Clifford Simak - All Flesh is Grass

7/30/2019 Clifford Simak - All Flesh is Grass

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kkkkkCliffordkD.Sima .kAllkfleshkiskgrass

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kFirstkpublished:k1965kDatekofke-text:kJunek26,k1999kPreparedkby:kAnadakSuc akk------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allkfleshkiskgrass

CliffordkD.kSima

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kkkkkWhenkIkswungkoutkofkthekvillagekstreetkontokthekmainkhighway,ktherekwasaktruc kbehindkme.kItkwaskonekofkthosekbigksemikjobskandkitkwaskreallyrolling.kThekspeedklimitkwaskforty-fivekonkthatkstretchkofkroad,krunningthroughkonekcornerkofkthekvillage,kbutkatkthatktimekinkthekmorningkitkwasn'treasonablektokexpectkthatkanyonekwouldkpaykattentionktokakpostedkspeed.kkkkkIkwasn'tktookconcernedkwithkthektruc .kI'dkbekstoppingkakmilekorksokupthekroadkatkJohnny'skMotorkCourtktokpic kupkAlfkPeterson,kwhokwouldkbewaitingkforkme,kwithkhiskfishingktac lekready.kAndkIkhadkotherkthingsktothin kof,ktook-kprincipallykthekphonekandkwonderingkwhokIkhadktal edkwithkon

thekphone.kTherekhadkbeenkthreekvoiceskandkitkallkwaskverykstrange,kbutkIhadkthekfeelingkthatkitkmaykhavekbeenkonekvoice,kchangedkmostkwonderfullyktoma ekthreekvoices,kandkthatkIkwouldk nowkthatkbasickvoicekifkIkcouldkonlypinkitkdown.kAndktherekhadkbeenkGeraldkSherwood,ksittingkinkhiskstudy,kwithtwokwallsklinedkbykboo s,ktellingkmekaboutkthekblueprintskthatkhadkformed,unbidden,kinkhiskbrain.kTherekhadkbeenkStiffykGrant,kpleadingkthatkIknotkletthemkusekthekbomb.kAndktherekhadkbeen,kaskwell,kthekfifteenkhundredkdollars.kkkkkJustkupkthekroadkwaskthekSherwoodkresidence,ksetkatopkitskhill,kwiththekhousekalmostkblottedkout,kinkthekearlykdawn,kbykthekbul ingkblac nesskofthekgreatkoa ktreeskthatkgrewkallkaroundkthekhouse.kStaringkatkthekhill,kIforgotkaboutkthekphonekandkGeraldkSherwoodkinkhiskboo -linedkstudykwithkhisheadkcrammedkfullkofkblueprints,kandkthoughtkinsteadkofkNancykandkhowkI'dmetkherkoncekagain,kafterkallkthosekyearsksincekhighkschool.kAndkIkrecalled

thosekdayskwhenkwekhadkwal edkhandkinkhand,kwithkakpridekandkhappinesskthatcouldknotkcomekagain,kthatkcankcomekbutkoncekwhenkthekworldkiskyoungkandkthefirst,kfierceklovekofkyouthkiskfreshkandkwonderful.kkkkkThekroadkaheadkwaskclearkandkwide;kthekfourklaneskcontinuedkforkanothertwentykmileskorksokbeforektheykdwindledkdownktoktwo.kTherekwasknokonekonktheroadkexceptkmyselfkandkthektruc ,kwhichkwaskcomingkupkbehindkmekandkcomingfairlykfast.kkkkkWatchingkthekheadlightskinkmykrearkvisionkmirror,kIk newkthatkinkjustkalittlekwhilekitkwouldkbekswingingkoutktokpasskme.kkkkkIkwasn'tkdrivingkfastkandktherekwaskaklotkofkroomkforkthektruc ktokpassme,kandktherekwasknotkakthingktokhitkandkthenkIkdidkhitksomething.kkkkkItkwaskli ekrunningkintokakstrongkelastickband.kTherekwasknokthumpkorcrash.kThekcarkbegankslowingkdownkaskifkIkhadkputkonkthekbra es.kTherekwas

