Fallout (Crank 3)

Not looking for trouble. He whips

a U-turn, heads back toward

the party. “I, uh … Thank you.”

It’s all I can say to Trey before a half

pitcher of mojitos comes boiling

up my throat. Talk about burning!

I turn my head and let it fly.

Summer

CONDEMNED

One thing I’ve learned.

Life isn’t fair. Even when

you try to do the right thing,

someone else’s wrong

thing bites you in the ass.

Dad drives drunk. Stoned.

The judge throws the book

at him. Still, it’s me going

away. He’ll be out of jail

long before I escape foster

care. Maybe if I hadn’t

been such a smart-ass to

her, Kortni would have

agreed to keep me in

her care. Probably not.

The State of California

is concerned about your

welfare, Ms. Shreeveport

said when she delivered

the good news. I wish it

were possible to leave you