smoking, it’s really hard to quit.

I’ll never smoke, he decides.

Not if it makes you smell

like that. Come on, Sasha.

EVENTUALLY

Kristina comes back inside,

trailed by Jake and Misty,

who have just arrived bearing

gifts like Christmas magi.

They sweep into the kitchen,

Leigh close on their heels,

put the presents on the table,

chant a chorus of “Merry Christmas.”

Kristina heads straight for

the brightly wrapped boxes,

finds one with her name on

it. Ooh. Can I open it now?

Leigh stops her from tearing

into the Santa-and-puppy

paper. Why don’t we wait

for Scott to get back?

Kristina, who has managed

to ignore me completely,

reluctantly agrees. Nicotine

obviously can work wonders.

Jake goes into the family room,

and I hear him say, Grandpa

Bill! I didn’t know you were

here. Where’s your car?

Damn DMV wouldn’t re-up

Tags: Ellen Hopkins Crank
Source: readsnovelonline.net