Cassie didn't wake up until after noon. Chris, Maddie and I were eating sandwiches in the kitchen when we heard her stirring.

"She slept for three and a half hours!" Maddie remarked. "Was she up late the last couple of nights?"

"Last couple of years." Chris answered, looking sad.

"I imagine." Maddie nodded. "You know my father was a lot like yours, Chris. Drank too much, hit too much..." She drifted off, staring into her glass.

Chris stood suddenly. "I'm going to go bring Cassie down. Might be alarming, to wake up in strange room like that."

Cassie came down a few moments later, and began with her lunch, but Chris didn't return to the table. I found him standing on the porch, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

"You alright?" I asked cautiously, nearing him.

"Yeah." He muttered. "Just thinking about things."

"Oh." My curiosity was aroused. "Like what?"

"Like my mom, and where she must have gone. I guess I don't blame her but..."

"But you miss her?"

"It's a funny thing." He turned to me, the sun emphasizing his sharp features. "She never stood up for herself, against my old man. Never stood up for us, either. Made me angry, the way she let him treat her and us kids. But I do miss her." He laughed. "I guess it's cause she never hit me."

"Oh, Chris." I sighed. "You know, we always knew you were getting beat around at home. Everyone knew....but I guess I just never..."

"It's okay." He assured me. "There's no way you can know, unless you been through it. You can't even imagine..." Letting out a deep sigh he asked, "You want to talk about something else?"

"Sure," I nodded. "You happy about getting out of school for the summer?"

"Damn happy," He laughed. "Four more days now. What do you and Maddie do around here in the summer time?"

"Well, " I sat down on the porch railing. "There's a lake a few miles down the road. Sometimes I ride my bike down there and swim. And of course there's the woods and all, plenty to do round there." I racked my brain for summer time activities. "I'm part of a girl's ball league."

"Oh?" He sat down on the rail next to me. "Softball?"

"Yeah. It's unofficial, but it's fun. Bunch of girls fourteen to twenty get to together in July and we all have a big tournament."

"What position do you play?" He asked.

"Catcher." I replied. "Best damn catcher in three counties."

"I see." He smiled to himself.

"So," I peeled away at the chipped paint on the railing. Miss Busy Fingers, Maddie would call me. "So, what are you gonna do all summer?"

"Hang around here, I guess." He sighed. "Maddie wouldn't mind me having a friend around would she?"

"Nah. She likes a little company."

"Well, then I'll probably hang out with you, and Cassie, and probably Gordie. You know Gordie Lachance right?"

Tall, skinny kid with the big brown eyes, driving a blue pick up. "Yeah. I've seen him."

"He's my best friend, just about."

"Oh."

"You got a best girl friend or anything?" Chris asked curiously. "Any chicks going to be coming around this summer?"

"Other than my cousin Lavinia, who's eighteen? Nah. Maddie's my best friend."

"Lavinia, eh?" Chris smirked. "Sounds like a peach."

"Oh she is." I rolled my eyes. "A real doll."

We laughed. Talking to Chris really wasn't that bad.

(I'd really like to know if I'm getting carried away with dialogue. If I'm lacking in detail and description, PLEASE tell me.)