MARLON PARKS

Marlon is my friend who lacks the self-censorship gene that keeps you from saying what you think 24 hours a day. But Marlon is funny - that cuts him a lot of slack so he gets along pretty well at school despite all the idiot-moves he pulls. He's a little hyper, kind of like a puppy, but he's sweet and means well. Still, Marlon has a way of getting a big idea that snowballs into a really bad idea but then smashes into a happy ending. And he helps me take things less seriously and wing it, when necessary - something he's used to since it's just him and his Mom. Actually, that may be the best part of being friends with Marlon - the way he gets me to stop worrying, let my hair down and sing something dopey into his karaoke machine.