﻿Then_NP0 the_AT0 china_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 set_NN1 they_PNP were_VBD given_VVN on_PRP their_DPS wedding_NN1 day_NN1 fifty_CRD years_NN2 ago_AV0 ,_PUN white_AJ0 ,_PUN navy_NN1 blue_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 thinnest_AJS trim_NN1 of_PRF gold_NN1 lacquer_NN1 ._SENT Silverware_NN1 after_PRP ,_PUN just_AV0 the_AT0 regular_AJ0 stuff_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 the_AT0 real_AJ0 silver_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 after_PRP my_DPS cousin_NN1 Alana_NP0 's_POS date_NN1 stole_VVD three_CRD spoons_NN2 and_CJC a_AT0 butter_NN1 knife_NN1 ._SENT Then_AV0 glasses_NN2 ,_PUN two_CRD each_DT0 ,_PUN one_PNI for_PRP water_NN1 and_CJC one_PNI for_PRP wine_NN1 (_PUL or_CJC grape_NN1 juice_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 little_AJ0 kids_NN2 '_POS table_NN1 )_PUR ._SENT 
Finally_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 Seder_NN1 plate_NN1 ,_PUN proud_AJ0 and_CJC center_NN1 of_PRF it_PNP all_DT0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 cooking_NN1 also_AV0 starts_VVZ a_AT0 week_NN1 in_PRP advance_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP all_DT0 help_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS grandparents_NN2 make_VVB the_AT0 main_AJ0 dishes_NN2 ,_PUN brisket_NN1 and_CJC matzo_NN1 ball_NN1 soup_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS family_NN1 makes_VVZ charoset_NN1 ,_PUN grinding_VVG up_AVP nuts_NN2 and_CJC apples_NN2 and_CJC spices_NN2 ._SENT And_CJC we_PNP boil_VVB the_AT0 eggs_NN2 ,_PUN gross_AJ0 ._SENT Aunt_NP0 Barbra_NP0 and_CJC Uncle_NP0 Larry_NP0 buy_VVB the_AT0 gefilte_NN1 fish_NN0 and_CJC the_AT0 wine_NN1 ,_PUN so_AV0 much_DT0 wine_NN1 ._SENT Aunt_NP0 Judith_NP0 and_CJC Aunt_NP0 Cheryl_NP0 make_VVB the_AT0 kosher_AJ0 for_PRP pesach_NN1 desserts_NN2 ,_PUN flourless_AJ0 cake_NN1 and_CJC fruit_NN0 salad_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC my_DPS eldest_AJS cousins_NN2 make_VVB matzo_NN1 from_PRP scratch_NN1 —_PUN and_CJC also_AV0 bring_VVB more_DT0 wine_NN1 ._SENT 
It_PNP 's_VBZ a_AT0 family_NN1 affair_NN1 ._SENT A_AT0 family_NN1 tradition_NN1 ._SENT 
Unfortunately_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP 's_VBZ also_AV0 a_AT0 family_NN1 tradition_NN1 to_TO0 bring_VVI a_AT0 date_NN1 to_PRP Seder_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 has_VHZ been_VBN a_AT0 storm_NN1 cloud_NN1 of_PRF annoyance_NN1 over_PRP my_DPS head_NN1 since_CJS I_PNP turned_VVD thirteen_CRD ._SENT My_DPS grandparents_NN2 love_VVB to_TO0 share_VVI our_DPS Seder_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 story_NN1 of_PRF Passover_NN1 far_AV0 and_CJC wide_AV0 ,_PUN with_PRP Jews_NN2 and_CJC non-Jews_NN2 alike_AV0 ._SENT From_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS b'nai_NN1 mitzvah_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP 're_VBB highly_AV0 encouraged_VVN to_TO0 bring_VVI a_AT0 date_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC if_CJS we_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 ,_PUN the_AT0 questions_NN2 will_VM0 never_AV0 stop_VVI :_PUN 
