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14

Ben

I’d always known Erown up differently froined I pulled the rental car into the gravel driveway that Enition Her parents lived in a rust-colored old trailer with a crooked front door and a bare patch of dirt where the grass had been tralanced over at E for ers between hers "Ready, babe?"

She gave a tight nod and cli under my boots, I followed her lead to the front door She hadn’t told er brother would all be here for Thanksgiving I hadn’t really had the typical experience of irlfriend’s parents before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect The door opened e got closer and E out to launch herself into E in ani Eed her dad next then leapt into her brother’s ar him, "Bubba!" He shook his head and her mom leaned over to explain it’d been her nickname for him since he was born She’d been two years old and couldn’t say Porter

Herbrown hair like E down her back As soon as she released Emmy and wiped stray tears froine such an e with o she couldn’t even be bothered to come and pick me up from the airport She sent a driver, with the excuse that she had a manicure appointment to keep

"Heaven above, Emerson Jean He’s hotter than thepink as her mom looked me up and down "This is my mom, Sue"

"Hi, Mrs Clarke" Before I had ti herself towardas I patted her back under the watchful scowls of E my throat, Sue finally released me and stepped back I crossed the weathered front porch and extended my hand "Mr Clarke, it’s nice tome"

Never indown the runway dressed in next to nothing I felt the intensity of the glares served up by the men in Emmy’s life

Emmy stepped in between us "This isat me "Dad," she hissed, and her father slowly raised his hand to shake mine

"Welcome to Tennessee"

The relaxed smile that overtook Emmy’s mouth told me she’d been more worried than she’d let on about her father’s reaction toht and spentby his tense posture and expression, he was considering challenging e black dog caht for me His snout hit me squarely in the nuts "Os