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Show Fair Forever 19 "Nothing," I answer, "unless you're working with blocks that weigh four hundred pounds each instead of four. Kind of hard to experiment with those." It's the right answer of course, but I sound like a know-it-all. I look down at my book. Katie considers my answer, then she points to her blond friend. "Bradley, this is Lindley." Lindley has a mouth full of teeth-straight and white-and small eyes that look even smaller because of heavy mascara. She stares like I'm a specimen to be studied, like I'm one of those formaldehyde frogs in biology class. I help myself to another French fry, hoping that's the right thing to do. Our table is quiet for a moment and I can feel Lindley staring. Finally she asks, "You're the boy with a new heart, right?" Her voice is hurried and direct, like she's been delaying the question for as long as she can. I don't answer right away. I'm stunned by the question. She continues, breathless, "My brother said the doctors had to cut you in half and spread you apart like a watermelon." She shudders. "Is your scar like . . . huge?" I try to gather my thoughts, try to decide if Lindley is simple minded or tactless. I conclude she's both. But she does have great teeth. I'm surprised that Katie has chosen to eat with her, but then, maybe I've misjudged Katie's eyes. Lindley waits expectantly while Katie studies her lunch, her cheeks flushed. I can't tell if she's embarrassed for me or for Lindley. I say, "It's more like they sawed me in half and then spread me apart like a lobster." I pretend to be using a large handsaw and pliers to rip apart the table. |