,,! ,,DOG ,,:O ,,?"\
           ,,HE ,,0 ,,SANTA

                  BY
            ,BILL ,WALLACE

       ,VOLUME #A ( #B ,VOLUMES
     ,BRL ,PAGES P#A-P#F & #A-ID
          ,PR9T ,PAGES #A-ID


       ,SPONSOR$ & ,PRES5T$ BY
       ,! ,AM]ICAN ,AC;N ,FUND
        ,= ,BL ,*N ,& ,ADULTS
        #AHJJ ,JOHNSON ,/REET
      ,BALTIMORE1 ,M>YL& #BABCJ


           ,WE ,D ,? ,T ,!
            ,BL ,MAY ,R1D


             ,PRODUC$ AT
        ,AM]ICAN ,PR9T+ ,H\SE
           ,L\ISVILLE1 ,,KY        P#A









          ,? BRL EDI;N 3TA9S
     ! 5TIRE TEXT (! PR9T EDI;N4

           ,COPY"R ^C #BJJG
           0,BILL ,WALLACE











      ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$
           ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C ,COPY"R
,' ,T]M9,N SIGN



















                                   P#C
       ,,BOOK ,,JACKET ,,9=M,N

            ,! ,NOSE ,"KS

  ,DON ,FRANKL9'S DOG1 ,FRANK1 IS A
BLOODH.D1 S HE C .SMELL :5 "S?+'S
WR;G4 ,&A LOT SEEMS 6BE WR;G 9 ,DON'S
FAMILY4 ,MOM & ,DAD >E WORRI$ AB M"OY1
ESPECI,Y ) ,*RI/MAS "R >.D ! CORN] &!
?R1T (! M9E CLOS+4 ,DON'S WORRI$ 2C
HE'S J 4COV]$ H[ DANG]\S ,DAD'S JOB 9
! M9E IS4 ,& !Y'RE ALL WORRI$ AB GETT+
,DON'S LL SI/]1 ,SUSAN1 :AT %E WANTS =
,*RI/MAS1 :5 %E WON'T TELL ANY"O B
,SANTA ,CLAUS :AT X IS4 ,X LOOKS Z IF
,*RI/MAS MI<T N 2 ALL T M]RY AT !
,FRANKL9S' H\SE4
  ,B ,*RI/MAS IS A "T = MIRACLES1 :E!R
SE5 F A BOY'S P]SPECTIVE OR A DOG'S--&
..,! ,DOG ,:O ,?"\ ,HE ,0 .,SANTA
LOOKS AT ! ,FRANKL9S' ,*RI/MAS MIRACLE
F BO?4

  ,,BILL ,,WALLACE IS ! AU?OR ( S"EAL
2LOV$ BOOKS = "Y R1D]S1 9CLUD+ ..,A
,DOG ,CALL$ .,KITTY1 .,SNOT .,/EW1
.,B1UTY1 & .,NO .,DOGS .,ALL[$6 ,HE
HAS WON TW5TY /ATE AW>DS1 Z WELL Z !
,>RELL ,GIBSON ,LIFE"T ,A*IEVE;T ,AW>D
= ,*N'S ,LIT]ATURE F ! ,OKLAHOMA ,C5T]
=! ,BOOK4
  ,A =M] CLASSROOM T1*]1 PR9CIPAL1 &
PHYSICAL $UC,N T1*]1 HE IS N[ A
FULL-"T AU?OR & PUBLIC SP1K]4 ,HE
LIVES 9 ,*ICKA%A1 ,OKLAHOMA1 ) 8 WIFE
& "S"T WRIT+ "PN]1 ,C>OL4













                                   P#E









   ,6,JON-,$ ,MOORE1 \R SON-IN-LAW1
     :O WANT$ A BOOK D$ICAT$ 6HM
         ": ! DOG DOESN'T DIE













         ,,! ,,DOG ,,:O ,,?"\       #A
           ,,HE ,,0 ,,SANTA

              ,*APT] #A

  ,DON ,FRANKL9 JUMP$ :5 HE R1LIZ$ T
HALF ! KIDS 9 8 FIF?-GRADE ROOM 7 ALR
\ ! DOOR4
  ,HE _HN'T EV5 HE>D ! BELL4
  ,L ! RE/ ( 8 CLASS1 ,DON _H WAT*$ !
CLOCK F NOON ON4 ,! CLOS] X GOT 6?REE
?IRTY1 ! SL[] XS H&S SEEM$ 6MOVE4 ,Z
L;G Z 8 EYES 7 ON ! CLOCK1 HE 0 A#
6KEEP ! ?"\S--! WORRY--F 8 M9D4 ,B :5
HE LOOK$ AWAY--:5 HE EV5 S M* Z TRI$
.N 6?9K--! ?"\S SN>$ HM L ! ?9 /R&S (A
SPID]'S WEB4
  ,R1LIZ+ HE MI<T 2 ! LA/ "O 6L1VE =
,*RI/MAS VAC,N1 HE L1P$ \ ( 8 *AIR &
GL.ED >.D 6SEE :AT HE NE$$ 6C>RY HOME4
.,NO .HOME"W1 HE ?"\ )A SMILE1 ..& TWO
WEEKS (F4 ,ALL ,I NE$ IS MY .COAT4
------------------------------------#B
  ,:5 HE'D LEFT ! H\SE ? MORN+1 8 DAD
_H SD HE WDN'T NE$ 8 COAT2 B 8      #A
MOM MADE HM TAKE X ANYWAY4 ,:5 X   A#B
CAME 6W1!R1 8 DAD ALW KNEW :AT
6EXPECT--"EY"O 9 ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[ KNEW T4
,B ,DON DID :AT 8 MOM TOLD HM 6D4
  ,S9CE X 0 S W>M1 HE TI$ ! COAT
SLEEVES LOOSELY >.D 8 WAI/ & TOOK (F4
,HE DIDN'T PAUSE 6VISIT ) ANY"O4
,DIDN'T SCU6LE ) ,KYLE ,B5SON ON ! WAY
6! P>K+ LOT4 ,HE J H1D$ 6! BUS4
  ,"P ( 8 EXCITE;T 0 HAPPY1 ON A3.T (
GETT+ \ ( S*OOL = ,*RI/MAS4 ,"P 0
HOPE;L--HOPE;L T 8 MOM OR DAD _H .F9,Y
F.D ! PICTURE 9 .,FIELD .& .,/R1M
MAGAZ9E (! ,ZEBCO REEL T HE WANT$ M
?AN ANY?+ ELSE 9 ! _W4 ,B MO/ ( 8
EXCITE;T 0 AB ! MEET+ TN1 ": HE CD
F9,Y F9D \ :AT 0 GO+ ON4
  ,"S?+ 0 WR;G4 ,:AT"E X 0 _H BE5
BREW+ = TWO OR ?REE WEEKS4 ,B ,DON
DIDN'T "K :AT X WAS1 &! N "K+ GNAW$ AT
8 M9D L A RAT *EW+ ON A /ICK ( WOOD4
,F ! LL BITS (
------------------------------------#C
3V]S,NS HE'D OV]HE>D1 HE .DID ."K X _H
"S?+ 6D )! M9E4 ,HE .DID ."K X _H "S?+
6D ) 8 DAD4 ,B O!R ?AN T '''       A#C
  ,DON PLOPP$ 96AN EMPTY S1T NE> !
BACK (! BUS & SLID OV] 6! W9D[4 ,HE
GL.ED \ 6SEE IF 8 LL SI/]1 ,SUSAN1 0
-+1 !N L1N$ BACK & SI<$4 ,! WAY HE _H
X FIGUR$1 ! ,*RI/MAS ( #AIEG 0 GO+ 6BE
! BE/--OR WOR/--,*RI/MAS "E4

  ,= TWO WEEKS1 "EY?+ _H BE5 UNEASY4
,T5SE4 ,N AN EXCIT$ T5SE--A BAD T5SE4
,X %DN'T 2 T WAY4 ,X 0
,*RI/MAS--"EYBODY "\ 6BE A GD K9D (
EXCIT$ ? "T A YE>4
  ,EV5 LA/ NI<T'S ,*RI/MAS PROGRAM _H
FELT DI6]5T4 ,! "Y] KIDS _H SUNG
8,SANTA ,CLAUS ,IS ,-+ 6,T[N10 J L
USUAL4 ,!N !Y SANG 8,! ,F/ ,NOEL10 &!
OLD] KIDS FOLL[$ T )A P]=M.E (A
,*RI/MAS PLAY4
  ,USU,Y A SIX?-GRADE BOY & GIRL 7
PICK$ 6N>RATE1 & ANO!R PAIR 7
------------------------------------#D
*OS5 6PLAY ,M>Y & ,JOSEPH4 ,A ?IRD
SIX?-GRADE BOY WD 2 ! 9NKEEP]4 ,! RE/
(! FIF?- & SIX?-GRADE BOYS WD       #C
PLAY ! WISE M5 & %EPH]DS4 ,ONLY    A#D
? YE> "! 7 ONLY F\R BOYS 9 ! SIX?
GRADE & T5 GIRLS4 ,N"O (! BOYS WANT$
6BE A N>RATOR1 S ,MRS4 ,RAYBURN TRI$
6TALK ,DON 96DO+ X4
  ,HE PUT UP A FI<T1 UNTIL '''
  ,BETTY ,M>T9 0 PROBABLY N ONLY !
SM>TE/ GIRL 9 S*OOL B AL ! PRETTIE/4
,%E _H BLUE EYES1 L;G BLOND HAIR1 &A
SMILE T MADE HM FEEL W>M ALL OV] E "T
HE SAW X4
  ,X _H BE5 ! SMILE T GOT HM4 ,T MORN+
?REE WEEKS AGO :5 %E _H /OPP$ HM 9 !
HALL & TOLD HM %E 0 A N>RATOR1 %E SD
%E RE,Y1 .RE,Y WANT$ HM 6BE ! O!R
N>RATOR ''' WELL ''' HE 0 SUNK6
  ,X 0 ONLY .AF ,BETTY ,M>T9 & ,MRS4
,RAYBURN _H 3V9C$ HM 6TAKE ! "P T HE
F.D \ ! PR9CIPAL _H DECID$ T !Y'D H
6.MEMORIZE _! L9ES ? YE>4 ,USU,Y !
N>RATORS R1D _! L9ES4
  ,?+S _H "W$ \1 ?\<4 ,DON PRAC-
------------------------------------#E
TIC$ H>D 6LE>N 8 L9ES1 ) ,MOM HELP+ HM
AT HOME & ,MRS4 ,RAYBURN HELP+ HM AT
S*OOL4 ,& ,BETTY & HE SP5T A LOT   A#E
( "T TGR DUR+ RECESS1 GO+ OV] _! "PS4
,! O!R GUYS _H RI2$ HM AB X1 AT F/4
,DON FIGUR$ X 0 2C !Y 7 J1L\S4 ,HE /
WORRI$ AB MESS+ UP1 ?\<4
  ,B ! PROGRAM W5T F9E1 & "S (! GUYS
TOLD HM X W5T EV5 BETT] ?AN NORMAL4 ,&
J L 9 YE>S PA/1 :5 ! PLAY 0 OV]1 ! LL
KIDS _H SUNG 8,WE ,WI% ,Y A ,M]RY
,*RI/MAS40 ,F9,Y ! :OLE S*OOL1 AL;G )!
P>5TS1 5D$ ! PROGRAM 0S++ 8,SIL5T
,NI<T40
  ,!N "EY"O W5T HOME4
  ,T .WASN'T NORMAL6
  ,"! _H BE5 NO /&+ >.D & VISIT+4 ,NO
PLAY+ BASKETBALL OR WRE/L+ :ILE ! BOYS
WAIT$ \TSIDE 7= :AT SEEM$ L ="E71
UNTIL _! P>5TS F9,Y QUIT JA2]+4
  ,"EY"O SIMPLY ''' W5T HOME4

  ,A MOVE;T F ! CORN] ( ,DON'S EYE
*AS$ ! CURI\S MEMORY AWAY & SNAPP$
------------------------------------#F
HM BACK4 ,KYLE SLID 96! S1T 2S HM S
H>D & FA/1 ,DON'S *EEK SMU%$ AG/    #E
! SIDE (! BUS4                     A#F
  8,NO S5SE Y HO7+ ! :OLE S1T40 ,KYLE
JA2$ HM ) AN ELB[4 8,SCOOT OV]6 ,Y "K
,I SIT "H40
  8,C'T SCOOT NO F>!R10 ,DON MUM#D4
8,& Y DIDN'T SIT "H YE/]"D1 OR ! "D
2F4 ,I FIGUR$ Y 0 MAD AT ME OR "S?9'40
  8,I _H A D5TI/ APPO9T;T OV]
6,MC,ALE/]1 REMEMB]80
  ,DON %RU7$4 8,=GOT40
  8,WDN'T =GET IF X 0 .Y !Y 0 "W9'
ON40 ,HE /UCK 8 LL F+] 9 ! CORN] ( 8
M\? & LIFT$ 8 LIP4 8,TWO CAVITIES4
,A9'T NO?9' WORSE ?AN HE>+ T DRILL
GR9D+ UP 9SIDE YR SKULL4 ,FELT L T
DUMB OLD D5TI/ 0 DI79' A TUNNEL4 ,TRY+
6F9D A COAL VE9 OR SOM?9'40 ,HE SLID 8
F+] 6! O!R SIDE4 8,HE J KEPT DRILL+ &
DRILL+40
  ,DON RE,Y DIDN'T WANT 6LOOK 9SIDE 8
FR'S M\?4 ,HE GAVE A QK GL.E1 !N1
WOND]+ :Y ,SUSAN WASN'T "H1 TURN$ 8
ATT5;N BACK 6! PLAYGR.D4
------------------------------------#G
  ,8 BABY SI/] /OOD NE> ! JUNGLE GYM1
) H] FI/S ON H] HIPS & H] *9       A#G
JUTT+ \ S F> A HAWK CD L& ON X4 ,%E 0
GL>+ AT ,AMY ,COV+TON4 ,AMY'S BIG
BRO!R1 ,REX1 0 /&+ A FEW FEET F !M1
GR9N+ L AN IDIOT--ALM LAU<+4
  ,AMY SD "S?+1 & ,SUSAN'S BOTTOM LIP
QUIV]$4 ,!N ,SUSAN %OOK H] H1D & SPUN
T[>D ! BUS4 ,PU6S ( DU/ BEL*$ F 2N H]
%OES ) EA* /EP4
  ,DON GL.ED BACK AT ,KYLE4 ,8 F+] 0 \
( 8 M\?1 B ,DON CD SEE ! BULGE 9 8
*EEK ": HE 0 FEEL+ 8 NEW FILL+S ) 8
T;GUE4
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON >.D "H1 ,KYLE80 ,DON
ASK$4 8,NOBODY'S EXCIT$ AB ,*RI/MAS4
,P DIDN'T HANG >.D 6VISIT AF ! PROGRAM
LA/ NI<T4 ,"EYBODY SEEMS GRUMPY1 OR
MAD1 OR CROSSWISE )! :OLE _W40 ,HE
SI<$ & %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I M1N ''' X DON'T
EV5 FEEL L ,*RI/MAS4 ,WE'VE USU,Y _H A
SN[ OR TWO 0? "T ( YE>4 ,HOT Z X'S
BE51 X FEELS MI<T NE> L SUMM]40
  8,YR DAD SAY ANY?+ AB SN[80 ,KYLE
ASK$4
  ,DON %RU7$4 8,I ASK$ HM "D 2F     #G
YE/]"D4 ,HE J %OOK 8 H1D4 ,W>M Z    #H
? W9T]'S BE51 Y RECKON T MI<T 2 MAK+ P
UNEASY80
  8,PROBABLY "P ( X1 ALL "R4 ,B ,I ?9K
X'S MO/LY "S?+ GO+ ON AT ! M9E40
  8,:AT80 ,DON ASK$1 ALM PL1D+4
  8,H[ AM ,I SUPPOS$ 6"K8 ,I'M J A
WI4LE-BI4Y KID40 ,KYLE /UCK 8 ?UMB
96HIS M\? L A BABY4 8,NOBODY "E TELLS
U KIDS NO?9'40 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D & MADE A
POPP+ S.D :5 HE PULL$ 8 ?UMB \4 8,I
DON'T RECKON "!'S NO WORSE FEEL+ ?AN
"K+ "S?+'S WR;G--B N "K+ :AT4 ,WOND]
:Y P>5TS D T 6U80
  8,GUESS !Y DON'T ?9K WE'D "U/&40
,DON WAT*$ ,SUSAN GET ON ! BUS4 ,HE CD
ALM SEE ! TE>S WELL+ UP AT ! BOTTOM (
H] EYES4 8,EI T OR !Y FIGURE X WD
WORRY U IF !Y TOLD :AT 0 TR\BL+ !M40
  ,:5 ,SUSAN F9,Y SAT D[N1 ,MRS4
,SYKES1 ! BUS DRIV]1 CLOS$ ! DOOR4 ,AT
LA/ !Y 7 H1D$ HOME4
  8,?+ IS10 ,KYLE A4$1 8:5 Y'RE
------------------------------------#I
ELEV51 Y .D "U/&4 ,& Y .D WORRY4 ,"K
:AT ,I M1N80                       A#I
  8,I "K40 ,DON NO4$4 8,SEEMS L Y
WORRY EV5 M :5 Y DON'T "K :AT Y'RE
WORRY+ AB40 ,HE GL.ED OV] "O %\LD]1 !N
! O!R1 6MAKE SURE NO "O 0 LI/5+4
  8,WE / ON = TN80
  ,KYLE LOOK$ >.D1 TOO4 8,F> Z ,I "K4
,B ,I'LL CALL Y40
  8,WE / PLANN+ 6USE ! FI%+ BIT80
  ,KYLE NO4$4 8,Y1H4 ,2 C>E;L1 ?\<4 ,Y
"K H[ ,MRS4 ,TA7]T TELLS "EY?+ %E
"KS40
  8,I "K10 ,DON ASSUR$ HM4 8,WON'T
BR1! A ^W AB ! MEET+ AT ! T[N HALL4 ,J
FI%+40
  ,:AT"E 0 BO!R+ ,SUSAN WD H 6WAIT
UNTIL !Y GOT HOME4 ,DON KNEW GD & WELL
%E WDN'T WANT HM -+ CLE> 6! FRONT (!
BUS 6ASK H] :AT HAPP5$4 ,IF HE BR"\
ATT5;N 6H] :5 %E 0 CRY+1 OR FIX+ 6CRY1
%E'D 2 MAD AT HM =! RE/ (! "D4
-----------------------------------#AJ
              ,*APT] #B

