There were only three bottles left in the 12-pack. Not my brand, but beggars can’t be choosers.Holly scooted over closer to the redhead and patted t...e couch cushion next to her. “How was it?” she asked.I sat down heavily and opened my beer. “Not as bad as I expected. Mom made dumplings.”Holly made the strangest - and cutest - face. It was a combination of a pout and a scowl. “Shoot. I should have gone with you.”Jemma laughed and said, “Glad you didn’t. I’d have had to listen to you. She then shocked me even more by leaning close and whispered in my ear."Just so you know, ever since I started working here I always thought you were cute."She looked at the door again and asked, "how much time do you have left on break?'I looked at my watch and swore, 'Damnit, about three minutes."Then she asked, "When is your next break?"I replied, "In about twenty minutes, I'm sorry but I have to get back to work..."As I started to leave the bathroom even more flushed then when I came in,. Huck Finn, all grown up. He's only an inch or two taller than I am, but those shoulders! Wow! He looks... strong! A catcher. Looks like he could block the plate, all right! I got to watch him, today, all through the game. We hadn't met, so he couldn't have picked me out of the crowd, even if he'd tried. But I knew he was going to be my date, and that he was the catcher.So I watched him, the whole game. He was very self-assured, out there. Kind of ran the game, when his team was on the field. He. You don't know this, but that's what happened to Muffin." Why would Social Services get involved?" Jen asked, "You're like 22 years old or something, right?" I'm fourteen." Jesus," whispered Paul as he took off his sport coat. "Put this on." He turned to Callie. "We can't turn them out like this."Callie had caught her breath and looked at Paul. "Shit. I bloodied your nose." She turned to Starlight. "Star, I'm sorry I lost it. I've almost grown to look at Muffin as my own daughter. Ester and I.