire"l' a a)* ou.ve go a lile anger going on !ere*

;ouldn. 'ou /e angr' if 'our (arens &i"&ed 'ou ou /e"ause 'ou #ere ga': !e as&ed*

;!o a) &idding: ?oo& a 'ou* .s o/vious !a 'ou !ave no idea #!a #e go !roug!* ;!'are 'ou even !ere: On"e 'ou leave /e 'ou.re going /a"& o 'our fan"' a(ar)en and forge all

a/ou &ids li&e us*

a), II' "auioned* @ueenie is !ere /e"ause s!e "ares* undersand !a 'ou are feeling

angr' and u(se rig! no#* nd i.s good o al& a/ou i and ex(ress i, /u i.s no good o a&ei ou on o!er (eo(le*

@ueenie sa /a"& in !er "!air #i!ou sa'ing a #ord* !e didn. res(ond /e"ause s!e &ne#

!a a) #as rig!* !e !ad no idea #!a !ese &ids #ere going !roug!, and s!e !ad no idea#!a i fel li&ed o ge &i"&ed ou of 'our o#n !o)e for /eing ga'* !e !oug! #as !ard o

i)agine, and even !arder o s#allo#* nd 'es, s!e.d (ro/a/l' /e exre)el' angr' #i! !er

(arens>s!e.d (ro/a/l' /e a lo of !ings* Bu a !a )o)en, s!e &ne# s!e s!ould s!u u( andle !e) do !e al&ing*

3 3 3

.) glad !a 'ou sa'ed for !e #!ole !ing, II' old @ueenie as !e' sood in !e fo'er

afer !e s!aring session !ad ended* &no# i )us !ave /een !ard o si !ere and lisen o !eirsories*

.) no going o lie, said @ueenie* #as inense* !ad no idea !a !is &ind of !ing

!a((ened* .ve never )e an'one #!o #as &i"&ed ou of !eir !ouse for /eing ga' /efore* feel a/i naLve and foolis! a/ou i, a"uall'*


29/108

/isexual or ransgender is, le alone #!a ?B sands for* ;e "learl' need )ore a#areness

a/ou !is issue* ;e need o ge !e #ord ou*

Fa'/e s!ould voluneer !en, li&e 'ou said*Jeall': !e o!er da', 'ou "ouldn. #ai o dro( a fif' in Pudge.s (o"&e and /e on 'our

#a'*

!a.s no rue* .s us !a gre# u( #i! (arens #!o used )one' o fix ever'!ing* o!a.s !o# !oug! "ould !el( !er* Bu no# "an see !a !ere are o!er #a's, li&e

voluneering*

II' o(en !er )ou! o s(ea&, /u (aused* ou.re serious a/ou !is: s!e finall' as&ed* "a)e /a"& again, didn. :

guess .) us a lile sur(rised* Eoluneering doesn. see) o /e 'our &ind of !ing*

%o# do 'ou &no#: ou onl' us )e )e !e o!er da'*

rus )e* .) an ex"ellen udge of "!ara"er*@ueenie loo&ed u( a !e "eiling /riefl'* ?oo&, &no# !a didn. )a&e !e greaes firs

i)(ression* Bu .) no !e &ind of (erson 'ou !in& a)* nd if 'ou le )e /u' 'ou a "u( of

"offee, "an ex(lain )ore*

re 'ou as&ing )e ou:!a (u on afron /e"ause .) inse"ure*

;as !e rig!:

@ueenie /le# a !er "offee "u( and le !er gaIe #ander ou !e #indo#* !en s!e loo&eda"ross !e a/le, ra"ing !e /ase of II'.s deli"ae "!ee&/one #i! !er e'es* o* .) no al#a's

!is "onfiden, s!e "onfessed* #ouldn. even "all i "onfiden"e, a"uall'*

;!a #ould 'ou "all i !en:Over"o)(ensaion*


30/108


31/108

)us !ave s(oed !a rig! a#a', #!i"! ei!er )a&es !i) in"redi/l' asue or a "loseed

su(er!ero #i! s(e"ial )ind-reading "a(a/iliies*

.d (u )' )one' on asue*%e even said !a !e #as loo&ing for#ard o #a"!ing )e gro# and evolve* ;!a ea"!er

sa's !a:

o)e ea"!ers !ave a &een e'e for !ese !ings* nd !e.s rig!* !e /eau' of "ollege is !ai gives 'ou !e i)e and s(a"e o figure i all ou and evolve a 'our o#n s(eed*

Fa'/e, said @ueenie* %e', #!' are #e al&ing all a/ou )e: ?e.s "!ange i u( a lile

/i* ell )e so)e!ing a/ou 'ou*;!a do 'ou #an o &no#:

or sarers, #!a does II' sand for:

sa/ella* gre# u( in a large alian fa)il'* II' (oined a !er nose, %en"e !e alian

/ea&* n'#a', ever'one in )' fa)il' "alled )e DII'. for s!or #!en #as lile* li&e i*

.s no +uie as "ool as D@ueenie,. !oug!*

rus )e, !e na)e "o)es #i! !e errior', said @ueenie* F' (arens are Eirginia

so"ialies* guess !e' !o(ed !eir "!ildren #ould urn ou !e sa)e #a' if !e' (u !e (ro(erna)es in (la"e* Bu !eir (lan failed )isera/l'* !e' ended u( #i! a les/ian delin+uen #!o !as

a s)ar )ou! insead*II' laug!ed loudl' and a fe# (eo(le in !e "offee s!o( urned o loo& in !eir dire"ion*

li&e i #!en 'ou laug!, said @ueenie*

li&e o laug!*ell )e so)e!ing else a/ou 'ou*

II' a((ed !er fingernails agains !er "offee "u(, "one)(laing #!a infor)aion s!e #as

#illing o s!are* in"e 'ou s!ared so)e!ing so (ersonal #i! )e, .ll do !e sa)e for 'ou>

#as !o)eless on"e, li&e Pudge*Jeall': @ueenie slu)(ed /a"& in !er "!air as if a lig! /ul/ !ad us gone on in !er !ead*

o #onder 'ou.re so oug!*

Je)e)/er #!a said a/ou Pudge earlier: sill !ave a !ard i)e rusing (eo(le /e"auseof )' i)e living on !e sree* ou !ave o oug!en-u( +ui"&l' #!en 'ou.re !o)eless* #as

onl' a unior in !ig! s"!ool #!en lef !o)e and )oved o Boson* lived #i! so)e friends for

a lile /i /efore finall' go )'self oge!er, go a o/, go an a(ar)en and finis!ed !ig!s"!ool* !en enrolled a ;!eelo"& College* .) going o graduae !is s(ring #i! a degree in

so"ial #or&, and (lan on saring graduae s"!ool in !e fall*

;o#, said @ueenie* ou.ve a""o)(lis!ed a lo*

did #!a !ad o do*


32/108

do*

@ueenie (aused and refle"ed /a"& on !er i)e a a)(son "ade)'* #is! !ad !a, s!e

said* never !oug! o loo& (as !ig! s"!ool* ;e lived in su"! a safe and se"ure lile /u//le!a didn. !ave o !in& a/ou an'!ing ouside of i* #as oo /us' living i u( ever' da' o