What_DTQ ?_SENT You_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 like_VVI anyone_PNI ?_SENT 
You_PNP 're_VBB too_AV0 shy_AJ0 ?_SENT 
It_PNP does_VDZ n't_XX0 have_VHI to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 boy_NN1 ,_PUN you_PNP know_VVB !_SENT Bring_VVB a_AT0 girl_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 nonbinary_AJ0 person_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP love_VVB everyone_PNI !_SENT 
Sometimes_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 questions_NN2 are_VBB more_AV0 pointed_VVN :_PUN 
What_DTQ ?_SENT So_AV0 ,_PUN you_PNP 're_VBB going_VVG to_TO0 be_VBI alone_AV0 forever_AV0 ?_SENT 
Impressively_AV0 ,_PUN my_DPS great-aunt_NN1 Esther_NP0 said_VVD that_DT0 last_ORD one_PNI without_PRP a_AT0 hint_NN1 of_PRF irony_NN1 when_CJS I_PNP was_VBD only_AV0 fifteen_CRD ._SENT 
My_DPS siblings_NN2 and_CJC cousins_NN2 all_AV0 got_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 routine_NN1 immediately_AV0 ._SENT My_DPS older_AJC brother_NN1 Josh_NP0 brought_VVD a_AT0 date_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 Seder_NN1 right_AV0 after_PRP his_DPS bar_NN1 mitzvah_NN1 ._SENT Alyssa_NP0 was_VBD on_PRP debate_NN1 team_NN1 with_PRP him_PNP ._SENT She_PNP had_VHD silver_NN1 braces_NN2 and_CJC a_AT0 dappling_NN1 of_PRF freckles_NN2 across_PRP her_DPS nose_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS grandparents_NN2 loved_VVD her_PNP ._SENT They_PNP also_AV0 love_VVB the_AT0 dates_NN2 my_DPS older_AJC sister_NN1 ,_PUN Audrey_NP0 ,_PUN brings_VVZ ,_PUN a_AT0 different_AJ0 boy_NN1 every_AT0 year_NN1 ,_PUN each_DT0 one_PNI more_AV0 impressive_AJ0 than_CJS the_AT0 last_ORD ._SENT 
My_DPS older_AJC cousins_NN2 are_VBB either_AV0 married_AJ0 or_CJC bring_VVB dates_NN2 ._SENT And_CJC even_AV0 my_DPS younger_AJC cousin_NN1 Marty_NP0 brought_VVD a_AT0 date_NN1 last_ORD year_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 soft-spoken_AJ0 boy_NN1 named_VVN Tyler_NP0 with_PRP red_AJ0 hair_NN1 ._SENT 
He_PNP wore_VVD a_AT0 tie_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD adorable_AJ0 ._SENT Everyone_PNI swooned_VVD ._SENT 
And_CJC then_AV0 —_PUN 
And_CJC then_AV0 everyone_PNI looked_VVD at_PRP me_PNP and_CJC asked_VVD where_AVQ my_DPS date_NN1 was_VBD ._SENT 
I_PNP 'm_VBB eighteen_CRD years_NN2 old_AJ0 and_CJC about_AV0 to_TO0 come_VVI up_AVP on_PRP my_DPS sixth_ORD year_NN1 of_PRF failure_NN1 ._SENT Of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP 've_VHB told_VVN my_DPS parents_NN2 how_AVQ outmoded_AJ0 it_PNP is_VBZ to_TO0 force_VVI their_DPS children_NN2 into_PRP romantic_AJ0 relationships_NN2 ._SENT Romance_NN1 is_VBZ n't_XX0 for_PRP everyone_PNI ._SENT Some_DT0 people_NN0 do_VDB n't_XX0 want_VVI a_AT0 romantic_AJ0 relationship_NN1 ._SENT 
