Our son Tommy had just turned sixteen years old and was starting his junior year of high school. He's a good athlete and a starting defensive back on... the football team.Tommy was fortunate to get a starting position since we had moved to the Atlanta area from Indianapolis just in time for the summer football try-outs and practices. But I knew that some of the players resented a new boy getting a starting position. The football season had started and the boys still had practices every day. The girl's too efficient. As she led me down the hall, I pleaded, "Just a little peephole, please. Just a little one, Ally." She refused.As we entered her room, I heard a mixture of slight gasps and low snickers. Hmm. I was hoping for cheers and applause but I guess I'll take what I can get."Stand right here, Greg. Ready for Number 1? He, he, you look like you're ready. Nice hard-on." Thanks. Pretty good for not being able to see all these beautiful girls. Sure, I'm ready."I couldn't see them. We even had a few bucks to split at the end of the last month.I called Tommy. “Tommy you and I need to talk,” I suggested.“What’s up?” he asked.“Not on the phone,” I said ominously.“Okay meet me at the store,” he suggested.“Will thirty minutes work for you?” I asked.“I’m here now,” he said.When I got to the show I filled him in on what had happened. After I finished he spoke.“Have you been smoking the left over stuff?” he asked almost seriously. “I think you are seeing things. Marge might see a. The real problem is the coal. There is only enough coal left for a part of tomorrow," he finished."The stove will also burn wood. Is there any firewood?" I haven't seen any, of course the storm hasn't made looking easy." What about the other houses? I could see five more houses on this row alone as I approached," I asked him."I don't think they're inhabited. I went out both yesterday and earlier today, and there were no lights or smoke coming from them. There have been no sounds that could be.
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