Steve_NP0 's_POS mother_NN1 ,_PUN Jeanne_NP0 ,_PUN used_VVN to_TO0 ask_VVI Andrea_NP0 ,_PUN in_PRP a_AT0 melancholy_AJ0 way_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ How_AVQ is_VBZ your_DPS mother_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ and_CJC then_AV0 ,_PUN after_PRP a_AT0 long_AJ0 pause_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ How_AVQ is_VBZ your_DPS father_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ Clearly_AV0 ,_PUN divorce_NN1 was_VBD hereditary_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC Andrea_NP0 a_AT0 carrier_NN1 ._SENT Real_AJ0 Rubinsteins_NN2 had_VHD the_AT0 marriage_NN1 gene_NN1 —_PUN except_CJS for_PRP Aunt_NP0 Sylvia_NP0 and_CJC Cousin_NP0 Richard_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ was_VBD Sylvia_NP0 's_POS son_NN1 ,_PUN so_AV0 there_AV0 you_PNP go_VVB ._SENT 
And_CJC yet_AV0 ,_PUN despite_PRP Andrea_NP0 's_POS unfortunate_AJ0 heritage_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP and_CJC Steve_NP0 remained_VVD married_AJ0 ._SENT Were_VBD they_PNP happy_AJ0 ?_SENT Yes_ITJ ,_PUN of_PRF course_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP were_VBD at_PRP least_AV0 as_CJS happy_AJ0 as_CJS everybody_PNI else_AV0 ._SENT And_CJC why_AVQ was_VBD happiness_NN1 the_AT0 criterion_NN1 ,_PUN anyway_AV0 ?_SENT They_PNP had_VHD endured_VVN health_NN1 scares_NN2 ,_PUN teen-agers_NN2 ,_PUN money_NN1 problems_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP were_VBD struggling_VVG even_AV0 now_AV0 ,_PUN because_CJS they_PNP had_VHD spent_VVN their_DPS professional_AJ0 lives_NN2 in_PRP educational_AJ0 publishing_NN1 ._SENT Steve_NP0 hated_VVD what_DTQ was_VBD left_VVN of_PRF his_DPS job_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC Andrea_NP0 had_VHD lost_VVN hers_PNP altogether_AV0 ._SENT Nevertheless_AV0 ,_PUN Steve_NP0 kept_VVD schlepping_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 city_NN1 ,_PUN where_CJS he_PNP worked_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 new_AJ0 open-plan_AJ0 office_NN1 and_CJC was_VBD allowed_VVN no_AT0 shelves_NN2 ,_PUN no_AT0 files_NN2 ,_PUN just_AV0 one_CRD drawer_NN1 ._SENT Andrea_NP0 now_AV0 toiled_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 finished_AJ0 basement_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 private_AJ0 college_NN1 counsellor_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC together_AV0 they_PNP kept_VVD paying_VVG their_DPS bills_NN2 ,_PUN their_DPS taxes_NN2 ,_PUN their_DPS older_AJC son_NN1 's_POS tuition_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC their_DPS interest-only_AJ0 mortgage_NN1 ._SENT Jeanne_NP0 would_VM0 have_VHI approved_VVN if_CJS she_PNP had_VHD lived_VVN ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD a_AT0 woman_NN1 who_PNQ praised_VVD a_AT0 shirt_NN1 :_PUN it_PNP wears_VVZ like_PRP iron_NN1 ._SENT Who_PNQ lay_VVD on_PRP her_DPS deathbed_NN1 refusing_VVG to_TO0 accept_VVI that_CJT she_PNP was_VBD dying_AJ0 ._SENT As_CJS a_AT0 couple_NN1 ,_PUN Steve_NP0 and_CJC Andrea_NP0 had_VHD staying_AJ0 power_NN1 —_PUN a_AT0 virtue_NN1 Jeanne_NP0 had_VHD prized_VVN more_AV0 than_CJS youth_NN1 ,_PUN beauty_NN1 ,_PUN joy_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC why_AVQ not_XX0 ?_SENT Youth_NN1 ended_VVD ,_PUN beauty_NN1 faded_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC where_AVQ was_VBD joy_NN1 when_CJS you_PNP needed_VVD it_PNP ?_SENT 
Allegra_NP0 Goodman_NP0 on_PRP the_AT0 parents_NN2 of_PRF teens_NN2 ._SENT 