nothingkIkcouldkseekandkforkakmomentkIkthoughtkthatksomethingkmustkhavehappenedktokthekcark-kthatkthekmotorkhadkgonekhaywirekorkthekbra eskhadloc ed,korksomethingkofktheksort.kIktoo kmykfootkoffkthekacceleratorkandkthecarkcamektokakhalt,kthenkstartedktokslidekbac ,kfasterkandkfaster,kforkallthekworldkaskifkI'dkrunkintokthatkrubberkbandkandknowkitkwasksnappingkbac .IkflippedkthekdrivektokneutralkbecausekIkcouldksmellkthekrubberkaskthektiresscreechedkonkthekroad,kandkasksoonkaskIkflippedkitkover,kthekcarksnappedbac ksokfastkthatkIkwaskthrownkagainstkthekwheel.kkkkkBehindkmekthekhornkofkthektruc kblaredkwildlykandktireskhowledkonkthepavementkaskthekdriverkswungkhiskrigktokmisskme.kThektruc kmadekakswishing


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soundkaskitkwentkrushingkpastkandkbeneathkthekswishing,kIkcouldkhearktherubberkofkthektiresksuc ingkatkthekroadbed,kandkthekwholekthingkrumbledkasifkitkmightkbekangrykatkmekforkcausingkitkthisktrouble.kAndkaskitkwentrushingkpast,kmykcarkcamektokakhalt,koverkonkthekshoulderkofkthekroad.kkkkkThenkthektruc khitkwhateverkIkhadkhit.kIkcouldkhearkitkwhenkitkstruc .Itkmadekaklittlekplop.kForkaksinglekinstant,kIkthoughtkthektruc kmightkbreathroughkwhateverkthekbarrierkmightkbe,kforkitkwaskheavykandkhadkbeenkgoingfastkandkforkaksecondkorksoktherekwasknoksignkthatkitkwaskslowingkdown.kThenitkbeganktokslowkandkIkcouldkseekthekwheelskofkthatkbigkjobks iddingkandhumping,ksokthatktheykseemedktokbeks ippingkonkthekpavement,kstillkmovingforwardkdoggedly,kbutkstillknotkgettingkthrough.kkkkkItkmovedkaheadkforkakhundredkfeetkorksokbeyondkthekpointkwherekIkhadstopped.kAndktherekthekrigkcamektokakhaltkandkbeganks iddingkbac .kItkslidsmoothlykforkakmoment,kwithkthektiresksquealingkonkthekpavement,kthenkitbeganktokjac nife.kThekrearkendkbuc ledkaroundkandkcameksidewayskdownktheroad,kheadingkstraightkforkme.kkkkkIkhadkbeenksittingkcalmlykinkthekcar,knotkdazed,knotkevenktookmuchpuzzled.kItkallkhadkhappenedksokfastkthatktherekhadknotkbeenktimektokwor kupmuchkpuzzlement.kSomethingkstrangekhadkhappened,kcertainly,kbutkIkthin kIhadkthekfeelingkthatkinkjustkaklittlekwhilekI'dkgetkitkfiguredkoutkandkitwouldkallkcomekrightkagain.kkkkkSokIkhadkstayedksittingkinkthekcar,kabsorbedkinkwatchingkwhatkwouldhappenktokthektruc .kButkwhenkitkcamekslidingkbac kdownkthekroad,jac nifingkaskitkslid,kIkslappedkthekhandlekofkthekdoorkandkshovedkitkwith

mykshoulderkandkrolledkoutkofkthekseat.kIkhitkthekpavementkandkscrambledktomykfeetkandkran.kkkkkBehindkmekthektireskofkthektruc kwerekscreamingkandkthenktherekwaskacrashkofkmetal,kandkwhenkIkheardkthekcrash,kIkjumpedkoutkonkthekgrassyshoulderkofkthekroadkandkhadkakloo kbehindkme.kThekrearkendkofkthektruc khadslammedkintokmykcarkandkshovedkitkinkthekditchkandknowkwaskslowly,kalmostmajestically,ktopplingkintokthekditchkitself,krightkatopkmykcarkkkkk'Hey,kthere!'kIkshouted.kItkdidknokgood,kofkcourse,kandkIk newkitwouldn't.kThekwordskwerekjustkjer edkoutkofkme.kkkkkThekcabkofkthektruc khadkremainedkuponkthekroad,kbutkitkwaskcantedkwithonekwheelkoffkthekground.kThekdriverkwaskcrawlingkfromkthekcab.kkkkkItkwaskakquietkandkpeacefulkmorning.kOverkinkthekwestksomekheatlightningkwasks ippingkaboutkthekdar khorizon.kTherekwaskthatkfreshnesskin