"onsider #!a #aned o do #i! )' life afer graduaed*

II' nodded on"e )ore* o one ever !in&s o loo& (as !ig! s"!ool #!en 'ou.re in !e!i"& of i*

#is! &ne# #!a )' (ur(ose #as, said @ueenie* ver'one &no# see)s o !ave !a

(ar figured ou alread'* AA !as al#a's &no#n !a s!e #aned o /e a #rier and s!e.s so good ai* !ave no idea #!a #an o do #i! )' life* !e onl' !ing .) good a is s(ending )'

(aren.s )one'*

don. /elieve !a for a se"ond, said II'* ver'one is good a so)e!ing* Par of !e

dis"over' us involves going #i! !e flo# of life and rusing 'our gu* F' ourne' /roug! )e!ere o !e s!eler* !ad no idea #!a #as going o do #!en arrived* Bu rused )' gu and

!ings fell ino (la"e* dis"overed !a love #or&ing #i! !o)eless eens and !a i.s

so)e!ing .) reall' good a* !e (oined a @ueenie.s )idse"ion* ;!a is 'our gu elling

'ou:@ueenie fo"used !er e'es on !er so)a"! and "on"enraed* Jig! no#, i.s elling )e !a

.) !ungr'*II' laug!ed* !a.s /e"ause 'ou.re D!in&ing. a/ou i and no Dfeeling. i* ;!a does 'our

gu feeling ell 'ou:

@ueenie "on"enraed so)e )ore* !en s!e raised !er !ead and said, .s elling )e s!ouldvoluneer a !e s!eler*

II' sa /a"& in !er "!air and sudied @ueenie "losel'* o( o&ing a/ou !a*

.) no o&ing, @ueenie )ainained* %ones, reall' #an o voluneer a !e s!eler* .s a

gu feeling* nd afer ever'!ing !a us old 'ou, !o# "an 'ou sill no /elieve )e: #an o )a&e sure !a 'ou are doing i for !e rig! reasons*

old 'ou )' reasons alread'* .) doing !is for )'self and for Pudge*

Jig!* nd geing o &no# )e /eer !as no!ing o do #i! i a all:o# loo& #!o.s full of !erself:

%a, II' s"offed*

!is isn. a o&e o )e, said @ueenie as s!e se !er "u( do#n for"efull'* )a' !ave along !isor' of no a&ing !ings seriousl', /u .) serious a/ou voluneering* Pudge is a "ool

&id and #an o /e a friend o !er* #an o r' and )a&e a differen"e, #i!ou !ro#ing )one'

around* don. &no# #!a else !ave o do o "onvin"e 'ou* !in& !a a leas deserve a

"!an"e*II'.s fa"e sofened* O&a', 'ou.ve )ade 'our (oin* f 'ou.re reall' and rul' serious a/ou

!is, li&e 'ou sa', !en "o)e /' !e s!eler o)orro# afernoon and #e.ll fill ou !e (a(er#or&*

!e go u( fro) !e a/le* &no# 'ou !in& !a .) /eing !ard on 'ou, /u !ave o )a&e sure!a all of our voluneers are genuinel' a !e s!eler o !el(* !is isn. so)e!ing 'ou "an do

!alf#a'* ou !ave o /e a/le o give !ese &ids 'our full aenion ever' i)e 'ou are !ere*

#on. le 'ou do#n, said @ueenie* (ro)ise*.s no )e !a .) #orried a/ou* .s Pudge* s(e"iall' if s!e o(ens u( o 'ou*

#on. le !er do#n, ei!er* ou "an rus )e and so "an s!e*

II' loo&ed inenl' a @ueenie and nodded*

@ueenie s)iled as if o sa', old 'ou so*


33/108


34/108

a), @ueenie insised* even sa in on one of !e s!aring sessions !a !e' !ave for ga'

eens !e o!er da'* )ade )e realiIe a lo of !ings a/ou )'self* !e urned a#a' fro) !e

#indo#* ee)s li&e .ve go a long lis of (eo(le o (rove #rong>)' (rofessor, Pudge, II',even 'ou*

@ueenie, 'ou don. !ave o (rove an'!ing o an'/od', leas of all )e*

es, do* .s o/vious !a 'ou sill !in& don. &no# !o# o a&e an'!ing seriousl'*((arenl', II' and Professor


35/108

exing )' roo))ae o le !er &no# !a go in safel'* !e.s &ind of Fo)is! in !a

#a'* !e giggled, and laug!ed a !e (!one* .ve /e"o)e reall' "lose o a fe# girls #!o live in

)' dor), and !e' are as&ing )e all of !ese sill' +uesions a/ou Boson* Aus give )e a +ui"&se"*

AA nodded, /u &e( saring a !e (!one*

s so)e!ing #rong: $endal as&ed*o a all, AA lied* .) us reall' !a((' o see 'ou*

fer exing /a"& and for! a fe# )ore i)es, $endal finall' slid !er (!one /a"& ino !er

(urse* !en s!e leaned over, !oo&ed !er ar) around AA.s and resed !er !ead on AA.s s!oulder* &no# !is #!ole long-disan"e !ing !as /een &ind of !ard, s!e said* Bu le.s r' o

)a&e !e /es of !e #ee&end, o&a':

AA )usered a s)ile and urned o sare ou of !e #indo# a !e "lear /lue s&'* n unseled

feeling !ad eru(ed in !er so)a"! as s!e /egan o sus(e" !a $endal #as !iding so)e!ing*

CA-TE 10

@ueenie #aied for ever'one else o leave !e "lassroo) so !a s!e "ould )ee #i!Professor


36/108

!ave a grea idea for !e assign)en, /u need o do i inde(endenl' ra!er !an #i! a

grou(*

;!' is !a:Be"ause (lan on )a&ing Pudge (ar of !e resear"! and (resenaion* .) (osiive !a

"an gain !er rus and ge !er o o(en u( o )e, /u "an. see !er doing !a #i! a #!ole /un"!

of o!er sudens !a s!e doesn. &no#*nd #!o is Pudge, exa"l':

!e !o)eless girl )e, re)e)/er: !ere are )an' )ore &ids us li&e !er ou !ere*

?B een !o)elessness is an i)(oran so"iologi"al issue, /u i.s !ardl' dis"ussed in !e)ainsrea) )edia* #an o resear"! so)e saisi"s and do )' (resenaion on i* .ve alread'

signed u( as a voluneer a a 'ou! !o)eless s!eler in !e "i' !a "aers o ga' eens* !is #a',

