At sixteen Bethie had never had wine before, but it was her sister’s wedding, she felt entitled to celebrate. And the wine was good. And then someone filled the glass and it was even better. And then there was the dancing, with her dad, with her older brother, with the bridesmaids, and then with the groom, Rodrigo. “We’re family now,” he whispered in her ear as they swayed slowly together. “I’ve always wanted a little sister.”

Bethie thought she might say that one older brother was enough for her, Jason was a jerk, but it didn’t seem the thing to do, especially since she could feel Rodrigo’s hardness pressing against her middle.

Elaine paused her reading. She couldn’t imagine doing even a one-page book report on this. It would be impossible. But her friend Melanie had insisted this was a legitimate banned book. Cumming of Age. “And if it wasn’t it should be. Trust me,” Melanie had said. Elaine decided to skip ahead.