Flash Burnout by L. K. Madigan

Author:L. K. Madigan [Madigan, L. K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

When attaching accessory lenses, be sure to attach securely

If the lens becomes loose and falls off, it may crack,

and the shards of glass may cause cuts.

—Mitsu ProShot I.S. 5.3 camera guide, 2007

I hate to contribute to the swelling of Garrett's head. He already thinks he's an expert on women. But Christmas is coming up fast, and I still have no idea what to get for Shannon.

Finally I break down and ask him. "Man, what do girls want?"

He looks up from the book he's reading. "Huh?"

"For presents. What do girls want?"

"Oh," he says, putting down his book. "For a second, I thought you meant something more profound. In which case, my answer would have been: no one knows. And also: no one will ever know. And finally: don't even try to figure it out."

"Garrett," I say with a pained look. "Buddy. Leave the comedy to me, okay? You're gonna sprain something. Seriously. That looked like it hurt. You okay, man?"

He narrows his eyes and goes back to his book. Maybe I should have let him have his "joke."

Because now I'm on my own again for gift ideas.

***

"Mom, what should I get Shannon for Christmas?"

Mom is lying on the floor in corpse pose. Not that she's pretending to be a corpse; that's what they call it in yoga.

"Blake, I'm in savasana."

"I know. Corpse pose." It's like I'm the only one in this family not obsessed with corpses.

"That means I'm trying to be completely still and achieve mental balance."

"Right!"

"So can it wait?"

"Sure." I sit down on the couch.

After a minute Mom opens one eye and looks at me.

"Are you almost balanced?" I whisper.

She closes the eye again. "Blake!" Then she sighs and says, "Think about what Shannon likes to do."

Hmm. I ponder. What does Shannon like to do? She plays soccer, but soccer is finished now. She likes to read, but buying her a book seems boring. She does something musical ... piano, maybe? "I think she plays piano."

"You think she does, or she does?"

"Um."

Mom opens her eyes and sits up.

"Are you balanced?" I ask hopefully. Maybe she can give me some ideas now.

"I'm as balanced as I'll ever be. Blake, you know Shannon better than I do. Better than most people, probably. Think of what she likes to do—not what you think she likes to do—then go to the mall and see if you get any ideas."

"But I hate shopping!"

"Then don't get her anything," she says impatiently. She gets to her feet and rolls up her yoga mat.

Strike two.

***

"Hey, Dad?"

Yeah, bud."

What do girls like?"

He looks bewildered for a moment. "Uh..."

For presents. I'm trying to think of a Christmas present for Shannon."

"Oh!" The relief on his face would be funny if not for what he says next: "Go ask your mom. I have no idea."

***

"Mrs. DeWinter?" Truly: I am that desperate.

"Yes?"

"Hi, it's Blake."

Silence.

"Shannon's b—...uh, friend."

"Yes."

Nothing. She gives me nothing! No "Hi," no "How are you?" not even a "What the hell do you want?"

"I wondered if I could, um, ask you something."

"Yes?"

Ohmygod, she has said only one word so far.

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