thekairkthatkyoukneverkgetkexceptkonkaksummerkmorningkbeforektheksunkgetskupandkthekbeatkcloseskdownkonkyou.kTokmykright,koverkinkthekvillage,kthestreetklightskwerekstillkburning,khangingkstillkandkbright,kunstirredkbykanybreeze.kItkwasktooknicekakmorning,kIkthought,kforkanythingktokhappen.kkkkkTherekwereknokcarskonkthekroad.kTherekwerekjustkthektwokofkus,kthetruc erkandkmyself,kandkhisktruc kinkthekditch,ksquashingkdownkmykcar.kHecamekdownkthekroadktowardkme.kkkkkHekcamekupktokmekandkstopped,kpeeringkatkme,khiskarmskhangingkatkhisside.k'Whatkthekhellkiskgoingkon?'khekas ed.k'Whatkdidkwekrunkinto?'kkkkk'Ikdon'tk now,'kIksaid.kkkkk'I'mksorrykaboutkyourkcar,'khektoldkme.k'I'llkreportkitktokthekcompany.They'llkta ekcarekofkit.'kkkkkHekstood,knotkmoving,kactingkaskifkhekmightkneverkmovekagain.k'Just

li ekrunningkintoknothing,'khekdeclared.k'There'sknothingkthere.'kkkkkThenkslowkangerkflaredkinkhim.kkkkk'BykGod,'kheksaid,k'I'mkgoingktokfindkout...'kkkkkHekturnedkabruptlykandkwentkstal ingkupkthekhighway,kheadingktowardwhateverkwekhadkhit.kIkfollowedkalongkbehindkhim.kkkkkHekwaskgruntingkli ekankangrykhog.kkkkkHekwentkstraightkupkthekmiddlekofkthekroadkandkhekhitkthekbarrier,kbutbykthisktimekhekwaskroaringkmadkandkhekwasn'tkgoingktokletkitkstopkhim,ksohek eptkploughingkintokitkandkhekgotkakgoodkdealkfartherkthankIkhadkexpectedthatkhekwould.kButkfinallykitkstoppedkhimkandkhekstoodktherekforkakmoment,


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withkhiskbodykbracedkridiculouslykagainstkaknothingness,kleaningkintokit,andkwithkhisklegskdrivingkli ekwell-oiledkpistonskinkankattemptktokdrivehimselfkahead.kInkthekstillnesskofkthekmorningkIkcouldkhearkhiskshoeschuffingkonkthekpavement.kkkkkThenkthekbarrierkletkhimkhavekit.kItksnappedkhimkbac .kItkwaskaskifkasuddenkwindkhadkstruc khimkandkwaskblowingkhimkdownkthekroad,ktumblingkaskherolled.kHekfinallykendedkupkjammedkhalfkunderneathkthekfrontkendkofkthekcab.kkkkkIkrankoverkandkgrabbedkhimkbykthekan leskandkpulledkhimkoutkandkstoodhimkonkhiskfeet.kHekwaskbleedingkaklittlekfromkwherekhe'dkrubbedkalongkthepavementkandkhiskclotheskwerektornkandkdirty.kButkhekwasn'tkangrykanykmore;hekwaskjustkplainkscared.kHekwaskloo ingkdownkthekroadkaskifkhe'dkseenkaghostkandkhekstillkwasksha ing.kkkkk'Butkthere'sknothingkthere,'kheksaid.kkkkk'There'llkbekotherkcars,'kIksaid,k'andkyoukarekacrosskthekroad.kHadn'twekoughtktokputkoutksomekflareskorkflagskorksomething?'kkkkkThatkseemedktoksnapkhimkoutkofkit.kkkkk'Flags,'kheksaid.kkkkkHekclimbedkintokthekcabkandkgotkoutksomekflags.kkkkkIkwal edkdownkthekroadkwithkhimkwhilekheksetkthemkout.kkkkkHekputktheklastkonekdownkandksquattedkdownkbesidekit.kHektoo koutkahand erchiefkandkbegankdabbingkatkhiskface.kkkkk'WherekcankIkgetkakphone?'khekas ed.k'We'llkhavektokgetksomekhelp.'kkkkk'Someonekhasktokfigurekoutkakwayktokclearkthekbarrierkoffkthekroad,'kIsaid.k'Inkaklittlekwhilekthere'llkbekaklotkofktraffic.kIt'llkbekpiledkupkfor