Joy_NP0 was_VBD not_XX0 the_AT0 word_NN1 that_CJT came_VVD to_TO0 mind_VVI when_CJS Andrea_NP0 remembered_VVD her_DPS late_AJ0 mother-in-law_NN1 ._SENT Toward_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF her_DPS life_NN1 ,_PUN Jeanne_NP0 lost_VVD patience_NN1 with_PRP everyone_PNI ,_PUN but_CJC particularly_AV0 with_PRP her_DPS grandsons_NN2 Zach_NP0 and_CJC Nate_NN1 ._SENT Their_DPS high-school_AJ0 teams_NN2 meant_VVD nothing_PNI to_PRP her_PNP ._SENT Their_DPS classes_NN2 ,_PUN friends_NN2 ,_PUN activities_NN2 did_VDD not_XX0 register_VVI ._SENT In_PRP her_DPS delirious_AJ0 last_ORD days_NN2 ,_PUN Jeanne_NP0 kept_VVD asking_VVG Andrea_NP0 why_AVQ her_DPS sons_NN2 did_VDD not_XX0 read_VVI ._SENT Why_AVQ they_PNP did_VDD not_XX0 talk_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ They_PNP do_VDB talk_VVI ,_PUN "_PUQ Andrea_NP0 protested_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC Jeanne_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ But_CJC why_AVQ ca_VM0 n't_XX0 they_PNP carry_VVI on_PRP a_AT0 conversation_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 last_ORD time_NN1 Jeanne_NP0 saw_VVD the_AT0 boys_NN2 ,_PUN she_PNP spoke_VVD obsessively_AV0 of_PRF music_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC kept_VVD asking_VVG Nate_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ What_DTQ do_VDB you_PNP play_VVI ?_SENT "_PUQ She_PNP could_VM0 not_XX0 comprehend_VVI his_DPS answer_NN1 —_PUN soccer_NN1 ._SENT 
No_ITJ ,_PUN Jeanne_NP0 had_VHD not_XX0 been_VBN sympathetic_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC yet_AV0 Andrea_NP0 appreciated_VVD her_PNP ,_PUN now_AV0 that_CJT she_PNP was_VBD gone_VVN ._SENT Was_VBD it_PNP pity_NN1 ?_SENT Was_VBD it_PNP distance_NN1 ?_SENT Was_VBD it_PNP knowing_VVG that_CJT Jeanne_NP0 could_VM0 no_AV0 longer_AV0 hurt_VVN her_PNP ?_SENT Or_CJC was_VBD it_PNP that_CJT Andrea_NP0 's_POS own_DT0 work_NN1 required_VVN such_DT0 extraordinary_AJ0 tact_NN1 ?_SENT Counselling_NN1 students_NN2 and_CJC consoling_AJ0 parents_NN2 ,_PUN Andrea_NP0 looked_VVD back_AVP in_PRP awe_NN1 at_PRP Jeanne_NP0 's_POS breathtaking_AJ0 honesty_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 think_VVI there_EX0 's_VBZ enough_DT0 of_PRF you_PNP in_PRP this_DT0 essay_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Andrea_NP0 told_VVD a_AT0 girl_NN1 named_VVD Lizzie_NP0 ,_PUN but_CJC she_PNP knew_VVD what_DTQ Jeanne_NP0 would_VM0 have_VHI said_VVN ._SENT Oh_ITJ ,_PUN I_PNP disagree_VVB ._SENT The_AT0 less_AV0 said_VVN ,_PUN the_AT0 better_AJC ._SENT 
"_PUQ I_PNP think_VVB she_PNP 'll_VM0 have_VHI good_AJ0 options_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ Andrea_NP0 reassured_VVD Lizzie_NP0 's_POS mother_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 phone_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC she_PNP could_VM0 hear_VVI Jeanne_NP0 ._SENT With_PRP that_DT0 transcript_NN1 ?_SENT 
At_PRP night_NN1 ,_PUN when_CJS Andrea_NP0 heard_VVD Steve_NP0 's_POS heavy_AJ0 footsteps_NN2 ,_PUN she_PNP ascended_VVD the_AT0 stairs_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Hello_ITJ ,_PUN "_PUQ she_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN by_PRP which_DTQ she_PNP meant_VVD how_AVQ was_VBD your_DPS day_NN1 ?_SENT 
"_PUQ Hi_ITJ ,_PUN "_PUQ Steve_NP0 answered_VVD ,_PUN which_DTQ meant_VVD do_VDB n't_XX0 ask_VVI ._SENT 
"_PUQ Did_VDD you_PNP find_VVI the_AT0 other_AJ0 clicker_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 garage-door_AJ0 opener_NN1 was_VBD broken_VVN ._SENT 
