We'll be home by midnight," she said quickly before her mom could explode.I smiled and gave her mom a half-bow. "Actually, it's a short dance since it...s a school night. We'll be back by eleven."Mrs. Morganthal looked like she wasn't sure whether to be relieved or banish me for life, so I took Zoe's hand and we made a quick getaway.Considering how classy Zoe looked, I thought about asking Dad for the keys to his Porsche. He'd made a comment yesterday about me owning more of it than he did, which. "He said it was leftovers that he'd have to throw away otherwise. Is he always that bad a planner?" No, I think he must have been doing you a favor. Did he owe you one?" No, I'm the one who owes the favor now," I admitted, squeezing the guys more rapidly. "Can you return his catering chests after school? They're in the rotunda. I have to go downtown for some tests and appointments." Yeah, OK," Pietre consented. At that point, I think he would have consented to anything."You'll recognize them.. More little Marks running around sounds like fun. Or maybe they'd fly around." That created an image that resounded in everyone's mind!Mom enjoyed pulling Dad's leg with a comment about my kids making good livings as professional basketball players.I was impressed Carol had thought of flying babies. I guess her imagination was less constrained than mine, as I was VERY aware of my 10.5 pound restriction as EVERY TK action I took was a major exercise in weight management.[I later asked Carol how. I pause when I reach my door. I always have to psyche myself up before I go in, because every time I enter, something bad happens. And I'm so tired of all this bullshit. I just wanna go to sleep and forget.I open the door, slipping inside. Mom's passed out on the couch, empty bottles surrounding her. The smell of beer hits me and I feel my bruised stomach turn. She's fucking disgusting. And it makes me sick that I'm just like her. I can't deal with the problems in my life either. I just wish I.