And_CJC some_DT0 people_NN0 ,_PUN well_AV0 ,_PUN some_DT0 people_NN0 are_VBB eighteen_CRD and_CJC would_VM0 maybe_AV0 possibly_AV0 definitely_AV0 kind_NN1 of_PRF want_VVB a_AT0 romantic_AJ0 relationship_NN1 ,_PUN if_CJS only_AV0 they_PNP could_VM0 figure_VVI out_AVP how_AVQ to_TO0 string_VVI together_AV0 two_CRD sentences_NN2 in_PRP front_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 cute_AJ0 boy_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 a_AT0 total_AJ0 shy_AJ0 hermit_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP talk_VVB to_PRP my_DPS family_NN1 and_CJC my_DPS friends_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP answer_VVB questions_NN2 in_PRP class_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP make_VVB people_NN0 laugh_NN1 ,_PUN occasionally_AV0 ._SENT But_CJC stick_VVB me_PNP in_PRP front_NN1 of_PRF an_AT0 attractive_AJ0 boy_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP clam_VVB up_AVP with_PRP beet-red_AJ0 skin_NN1 ._SENT 
It_PNP 's_VBZ embarrassing_AJ0 ._SENT Archaic_AJ0 ._SENT Absurd_AJ0 ._SENT 
Boys_NN2 are_VBB not_XX0 special_AJ0 ._SENT There_EX0 is_VBZ no_AT0 reason_NN1 to_TO0 feel_VVI less_AV0 confident_AJ0 around_PRP them_PNP ._SENT Boys_NN2 are_VBB just_AV0 humans_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ not_XX0 a_AT0 big_AJ0 deal_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 talk_VVI to_PRP a_AT0 boy_NN1 if_CJS I_PNP wanted_VVD to_TO0 ._SENT 
And_CJC I_PNP do_VDB want_VVI to_PRP ._SENT Because_CJS I_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 handle_VVI it_PNP anymore_AV0 ._SENT I_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 handle_VVI one_PNI more_DT0 Passover_NN1 Seder_NN1 being_VBG asked_VVN ,_PUN And_CJC where_AVQ is_VBZ your_DPS date_NN1 ,_PUN Rachel_NP0 ?_SENT Oy_ITJ vey_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP hope_VVB they_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 get_VVI sick_AJ0 !_SENT 
Passive-aggressive_AJ0 Aunt_NP0 Cheryl_NP0 ._SENT 
No_ITJ ,_PUN thank_VVB you_PNP ._SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ not_XX0 happening_VVG ._SENT 
This_DT0 year_NN1 I_PNP 'll_VM0 bring_VVI someone_PNI to_PRP Seder_NN1 just_AV0 like_PRP everyone_PNI else_AV0 ._SENT That_DT0 'll_VM0 show_VVI them_PNP ._SENT And_CJC then_AV0 next_ORD year_NN1 I_PNP 'll_VM0 go_VVI off_AVP to_PRP college_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC maybe_AV0 I_PNP wo_VM0 n't_XX0 even_AV0 come_VVI home_AV0 for_PRP Seder_NN1 ._SENT Maybe_AV0 I_PNP 'll_VM0 stay_VVI at_PRP school_NN1 and_CJC eat_VVB chips_NN2 and_CJC hummus_NN1 on_PRP my_DPS dorm_NN1 room_NN1 floor_NN1 like_PRP a_AT0 freaking_VVG adult_NN1 ._SENT 
Yeah_ITJ ,_PUN that_DT0 'll_VM0 show_VVI them_PNP ._SENT 
Now_AV0 ,_PUN just_AV0 one_CRD problem_NN1 :_PUN I_PNP need_VVB a_AT0 date_NN1 ._SENT 
Matthew_NP0 Pearlman_NP0 plays_VVZ tennis_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ on_PRP the_AT0 model_NN1 UN_NP0 team_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC wears_VVZ a_AT0 polo_NN1 shirt_NN1 to_PRP school_NN1 every_AT0 day_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP is_VBZ the_AT0 epitome_NN1 of_PRF preppy_AJ0 ._SENT Not_XX0 exactly_AV0 my_DPS taste_NN1 ._SENT 
But_CJC he_PNP also_AV0 has_VHZ soft_AJ0 hair_NN1 ,_PUN intense_AJ0 brown_AJ0 eyes_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 jawline_NN1 you_PNP could_VM0 write_VVI poetry_NN1 about_AVP ._SENT He_PNP 's_VBZ also_AV0 single_AJ0 ,_PUN a_AT0 requirement_NN1 for_PRP this_DT0 venture_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC we_PNP used_VM0 to_TO0 be_VBI friends_NN2 in_PRP middle_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN so_CJS I_PNP have_VHB an_AT0 in_PRP ._SENT 