.ll /e a/le o )ainain a friends!i( #i! Pudge, do #!a need o do for "lass, and gain so)e

ourea"! ex(erien"e as #ell*Professor


37/108

Eer', Pudge )uered*

;ell, in a fe# )inues 'ou "an !el( )e se u( for dinner*

%o# ex"iing*II' (o&ed Pudge in !e leg #i! !e /u of !er (en* %o# a/ou siing in !e "!air insead

of on )' des&:

ine, Pudge groaned, li&e !e dra)ai" eenage girl s!e #as* !e sood u( and (lo((ed !er/od' do#n in !e fli)s' #!ie (lasi" "!air in !e "orner of !e roo)* #as !e &ind of "!air

one #ould find on !e fron (or"! of an average su/ur/an !o)e, a /i ou of (la"e in an offi"e

seing*II' ried o refo"us !er aenion on !e #or& in fron of !er, /u "ouldn. &ee( fro) noi"ing

!a Pudge #as e'eing !er seadil'*

O&a', s!e said a las and se !er (en do#n* ;!a.s u(:

o!ing, said Pudge as s!e (i"&ed a a !ole in !er eans* &no# so)e!ing is u(* ou don. nor)all' "o)e ino )' offi"e o !ang ou and "!i"!a*

o s(ill i*

> Pudge /i !er li(* )iss )' (arens* .ve /een )issing !e) a lo, a"uall'* Bu i

doesn. )a&e sense* %o# "an )iss (eo(le #!o don. even "are a/ou )e:II' relaxed !er sare* .s naural for 'ou o )iss !e), s!e said* !e' are 'our (arens*

ou "an. "onrol #!a !e' do or !o# !e' a"* ll 'ou "an do is a""e( !e) for #!o !e'are*

Bu #!': !e' don. a""e( )e for #!o a)* Pudge #ised !er /od' in !e "!air and

/roug! !er &nees u( o !er "!es*.ve /een exa"l' #!ere 'ou are, II' said o(enl'* !e rose fro) !er sea and #al&ed

gingerl' around !e des&, &neeling do#n in fron of Pudge* !e "!allenge for )e #as finding

love and (ea"e for #!ere )' (arens #ere a* sill love !e), /u don. define )'self !roug!

!e) an')ore*.s so !ard, Pudge said, /eginning o so/* !e /uried !er fa"e in !er ar)s o !ide !er ears*

!e' don. #an )e /e"ause of so)e!ing !a "an. "!ange* f #en /a"& and old !e)

#as sraig!, !e'.d #el"o)e )e !o)e* ;!a &ind of love is !a:.s "ondiional love>!e #ors &ind, said II'* !e rea"!ed ou and (ulled Pudge.s fa"e

a#a' fro) !er ar)s so !a s!e "ould see !er e'es "learl'* .s i)(oran for 'ou o undersand

!a love s!ould never, ever, /e "ondiional* Jeal love is "o)(assionae and #i!ou ex(e"aion*Jeal love a""e(s ever'one for #!o !e' are*

o if don. a""e( )' (arens for #!o !e' are, !en .) /asi"all' doing !e sa)e !ing o

!e) !a !e' are doing o )e:

xa"l'* don. &no# !o# o do !a*

ou.ll figure i ou in i)e* nd on"e 'ou rea"! !a level of a""e(an"e, 'ou "an le go*

ou #on. !ave o "arr' !e !ur and !e anger around #i! 'ou an')ore* ou.ll rise a/ove iand ge !e love 'ou deserve fro) o!er (eo(le insead*

Pudge sared a II' #i! ears in !er e'es* s !a #!a !a((ened for 'ou:

es* !ave (len' of friends in )' life #!o a""e( and love )e us !e #a' a)* ou.ll)ee (len' of #onderful (eo(le #!o #ill a""e( and love 'ou us !e #a' 'ou are, oo*

guaranee i*

Pudge loo&ed a#a' fro) II'* #onder if !e' #ill ever "o)e around, )' (arens, )ean*

.) no read' o give u( on !e) us 'e*


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!e' )ig! "o)e around* Bu 'ou don. !ave o (u 'our life on !old and #ai for !e) o

"a"! u(* ?oo& a 'ourself !roug! 'our o#n e'es, no !eirs, and see !o# #onderful and s(e"ial

'ou are* don. feel so #onderful and s(e"ial*

;ell, 'ou are, said II'* Bu i doesn. )aer !o# )an' i)es ell 'ou !a* ou !ave o

/elieve i 'ourself*%o# did 'ou ge so s)ar: Pudge as&ed, reurning !er gaIe o II'*

#ouldn. exa"l' "all i s)ars, II' re(lied* .d "all i ex(erien"e* does #onders* o

oo long ago, #as in !e sa)e siuaion as 'ou are* ?oo& #!ere a) no#* o)eda', 'ou.ll /ea/le o give !e sa)e advi"e !a a) giving o 'ou o so)eone else*

o)eda', #on. !ave o* o)eda', (arens #ill love !eir &ids un"ondiionall', no )aer

#!a*

II' s)iled #ar)l' and s)oo!ed Pudge.s !air, o)eda'*Pudge #i(ed !er fa"e #i! !e sleeve of !er s#eas!ir* "an !el( 'ou se u( for dinner no#,

if 'ou sill #an )e o*

.d love for 'ou o !el(*


39/108

a )ovie #i! @ueenie insead, #!i"! #as !ardl' ro)ani" /e"ause of @ueenie.s nonso( /ur(s

and "!aer* AA anxiousl' !o(ed !a a ni"e relaxing da'-ri( o Provin"eo#n so)e!o# )agi"all'

#ould ransfor) !e res of $endal.s visi ino !e /lissful #ee&end s!e !ad i)agined* don. feel so good, $endal said, inerru(ing AA.s reverie* !e /en over in !er sea and

(ressed !er !ands agains !er "!ee&s*

!in& 'ou )ig! /e geing seasi"&, AA o/served* ?e.s go ou on !e de"& so 'ou "an geso)e fres! air*

!e (ulled $endal u( /' !e ar) and #al&ed !er ouside of !e ferr'.s "a/in* !e' leaned

agains !e railing and le !e fres! air and )is fro) !e #aer #as! over !e)*$endal in!aled dee(l' and oo& a fe# leng!' /rea!s*

eel /eer: AA as&ed*

!in& so*

didn. &no# 'ou go seasi"&*ei!er did * !en again, .ve never /een on a /oa /efore*

ou.ve never /een on a /oa: ;ell, 'ou.ll feel /eer on"e #e ge !ere* ver'one !ere al&s

a/ou P-o#n, and !o# )u"! fun i is* .s li&e a ga' Fe""a*

$endal (u on a s)ile and loo&ed u( a !e s&'* AA "ouldn. !el( /u ge !e feeling !a s!e#as #is!ing s!e #ere so)e(la"e else*

re 'ou o&a': Or )a'/e s!ould /e as&ing if D#e. are o&a': don. &no#, said $endal* .) geing a srange vi/e fro) 'ou* .ve fel i sin"e go

!ere, as if so)e!ing is /o!ering 'ou and 'ou aren. elling )e #!a i is*

guess .) no good a !iding )' e)oions*o, 'ou aren.* Bu !a.s one of !e )an' !ings !a love a/ou 'ou*

AA leaned for#ard over !e railing and sared sole)nl' a !e #aer /elo#* %onesl', .ve

