第1部分(第5/7 页)

　behind　the　couch。　“Is　he　ready　yet？”　One　time　she　even　cut　across　the　yard　and　looked

through　my　window。　I　spotted　her　in　the　nick　of　time

and　dove　under　my　bed；　but　man；　that　right　there　tells　you　something　about　Juli　Baker。　She's

got　no　concept　of　personal　space。　No　respect　for

privacy。　The　world　is　her　playground；　and　watch　out　below　—　Juli's　on　the　slide！

Lucky　for　me；　my　dad　was　willing　to　run　block。　And　he　did　it　over　and　over　again。　He　told　her

I　was　busy　or　sleeping　or　just　plain　gone。　He　was　a

lifesaver。

My　sister；　on　the　other　hand；　tried　to　sabotage　me　any　chance　she　got。　Lyta's　like　that。

She's　four　years　older　than　me；　and　buddy；　I've　learned

from　watching　her　how　not　to　run　your　life。　She's　got　ANTAGONIZE　written　all　over　her。　Just

look　at　her　—　not　cross…eyed　or　with　your　tongue　sticking

out　or　anything　—　just　look　at　her　and　you've　started　an　argument。

I　used　to　knock…down…drag…out　with　her；　but　it's　just　not　worth　it。　Girls　don't　fight　fair。　They　pull

your　hair　and　gouge　you　and　pinch　you；　then　they　run

off　gasping　to　mommy　when　you　try　and　defend　yourself　with　a　fist。　Then　you　get　locked　into

time…out；　and　for　what？　No；　my　friend；　the　secret　is；

don't　snap　at　the　bait。　Let　it　dangle。　Swim　around　it。　Laugh　it　off。　After　a　while　they'll　give　up

and　try　to　lure　someone　else。

At　least　that's　the　way　it　is　with　Lyta。　And　the　bonus　of　having　her　as　a　pain…in…the…rear

sister　was　figuring　out　that　this　method　works　on

everyone。　Teachers；　jerks　at　school；　even　Mom　and　Dad。　Seriously。　There's　no　winning

arguments　with　your　parents；　so　why　get　all　pumped　up　over

them？　It　is　way　better　to　dive　down　and　ge