Steve_NP0 stared_VVD at_PRP her_PNP as_CJS though_CJS he_PNP had_VHD never_AV0 heard_VVN of_PRF a_AT0 clicker_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC a_AT0 garage_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Are_VBB we_PNP having_VHG dinner_NN1 ?_SENT Or_CJC is_VBZ everyone_PNI just_AV0 fending_VVG for_PRP themselves_PNX ?_SENT "_PUQ 
Andrea_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ You_PNP know_VVB what_DTQ ?_SENT I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 even_AV0 going_VVG to_TO0 answer_VVI that_DT0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Steve_NP0 opened_VVD the_AT0 fridge_NN1 and_CJC gazed_VVD inside_AV0 ._SENT Finally_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP took_VVD out_AVP the_AT0 remains_NN2 of_PRF Nate_NN1 's_POS birthday_NN1 cake_NN1 and_CJC cut_VVB himself_PNX an_AT0 enormous_AJ0 slice_NN1 ._SENT You_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 need_VVI that_DT0 ._SENT 
It_PNP was_VBD strange_AJ0 ,_PUN hearing_VVG your_DPS mother-in-law_NN1 like_PRP a_AT0 Greek_AJ0 chorus_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 kitchen_NN1 ._SENT Weird_AJ0 ,_PUN tragic_AJ0 ,_PUN gothic_AJ0 ,_PUN which_DTQ did_VDD n't_XX0 match_VVI their_DPS sixties_CRD split-level_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC there_AV0 she_PNP was_VBD ._SENT 
There_EX0 had_VHD been_VBN a_AT0 time_NN1 when_AVQ Jeanne_NP0 regularly_AV0 brought_VVD Andrea_NP0 to_PRP tears_NN2 ._SENT Then_AV0 Steve_NP0 would_VM0 say_VVI ,_PUN The_AT0 truth_NN1 is_VBZ ,_PUN my_DPS mom_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 good_AJ0 person_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC she_PNP has_VHZ no_AT0 filter_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC Andrea_NP0 would_VM0 say_VVI ,_PUN She_PNP hates_VVZ me_PNP ._SENT And_CJC Steve_NP0 would_VM0 say_VVI ,_PUN No_ITJ !_SENT How_AVQ could_VM0 anybody_PNI hate_VVI you_PNP ?_SENT These_DT0 were_VBD their_DPS actual_AJ0 conversations_NN2 ._SENT Now_AV0 Andrea_NP0 stood_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 kitchen_NN1 doorway_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC Jeanne_NP0 hovered_VVD at_PRP her_DPS shoulder_NN1 ._SENT Bad_AJ0 habit_NN1 ,_PUN guilty_AJ0 pleasure_NN1 ,_PUN good_AJ0 without_PRP a_AT0 filter_NN1 ._SENT 
Meanwhile_AV0 ,_PUN Steve_NP0 ate_VVD the_AT0 cake_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP its_DPS thick_AJ0 slab_NN1 of_PRF buttercream_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Where_AVQ 's_VBZ Nate_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ 
Andrea_NP0 glanced_VVD down_AVP at_PRP the_AT0 tiled_AJ0 entryway_NN1 ._SENT His_DPS cleats_NN2 were_VBD lying_VVG by_PRP the_AT0 door_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC his_DPS sneakers_NN2 were_VBD missing_VVG ,_PUN which_DTQ meant_VVD he_PNP was_VBD with_PRP Mackenzie_NP0 ,_PUN his_DPS girlfriend_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC what_DTQ were_VBD they_PNP doing_VDG ?_SENT Not_XX0 college_NN1 applications_NN2 ._SENT Yes_ITJ ,_PUN while_CJS Andrea_NP0 built_VVD spreadsheets_NN2 and_CJC schedules_NN2 with_PRP some_DT0 of_PRF Nate_NP0 's_POS classmates_NN2 ,_PUN he_PNP rejected_VVD such_DT0 prosaic_AJ0 methods_NN2 ._SENT He_PNP had_VHD joy_NN1 to_TO0 spare_VVI ,_PUN and_CJC very_AV0 little_AJ0 sense_NN1 of_PRF time_NN1 ._SENT His_DPS parents_NN2 worried_VVD ,_PUN disapproved_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC envied_VVD him_PNP ._SENT 