/een feeling li&e #e.re drifing a(ar* &no# !a #e !ave #o differen lives going, and i.s !ard

o sa' "onne"ed all !e i)e* Bu don. even feel "onne"ed #i! 'ou no#, and 'ou.re sandingrig! nex o )e* feel li&e 'ou.d ra!er /e /a"& in e# or& #i! all of 'our ne# friends*

#as afraid !is #ould !a((en, said $endal* ;e #ere a/le o see ea"! o!er ever' da'

/a"& a a)(son, and #e go o s(end los of i)e oge!er over !e su))er, oo* ;e s(oiledea"! o!er #i! "onsan aenion* ven !e #a' #e go oge!er #as )agi"al i #as li&e

so)e!ing rig! ou of a novel*

&no#, said AA* !in& )a' !ave o #rie a /oo& a/ou i so)eda'*Bu #e "an. &ee( r'ing o re"reae !a sa)e )agi" or our !isor' #i! )il'


40/108

AA avered !er e'es and gri((ed !e railing #i! /o! !ands* %ave 'ou, u), )e an'/od':

.ve )e los of (eo(le*

ou &no# #!a )ean*f 'ou.re as&ing if .ve )e an'one !a a) ineresed in /esides 'ou, !en no* Bu

(ro)ise !a if do, 'ou.ll /e !e firs one o &no#* .d !o(e 'ou.d ell )e if 'ou )e so)eone as

#ell*.) no loo&ing o )ee an'one*

;ell, 'ou &no# #!a )ean*

!e ferr' saion a Provin"eo#n #as in (lain sig! no#, and !e (eo(le s"aered along !e/oard#al& a((eared o gro# /igger as !e ferr' a((roa"!ed !e do"&*

;e "an sill )a&e !e )os of oda', said $endal* !e lin&ed !er ar) around AA.s* ;e.re

!ere oge!er, so le.s relax and eno' ea"! o!er.s "o)(an'*

ou &ee( sa'ing !a, li&e ever'!ing is going o "o)e o an end afer#ards*$endal /o//ed !er !ead in frusraion and dro((ed !er ar) o !er side* f 'ou &ee( a"ing

li&e !is, i #ill*

AA #in"ed*

Aus lisen o #!a 'ou.re sa'ing, $endal "oninued in a sofer voi"e* ou &ee( fo"usingon !e fa" !a #e "an. see ea"! o!er all !e i)e and !a !ings are differen* nsead of us

going #i! !e flo# and adusing o !e #a' !ings are, 'ou.re fig!ing i* .s onl' )a&ing!ings #orse* ;!' #ould #an o "o)e visi 'ou if all 'ou did #as al& a/ou !e #a' !ings

#ere /a"& a a)(son "ade)', or #onder if .) ineresed in so)eone else, and "o)(leel'

forge !e fa" !a .) sanding !ere rig! /eside 'ou:AA urned a#a'* Fa'/e a) (us!ing 'ou a#a' /e"ause .) afraid .) going o ge !ur in

!e end*

$ee( (us!ing and !a.s exa"l' #!a.s going o !a((en*

!e ferr' slo#ed, easing is #a' o#ard !e loading do"&* !e /oard#al& #as "ro#ded, andever'one a((eared o /e eno'ing #!a "ould /e one of !e las sunn' and #ar) da's of fall*

don. &no# #!', /u feel li&e .ve alread' los 'ou, AA said sadl'*

Before s!e "ould res(ond, $endal /en !er !ead for#ard and leaned over !e railing* firsAA !oug! !a s!e #as "r'ing, /u #!en $endal )ade a loud re"!ing sound and !eaved !er

/od' si)ulaneousl', AA +ui"&l' realiIed !a s!e !ad goen si"&*

.ll ge 'ou so)e ginger ale, AA said, daring /a"& ino !e "a/in* ;!en s!e reurned,$endal #as siing on a /en"! near !e railing #i! !er !ead !ro#n /a"&*

%ere, said AA, siing do#n nex o !er* ;e "an us ride !e ferr' /a"& o Boson if 'ou

#an* ;e don. !ave o sa' if 'ou.re no feeling #ell*


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&no# s!e.s rig!, said AA* Bu i doesn. )a&e i an' easier* #an !ings o /e li&e !e'

#ere a a)(son*

O&a', no# 'ou.re sounding li&e )e no !a long ago, said @ueenie* Or don. 'oure)e)/er elling )e !a #e.re no a a)(son an')ore:

AA (ulled !er Jed ox /ase/all "a( lo#er over !er e'es* O)inous "louds /egan o ga!er over

!eir !eads, and !e air s)elled !eav' #i! rain*;!a are 'ou so u(se a/ou, an'#a': @ueenie as&ed* .s no li&e s!e /ro&e u( #i! 'ou

or an'!ing* ou s!ould /e !a((' !a s!e #ans o r' and )a&e i #or&*

&no#* Bu ge !e feeling !a s!e #ould (refer i if #e did /rea& u(* !e said so)e suffa/ou us leing go and seeing #!a !a((ens* o )e, Dleing go. is (re' )u"! "ode for

D/rea&ing u(*. .s no li&e s!e said s!e #asn. going o /rea& u( #i! )e, ei!er* AA gro#led in

frusraion* rg!K .) !orri/le #!en i "o)es o un"erain'*

AA, our enire lives are filled #i! un"erain', @ueenie said "al)l'* e used o i* o/od'&no#s #!a.s going o !a((en fro) )o)en o )o)en, no )aer #!a age !e' are* !e

(i"&ed a !e grass !en added, Besides, if #ere $endal, #ould !ave /ro&en u( #i! 'ou

/efore !e ferr'/oa do"&ed /a"& in Boson*

AA sared a @ueenie in oal sur(rise* ;!' #ould 'ou sa' so)e!ing li&e !a:@ueenie go u( and sre"!ed !er long legs* .) 'our /es friend, rig!:

Jig!*nd (ar of !e role of /eing a /es friend is o al#a's /e u(fron and !ones no )aer #!a,

rig!:

Jig!*@uie !onesl', 'ou.re no )u"! fun o /e around an')ore* nd !e sill' (ar is !a i.s

over no!ing* ou and $endal are sill oge!er, 'e 'ou a" li&e s!e.s alread' du)(ed 'ou*

ou.ve /een )o(ing around li&e so)e lile los (u((', and for so)e reason all 'ou do is

"o)(lain a/ou ever'!ing* ;!a.s u( #i! !a: &no#* .s )ore !an us !is !ing #i! $endal* Fa'/e .) a&ing ou )' o!er

frusraions on !e /o! of 'ou and !a.s !e real (ro/le)* AA fell on o !er /a"& and "overed !er

fa"e #i! !er !ands*;!a o!er frusraions: !oug! ever'!ing #as going (erfe"l' #onderful for 'ou:

.) )issaf/a/gg/gle, AA )oaned*

@ueenie sraddled over !er and "raned !er ne"&* "an. undersand 'ou #!en 'ou al&!roug! 'our !ands li&e !a*

said .) )isera/leK AA s!oued /e#een !er fingers*

!a (ar is o/vious, @ueenie re(lied* !e /en do#n and 'an&ed AA.s !ands fro) !er fa"e*

.s !e #!' !a !as )e so "onfused and "on"erned*AA (us!ed @ueenie (la'full' aside and sa u( again* didn. #an o ell 'ou !is /e"ause

'ou.ve !ad so )u"! going on lael', /u .ve /een feeling a lile ou of (la"e in !is "i'* o

)a&e )aers #orse, .) (ra"i"all' flun&ing )' "reaive #riing "lass*%o# is !a even (ossi/le: ou.re a #rier*

don. &no#* !ave !ad a !orri/le "ase of #rier.s /lo"&, and "an. s!a&e i* F' (rofessor

sa's !a .) no (rodu"ing an'!ing original or au!eni"* even ried !anding in )' fa)ousDFo!er Fa' :. (oe) for an assign)en, and s!e "alled i Dele)enar'. and Dso)e!ing a !ig!

s"!ool suden #ould #rie*.

