y dad chum it up with Juli's dad—it
was like seeing him lie。 To Mr。 Baker； to Juli； to my
grandfather—to everybody。 Why was he being such a worm？ Why couldn't he just act normal？
You know； civil？ Why did he have to put on such a
phony show？ This went way beyond keeping the peace with my mother。 This was disgusting。
And people said I was the spitting image of my father。 How often had I heard that one？ I'd
never thought about it much； but now it was turning my
stomach。
Mom jingled the dinner bell and called； “Hors d'oeuvres are ready！” and then saw me still
standing in the hallway。 “Bryce； where'd your sister and
the boys go？”
I shrugged。 “Down to her room； I think。” “Go tell them； would you？ And then e have some
hors d'oeuvres。”
“Sure；” I said。 Anything to get rid of the taste in my mouth。
Lyta's door was closed。 And normally I would have knocked and called； Mom wants you；
or； Dinner！ or something； but in that split second
before my knuckles hit wood； my hand became possessed by Evil Baby Brother。 I turned the
knob and walked right in。
Does Lyta freak out or throw stuff at me and scream for me to get out？ No。 She ignores
me。 Matt…and…Mike give me a nod； and Lyta sees
me； but she's got her hands over some headphones and her whole body's bobbing up and
down as she listens to a portable CD player。
Matt…or…Mike whispers； “It's ab