"_PUQ Was_VBD n't_XX0 he_PNP supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI here_AV0 after_PRP practice_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ Steve_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT 
"_PUQ I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 know_VVI ._SENT I_PNP 've_VHB been_VBN working_VVG ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Well_AV0 ,_PUN so_AV0 have_VHB I_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ Steve_NP0 carried_VVD his_DPS plate_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 kitchen_NN1 counter_NN1 ._SENT (_PUL No_AT0 one_CRD but_CJC Andrea_NP0 ever_AV0 opened_VVD the_AT0 dishwasher_NN1 ._SENT )_PUR "_PUQ You_PNP should_VM0 talk_VVI to_PRP him_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ I_PNP tried_VVD !_SENT "_PUQ 
Steve_NP0 could_VM0 have_VHI answered_VVN this_DT0 ._SENT He_PNP could_VM0 have_VHI said_VVN ,_PUN Why_AVQ are_VBB you_PNP shouting_VVG ?_SENT But_CJC he_PNP was_VBD beyond_PRP bickering_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP sank_VVD down_AVP on_PRP the_AT0 couch_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 living_AJ0 room_NN1 and_CJC closed_VVD his_DPS eyes_NN2 ,_PUN because_CJS if_CJS exhaustion_NN1 were_VBD a_AT0 competition_NN1 he_PNP would_VM0 win_VVI ._SENT Andrea_NP0 got_VVD to_TO0 set_VVI her_DPS own_DT0 hours_NN2 ,_PUN while_CJS he_PNP sifted_VVD ashes_NN2 nine_CRD to_PRP six_CRD at_PRP Hillier-Nelson_NP0 ,_PUN where_AVQ scarcely_AV0 anyone_PNI remained_VVD and_CJC Steve_NP0 awaited_VVD termination_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 working_AJ0 dead_AJ0 ,_PUN his_DPS projects_NN2 cancelled_VVD ,_PUN his_DPS assistant_NN1 fired_VVD ._SENT He_PNP had_VHD nothing_PNI left_VVN —_PUN not_XX0 even_AV0 survivor_NN1 's_POS guilt_NN1 ._SENT At_PRP one_CRD time_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP had_VHD acquired_VVN books_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Composition_NN1 Across_PRP the_AT0 Curriculum_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ "_PUQ Writing_VVG for_PRP Everyone_PNI ._SENT "_PUQ As_CJS a_AT0 senior_AJ0 editor_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP had_VHD shepherded_VVN each_DT0 manuscript_NN1 to_PRP publication_NN1 ._SENT Now_AV0 he_PNP thought_VVD only_AV0 of_PRF his_DPS severance_NN1 package_NN1 ._SENT No_ITJ ,_PUN that_DT0 was_VBD n't_XX0 true_AJ0 ._SENT He_PNP mourned_VVD his_DPS house_NN1 —_PUN once_AV0 proud_AJ0 ,_PUN once_AV0 famous_AJ0 —_PUN merging_VVG ,_PUN swelling_VVG ,_PUN and_CJC then_AV0 collapsing_VVG like_PRP a_AT0 dying_AJ0 star_NN1 ,_PUN retrenching_VVG to_PRP the_AT0 backlist_NN1 ,_PUN selling_VVG dead_AJ0 authors_NN2 ,_PUN then_AV0 giving_VVG up_AVP entirely_AV0 on_PRP print_NN1 editions_NN2 ._SENT 
Eyes_NN2 closing_VVG ,_PUN he_PNP dreamed_VVD lightly_AV0 of_PRF new_AJ0 titles_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Research_NN1 Across_PRP the_AT0 Universe_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ "_PUQ Writing_VVG Without_PRP Readers_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ He_PNP saw_VVD paper_NN1 and_CJC black_AJ0 print_NN1 and_CJC poetry_NN1 ,_PUN his_DPS first_ORD love_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 yellow_AJ0 wood_NN1 he_PNP had_VHD forsaken_VVN ._SENT 