Matthew_NP0 and_CJC I_PNP always_AV0 sat_VVD together_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 back_AJ0 row_NN1 of_PRF Ms._NP0 Baumstein_NP0 's_POS sixth-grade_AJ0 Hebrew_AJ0 school_NN1 class_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP would_VM0 do_VDI anything_PNI but_CJC pay_VVB attention_NN1 ._SENT Matthew_NP0 enjoyed_VVD making_VVG paper_NN1 footballs_NN2 and_CJC flicking_VVG them_PNP at_PRP various_AJ0 goals_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP enjoyed_VVD decorating_VVG his_DPS paper_NN1 footballs_NN2 with_PRP a_AT0 variety_NN1 of_PRF flowery_AJ0 designs_NN2 ._SENT We_PNP held_VVD an_AT0 ongoing_AJ0 ,_PUN increasingly_AV0 competitive_AJ0 streak_NN1 of_PRF hangman_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC Matthew_NP0 would_VM0 mutter_VVI a_AT0 little_AJ0 red-cheeked_AJ0 curse_NN1 under_PRP his_DPS breath_NN1 every_AT0 time_NN1 I_PNP stumped_VVD him_PNP ._SENT 
It_PNP probably_AV0 goes_VVZ without_PRP saying_VVG that_CJT Ms._NP0 Baumstein_NP0 hated_VVD us_PNP ._SENT 
I_PNP ,_PUN however_AV0 ,_PUN loved_VVD us_PNP ._SENT I_PNP looked_VVD forward_AV0 to_PRP every_AT0 Tuesday_NP0 and_CJC Thursday_NP0 afternoon_NN1 because_CJS it_PNP meant_VVD spending_VVG ninety_CRD minutes_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 classroom_NN1 with_PRP Matthew_NP0 ,_PUN our_DPS knees_NN2 tucked_VVN under_PRP a_AT0 desk_NN1 far_AV0 too_AV0 small_AJ0 for_PRP growing_AJ0 preteens_NN2 ,_PUN snorting_VVG and_CJC laughing_VVG as_CJS we_PNP received_VVD glares_NN2 from_PRP our_DPS peers_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD always_AV0 happy_AJ0 next_ORD to_PRP Matthew_NP0 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD my_DPS favorite_AJ0 part_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 week_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 beginnings_NN2 of_PRF a_AT0 crush_NN1 blooming_VVG inside_PRP me_PNP ._SENT And_CJC the_AT0 best_AJS part_NN1 was_VBD that_CJT it_PNP felt_VVD like_CJS I_PNP had_VHD all_DT0 the_AT0 time_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 to_TO0 let_VVI that_DT0 crush_NN1 grow_VVB ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD no_AT0 rush_NN1 ,_PUN no_AT0 care_NN1 ,_PUN no_AT0 worry_NN1 ._SENT 
But_CJC something_PNI happened_VVD over_AVP that_CJT long_AJ0 stretch_NN1 of_PRF summer_NN1 between_PRP sixth_ORD and_CJC seventh_ORD grade_NN1 ._SENT Matthew_NP0 changed_VVD ._SENT Became_VVD a_AT0 guy_NN1 's_POS guy_NN1 who_PNQ did_VDD n't_XX0 want_VVI cute_AJ0 doodles_NN2 on_PRP his_DPS paper_NN1 footballs_NN2 ._SENT Became_VVD a_AT0 guy_NN1 who_PNQ stood_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 hallway_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 pack_NN1 of_PRF other_AJ0 guys_NN2 ,_PUN laughing_VVG as_PRP loudly_AV0 and_CJC as_AV0 obnoxiously_AV0 as_CJS possible_AJ0 whenever_AVQ anyone_PNI passed_VVD by_AVP ._SENT Became_VVD a_AT0 guy_NN1 who_PNQ did_VDD n't_XX0 want_VVI to_TO0 sit_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 classroom_NN1 and_CJC play_NN1 hangman_NN1 with_PRP me_PNP ._SENT 