  ,WAY ,I GOT X FIGUR$1 WORRY IS    #I
AB ! MO/ /UPID ?+ .!Y D4 ,!Y      A#AJ
SP5D S M* ( _! "DS WORRY+1 !Y DON'T
H>DLY H "T 6BURY A B"O OR SCRAT* A
FLEA4
  ,MO/LY ! MOM & DAD WORRY AB M"OY4
,IS "! GO+ 6BE 5 6BUY FOOD8 ,CLO!S8
,PAY ! ELECTRIC BILL8 ,IF !Y CLOSE !
M9E1 :AT W HAPP5 6!M8 ,H[ W !Y LIVE8
,EV5 IF !Y DON'T CLOSE ! M9E1 W "! 2 5
M"OY LEFT OV] = ,*RI/MAS8
  ,:5 !Y'RE N WORRY+ AB M"OY1 !Y'RE
WORRY+ AB ! KIDS4 ,>E !Y GO+ 6GET
SICK8 ,>E ! KIDS AT S*OOL GO+ 6BE NICE
6!M8 ,>E !Y GO+ 6GET HURT8
  ,SURE KIDS >E GO+ 6GET SICK4 ,!Y -E
D[N ) *ICK5 POX1 MUMPS1 COLDS1
E>A*ES--ALL SORTS ( /UFF4 ,& Y C BET
YR TAIL !Y'RE
-----------------------------------#AA
GO+ 6GET HURT4 ,T'S J "P ( 2+ A KID4
,SCRAP$ KNEES4 ,SCRAT*ES & FALLS4 ,!Y
C'T HELP FALL+4 ,WALK+ >.D ON TWO LEGS
9/1D ( US+ ALL F\R--WELL1 T'S WEIRD4
,N ONLY WEIRD1 B X TAKES A LOT ( YE>S
&A LOT ( PRACTICE '=E !Y C KEEP F
TIPP+ OV]4                        A#AA
  ,I'M "! 6WAT*1 ?\<4 ,GOT MY EYE ON
'EM4 ,N M* C 2 D"O 'B\T ! LL HURTS1 B
,I'M ALW >.D 6MAKE SURE !Y DON'T GET 9
TOO M* TR\#4
  ,/1 ! MOM & DAD WORRY AB "EY?+ "U !
SUN4
  ,DON'S GETT+ J AB Z BAD4 ,! LA/ FEW
MON?S1 HE'S BE5--
  ,A SMELL DRIFT$ 6MY NOSE4 ,X BROKE
MY TRA9 ( ?"\4 ,I RAIS$ MY H1D &
SNI6$4
  ,R$6
  ,2+ A BLOODH.D ,I USU,Y SMELL 2F ,I
SEE4 ,I LET A M9UTE OR S G BY2 & :5 ,I
/ _HN'T SPOTT$ HM1 ,I LEFT ! POR* &
WALK$ 6! CORN] (! H\SE4 ,SURE 5\<1 "!
HE WAS1 SN1K+ UP F ! BACK4 ,I KNEW :AT
HE 0 AF4 ,DON CALLS X /1L+1 B T'S J
'CAUSE HE DON'T "K ! RULES4
  ,IF "S?+'S LY+ >.D & A9'T 2+ US$1
-----------------------------------#AB
X'S UP = GRABS4 ,X'S YRS =! TAK+4
',C\RSE1 IF X'S YRS & Y A9'T US+ X1
!Y'RE WELCOME 6GET X IF !Y WANT4   #AA
,T'S J ! RULES4                   A#AB
  ,RECKON P M/ H DI6]5T RULES4
  ,DUCK+ 2H ! CORN] (! H\SE S ,R$
WDN'T SEE ME1 ,I WAIT$ UNTIL HE _H "T
6GET 6! BIG /UMP ": ,I LEFT ! B"O4 ,=!
LIFE ( ME1 ,I CDN'T REMEMB] :O _H F.D
T ?+ F/4 ,X 0 A LEG B"O F A C[1 B "!'D
N"E BE5 ANY M1T ON X1 L1/WISE N S9CE
WE _H X4 ,WE'D BE5 TAK+ X BACK & =? 2T
,R$'S H\SE & M9E = FIVE OR SIX MON?S
N[4
  ,R$ _H ALR />T$ UP ! HILL )! B"O4
,:5 ,I 0 A PUP1 & HE 0 / "Y & SPRY1 HE
CD USU,Y \TRUN ME4 ,B HE 0 SL[+ D[N 9
8 OLD AGE1 S ,I LAY D[N 2S ! H\SE &
WAIT$4 ,:5 HE 0 AB HALFWAY UP ! SLOPE1
,I HOPP$ UP & TROTT$ 6! /UMP4 ,HE 0
WAT*+ \ (! CORN] ( "O EYE1 S ,I SNI6$
>.D L ,I 0 TRY+ 6F9D ! B"O4 ,!N ,I
B>K$ & *AS$ AF HM4
  ,R$ 0 ALM 6! POND DAM :5 ,I CAU<T
UP4 ,HE LAY D[N & PUT BO? PAWS ON !
B"O4
  8,M9E60 HE GR[L$4
  ,I GR[L$ BACK4 ,!N WE SETTL$ 2S "O
ANO!R & VISIT$ A:ILE4 ,LAT]1 ,R$   #AC
GOT 6HIS FEET4 ,HOLD+ ! B"O HI< 6MAKE
SURE ,I SAW X1 HE H1D$ (F4
  ,9 F\R1 FIVE "DS OR S1 ,I'D PAY ,R$
A VISIT4 ,B Z ,I /ROLL$ BACK HOME1 ,I
/>T$ ?9K+ AB MY FAMILY AG--AB !M
WORRY+ & 2+ S WEIRD4 ,I %D H ASK$ ,R$
IF 8 P 7 2+ WEIRD1 TOO4
  ,LA/ FEW MON?S1 ,DON'S BE5 WORRY+ AB
2+ SK9NY4 ,HE DOESN'T L 8 BONY %\LD]S
OR 8 KNO2Y KNEES4 ,:Y A BOY Z TALL &
/R;G Z HE IS WD WA/E 8 "T WORRY+ AB !
WAY HE LOOKS ''' WELL ''' X J DOESN'T
MAKE S5SE4
  ,HE _H ANO!R LL WORRY1 TOO--"S?+ AT
S*OOL LA/ NI<T4 ,HE _H 6REMEMB] A BUN*
( ^WS4 ,N ONLY T1 B HE _H 6/& "R NEXT
6? RE,Y CUTE GIRL4 ,-E EV5+1 "EYBODY
WD 2 WAT*+4 ,"EYBODY WD 2 LI/5+4 ,HE 0
WORRI$ T HE MI<T N 2 A# 6REMEMB] :AT
HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6SAY1 OR HE MI<T GET !
^WS ALL MIX$ UP4 ,MO/LY HE DIDN'T WANT
6EMB>RASS HMF 9 FRONT (! PRETTY GIRL4
  ,I GUESS HE DID F9E4 ,:5 !Y GOT HOME
LA/ NI<T1 ,I CD FEEL ! HAPPY ON    #AC
HM4 ,I CD                         A#AC
-----------------------------------#AD
SMELL H[ PL1S$ HE 0 ) HMF = REMEMB]+
ALL 8 ^WS4 ,B D>N$ IF HE DIDN'T H "S?+
ELSE WORRY+ HM4 ,X 0 BO!R+ HM S BAD1
,I CDN'T EV5 SMELL :AT X WAS4
  ,SUSAN "KS BETT]4 ,%E PLAYS ) H]
DOLL1 PETS ME1 TAKES ! "T 6SMELL !
FL[]S1 & LAU<1 & GI7LE4 ,SUSAN DOESN'T
WA/E "T WORRY+4 ,SUSAN J--
  ,SU45LY MY H1D SNAPP$ UP4 .,SUSAN6
.,DON6
  ,X 0 "T =! BUS4 ,I RAC$ PA/ ! OLD
/UMP1 >.D ! CORN] (! H\SE1 UP ! L1N+
WILL[ TREE & ONTO ! RO(4 ,:5 ,I R1*$ !
*IMNEY1 ,I FROZE4 ,/OOD P]FECTLY /4
,LI/5$4
  ,"! 0 A L[ RUM# 9 ! 4T.E4 ,! S.D &
PIT* 7 "R4 ,:5 ,I SPOTT$ X1 MY TAIL
WA7$4
  ,! TOP (! BIG YELL[ S*OOL BUS MOV$
"? ! C$>S & DOGWOOD4 ,I TROTT$ D[N !
RO( & HOPP$ ! GAP 2T ! H\SE &! %$4 ,:5
ALL F\R PAWS 7 ON ! GR.D1 ,I RAC$ =!
ROAD4
  ,J Z ! BUS'S DOOR SWUNG OP51    A#AD
,I SLID 6A /OP2 & ,DON JUMP$ F ! TOP
/EP4 ,DU/ PU6$ :5 HE L&$4
  ,! SMELL ON 8 T5NIS %OES MADE MY
NOSE
-----------------------------------#AE
CR9KLE4 ,HE'D BE5 9 ! BA?ROOM1 N L;G
2F HE GOT ON ! BUS1 & "O (! BOYS _H EI
MISS$ ! POT OR 0 M>K+ 8 T]RITORY4
  8,DON10 ,MRS4 ,SYKES CALL$4 8,Y &
,SUSAN H A M]RY ,*RI/MAS40
  8,?ANK Y1 MA'AM4 ,Y TOO40
  ,SUSAN EAS$ D[N ! /EPS4 ,DON R1*$
6GET H] ELB[ 2C ! LA/ /EP 0 PRETTY
TALL = S* A LL GIRL4 ,SUSAN PULL$ H]
>M AWAY4
  8,I C D X MYF40
  ,%E TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 ,DON HELD 8
BR1?4 ,I HELD MY BR1?4 ,EV5 ,MRS4
,SYKES HELD H] BR1?4
  ,SUSAN JUMP$4
  ,%E L&$ )A ?UD4 ,H] LL KNEES ALM
BUCKL$4 ,%E TOOK A QK /EP1 !N ANO!R4
,"SH[ %E MANAG$ 6CAT* H] BAL.E4
  8,M]RY ,*RI/MAS10 %E CALL$       #AE
6,MRS4 ,SYKES4                    A#AE
  ,I HE>D ! BR1? .:OO% \ (! BUS DRIV]4
8,M]RY ,*RI/MAS1 ,SUSAN10 %E CALL$
BACK4
  ,DON BR1!D AG1 TOO4
  ,TAIL WA7+ ) PRIDE1 ,I TROTT$ OV] &
/RET*$ UP S ,I CD 3GRATULATE H] )A
KISS ON ! *EEK4
  ,T'S :5 ,I SMELL$ X4 ,S5S$ X4
  ..,:AT 0 ? OLD _W -+ .TO8 ,MY E>S
-----------------------------------#AF
DROOP$4 ,MY TAIL /OPP$ 9 MIDWAG1 !N
TUCK$ "U4 ..,SUSAN 0 ALW HAPPY4 ,N A
C>E 9 ! _W4 ,B D>N$ IF %E WASN'T GETT+
Z BAD Z ! RE/ (! BUN*4 ,SUSAN 0
.WORRI$4
  ..,N J WORRI$4 ,%E 0 MAD1 .TOO4
  ,FACT IS1 %E 0 S MAD %E DIDN'T EV5
BO!R 6GIVE ME A PAT ON ! H1D4
-----------------------------------#AG
              ,*APT] #C

  ,DON WAT*$ ,SUSAN Z !Y WALK$ UP !
DRIVE4 ,%E DIDN'T PAY "O BIT ( ATT5;N
:5 OLE ,FRANK TRI$ 6GIVE H] A BIG LICK
ON ! *EEK4 ,%E DIDN'T PET HM4     A#AG
,DIDN'T EV5 BO!R 6%OVE HM D[N OR WIPE
! SLO2] (F4 ,S*OOL R1D] TUCK$ "U H]
>M1 %E J /OMP$ T[>D ! H\SE4 ,JUDG+ 0!
AM.T ( DU/ %E 0 KICK+ UP1 ,DON FIGUR$
%E 0 MA4] ?AN HE CD "E REMEMB] H]4
  ..,WOND] :AT ,AMY ,COV+TON SD 6.H]8
,DON ?"\4 ..,:AT"E X WAS1 X 0 .BAD4
  ,USU,Y HE _H 6TAKE %ORT /EPS S
,SUSAN CD KEEP UP 2C 8 LEGS 7 A LOT
L;G] ?AN H]S4 ,ON TOP ( T1 "! 0 USU,Y
A BUN* ( WAIT+ 9VOLV$4 ,8 LL SI/] ALW
/OPP$ 6LOOK AT A FL[]1 OR 9SPECT A
COON OR COYOTE TRACK 9 !
-----------------------------------#AH
ROAD1 OR WAT* A BUG CRAWL UP "O (! F;E
PO/S4
  ,TD HE _H 6/RET* 8 L;G LEGS J 6/AY
UP ) H]4 ,9/1D ( B\NC+ AL;G AH1D ( !M1
,FRANK /AY$ 2H1 SNI6+ AT H] HEELS Z IF
TRY+ 6FIGURE \ :Y %E 0 WALK+ S FA/ OR
:AT 0 WR;G ) H]4 ,DON JO7$ AB ?REE
/RIDES 6BR+ HMF AL;GSIDE4
  8,DID ,AMY CALL Y A BAD "N OR "S?+80
  ,SUSAN DIDN'T EV5 TURN 6LOOK     #AG
AT HM4 8,%E'S J A BIG1 FAT LI>4   A#AH
,I'M GONNA TELL ,MAMA ON H]40
  ,DON %RU7$4 ..,AT L1/ :5 WE GET 6!
H\SE1 ,I'LL F9D \ :AT'S GO+ ON4 ,:AT"E
X IS1 ,I BET ,REX PUT 8 KID SI/] UP
6.X4

  ,UNTIL ? YE>1 ,REX ,COV+TON _H BE5 J
"O (! GUYS4 ,!N ! ,COV+TONS BUILT 'EM
A NEW H\SE4 ,MO/ FOLKS 9 ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[
CDN'T EV5 AF=D 6PUT ON A NEW RO(1 M*
LESS HIRE "SBODY 6D X4 ,B ! ,COV+TONS
_H A BR& NEW H\SE4 ,N Z BIG Z ! ,DEVL9
,MAN.N1 B X 0 / "R NICE & NEW &
PRETTY4
-----------------------------------#AI
  ,AT ! 2G9N+ ( S*OOL ? YE>1 ,REX RE,Y
_HN'T BE5 S BAD4 ,AT L1/ N 6,DON4
  ,B :5 ! ,COV+TONS GOT _! NEW #AIEH
,*EVY1 ,REX _H TURN$ 96A R1L SNOT4
,FACT WAS1 IF ,REX DIDN'T /RAI<T5 UP1
"O ( ^! "DS ,DON 0 GO+ 6H 6TE> 96HM
&--
  ,ALL ?"\S ( ,REX ,COV+TON VANI%$ F
,DON'S M9D :5 ,SUSAN SLAMM$ ! SCRE5
DOOR4 ,HE B>ELY MANAG$ 6YANK 8    A#AI
H& BACK 2F ! DOOR -PLETELY SMA%$ 8
F+]S1 B / 8 H& T+L$4 ,LOOK+ D[N HE
%OOK X BACK & =?4
  ,Z HE 0 GLANC+ D[N1 ,FRANK 0 GLANC+
UP4 ,ONLY ,FRANK WASN'T LOOK+ AT HM4
,HE 0 />+1 CROSS-EY$1 AT 8 NOSE4
  8,GOT Y1 TOO80 ,DON ASK$4 ,DON PATT$
,FRANK ON ! H1D4 ,NUDG+ ! BLOODH.D
ASIDE ) 8 LEG1 ,DON C>E;LLY OP5$ !
DOOR & SLIPP$ 9SIDE4
  8,MAMA60 ,SUSAN'S PLA9TIVE CRY SEEM$
6E*O "? ! SMALL WOOD-FRAME H\SE4
8,MAMA80
  8,I'M 9 ! KIT*51 DE>40
  ,DON TOSS$ 8 COAT ONTO ! >M (! C\* &
SCURRI$ ACR ! LIV+ ROOM S
-----------------------------------#BJ
HE'D 2 CLOSE 5 6HE> :AT 0 GO+ ON4 ,N T
HE NE$$ 6BE CLOSE4 ,! WAY ,SUSAN 0
YELL+1 FOLKS CLE> OV] 6,MC,ALE/] CD
PROBABLY HE> H]4
  8,MAMA1 ,AMY'S M1N4 ,%E'S A M1N1 FAT
LI>4 ,I HATE H]60
  ,MOM %OV$ A PIE PLATE 96! OV51   #AI
%UT ! DOOR1 !N SPUN >.D 6FACE     A#BJ
,SUSAN4
  8,"Y LADY1 ,I DON'T ."E WANT 6HE> Y
SAY T AG60 %E SCOLD$4 8.,HATE IS A V
BAD ^W4 ,I DON'T WANT 6HE> X 9 MY
H\SE60
  ,SUSAN DUCK$ H] H1D4 ,%E 0 QUIET =
ONLY A SECOND 2F H] H1D SNAPP$ UP & H]
EYES N>R[$4
  8,%E'S M1N1 ,MAMA40
  8,:AT DID %E D1 DE>80
  8,%E LI$ 6ME4 ,%E'S SAY+ BAD ?+S
6ALL ! KIDS AT S*OOL4 ,%E'S J TRY+
6HURT P4 ,%E MAKES "EYBODY FEEL BAD4
,:Y DOES %E D T1 ,MAMA80
  ,MOM R1*$ \1 & ,SUSAN PRACTIC,Y FLEW
96H] >MS4
  ,DON CD TELL 8 LL SI/]'S CRIES4 ,!Y
_H "O S.D :5 %E 0 HURT--L :5 %E FELL
D[N & SCRAP$ H] KNEE4 ,"! 0
-----------------------------------#BA
A DI6]5T T"O :5 %E 0 MAD4 ,HE'D HE>D T
S.D A "T OR TWO :5 %E 0 TICK$ AT HM =
"S?+4
  ,? "T X 0 K9D (A MIX 2T ! TWO4 ,A
S.D ,DON _HN'T HE>D & WASN'T      A#BA
SURE (4 ,:AT"E ,AMY ,COV+TON _H D"O _H
MADE ,SUSAN MAD--& HURT H]--BO? AT !
SAME "T4
  ,MOM LET ,SUSAN CRY =A MO;T OR TWO4
,AT LA/ %E G5TLY HELD ,SUSAN BACK AT
>MS' L5G? & DRI$ ! TE>S ) H] APRON4
,MAMA _H ! S(TE/1 MO/ G5TLE H&S4 ,:5
,DON 0 LL1 H] T\* ALW MADE HM FEEL
BETT]1 ALW HELP$ ! HURT OR ! MAD G
AWAY4
  8,DID %E CALL Y A "N80 ,MOM'S VOICE
0 S(T Z %E DA2$ AT ! WET SPOTS ON
,SUSAN'S *EEKS4 8,IS %E TELL+ /ORIES
ON Y8 ,SAY+ Y DID "S?+ Y RE,Y DIDN'T
D80
  8,NO40 ,SUSAN SNI6$4 8,X'S WORSE ?AN
T40
  ,MOM'S EYEBR[S >*$4 8,WORSE ?AN T80
  ,SUSAN NO4$4
  8,DID %E HIT Y80 ,DON ASK$4
  ,MOM %OT HM A LOOK4 ,HE PUT 8 F+] &
?UMB 6HIS M\?1 PRET5D+ 6ZIP 8 LIPS4
-----------------------------------#BB
  ,SUSAN SNI6$ A C\PLE ( "TS4      #BA
,!N %E TOOK A BR1?4               A#BB
  8,AMY SAYS "! A9'T NO ,SANTA
,CLAUS40
  8,ISN'T10 ,MOM CORRECT$4
  8,AMY SAYS "! .ISN'T NO ,SANTA
,CLAUS4 ,%E SAYS HE A9'T ''' .ISN'T
R1L4 ,& %E SAYS T EV5 IF HE IS1 HE
WON'T -E ? YE> 'CAUSE ,DA4Y WANTS
6CLOSE ! M9E40
  ,SUSAN />T$ CRY+ AG4 ,MOM HU7$ H]
CLOSE & !N LOOK$ UP AT ,DON4 ,HE TRI$
6SMILE AT H]1 ONLY X WASN'T A V GD
SMILE4
  ,DON DIDN'T "K H[ ,MOM 0 GO+ 6H&LE ?
"O4
-----------------------------------#BC
              ,*APT] #D