The_AT0 room_NN1 chilled_VVN ;_PUN the_AT0 windy_AJ0 night_NN1 rushed_VVD in_AVP ._SENT Steve_NP0 started_VVD up_AVP ._SENT "_PUQ Nate_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ What_DTQ ?_SENT "_PUQ His_DPS son_NN1 was_VBD already_AV0 bounding_VVG up_AVP the_AT0 stairs_NN2 ._SENT He_PNP was_VBD always_AV0 bounding_VVG ,_PUN jumping_VVG ,_PUN hair_NN1 flopping_VVG in_PRP his_DPS face_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ What_DTQ day_NN1 is_VBZ it_PNP ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Thursday_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ Nate_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT 
"_PUQ No_ITJ ,_PUN tell_VVB me_PNP the_AT0 date_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ October_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ It_PNP 's_VBZ October_NP0 the_AT0 eleventh_ORD ,_PUN "_PUQ Steve_NP0 informed_VVD his_DPS son_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ O.K._AJ0 "_PUQ Nate_NN1 smiled_VVD ,_PUN gracious_AJ0 and_CJC a_AT0 little_AV0 condescending_AJ0 ,_PUN as_CJS if_CJS to_TO0 say_VVI ,_PUN I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 gonna_NN1 argue_VVB ._SENT 
"_PUQ So_AV0 ,_PUN when_AVQ are_VBB you_PNP going_VVG to_TO0 work_VVI with_PRP Mom_NN1 on_PRP applications_NN2 ?_SENT "_PUQ Nate_NP0 did_VDD n't_XX0 answer_VVI ,_PUN because_CJS ,_PUN of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP had_VHD no_AT0 intention_NN1 of_PRF working_VVG with_PRP his_DPS mom_NN1 on_PRP anything_PNI ._SENT Other_AJ0 people_NN0 paid_VVD good_AJ0 money_NN1 for_PRP her_DPS services_NN2 ._SENT Parents_NN2 and_CJC students_NN2 testified_VVN to_PRP Andrea_NP0 's_POS insight_NN1 ,_PUN her_DPS compassionate_AJ0 approach_NN1 ._SENT No_AT0 way_NN1 did_VDD Nate_NN1 want_VVB any_DT0 part_NN1 of_PRF that_DT0 ._SENT He_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 know_VVI he_PNP needed_VVD an_AT0 edge_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP had_VHD good_AJ0 grades_NN2 ,_PUN great_AJ0 scores_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC he_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 pretty_AJ0 decent_AJ0 athlete_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC he_PNP had_VHD won_VVN no_AT0 prizes_NN2 ;_PUN nobody_PNI was_VBD scouting_VVG him_PNP ._SENT Obviously_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP needed_VVD all_DT0 the_AT0 help_NN1 that_CJT he_PNP could_VM0 get_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ Just_AV0 use_VVB your_DPS common_AJ0 sense_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Steve_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT Unfortunately_AV0 ,_PUN Nate_NP0 did_VDD not_XX0 have_VHI any_DT0 ._SENT He_PNP was_VBD applying_VVG to_PRP Brown_NP0 on_PRP November_NP0 1st_ORD ,_PUN and_CJC he_PNP had_VHD not_XX0 started_VVN his_DPS essays_NN2 —_PUN or_CJC so_AV0 he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT Secretly_AV0 ,_PUN Steve_NP0 hoped_VVD his_DPS son_NN1 was_VBD going_VVG it_PNP alone_AV0 ,_PUN crafting_VVG a_AT0 brilliant_AJ0 piece_NN1 of_PRF writing_NN1 ._SENT Nate_NP0 cultivated_VVD a_AT0 careless_AJ0 look_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC he_PNP was_VBD more_AV0 thoughtful_AJ0 than_CJS he_PNP appeared_VVD ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD what_DTQ Steve_NP0 had_VHD always_AV0 told_VVN his_DPS own_DT0 mother_NN1 ._SENT 
