I expected the same thing when you got to Phoenix."Then I saw you could make it just fine without me."I told her it only showed she'd raised me well."...Ellie, I can honestly say that I don't know where I'd be without you and Mack," I said. "I know it wouldn't be as nice a spot as I'm in now. You took me in and made me feel like I'm your son. You always knew exactly what I needed, whether it was a kick in the butt, or a pat on the back. I've got some awfully big decisions to make in the next. And no single pursuit has more perfectly encapsulated the meeting place of those two great ideals than that of Magic.Magic, as dreamed by the men and women who slavishly pursue it, is the ultimate expression of doing whatever the fuck you want. Not a fan of aging? Boom, twenty-six forever. Gravity would prefer you stay on the ground? Fuck you Gravity, we're flying up in this bitch. Your neighbor somehow hasn't transformed into a snail yet? Well I hope he's ready for a one-way ticket to. "What are you doing in here?" I said to her trying to act surprised. I could see she was shocked that I had caught her there by the way her face flushed red and the fact that she didn’t answer me. This was strange as normally Emma was quite a mouthy and loud girl when she was with her mates."Should you not be at school today?" I asked."Should you not be at work?" she replied. That’s was more the Emma I knew, answering back.I explained to her that I just could not be bothered today and felt like. It looks as though you have. Very impressive. You'll have to teach me."Becca smiled delightedly. "Phooey!" she said. "You pulled me round last night but I can do them without being led now. Anyway, would you like scrambled eggs for a change?" Why not?" Coming up, sir."She was bubbling with happiness and Steven was thrilled but kept quiet. "I'm going out this morning for a while. Is there anything you need from the shops?" Yes: food and furniture polish, oh, and some more washing powder." Well.