7_CRD 
This_DT0 Summer_NN1 
AS_CJS SOON_AV0 AS_CJS the_AT0 plane_NN1 touches_VVZ down_AVP ,_PUN the_AT0 four_CRD babies_NN2 that_CJT spent_VVD the_AT0 full_AJ0 six-hour_AJ0 flight_NN1 screaming_VVG stop_NN1 at_PRP once_AV0 ._SENT 
I_PNP slip_VVB my_DPS phone_NN1 from_PRP my_DPS purse_NN1 and_CJC turn_VVB off_AVP airplane_NN1 mode_NN1 ,_PUN waiting_VVG out_AVP the_AT0 flood_NN1 of_PRF incoming_AJ0 text_NN1 messages_NN2 from_PRP Rachel_NP0 ,_PUN Garrett_NP0 ,_PUN Mom_NN1 ,_PUN David_NP0 Nilsen_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC —_PUN last_ORD but_CJC absolutely_AV0 not_XX0 least_AV0 —_PUN Alex_NP0 ._SENT 
Rachel_NP0 says_VVZ ,_PUN in_PRP three_CRD different_AJ0 ways_NN2 ,_PUN to_TO0 please_AV0 let_VVI her_PNP know_VVI as_CJS soon_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP land_VVB that_CJT my_DPS plane_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX0 crash_VVI or_CJC get_VVI sucked_VVN into_PRP the_AT0 Bermuda_NP0 Triangle_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC that_CJT she_PNP 's_VBZ both_AV0 praying_VVG for_PRP and_CJC manifesting_VVG a_AT0 safe_AJ0 landing_NN1 for_PRP me_PNP ._SENT 
Safe_AJ0 and_CJC sound_AJ0 and_CJC already_AV0 missing_VVG you_PNP ,_PUN I_PNP tell_VVB her_PNP ,_PUN then_AV0 I_PNP open_VVB up_AVP the_AT0 message_NN1 from_PRP Garrett_NP0 ._SENT 
Thank_VVB you_PNP SO_AV0 MUCH_AV0 for_PRP not_XX0 taking_VVG Santorini_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP writes_VVZ ,_PUN then_AV0 ,_PUN in_PRP a_AT0 separate_AJ0 message_NN1 :_PUN Also_AV0 ..._PUN Pretty_AV0 weird_AJ0 decision_NN1 IMHO_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP hope_VVB you_PNP 're_VBB okay_AJ0 ..._PUN 
I_PNP 'm_VBB fine_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP tell_VVB him_PNP ._SENT I_PNP just_AV0 had_VHD a_AT0 wedding_NN1 come_VVB up_AVP last_ORD minute_NN1 and_CJC Santorini_NN1 was_VBD your_DPS idea_NN1 ._SENT Send_VVB me_PNP lots_PNI of_PRF pics_NN2 so_CJS I_PNP can_VM0 regret_VVI my_DPS life_NN1 choices_NN2 ?_SENT 
Next_ORD ,_PUN I_PNP open_VVB the_AT0 message_NN1 from_PRP David_NP0 :_PUN SO_AV0 happy_AJ0 you_PNP 're_VBB coming_VVG with_PRP Al_NP0 !_SENT Tham_NP0 's_VBZ excited_AJ0 to_TO0 meet_VVI you_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC of_PRF course_NN1 you_PNP are_VBB invited_VVN to_PRP EVERYTHING_PNI ._SENT 
Of_PRF all_DT0 of_PRF Alex_NP0 's_POS brothers_NN2 ,_PUN David_NP0 has_VHZ always_AV0 been_VBN my_DPS favorite_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC it_PNP 's_VBZ hard_AJ0 to_TO0 believe_VVI he_PNP 's_VBZ old_AJ0 enough_AV0 to_TO0 get_VVI married_AJ0 ._SENT 