miles.'kkkkkHekdabbedkatkhiskfaceksomekmore.kTherekwaskaklotkofkdustkandkgrease.Andkaklittlekblood.kkkkk'Akphone?'khekas ed.kkkkk'Oh,kanykplace,'kIktoldkhim.k'Justkgokupktokanykhouse.kThey'llkletkyouusekakphone.'kkkkkAndkherekwekwere,kIkthought,ktal ingkaboutkthiskthingkaskifkitkwerekanordinarykroadkbloc ,kaskifkitkwerekakfallenktreekorkakwashed-outkculvert.kkkkk'Say,kwhat'sktheknamekofkthiskplace,kanyhow?kIkgotktoktellkthemkwherekIamkcallingkfrom.'kkkkk'Millville,'kIktoldkhim.kkkkk'Youklivekhere?'kkkkkIknodded.

kkkkkHekgotkupkandktuc edkthekhand erchiefkbac kintokhiskpoc et.kkkkk'Well,'kheksaid,k'I'llkgokandkfindkthatkphone.'kkkkkHekwantedkmektokofferktokgokwithkhim,kbutkIkhadksomethingkelsektokdo.kIhadktokwal karoundkthekroadkbloc kandkgetkupktokJohnny'skMotorkCourtkandexplainktokAlfkwhatkhadkhappenedktokdelaykme.kkkkkIkstoodkinkthekroadkandkwatchedkhimkplodkalong.kThenkIkturnedkaroundandkwentkupkthekroadkinkthekoppositekdirection,kwal ingktowardkthatsomethingkwhichkwouldkstopkakcar.kIkreachedkitkandkitkstoppedkme,knotabruptly,knorkroughly,kbutkgently,kaskifkitkdidn'tkintendktokletkmekthroughunderkanykcircumstances,kbutkwaskbeingkpolitekandkreasonablekaboutkit.kkkkkIkputkoutkmykhandkandkIkcouldn'tkfeelkakthing.kIktriedkrubbingkmykhandbac kandkforth,kaskyoukwouldktokfeelkaksurface,kbutktherekwasknoksurface,therekwasknotkakthingktokrub;ktherekwaskabsolutelyknothing,kjustkthatkgentle

pressurekpushingkyoukawaykfromkwhateverkmightkbekthere.kkkkkIkloo edkupkandkdownkthekroadkandktherekwaskstillknoktraffic,kbutkinkalittlekwhile,kIk new,ktherekwouldkbe.kPerhaps,kIktoldkmyself,kIkshouldksetoutksomekflagskinkthekeast-boundktrafficklanektokconveykatkleastksomewarningkthatktherekwasksomethingkwrong.kItkwouldkta eknokmorekthankakminuteorktwoktoksetkupkthekflagskwhenkIkwentkaroundkthekendkofkthekbarrierktokgettokJohnny'skMotorkCourt.kkkkkIkwentkbac ktokthekcabkandkfoundktwokflagskandkclimbedkdownktheshoulderkofkthekroadkandkclamberedkupkthekhillside,kma ingkakbigksweepktogetkaroundkthekbarrierk-kandkevenkaskIkmadektheksweepkIkrankintokthekbarrier