And_CJC ,_PUN I_PNP guess_VVB I_PNP changed_VVD that_DT0 summer_NN1 too_AV0 ._SENT Became_VVD quieter_AJC ,_PUN less_AV0 sure_AJ0 of_PRF myself_PNX ._SENT Became_VVD aware_AJ0 that_CJT people_NN0 did_VDD n't_XX0 look_VVI at_PRP me_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 way_NN1 they_PNP looked_VVD at_PRP my_DPS older_AJC sister_NN1 ,_PUN Audrey_NP0 ,_PUN with_PRP her_DPS thick_AJ0 hair_NN1 ,_PUN long_AJ0 legs_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 quick-witted_AJ0 response_NN1 for_PRP any_DT0 comment_NN1 ._SENT Became_VVD aware_AJ0 that_CJT the_AT0 world_NN1 was_VBD n't_XX0 made_VVN for_PRP me_PNP to_TO0 thrive_VVI in_PRP ,_PUN that_CJT it_PNP was_VBD my_DPS job_NN1 to_TO0 find_VVI some_DT0 way_NN1 to_TO0 navigate_VVI myself_PNX to_PRP a_AT0 piece_NN1 of_PRF happiness_NN1 ._SENT 
Matthew_NP0 and_CJC I_PNP never_AV0 talked_VVD much_AV0 after_PRP that_DT0 summer_NN1 ._SENT Sometimes_AV0 ,_PUN in_PRP regular_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP 'd_VM0 ask_VVI if_CJS the_AT0 other_NN1 had_VHD last_ORD night_NN1 's_POS homework_NN1 ._SENT Or_CJC give_VVB a_AT0 quick_AJ0 head_NN1 nod_NN1 as_CJS we_PNP passed_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 halls_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC soon_AV0 even_AV0 that_DT0 connection_NN1 disappeared_VVD and_CJC ,_PUN by_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 we_PNP made_VVD it_PNP to_PRP high_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS friendship_NN1 with_PRP Matthew_NP0 Pearlman_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 faded_AJ0 memory_NN1 ,_PUN fragile_AJ0 and_CJC worn_VVN at_PRP the_AT0 edges_NN2 ,_PUN like_PRP the_AT0 flower_NN1 I_PNP pressed_VVD into_PRP my_DPS notebook_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 day_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS bat_NN1 mitzvah_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 last_ORD time_NN1 we_PNP spoke_VVD was_VBD a_AT0 year_NN1 ago_AV0 ._SENT Matthew_NP0 surprised_VVD me_PNP by_PRP pulling_VVG me_PNP aside_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 hallway_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD startled_AJ0 to_TO0 come_VVI face-to-face_AJ0 with_PRP him_PNP after_PRP so_AV0 much_DT0 time_NN1 apart_AV0 ._SENT At_PRP first_ORD I_PNP expected_VVD the_AT0 rosy-cheeked_AJ0 sixth-grader_NN1 I_PNP once_AV0 knew_VVD ,_PUN but_CJC the_AT0 Matthew_NP0 of_PRF today_AV0 has_VHZ lost_VVN the_AT0 roundness_NN1 in_PRP his_DPS cheeks_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 hallway_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP students_NN2 crowded_VVN around_PRP us_PNP ,_PUN moving_VVG from_PRP one_CRD class_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 next_ORD before_PRP the_AT0 bell_NN1 rang_VVD ,_PUN Matthew_NP0 asked_VVD me_PNP if_CJS Audrey_NP0 had_VHD a_AT0 prom_NN1 date_NN1 yet_AV0 ._SENT My_DPS heart_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ I_PNP had_VHD n't_XX0 even_AV0 realized_VVN had_VHD taken_VVN off_AVP with_PRP a_AT0 flutter_NN1 ,_PUN dropped_VVN to_PRP my_DPS stomach_NN1 ._SENT 
