“To Kill a Mockingbird is required, and I chose Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet, because it’s about someone our age and sounded good.” He picked up the Joanne Proulx novel and opened it.
“Bullshitting, bullshitting, ass—All that cursing in the first paragraph, I like it already.” Waz put the book aside. “Will Cyan eat with us?”
“I don’t know if he’ll want to or not.”
“Ask.” Waz got up. “I’ll ask.”
“A lot of times, when our aunts or uncles visit, he won’t come up. He might not even be awake.” I had no idea what went on down there all day.
“I’ll knock quietly.”
“Yeah. Don’t even open the door.” I put my arm across it.
“In case he’s beating off?”
“Not what I was thinking, but I suppose that’s also possible. The basement stairs are way steeper than the living room ones.” I picked up the