;ell, 'ou did #rie i #!ile 'ou #ere in !ig! s"!ool*


42/108

&no# did, /u i.s ridi"ulousK .) su((osed o a"e )' #riing "ourses* .) a #rierK .s

li&e a "ar(ener flun&ing #oods!o(*

ou.re /eing oo !ard on 'ourself* o( r'ing o /e a #rier and us #rie*;!a.s !e differen"e:

!e differen"e is #!a 'ou.re )issing* nsead of #riing !e !ings 'ou !in& 'our

(rofessor #ill li&e or !a 'ou !in& s!e is loo&ing for, #rie #!a 'ou &no#* !a.s #!en 'ou#rie 'our /es suff*

O&a', oda, go an' e+uall' sage advi"e on #!a s!ould do a/ou $endal:

#!aever !a )a' /e*

don. &no#*

Co)e o !in& of i, in !e enire i)e !a .ve &no#n 'ou, 'ou.ve al#a's ei!er /een in arelaions!i( or loo&ing for one* ;!' are 'ou so afraid o /e alone:

?isen o 'ou, said AA* ;!en did 'ou /e"o)e a voi"e of reason and raionali' on

relaions!i(s: !a.s su((osed o /e )' role*

.ve al#a's /een !e voi"e of reason #!ere $endal is "on"erned, re)e)/er: @ueeniega!ered u( !e /lan&e in !er !ands and suffed i ino AA.s /a"&(a"&* .s li&e 'our /rain urns

ino )us! #!enever !er na)e "o)es u(* n'#a', #as /eing serious* Fa'/e 'ou need o /esingle for a lile #!ile*

Fa'/e*

!e' #al&ed along a "e)en (a! o#ard an underground -saion enran"e, so((ing o /u'!o (reIels along !e #a'*

;!a are 'ou u( o !is afernoon: AA as&ed*

.) !anging ou a !e s!eler for a lile /i* !en Pudge and are going o go #al& around

aneuil %all Far&e(la"e* .) !o(ing !a if s(end )ore individual i)e #i! !er, s!e.ll o(enu( o )e*

nd !o# are !ings #i! II':

.s !ard o ell* Bu a leas s!e doesn. (u on !a oug! girl a" around )e so )u"!an')ore* !in& )a'/e .) gro#ing on !er*

ea!, li&e a fungus, AA re(lied, s)ugl' /rea&ing off a (ie"e of !er !o (reIel and s!oving

i ino !er )ou!*Eer' funn'*

!oug! so, said AA, #i! !er )ou! full* !e s!rugged, and "oninued as s!e "!e#ed,

sill "an. /elieve !a Pudge !as /een living on !e srees for !e enire su))er*

&no#, said @ueenie, /iing ino !er o#n !o (reIel* Can 'ou i)agine !o# diffi"ul !a)us /e: ven !e "on"e( of /eing a/le o s!o#er ever'da' is so)e!ing a&e for graned*

orge a/ou s!o#ering, said AA* ;!a a/ou !e sress of !aving o figure ou #!ere 'our

nex )eal is "o)ing fro):@ueenie "onsidered !e !alf-eaen !o (reIel in !er !and* !e (air )un"!ed in silen"e,

sanding nex o !e food vendor "ars, #a"!ing !e (assing (arade of (eo(le along !e sree*

fer a fe# )inues, a s"ruff' !o)eless )an, #earing a Eiena) ;ar Eeeran "a( and a"a)ouflage a"&e, li)(ed !is #a' o#ard !e)* #as o/vious !a !e !ad /een #ounded

during !e #ar* @ueenie #ondered if !e !ad fallen on !ard i)es or if !e #ere a sruggling addi"

#!o #as una/le, or )a'/e even un#illing, o find a o/* ;!aever !e reason for !is

!o)elessness, s!e didn. "are* ll s!e "ared a/ou #as !e fa" !a !e loo&ed exre)el' !ungr'*


43/108

Aus as !e #as a/ou o (ass /', s!e rea"!ed ou and !anded !i) !e res of !er !o (reIel*

%e oo& i and finis!ed i off !a((il', !an&ing !er re(eaedl' as !e #en on !is #a'*

@ueenie nodded in !is dire"ion* !in& !a gu' #as #ondering #!ere !is nex )eal #as"o)ing fro) #!en !e #as "rossing !e sree:

f !e #as, 'ou us gave !i) !is ans#er, said AA*

3 3 3

?aer !a afernoon, @ueenie and Pudge #ere /us' srolling !roug! !e "ener of aneuil

%all Far&e(la"e, !is i)e #i!ou !e devious inen of s#i(ing an' i( ars* !e air #as "ool

and "ris(, and Pudge s!ivered in !e /reeIe*

;!' don. #e ge 'ou a a"&e, @ueenie suggesed, ugging on !e !ood of Pudge.s s!a//'gra' i&e s#eas!ir* !e' #al&ed (as !e fa)ous C!eers resauran and over !e "o//lesone

road, #eaving !eir #a' slo#l' !roug! !e afernoon "ro#d of s!o((ers, lo"als and ouriss* !e

"ross-e'ed uggler #as !ere !is i)e, and !e' #a"!ed !i) /riefl' as !e enerained a s)all

"ir"le of onloo&ers*;!' do 'ou al#a's #an o /u' )e so)e!ing: Pudge as&ed*

don. al#a's #an o /u' 'ou so)e!ing, @ueenie argued* .s a si)(le "ase of !aveversus !ave no* noi"ed !a 'ou.ve /een #earing !a sa)e ra' s#eas!ir for #ee&s no#,

and !a 'ou don. !ave a a"&e* o !oug! .d ge 'ou one, /e"ause !ave !e )eans*

Bu isn. !a #!a II' gave 'ou a !ard i)e a/ou, r'ing o !el( )e #i! )one':%ave ried o /u' 'ou an'!ing sin"e !e "!eese/urger: @ueenie as&ed defensivel'* n

fa", !aven. )enioned s(ending a single di)e on 'ou sin"e #e sared !anging ou* .) no

r'ing o !el( 'ou #i! )one'* us #an o do so)e!ing ni"e for a friend #!o "ould use a ne#