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again.kIkbac edkawaykfromkitkandkstartedktokwal kalongsidekit,kclimbingkupthekhill.kItkwaskhardktokdo.kIfkthekbarrierkhadkbeenkaksolidkthing,kIkwouldhavekhadknoktrouble,kbutksincekitkwaskinvisible,kIk eptkbumpingkintokit.ThatkwaskthekwaykIktracedkit,kbumpingkintokit,kthenksheeringkoff,kthenbumpingkintokitkagain.kkkkkIkthoughtkthatkthekbarrierkwouldkendkalmostkanyktime,korkthatkitkmightgetkthinner.kAkcouplekofktimeskIktriedkpushingkthroughkit,kbutkitkstillkwasaskstiffkandkstrongkaskever.kTherekwaskankawfulkthoughtkgrowingkinkmykmind.AndkthekhigherkupkthekhillkIkclimbed,kthekmorekpersistentkgrewkthekthought.ItkwaskaboutkthisktimekthatkIkdroppedkthekflags.kkkkkBelowkmekIkheardktheksoundkofks iddingktireskandkswungkaroundktokloo .Akcarkonkthekeast-boundklanekhadkslammedkintokthekbarrier,kandkinkslidingbac ,khadks iddedkbroadsidekacrosskbothklanes.kAnotherkcarkhadkbeentravellingkbehindkthekfirstkandkwasktryingktokslowkdown.kButkeitherkitsbra eskwerekbadkorkitskspeedkhadkbeenktookhigh,kforkitkcouldn'tkstop.kAskIwatched,kitskdriverkswungkitkout,kwithkthekwheelskuponkthekshoulder,s inningkpastkthekbroadsidekcar.kThenkhekslappedkintokthekbarrier,kbutkhisspeedkhadkbeenkreduced,kandkhekdidn'tkgokfarkin.kSlowlykthekbarrierkpushedbac kthekcarkandkitkslidkintokthekotherkcarkandkfinallykcamektokrest.kkkkkThekdriverkhadkgottenkoutkofkthekfirstkcarkandkwaskwal ingkaroundkhiscarktokreachktheksecondkcar.kIksawkhiskheadktiltkupkandkitkwaskclearkheksawme.kHekwavedkhiskarmskatkmekandkshouted,kbutkIkwasktookfarkawayktokma ekoutwhatkheksaid.kkkkkThektruc kandkmykcar,klyingkcrushedkbeneathkit,kstillkwerekalonekonkthe

west-boundklanes.kItkwaskcurious,kIktoldkmyself,kthatknokonekelsekhadkcomealong.kkkkkTherekwaskakhousekatopkthekhillkandkforksomekreasonkIkdidn'tkrecognizeit.kItkhadktokbekakhousekofksomeonekthatkIk new,kforkI'dklivedkallkmyklifeinkMillvillekexceptkforkakyearkatkcollegekandkIk newkeveryone.kIkdon'tk nowhowktokexplainkit,kbutkforkakmomentkIkwaskallkmixedkup.kNothingkloo edfamiliarkandkIkstoodkconfused,ktryingktokgetkmykbearingskandkfigurekwherekIwas.kkkkkThekeastkwaskbrighteningkandkinkanotherkthirtykminutesktheksunkwouldkbepo ingkup.kInkthekwestkakgreatkangrykcloudkban kloomed,kandkatkitskbasekIcouldkseekthekrapierkflic eringkofktheklightningkthatkwaskridingkwithkthestorm.kkkkkIkstoodkandkstaredkdownkatkthekvillagekandkitkallkcamekclearktokme

exactlykwherekIkwas.kThekhousekupkonkthekhillkwaskBillkDonovan's.kBillkwasthekvillagekgarbagekman.kkkkkIkfollowedkalongkthekbarrier,kheadingkforkthekhousekandkforkakmomentkIwonderedkjustkwherekthekhousekmightkbekinkrelationktokthekbarrier.kMorekthanli ely,kIktoldkmyself,kitkstoodkjustkinsidekofkit.kkkkkIkcamektokakfencekandkclimbedkitkandkcrossedktheklitteredkyardktoktheric etykbac kstairs.kIkclimbedkthemkgingerlyktokgainkthekstoopkandkloo edforkakbell.kTherekwasn'tkanykbell.kIkliftedkakfistkandkpoundedkonkthekdoor,thenkwaited.kIkheardksomeonekstirringkaroundkinside,kthenkthekdoorkcamekopenandkBillkstaredkoutkatkme.kHekwaskankun emptkbearkofkakmankandkhiskbushyhairkstoodkallkonkendkandkhekloo edkatkmekfromkbeneathkakpairkofkbelligerenteyebrows.kHekhadkpulledkhisktrouserskoverkhiskpajama,kbutkhekhadn'tkta enthektimektokzipkupkthekflykandkakswatchkofkpurplekpajamakclothkstuc kout.

