Almost too much to consider, although Bree found the prospect quite intriguing. So then I had to explain GUFN again.

"Today is the first day she cut me loose."

Sounds like a reason to party.

That was funny. But it was time to catch my ride home. Since Brendan was my mom's type-tall, handsome, and gainfully employed-I let him walk me out. Mom was parked right in front.

Is she always so punctual?

I laughed like he was the wittiest man alive, and promised to call, wondering what was up. With me.

Had I lost one boyfriend, to gain two? And how could I possibly want these two, opposite squares on the chessboard?

d.a.m.n, your mom is fine.

That wasn't funny at all. I had to live with my mom, obey her rules, accept her punishments. But I would never accept her as compet.i.tion.

Not as fine as you, of course.

Okay. Better.

Mom Wanted to Hear All About Brendan

I told her what I knew, hoping I didn't talk too much. Or too fast.

He's really cute.

Oh, great. Mutual attraction.

I almost opened my mouth, thought better of it.

Did he ask you out?

In a manner of speaking, I supposed. Out. In. I doubted he was picky.

Do we need to have the talk?

At that, I really had to stifle Bree. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy.

He did seem like a nice boy.

Seeming and being are two different things. You seem nice, too, Mommy dearest.

Anyway, did you find some clothes?

I showed her what I bought, and she grinned a killer smile.

At least you're consistent.

I had to laugh, speeding along with the monster.

Consistent? Not!

Inconsistent Me

could barely look at dinner.

I told Mom I ate at the mall.

What?

What, what?

What exactly did you get?

Quick, Kristina, think.

"Stir-fry. You know, fast food Chinese."

Did you eat all your veggies?

OMG! Here I was, busting my brain on first-cla.s.s speed, and all she cared about was if I'd consumed my greens?

'Cause you can't stay smart eating only junk food.

Stay smart? First I had to get smart, and it wasn't about to happen holding hands with the monster.

Besides, vegetables give a girl a healthy glow.

d.a.m.n. Wasn't I glowing?

Then again, even if I was, it could hardly qualify as healthy. Still, Mom didn't insist I share the dinner table.

It's only leftovers, anyway.

By the way, a letter came for you today.

Dear Kristina,

Hope everything's okay. Hope you're okay.

Things are okay here.

My mom got a new job and she's dating her boss.

He already thinks he's my stepdad or something.

Says I'd better think about what I want to do with my life.

Besides party, that is.

I hate him already. You know?

Lince is home and I guess she's better.

She has to go to PT-physical therapy-every day.

She's learning to walk and talk, just like a baby.

It's weird, really weird.

I try to spend time with her, but it's hard. You know?

I'm sorry about that phone call.

I didn't mean to upset you.

I was at the end of a three-day binge.

Too long without food and sleep.

Your brain starts to play tricks. You know?

I do love you, Kristina.

You were a summer gift, one I'll always treasure.

You were a dream I never wanted to wake up from.

You opened my eyes to things I'll never really see.

You're the best thing that will ever happen to me.

Be safe. Be smart. Stay you.

Adam

Why Was Everyone

suddenly worried about my IQ?

I sank into my down pillow-top, reread every word twenty times, right down to his signature.

Adam had a poet's soul.

I put the letter down and considered crying, wondering how loving him could bring me so far down, wondering how to stop loving him, wondering if the monster would soon let me come down.

I Did Cry Then

Climb-and-dive on the crank coaster, I unlocked my heart, let the hurt out.

And then, like he was listening at the keyhole, Chase called.

(He even asked for Kristina.) Hey, sweetheart. Just checkin'