Then_AV0 again_AV0 ,_PUN when_CJS I_PNP said_VVD that_CJT to_PRP Alex_NP0 ,_PUN he_PNP texted_VVD back_AVP ,_PUN Twenty-four_CRD ._SENT I_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 imagine_VVI making_VVG a_AT0 decision_NN1 like_PRP that_DT0 at_PRP that_DT0 age_NN1 but_CJC all_DT0 my_DPS brothers_NN2 got_VVD married_AJ0 young_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC Tham_NP0 's_VBZ great_AJ0 ._SENT My_DPS dad_NN1 's_VBZ even_AV0 on_PRP board_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP got_VVD a_AT0 bumper_AJ0 sticker_NN1 that_CJT says_VVZ I_PNP 'M_VBB A_AT0 PROUD_AJ0 CHRIST_NP0 FOLLOWER_NN1 WHO_PNQ LOVES_VVZ MY_DPS GAY_AJ0 SON_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP snorted_VVD laughter_NN1 into_PRP my_DPS coffee_NN1 as_CJS I_PNP read_VVB that_DT0 one_PNI ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD so_AV0 supremely_AV0 Mr._NP0 Nilsen_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC also_AV0 perfectly_AV0 played_VVN into_PRP Alex_NP0 's_POS and_CJC my_DPS running_AJ0 joke_NN1 about_PRP David_NP0 being_VBG the_AT0 family_NN1 favorite_NN1 ._SENT Alex_NP0 had_VHD n't_XX0 even_AV0 been_VBN allowed_VVN to_TO0 listen_VVI to_PRP secular_AJ0 music_NN1 until_CJS he_PNP was_VBD in_PRP high_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC when_CJS he_PNP decided_VVD to_TO0 go_VVI to_PRP a_AT0 secular_AJ0 university_NN1 ,_PUN there_EX0 had_VHD been_VBN weeping_VVG ._SENT 
In_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 ,_PUN though_AV0 ,_PUN Mr._NP0 Nilsen_NP0 really_AV0 did_VDD love_VVI his_DPS sons_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC so_AV0 he_PNP pretty_AV0 much_AV0 always_AV0 came_VVD around_AVP on_PRP matters_NN2 that_CJT concerned_VVD their_DPS happiness_NN1 ._SENT 
If_CJS you_PNP 'd_VHD gotten_VVN married_VVN at_PRP twenty-four_CRD ,_PUN you_PNP 'd_VM0 be_VBI married_VVN to_PRP Sarah_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP texted_VVD Alex_NP0 ._SENT 
You_PNP 'd_VM0 be_VBI married_VVN to_PRP Guillermo_NP0 ,_PUN he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT 
I_PNP sent_VVD him_PNP back_AVP one_CRD of_PRF his_DPS own_DT0 Sad_AJ0 Puppy_NN1 selfies_NN2 ._SENT 
Please_AV0 tell_VVB me_PNP you_PNP 're_VBB not_XX0 still_AV0 carrying_VVG a_AT0 torch_NN1 for_PRP that_DT0 dick_NN1 ,_PUN Alex_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT 
The_AT0 two_CRD of_PRF them_PNP had_VHD never_AV0 gotten_VVN along_AVP ._SENT 
Of_PRF course_NN1 not_XX0 ,_PUN I_PNP wrote_VVD back_AVP ._SENT But_CJC Gui_NP0 and_CJC I_PNP were_VBD n't_XX0 the_AT0 ones_NN2 in_PRP a_AT0 torturous_AJ0 on-and-off_AJ0 relationship_NN1 ._SENT That_DT0 was_VBD you_PNP and_CJC Sarah_NP0 ._SENT 
Alex_NP0 typed_VVD and_CJC stopped_VVD typing_VVG so_AV0 many_DT0 times_NN2 I_PNP started_VVD to_TO0 wonder_VVI if_CJS he_PNP was_VBD doing_VDG it_PNP just_AV0 to_TO0 annoy_VVI me_PNP ._SENT 
But_CJC that_DT0 was_VBD the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF that_DT0 conversation_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS he_PNP next_ORD texted_VVD me_PNP ,_PUN the_AT0 following_AJ0 day_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD with_PRP a_AT0 non_AJ0 sequitur_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 picture_NN1 of_PRF BeDazzled_AJ0 black_AJ0 robes_NN2 that_CJT said_VVD SPA_NN1 BITCH_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 ._SENT 