#iner a"&e* !e rea"!ed over and (reended o #i(e so)e!ing off Pudge.s s!oulder* !in&i.s i)e 'ou dro((ed !a "!i( off 'our s!oulder* .s saring o lose is "!ar)*

Pudge "ra"&ed a s)ile* &no# "an "o)e off as sno' and oug!, /u don. )ean o /e

!a #a'* Fos of !e &ids on !e sree and a !e s!eler a" !a #a', li&e )' friend a)* %e.s areall' ni"e gu' #!en 'ou ge o &no# !i), /u !e.s reall' angr' #i! !is (arens rig! no#, so

!a.s #!' !e #as a lile )ean o 'ou #!en 'ou firs )e !i)* %e.s no li&e !a all !e i)e*

.s one !ing o a" oug!, said @ueenie* Bu &ee(ing 'our guard u( all !e i)e &ee(s(eo(le #!o #an o /e 'our friend a ar).s leng!*

ea!, /u as long as &ee( )' guard u(, i &ee(s )e fro) geing aa"!ed o (eo(le and

geing !ur #!en !e' don. follo# !roug! #i! !eir (ro)ises*

!a.s +uie an inelle"ual res(onse fro) a foureen-'ear-old*.) us re(eaing #!a one of !e "ounselors a !e s!eler old )e* Bu ge #!a s!e.s

sa'ing* F' firs insin" is o (us! (eo(le a#a', sin"e )' (arens (us!ed )e a#a'* .) us si"&

of /eing le do#n all of !e i)e /' (eo(le rus*@ueenie "ouldn. argue #i! !a* &no# i.s !ard for 'ou o rus (eo(le rig! no# and

#an 'ou o /e a/le o rus )e* Bu don. #an o (us! 'ou ino i, ei!er* &no# i.s go o /e

on 'our o#n er)s* ;!en 'ou.re read' o le )e in, le )e &no#* nd #e.ll go ge 'ou !a ne#a"&e*

"an see #!' II' li&es 'ou so )u"!, Pudge said afer a )o)en*

@ueenie "a)e o !al* ;ai, s!e said !a: !e said !a s!e li&es )e:

;ell, no exa"l'* !e used !e #ord Dinriguing*.


44/108

!e !in&s .) inriguing: @ueenie s)oo!ed ou !e sleeves of !er #!ie Polo s!ir, #!i"!

s!e #ore under !er /ro#n ves a"&e* nd all !is i)e !oug! s!e "ouldn. sand )e*

o, #as rig!: Pudge as&ed /oldl'* ou li&e !er:?e.s us sa' !a find Fiss II' alluring, @ueenie grinned* !e.s go !is energ' a/ou

!er !a.s in"redi/l' inoxi"aing* "an. (u )' finger on i* .) used o sa'ing a fe# "!ar)ing

!ings !ere and !ere and #inning girls over insanl'* Bu II' is differen* !e #on. give )ean in"!* .ve never )e a girl li&e !a /efore* /o!ers )e !a s!e !in&s .) so)e egoisi"al

ri"! girl #!o /u's !er #a' ou of rou/le* )ean, s!e )a' !ave /een rig! a firs* used o /e

li&e !a* Bu .) "!anging* Peo(le are allo#ed o "!ange, aren. !e': @ueenie loo&ed over aPudge, #!o #as #ide-e'ed #i! a)use)en*

ou do realiIe !a 'ou.ve us s(en !e las five )inues )u)/ling a/ou II', don.

'ou:

o, @ueenie re(lied /landl'* didn. realiIe* Bu !an&s for (oining i ou*f i )a&es 'ou feel an' /eer, !in& 'ou #o #ould )a&e a "ue "ou(le*

a((re"iae !a* Bu don. sa' an'!ing o !er a/ou i* !e onl' (eo(le #!o &no# !a

a) ineresed in II' are 'ou and AA, and .d (refer o &ee( i !a #a'*

!e' (assed /' a fe# "lo!ing sores, disra"edl' gaIing a !e #indo# dis(la's*


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did, said $endal* !e' #ere unex(e"ed*

#aned o a(ologiIe for !e #a' #as a"ing #!ile 'ou #ere !ere* le )' inse"uriies ge

!e /es of )e, and insead of us eno'ing 'our "o)(an', a"ed li&e a "o)(lee )oron*ou didn. !ave o /u' )e flo#ers o a(ologiIe, said $endal* Bu a((re"iae !e

gesure*

!ere.s so)e!ing else !a !ave o ell 'ou, said AA* !e "ringed as s!e s(o&e ino !e(!one, o /e !ones, fro) !e )o)en #e "li)/ed ino !e "a/ afer 'ou arrived, fel li&e 'ou

#ere !iding so)e!ing fro) )e*

ou "ould !ave us old )e !a a !e i)e* &no#*

Besides, #asn. !iding an'!ing fro) 'ou* !in& 'ou #ere us (i"&ing u( on !e o/vious

>#e aren. !e sa)e (eo(le as #e #ere a a)(son*

&no# !a, oo, AA said as s!e rolled over on !er /a"& and gaIed u(#ards* !e noi"ed as(ider "ra#ling slo#l' a"ross !e "eiling, ea"! se( (re"ise and "arefull' (la"ed* !in& #e are

/o! )oving a our o#n (a"e, s!e said, fo"using on !e s(ider* nsead of r'ing o &ee( (a"e

#i! 'ou, s!ould /e su((oring 'ou* fer all, 'ou.re )' /es friend*

@ueenie )ig! !ave so)e!ing o sa' a/ou !a, said $endal*@ueenie undersands !e differen"e, AA re(lied* nd if s!e doesn., s!e #ill soon enoug!*

!e.s )e so)eone !a s!e li&es a lo*Jeall': !oug! @ueenie #ould /e a /a"!eloree for life*

o did * Bu !in& s!e.s )e !er )a"! #i! !is one* Fos girls fall (a!ei"all' ino

@ueenie.s ar)s !e )o)en s!e flas!es a s)ile or sa's so)e!ing #i'* Bu !is girl is differen,and i.s driving @ueenie "raI'*

!is girl sounds li&e s!e.s so)eone .d ge along #i!* Fa'/e nex i)e "o)e u( o visi,

'ou "an inrodu"e )e o !er:

AA s)iled a !e !oug!, even !oug! s!e &ne# i #asn. going o !a((en* .ve /een doingso)e !in&ing a/ou !a, s!e said* /ou us visiing one ano!er*

ou !ave:

ea!, !ave* AA su"&ed in a +ui"& /rea!* !in& #e s!ould a&e a /rea& fro) visiing fora lile #!ile* "uall', !in& #e s!ould us a&e a /rea& in general*

fer !e ou"o)e of !eir las visi, $endal #asn. !e leas /i sur(rised* re 'ou sure 'ou

#an o do !a: s!e as&ed*es* &no# !a.s #!a 'ou reall' #an rig! no#* nd i.s (ro/a/l' for !e /es* )ean,

