Read Rule #9 for Free Online

hot water from our turquoise kettle into a cup for me. She adds a tea bag, some honey, and a touch of cream. It’s the only hot thing she can make without putting it in the microwave.
    “The day you were born, your dad was so happy. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that.” She set the cup down in front of me. “He cried like a baby every time he picked you up, and it lasted for weeks. I thought he was having postnatal issues. And that I was a horrible mother. He doted over you more than I did.”
    I hold back the tears. Even if he was that man when I was born, he’s changed. “Not anymore. Not since he left you for that woman. And when she left, he didn’t wait long before he started dating Alicia. All he cared about was his girlfriend, and now his new wife.”
    “Some women define themselves by a man. Which they shouldn’t. You shouldn’t. I don’t. But even women who define themselves by a man can live without relationships longer than men. Men can’t live without women, especially after a long-term commitment or a marriage. Being alone scares them. It’s kind of funny—and sad.”
    My father’s a moron, as far as I’m concerned. And if he can’t make it without a woman, that’s his problem. He should have thought about that before he cheated.
    I’m sure my mom dates, but she never brings men around, and she doesn’t talk about them. It’s kind of nice. I don’t think I could deal with that, too.
    The doorbell rings, which saves my mother—for now.
    Even though I probably won’t win, I will fight this later. “This conversation isn’t over.” I walk out of the kitchen.
    “Okay, Miss Bossypants. But remember, I’m still the mom.”
    I open the door to find a paper attached to a rubber band. It’s one of those advertisements for a roofing company. Spring hailstorms had continued through the summer, and there was tons of roof damage in our neighborhood. My mom already replaced the shingles on our house. The boy who’s attaching them is at our neighbor’s doorknob.
    It’s him, Mr. Do You Wanna Dance.
    He’s wearing long shorts and one of those tight t-shirts that cling to his chest. Holy shit. My heart is no longer beating. I can’t breathe. He smiles. He waves. I smile back.
    Then I just I stand there, frozen, looking like an idiot.
    I’m sure my eyes are red and puffy. I start to talk. But the words don’t come out. It’s like a spell has been cast on me and my voice has been sucked out.
    “Hey,” he says.
    I wave.
    He looks at the flyers in his hand and says, “I dented my sister’s car. Now I have to pay to get it fixed. As my mama would say, ‘Dumber than a coal bucket.’”
    I nod but I don’t say anything. Instead I continue to stand here looking like an idiot because I don’t know what to do at this point.
    “See you around?”
    Yes, I’d like that. But I don’t say that. I turn and go back into my house. I run up the stairs, flop myself onto my bed, then scream into my pillow because somewhere between the wedding and today I’ve lost the ability to talk to cute boys or at least act like a normal human being around them. I’ll probably never see him again but if I ever do, I’ve lost all chances of ever getting to know him. Dumber than a coal bucket.
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
    My friends pound on the door to my room early. Okay, it’s ten thirty, but it’s Sunday and it’s the last week of the summer and I have the day off from work and it’s my last free weekend before school starts and soon I have to move into that other house and life is going to be hell.
    Not like it already isn’t. I let the cute boy get away again because I’m such an idiot.
    Natalie flings my curtains open, then pounces on the bed. “Come on, get up.”
    Buster jumps on my bed and licks my face. I barely open my eyes. I grab my pillow to hide under, but I notice that Vianna’s been crying.
    “What’s wrong?” I ask.
    Vianna’s eyes water. “Wendy’s so mean,” she