Summer_NN1 Trip_NN1 Uniform_NN1 ?_SENT he_PNP wrote_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC we_PNP 've_VHB dodged_VVN the_AT0 topic_NN1 of_PRF Sarah_NP0 ever_AV0 since_AV0 ,_PUN which_DTQ makes_VVZ it_PNP pretty_AV0 damn_AV0 clear_AJ0 to_PRP me_PNP that_CJT there_EX0 's_VBZ something_PNI going_VVG on_AVP between_PRP them_PNP ._SENT Again_AV0 ._SENT 
Now_AV0 ,_PUN sitting_VVG on_PRP the_AT0 cramped_AJ0 and_CJC sweltering_AJ0 plane_NN1 ,_PUN taxiing_VVG toward_PRP LAX_AJ0 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 post-baby-scream_AJ0 silence_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP still_AV0 makes_VVZ me_PNP a_AT0 little_AV0 sick_AJ0 to_TO0 think_VVI about_AVP ._SENT Sarah_NP0 and_CJC I_PNP have_VHB never_AV0 been_VBN each_DT0 other_NN1 's_POS biggest_AJS fans_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP doubt_VVB she_PNP 'd_VM0 approve_VVI of_PRF Alex_NP0 taking_VVG another_DT0 trip_NN1 with_PRP me_PNP if_CJS they_PNP were_VBD back_AVP together_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC if_CJS they_PNP are_VBB n't_XX0 properly_AV0 but_CJC are_VBB on_PRP their_DPS way_NN1 to_PRP being_VBG ,_PUN then_AV0 this_DT0 could_VM0 very_AV0 well_AV0 be_VBI the_AT0 last_ORD summer_NN1 trip_NN1 ._SENT 
They_PNP 'd_VM0 get_VVI married_AJ0 ,_PUN start_VVB having_VHG kids_NN2 ,_PUN take_VVB their_DPS whole_AJ0 family_NN1 to_PRP Disney_NP0 World_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC she_PNP and_CJC I_PNP would_VM0 never_AV0 be_VBI close_AJ0 enough_AV0 for_PRP me_PNP to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 real_AJ0 part_NN1 of_PRF Alex_NP0 's_POS life_NN1 anymore_AV0 ._SENT 
I_PNP push_VVB the_AT0 thought_NN1 away_AV0 and_CJC answer_VVI David_NP0 's_POS text_NN1 message_NN1 :_PUN I_PNP 'M_VBB SO_AV0 EXCITED_VVN AND_CJC HONORED_VVD THAT_CJT I_PNP GET_VVB TO_TO0 BE_VBI THERE_AV0 !_SENT 
He_PNP sends_VVZ back_AVP a_AT0 gif_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 dancing_AJ0 bear_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP tap_VVB open_VVB the_AT0 text_NN1 from_PRP my_DPS mom_NN1 next_ORD ._SENT 
Give_VVB Alex_NP0 a_AT0 big_AJ0 hug_NN1 and_CJC kiss_NN1 for_PRP me_PNP :_PUN )_PUR ,_PUN she_PNP writes_VVZ ,_PUN with_PRP the_AT0 smiley_AJ0 face_NN1 typed_VVD out_AVP ._SENT She_PNP never_AV0 remembers_VVZ how_AVQ to_TO0 use_VVI emojis_NN1 and_CJC becomes_VVZ impatient_AJ0 immediately_AV0 when_CJS I_PNP try_VVB to_TO0 show_VVI her_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP can_VM0 type_VVI them_PNP out_AVP just_AV0 fine_AJ0 !_SENT "_PUQ she_PNP insists_VVZ ._SENT 
My_DPS parents_NN2 :_PUN not_XX0 the_AT0 biggest_AJS fans_NN2 of_PRF change_NN1 ._SENT 
Do_VDB you_PNP want_VVI me_PNP to_TO0 grab_VVI his_DPS butt_NN1 while_CJS I_PNP 'm_VBB at_PRP it_PNP ?_SENT I_PNP write_VVB back_AVP to_PRP her_PNP ._SENT 
If_CJS you_PNP think_VVB that_DT0 will_VM0 work_VVI ,_PUN she_PNP replies_VVZ ._SENT I_PNP 'm_VBB getting_VVG tired_AJ0 of_PRF waiting_VVG for_PRP grandbabies_NN2 ._SENT 
