>>19509075>>19509078>>19511205Carmody blinks. Wetness forms in the corner of her eyes, just like it does around the rim of her ice cream cone as it begins to melt. She adjusts the silly party hat that Paule put on her head. It seems even more ridiculous in light of what she has to say to them.
>"Paule. Kanako." >"Before I really speak my mind: you're one of my best friends, Paule. I love you. And I'm so proud of what you did in Japan, even if you didn't win, and of your big win over Little Beaver. Even if we disagree about some really important shit, and that's really frustrating, doesn't mean that that friendship and love ain't real.">"And Kanako, I owe you an apology. You were one of my closest friends too, and I let my hurt feelings, or my pride, or my selfishness get the better of me, and I said some really nasty things to you that I wish I could take back. But I can't. I said it because I was hurt, and in that moment it was easier to push you away than it was to deal with what I believed was rejection and betrayal. It was wrong, and I wish I hadn't, but I did, and I've got no right to expect your trust or your friendship after that."Carmody turns to Paule and blinks.
>"But Paule, the trouble is that a lot of these people you call 'meanies' are people we're gonna have to deal with, and come to terms with, in a way that goes beyond fighting 'em and winning a match. Like my sister, Colby. She's doing some really obnoxious and cruel shit that's difficult to deal with right now. I haven't even told anybody about the worst of it. But she's my sister. She played with me when we were kids, cuddled up next to me and read to me, helped me out alongside Mom in the kitchen so many times. I missed Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family this year because both of us were too chickenshit to go back to Arkansas because the other one might be there, and it fucking HURT. I can't live like that. And there's a lot of good in my sister. Even if she is a meanie." 