QUOTE : My dad lost his job,” I whispered to her. (I didn’t want my family to know that I was already spreading our bad news.)<br /><br />“He did?!” Jessi squeaked. “I don’t believe it. How stale.” She paused. “Mal? Is there anything I can do?”<br /><br />I thought for a moment. “Not really, I guess. Just … just let me lean on you when I need to. My brothers and sisters are all leaning on me.”<br /><br />“Boy,” and Jessi. “If they lean on you and you lean on me, I might fall over.”<br /><br />“Please don’t,” I said, giggling.