I_PNP roll_VVB my_DPS eyes_NN2 and_CJC exit_NN1 out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 message_NN1 ._SENT Mom_NN1 has_VHZ always_AV0 adored_VVN Alex_NP0 ,_PUN at_PRP least_AV0 partly_AV0 because_CJS he_PNP moved_VVD back_AVP to_PRP Linfield_NP0 and_CJC she_PNP 's_VBZ hoping_VVG we_PNP 'll_VM0 wake_VVI up_AVP one_CRD day_NN1 and_CJC realize_VVB we_PNP 're_VBB in_PRP love_NN1 with_PRP each_DT0 other_AJ0 and_CJC I_PNP 'll_VM0 move_VVI back_AVP too_AV0 and_CJC get_VVB pregnant_AJ0 immediately_AV0 ._SENT My_DPS father_NN1 ,_PUN on_PRP the_AT0 other_AJ0 hand_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ a_AT0 doting_AJ0 but_CJC intimidating_AJ0 man_NN1 who_PNQ has_VHZ always_AV0 terrified_VVN Alex_NP0 so_AV0 much_AV0 that_CJT he_PNP 's_VBZ never_AV0 let_VVN one_CRD ounce_NN1 of_PRF personality_NN1 out_AVP while_CJS in_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 room_NN1 as_PRP Dad_NN1 ._SENT 
He_PNP 's_VBZ brawny_AJ0 with_PRP a_AT0 booming_AJ0 voice_NN1 ,_PUN mildly_AV0 handy_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 way_NN1 so_AV0 many_DT0 men_NN2 of_PRF his_DPS generation_NN1 are_VBB ,_PUN and_CJC he_PNP has_VHZ a_AT0 tendency_NN1 to_TO0 ask_VVI a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF blunt_AJ0 ,_PUN bordering-on-inappropriate_AJ0 questions_NN2 ._SENT Not_XX0 because_CJS he_PNP 's_VBZ hoping_VVG for_PRP a_AT0 certain_AJ0 response_NN1 but_CJC because_CJS he_PNP 's_VBZ curious_AJ0 and_CJC not_XX0 very_AV0 self-aware_AJ0 ._SENT 
He_PNP is_VBZ also_AV0 ,_PUN like_PRP all_DT0 members_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 Wright_NP0 family_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 amazing_AJ0 at_PRP modulating_VVG his_DPS voice_NN1 ._SENT To_PRP a_AT0 stranger_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS mother_NN1 shouting_VVG "_PUQ Have_VHB you_PNP tried_VVN these_DT0 grapes_NN2 that_CJT taste_VVB like_PRP cotton_NN1 candy_NN1 ?_SENT Oh_ITJ ,_PUN you_PNP 'll_VM0 love_VVI them_PNP !_SENT Here_AV0 ,_PUN let_VVB me_PNP wash_VVI some_DT0 off_AVP for_PRP you_PNP !_SENT Oh_ITJ ,_PUN let_VVB me_PNP wash_VVI a_AT0 bowl_NN1 first_ORD ._SENT Oh_ITJ ,_PUN no_ITJ ,_PUN all_DT0 our_DPS bowls_NN2 are_VBB in_PRP the_AT0 fridge_NN1 with_PRP Saran_NP0 Wrap_VVB covering_VVG our_DPS leftovers_NN2 —_PUN here_AV0 ,_PUN just_AV0 grab_VVB a_AT0 fistful_NN1 instead_AV0 !_SENT "_PUQ might_VM0 be_VBI mildly_AV0 overwhelming_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC when_CJS my_DPS father_NN1 's_POS brow_NN1 crinkles_NN2 and_CJC he_PNP blasts_VVZ out_AVP a_AT0 question_NN1 like_PRP "_PUQ Did_VDD you_PNP vote_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD mayoral_AJ0 election_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ it_PNP 's_VBZ easy_AJ0 to_TO0 feel_VVI like_CJS you_PNP 've_VHB just_AV0 been_VBN shoved_VVN into_PRP an_AT0 interrogation_NN1 room_NN1 with_PRP an_AT0 enforcer_NN1 the_AT0 FBI_NP0 pays_VVZ under_PRP the_AT0 table_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 first_ORD time_NN1 Alex_NP0 picked_VVD me_PNP up_AVP at_PRP my_DPS parents_NN2 '_POS house_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 karaoke_NN1 night_NN1 that_CJT first_ORD summer_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS friendship_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP tried_VVD to_TO0 shield_VVI him_PNP from_PRP my_DPS family_NN1 and_CJC my_DPS house_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS much_AV0 for_PRP his_DPS sake_NN1 as_CJS for_PRP my_DPS own_DT0 ._SENT 