  ,LIES H A SMELL TO 'EM4
  ,%>P Z MY NOSE WAS1 ,I CD PICK "O UP
F A QU>T] MILE AWAY4 ,GRANT$ ,I 0
\TSIDE1 & !Y 7 9SIDE4 ,/ X 0 A W>M "D4
,BO? FRONT & BACK DOORS 7 OP54 ,!
SCRE5S LET ! AIR FL[ "? ! H\SE4
  ,:5 ,MOM />T$ TALK+1 ,I SNI6$4
  8,H"OY1 "! >E LOTS ( FOLKS :O   A#BC
DON'T 2LIEVE 9 ,SANTA ,CLAUS4 ,"! >E
LOTS ( FOLKS :O D4 ,& ,I RECKON !
FOLKS :O DON'T 2LIEVE FIGURE !Y'RE
SM>T] ?AN ! RE/ ( U4 ,I RECKON !Y ?9K
!Y "K "S?+ T WE DON'T2 & !Y GOT 6TAKE
X ON !MVS 6TRY & TELL ! :OLE _W T
!Y'RE "R1 & "EYBODY ELSE IS WR;G40
  8,B ,AMY SAYS T ! R1SON NOBODY "E
SEES HM IS 2C HE A9 ''' .ISN'T '''
R1L4 ,HE'S
-----------------------------------#BD
J MADE UP4 ,H .Y "E SE5 ,SANTA ,CLAUS1
,MAMA80
  8,I'VE N"E SE5 ! OC1N1 ,SUSAN1 B ,I
"K X'S "!4 ,YR DAD TOLD ME ALL AB X :5
HE CAME BACK F ! W>4 ,I'VE N"E SE5 !
W9D1 B ,I C SEE :AT X DOES4 ,& ,I'VE
N"E SE5 ,SANTA ,CLAUS40
  ,SUSAN L1N$ =W>D1 LOOK+ ,MOM /RAI<T
9 ! EYE4
  8,>E Y & ,DA4Y ,SANTA ,CLAUS80
  ,MOM K9D ( TILT$ H] H1D 6"O SIDE1 L
%E 0 ?9K+4 ,!N %E NO4$4 ,I CDN'T SMELL
A LIE4                             #BC
  8,I RECKON WE >E10 %E SMIL$4    A#BD
8,I RECKON Y & ,DON >E1 TOO40
  ,SUSAN BL9K$4
  8,REMEMB] :5 WE W5T 6,MC,ALE/] LA/
,*RI/MAS =! BIG P>ADE80 ,MOM ASK$4 8,Y
ASK$ ,DA4Y IF T 0 ! .R1L ,SANTA ,CLAUS
ON ! FLOAT4 ,:AT DID HE SAY80
  ,SUSAN NIB#D AT H] BOTTOM LIP1 ?9K+
ON X =A SPELL4
  8,DA4Y SD T WASN'T ! R1L ,SANTA4 ,HE
0 J "O ( 8 HELP]S40
  8,& REMEMB] PICK+ ^? T5NIS %OES \
-----------------------------------#BE
= ,DON LA/ YE>8 ,T MADE Y "O (
,SANTA'S HELP]S1 TOO1 DIDN'T X80
  ,/ NI2L+ H] BOTTOM LIP1 ,SUSAN
%RU7$4 8,I GUESS40
  ,MOM NO4$4 8,SANTA'S GOT LOTS (
HELP]S4 ,& ,I'M L Y2 ,I'VE N"E SE5 HM4
,:AT ,I .H SE5--"E S9CE ,I 0 A LL
GIRL--IS P 2+ NICE 6"O ANO!R ? "T (
YE>4 ,P :O USU,Y WALK >.D ) FR[NS ON
_! FACES1 ALL (A SU45 SMIL+ & SAY+
H[DY4 ,P SU45LY 2COM+ QUIET & POLITE &
RESPECT;L4 ,L AT ! 5D (! ,*RI/MAS
PROGRAM LA/ NI<T1 :5 Y F/- &      A#BE
SECOND-GRAD]S />T$ ,8,SIL5T ,NI<T40'
,! :OLE T[N JO9$ IN4 ,I FELT ! *ILLS
RACE UP MY >MS & MY BACK4
  8,MAYBE :AT WE CALL ,SANTA ,CLAUS IS
J A FEEL+--A _S OR "S?+--T K9DA SN1KS
UP & GRABS HOLD ( P'S HE>TS >.D
,*RI/MAS"T4 ,I RECKON HE MAKES P ?9K
AB ,JESUS & :AT A WOND];L GIFT ,GOD
GAVE ? OLD _W4 ,MAYBE = NO M ?AN A
MO;T OR TWO1 LETS !M "K ''' NO1
REMEMB] ''' :AT ,*RI/MAS IS RE,Y AB4
,6ME T'S AB Z .R1L Z X GETS4 ,:AT D Y
?9K80
  ,"! 0 / NO LIE SMELL4 ,B :5 ,MOM
-----------------------------------#BF
ASK$ ,SUSAN1 8,:AT D Y ?9K80 MY TAIL
/OPP$ 9 MIDSW+4 ,I WAT*$ ,SUSAN4
,WAIT$4 ,F9,Y A SMILE LIFT$ ! CORN]S (
H] M\?4
  8,I ?9K ,SANTA ,CLAUS IS R1L40
  ,:5 %E SD X1 ALL ! MAD & HURT &
WORRY 7 G"O F H]4 ,SUSAN 0 BACK 62+
,SUSAN AG4 ,MY TAIL ?UMP$ S H>D X ALM
BROKE4                             #BE
  8,I DON'T C>E :AT ,AMY SAYS4    A#BF
,I 2LIEVE HE'S R1L10 ,SUSAN SD4
  ,) T %E GAVE ,MOM A BIG HUG &A KISS4
,!N %E TURN$ 6,DON1 SQUEEZ$ HM RE,Y
H>D1 & SKIPP$ (F 6H] ROOM4
  ,DON %OT ,MOM A QK GL.E & !N TURN$
6WAT* ,SUSAN4
  8,HEY1 BRAT10 HE CALL$4 8,:AT D Y
WANT ,SANTA 6BR+ Y = ,*RI/MAS80
  ,SUSAN PAUS$ AT ! DOOR ( H] ROOM =
ONLY A SECOND4
  8,SANTA "KS40
  ,DON TURN$ 6,MOM & RAIS$ 8 EYEBR[S4
,%E %RU7$4
  8,D .Y "K :AT %E WANTS80 HE :ISP]$4
  8,N A CLUE40
  ,AB !N ! PH"O RANG4
-----------------------------------#BG
  8,T MI<T 2 ,KYLE10 ,DON SD4 8,WE
HE>D ! CATFI% 7 BIT+ AT ! LAKE ? WEEK4
,S9CE "!'S NO S*OOL TM1 Y ?9K X'D 2
ALL "R IF WE GET 9 "S FI%+ ? EV5+80
  8,C ,I G1 TOO80 ,SUSAN CALL$ F H]
ROOM4
  8.,NO60
  ,! LOOK ON ,MOM'S FACE1 :5 HE   A#BG
RO>$ AT ,SUSAN1 MADE ,DON FL9*4 ,!
PH"O RANG A SECOND "T4 ,MOM SI<$ &
%OOK H] H1D4 8,WE'LL SEE40
  ,SU45LY ! SMELL HIT ME4 ,ALL ! "T
,MOM 0 TALK+1 ,I CDN'T SMELL A ?+4 ,B
) ^? FEW ^WS F ,DON AB FI%+--! WAY 8
F+]S T5S$ & RELAX$ AT 8 SIDE ''' WELL
'''
  ,L ,I SD1 LIES H A SMELL 6!M4 ,:AT
,I SMELL$ 0 A D[N"R ./9K4
-----------------------------------#BH
              ,*APT] #E

  ,DON SD ?ANK Y :5 ,MOM H&$ HM !
PH"O4 ,HE HELD ! RCVR 6HIS E>1 &
HESITAT$ A SECOND1 UNTIL %E WALK$ \ (!
KIT*54
  8,HELLO1 ,KYLE80 HE :ISP]$4
  ,! PH"O CRACKL$1 B ,KYLE DIDN'T
ANSW]4
  8,KYLE8 ,>E Y "!80
  ,NO?+ B A DULL1 HOLL[1 CRACKL+ HUM
CAME F ! PH"O4 ,!N1 8,ALICE80 ,MRS4
,TA7]T ASK$4 8,>E Y "!80           #BG
  ,DON PULL$ ! PH"O F 8 E> =      A#BH
ONLY AN 9/ANT & FR[N$4
  8,NO4 ,? IS ,DON40
  8,DON4 ,MRS4 ,TA7]T4 ,LESLIE ,SP>KS
NE$$ 6SP1K ) ,KYLE'S "M :ILE ,I 0
WAIT+ = Y 6PICK UP4 ,J /AY ON ! L9E4
,SOON Z %E'S "? VISIT+1 ,I'LL R+ ,KYLE
BACK4 ,OKAY80
-----------------------------------#BI
  8,YES1 MA'AM4 ,?ANK Y1 ,MRS4
,TA7]T40
  ,DON SAT )! PH"O 6HIS E>1 LI/5+ 6!
DULL EMPTY HUM4 ,:ILE HE WAIT$1 HE
CDN'T HELP B ?9K T ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[ _H
6BE ! MO/ BACKW>D T[N 9 ! :OLE C.TRY4
  ,LA/ SUMM] !Y'D DRIV5 UP 6,KANSAS
,C;Y 6VISIT ,UNCLE ,GEORGE4 ,HE &
,AUNT ,B"ELY _H .DIAL TELEPH"OS--TWO (
'EM4 ,ALL Y _H 6D 0 /ICK YR F+] 9 !
HOLES & SP9 ! DIAL >.D 6! NUMB]S Y
WANT$4 ,:5 ,MOM'S SI/]1 ,ELIZABE?1 _H
H] F/ BABY1 !Y DROVE 6,BIRM+HAM 6SEE
H]4 ,SAME ?+4 ,SEEM$ L ! :OLE _W1
EXCEPT = ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[1 _H ^?
NEWFANGL$1 MOD]N--
  8,DON80 ,MRS4 ,TA7]T'S VOICE    A#BI
MADE HM J]K4 8,I'M R++ ,KYLE = Y N[40
  8,?ANK Y40
  ,HE CD HE> ! PH"O R++1 B ,MRS4
,B5SON PICK$ X UP 9/1D ( ,KYLE4 8,HANG
ON A SECOND1 ,DON4 ,I'LL GET HM = Y10
%E SD4
  8,DON80
  8,KYLE80 ,DON ASK$ BACK2 !N QKLY1
"K+ ,MRS4 ,TA7]T 0 PROBABLY / ON !
L9E1 A4$3 8,Y F9D \ IF Y CD G
-----------------------------------#CJ
.FI%+ ? EV5+80 ,HE /RESS$ ! ^W .FI%+ S
,KYLE WD "K ,MRS4 ,TA7]T 0 / LI/5+4
  8,AH '''0 ,KYLE HESITAT$4 8,MAMA SD
X 0 OKAY4 ,:AT DID YR MOM SAY80
  8,I ASK$ H]1 B WE K9D ( GOT
9T]RUPT$4 ,I ?9K X'LL 2 OKAY1 ?\<40
  ,"! 0 A L;G SIL;E4 ,BO? BOYS WAIT$1
LI/5+ & TRY+ 6DET]M9E IF ! TELEPH"O
OP]ATOR 0 / EAVESDROPP+4
  ,X 0 -MON K >.D ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[ T
,MOLLY ,TA7]T CD /AY ON ! L9E )\T MAK+
A S.D = AN 5TIRE 3V]S,N4 ,DALE
,MC,MULLAN1 :O _H ! FA/E/ HOT      #BI
ROD 9 ! :OLE C.TRY1 _H SD T "!    A#CJ
0 NO WAY ,%]IFF ,:IT5] & F\R
HI<WAY-PATROL C>S CD H BE5 WAIT+ AT
,BAK]'S ,FLATS1 IF ,MRS4 ,TA7]T _HN'T
TOLD HM AB ! BIG F\R-C.TY DRAG RACE
LA/ SPR+4
  ,POOR ,DALE HAS SP5T ! LA/ FIVE
MON?S ( 8 S5IOR YE> WALK+ E PLACE HE
W5T4 ,& :5 HE GRADUAT$ F HI< S*OOL1 8
P>5TS SOLD 8 #AIEF ,*EVY ,BEL ,AIR )!
TURBO #CEJ ,V#H 5G9E & DUAL C>BS1 &
-----------------------------------#CA
B"\ HM :AT HE CALL$ A 8PUKE GRE50
,/UDEBAK]4
  ',C\RSE ! WAY ,DON FIGUR$ X1 ! BIG
DRAG RACE WASN'T ALL T M* (A SECRET4
,LA/ YE> HE 0 9 FIF? GRADE1 & ALL !
KIDS 9 8 CLASS KNEW AB X AT L1/ TWO
WEEKS 2FH&4 ,MAYBE ,MRS4 ,TA7]T
.WASN'T 6BLAME4 ,SEE+ Z H[ PRACTIC,Y
"EYBODY 9 F\R C.TIES KNEW AB ! BIG
DRAG RACE1 "! 7 LOTS ( P :O CD H LET X
SLIP4 ,B X CD H BE5 ,MOLLY ,TA7]T4
  8,Y / "!1 ,DON80
  8,Y1H40
  8,I HE> T ! CATFI% />T HITT+    A#CA
>.D SEV54 ,MI<T "\ 6GET 6! LAKE AB SIX
OR SIX-FIFTE51 S Z WE C GET ALL \R GE>
SET UP40
  ,T M1NT ,KYLE _H F.D \ :5 ! MEET+
/>T$4
  8,S.DS GD 6ME10 ,DON ANSW]$ 6LET
,KYLE "K HE "U/OOD4 8,Y SURE T'LL GIVE
U 5 "T TO ''' UH ''' SET UP40
  8,SURE4 ,I'LL BR+ "S ( ,DAD'S
/9K-BAIT & D\< BAIT4 ,T FIVE-P.D C(FEE
C Y GOT / H WORMS 9 X80
-----------------------------------#CB
  8,HAV5'T *ECK$ !M 9 A :ILE1 B ,I ?9K
!Y'RE ALL "R4 ,": ''' UH ''' >E !
CATFI% FE$+8 ,UP 0! DAM80
  ,"! 0 A PAUSE4 8,Y1H4 ,I ''' UH '''
,I ?9K T WD 2 ! BE/ PLACE4 ,Y1H4 ,WE/
SIDE40
  8,SEE YA "! >.D SIX4 ,BYE40
  8,DON40 ,KYLE /OPP$ HM4 8,IF Y F9D \
Y >5'T GONNA 2 A# 6MAKE X1 GIVE ME A
CALL '=E ,I L1VE ! H\SE1 OKAY80
  8,"R4 ,SEE YA 9 A LL BIT40
  ,"! 0 A 4T9CT CLICK :5 ,KYLE     #CA
HUNG UP ! PH"O4 ,HOLD+ 8 BR1?1    A#CB
,DON HESITAT$4 ,"! 0 NO?+ B SIL;E "? !
RCVR4 ,HE HELD 8 BR1? S L;G1 HE 0
AFRAID HE MI<T POP4 ,AN 9/ANT 2F HE _H
6LET X \1 ! SIL;E 0 REPLAC$ 0! DULL1
CRACKL+1 HOLL[ HUM4
  ,)A SMILE1 ,DON LET ! AIR :I% F 8
LUNGS4 .,CAU<T .Y1 HE ?"\ )A SMILE4
..,DALE ,MC,MULL5 0 "R ALL AL;G4 ,X
.PROBABLY 0 ..,MOLLY ,TA7]T :O RATT$
ON .HM4
  ,DON W5T 6HIS ROOM & DUG >.D AT !
BACK ( 8 CLOSET UNTIL HE CAME UP )!
OLD %OES HE US$ = M[+ ! LAWN &
-----------------------------------#CC
FI%+4 ,!Y 7 A SIZE OR S TOO SMALL1 &!
LL TOE ON 8 LEFT FOOT "S"TS POK$ "? !
S1M 2T ! SIDE &! RU2] SOLES4 ,X DIDN'T
MATT]4 ,IF HE TRI$ 6L1VE ! H\SE 6G
8FI%+0 9 8 S*OOL CLO!S OR GD %OES1
,MOM 0 B.D 6GET SUSPICI\S4
  ,HE F.D AN OLD SW1T%IRT T _H OIL
/A9S ON ! FRONT &! J1NS HE WORE :5 !
GUYS GOT TGR = FOOTBALL4 ,ONCE DRESS$
HE PAUS$ 9 FRONT ( 8 DRESS] MIRROR =
AN 9/ANT & GR9N$ AT ! REFLEC;N4   A#CC
..,LOOKS L A FI%]MAN 6.ME4
  ,MOM PULL$ ! *ICK5 \ (! OV51 US$ H]
HOT-PAD 6LIFT ! ROA/] LID1 & PEEK$
9SIDE4
  8,IS X AB R1DY80 ,DON ASK$4
  ,%E GL.ED OV] H] %\LD] AT HM4 8,ALM4
,CD Y FET* ME A J> ( GRE5 B1NS F !
CELL>80
  8,YES1 MA'AM4 ,RECKON ,DAD WANTS 6G
FI%9' ) ME80 HE ASK$1 PAUS+ AT ! BACK
SCRE54
  8,D\BT X4 ,"!'S A MEET+ AT ! T[N
HALL TN4 ,FIGURE HE'S GO+ 6T40
-----------------------------------#CD
  ,DON />T$ 6%OVE ! SCRE5 OP51 !N
PAUS$ AG4 8,:Y >E !Y HAV+ A MEET+8
,:AT >E !Y GONNA TALK AB80
  ,MOM SLID ! ROA/+ PAN BACK 9 ! OV54
,%E TURN$ T[>D HM--B ONLY "P WAY--!N
TURN$ BACK 6CLOSE ! OV5 DOOR4 8,X'S
''' J "S?+ AB ! M9E40
  ..,DIDN'T ?9K %E'D GIVE ME A /RAI<T
.ANSW]1 ,DON GRUMP$ 6HMF4 ..,L1/ %E
DIDN'T SAY NO 6! FI%+4 ,KYLE &     #CC
,I W J F9D \ = \RVS :AT'S GO+     A#CD
.ON4