&no# !a.s #!a need rig! no#, oo*

AA, >

ou don. !ave o read lig!l' #i! )e an')ore, AA inerru(ed* .) a /ig girl* .) in"ollege no#, re)e)/er: .ll /e fine* .d ra!er do !is #illingl' insead of "linging o 'ou li&e a

los "!ild* ou.re rig! a/ou ever'!ing, $endal* ?as 'ear #as reall' s(e"ial for us, and .ll

al#a's "!eris! !e #a' #e go oge!er* Bu agree !a #e s!ould us le !ings go and see#!a !a((ens*

!a.s !e /eau' of our siuaion, said $endal* ou never &no# #!a.s going o !a((en*

;!a.s !a sa'ing: f 'ou love so)e!ing, le i go* nd if i "o)es /a"& o 'ou !en i #as)ean o /e:

xa"l'* ;e )a' "!ange our )inds nex )on!, or )a'/e nex 'ear, and r' again* Or

)a'/e, #e.ll end u( as good friends* i!er #a', .ll al#a's love 'ou*


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.ll al#a's love 'ou, oo, $endal reurned, affe"ionael'* !e' sa +uiel' on !e (!one for

a fe# )inues, sin"e !ere #asn. )u"! else o sa'*

?isen, $endal said a las* reall' !ae o do !is, /u .ve go o run* .) lae for a sud'grou(*

AA re"alled !e da's s!e used o uor $endal in !e Page ?i/rar' a a)(son "ade)' for

!er #o)en.s sudies "lass* !a #as !o# !e' !ad )e, and ever'!ing else !ad s(rung fro)!ere* fel so long ago, /u AA sill re)e)/ered !o# nervous s!e fel !e firs i)e !e' #ere

siing fa"e o fa"e, and !o# !e "onne"ion /e#een !e) gre# sronger ever' i)e !e' sa#

ea"! o!er afer !a* #an 'ou o &no# !a .ll al#a's /e !ere for 'ou, no )aer #!a!a((ens #i! us, s!e said, feeling !e need o )a&e i "lear*

&no#, said $endal* %er voi"e s+uea&ed and #avered a /i /efore s!e regained !er

"o)(osure* feel !e sa)e #a'*

s soon as s!e !ung u( !e (!one, AA rolled /a"& over on !er so)a"! and (ulled ou !ernoe/oo&* !e "louds of !er #rier.s /lo"& !ad /egun o (ar, and in !a )o)en s!e &ne#

exa"l' #!a o #rie* %er (en !i !e (age feveris!l'* !e filled en (ages !en de"ided o s#i"!

over o !er la(o( and "oninue* inall', #!en s!e "ould no longer &ee( !er e'es o(en, AA se !e

la(o( aside and fell ino !er (illo# &no#ing !a as soon as s!e #o&e u( in !e )orning, s!e.d/e read' o #rie so)e )ore*

3 3 3

;!a.s !e (roe" for: Pudge as&ed* nd #!' do 'ou need )' !el(:

!e #as #earing !er /rand ne# /urn-orange a"&e, even !oug! !e' #ere eaing /rea&fas

in !e s!eler.s #ar) and "o)fora/le dining area* n fa", s!e !adn. a&en off !e a"&e sin"e

!e da' @ueenie /oug! i for !er*.s for )' so"iolog' "lass, said @ueenie over a "u( of /land "offee and a (lae of

(o#dered eggs, dr' oas and sring' /a"on* ee, #e.re su((osed o resear"! a so"iologi"al

issue and (resen i in fron of !e #!ole "lass* nd afer )' ex(erien"e #i! 'ou and !e s!eler, de"ided o fo"us on ?B een !o)elessness* reall' #an o do #ell on i and ge )' (oin

a"ross* ou "an !el( )e #i! !a* .ll do all of !e grun #or&, resear"! and o!er /oring suff*

ll 'ou need o do is ell 'our sor' during )' (resenaion* !a.s i* ;i! 'ou (resening #i!)e, .) guaraneed o ge an *

Pudge gre# silen* !e glared a !er (lae of uneaen eggs and oas* &ne# i, s!e

)u)/led*

$ne# #!a: &ne# 'ou #ere onl' /eing ni"e o )e for a reason* nd no# see #!'* ou don. #an o

/e )' friend* ou us #an o use )e o ge a good grade in 'our du)/ "lass* Pudge (us!ed

!er (lae a#a'* ou "an !ave 'our a"&e /a"&* don. #an i an')ore* !e oo& off !e a"&eand !re# i a @ueenie, and !en ran fro) !e dining roo)*

@ueenie #as sill siing !ere #ide-e'ed and s(ee"!less, r'ing o figure ou #!a !ad us

!a((ened #!en II' #al&ed over*;!a #as !a a/ou: s!e as&ed, in an a""usaor' one*

!ave no idea, @ueenie said earnesl'* One )inue #as ex(laining )' so"iolog' (roe"

o !er, and !e nex )inue s!e #as !ro#ing !er ne# a"&e in )' fa"e*

;!a so"iolog' (roe":


47/108

;ell, sin"e sared voluneering, )' so"iolog' (rofessor assigned a (roe" for "lass* %e

#ans us o resear"! a so"iologi"al issue and (resen i during "lass* ou said 'ourself !a !ere

needs o /e a#areness a/ou ?B een !o)elessness, so !oug! .d (resen on !a* figuredPudge "ould !el( )e ou /' elling !er sor' during !e (resenaion, 'ou &no#, in order o give

i a (ersonal edge* Bu don. !in& s!e li&es !e idea all !a )u"! /e"ause s!e !re# !e a"&e

us /oug! for !er rig! a )' fa"e /efore sor)ing off*.s o/vious s!e !in&s 'ou #ere /ri/ing !er, II' said* n o!er #ords, s!e !in&s 'ou

/oug! !er !e a"&e so s!e.d !el( 'ou #i! !e (roe"*

Bu #asn. /ri/ing !er* /oug! !er !e a"&e o !el( &ee( !er #ar)* !e (roe" !asno!ing o do #i! !a* us !oug! i #ould /e so)e!ing fun for us o do oge!er, and !a i

#ould give !er an o((oruni' o s!are !er sor' #i! o!ers* !e.s go !is !ing #!ere s!e feels

li&e no one "ares* Bu if s!e !el(ed #i! !e (roe", s!e.d see !a a lo of (eo(le do "are*

II' sa do#n a !e a/le nex o @ueenie* ?oo&, &no# !a 'ou !ave good inenions and.ve seen !o# )u"! i)e 'ou.ve /een s(ending a !e s!eler lael'* .s o/vious o )e !a 'ou

reall' "are a/ou Pudge* Bu 'ou !ave o undersand !o# !ard i is for !er o o(en u( and rus

(eo(le* !e.s al#a's loo&ing for an ex"use o "u and run, /e"ause i.s easier !a #a'*

&no# !a* Bu #!a a) su((osed o do: "an. see) o #in #i! !a &id*.s no a/ou #inning, said II'* .s a/ou leing !er &no# !a 'ou aren. us /eing !er

friend so 'ou "an ge so)e!ing ou if i* !e needs o &no# !a 'ou aren. going o so( "o)ingo !e s!eler on"e !e (roe" is over, or #!en 'ou graduae fro) "ollege* !e needs o &no#