Jeanne_NP0 never_AV0 disputed_VVD the_AT0 point_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP just_AV0 said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ He_PNP should_VM0 play_VVI an_AT0 instrument_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ As_CJS a_AT0 violinist_NN1 ,_PUN Jeanne_NP0 saw_VVD music_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 sign_NN1 of_PRF character_NN1 as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS competence_NN1 ._SENT Steve_NP0 had_VHD labored_VVN at_PRP the_AT0 piano_NN1 all_DT0 his_DPS childhood_NN1 ,_PUN practicing_VVG alone_AV0 ,_PUN then_AV0 with_PRP his_DPS brother_NN1 ,_PUN who_PNQ had_VHD it_PNP even_AV0 worse_AJC ,_PUN sawing_VVG his_DPS small_AJ0 ,_PUN gloomy_AJ0 cello_NN1 ._SENT Beethoven_NP0 should_VM0 have_VHI been_VBN their_DPS birthright_NN1 ,_PUN except_CJS that_CJT they_PNP had_VHD no_AT0 talent_NN1 or_CJC motivation_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 great_AJ0 day_NN1 when_CJS their_DPS father_NN1 announced_VVD that_CJT they_PNP could_VM0 stop_VVI ,_PUN indeed_AV0 that_CJT they_PNP should_VM0 stop_VVI playing_VVG ,_PUN for_PRP the_AT0 good_NN1 of_PRF everyone_PNI around_PRP them_PNP ._SENT Jeanne_NP0 had_VHD never_AV0 entirely_AV0 forgiven_VVN him_PNP for_PRP that_DT0 ,_PUN just_AV0 as_CJS her_DPS sons_NN2 had_VHD never_AV0 entirely_AV0 forgiven_VVN her_PNP for_PRP forcing_VVG lessons_NN2 on_PRP them_PNP all_DT0 those_DT0 years_NN2 ._SENT Steve_NP0 refused_VVD to_TO0 repeat_VVI the_AT0 experiment_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC his_DPS sons_NN2 grew_VVD up_AVP happy_AJ0 to_PRP a_AT0 fault_NN1 ._SENT Zach_NP0 was_VBD now_AV0 at_PRP Rutgers_NP0 ,_PUN mostly_AV0 playing_VVG rugby_NN1 ._SENT Nate_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ really_AV0 was_VBD quite_AV0 bright_AJ0 ,_PUN was_VBD gliding_VVG through_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF high_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN last-minuting_VVG every_AT0 assignment_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ You_PNP have_VHB to_TO0 start_VVI ,_PUN "_PUQ Andrea_NP0 told_VVD Nate_NN1 the_AT0 next_ORD morning_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ You_PNP have_VHB to_TO0 put_VVI some_DT0 time_NN1 in_AVP ._SENT You_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 just_AV0 close_VVI your_DPS eyes_NN2 and_CJC say_VVB ,_PUN '_PUQ I_PNP 'm_VBB gonna_AJ0 get_VVB into_PRP Brown_NP0 ._SENT '_PUQ "_PUQ 
"_PUQ You_PNP have_VHB an_AT0 in-house_AJ0 college_NN1 counsellor_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Steve_NP0 added_VVD ,_PUN but_CJC Nate_NN1 was_VBD rushing_VVG ,_PUN gathering_VVG his_DPS stuff_NN1 for_PRP school_NN1 ._SENT Notebook_NN1 ,_PUN laptop_NN1 ,_PUN graphing_AJ0 calculator_NN1 ._SENT 
When_CJS Andrea_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ You_PNP 're_VBB just_AV0 leaving_VVG your_DPS bowl_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 table_NN1 ?_SENT ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP clattered_VVD cereal_NN1 bowl_NN1 and_CJC spoon_NN1 into_PRP the_AT0 sink_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Do_VDB n't_XX0 break_VVI it_PNP !_SENT "_PUQ she_PNP snapped_VVD as_CJS he_PNP ran_VVD down_AVP the_AT0 stairs_NN2 and_CJC out_AVP the_AT0 door_NN1 ._SENT 
Then_AV0 Steve_NP0 told_VVD Andrea_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ You_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 have_VHI to_TO0 yell_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ 