  ,DAD 0 WA%+ UP 0! OLD PUMP :5 ,DON
WALK$ \ ! BACK DOOR4 ,FRANK LAY 2S HM1
WAT*+4 ,DAD ALW WA%$ ! COAL DU/ (F HMF
2F HE CAME 9SIDE4
  8,HI1 ,DAD4 ,"EY?+ G OKAY AT ! M9E
TD80
  8,HI1 ,DON10 8 DAD SD1 PULL+ 8 %IRT
(F 6%AKE "S (! DU/ \4 8,"EY?+ W5T WELL
Z CD 2 EXPECT$4 ,H[ 0 S*OOL80
  8,WELL Z CD 2 EXPECT$10 HE ANSW]$1
GIV+ 8 DAD Z M* 9=M,N Z ,DAD _H GIV5
HM4 8,L1/ WE DON'T H 6G BACK = TWO
WEEKS40
-----------------------------------#CE
  ,"W+ ! PUMP H&LE ) 8 "R H&1 ,DAD
/UCK 8 H1D "U ! SPIGOT4 ,DON WAIT$4
,:5 ,DAD CAME UP = AIR1 HE TOOK ! T[EL
F ! HOOK 2S ! WA%BAS9 TA#4 8,ASK YR
MOM 6PUT A BUCKET ( WAT] ON ! /OVE =
ME10 HE SD1 AF DRY+ 8 HAIR =A MO;T OR
TWO4 8,"!'S A MEET+ TN4 ,MI<T Z WELL G
AH1D & GET MY BA?40
  8,GOT 6FET* H] A J> ( GRE5      A#CE
B1NS F/10 ,DON SD4 8,I'LL TELL H] :5
,I TAKE ! B1NS IN40

  ,6,DON X SEEM$ L ="E 6EAT4 ,HE 0
R1DY 6G MEET ,KYLE AT ! DAM1 PUT _!
FI%+ /UFF ": NOBODY WD F9D X1 !N GET
6T[N4 ,!Y'D F9D A GD PLACE 6HIDE &
WAT* UNTIL ALL ! M5 7 9SIDE ! MEET+
HALL4 ,!N ''' AT LA/ ''' MAYBE HE CD
F9D \ :AT 0 GO+ ON & :Y P 7 ACT+ S
/RANGE4
  ,WAIT UNTIL "EY"O F9I%$ EAT+2 WAIT =
,DAD 6TAKE 8 BA? ''' WAIT1 WAIT1 WAIT4
,X 0 ALM Z BAD Z WAIT+ =! BELL 6R+ ON
! LA/ "D ( S*OOL 2F ,*RI/MAS VAC,N4
-----------------------------------#CF
              ,*APT] #F

  ,OKAY6 ,?+S 7 SMELL+ /9KY AG4
  ,H$G+ OR SKIRT+ >.D ! TRU? HAS A
SMELL 6X4 ,X DON'T /9K Z BAD Z AN
\-&-\ LIE4 ,X D SMELL ?\<4 ,WORRY8
,T'S A TOT,Y DI6]5T ODOR4 ,B =A
BLOODH.D ''' WE C SNIFF \ EA*      #CE
SEP>ATE "O ( !M1 CLE> Z A FRE%    A#CF
RA3OON TRAIL4
  ,I CD SMELL :AT 0 GO+ ON EV5 F \ ON
! BACK POR*4 ,:5 !Y LET ME 9SIDE =
SUPP]1 ,I 0 "R 9 ! MI4LE ( ?+S4
',C\RSE1 ! *ICK5 SCRAPS & BISCUITS
,MOM A4$ 6MY B[L 4TRACT$ ME =A M9UTE
OR TWO4 ,:5 %E COOK$ HOMEMADE
BISCUITS1 %E ALW MADE F\R EXTRA = ME4
,BISCUITS1 *ICK5 SCRAPS1 & GRAVY SURE
MADE ! DOG FOOD TA/E D[N"R L>RUP9'4
  ,AF ,I F9I%$ EAT+1 ,I CD TELL "! 0 A
LOT M GO+ ON AT ! MEET+ HALL ?AN 8J
-----------------------------------#CG
"S?+ AB ! M9E40 ,MOM KNEW .T Z WELL Z
,DAD DID4 ,!Y 7 J %AD+ ! TRU? 0N TALK+
AB X 9 FRONT (! KIDS4 ,X DIDN'T SMELL
L AN \-&-\ LIE4 ,!Y 7 WORRI$1 TOO4
,MOM 0 WORRI$ AB ,DAD4 ,DAD 0 WORRI$
AB 8 FRS1 ! M5 HE "W$ )4 ,& L ALW1 !Y
7 BO? WORRI$ AB M"OY & ,*RI/MAS & _!
KIDS4 ,DON 0 WORRI$ AB ,MOM & ,DAD4
,HE 0 AL WORRI$ AB GETT+ CAU<T4 ,:Y HE
0 WORRI$ AB GETT+ CAU<T1 ,I _H NO
IDEA4 ,X USU,Y M1NT HE'D D"O "S?+ HE
WASN'T SUPPOS$ 6D1 OR HE 0 GO+    A#CG
6D "S?+4 ,& ''' SPR9KL$ 9 ) ALL ^?
>OMAS 0 A H9T ( WORRY AB :AT ,SUSAN
WANT$ = ,*RI/MAS4
  ,MY NOSE 0 POPP+1 "W+ RE,Y H>D 6SORT
\ ALL ! DI6]5T FEEL+S4 ,!N "R 2F ,DAD
LEFT1 HE SME>$ "S ( T /9KY /UFF "U 8
>MPITS4 ,Y TALK AB A GO%-AW;L SMELL4
,X 0 5 6MAKE MY EYES WAT]4
  ,DAD ?"\ X MADE HM SMELL GD4 ,AB !
ONLY "T HE US$ X 0 :5 !Y 7 H1D$
6,SUN"D *UR* OR 6A W$D+ OR "S?+4 ,B !
/UFF 0 AW;L4 ,I M1N1 IF HE RE,Y WANT$
6SMELL GD--IF HE RE,Y WANT$ 6IMPRESS
-----------------------------------#CH
"S"O--:Y DIDN'T HE J ROLL 9 "S?+ D1D8
,TALK AB A WOND];L FRAGR.E4 ,X'S 5
6MAKE ! OLD HE>T PALPITATE4 ,&! GIRLS
''' :5 !Y GET A :IFF ( ''' WELL '''
ANYWAY1 ! /UFF ,DAD PUT ON MESS$ UP MY
SNI6] =A GD TW5TY M9UTES OR S4
  ,AB ! "T X CLE>$1 ,DON W5T 6! %$
6GET 8 C(FEE C FULL ( WORMS & 8 FI%+
RODS4 ,HE _H 8 WEI<TS & FI%HOOKS 9 A
T9 BUCKET T 0 BIG 5 6SET ! WORM    #CG
C 9SIDE4 ,C>RY+ ! BUCKET &        A#CH
WORMS 9 "O H& & 8 TWO RODS 9 ! O!R1 HE
/EPP$ 6! BACK POR*4 ,MOM & ,SUSAN 7
F9I%+ UP ! DI%ES4
  8,GO+ 6MEET ,KYLE AT ! LAKE10 HE
CALL$4
  ,MOM GL.ED OV] H] %\LD]4 8,Y TWO
BOYS /AY \ (! WAT]4 ,I "K X'S BE5 W>M
=A C\PLE ( WEEKS1 B T LAKE IS COLD Z
ICE4 ,Y "U/&80
  8,YES1 MA'AM40
  8,:5 D Y ?9K Y'LL 2 BACK80
  8,IF ! FI% >E BIT9'1 WE %D 2 A#
6CAT* A MESS 9 AN H\R OR TWO4 ,IF N1
WE MI<T TRY /AY+ A :ILE L;G]4 ,I'M N
SURE40
  ,T LIE /UNK6 ,MAJOR /9K6
-----------------------------------#CI
  8,BE C>E;L40
  8,YES1 MA'AM40
  ,"! 0 NO D\BT 9 MY M9D T ,DON 0 UP
6"S?+6 ,I %OV$ ! SCRE5 OP5 ) MY NOSE4
,NO WAY 0 ,I GONNA LET ? KID \ ( MY
SI<T4 ,:AT"E X 0 T HE 0 AB 6D1 X 0
"S?+ HE WASN'T SUPPOS$ TO4 ,L ,I SD1 Y
C'T KEEP KIDS F GETT+             A#CI
HURT--SCRAPES1 BANG$ UP KNEES1
SCRAT*ES4 ,B :5 !Y'RE 96"S?+
S]I\S--"S?+ !Y "K GD & WELL !Y'RE N
SUPPOS$ 6D--!Y MI<T NE$ HELP4

  ,! LAKE 0 LESS ?AN A MILE F \R H\SE4
,EA* MORN+ ,DAD WALK$ 6! WE/ SIDE (!
DAM1 CROSS$ OV]1 & W5T ANO!R HALF MILE
UP ON ! RIDGE 6! M9E 5TR.E4 ,/AY+ AH1D
( ,DON1 ,I L$ ! WAY1 FOLL[+ ,DAD'S
TRAIL Z WE W5T4
  ,AT ! DAM1 ,DON /OPP$4 ,S DID ,I4
,ANO!R SNIFF TOLD ME ,DAD'S TRAIL W5T
(F 6! LEFT ? "T--HE WASN'T GO+ 6! M9E4
,DEVL9 ,HOLL[ 0 D[N ! HILL4 ,M/ 2 H1D$
"!4
  ,! BREEZE DRIFT$ UP ! VALLEY F ALL !
H\SES4 ,P SMELLS1 DI6]5T ?+S !Y COOK$
= SUPP]1 C>S ''' ALL SORTS ( /UFF4 ,I
GUESS T'S
-----------------------------------#DJ
:Y MY E>S PICK$ UP ! S.D 2F MY NOSE
KNEW "S"O 0 -+4 ,A %APE 0 MOV+ T[>D U
F ! O!R SIDE (! DAM4 ,I /UCK MY    #CI
NOSE 9 ! AIR & FL>$ MY NO/RILS4   A#DJ
  ,KYLE4
  ,I B>K$ & WA7$ MY TAIL1 S ,DON WD "K
WE _H -PANY4 ,HE F9,Y LOOK$ >.D &
WAV$1 B ,KYLE DIDN'T WAVE BACK4 ,HE 0
C>RY+ TOO M* FI%+ GE>4 ,DON WAIT$
UNTIL ,KYLE GOT 6HM2 !N !Y WALK$ D[N
6! LAKE4 ,B J L ,I SUSPECT$1 !Y DIDN'T
BAIT _! HOOKS OR ?R[ _! L9ES 96! WAT]4
,9/1D !Y PUT ALL _! GE> 2T TWO FALL5
OAK LOGS4
  ,GLANC+ AB 6MAKE SURE ! GE> 0 HI45 F
VIEW1 !Y QKLY CLIMB$ BACK 6! $GE (!
DAM4 ,I PICK$ UP ,DAD'S TRAIL AG4 ,!Y
FOLL[$4 ,B :5 WE GOT 6T[N1 !Y VE]$ (F
! PA? & TOOK "O (! SIDE /REETS4 ,N Q
SURE ": WE 7 GO+1 ,I LEFT ! SC5T 6/AY
) !M4
  ,KYLE & ,DON MOV$ L TWO SNAILS
CRAWL+ UP A WALL--CAUTI\S1 SN1KY1 F "O
TREE 6! NEXT4 ,:5 WE R1*$ ! ROAD ": !
T[N HALL WAS1 !Y PE]$ >.D ! CORN] (
,&REW ,BLEU'S ,G5]AL ,/ORE4
-----------------------------------#DA
  ,F "! ON1 X 0 L WAT*+ A C\PLE ( CATS
SN1K+ UP ON A BIRD4 ,ALM          A#DA
TIPTOE+1 !Y CROSS$ ! /REET V SL[LY4 ,A
GR\P ( BOYS 7 ALR /&+ AT ! BACK W9D[S
(! T[N HALL1 PEEK+ IN4 ,DON & ,KYLE M/
H FIGUR$ X 0 TOO CR[D$ 6G "!4 ,!Y
CREPT D[N ! SIDEWALK UNTIL !Y GOT 6!
F/ OP5 W9D[4
  ,BAD SMELLS CAME F T W9D[--S _M (!
BAD FEEL+S T P H1 ALL ROLL$ TGR--& S
?ICK !Y ALM CLO7$ MY NOSE4 ,"! 0 ANG]1
FE>1 5VY1 J1L\SY1 4TRU/1 EV5 A C\PLE (
ODORS ,I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE4 ,! M1N
VOICES T CAME F 9SIDE MADE ! LL T+LY
HAIRS ON MY BACK /& UP 9 A RIDGE1 F MY
E>S D[N 6! TIP ( MY TAIL4
  ,A LL QUIV] RAN "? ME :5 ,I HE>D
,DAD'S VOICE BOOM ABV ALL ! RE/4
-----------------------------------#DB
              ,*APT] #G