By_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS first_ORD road_NN1 trip_NN1 home_AV0 I_PNP knew_VVD enough_AV0 about_PRP him_PNP to_TO0 understand_VVI that_CJT his_DPS walking_NN1 into_PRP our_DPS tiny_AJ0 house_NN1 filled_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 brim_NN1 with_PRP knickknacks_NN2 and_CJC dusty_AJ0 picture_NN1 frames_NN2 and_CJC dog_NN1 dander_NN1 would_VM0 be_VBI like_PRP a_AT0 vegetarian_NN1 taking_VVG a_AT0 tour_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 slaughterhouse_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 want_VVI him_PNP to_TO0 be_VBI uncomfortable_AJ0 ,_PUN sure_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC just_AV0 as_CJS badly_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 want_VVI him_PNP to_TO0 judge_VVI my_DPS family_NN1 ._SENT Messy_AJ0 and_CJC strange_AJ0 and_CJC loud_AJ0 and_CJC blunt_AJ0 as_CJS they_PNP were_VBD ,_PUN my_DPS parents_NN2 were_VBD amazing_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP 'd_VHD learned_VVN the_AT0 hard_AJ0 way_NN1 that_CJT that_DT0 was_VBD n't_XX0 what_DTQ people_NN0 saw_VVD when_CJS they_PNP came_VVD through_PRP our_DPS front_AJ0 door_NN1 ._SENT 
So_AV0 I_PNP 'd_VHD told_VVN Alex_NP0 I_PNP 'd_VM0 meet_VVI him_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 driveway_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP had_VHD n't_XX0 stressed_VVN the_AT0 point_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC Alex_NP0 —_PUN being_VBG Alex_NP0 Nilsen_NP0 —_PUN had_VHD come_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 door_NN1 anyway_AV0 ,_PUN like_PRP a_AT0 good_AJ0 1950s_CRD quarterback_NN1 ,_PUN determined_VVN to_TO0 introduce_VVI himself_PNX to_PRP my_DPS parents_NN2 ,_PUN so_CJS they_PNP "_PUQ would_VM0 n't_XX0 worry_VVI "_PUQ about_PRP me_PNP riding_VVG off_AVP into_PRP the_AT0 sunset_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 stranger_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP heard_VVD the_AT0 doorbell_NN1 and_CJC went_VVD running_VVG to_TO0 head_VVI off_AVP the_AT0 chaos_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC in_PRP my_DPS vintage_AJ0 pink-feathered_AJ0 house_NN1 shoes_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 fast_AV0 enough_AV0 ._SENT By_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 I_PNP got_VVD downstairs_AV0 ,_PUN Alex_NP0 was_VBD standing_VVG in_PRP the_AT0 front_AJ0 hall_NN1 between_PRP two_CRD towers_NN2 of_PRF stacked_AJ0 storage_NN1 containers_NN2 ,_PUN getting_VVG batted_VVN back_AVP and_CJC forth_AV0 by_PRP our_DPS two_CRD very_AV0 old_AJ0 and_CJC badly_AV0 behaved_VVD husky_AJ0 mixes_NN2 ,_PUN as_CJS a_AT0 slew_NN1 of_PRF unseemly_AJ0 family_NN1 photos_NN2 stared_VVD down_AVP at_PRP him_PNP from_PRP every_AT0 side_NN1 ._SENT 
