Bitter Is A Bad Way To Live!

...it’d Be Like Looking For A Needle In A Burning Haystack.' 'oh, I’ve Done That,' Mark Said Airily. 'it’s A Game We Used To Play, After We Got Rid Of All Our Livestock And Didn’t Need Our Hay No More. You Throw A Match Into The Haystack, Give The Fire A Three-second Head Start, And Begin Looking. You Can Find The Needle Every Time If You Work Quick

Oh, Myr," He Chokes Out. "i Hate Having To Ask This Of You..." He Glances Towards The Car Again, And I Crouch Down In The Shadows, Hoping It's Too Dark For Him To See Whether The Window Is Open Or Closed. The Woman Pats His Arm, Cradling Her Hand Against His Elbow. "you Know I'd Do Anything For You And Hil," She Says. I Like Her Voice. It's Throaty And Rich. "you'd Do Anything?" My Father Repeats Numbly. "even Now? After -?" "even Now," The Woman Says Firmly.

I Was Lucky Enough Not To Face Any Required Summer Reading Lists Until I Went To College. So I Still Think Of Summer As The Best Time To Read For Fun.

I Started Trying To Write When I Was In Second Or Third Grade.

"don't Let Go!" He Orders. Harper's Hand Is Dry And Soothing, While Mine Is Sweaty With Fear. We've Never Held Hands Before. I Think About What It Means In The Village When Boys And Girls Only A Few Years Older Then Harper And Me Wander Around With Their Hands Clasped Together. They're Always Peering Dreamily Into Each Other's Eyes, Sneaking Sky Kisses...and Soon After, There's A Wedding.