Hiskfeetkwerekbarekandkhisktoeskcurledkupkakbitkagainstkthekcoldkofktheitchenkfloor.kkkkk'What'skthekmatter,kBrad?'khekas ed.kkkkk'Ikdon'tk now,'kIktoldkhim.k'Therekisksomethingkhappeningkdownkonktheroad.'kkkkk'Ankaccident?'khekas ed.kkkkk'No,knotkankaccident.kIktellkyoukIkdon'tk now.kThere'sksomethingkacrossthekroad.kYoukcan'tkseekit,kbutkit'skthere.kYoukrunkintokitkandkitkstopskyoucold.kIt'skli ekakwall,kbutkyoukcan'tktouchkorkfeelkit.'kkkkk'Comekonkin,'ksaidkBill.k'Youkcouldkdokwithkakcupkofkcoffee.kI'llkput


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onkthekpot.kIt'sktimekforkbrea fastkanyhow.kThekwifekiskgettingkup.'kkkkkHekreachedkbehindkhimkandksnappedkonkthek itchenklight,kthenkstoodktooneksideksokthatkIkcouldkenter.kkkkkBillkwal edkoverktoktheksin .kHekpic edkakglasskoffkthekcounterktopkandturnedkonkthekwater,kthenkstoodkwaiting.kkkkk'Havektokletkitkrunkakwhilekuntilkitkgetskcold,'khektoldkme.kHekfilledthekglasskandkheldkitkoutktokme.k'Wantkakdrin ?'khekas ed.kkkkk'No,kthan s,'kIktoldkhim.kkkkkHekputkthekglassktokhiskmouthkandkdran kinkgreatkslobberingkgulps.kkkkkSomewherekinkthekhousekakwomankscreamed.kIfkIklivektokbekakhundred,I'llknotkforgetkwhatkthatkscreamkwaskli e.kDonovankdroppedkthekglasskonkthefloorkandkitkbro e,ksprayingkjaggedkglasskandkwater.kkkkk'Liz!'khekcried.k'Liz,kwhat'skwrong?'kkkkkHekchargedkoutkofkthekroomkandkIkstoodkthere,kfrozen,kloo ingkatkthebloodkonkthekfloor,kwherekDonovan'skbarekfeetkhadkbeenkgashedkbykthekbro englass.kkkkkThekwomankscreamedkagain,kbutkthisktimekthekscreamkwaskmuffled,kaskifshekmightkbekscreamingkwithkherkmouthkpressedkagainstkakpillowkorkakwall.kkkkkIkblunderedkoutkofkthek itchenkintokthekdining-room,kstumblingkonsomethingkinkmykpathk-kaktoy,kakstool,kIkdon'tk nowkwhatkitkwaskandklunginghalfwaykacrosskthekroomktoktryktokcatchkmykbalance,kafraidkofkfallingkandhittingkmykheadkagainstkakchairkorktable.kkkkkAndkIkhitkitkagain,kthatksamekresistantkwallkthatkI'dkwal edkintokdownonkthekroad.kIkbracedkmyselfkagainstkitkandkpushed,kgettingkuprightkonkmy

feet,kstandingkinkthekdimnesskofkthekdining-roomkwithkthekhorrorkofkthatwallkraspingkatkmyksoul.kkkkkIkcouldksensekitkrightkinkfrontkofkme,kalthoughkIknoklongerktouchedkit.Andkwhereaskbefore,koutkinkthekopen,konkthekroad,kitkhadkbeenknokmorekthankawonderktookbigktokcomprehend,kherekbeneathkthiskroof,kinsidekthiskfamilyhome,kitkbecamekankalienkblasphemykthatksetkone'skteethkonkedge.kkkkk'Mykbabies!'kscreamedkthekwoman.k'Ikcan'tkreachkmykbabies!'kkkkkNowkIkbeganktokgetkmykbearingskinkthekcurtainedkroom.kIksawkthektableandkthekbuffetkandkthekdoorkthatkledkintokthekbedroomkhallway.kkkkkDonovankwaskcomingkthroughkthekdoorway.kHekwaskhalfkleading,khalfcarryingkthekwoman.kkkkk'Iktriedktokgetktokthem,'kshekcried.k'There'sksomethingktherek-somethingkthatkstoppedkme.kIkcan'tkgetktokmykbabies!'