  ,DON WAT*$ Z 8 "F /OOD 9 ! MID/ (
ALL ! %AK+ FI/S1 PO9T+ F+]S1 & ANGRY
VOICES4 ,DAD HELD UP 8 H&S1 ASK+ !M
6BE QUIET4 ,SL[LY AT F/1 ! M5 LOOK$ AT
HM1 !N 2GAN 6SIT D[N4 ,"! 7 / M    #DA
%\TS & %>P ^WS4 ,B AF A MO;T OR   A#DB
TWO1 ,DAD 0 ! ONLY "O LEFT /&+1 &!
ANGRY NOISE SETTL$ 6A L[ RUM#4
  ,DAD CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT4 8,HANS1 ,PAUL
DIDN'T SAY HE 0 PLANN+ 6FIRE ANYBODY4
,& ,PAUL1 NO "O 9 "H HAS EV5 M5;N$ !
^W ./RIKE4 ,? ISN'T AB M PAY OR BETT]
"W+ 3DI;NS40
  ,"! 0 A PLAT=M AT ! FRONT (! ROOM1 A
PODIUM1 &A TA# ) TWO *AIRS4 ,AN OLD
GUY "ND ,3NOR ,L"EETT SAT 9 "O4 ,PAUL
,COV+TON /OOD 2H ! WOOD5 PODIUM1 %AK+
8 F+] AT ! CR[D & AT ,DAD4
-----------------------------------#DC
  8,!N :AT .IS X AB1 ,DELB]T80 ,PAUL
SNAPP$4 8,Y GUYS WANT 6KEEP HALF ! M9E
CLOS$4 ,IF T A9'T A ./RIKE1 !N :AT D Y
CALL X80
  ,AG P SPRANG 6_! FEET1 YELL+ ?+S L3
  8,CROOK60
  8,LI>60
  8,M9E-[N] /OOGE60
  ,O!RS %\T$ AT ,DAD ) ^WS T MADE
,DON'S BLOOD BOIL3
  8,TR\#MAK]60
  8,Y'RE ! R1SON !Y CLOS$ T       A#DC
SIDE (! M9E 9 ! F/ PLACE60
  8,C[>D60
  ,DON FELT 8 FI/S CL5* AT 8 SIDES4
,DAD J /OOD "! UNTIL O!RS QUIET$ _!
FURI\S CO"W]S4
  ,:5 ! NOISE FAD$1 HE CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT4
8,WE CALL$ = AN 9SPEC;N4 ,! ,BUR1U (
,M9ES ORD]$ ! EA/ %AFTS CLOS$1 & "S (!
M5--0
  8,Y1H10 "SBODY CALL$1 8T'S ONLY 2C
.Y VOT$ 6H !M -E IN40
  ,DAD WAIT$ =! NOISE 6SETTLE4 8,"S (!
M50--HE REP1T$--8GD M5 :O H
-----------------------------------#DD
BE5 M9+ ALL _! LIVES FEEL T ! ,BUR1U (
,M9ES %D DECIDE :E!R X'S SAFE 6G BACK
9 AG4 ,T'S ALL WE'RE ASK+40
  8,\R 5G9E] ALR *ECK$ X6 ,J TWO WEEKS
AGO60 ,PAUL %\T$4 8,HE SD X 0 F9E4 ,NO
DANG] AT ALL40
  8,GORDON ,BELL "WS =! [N]S4 ,N = U60
"S"O YELL$ F ! CR[D4 8,HE'D TELL U
BR1?+ ME?ANE GAS 0 GD = U1 IF T'S :AT
! [N]S TOLD HM 6SAY40              #DC
  ,! ANGRY RO> T FOLL[$ 0 Z L\D   A#DD
& QK Z A CLAP ( ?"U4 ,M5 SPRANG 6_!
FEET4 ,%\T$4 ,CURS$4
  ,Z F> Z ,DON CD SEE1 ! ONLY "OS :O
W]5'T 9VOLV$ 9 ! %\T+ 7 8 DAD & ,3NOR
,L"EETT4 ,MR4 ,L"EETT 0 AN OLD MAN )
:ITE HAIR--PROBABLY ! OLDE/ GUY 9 !
ROOM & "O (! OLDE/ M9]S4 ,HE RE/$ 8
ELB[S ON ! TA#4 ,CALM & RELAX$1 HE
WAT*$ ! -MO;N =A :ILE4 ,F9,Y HE EAS$ F
8 *AIR & /EPP$ 6! PODIUM4
  ,8 BROAD %\LD]S & BIG1 CALL\S$ R\<
H&S 2LI$ 8 FRAIL1 DRAWN FACE & SP9DLY
LEGS4 ,HE TRI$ 6NUDGE ,PAUL ,COV+TON
-----------------------------------#DE
ASIDE4 ,:5 ,PAUL DIDN'T BUDGE1 HE
NUDG$ A LL H>D]1 S5D+ ,PAUL /A7]+1 ALM
(F ! $GE (! PLAT=M4 ,PAUL GL>$ AT HM4
  ,MR4 ,L"EETT IGNOR$ ! ANGRY />E &
RAPP$ ON ! PODIUM ) 8 KNUCKLES4 ,:5 T
DIDN'T "W1 HE SLAPP$ ! WOOD ) 8 OP5
H&1 S H>D & %>P X S.D$ L GUNFIRE4 ,ALM
"EYBODY /OPP$ 6SEE :AT 0 GO+ ON4
  8,?ANK Y1 G5TLEM540 ,HE SPOKE S
S(TLY1 ! M5 _H 6BE EV5 QUIET] 6HE>4
8,Z DULY ELECT$ P>LIA;T>IAN ( ?   A#DE
F9E ORGANIZ,N1 ,I'M N[ TAK+ *>GE ( ?
"H MEET9'4 ,"! >E TWO R1SONS = ?4 ,!
F/ IS 9 T BOOK OV] YOND]10 HE SD1
PO9T+ AT ! TA# ": HE'D BE5 SITT+4 8,!
.,P>LIA;T>Y .,PROC$URE .,MANUAL SAYS T
FOLKS GOT 6BE RECOGNIZ$ 0! *AIRMAN 2F
!Y C />T %OOT9' _! M\?S (F4 ,Y G5TLEM5
A9'T DO+ T4 ,Y'RE ACT+ L A BUN* ( R[DY
S*OOLBOYS1 TRY+ 6PICK A FI<T ON !
PLAYGR.D4
  8,! SECOND R1SON ,I'M TAK+ *>GE IS
'CAUSE MY DAU<T] & H] FAMILY DROVE 9 F
,*ICAGO YE/]"D4 ,I GOT TWO GR&SONS
-----------------------------------#DF
6PLAY )1 9/1D ( WA/+ MY :OLE NI<T "H6
  8,N[ ..E S+LE "O ( .Y SIT D[N & %UT
UP60 ,HE GL.ED OV] 8 %\LD]4 8,T M1NS Y
TOO1 ,PAUL40
  8,B ,I'M ! PRESID5T10 HE PROTE/$4
  ,MR4 ,L"EETT SMIL$ & NO4$ 8 H1D4 8,I
"K T4 ,I'M "O (! GUYS :O VOT$ = Y4 ,N[
''' SIT D[N 9 YR *AIR OV] YOND] & %UT
''' UP60
  ,PAUL /OMP$ GRUDG+LY 2H HM &     #DE
PLOPP$ 96! O!R FOLD+ *AIR AT !    A#DF
TA#4 ,MR4 ,L"EETT GRA2$ HOLD ( BO?
SIDES (! PODIUM & L1N$ =W>D4
  8,F N[ ON1 IF Y GOT "S?+ 6SAY1 RAISE
YR H&4 .,IF ,I CALL YR "N1 Y C /& UP1
SAY YR PIECE1 !N SIT BACK D[N4 ,A9'T
NOBODY ELSE GONNA TALK6 .,"EYBODY .GOT
.T8 ,:5 "O GUY'S D"O1 "S"O ELSE C
RAISE A H&2 & .IF ,I CALL 8 "N1 HE C
/& UP & SAY 8 PIECE4
  8,Y HOOLIGANS DON'T D ?1 ,I'M GONNA
5D ! MEET+ UNTIL "EYBODY COOLS D[N4 ,T
M1NS ! [N]S WON'T GET ANY COAL M9$4
,!Y'LL LOSE M"OY4 ,& Y M9]S A9'T GET-
-----------------------------------#DG
T+ PD1 'CAUSE Y'RE N "W+4 ,Y'RE SITT9'
9 "H1 GRIP+ AT "O ANO!R4 ,"EYBODY
LOSES4
  8,N[ ''' ANYBODY GOT A "Q80
  ,! M5 %OOK _! H1DS & /AY$ QUIET--ALL
EXCEPT "O (! "Y] M9]S4 ,HE B\NC$ UP &
D[N 9 8 *AIR1 FLOPP+ 8 H& >.D 9 ! AIR
L HE 0 FI<T+ A BUM#BEE4
  8,RON ,CALLISON10 ,MR4 ,L"EETT
CALL$4 8,Y GOT A "Q80
  ,! "Y MAN NO4$ & /OOD4 8,C Y    A#DG
D T8 ,I M1N1 MAKE U -E BACK TM =A
MEET+ 9/1D ( GO+ 6"W80
  8,I J DID40 ,MR4 ,L"EETT GR9N$4 8,N[
IF Y DON'T ?9K ,I .C1 ,I'LL L5D Y T
BOOK OV] YOND]2 & Y C TAKE X HOME &
R1D X = YRF--.AF ! MEET+60
  ,! "Y MAN GL.ED AT ! ?ICK BOOK ON !
TA# & SANK BACK 96HIS *AIR4
  8,ANYBODY ELSE80
  ,:5 NO "O RAIS$ A H&1 HE PO9T$ AT
,DAD4 8,DELB]T ,FRANKL94 ,Y 7 ! LA/ "O
TALK+ :5 ALL ? GOT />T$4 ,Y H !
FLOOR40
-----------------------------------#DH
  ,DAD CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT4 8,! ,BUR1U (
,M9ES CLOS$ ! EA/ %AFTS4 ,!Y'RE ! "OS
:O %D 9SPECT ! REPAIRS & TELL U IF X'S
SAFE 6REOP5 !M40
  ,"S (! M5 APPLAUD$4
  8,KNOCK X (F10 ,MR4 ,L"EETT GR[L$4
,HE TURN$ 6! TA# 2S HM4
  8,PAUL ,COV+TON4 ,Y'RE NEXT4 ,AF HM
! RE/ ( Y NE$ 6RAISE YR H&S & WAIT
TILL ,I CALL YR "N '=E Y SAY ."O   #DG
.S+LE .^W40                       A#DH
  ,PAUL /OOD & />T$ T[>D ! PODIUM4
,MR4 ,L"EETT NO4$ AT 8 *AIR4
  8,!Y C HE> Y J F9E F "!1 ,PAUL4 ,&
KEEP X %ORT4 ,NO L;G-W9D$ SPEE*ES40
  ,PAUL SNE]$ AT HM & !N TURN$ 6!
GR\P4
  8,MOV+ "EY"O 6! WE/ %AFTS MADE !M
CR[D$1 & \R COAL PRODUC;N IS D[N4 ,!
[N]S H A4$ TIMB]S 9 ! EA/ %AFTS4 ,!
5G9E] SAYS X'S SAFE4 ,I SAY X'S SAFE4
,IF WE DON'T OP5 UP ! :OLE M9E SOON1
!Y MI<T CLOSE X D[N ALT4 ,WE DON'T NE$
A BUN* ( ,8\TSID]S0' TELL+ U
-----------------------------------#DI
\R BUSI;S40 ,HE PAUS$ A MO;T4 8,! ONLY
PRO#M WE H "H IS T ,DELB]T ,FRANKL9 &
TWO OR ?REE ( 8 BU4IES >E AFRAID 6G
D[N 9 ! E>? & DIG4 ,?REE OR F\R .SC>$
M5 >E MESS+ UP ! :OLE "WS =! RE/ ( U40
  ,KYLE NUDG$ ,DON4 8,I C'T 2LIEVE HE
SD T60
  ,DON DIDN'T SAY ANY?+4 ,HE 0 %AK+ S
H>D HE CDN'T TALK4 ,PAUL 0 CALL+ 8 DAD
A C[>D4 ,=! LIFE ( HM1 HE CDN'T "U/&
H[ 8 "F CD SIT "! S CALM & N      A#DI
JUMP UP & PUN* ,PAUL "R 9 ! NOSE4
  8,KEI? ,B5SON10 ,MR4 ,L"EETT CALL$4
,:5 HE SD ,KYLE'S DAD'S "N1 BO? BOYS
TURN$ _! ATT5;N BACK 6! MEET+ HALL4
  8,YES1 SIR10 ,MR4 ,B5SON 2GAN4
8,RECKON LOTS ( FOLKS >E WORRI$ AB _!
JOBS1 ESPECI,Y "H AT ,*RI/MAS"T4 ,& ,I
FIGURE A :OLE BUN* ( Y =GOT T :5 WE
VOT$ 6H ! ,BUR1U ( ,M9ES -E & *ECK !
EA/ %AFTS1 WE _H A TIE VOTE4 ,= "S ( Y
:O MI<T H =GOT :AT A TIE VOTE IS ''' T
M1NS .HALF ! P 9 "H--N J
-----------------------------------#EJ
A FEW M51 B .HALF--VOT$ 6CALL =A
SAFETY 9SPEC;N (! M9E4 ,S9CE ,MR4
,COV+TON 0 AWAY ON BUSI;S1 & S9CE ,MR4
,L"EETT 0 HOME )! FLU1 & S9CE ,DELB]T
0 VICE PRESID5T1 HE ._H .6.VOTE 6BR1K
! TIE4 ,6ME HALF ! M9]S S.DS L A LL
BI7] NUMB] ?AN TWO OR ?REE40
  ,MR4 ,B5SON PAUS$ A MO;T & LOOK$ >.D
AT ! M54 ,!N HE SMIL$4 8,X AL SEEMS
6ME L ,MR4 ,COV+TON IS M 9T]E/$ 9
KEEP+ 8 CU%Y JOB ?AN HE IS 9 !     #DI
SAFETY (! M5 HE "WS )4 ,PAUL'S    A#EJ
! C[>D1 N ,DELB]T40
  ,9/ANTLY AN UPRO> />T$2 & ALM Z
QKLY1 ,MR4 ,L"EETT P.D$ ! PODIUM4
  8.,QUIET6660
  8,:E!R Y L ,PAUL ,COV+TON OR ,DELB]T
,FRANKL910 ,MR4 ,L"EETT RO>$1 8X DON'T
MATT]4 ,/ICK 6:AT WE'RE TALK+ AB4
,K5DALL ,WA%+TON4 ,YR TURN40
  ,! M5 TOOK TURNS4 ,MO/ (! WORRY
SEEM$ 6BE AB :AT !Y WD D IF ! M9E [N]S
CLOS$ ! M9E4 ,O!RS SD T "UGR.D M9+ 0
ALM D1D 9 ,OKLAHOMA1 & MO/ DIGS _H ALR
TURN$
-----------------------------------#EA
6/RIP-M9+4 ,! BIG 3C]N 0 2+ \ (
"W--ESPECI,Y AT ,*RI/MAS4
  ,! DEBATE SEEM$ 6G ON ="E1 UNTIL
,M>K ,O',RYAN /OOD UP4 ,HE 0 Z OLD Z
,MR4 ,L"EETT--MAYBE EV5 OLD]4 8,!
R1SON WE TOOK ! VOTE 9 ! F/ PLACE 0 T
M ?AN "O (! M9]S HE>D TIMB]S CRACK+4
,MR4 ,L"EETT WASN'T ! ONLY "O SICK )!
FLU T NI<T4 ,I WAS1 TOO4 ,_H BO? ( U
BE5 "H1 "! WDN'T H BE5 A TIE40 ,HE
PAUS$ A MO;T1 GIV+ "EY"O "T       A#EA
6SEE ,3NOR ,L"EETT NO4+ 8 H1D4
  8,F/ YE> ,3NOR & ME W5T D[N 9 ! E>?
6DIG COAL10 ,MR4 ,O',RYAN 3T9U$1 8WE 7
BO? J KIDS4 ,RECKON F\RTE5 OR
FIFTE5--S L;G AGO T ,I DON'T "RLY
REMEMB]4 ,B ''' BO? ( U 7 AT ,ADAMSON
,NUMB] ,"O40
  ,A SU45 SIL;E SWEPT "? ! CR[D4 ,X 0
S QUIET T X S5T A *ILL SCAMP]+ UP !
BACK ( ,DON'S NECK4 ,X 0 ! F/ "T !
:OLE ROOM _H BE5 .TOT,Y / S9CE HE &
,KYLE GOT "!4
  ,MR4 ,O',RYAN WIP$ A H& ACR 8 M\?4
8,RECKON ? FUSS IS AB M"OY--LOS+ \R
-----------------------------------#EB
JOBS4 ,WE'RE TRY+ 6F9D "S"O 6BLAME4
,I'LL TELL Y ? /RAI<T UP4 ,I WON'T G
96! EA/ %AFTS UNTIL !Y'VE BE5 9SPECT$
0! ,BUR1U ( ,M9ES40
  ,:5 ,R5DZ ,JOVONOVI* /OOD UP 6SAY 8
PIECE1 ,DON DIDN'T HE> :AT HE SD4 ,T'S
2C "SBODY %OV$ HM AWAY F ! W9D[4
  ,HE LOOK$ >.D4 ,REX ,COV+TON 0 "!4
,TWO OLD] BOYS1 ,LLOYD ,KOEHL] &   #EA
,BILLY ,WAL%1 /OOD ON EI SIDE4    A#EB
  8,YR DAD'S A C[>D60 ,REX %\T$4
  ,LLOYD PU%$ ,KYLE AG/ ! WALL4 8,& YR
DAD'S A FIL?Y LI>40
-----------------------------------#EC
              ,*APT] #H

  ,%ORT ( BIT+ "O ( !M ON ! LEG1 "!
WASN'T A D>N$ ?+ ,I CD D4 ,! FI<T
HAPP5$ S FA/ ,I DIDN'T EV5 H "T 6GET
2T ,DON & ,REX 6TRY & KEEP !M A"P4
  ,:5 ALL 0 SD & D"O1 ,KYLE _H A TORN
%IRT &A BU/$ LIP4 ,DON _H A PU6Y EYE4
,REX'S NOSE 0 BLE$+ L MAD4 ,LLOYD _H A
LUMP ON ! SIDE ( 8 H1D T MADE "O E>
/ICK \ F>!R ?AN ! O!R4 ,"O BOY1 :O ,I
DIDN'T EV5 "K1 GOT BIT--N 0ME--0"O (!
O!R BOYS4
  ,:5 ALL ! PU%+1 %OV+1 YELL+1 & SW++
/>T$1 A :OLE H]D ( BOYS JUMP$ IN4
  ,MY PAWS 7 SORE F GETT+ /EPP$ ON1 &
MY TAIL GOT CRUN*$ S H>D X'S A WOND] X
DIDN'T BR1K4 ,:AT />T$ \ ) FIVE BOYS1
TURN$ 96N9E OR TWELVE4

