Если я останусь

           Inthebacktheykeepastashoftwenty-five-centclassicalrecordsthatnobodyeverseemstobuyexceptme.Ikeepapileofthemhiddenundermybed.Acollectionofclassicalrecordsisnotthekindofthingyouadvertise.

           I’veshownthemtoAdam,butthatwasonlyafterwe’dalreadybeentogetherforfivemonths.I’dexpectedhimtolaugh.He’ssuchthecoolguywithhispeggedjeansandblacklow-tops,hiseffortlesslybeat-uppunk-rockteesandhissubtletattoos.Heissonotthekindofguytoendupwithsomeonelikeme.WhichwaswhywhenI’dfirstspottedhimwatchingmeatthemusicstudiosatschooltwoyearsago,I’dbeenconvincedhewasmakingfunofmeandI’dhiddenfromhim.Anyhow,hehadn’tlaughed.Itturnedouthehadadustycollectionofpunk-rockrecordsunderhisbed.

           "WecanalsostopbyGranandGrampsforanearlydinner,"Dadsays,alreadyreachingforthephone."We’llhaveyoubackinplentyoftimetogettoPortland,"headdsashedials.

           "I’min,"Isay.Itisn’tthelureofBookBarn,orthefactthatAdamisontour,orthatmybestfriend,Kim,isbusydoingyearbookstuff.Itisn’teventhatmycelloisatschoolorthatIcouldstayhomeandwatchTVorsleep.I’dactuallyrathergooffwithmyfamily.Thisisanotherthingyoudon’tadvertiseaboutyourself,butAdamgetsthat,too.

           "Teddy,"Dadcalls."Getdressed.We’regoingonanadventure."

           Teddyfinishesoffhisdrumsolowithacrashofcymbals