Putting Boys on the Ledge Read Online Free PDF

wasn't paying that much attention. Sam, my Latin teacher, was only two rows down from me, so I was watching him."
    "Sexploitation is basically turning women into sex symbols," Frances said. "Selling things through sex. Like most beer commercials."
    "Personally, I think there's nothing wrong with using sexuality to get what you want," Allie said. "As females, it's one of our most powerful weapons. A warrior would be foolish not to use one of his weapons because of some moral code."
    "You mean like in the movies, when the hero has a gun, then in some inane, macho move, he throws it aside for a fistfight with the bad guy?" Natalie asked.
    "Exactly," Allie said. "It's not a strategic thing to do."
    Natalie nodded. "I always thought that was dumb. Just shoot the bad guy and grab the girl and go live happily ever after."
    "I totally agree," Allie said. "Use your weapons."
    My mom would be horrified by this discussion. Not because of the sex talk, but because of the talk about warriors and shooting people. As I said before, my parents don't believe in war. Or violence of any kind. Frighteningly enough, there is actually a sign above our fireplace that says, "Make love, not war."
    Would you expect anything else from parents who would name their daughter Blueberry? In case you haven't noticed, I have a thing about my name.
    If I walked into my house and announced that there was too much violence at school and I wanted to start making love to every violent student, would my parents take down that sign? Might be interesting to try sometime, like when they're really driving me crazy.
    But first I had another mission. "You guys want to come to dinner with me tonight? My parents would be even more vulnerable with all of you there—four impressionable girls who need to learn that the world is a place where we can be equals."
    "I'm in," Natalie said.
    "As always," Allie said.
    "I have to study." Frances picked up her overstuffed backpack.
    I wanted Frances there. Yes, studying was important, but I'd been harboring a growing suspicion that she might have a hidden weakness. I decided to try it out. "Then we could get my parents to drive us to Theo's football game."
    Frances pursed her lips. "I guess I could work tomorrow morning instead."
    Ah, yes. I was beginning to think that our very serious friend Frances, who had no interest in boys, might be nursing the slightest crush on my brother. A serious situation I was going to have to look into. Theo wasn't generally that nice to girls. I didn't think it would be a good match.
    But then again, this would be Frances's first interest in a boy. Did we really want to discourage it? I was going to have to consult Allie and Natalie on this one.
    After we dealt with my parents, of course. I couldn't lie to myself; it wasn't going to be easy.
    * * *
    Mom was delighted by the extra guests. Having others join us for a family dinner enabled her to spread her positive, loving influence even more broadly in the world. If we had enough regulars at family dinners, my mom probably thought she could cut down on the murder rate in the United States, and possibly the world.
    Well, not quite. But sometimes I think she really believed it.
    And she was really happy to have my friends there so she could save them from evil. Especially since I think she considers Allie, Natalie, and Frances her daughters who just happen to be living with other families at the moment. It's always good to have the opportunity for positive parenting of her extended family.
    We were halfway through the tofu and veggie whole-wheat lasagna when I dove in. "I got the part in the musical."
    Marissa, my faithful follower, squealed and clapped her hands. "Can I bring you flowers at your performance?"
    Gotta love Marissa. My parents would hate to disappoint her. She's even more impressionable than I am.
    Dad grinned. "Way to go. I knew you would. It's those Waller genes. They predispose you to success."
    I had Waller genes, and I had never