  ,X'S A WOND] ,I GOT (F Z EASY    #ED
Z ,I DID4
  ,ALL ! -MO;N BR"\ ! M5 /R1M+ \ (!
MEET+ HALL 6BR1K UP ! FI<T+4 ,!N EA*
BOY'S "F CAME \TSIDE 6TAKE C>E ( 8 [N4
,0! "T ,DAD GOT "? ) ,DON & S5T HM ON
8 WAY1 ! WALK HOME 0 D[N"R GLOOMY4 ,IF
,DON _H A TAIL1 X WD H BE5 TUCK$ S F>
"U 8 BELLY T ! TIP WD H BE5 FLIPP+ HM
ON ! NOSE4
  ,NEI BOY SD A ^W UNTIL WE GOT 6": !Y
_H HI45 _! FI%+ GE>4 ,9/1D ( PICK+ UP
8 ?+S1 ,KYLE PLOPP$ D[N ON "O (! LOGS4
  8,RECKON ,I'M GONNA GET A BU/9' OV]
? D1L40 ,DON NO4$4 8,ME TOO40
  8,MY DAD USES A COAL SCOOP HE KEEPS
NE> ! POTBELLI$ /OVE4 ,:AT DOES YR DAD
USE80
  8,HICKORY SWIT*4 ,HE CLAIMS X'S !
SAME "O 8 DAD US$ ON HM4 ,SAYS HE BR"\
X AL;G F ,P5NSYLVANIA :5 !Y MOV$ "H40
  8,"E SWIT*$ Y ) X80
  ,DON NO4$ 8 H1D4 8,ONLY ONCE1 ?\<4
,I 0 AB SIX OR SEV54 ,I DON'T REMEMB]
= SURE1 B WE 7 AT A /ORE "S": 9    #EC
,MC,ALE/]4 ,A ,B5 ,FRANKL9        A#ED
/ORE1 ,I ?9K4 ,I F.D ? TOY ,I WANT$2 &
-----------------------------------#EE
:5 ,MOM SD NO1 ,I ?REW A FIT4 ,M/ H
BE5 A GD "O1 TOO4 ,DAD DIDN'T SAY A
^W4 ,HE J SNAT*$ ME UP1 & BO? ( U W5T
6! C>--ME SQUALL+ & HM J SITT+--UNTIL
,MOM GOT F9I%$ ) H] %OPP+4 ,B :5 WE
GOT HOME '''0
  ,I SAW ,DON'S HAIR FLIP :5 HE %OT A
BLA/ ( AIR UP 8 =EH1D4
  ,KYLE GOT 6HIS FEET4 ,HE /OOD "! A
L;G "T1 J LOOK+ D[N AT 8 FI%+ /UFF4
,F9,Y HE LET \ A L;G SI<4 8,%DA G"O
FI%9'40
  ,DON J NO4$4 8,%DA40

  ,I FOLL[$ AT ,DON'S HEELS :ILE HE
PUT 8 FI%+ ?+S 9 ! %$4 ,MOM 0 SITT+ ON
! C\*1 D>N+ "O ( ,DAD'S "W SOCKS4
,SUSAN 0 CURL$ 9 A BALL1 SLEEP+ NEXT
6H]4 ,DON HELD ! DOOR & LET ME -E
9SIDE4
  8,Y'RE HOME E>LY40 ,MOM SMIL$4
8,GUESS ! FI% 7 RE,Y BIT+40
  ,DON /OOD "!1 H1D HUNG L[ &     A#EE
H&S FIDGET+ AT 8 SIDES4 ,HE DIDN'T
LOOK AT H]4 ,FACT 0 HE K9D ( /OOD
SIDEWAYS1 TRY+ 6KEEP 8 LEFT EYE S %E
CDN'T SEE X4
  8,WE DIDN'T G FI%+10 HE 3FESS$1 8
-----------------------------------#EF
VOICE S(T S Z N 6WAKE ,SUSAN4 8,KYLE &
ME SNUCK D[N 6! MEET+ HALL40
  ,MY TAIL FROZE 9 MIDSW+4 ,I FLATT5$
MY E>S1 EXPECT+ ! NOISE 6BE PRETTY L\D
:5 %E GOT ONTO HM4
  ,9/1D ( YELL+1 ,MOM J />T$ RUNN+ !
NE$LE & ?R1D "? ! SOCK %E 0 "W+ ON4
8,FIGUR$ Z M*40
  8,Y LE>N ANY?+80 %E ASK$1 / 3C5TRAT+
ON ! SOCK4
  8,L :AT'S GO+ ON AT ! M9E80
  8,NO4 ,L :5 6DUCK IF "SBODY ?R[S A
PUN*40
  ,DON %U6L$ F "O FOOT 6! O!R1 LOOK+
>.D4
  8,I-,I GUESS ''' ,I %DA DUCK$10 HE
/AMM]$4 8,EI T OR PUT MY H&S UP4 ,ONLY
,I DIDN'T H ANY IDEA ,REX 0        #EE
GONNA HIT ME40                    A#EF
  ,MOM /UCK H] SEW+ NE$LE 96! >M (!
C\* & LAID ! SOCK 2S X4 8,GOT A PIECE
( R.D /1K 9 ! ICEBOX4 ,-E ON40
  ,I FOLL[$ !M & CRAWL$ "U ! TA#4
  ,%E H&$ HM ! PIECE ( M1T & MO;N$ 6!
TA#4 8,HOLD T ON YR EYE =A :ILE4 ,X'LL
HELP ! SWELL+ G D[N40
-----------------------------------#EG
  ,:5 ,MOM TOLD ,DON X 0 "T = B$1 !Y
PUT ME \TSIDE4 ,I /AY$ ON ! POR* UNTIL
,DAD GOT HOME4 ,SNI6$ HM UP GD :5 HE
/OPP$ 6PET ME 2F HE OP5$ ! FRONT DOOR4
  ,"! 0 / A SMELL ( WORRY ON HM1 B NO
ANGRY OR MAD4 ,EV5 S1 Z SOON Z HE %UT
! DOOR1 ,I RAC$ >.D ! CORN] (! H\SE
6/& \TSIDE ,DON'S B$ROOM4 ,:5 ,DAD
DIDN'T -E 9 6SWIT* ,DON1 ,I CURL$ UP1
LICK$ MY SORE PAWS1 & F9,Y FELL
ASLEEP4
-----------------------------------#EH
              ,*APT] #I

  8,MORN+1 SLEEPYH1D10 ,MOM GREET$
,DON :5 HE %U6L$ 96! KIT*5 = BR1KFA/4
8,H['S ! EYE80                    A#EH
  8,X'S F9E10 ,DON ANSW]$4 8,X DON'T
EV5 HURT NO M40
  8,ANYMORE10 ,MOM CORRECT$4
  8,ANYMORE4 ,":'S ,DAD80
  8,GETT+ R1DY = "W4 ,HE DIDN'T -E
HOME TILL "O ? MORN+4 ,I LET HM SLEEP
A FEW EXTRA M9UTES40
  ,DON /A7]$ ACR ! KIT*5 & SAT AT 8
PLACE4 ,SUSAN 0 ALR DI7+ 96H] C]1L4
  8,GOT BISCUITS ) SAUSAGE 'N' GRAVY4
,OR Y C H C]1L ) YR SI/]40
  8,BISCUITS 'N' GRAVY40 ,DON YAWN$4
8,IS ,DAD MAD AT ME80
  ,:5 ,MOM DIDN'T ANSW]1 ,DON SU45LY
FELT M AWAKE4 ,HE DIDN'T GET A *.E
6ASK
-----------------------------------#EI
AG4 ,DAD WALK$ IN1 P\R$ HMF A CUP (
C(FEE1 & SAT D[N ACR ! TA#4
  8,SURE SMELLS GD1 ,ALICE4 ,H[ >E Y ?
MORN+1 ,SUSAN80
  ,:5 %E LOOK$ UP 6GR9 AT H] DAD1 A LL
MILK DRIB#D F ! CORN] ( H] M\?4
  ,!N ,DAD LOOK$ AT ,DON4 ,DON     #EG
%IFT$ N]V\SLY F "O *EEK 6! O!R    A#EI
:5 ,DAD />$ AT HM4 ,B HE DIDN'T SAY
ANY?+4 ,AF A SECOND OR TWO1 ,DAD LOOK$
D[N 96HIS C(FEE CUP & TOOK A SIP4
8,C(FEE'S "R GD1 TOO40
  ,DON FELT "O ( 8 KNEES B\NC+ "UN1? !
TA#4 ,8 LEFT H& %OOK4 ,F9,Y R1LIZ+ HE
CDN'T TAKE ! SIL;E OR ! SUSP5SE ANY
L;G]1 HE BLURT$ \1 8,>E Y GONNA SWIT*
ME1 ,DAD80
  ,DAD TOOK ! C(FEE CUP F 8 LIPS4 ,HE
DIDN'T LOOK UP1 B J />$ D[N 96! CUP4
  8,MAYBE LAT]40
  ,DON 0 %AK+ & WI7L+ S M*1 HE CD ALM
HE> ! *AIR RATTL+ 2N HM4 ,:5 ,MOM SET
8 BISCUITS & GRAVY ON ! TA# 9 FRONT (
HM1 HE CDN'T EV5
-----------------------------------#FJ
R1* = X4 ,HE 0 TREMBL+ S H>D1 ! GRAVY
WD H G"O FLY+ ALL OV] ! PLACE4 ,HE
WANT$ 6JUMP UP & RUN4 ,EI T OR RACE 6!
WA%ROOM1 GRAB ! HICKORY SWIT*1 & TELL
,DAD TO 8GET X OV] )40 ,X FELT Z IF HE
SAT "! = AN ET]N;Y 2F ,DAD F9,Y LOOK$
UP F 8 C(FEE CUP4
  ,SMIL$4                         A#FJ
  8,N GONNA SWIT* Y ''' .? "T40 ,DAD
SET 8 CUP D[N4 8,DON'T HOLD ) FI<T+4
,Y "K T4 ,B ,3N] ,L"EETT PO9T$ \ T WE
7 ACT+ L A BUN* ( HOOLIGANS1 & WE
%DN'T EXPECT \R SONS 6ACT M GR[N UP
?AN WE W]E4
  8,DON'T HOLD ) LY+ 6YR MOM1 NEI40
,HE TOOK ANO!R SIP ( 8 C(FEE4 8,B WE
TALK$ X OV] LA/ NI<T1 & ''' WELL ''' !
R1SON WE DIDN'T SAY M* AB :AT 0 GO+ ON
AT ! M9E ''' X'S ,*RI/MAS"T4 ,WE
DIDN'T WANT 6WORRY Y KIDS4 ,B ! WAY
"EY"O'S BE5 ACT+ LATELY1 WE %D H
FIGUR$ Y KNEW "S?+ 0 WR;G4 ,GUESS IF
WE'D BE5 M OP5 & H"O/ ) Y1 Y WD H BE5
M H"O/ ) U4 ,B '''0
-----------------------------------#FA
  ,HE SET 8 C(FEE CUP D[N AG1 PROPP$
"O ELB[ ON ! TA#1 & %OOK 8 F+] S CLOSE
6,DON'S NOSE T ,DON _H 6LOOK CROSS-EY$
6FOCUS ON X4
  8''' B10 HE REP1T$1 8IF X "E HAPP5S
AG1 WE A9'T MAK+ ANY EXCUSES = Y4 ,&
ANY EXCUSES Y -E UP )= FI<T+ OR    #EI
LY+ A9'T GONNA HOLD WAT]4 ,I'LL   A#FA
BU/ Y S H>D1 Y WON'T 2 A# 6SIT D[N =A
WEEK4 ,GOT ME80
  8,YES SIR40
  ,MOM BR"\ ,DAD 8 PLATE1 & !Y SETTL$
D[N 6BR1KFA/4 ',C\RSE1 AB ! "T !Y GOT
SETTL$1 ,SUSAN 0 F9I%$ ) H] C]1L4 ,%E
ASK$ IF %E CD TAKE ,FRANK \TSIDE
6PLAY4 ,MOM GL.ED AT 8 FOOD B[L4 ,DON
DID1 TOO4 ,OLD ,FRANK'S B[L 0 LICK$
CL1N Z A :I/LE4 ,HE SAT "!1 WAT*+ !
TA# 6SEE IF ANY"O DROPP$ "S?+ T HE CD
SWOOP 9 ON & CL1N UP4 ,:5 HE SAW !M
LOOK+ AT HM1 ,DON CD HE> ,FRANK'S TAIL
?UMP+ ON ! FLOOR4 ,MOM NO4$4 8,/AY
CLOSE 6! H\SE4 ,? IS LAUNDRY "D40
  ,SUSAN 0 G"O 9 A FLA%4
  ,0! "T !Y F9I%$ BR1KFA/1 ,DON
-----------------------------------#FB
_H CALM$ HMF D[N4 ,HE GOT 8 N]VE TGR 5
6ASK "S?+ T _H BE5 BO!R+ HM S9CE !
MEET+ LA/ NI<T4
  8,DAD80
  8,YES1 ,DON80
  8,:AT'S ! ,ADAMSON ,NUMB] ,"O M9E8
,& :Y DID ALL ! GUYS GET S        A#FB
QUIET :5 ,MR4 ,O',RYAN SD HE 0 "!80
  ,MOM & ,DAD FELL SIL5T4 ,DAD PUT 8
=K D[N & %OV$ 8 PLATE ASIDE4 ,HE PICK$
UP 8 C(FEE CUP1 B HE DIDN'T DR9K4
  8,ADAMSON 0 ! "N (A T[N "H 9
,OKLAHOMA10 HE 2GAN1 8 VOICE S S(T T
,DON FELT *ILLS4 8,X 0 ON ! O!R SIDE (
,MC,ALE/] F U & RECKON X 0 AB ! SAME
SIZE Z ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[4 ,MAYBE A LL
BI7]4 ,X 0 "ND =! M9E [N]1 ,PET]
,ADAMSON4 ,I DON'T "K IF HE [N$ ANY M
M9ES1 B ,ADAMSON ,NUMB] ,"O IS :AT P
REMEMB]4
  8,BACK 9 #AIAD1 AB ! MI4LE ( ,AUGU/1
A M9] 0! "N ( ,LEV9E 0 D[N 9 "O (!
%AFTS & HE>D A TIMB] CRACK+4 ,!Y S.D$
! HORNS & CLE>$ ! M9E4 ,!
-----------------------------------#FC
NEXT "D1 ! 5G9E]1 [N]1 & F\R M9]S W5T
D[N 6*ECK ?+S \4 ,!Y F.D T ! SUPPORTS
7 F9E & "! 0 NO PRO#M1 S !Y OP5$ ! M9E
AG4
  8,E>LY 6MID-,SEPTEMB]1 ,LEV9E & "O
(! O!R M9]S TOLD 8 =EMAN T !Y      #FA
HE>D A TIMB] CRACK4 ,!Y S.D$ !    A#FC
AL>M AG4 ,^W OR GOSSIP HAS X T FOLKS
DIDN'T SEEM 9 TOO M* (A RU%4 ,N
UNTIL--0
  ,HE BROKE (F 6TAKE A SIP ( 8 C(FEE4
8,MO/ (! M9]S EI WALK$ OR RAN \4 ,"OS
F ! L[] LEVELS RODE ! TRIPS4 ,0! "T
MO/ 7 -+ \1 "EYBODY CD HE> ! CRACK+4
,M5 / 9 ! TUNNELS SD !Y HE>D SPL9T]+
SUPPORTS F 2L4 ,RECKON X 0 'CAUSE !
TUNNELS & ROOMS (! M9E SQUEEZ$ & />T$
6COLLAPSE4 ,MO/ MADE X \4 ,UP TOP !Y
SAY X S.D$ L AN EXPLO.N4 ,! :OLE M9E
COLLAPS$ )9 A MATT] ( M9UTES4 ,! M.TA9
XF SANK4 ,DROPP$ AB T5 6TWELVE FEET40
  ,DON FELT T5 "TS TI<T] & T5SE1 LI/5+
6,DAD'S /ORY1 ?AN HE _H :5 HE 0 WORRY+
AB A SWIT*+4 ,HE SWALL[$ ! ?ICK;S 9 8
?ROAT4
-----------------------------------#FD
  8,DAD8 ,Y SD .MO/ (! M5 '''0
  ,/ />+ 96HIS C(FEE CUP1 ,DAD NO4$4
  8,"! 7 ?IRTE5 M9]S "W+ ! V BOTTOM
ROOM (! M9E4 ,LEV9E W5T BACK AF !M4
,"EYBODY MADE X \ EXCEPT = ^? F\RTE54
,:5 ! :OLE M9E COLLAPS$1 "! 0     A#FD
NO WAY !Y CD RESCUE ANYBODY4 ,"!
WASN'T EV5 ANY *.E ( RECOV]+ !
BODIES40
  ,)A SI<1 HE GL.ED UP AT ! CLOCK ABV
! KIT*5 /OVE4
  8,WELL ''' "T 6GET 6"W4 ,SEE YA
LAT]40
  ,HE RU6L$ ,DON'S HAIR4 ,MOM LOOK$ UP
F ! DI%ES L;G 5 6KISS HM ON ! *EEK4
,!N HE 0 \ ! BACK DOOR4
  ,:5 ! BACK SCRE5 B\NC$ %UT1 ,DON SAT
"! = ONLY AN 9/ANT4 ,HE SPRANG 6HIS
FEET & />T$ AF 8 DAD4 ,A PLATE CRA%$
6! FLOOR :5 ,MOM SPUN 6CAT* HM 0! >M4
  8,I DON'T WANT HM 6G10 HE SD1 FI<T+
Z H>D Z HE CD 6SAY ! ^WS 9/1D ( SCR1M+
!M4 8,I DON'T WANT ,DAD TO--0
  8,/OP1 ,DON6 ,KEEP YR VOICE D[N40
,H]
-----------------------------------#FE
T"O 0 QUIET YET /]N4 8,-E SIT ) ME AT
! TA#40 ,ONCE "! %E PATT$ 8 >M4 8,YR
DAD IS A M9]4 ,HE GOES D[N 9 ! E>?
6"W1 6MAKE A LIV+40                #FC
  8,B1 ,MOM '''0                  A#FE
  8,"!'S NO ,8BUTS40' ,T'S J ! WAY X
IS40
  8,B '''0
  8,HE'S GO+ 6BE F9E4 ,AF ?+S SETTL$
D[N LA/ NI<T1 !Y DECID$ 6CALL ! ,BUR1U
( ,M9ES & H "S"O -E 6RE9SPECT !
TUNNELS4 ,9 ! M1N"T1 !Y TOOK A VOTE
6SEE IF !Y WD /AY \ (! EA/ %AFTS4 ,X 0
S CLOSE !Y CDN'T DECIDE4 ,S EA* CREW
TOOK A VOTE Z 6:E!R !Y WD G D[N4 ,:5 T
TURN$ \ MIX$1 "O (! M5 SU7E/$ T !Y
DIVIDE UP4 ,! "OS :O 7 3V9C$ T X
.WASN'T SAFE CD1 TEMPOR>ILY1 "W ) =EM5
ON ! WE/ %AFTS4 ,M5 :O ?"\ X .0 SAFE
CD G )! =EM5 & CREWS :O WANT$ 6/>T
BACK ON ! EA/4 ,YR DAD'S A =EMAN4 ,HE
& 8 CREW W 2 DI7+ COAL 9 ! WE/ %AFTS4
,! EA/ %AFTS >E PROBABLY SAFE2 B :E!R
!Y >E OR
-----------------------------------#FF
N1 YR DAD W .N 2 "!4 ,HE & 8 CREW W 2
DO+ J :AT !Y'VE D"O =! PA/ SIX MON?S40
  ,DON FELT A LL BETT]4 ,B REMEMB]+
,DAD'S FACE ''' REMEMB]+ ! /RANGE T"O
( 8 VOICE ''' :5 HE TOLD AB !     A#FF
,ADAMSON M9E ''' ! FE> GRA2$ HOLD ( HM
AG4 ,HE FELT L E MUSCLE 0 TI<T Z A
/RET*$ RU2] B&4
  8,!N :Y DID ,DAD / SEEM S SC>$ &
UPSET8 ,I CD SEE X1 ,MOM10 HE TRI$
6EXPLA94 8,I CD SEE X 9 8 EYES4 ,I CD
HE> X 9 8 VOICE40
  ,MOM PATT$ 8 H&4
  8,YR DAD WASN'T SC>$ = HMF4 ,HE 0
SC>$ =! O!R M54 ,!Y'RE M9]S1 ,DON4
,!Y'RE L FAMILY4 ,& L FAMILIES1 !Y
DON'T ALW AGREE4 ,!Y >GUE1 & FUSS1 &
''' "S"TS ''' YES1 !Y EV5 FI<T4 ,B T
DOESN'T M1N !Y DON'T LOVE "O ANO!R4 ,X
DOESN'T M1N !Y DON'T C>E4
  8,YR DAD DOESN'T WANT ANYBODY 6GET
HURT4 ,& ''' H>D Z X IS = Y 6"U/& '''
,PAUL ,COV+TON FEELS ! SAME4 ,IF "S?+
HAPP5$ 6YR DAD OR 8 CREW1 ,PAUL & 8 M5
WD 2 ! F/ "OS BACK
-----------------------------------#FG
D[N 9 ! M9E4 ,!Y WDN'T WORRY :E!R X 0
SAFE ( N4 ,!Y WDN'T ?9K AB ANO!R
CAVE-IN4 ,!Y'D RUN OV] "O ANO!R1   #FE
TRY+ 6GET D[N "! S !Y CD RESCUE   A#FG
_! FRS40
  ,%E GAVE 8 H& A G5TLE SQUEEZE1 !N
EAS$ F H] *AIR 6G PICK UP ! BROK5
PIECES (! PLATE %E _H DROPP$4 ,DON
/OOD "! A MO;T1 WAT*+ H]4
  8,IS X .RE,Y SAFE8 ,I M1N ''' Y "K
''' 2+ /UCK "UGR.D & DI7+ = COAL80
  ,MOM DIDN'T LOOK UP4 8,SAFE Z ANY?+
ELSE4 ,Y GET "R D[N 6X1 WALK+ 6T[N C 2
DANG]\S4 ,ESPECI,Y ) ALL ! C>S P >E
RUNN+ >.D 9 N[A"DS4 ,:Y DON'T Y G \ &
PLAY ) ,SUSAN & ,FRANK8 ,TRY N 6?9K AB
X4 ,?9K AB "S?+ ELSE40 ,%E PUT !
PIECES (! BROK5 PLATE 9 ! TRA%1 !N
TURN$ & POPP$ H] DI% T[EL AT HM4 8,I
"K :AT W KEEP YR M9D BUSY4 ,SEE IF Y C
?9K (A WAY 6GET ,SUSAN 6TELL Y :AT %E
WANTS = ,*RI/MAS4 ,YR DAD & ,I HAV5'T
BE5 A# 6GET A ?+ \ ( H]1 & WE'RE RUNN+
\ ( "T40
-----------------------------------#FH
              ,*APT] #AJ