Yes_ITJ ,_PUN she_PNP has_VHZ a_AT0 date_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP told_VVD him_PNP ._SENT Of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 date_NN1 ._SENT Audrey_NP0 Ableman_NP0 basically_AV0 had_VHD her_DPS senior_AJ0 year_NN1 prom_NN1 date_NN1 lined_VVN up_AVP when_CJS she_PNP was_VBD still_AV0 in_PRP utero_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC if_CJS that_DT0 somehow_AV0 fell_VVD through_AVP ,_PUN there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 line_NN1 of_PRF eager_AJ0 young_AJ0 men_NN2 happy_AJ0 to_TO0 take_VVI his_DPS place_NN1 ._SENT Matthew_NP0 was_VBD interested_AJ0 in_PRP Audrey_NP0 ,_PUN just_AV0 like_PRP everyone_PNI else_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP 've_VHB got_VVN to_TO0 get_VVI to_PRP class_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP told_VVD him_PNP ,_PUN then_AV0 disappeared_VVN into_PRP the_AT0 crowd_NN1 ._SENT 
That_DT0 was_VBD the_AT0 last_ORD time_NN1 we_PNP spoke_VVD ._SENT 
Matthew_NP0 does_VDZ n't_XX0 like_VVI me_PNP ,_PUN probably_AV0 does_VDZ n't_XX0 even_AV0 think_VVI about_PRP me_PNP ._SENT And_CJC despite_PRP that_DT0 ridiculous_AJ0 case_NN1 of_PRF heart_NN1 flutters_VVZ last_ORD year_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 like_VVI him_PNP either_AV0 ._SENT That_DT0 was_VBD nothing_PNI but_CJC surprised_AJ0 adrenaline_NN1 ._SENT Sure_AJ0 ,_PUN Matthew_NP0 has_VHZ grown_VVN more_AV0 attractive_AJ0 over_PRP the_AT0 years_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 attracted_VVN to_PRP him_PNP ._SENT He_PNP 's_VBZ the_AT0 kind_NN1 of_PRF guy_NN1 who_PNQ 's_VBZ going_VVG to_TO0 join_VVI the_AT0 Jewish_AJ0 frat_NN1 in_PRP college_NN1 and_CJC binge_NN1 drink_VVB his_DPS college_NN1 education_NN1 away_AV0 ,_PUN then_AV0 land_VVB a_AT0 nice_AJ0 cushy_AJ0 job_NN1 because_CJS his_DPS brain_NN1 is_VBZ good_AJ0 with_PRP numbers_NN2 ,_PUN while_CJS I_PNP 'm_VBB going_VVG to_TO0 toil_VVI away_AV0 with_PRP my_DPS visual_AJ0 arts_NN2 degree_NN1 and_CJC barely_AV0 eke_VVB out_AVP twenty_CRD thousand_CRD a_AT0 year_NN1 selling_VVG handmade_AJ0 jewelry_NN1 and_CJC pottery_NN1 ._SENT 
Yes_ITJ ,_PUN I_PNP know_VVB I_PNP could_VM0 major_AJ0 in_PRP something_PNI else_AV0 —_PUN or_CJC ,_PUN not_XX0 go_VVB to_PRP college_NN1 at_PRP all_DT0 ._SENT But_CJC that_DT0 's_VBZ not_XX0 an_AT0 option_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS family_NN1 ._SENT At_PRP least_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 arts_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP can_VM0 do_VDI something_PNI with_PRP my_DPS hands_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP can_VM0 make_VVI something_PNI ._SENT 
I_PNP do_VDB not_XX0 like_VVI Matthew_NP0 Pearlman_NP0 ._SENT 
Matthew_NP0 Pearlman_NP0 does_VDZ not_XX0 like_VVI me_PNP ._SENT 