She_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ That_DT0 was_VBD n't_XX0 me_PNP ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD your_DPS mother_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Andrea_NP0 had_VHD to_TO0 make_VVI a_AT0 conscious_AJ0 effort_NN1 to_TO0 block_VVI Jeanne_NP0 's_POS voice_NN1 ,_PUN because_CJS she_PNP could_VM0 not_XX0 speak_VVI that_DT0 way_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD not_XX0 so_AV0 old_AJ0 ,_PUN or_CJC so_AV0 angry_AJ0 ,_PUN or_CJC so_AV0 bitter_AJ0 ._SENT Nevertheless_AV0 ,_PUN Jeanne_NP0 tempted_VVD her_PNP ._SENT 
A_AT0 student_NN1 named_VVN Jonah_NP0 came_VVD to_PRP her_DPS that_DT0 afternoon_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC at_PRP one_CRD point_NN1 he_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 going_VVG to_TO0 get_VVI in_PRP anywhere_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Andrea_NP0 whipped_VVD off_AVP her_DPS reading_NN1 glasses_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ We_PNP will_VM0 build_VVI a_AT0 list_NN1 of_PRF schools_NN2 that_CJT are_VBB right_AJ0 for_PRP you_PNP !_SENT "_PUQ Of_PRF course_NN1 there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 school_NN1 for_PRP everybody_PNI ,_PUN even_AV0 the_AT0 worst_AJS student_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD absolutely_AV0 a_AT0 college_NN1 out_AVP there_AV0 ._SENT A_AT0 lid_NN1 for_PRP every_AT0 pot_NN1 ,_PUN Jeanne_NP0 whispered_VVD ._SENT 
Too_AV0 cynical_AJ0 ._SENT Too_AV0 true_AJ0 ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ not_XX0 who_PNQ I_PNP am_VBB ,_PUN Andrea_NP0 told_VVD her_DPS mother-in-law_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP never_AV0 even_AV0 liked_VVD you_PNP ._SENT Yes_ITJ ,_PUN I_PNP know_VVB ,_PUN she_PNP heard_VVD Jeanne_NP0 answer_NN1 ._SENT Sometimes_AV0 Andrea_NP0 hummed_VVD to_TO0 drown_VVI Jeanne_NP0 out_AVP ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP was_VBD difficult_AJ0 ._SENT She_PNP felt_VVD haunted_AJ0 ,_PUN although_CJS she_PNP did_VDD not_XX0 believe_VVI in_PRP ghosts_NN2 ._SENT Jeanne_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 ,_PUN either_AV0 ._SENT 
On_PRP November_NP0 1st_ORD ,_PUN Andrea_NP0 made_VVD a_AT0 supreme_AJ0 effort_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS she_PNP saw_VVD Steve_NP0 digging_VVG into_PRP the_AT0 leftover_AJ0 Halloween_NN1 candy_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP did_VDD not_XX0 say_VVI a_AT0 thing_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS Nate_NN1 skipped_VVD school_NN1 to_TO0 write_VVI his_DPS application_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP did_VDD not_XX0 say_VVI ,_PUN Oh_ITJ ,_PUN now_AV0 you_PNP 're_VBB trying_VVG to_TO0 do_VDI it_PNP all_DT0 on_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD day_NN1 ?_SENT Her_DPS clients_NN2 had_VHD already_AV0 submitted_VVN ._SENT They_PNP had_VHD completed_VVN the_AT0 process_NN1 a_AT0 week_NN1 ago_AV0 ._SENT Meanwhile_AV0 ,_PUN her_DPS son_NN1 holed_VVD up_AVP in_PRP his_DPS room_NN1 ._SENT 
Andrea_NP0 stood_VVD outside_PRP his_DPS door_NN1 and_CJC begged_VVD to_TO0 help_VVI —_PUN but_CJC he_PNP would_VM0 not_XX0 relent_VVI ._SENT Hours_NN2 passed_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC she_PNP could_VM0 hear_VVI Nate_NN1 typing_NN1 ._SENT Half_DT0 a_AT0 day_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC she_PNP worked_VVD down_AVP in_PRP her_DPS office_NN1 ._SENT Leave_VVB him_PNP alone_AV0 ,_PUN she_PNP told_VVD herself_PNX ._SENT No_ITJ more_AV0 pleading_VVG or_CJC berating_VVG ._SENT All_AV0 she_PNP did_VDD was_VBD slip_VVI her_DPS Essay_NN1 Guidelines_NN2 under_PRP Nate_NP0 's_POS door_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD a_AT0 two-page_AJ0 handout_NN1 that_CJT included_VVD topics_NN2 to_TO0 avoid_VVI :_PUN 
