she pushed open the gate and stepped past her father 's van . surely , he ca n't be too big if he 's almost a month early , right ? the ringing in her head forced her to concentrate . if he sounded a little defensive , well , he had a right to . at the end of that week , to the dismay of us all , she and garlic left sugar town , taking with them , it seemed , kevins entire sense of self-worth . 