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Jenny’s flip-flopped feet kick up sand as she paces on the riverbank Her white sundress flares as she turns a final tioin’ and that’s all there is to it Just like we planned Nothin’s changed"

My voice rails with resentment she doesn’t deserve "What are you talkin’ about--everything’s changed! You can’t co a baby to a dorned, she whispers, "I know"

I take onna be hard enough before, but nowI’nant What kinda ives me a speech that rivals "win one for the Gipper" "You’re the kind of raduate with honors A onna be able to name his salary when he does You’re not walkin’ away, you’re doin’ what’s best for us For our faoin’ anywhere"

"Oh yes you are"

"And what about your future?"

"I’ll stay with my parents--they’ll helpthe twins anyway"

Jenny’s older sister, Ruby, is the proud mother of twins, with baby number three on the way She attracts losers like cow shit attracts flies The uneh of theo to nursin’ school" Jenny wraps her slender arms around my neck

And, God, she’s pretty

"I don’t want to leave you," I o and coh until the next time"

I kiss her lips--they’re soft and full and taste like cherry "I love you I’ll never love anyone the way I love you"

She sonna be you"

Young love is strong First love is powerful But what you don’t knohen you’re young--what you can’t know--is how long life actually is And the only dependable thing about it, besides death and taxes, is change

Jenny and I had a whole lot of change headed our way

She takes my hand and alk to onna tell first? Yours or mine?"

I blow out a breath "Yours Get the crazy side over with first"

She’s not offended "Let’s just hope Nana never finds the shells to that shotgun"

• • •

Seven ens keeps saying it is, but there’s no way