kkkkkHekletkherkdownkonkthekfloorkandkproppedkherkagainstkthekwallkandk neltgentlykbesidekher.kHekloo edkupkatkmekandktherekwaskakbaffled,kangrykterrorinkhiskeyes.kkkkk'It'skthekbarrier,'kIktoldkhim.k'Thekonekdownkonkthekroad.kItkrunsstraightkthroughkthekhouse.'kkkkk'Ikdon'tkseeknokbarrier,'kheksaid.kkkkk'Damnkit,kman,kyoukdon'tkseekit.kItkjustkiskthere,kiskall.'kkkkk'Whatkcankwekdo?'khekas ed.kkkkk'ThekchildrenkarekOK,'kIkassuredkhim,khopingkIkwaskright.k'They'rekjustonkthekotherksidekofkthekbarrier.kWekcan'tkgetktokthemkandktheykcan'tkgetktous,kbutkeverything'skallkright.'kkkkk'Ikjustkgotkupktokloo kinkonkthem,'kthekwomanksaid.k'Ikjustkgotkupktoloo katkthemkandktherekwasksomethingkinkthekhall...'

kkkkk'Howkmany?'kIkas ed.kkkkk'Two,'ksaidkDonovan.k'Onekisksix,kthekotherkeight.'kkkkk'Iskthereksomeonekyoukcankphone?kSomeonekoutsidekthekvillage.kTheycouldkcomekandkta ekthemkinkandkta ekcarekofkthemkuntilkwekgetkthiskthingfiguredkout.kTherekmustkbekankendktokthiskwallksomewhere.kIkwaskloo ingkforitk.k.k.'kkkkk'She'skgotkaksister,'ksaidkDonovan,k'upkthekroadkakways.kFourkorkfivemiles.'kkkkk'Maybekyoukshouldkcallkher.'kkkkkAndkaskIksaidkit,kanotherkthoughtkhitkmekstraightkbetweenkthekeyes.kThe


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phonekmightknotkbekwor ing.kThekbarrierkmightkhavekcutkthekphoneklines.kkkkk'Youkbekallkright,kLiz?'khekas ed.kkkkkSheknoddedkdumbly,kstillksittingkonkthekfloor,knotktryingktokgetkup.kkkkk'I'llkgokcallkMyrt,'kheksaid.kkkkkIkfollowedkhimkintokthek itchenkandkstoodkbesidekhimkaskhekliftedkthereceiverkofkthekwallkphone,kholdingkmykbreathkinkakfiercekhopekthatkthephonekwouldkwor .kAndkforkoncekmykhopingkmustkhavekdoneksomekgood,kforkwhenthekreceiverkcamekoffkthekhoo kIkcouldkhearkthekfaintkbuzzkofkankoperatingline.kkkkkOutkinkthekdining-room,kMrskDonovankwasksobbingkverykquietly.kkkkkDonovankdialled,khiskbig,kblunt,kgrease-grimedkfingerskseeminglyaw wardkandkunfamiliarkatkthektas .kHekfinallykgotkitkdone.kkkkkHekwaitedkwithkthekreceiverkatkhiskear.kIkcouldkhearktheksignalkringinginkthekquietnesskofkthek itchen.kkkkk'Thatkyou,kMyrt?ksaidkDonovan.k'Yeah,kthiskiskBill.kWekrunkintokalittlektrouble.kIkwonderkcouldkyoukandkJa ekcomekover....kNo,kMyrt,kjustsomethingkwrong.kIkcan'tkexplainkitktokyou.kCouldkyoukcomekoverkandkpic kupthek ids?kYou'llkhavektokcomekthekfrontkway;kyoukcan'tkgetkinkthekbac ....Yeah,kMyrt,kIk nowkitksoundskcrazy.kThere'sksomeksortkofkwall.kLizkandkme,we'rekinkthekbac kpartkofkthekhousekandkwekcan'tkgetkupktokthekfront.kTheidskarekinkthekfront....kNo,kMyrt,kIkdon'tk nowkwhatkitkis.kButkyoukdokli eIksay.kThemk idskarekupktherekallkalonekandkwekcan'tkgetktokthem....kYes,Myrt,krightkthroughkthekhouse.kTellkJa ektokbringkalongkankaxe.kThiskthingrunskrightkstraightkthroughkthekhouse.kThekfrontkdoorkiskloc edkandkJa e