But_CJC Matthew_NP0 Pearlman_NP0 is_VBZ my_DPS best_AJS shot_NN1 at_PRP a_AT0 Passover_NN1 date_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP watch_VVB him_PNP throughout_PRP the_AT0 entire_AJ0 lunch_NN1 period_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP sits_VVZ in_PRP a_AT0 pack_NN1 of_PRF other_AJ0 boys_NN2 who_PNQ wear_VVB polo_NN1 shirts_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP talk_VVB and_CJC laugh_VVB loudly_AV0 and_CJC take_VVB up_AVP a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF room_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP shoot_VVB their_DPS empty_AJ0 drinks_NN2 and_CJC food_NN1 wrappers_NN2 into_PRP the_AT0 trash_NN1 can_VM0 like_VVI basketballs_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP miss_VVB half_DT0 the_AT0 time_NN1 and_CJC never_AV0 bother_VVB to_TO0 pick_VVI the_AT0 trash_NN1 up_AVP ._SENT They_PNP are_VBB —_PUN annoying_AJ0 ._SENT 
My_DPS best_AJS friend_NN1 ,_PUN Cassandra_NP0 ,_PUN sits_VVZ next_ORD to_PRP me_PNP ._SENT She_PNP nudges_VVZ me_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 side_NN1 every_AT0 thirty_CRD seconds_NN2 ._SENT Her_DPS short_AJ0 blond_AJ0 hair_NN1 is_VBZ bobbed_VVN around_PRP her_DPS shoulders_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Are_VBB you_PNP going_VVG to_TO0 do_VDI it_PNP yet_AV0 ?_SENT "_PUQ she_PNP asks_VVZ ._SENT "_PUQ Time_NN1 's_VBZ almost_AV0 up_AVP ._SENT "_PUQ 
Time_NN1 is_VBZ almost_AV0 up_AVP —_PUN time_NN1 for_PRP lunch_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC time_NN1 to_TO0 find_VVI a_AT0 date_NN1 ._SENT Seder_NN1 is_VBZ tomorrow_AV0 night_NN1 ._SENT Like_PRP so_AV0 many_DT0 other_AJ0 things_NN2 in_PRP my_DPS life_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP 've_VHB waited_VVN until_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD possible_AJ0 second_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC now_AV0 I_PNP get_VVB to_TO0 deal_VVI with_PRP the_AT0 wonderful_AJ0 anxiety-ridden_AJ0 aftermath_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Okay_AV0 ,_PUN okay_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP lean_VVB back_AVP from_PRP the_AT0 table_NN1 but_CJC do_VDB n't_XX0 stand_VVI ._SENT Have_VHB I_PNP forgotten_VVN how_AVQ to_TO0 stand_VVI ?_SENT 
No_ITJ ,_PUN it_PNP 's_VBZ not_XX0 that_DT0 ._SENT I_PNP just_AV0 do_VDB n't_XX0 know_VVI how_AVQ to_TO0 get_VVI to_PRP Matthew_NP0 in_PRP that_DT0 group_NN1 of_PRF boys_NN2 ._SENT Interrupting_VVG that_CJT much_DT0 noise_NN1 seems_VVZ like_PRP an_AT0 insurmountable_AJ0 task_NN1 ._SENT 
But_CJC then_AV0 ,_PUN luck_NN1 seems_VVZ to_TO0 be_VBI on_PRP my_DPS side_NN1 ._SENT Matthew_NP0 throws_VVZ his_DPS carton_NN1 of_PRF chocolate_NN1 milk_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 trash_NN1 and_CJC misses_VVZ the_AT0 shot_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC unlike_PRP the_AT0 rest_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS friends_NN2 ,_PUN he_PNP stands_VVZ up_AVP to_TO0 walk_VVI over_AVP and_CJC pick_VVI it_PNP up_AVP ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ my_DPS chance_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP rush_VVB out_AVP of_PRF my_DPS seat_NN1 so_AV0 fast_AV0 I_PNP bang_VVB my_DPS knees_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 table_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Ouch_ITJ !_SENT Damn_ITJ !_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP shout_VVB ,_PUN muffling_VVG my_DPS voice_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 hand_NN1 over_PRP my_DPS mouth_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP can_VM0 feel_VVI Cassandra_NP0 wince_VVI behind_PRP me_PNP ._SENT 