  ,N[ .? 0 FUN6
  ,SUSAN F.D ! RU2] BALL !Y GOT   A#FH
= ME ?REE YE>S AGO4 ,X _H A LL J+LY ?+
9SIDE4 ,! F/ "O ,I'D "E _H 0 J L X4
,I'D BE5 B.D & DET]M9$ 6F9D \ :AT 0
MAK+ T NOISE1 ,I GNAW$ & PAW$ & *EW$
TILL ,I F9,Y GOT ! LL SILV] ?+ \4
,ONLY PRO#M3 ,X DIDN'T J+LE NO M4
  ,SEE+'S H[ ,I K9D ( LIK$ ! LL NOISE
X MADE1 ,I J *EW$ ON ? "O 9/1D ( TRY+
6DIG =! J+LY ?+4 ,SUSAN ?REW X4 ,I
FET*$ X4 ,OV] & OV] & OV] AG4
  ,! F\R BISCUITS & SAUSAGE GRAVY ,MOM
PUT ON MY DOG FOOD 7 SCRUMPTI\S4 ,ONLY
AF *AS+ T BALL FIFTE5 OR S "TS1 = "S
/RANGE R1SON1 MY TUMMY DIDN'T FEEL GD4
  ,I RAN AF ! BALL "O LA/ "T2 B 9/1D (
-----------------------------------#FI
FET*+ X1 ,I TOOK X >.D ! CORN] (!
H\SE1 DROPP$ X 9 ! WE$S 2S ! %$1 & ATE
"S GRASS4 ,T SETTL$ MY /OMA*4 ,SUSAN
HUNT$ =! BALL B N V L;G4 ,%E F.D "S
RA3OON TRACKS & TRI$ 6FOLL[ !M4
  ,DON JO9$ U AB ?IRTY Y>DS UP !
RIDGE4 ,HE 0 Z T5SE Z "O (! /R+S ON
,DAD'S BANJO4 ,T'S P = Y4          #FG
,WORRY4 ,WORRY4 ,WORRY4           A#FI
  ,B ? "T ! FEEL & SMELL ,I GOT F HM 0
DI6]5T4 ,DON WASN'T WORRI$ AB 2+ TOO
SK9NY4 ,HE DIDN'T C>E IF 8 KNEES 7
KNO2Y OR IF 8 %\LD]S 7 TOO BONY4 ,HE
WASN'T 3C]N$ AB 2+ NEXT 6A PRETTY GIRL
:ILE "EYBODY 9 T[N WAT*$ HM4 ,HE
DIDN'T C>E T HE MI<T =GET :AT HE 0
SUPPOS$ 6SAY4
  ,DON 0 WORRI$ AB 8 DAD4 ,MOM TOLD HM
,DAD 0 OKAY4 ,:5 ,DAD LEFT =! M9E1 HE
FELT HAPPY4 ,MO/LY 2C HE _H D"O :AT HE
KNEW 0 "R4 ,B / ,DON 0 WORRI$4
  ,6MAKE X EV5 WORSE1 HE 0 TRY+ H>D N
6PASS X 6,SUSAN4
  ,WELL1 ,I GUESS P >E L T4 ,GUESS IF
!Y A9'T GOT "S?+ 6WORRY AB1 !Y J H 6G
F9D "S?+4
-----------------------------------#GJ
  ,S.D+ .TOO B"R & *E];L1 ,DON ASK$
,SUSAN :AT %E 0 LOOK+ AT4 ,:5 %E PO9T$
AT ANIMAL TRACKS1 HE HELP$ H] F9D
ANO!R1 !N ANO!R4 ,A WAYS UP ! HILL1 ":
! TRACKS RAN \1 !Y F.D A PACK-RAT NE/
9 A CREVICE 2T "S ROCKS4 ,US+ A /ICK
6SCRAPE ! TWIGS ASIDE1 !Y         A#GJ
EXPLOR$ X4
  8,DON'T TELL ME :AT Y WANT =
,*RI/MAS10 ,DON SD Z !Y DUG4 8,I BET Y
A QU>T] ,I C GUESS40
  ,SUSAN DIDN'T EV5 LOOK UP4 ,%E J
KEPT DI7+ >.D 9 ! NE/ ) H] /ICK4
  8,A NEW DOLL40
  8,NOPE40
  8,LILLY'S GETT+ K9D ( OLD4 ,Y WANT A
NEW DOLL 6PLAY )40
  8,NOPE40
  ,SUSAN R1*$ 9 & PULL$ "S?+ F ! PILE
( TWIGS & NUT %ELLS4 8,LOOK--A P5NY40
  ,DON 9SPECT$ X4 8,T'S N A P5NY4 ,X'S
AN OLD NICKEL--A BU6ALO NICKEL4 ,SEE
''' "!'S ! FACE (A PRESID5T ON "O
SIDE1 & "!'S A BU6ALO ON ! BACK40
  ,SUSAN 9SPECT$ ! CO9 & !N %OV$ X
96,DON'S PALM4 8,PUT X 9 YR POCKET S
,I DON'T LOSE X40
-----------------------------------#GA
  ,:5 ! PACK-RAT NE/ 0 TOT,Y DEMOLI%$1
!Y MOV$ ON 6ANO!R PILE ( ROCKS F>!R UP
! HILL4                            #FI
  8,I GOT X60 ,DON SD4 8,Y WANT   A#GA
A NEW ,SUN"D-G-TO-MEET9' DRESS4 ,Y1H4
,A NEW DRESS & NEW %OES = *UR*40
  8,NOPE4 ,I D"O GOT A PRETTY DRESS40
  8,I .H A PRETTY DRESS10 ,DON
CORRECT$4
  8,Y GOT "O1 TOO80 ,SUSAN GASP$4
  ,DON FELT ! H1T RU% 6HIS FACE4 ,!N
HE NOTIC$ ! MIS*IEV\S TW9KLE 9
,SUSAN'S EYES4 8,I 0 CORRECT+ Y1 L
,MOM DOES10 HE SD4 8,DON'T GET SM>T )
ME1 OR ,I'LL SWAP 5DS ) YA40
  8,OKAY40 ,SUSAN GI7L$4 8,I H A
PRETTY DRESS40
  8,H[ AB YR %OES8 ,!Y'RE A LL TI<T1
>5'T !Y80
  8,!Y'RE PRETTY1 TOO4 ,!Y'RE BLUE L
MY DRESS40
  ,DON SI<$4
  ,A SQUIRREL 2GAN SCAMP]+ T[>D A
TREE4 ,:5 ,I H[L$ & TOOK AF X1 !Y
FOLL[$4 ,DON SAW X 2F ,SUSAN DID &
PO9T$ X \ 6H]4 ,!N HE TOLD H] 6/AY ":
%E WAS1 :ILE HE & ,I WALK$ >.D !
TRUNK4 ,! SQUIRREL TRI$ 6HIDE 0CIRCL+
6KEEP ! TREE 2T U4                B#GA
-----------------------------------#GB
,T WAY ,SUSAN CD GET A GD LOOK :5 HE
CREPT >.D 6H] SIDE4
  8,Y PROBABLY DON'T WANT A TOY10 ,DON
CALL$ F ! O!R SIDE (! TREE4 8,MAYBE Y
WANT A GAME1 "S?+ Y & ,I C PLAY4
,MAYBE "S?+ =! :OLE FAMILY4 ,P>*EESI8
,MONOPOLY8 ,Y1H4 ,A GAME40
  ,SUSAN'S NOSE CR9KL$ UP4
  8,!N :AT D Y WANT80 ,DON RO>$4
  ,SUSAN'S BOTTOM LIP />T$ 6QUIV]4
,DON RU%$ T[>D H]4
  ,I CD SMELL & .FEEL ! MAD ON HM4 ,B
X WASN'T A MAD L LA/ NI<T :5 ,REX
,COV+TON SD ,DAD 0 A C[>D4 ,HE WASN'T
MAD AT ,SUSAN4 ,X 0 A DI6]5T K9D (
MAD4
  ,DON 0 / MAD B 9 3TROL ( X4 ,9/1D (
/OMP+ ON "S?+1 HE SWOOP$ ,SUSAN UP 9 8
>MS & SNU7L$ H] AG/ HM4 ,!N HE SPUN H]
>.D & KISS$ H] *EEKS UNTIL %E />T$
GI7L+4
  8,I DIDN'T M1N 6YELL AT Y10 HE
SOO!D4 8,Y J DON'T GET X4 ,Y .H    #GA
6TELL "SBODY :AT Y WANT4 ,EV5     A#GB
,SANTA C'T HE>1 UN.S Y SAY X \ L\D40
  8,I DID SD X \ L\D--0
-----------------------------------#GC
  8,I DID .SAY X \ L\D10 ,DON
CORRECT$4
  8,I SAY X \ L\D :5 ,I TELL ,SANTA4
,I SAY X E NI<T1 "R AF ,I SAY MY
PRAY]S40
  ,DON />T$ 6SAY "S?+2 B ! S.D (
,MOM'S VOICE CALL+ !M 6! H\SE /OPP$
HM4 ,HOLD+ ,SUSAN'S H&1 HE HELP$ H]
D[N ! HILL Z !Y WALK$ BACK 6! H\SE4
  8,TELL Y :AT10 HE SD4 8,H[ AB TN WE
SIT D[N & WRITE ,SANTA A LR8 ,WE'LL
TELL HM "EY?+ WE WANT40
  8,B IF WE D T1 ,I WON'T "K = SURE IF
! PRES5T CAME F ,SANTA OR F "O (
,SANTA'S HELP]S40
  ,T MAD-AT-,DON FEEL+ RIPPL$ "? HM
AG4 ,HE TOOK A DEEP BR1?4
  8,"!'S EV5 "O ?+ ,I HAV5'T TOLD ,MOM
& ,DAD T .,I WANT = ,*RI/MAS4 ,WE'LL
BO? SIT 9 YR ROOM1 & ,I'LL WRITE MY LR
& HELP Y WRITE YRS4 ,!N TM WE'LL TAKE
!M 6! PO/ (FICE4 ,WE WON'T LET    A#GC
,MOM OR ,DAD OR ANY ( ,SANTA'S HELP]S
SEE X4 ,WE'LL J MAIL !M 6HM4 ,H[ DOES
T S.D80
  ,SUSAN SMIL$4
  ,DON FELT "R PR\D ( HMF4
  ,MY TAIL WA7$4
-----------------------------------#GD
              ,*APT] #AA

  ,:5 ,DON'S DAD _H -E BACK F ! NAVY1
HE'D BR"\ "S ?+S ) HM4 ,8 OLD UNI=M
HUNG 9 ! CLOSET ) 8 DRESS :ITES NEXT
6X1 ALL PRESS$ & N1T4 ,8 %OES 7 "!1
TOO1 ALL SPIT-POLI%$ & %9Y Z CD BE4
,HE'D AL BR"\ TWO HUGE :ITE COTTON SEA
BAGS4 ,KYLE TRI$ 6TELL ,DON T !Y 7
CALL$ DU6EL BAGS1 & !Y 7 SUPPOS$ 6BE
GRE5 9/1D ( :ITE4 ,B ,DAD TOLD HM T
,KYLE'S DAD 0 9 ! >MY4 .,!Y _H GRE5
DU6EL BAGS4 ,9 ! NAVY !Y 7 :ITE1 & !Y
7 SEA BAGS4
  ,WORN1 TATT]$1 & ?9 9 A C\PLE (
SPOTS1 ! SEA BAGS .DIDN'T /AY 9 !
CLOSET4 ,MOM US$ !M 6HAUL CLO!S    #GC
6! ,LAUNDROMAT ON ,MA9 ,/REET4    A#GD
,USU,Y %E _H "O SEA BAG /U6$ CLE> 6!
BRIM &A SMALL CLO? SACK = ,SUSAN
6C>RY4
-----------------------------------#GE
  ,B ,DON SAW BO? SEA BAGS SITT+ 0!
FRONT DOOR4
  ,ON ! WALK BACK ) ,SUSAN1 HE'D BE5
?9K+ AB H[ L;G X _H BE5 S9CE HE &
,KYLE _H ACTU,Y G"O FI%+1 & _H PLANN$
6ASK ,MOM IF HE CD G .= .R1L ? "T1
:ILE %E & ,SUSAN 7 WA%+ ! CLO!S4 ,B )
TWO BAGS FULL ( WA%1 HE'D H 6HELP
C>RY4
  ,:5 HE F/ SAW !M1 HE ?"\ AB SU7E/+
%E TAKE ! PICKUP1 B HE ALR KNEW :AT H]
ANSW] WD BE4 ,%E'D J SAY "S?+ L1
8,"!'S NO S5SE WA/+ M"OY ON GASOL9E :5
! LAUNDRY 9 ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[ IS J D[N !
HILL40
  ,S HE %OOK A DIME \ ( 8 PI7Y BANK &
/UCK X 9 8 POCKET4 ,T WAY1 AF !Y 7 D"O
)! WA%1 HE CD CALL ,KYLE F ! PAY PH"O
9 T[N4 ,Z L;G Z ,KYLE WASN'T GR.D$1 !Y
CD MEET AT ! LAKE & FI%4
  ,ON ! WAY D[N ! TRAIL1 ,MOM     A#GE
LET ,SUSAN GET AH1D ( !M4 8,Y F9D \
:AT %E WANTS80 %E :ISP]$4
  ,DON %OOK 8 H1D4 8,N YET4 ,B ,I ?9K
-----------------------------------#GF
WE'LL "K TN4 ,SUSAN & ME >E GO+ 6WRITE
LRS 6,SANTA ,CLAUS40
  8,SUSAN & .,I10 ,MOM CORRECT$4 ,!N
%E SMIL$4 8,LR'S A GD IDEA4 ,Y'RE
GETT+ 6BE PRETTY %>P40
  ,DON CDN'T HELP B SMILE BACK4

