Page 243 of Crank (Crank 1)

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but time and love.

And the fun was not only

in the giving, but

in the shared creation.

I adored Mom then.

Could my own child

ever love me so?

Somehow She Didn’t Notice

the wavering tone of my “Hi, Mom.”

I sat down at the table and she brought

me a plate of warm oatmeal cookies.

Hi, Honey. How was your day?

I almost laughed. I almost cried.

I managed to hold both inside. “Okay.”

Good deal. Hey, I need your input.

My input? Was this some odd

attempt at bonding?

What should we get Leigh

for Christmas?

Christmas. It would come right

on schedule, despite my predicament.

I already put an Xbox

on layaway for Jake.

Whatever choices I made, Jake would

indulge in the latest video games.

And I got Scott a new

set of clubs.

Come spring, regardless of my decision,

Scott would enjoy a great game of golf.

But I’m just not sure about Leigh….

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