Если я останусь
7:09 A.M.
"Well,ifyoulotareplayinghookytoday,nowayI’mgoingtowork.It’ssimplynotright."Shepicksupthetelephonetocallin.Whenshe’sdone,shelooksatus."ShouldImakebreakfast?"
DadandIguffawatthesametime.Mommakescerealandtoast.Dad’sthecookinthefamily.
Pretendingnottohearus,shereachesintothecabinetforaboxofBisquick."Please.Howhardcanitbe?Whowantspancakes?"
"Ido!Ido!"Teddyyells."Canwehavechocolatechipsinthem?"
"Idon’tseewhynot,"Momreplies.
"Woohoo!"Teddyyelps,wavinghisarmsintheair.
"Youhavefartoomuchenergyforthisearlyinthemorning,"Itease.IturntoMom."Maybeyoushouldn’tletTeddydrinksomuchcoffee."
"I’veswitchedhimtodecaf,"Momvolleysback."He’sjustnaturallyexuberant."
"Aslongasyou’renotswitchingmetodecaf,"Isay.
"Thatwouldbechildabuse,"Dadsays.
Momhandsmeasteamingmugandthenewspaper.
"There’sanicepictureofyouryoungmaninthere,"shesays.
"Really?Apicture?"
"Yep.It’saboutthemostwe’veseenofhimsincesummer,"Momsays,givingmeasidelongglancewithhereyebrowarched,herversionofasoul-searchingstare.
"Iknow,"Isay,andthenwithoutmeaningto,Isigh.Adam’sband,ShootingStar,isonanupwardspiral,which,isagreatthing—mostly.
"Ah,fame,wastedontheyouth,"Dadsays,buthe’ssmiling.Iknowhe’sexcitedforAdam.Proudeven.
Ileafthroughthenewspapertothecalendarsection.