  ,DO+ ! LAUNDRY 0 BOR+6 ,ESPECI,Y :5
,DON F/ GOT "!4 ,HE HELP$ ,MOM )! F/
LOAD4 ,:5 X 0 D"O1 %E & ,SUSAN LOAD$ !
WA%] AG4
  ,:ILE !Y 7 WAIT+1 HE ASK$ AB GO+
FI%+4 ,J Z HE EXPECT$ 7& DES]V$71 %E
ASK$ IF !Y 7 .RE,Y GO+ FI%+ ? "T4 ,:5
HE PROMIS$ T ! LAKE 0 ! ONLY PLACE !Y
WD G1 %E AGRE$4
  ,DON DUG ! DIME \ ( 8 POCKET4 ,H1D
D[N1 LOOK+ AT ! DIME 9 8 H&1 HE %OV$
ON ! LAUNDRY DOOR4
  ,! DOOR %OV$ BACK4               #GE
  ,HE GL.ED UP4 ,KYLE /OOD ON !   A#GF
OPPOSITE SIDE ( X ) 8 NOSE & LIPS
SMU%$ AG/ ! GLASS1 8 EYES CROSS$4 ,HE
0 ! GO(IE/-LOOK+ ?+ ,DON _H "E SE54
,DON
-----------------------------------#GG
/EPP$ ASIDE4 ,/ PRESS+ 8 FACE AG/ !
GLASS1 ,KYLE %OV$ ! DOOR OP54 ,KYLE'S
MOM DRA7$ TWO GRE5 DU6EL BAGS 96!
LAUNDRY4
  8,QUIT X60 %E SCOLD$4 8,Y'RE GETT+ !
GLASS ALL MESSY40
  ,TU7+ A ?IRD DU6EL BAG1 ,KYLE FOLL[$
H]4
  8,Y GET A BU/9'80 ,DON :ISP]$4
  8,NOPE4 ,Y80
  8,NOPE40
  8,Y GR.D$80 ,KYLE ASK$4
  8,NOPE4 ,Y80
  8,NOPE40
  ,& AT ALM ! SAME EXACT 9/ANT1 BO?
BOYS LOOK$ AT EA* O!R & ASK$4 8,FI%+80
  ,L USUAL ,SUSAN WANT$ 6G1 TOO4
8.,NO60 ,DON SNAPP$ AT H]4 ,! LOOK ON
H] FACE MADE HM FEEL GUILTY1 B HAV+ A
LL KID AL;G 0 A PA94 ,HE ALW _H   A#GG
6BAIT H] HOOK & ?R[ ! L9E \ = H]1 &!
9/ANT HE TURN$ 8 BACK1 %E'D />T REEL+
X IN4 ,!N HE'D H 6CA/ X AG & AG4 ,T
LEFT HM H>DLY ANY "T 6FI%4
-----------------------------------#GH
  ,SUSAN TURN$ 6,MOM4 8.,PL1SE4 ,PL1SE
MAKE ,DON LET ME G ) !M40
  ,MOM SEEM$ 6/UDY ! PL1D+ LOOK ON
,SUSAN'S FACE &! DESP]ATE LOOK T ,DON
GAVE4 ,F9,Y %E SI<$ & 3V9C$ ,SUSAN T
%E NE$$ H] HELP )! LAUNDRY4
  ,X 0 F\R 0! "T ,DON1 ,KYLE1 & ,FRANK
GOT 6! LAKE4 ,KYLE SET 8 TACKLE BOX &!
J> ( 8 DAD'S FAVORITE /9K-BAIT ON !
GR.D4 8,?9K WE'RE "H TOO E>LY80
  ,DON GL.ED AT ! SKY4 8,RECKON WE'RE
OKAY4 ,! FI% "\ 6/>T HITT+ ANY"T N[40
  ,KYLE PULL$ \ 8 POCKETKNIFE1 CUT !
S+LE HOOK (F 8 L9E1 & PULL$ A ?REE-WAY
F 8 TACKLE BOX4 8,Y ASK YR DAD AB !
W1!R8 ,I BET ! FI% WD RE,Y 2 BIT+ IF
"! 0 A COLD FRONT MOV+ IN40
  8,=GOT10 ,DON ANSW]$1 R1*+ \ 6BORR[
,KYLE'S KNIFE S HE CD *ANGE        #GG
HOOKS4                            A#GH
  ,KYLE H&$ HM ! KNIFE4 8,H[ DOES YR
DAD D T1 ANYWAY80
  8,HUH80
  8,H[ DOES YR DAD D T80
-----------------------------------#GI
  8,D :AT80
  8,! W1!R4 ,MO/ FOLKS 9 ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[
>E ALL ! "T ASK+ HM :AT ! W1!R'S GONNA
D4 ,LOTS ( P DON'T H ,,TV 6GET ! W1!R
REPORT1 B EV5 ! "OS :AT D ASK HM4 ,H[
DOES HE "K /UFF L T80
  ,DON F9I%$ ! KNOT1 CUT (F ! LEFTOV]
L9E1 !N H&$ ! POCKETKNIFE BACK 6HIS
FR4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,FUNNY ?+ AB X1 ,DAD
DON'T "K1 EI4 ,I'VE ASK$ HM A C\PLE (
"TS4 ,HE SAYS X'S J A FEEL+--"S?9' HE
C'T EXPLA94 ,HE J ,8FEELS0' :5 "!'S A
*ANGE 9 ! W1!R40
  ,DON'S F/ CA/ HIT "R AB ": HE WANT$
X TO4 ,B :5 HE ?R1D$ TWO WORMS ON 8
OLD ROD & REEL1 ! L9E W5T SAIL+1 &
J]K$ 6A SU45 /OP4 ,X 0 S H>D X ALM
YANK$ ! ROD \ ( 8 H&4
  8,BACKLA%10 HE MUTT]$4
  ,X TOOK A GD T5 M9UTES ( TU7+   A#GI
& PICK+ AT ! FI%+ L9E 6GET X UNTANGL$4
,HE BAIT$ UP AG & US$ 8 ?UMB 6ADJU/ !
PRESSURE ON ? CA/4 ,! BAIT CA/+ REEL /
SPUN A LL FA/1 B ? BACKLA%
-----------------------------------#HJ
ONLY TOOK HM AB ?REE M9UTES 6UNTANGLE4
,! ?IRD CA/ LAID 8 L9E1 9 DEEP WAT]1 N
F> F 8 O!R "O4
  ,FRANK SNI6$ BO? RODS4 ,!N HE SNI6$
! TACKLE BOX1 ! C ( WORMS1 & ,KYLE'S
/9K-BAIT4 ,AF T1 HE TROTT$ BACK 6/>T
ALL OV] AG4
  8,SIT D[N1 ,FRANK10 ,DON SCOLD$4 8,Y
KEEP TROTT+ BACK & =?1 Y'RE GONNA SNAG
! L9ES4 ,GET YRF ALL TANGL$ UP40
  ,FRANK LOOK$ AT HM & WA7$ 8 TAIL4
,SU45LY 8 E>S P]K$1 8 NO/RILS FL>$1 &
8 EYES SEEM$ 6FOCUS ON "S?+ 2H !M4
  ,A BR[N ,*EVY /,N WAGON 0 P>K$ AT !
CRE/ (! HILL1 ) XS TAILGATE D[N4 ,A
MAN 0 PULL+ "S?+ F 9SIDE ! C>4 ,:5 HE
/RAI<T5$ 6PROP A C\PLE ( FI%+ RODS AG/
! C>1 ,DON CD SEE HM A LL BETT]4 ,TALL
& L1N ) D>K HAIR1 HE LOOK$ AB      #GI
,DAD'S AGE OR A LL OLD]4 ,B       A#HJ
,DON CDN'T RE,Y SEE HM T WELL F "H4
,:5 ! MAN PULL$ A METAL TACKLE BOX F !
BACK & CLOS$ ! RE> (! /,N WAGON1 ,DON
CD F9,Y SEE
-----------------------------------#HA
8 FACE4 ,:O"E HE WAS1 ,DON DIDN'T
RECOGNIZE HM4
  ,KYLE PROPP$ 8 SECOND ROD AG/ AN OLD
LOG & SAT D[N4
  ,DON MO;N$ )A J]K ( 8 H1D4 8,:O'S
T80
  8,:O80 ,KYLE ANSW]$1 LOOK+ ALL >.D4
  8,UP "!40 ,DON NO4$ AG 9 ! DIREC;N
(! /,N WAGON4
  ,KYLE FR[N$4 8,GOT NO IDEA10 HE
ANSW]$4 8,I'VE N"E SAW HM 2F40
  .,N"E .SE5 .HM1 ,DON CORRECT$1 J L 8
"M ALW DID4 ,ONLY HE DIDN'T SAY X \
L\D4 ,FRANK'S HAIR 0 BRI/L$ 6A RIDGE
ON 8 BACK4 ,/IFF LEGS C>RI$ HM Z HE
TROTT$ T[>D ! MAN4 ,HALFWAY D[N !
HILL1 ! MAN /OPP$4 ,FRANK SNI6$ F A
4T.E4 ,! RIDGE ON 8 BACK SMOO!D D[N1 &
8 TAIL 2GAN 6WAG4
  8,Y BOYS DO+ ANY GD80 ! MAN     A#HA
CALL$4
  8,DON'T "K YET40 ,KYLE ANSW]$4 8,J
GOT \R L9ES 9 ! WAT]40
  8,LOOKS L A GD "D = FI%+40
  8,T'S :AT WE'RE HOP+40 ,KYLE DIDN'T
H 6YELL Q Z L\D1 S9CE ! MAN 0
-----------------------------------#HB
CLOS] N[4 ,! MAN WALK$ PA/ !M1 PUT 8
?+S D[N1 & !N CAME BACK4 ,WA7+ 8 TAIL
6B1T ! B&1 ,FRANK B\NC$ AL;G 2S HM4
,:5 ! MAN /OPP$ 9 FRONT ( !M & HELD \
8 H&1 ,KYLE J SAT "!4 ,DON HOPP$ 6HIS
FEET1 L 8 DAD _H TAU<T HM1 & LOOK$ !
MAN SQU>E 9 ! EYE :5 HE %OOK H&S4
  8,I'M ,SAMUEL ,DEVL910 HE 9TRODUC$
HMF4
  8,DON ,FRANKL940
  ,DON ?"\ X 0 RUDE :5 ,KYLE J R1*$ UP
F ": HE SAT ON ! LOG4 8,I'M ,KYLE
,B5SON40
  8,DEVL980 ,DON TILT$ 8 H1D 6! SIDE4
8,Y ANY K9 6,MRS4 ,DEVL980
  8,%E'S MY MOM40 ,! MAN SMIL$2 !N .HE
TILT$ .8 H1D 6"O SIDE4 8,DON       #HA
,FRANKL9 & ,KYLE ,B5SON4 ,HMM     A#HB
''' "NS >E FAMILI>4 ,Y TWO WDN'T HAPP5
6BE ! "Y G5TLEM5 :O M[ ,MOM'S LAWN &
HELP )! G>D5 & FL[] B$S DUR+ ! SUMM]80
  8,YES SIR4 ,T'S U40
  8,?"\ S1 8,MR4 ,DEVL9 GR9N$4 8,%E
-----------------------------------#HC
?9KS "R HI<LY ( Y4 ,SAYS Y'RE H>D "W]S
& MANN]LY4 ,TELLS ME BO? ( Y SEE ?+S T
NE$ DO9' & D !M )\T H] HAV+ 6TELL Y40
  8,%E'S A NICE LADY10 ,DON SD4
  8,Y -E = ,*RI/MAS80 ,KYLE ASK$1 N
TAK+ 8 EYES F 8 FI%+ L9E4
  ,MR4 ,DEVL9 NO4$4 8,SORT (4 ,MY
BRO!R IS DRIV+ UP F ,H\/ON & BR++ 8
WIFE & DAU<T]1 & MY WIFE & SON4 ,WE'RE
PLANN+ 6SP5D ,*RI/MAS1 %[ ! KIDS \R
OLD /OMP+ GR.DS1 !N TAKE ,MOM BACK
HOME ) U40
  ,DON ,BL9K$4 8,TAK+ H] BACK HOME '''
=A VISIT80
  ,MR4 ,DEVL9 PO9T$4 8,BETT] KEEP AN
EYE ON T ROD4 ,?9K Y GOT A LL HIT40
  ,DON TURN$ 8 ATT5;N 6! ROD TIP4 ,MR4
,DEVL9 SAT D[N 2S HM ON ! LOG4 8,MOM'S
GETT+ UP 9 YE>S4 ,WE'VE BE5       A#HC
WANT+ H] 6-E LIVE ) U =A :ILE1 B %E
DOESN'T WANT 6L1VE H] HOME4 ,TIM & ,I
CALL H] AT L1/ ONCE A WEEK--USU,Y M4
,%E'S / %>P Z A TACK--H1D "WS J F9E4
,B H] BODY'S K9D ( GIV+ \ ON H]4
-----------------------------------#HD
,FELL LA/ SUMM] & MESS$ UP H] KNEE4
,DIDN'T EV5 TELL U AB X40
  8,I REMEMB] T10 ,KYLE -;T$4 8,%E
USU,Y -ES \TSIDE 6MESS >.D 9 ! G>D5 &
VISIT ) U4 ,H>DLY CAME \ AT ALL DUR+
,AUGU/40
  ,MR4 ,DEVL9 NO4$4 8,!N %E GOT
PNEUMONIA 9 LATE ,OCTOB]4 ,WE DIDN'T
EV5 "K %E 0 9 ! HOSPITAL4 ,:5 WE CALL$
AB F\R OR FIVE "TS & %E DIDN'T ANSW] !
PH"O ''' WELL ''' WE GOT HOLD ( ,MRS4
,TA7]T4 ,RECKON ,MOM MADE H] PROMISE N
6TELL 'CAUSE WE PRACTIC,Y _H 6PRY X \
( H] 6F9D \ ,MOM 0 9 ! HOSPITAL OV] AT
,MC,ALE/]40 ,HE SNAPP$ 8 F+]S & PO9T$
AT ! TIP ( ,DON'S ROD4
  ,DON PICK$ ! ROD UP & YANK$4 ,SURE 5
"! 0 A FI%4 ,HE CD TELL X 0        #HC
SMALL 2C X DIDN'T PUT UP M*       A#HD
FI<T :5 HE REEL$ X IN4 ,! *ANNEL CAT 0
ONLY AB EI<T 9*ES L;G1 S HE PRI$ !
HOOK \ ( XS M\? & G5TLY PIT*$ X BACK
96! POND4
  8,RECKON X WON'T 2 EASY 6GET YR MOM
6L1VE H] HOME40
  8,%E'S SURE 5 GOT A /U2ORN /R1K40
-----------------------------------#HE
,MR4 ,DEVL9 NO4$4 8,B WE PROMIS$ H] T
WE WDN'T SELL ! H\SE4 ,%E'S J -+ =A
L;G VISIT4 ,TIM & ,I H A LL SPR1D
\TSIDE ,KATY1 ,TEXAS4 ,BUILT H] A H\SE
MIDWAY 2T EA* ( \RS4 ,T WAY WE C SEE
6! PLACE1 DROP BY1 & VISIT H] E "D1
MAKE SURE %E'S ALL "R40
  8,HATE 6SEE H] MOVE AWAY10 ,DON
ADMITT$4
  8,ME TOO40 ,KYLE AGRE$4
  ,AF A :ILE ,MR4 ,DEVL9 MADE A GRUNT+
S.D Z HE GOT UP F ! LOG4 8,WELL1 ,I'M
GETT+ A LOT ( VISIT+ D"O B C'T CAT*
ANY FI% IF ,I GOT MY M\? FLAPP+4
,LOOKS L ! CAT FI%+ IS A LL SL[4 ,?9K
,I'LL SEE IF ,I C CAT* ME A BASS OR
TWO4 ,NICE 6MEET Y BOYS4 ,L ,I    A#HE
SD1 ,MOM SP1KS HI<LY ( Y BO?40
  ,DON WD MISS ,MRS4 ,DEVL91 B HE CD
"U/& H[ H] SONS WORRI$ AB H]4 ,KYLE
CAU<T A FI% T 0 EV5 SMALL] ?AN ! "O
,DON CAU<T4 ,:5 ,KYLE PIT*$ ! FI% BACK
96! WAT]1 ,DON GL.ED 6": ,MR4 ,DEVL9 0
TY+ A PLUG ONTO 8 L9E4 ,HE AL SAW "S?+
ELSE4
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  ,)A SMILE1 HE PUT A FRE% %EET ON !
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  ,DON /OPP$ WRIT+ AG4 ,HE />$ AT 8
PAP]1
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GL.ED OV] AT ,SUSAN1 !N />T$ AT 8 PAP]
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S.D 6KEEP F *UCKL+4
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"O )! DICE &! LL PIECES Y MOVE >.D !
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LAU<+1 ,DON NO4$4 8,T'S .,P>,'*EESI4
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  8,OKAY4 ,P>*EESI GAME40
  8,&80 ,DON URG$ :5 ,SUSAN /OPP$4
 8,&8880
 
         ,,5D ,,( ,,VOLUME #A
                                   #IC