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“Mom, please don’t make a big deal out of this,” I interrupt, rushing the words out so fast, they’re almost unintelligible. “I went after him, he didn’t know how old I was, and when he found out, he ran so fast I thought he’d break the sound barrier. And it was never more than kisses.” And groping, and one hand job that introduced me to wonders I hadn’t yet discovered in my previous fumbling attempts. But Mom doesn’t need to hear that.
“You see this T-shirt? I got this at Walmart. It’s not about designer, Lee. It’s about style. That”—he waves at my jeans and sweater, which okay, they may be my nicest but I’ve had them for years and they were never trendy and it’s possible the colors don’t really go together—“is not style. Ooh, we should go shopping!”
“Well, like today. You came to brunch with me and had to wear brunch-appropriate clothing. Which, honestly, that outfit—” “Are you about to insult my clothes again?” There’s a thread of laughter in his voice. “Yup. I really, really am. ‘Clothes’ is a good word, because ‘outfit’ was stretching things.” Now he laughs outright. “C’mon, I’m wearing jeans and a sweater. They’re in muted colors and have no holes or anything.” Oh, the poor, deprived man.
Romantic books and movies? You mean like porn? Liam: . . . Liam: Since when has porn EVER been romantic? Charlie: Not like PORN porn, but that other porn. You know, the books with the half-naked people on the covers. My mom collects them for the women at the shelters she works with. Liam: Not porn, Charlie. Romance novels.
Charlie stumbles to a stop every few yards, and I have to get his attention and make sure I stay out of his reach to keep him moving. Each time, he’s so excited to see me and eagerly chases after me—in a shambling, weaving, kept-upright-by-friends way—for a bit before forgetting what’s going on and trying to sit or lie down right in the middle of the sidewalk.
Lee’s acting weird. I think it started on the weekend, but I can’t be sure. He got on great with Mom and Dad—and Marc—which I knew he would, and he even enjoyed the fundraiser. I mean, that might be because I made him dance with me most of the night. Gymnasts have awesome dance moves. Everyone there was jealous of me for being his partner.

