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“Well The big house was built a lot later, but we all grew up on this land Mywith thee And my folks split up a few years back, so Mom built herself a new house on the homestead and ” He grinned “But we all work together He and Dad play chess in the winter It’s weird, but it’s Alaska”

“Wow I can’t even ie of longing in her voice and was embarrassed by it She tilted her beer up, sed the last foamy drips

Theon buckets, the guitar stru

Thel their hips in tih, Color-ado …

Over at the grill, Clyde yelled out, “Moose burgers are ready! Who wants cheese?”

“Co” He took her hand (it seeh the trees and down onto the beach They came up behind Dad and Mad Earl, ere off by the, and Leni heard Mad Earl clink hisit so hard it made a sturdy clank “Tha’ Tom Walker sure thinks his shit don’t stink,” Dad said

“When TSHTF, he’ll co to me ’cuz I’m prepared,” Mad Earl slurred

Leni froze, mortified She looked at Matthew He’d heard it, too

“Born rich,” Dad added, his words slurred and slow in coht?”

Mad Earl nodded, stumbled into Dad They held each other up “He thinks he’s better’n us”

Leni pulled away from Matthew; shame made her feel small Alone

“Leni?”

“I’m sorry you heard that,” she said And as if her dad’s slurred bad-h, there was Ma up at him in a way that could start trouble

Just like all the other times And Alaska was supposed to be different

“What’s the matter?” Matthew asked