!a s!e.s go a friend in 'ou for life*

%o# do (rove !a: !e /es "an do is o give !er )' #ord*;ords are useless* "ions )ean )ore* !ere.s no!ing 'ou "an sa' rig! no#* Aus don.

disa((ear* $ee(ing "o)ing around, so !a s!e "an see !a 'ou aren. going an'#!ere, and !a

'ou are !ere for !e rig! reasons* &no# Pudge* !e.ll give 'ou ano!er "!an"e* Fa'/e s!e.ll

even !el( 'ou #i! !e (roe"* Bu i !as o /e on !er er)s* don. even "are a/ou !er !el(ing )e #i! !e (roe" a !is (oin, said @ueenie* us

#an !er o &no# .) for real* !e s!oo& !er !ead and /i !er li(*

;!a: as&ed II'*.s ironi", !a.s all* used o /ri/e (eo(le all !e i)e o ge #!a #aned* o# finall'

do so)e!ing !a.s genuine and Pudge !in&s i.s a /ri/e* @ueenie sood u( and !anded II'

!e a"&e* Can 'ou !old on o !is for )e: %ang i u( in 'our offi"e so Pudge "an see !a didn. a&e i /a"&* !ave o run o s"!ool, /u .ll r' o so( /' laer on !is afernoon* !e

(i"&ed u( !er /rea&fas ra' fro) !e a/le and urned o #al& a#a'*

;ai, said II'* !e (ulled a !e Ii((er on !e a"&e, fu)/ling #i! i in !er !ands*

Pudge !as reall' !ad an i)(a" on 'ou, !asn. s!e:ea!, said @ueenie* !e reall' !as*

.) glad, said II'* !en s!e !esiaed and added, re 'ou /us' onig!:

o !a &no# of, #!':!ere.s !is do"u)enar' (la'ing a a !eaer in %arvard +uare !a .ve #aned o see*

;ould 'ou li&e o "o)e #i! )e:

;ai a )inue>are 'ou as&ing )e ou:o, II' )ainained* .) as&ing if 'ou #an o "o)e o a )ovie #i! )e* s friends*

!a.s a relief, @ueenie said, (la'full' (reending o #i(e s#ea fro) !er fore!ead* or a

)inue !ere !oug! 'ou #aned o go on a dae #i! )e, or so)e!ing*

II' s)iled* ou #ould !in& !a, #ouldn. 'ou:


48/108

ou &no# )e, said @ueenie* .) all Dfull of )'self. and suff*

Aus )ee )e in )' offi"e around eig!, o&a':

O&a'* ounds li&e a (lan*II' slid !e a"&e over !er s!oulder and sood u( fro) !e a/le* nd don. #orr' so )u"!

a/ou Pudge* ou.ve /een a)aIing #i! !er* !e.s us in a vulnera/le (la"e rig! no#* ou

!ave o /e (aien, !a.s all* !e.ll "o)e around* !o(e so, @ueenie re(lied* .) no (lanning on going an'#!ere, so s!e.ll !ave o le !er

guard do#n #i! )e evenuall'*

!e #ill, said II'* ou !ave a "erain #a' #i! (eo(le*;!a do 'ou )ean:

ou us !ave a #a' a/ou 'ou !a )a&es (eo(le feel a ease and safe* !a.s #!' Pudge

feels so "o)fora/le around 'ou*

%o# do 'ou &no#:Be"ause, i.s !e sa)e reason #!' feel so "o)fora/le around 'ou*

Jeall': @ueenie as&ed, "o"&ing an e'e/ro#* o# .) reall' "urious* !oug! 'ou

"ouldn. sand o /e around )e*

.) a lo li&e Pudge, II' "onfessed* end o &ee( )' guard u( unil feel safe and"o)fora/le enoug! o le so)eone in* .ve /een r'ing )' !ardes o &ee( )' guard u( around

'ou* Bu !ere.s so)e!ing a/ou 'ou, @ueenie*Pudge did ell )e !a 'ou !in& .) Dinriguing*.

!e did, did s!e:

s i rue:/ou as rue as 'ou !in&ing .) Dalluring*.

@ueenie s)ir&ed* Pudge is sure lous' a &ee(ing se"res*

!e sure is, said II'* !e s#ung !er !i(s and s(un around, leing !e a"&e dra(e over

!er s!oulder* Jig! /efore s!e "rossed !e !res!old of !e door#a', s!e (ee&ed a @ueenie over!er s!oulder* s soon as !eir e'es lo"&ed, s!e s)iled &no#ingl', and &e( on #al&ing*

CA-TE 15

@ueenie #al&ed o !er a(ar)en lae in !e evening and found AA siing on !e floor, nex o

a (lae #i! a !alf-eaen su/ and (oao "!i(s* !ere #ere endless s"ra(s of noe/oo& (a(er

s"aered a/ou* AA, "ross-legged in fron of !er la(o(, #as (ounding a#a' a !e &e's, silldressed in !er (aa)as fro) !e nig! /efore*


49/108

)isera/le, in a fun&, a ro"& /oo)* ou /asi"all' #ere u(, and #as do#n* o#, i.s +uie

o/vious o )e !a 'ou are do#n, and a) u(*

Jeall': said AA*?oo& a !e fa"s, said @ueenie* !e se !e glass of )il& do#n on !e "offee a/le and !eld

u( !er fingers* used o s(end all da' in )' (aa)as and s&i( "lass* o# 'ou are !e one

s&i((ing "lasses and s(ending all da' in 'our (aa)as* .s +uie "lear o )e !a #e.ve s#i"!ed(la"es*

&no# !o# !is loo&s, said AA as s!e !eld u( !er !ands* Bu i.s no #!a 'ou !in&* .)

no de(ressed and .) no in a fun&* n fa", .) fl'ing !ig!* finall' /ro&e !roug! )' #rier.s/lo"&* .ve /een #riing (ra"i"all' all nig! and all da'* us !i )e ou of no#!ere* "an.

so(*

%o# long are 'ou going o &ee( #riing:

=nil !e )oivaion goes a#a', guess*@ueenie (i"&ed u( !er glass of )il& and drained i* !e #a"!ed AA for a )inue in silen"e*

;!a 'ou are #riing a/ou:

.ll ex(lain laer, said AA* !e #as saring inenl' a !e "o)(uer s"reen again* !as a lo

o do #i! $endal, a)(son "ade)', 'ou, and>Fe:

a"e i, @ueenie* ou )a&e a grea "!ara"er*ea!, su((ose do* n'#a', .ll le 'ou ge /a"& o i* .ve go o ge over o !e s!eler*

!e (reended o (olis! !er nails agains !er eans, and !en exa)ined !e)* .ve go a dae

#i! II'*AA.s !ead s!o u( fro) !er la(o(* ou as&ed !er ou, and s!e a"uall' said 'es:

"uall', s!e as&ed )e ou*

!u

Documents

The Education of Queenie McBride