she was seventeen , two years older than i. i started going down there more and more often , even nights when billy was n't on , just to catch a glimpse of her . of all of her boys , blake was the most charming-which was probably good because he was a politician . he does n't actually attend , '' she said , her breath catching in her throat . i could not speak or move by then . but i had a sinking feeling in my gut . 