I_PNP recover_VVB and_CJC run_VVB up_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 trash_NN1 can_VM0 just_AV0 as_CJS Matthew_NP0 is_VBZ throwing_VVG away_AV0 his_DPS milk_NN1 carton_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Hey_ITJ ,_PUN there_AV0 ,_PUN Pearlman_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP say_VVB breathlessly_AV0 ._SENT 
Pearlman_NP0 ?_SENT What_DTQ ?_SENT I_PNP do_VDB not_XX0 call_VVI people_NN0 by_PRP their_DPS last_ORD names_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP am_VBB not_XX0 a_AT0 "_PUQ bro_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Matthew_NP0 turns_VVZ to_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN then_AV0 looks_VVZ down_AVP ,_PUN which_DTQ is_VBZ where_AVQ I_PNP 'm_VBB located_VVN ._SENT Pearlman_NP0 is_VBZ approximately_AV0 one_CRD foot_NN1 taller_AJC than_CJS me_DPS these_DT0 days_NN2 ._SENT Guess_VVB it_PNP 's_VBZ from_PRP drinking_VVG all_DT0 of_PRF that_DT0 milk_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Hey_ITJ ,_PUN Rachel_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP says_VVZ ,_PUN a_AT0 bit_NN1 of_PRF surprise_NN1 on_PRP his_DPS face_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ What_DTQ 's_VBZ up_AVP ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Um_ITJ ._SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 really_AV0 think_VVI this_DT0 through_AVP ._SENT I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 think_VVI about_AVP how_AVQ to_TO0 ask_VVI him_PNP ._SENT I_PNP only_AV0 fantasized_VVD about_PRP the_AT0 looks_NN2 on_PRP my_DPS family_NN1 's_POS faces_NN2 when_CJS I_PNP walk_VVB in_AVP with_PRP a_AT0 date_NN1 on_PRP my_DPS arm_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Rachel_NP0 ?_SENT "_PUQ he_PNP asks_VVZ ._SENT His_DPS voice_NN1 sounds_VVZ soft_AJ0 around_PRP my_DPS name_NN1 ,_PUN pleasant_AJ0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Um_ITJ ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP repeat_VVB ._SENT Then_AV0 rush_VVB out_AVP the_AT0 next_ORD words_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP need_VVB a_AT0 date_NN1 to_PRP my_DPS Passover_NN1 Seder_NN1 ._SENT Second_ORD night_NN1 ._SENT Everyone_PNI in_PRP my_DPS family_NN1 brings_VVZ dates_NN2 ._SENT And_CJC I_PNP 've_VHB never_AV0 brought_VVN one_PNI before_AV0 ._SENT For_PRP reasons_NN2 ._SENT And_CJC I_PNP thought_VVD I_PNP could_VM0 bring_VVI you_PNP this_DT0 year_NN1 ._SENT Obviously_AV0 not_XX0 as_PRP a_AT0 real_AJ0 date_NN1 ._SENT Just_AV0 to_TO0 like_VVI shut_VVN up_AVP my_DPS family_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC yeah_ITJ my_DPS sister_NN1 will_VM0 be_VBI there_AV0 ,_PUN so_AV0 maybe_AV0 you_PNP can_VM0 talk_VVI to_PRP her_PNP ._SENT And_CJC it_PNP 's_VBZ tomorrow_AV0 night_NN1 ._SENT Do_VDB you_PNP want_VVI to_TO0 go_VVI ?_SENT "_PUQ 
