of
the page。 Someone must've used a killer telephoto lens；
……… Page 44………
because you can tell that she's in the tree； but it's mostly from the shoulders up。 She's
looking off into the distance and the wind is blowing her hair
back like she's at the helm of a ship or something； sailing into the sun。
I'd spent so many years avoiding Juli Baker that I'd never really looked at her； and now all of
a sudden I couldn't stop。 This weird feeling started
taking over the pit of my stomach； and I didn't like it。 Not one bit。 To tell you the truth； it
scared the Sheetrock out of me。
I buried the paper under my pillow and tried to remind myself of what a pain Juli Baker was。
But my mind started to wander again； and pretty soon
I had that stupid paper out from under my pillow。
This was insane！ What was I doing？
I made myself shut out the light and go to bed。 I was slipping； man； and it was definitely time
to get a grip。
The Yard
I'd never been embarrassed by where we lived before。 I'd never looked at our house； or even
our side of the street； and said； Oh！ I wish we lived in
the new development—those houses are so much newer； so much better！ This is where I'd
grown up。 This was my home。
I was aware of the yard； sure。 My mother had grumbled about it for years。 But it was a low
grumbling； not worthy of deep concern。 Or so I'd
suppos