" "Is it an 'op?" She asked, for the first time looking directly at me. I nodded slowly, knowing it wasn't what she wanted to hear. "An oriental boy. ...merican, I believe. Other than it being an 'op it's a pretty normal life. You'll be famous for something. Poetry?" I reached for the file and opened it, more to buy myself a bit of time to collect myself than to look anything up. In all the time I'd been doing this I'd never had a calling go so wrong. She put her hand on the desk as I flipped. C. Penney. Inside Margaret went towards the women's section. I toldMargaret "Honey, I'll meet you in about an hour. I'm just going to goover to Sears to look around.Margret said sternly, "Oh, no you don't. You will stay right by myside. The last time that I left you alone in Sears you bought thatelectric saw thing-a-ma-jiggy that you still haven't used because youstill don't know how to use it. It's a paperweight that cost us $200.No sir, you're going to stay with me. Besides, I don't. I didn't have someone who was willing to tell me I was full of shit sometimes."But I was too blinded by my feelings for R.J. and my own inadequacies to get past that and be a friend back to you. I would like to be friends like that now."Beth put her arm around Bailey's shoulder."I'd like that, too," she said.My only part in Amelie's surprise shower — though how it could still be a surprise, I didn't know — was to make sure she was out of the house from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Well, that and providing. You’re a lesbian. I respect that, just as I respect that Dave is a complete heterosexual. Neither of you find me personally attractive. I get that, trust me. I won’t force myself on anyone. I won’t take it personally. I won’t get upset with you or feel that you’ve injured my male ego or whatever. I’m not entitled to your body. I understand that. So, you haven’t had my cum inside you, and while that is the case, you still have the free will to make a lifetime decision for yourself, knowing the.