At_PRP the_AT0 moment_NN1 I_PNP came_VVD skittering_VVG around_AVP the_AT0 corner_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 stairs_NN2 ,_PUN Dad_NN1 was_VBD booming_VVG out_AVP ,_PUN "_PUQ Why_AVQ would_VM0 we_PNP worry_VVI about_PRP her_PNP going_VVG out_AVP with_PRP you_PNP ?_SENT "_PUQ and_CJC then_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ And_CJC when_CJS you_PNP say_VVB '_PUQ going_VVG out_AVP ,_PUN '_PUQ do_VDB you_PNP mean_VVI that_CJT you_PNP two_CRD are_VBB —_PUN "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Nope_ITJ !_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP interrupted_VVD ,_PUN dragging_VVG the_AT0 hornier_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS dogs_NN2 ,_PUN Rupert_NP0 ,_PUN back_AVP by_PRP the_AT0 collar_NN1 before_CJS he_PNP could_VM0 mount_VVI Alex_NP0 's_POS leg_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ We_PNP are_VBB not_XX0 going_VVG out_AVP ._SENT Not_XX0 like_PRP that_DT0 ._SENT And_CJC you_PNP definitely_AV0 do_VDB n't_XX0 need_VVI to_TO0 worry_VVI ._SENT Alex_NP0 is_VBZ a_AT0 really_AV0 slow_AJ0 driver_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ That_DT0 's_VBZ what_DTQ I_PNP was_VBD trying_VVG to_TO0 say_VVI ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP stammered_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP mean_VVB ,_PUN not_XX0 the_AT0 driving_AJ0 speed_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP drive_VVB ..._PUN the_AT0 speed_NN1 limit_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP just_AV0 meant_VVD ,_PUN you_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 need_VVI to_TO0 worry_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ 
Dad_NN1 's_POS brow_NN1 furrowed_VVD ._SENT Alex_NP0 's_POS face_NN1 drained_VVD of_PRF blood_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 sure_AJ0 whether_CJS he_PNP was_VBD more_AV0 unnerved_VVN by_PRP my_DPS father_NN1 or_CJC by_PRP the_AT0 layer_NN1 of_PRF dust_NN1 visible_AJ0 along_PRP the_AT0 baseboards_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 hallway_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ ,_PUN frankly_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VHD never_AV0 noticed_VVN until_PRP that_DT0 moment_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Did_VDD you_PNP see_VVI Alex_NP0 's_POS car_NN1 ,_PUN Dad_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP said_VVD quickly_AV0 ,_PUN a_AT0 diversion_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ It_PNP 's_VBZ very_AV0 old_AJ0 ._SENT His_DPS phone_NN1 too_AV0 ._SENT Alex_NP0 has_VHZ n't_XX0 gotten_VVN a_AT0 new_AJ0 phone_NN1 in_PRP ,_PUN like_VVB ,_PUN seven_CRD years_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Alex_NP0 's_POS face_NN1 went_VVD red_AJ0 even_AV0 as_CJS my_DPS father_NN1 's_VBZ relaxed_VVN into_PRP interest_NN1 and_CJC approval_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Is_VBZ that_DT0 so_AV0 ?_SENT "_PUQ 
