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1 Brody stared out the kitchen window and heaved a sigh. His parents were traveling for business this weekend, and he was staying with his Uncle Stephen. Unfortunately, Uncle Stephen lived in a cabin in the countryside, 50 miles away from Brody's home in the bustling city. Restlessly Brody picked up the phone and called his friend Marisa.
2 "What are you doing today?" Brody asked.
3 "Our robotics team is meeting later," Marisa reported. "We're still trying to decide what kind of robot to design. I wish you were here with us—we could really use your help."
4 "Oh, I wish I were there too," Brody managed to respond before hearing Marisa's mom in the background.
5 "I need to go," Marisa said. "My mom wants me to clean my room now. Talk to you later." Marisa hung up the phone before Brody even had a chance to say goodbye.
6 Brody dialed his friend Jeffrey next, hoping to hear that at least someone was having a fun weekend.
7 "Playing basketball—too bad you aren't around," Jeffrey said when asked what he was doing.
8 "For sure," Brody agreed.
9 "Oh, the guys are here—I have to go," Jeffrey said, hanging up.