1._CRD Death_NN1 of_PRF pet_NN1 
2._CRD Divorce_NN1 of_PRF parents_NN2 
3._CRD Sports_NN2 injury_NN1 
4._CRD Drugs_NN2 ,_PUN alcohol_NN1 ,_PUN mental_AJ0 health_NN1 ,_PUN cancer_NN1 
5._CRD Challenge_NN1 you_PNP have_VHB overcome_VVN ,_PUN if_CJS it_PNP 's_VBZ one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 above_AV0 
Actually_AV0 ,_PUN Andrea_NP0 steered_VVD her_DPS students_NN2 away_AV0 from_PRP writing_VVG about_PRP challenges_NN2 of_PRF any_DT0 kind_NN1 ._SENT Asian_AJ0 ,_PUN Jewish_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC just_AV0 plain_AJ0 white_NN1 ,_PUN her_DPS kids_NN2 had_VHD real_AJ0 troubles_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC they_PNP were_VBD not_XX0 homeless_AJ0 ,_PUN stateless_AJ0 ,_PUN or_CJC first-gen_AJ0 anything_PNI ._SENT They_PNP had_VHD not_XX0 walked_VVN across_PRP Sudan_NP0 to_PRP freedom_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC escaped_VVD the_AT0 killing_NN1 fields_NN2 ,_PUN or_CJC lived_VVD as_PRP refugees_NN2 ._SENT Some_DT0 had_VHD parents_NN2 or_CJC grandparents_NN2 who_PNQ had_VHD done_VDN these_DT0 things_NN2 ._SENT Nate_NP0 's_POS own_DT0 grandfather_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN a_AT0 Holocaust_NP0 survivor_NN1 who_PNQ had_VHD rebuilt_VVN his_DPS life_NN1 ,_PUN working_VVG his_DPS way_NN1 through_PRP college_NN1 and_CJC then_AV0 law_NN1 school_NN1 —_PUN but_CJC ,_PUN to_TO0 state_VVI the_AT0 obvious_AJ0 ,_PUN Zeyde_NP0 was_VBD not_XX0 the_AT0 one_PNI applying_VVG ._SENT (_PUL Andrea_NP0 's_POS sixth_ORD topic_NN1 to_TO0 avoid_VVI was_VBD "_PUQ Impressive_AJ0 relatives_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ )_PUR Demographically_AV0 ,_PUN a_AT0 kid_NN1 like_PRP Nate_NN1 just_AV0 could_VM0 n't_XX0 win_VVI ._SENT All_AV0 he_PNP could_VM0 do_VDI was_VBD write_VVI with_PRP wit_NN1 ,_PUN humility_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC self-knowledge_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC hope_VVB that_CJT someone_PNI would_VM0 take_VVI a_AT0 second_ORD look_NN1 at_PRP him_PNP ._SENT 
At_PRP dinnertime_NN1 ,_PUN Nate_NN1 emerged_VVD to_TO0 refuel_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 kitchen_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP toasted_VVD two_CRD bagels_NN2 and_CJC smothered_VVD them_PNP with_PRP cream_NN1 cheese_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ melted_VVD through_PRP the_AT0 holes_NN2 ._SENT 
"_PUQ How_AVQ are_VBB you_PNP doing_VDG ?_SENT "_PUQ Andrea_NP0 asked_VVD ,_PUN as_CJS he_PNP licked_VVD his_DPS fingers_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Do_VDB you_PNP want_VVI me_PNP to_TO0 look_VVI ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ No._NN1 "_PUQ 
The_AT0 garage_NN1 door_NN1 was_VBD rumbling_VVG open_AJ0 ,_PUN now_AV0 that_CJT they_PNP had_VHD found_VVN the_AT0 other_AJ0 clicker_NN1 ._SENT Steve_NP0 thumped_VVD up_AVP the_AT0 stairs_NN2 and_CJC said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ Hey_ITJ ,_PUN Nate_NN1 ._SENT How_AVQ 's_VBZ it_PNP going_VVG ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ O.K._AJ0 "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Taking_VVG a_AT0 break_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Yeah_ITJ ._SENT "_PUQ 