Still_AV0 ,_PUN all_DT0 these_DT0 years_NN2 later_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP can_VM0 remember_VVI with_PRP vivid_AJ0 clarity_NN1 the_AT0 way_NN1 Alex_NP0 's_POS gaze_NN1 flickered_VVD to_PRP mine_PNP ,_PUN searching_VVG my_DPS face_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 correct_AJ0 answer_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP gave_VVD him_PNP a_AT0 little_AJ0 nod_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Yes_ITJ ?_SENT "_PUQ he_PNP answered_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC Dad_NN1 clapped_VVD a_AT0 hand_NN1 on_PRP his_DPS shoulder_NN1 so_AV0 hard_AV0 Alex_NP0 flinched_VVD ._SENT 
Dad_NN1 gave_VVD a_AT0 big_AJ0 ,_PUN no-holds-barred_AJ0 grin_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ It_PNP 's_VBZ always_AV0 better_AJC to_TO0 repair_VVI than_CJS to_TO0 replace_VVI !_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Replace_VVB what_DTQ ?_SENT "_PUQ Mom_NN1 shouted_VVD from_PRP the_AT0 kitchen_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Did_VDD something_PNI break_VVI ?_SENT Who_PNQ are_VBB you_PNP talking_VVG to_TO0 ?_SENT Poppy_NP0 ?_SENT Does_VDZ anyone_PNI want_VVI some_DT0 chocolate-dipped_AJ0 pretzels_NN2 ?_SENT Shoot_VVB ,_PUN let_VVB me_PNP just_AV0 find_VVB a_AT0 clean_AJ0 plate_NN1 ..._PUN "_PUQ 
When_CJS we_PNP finally_AV0 finished_VVD the_AT0 twenty-minute_AJ0 goodbye_NN1 required_VVN to_TO0 leave_VVI my_DPS house_NN1 and_CJC made_VVD it_PNP back_AVP to_PRP Alex_NP0 's_POS car_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP said_VVD only_AV0 of_PRF the_AT0 whole_AJ0 affair_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Your_DPS parents_NN2 seem_VVB nice_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP responded_VVD ,_PUN with_PRP accidental_AJ0 aggression_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ They_PNP are_VBB ,_PUN "_PUQ like_CJS I_PNP was_VBD daring_VVG him_PNP to_TO0 bring_VVI up_AVP the_AT0 dust_NN1 or_CJC the_AT0 humping_AJ0 husky_AJ0 or_CJC the_AT0 two_CRD billion_CRD childhood_NN1 drawings_NN2 still_AV0 magnetized_VVN to_PRP our_DPS fridge_NN1 or_CJC anything_PNI else_AV0 ,_PUN but_CJC of_PRF course_NN1 he_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 ._SENT He_PNP was_VBD Alex_NP0 ,_PUN even_AV0 if_CJS I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 understand_VVI everything_PNI that_CJT meant_VVD back_AVP then_AV0 ._SENT 
In_PRP all_DT0 the_AT0 years_NN2 I_PNP 've_VHB known_VVN him_PNP since_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP 's_VBZ still_AV0 never_AV0 said_VVD an_AT0 unkind_AJ0 word_NN1 about_PRP any_DT0 of_PRF it_PNP ._SENT He_PNP even_AV0 sent_VVD flowers_NN2 to_PRP my_DPS dorm_NN1 when_CJS Rupert_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 husky_AJ0 ,_PUN died_VVD ._SENT I_PNP always_AV0 felt_VVD we_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 special_AJ0 connection_NN1 after_PRP that_DT0 night_NN1 we_PNP shared_VVD ,_PUN he_PNP joked_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 card_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP will_VM0 be_VBI missed_VVN ._SENT If_CJS you_PNP need_VVB anything_PNI at_PRP all_DT0 ,_PUN P_ZZ0 ,_PUN I_PNP 'm_VBB here_AV0 ._SENT Always_AV0 ._SENT 
