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The last thing you need to do,

all things considered, is get

blitzed. She cringes, as if hearing

the wasp daub. I will keep

my temper in check. But I also

plan on drinking whatever

I please. Free drinks don’t come

around every day. Still, I will

play her way. “I’ll be careful.”

I TRY, REALLY I DO

I eat everything on my plate.

(Chase every bite with a swig.)

Return for alcohol-absorbing pasta.

(Finish one drink; start second.)

Third trip is to the carving board.

(Polish off drink two. Back to bar.)

Finally, dessert. Chocolate cheesecake.

(Work on third—really fourth—JD.)

I think I’m doing pretty well.

(No way to converse when imbibing.)

And then Brendan starts talking.

(About how Sparks has grown. Swallow.)

Reminiscing about Wild Waters.

(His lifeguard days. Single-gulp glass drain.)

THE WASP BUZZ INTENSIFIES

Only Nikki seems to notice.

She shoots me a warning

glance. But it’s too late.

I stop Brendan midsentence.

“So … do y-you ’member