Bisson_rucker_billys.. - Rudy Rucker

“What happened next door?” asked Billy’s father. They were eating supper.
“Nothing,” said Billy.
“It was awful,” said Billy’s mother. “Something squashed them all.”
“It wasn’t me,” said Billy.
“Even the little girl,” said Billy’s mother. “Her name was Grace.”
“It wasn’t me,” said Billy.
“Nobody said it was,” said Billy’s father. “I brought you a present. But first you
have to eat your brussels sprouts.”
“Deal,” said Billy. He waited till his parents weren’t looking and rolled them under
the table. They were like little balls.
He knew his mother wouldn’t see them. She never looked under the table. “What
did you bring me?”
“A tank,” said Billy’s father. “It’s metal. You can’t leave it out in the rain.”
“He will, though,” said Billy’s mother.
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