Not_XX0 that_CJT I_PNP have_VHB the_AT0 note_NN1 memorized_VVD or_CJC anything_PNI ._SENT 
Not_XX0 that_DT0 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 lone_AJ0 shoebox_NN1 's_POS worth_NN1 of_PRF saved_AJ0 cards_NN2 and_CJC letters_NN2 and_CJC scraps_NN2 of_PRF paper_NN1 I_PNP allow_VVB myself_PNX to_TO0 keep_VVI in_PRP my_DPS apartment_NN1 ,_PUN this_DT0 one_PNI made_VVD the_AT0 cut_NN1 ._SENT 
Not_XX0 that_CJT there_EX0 were_VBD full_AJ0 days_NN2 during_PRP our_DPS friendship_NN1 's_POS hiatus_NN1 when_CJS I_PNP tortured_VVD myself_PNX with_PRP the_AT0 thought_NN1 that_CJT maybe_AV0 I_PNP should_VM0 throw_VVI that_DT0 card_NN1 away_AV0 since_CJS ,_PUN as_CJS it_PNP turned_VVD out_AVP ,_PUN always_AV0 had_VHD ended_VVN ._SENT 
Toward_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 plane_NN1 ,_PUN one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 babies_NN2 starts_VVZ screaming_VVG again_AV0 ,_PUN but_CJC we_PNP 're_VBB pulling_VVG up_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 gate_NN1 now_AV0 ._SENT I_PNP 'll_VM0 be_VBI off_AVP in_PRP no_AT0 time_NN1 ._SENT 
And_CJC then_AV0 I_PNP 'll_VM0 see_VVI Alex_NP0 ._SENT 
A_AT0 thrill_NN1 zings_VVZ up_AVP my_DPS spine_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 nervous_AJ0 flutter_NN1 works_VVZ back_AVP down_AVP into_PRP my_DPS stomach_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP open_VVB the_AT0 last_ORD unread_AJ0 message_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS inbox_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 one_PNI from_PRP him_PNP :_PUN Just_AV0 landed_AJ0 ._SENT 
Same_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP type_VVB back_AVP ._SENT 
After_PRP that_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 know_VVI what_DTQ to_TO0 say_VVI ._SENT We_PNP 've_VHB been_VBN texting_VVG for_PRP over_PRP a_AT0 week_NN1 ,_PUN never_AV0 broaching_VVG the_AT0 topic_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 ill-fated_AJ0 Croatia_NP0 trip_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC everything_PNI 's_VBZ felt_VVN so_AV0 normal_AJ0 until_CJS right_AV0 now_AV0 ._SENT Then_AV0 I_PNP remember_VVB :_PUN I_PNP have_VHB n't_XX0 seen_VVN Alex_NP0 in_PRP real_AJ0 life_NN1 in_PRP over_AV0 two_CRD years_NN2 ._SENT 
I_PNP have_VHB n't_XX0 touched_VVN him_PNP ,_PUN have_VHB n't_XX0 even_AV0 heard_VVN his_DPS voice_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 are_VBB so_AV0 many_DT0 ways_NN2 this_DT0 could_VM0 be_VBI awkward_AJ0 ._SENT Almost_AV0 certainly_AV0 we_PNP 'll_VM0 experience_VVI some_DT0 of_PRF them_PNP ._SENT 
I_PNP 'm_VBB excited_AJ0 to_TO0 see_VVI him_PNP ,_PUN of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC more_AV0 than_CJS that_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP realize_VVB I_PNP 'm_VBB terrified_AJ0 ._SENT 
We_PNP need_VVB to_TO0 pick_VVI a_AT0 meeting_NN1 point_NN1 ._SENT 
