ost。 And even though I was pretending to follow along with what they were
saying； what I was really doing was trying not to stare
at Juli。
When my mom called us for dinner； I did my best to pull Juli aside and apologize to her； but
she gave me the cold shoulder； and who could blame
her； really？
I sat down across from her； feeling pretty low。 Why hadn't I said something to Garrett in the
library？ I didn't have to punch him。 Why hadn't I just told
him he was out of line？
After Mom served everyone their food； Dad seemed to decide that he ought to be the one
directing the conversation。 “So； Mike and Matt；” he
says； “you're seniors this year。”
“Amen！” they say together。
“Amen？ As in you're glad high school's over？”
“Absolutely。”
My father starts twirling his fork。 “Why's that？”
Matt and Mike look at each other； then back at my dad。 “The regurgitation gets to you after a
while。”
“Isn't that funny；” he says； looking around the table。 “High school was probably the best time
of my life。”
Matt…or…Mike says； “Seriously？ Dude； it's totally lame！” Mrs。 Baker shoots him a look； but that
doesn't stop him。 “Well； it is； Mom。 It's that whole
robotron attitude of education。 Confine； confute； conform—I've had totally enough of that
scene。”
My dad eyes my mom with a little I…told…you…so grin； then says to Matt and Mike； “So I take