willkhavektokchopkitkdown.kOrkbustkakwindow,kifkthat'skeasier....kSure,sure,kIk nowkwhatkI'mksaying.kYoukjustkgokaheadkandkdokit.kAnythingktokgetthemk ids.kI'mknotkcrazy.kSomething'skwrong,kIktellkyou.kSomething'skgonewaykwrong.kYoukdokwhatkIksay,kMyrt....kDon'tkmindkaboutkthekdoor,kjustkchopthekdamnkthingkdown.kYoukjustkgetkthek idskanykwaykyoukcankandk eepkthemsafekforkus.'kkkkkHekhungkupkthekreceiverkandkturnedkfromkthekphone.kHekusedkhiskforearmtokwipektheksweatkoffkhiskface.kkkkk'Damnkwoman,'kheksaid.k'Shekjustkstoodktherekandkargued.kShe'skaflightykbitch.'kkkkkHekloo edkatkme.k'Now,kwhatkdokwekdoknext?'kkkkk'Tracekthekbarrier,'kIksaid.k'Seekwherekitkgoes.kSeekifkwekcankgetaroundkit.kIfkwekcankfindkakwaykaroundkit,kwekcankgetkyourk ids.'

kkkkk'I'llkgokwithkyou.'kkkkkIkgesturedktowardkthekdining-room.k'Andkleavekherkherekalone?'kkkkk'No,'kheksaid.k'No,kIkcan'tkdokthat.kYoukgokahead.kMyrtkandkJa e,they'llkcomekandkgetkthek ids.kSomekofkthekneighbourskwillkta ekLizkin.kI'lltryktokcatchkupkwithkyou.kThingkli ekthis,kyoukmightkneedksomekhelp.'kkkkk'Than s,'kIksaid.kkkkkOutsidekthekhouse,kthekpalenesskofkthekdawnkwaskbeginningktokflowacrosskthekland.kEverythingkwaskpaintedkthatkghostlykbrightness,knotquite-white,knotkquitekanykotherkcolourkeither,kthatkmar skthekbeginningkofankAugustkday.kkkkkOnkthekroadkbelow,kakcouplekofkdozenkcarskwerekjammedkupkinkfrontkofthekbarrierkonkthekeast-boundklanekandktherekwerekgroupskofkpeoplekstandingaround.kIkcouldkhearkonekloudkvoicekthatk eptkboomingkoutkinkexcitedktal k-

onekofkthosekaggressivekloudmouthskyoukfindkinkanyk indkofkcrowd.kSomeonehadkbuiltkaksmallkcampfirekoutkonkthekboulevardkbetweenktheklanesk-kGodnowskwhy,kthekmorningkwasksurelykwarmkenoughkandkthekdaykwouldkbekascorcher.kkkkkAndknowkIkrememberedkthatkIkhadkmeantktokgetkholdkofkAlfkandktellkhimthatkIkwasn'tkcoming.kIkcouldkhavekusedkthekphonekinkthekDonovank itchen,butkI'dkforgottenkallkaboutkit.kIkstoodkundecided,kdebatingkwhetherktokgobac kinkagainkandkas ktokusekthekphone.kThatkhadkbeenkthekmainkreason,kIrealized,kthatkI'dkstoppedkatkDonovan's.kkkkkTherekwaskthiskpilekofkcarskonkthekeast-boundklanekandkonlykthektruc


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andkmykbatteredkcarkonkthekwest-boundklanekandkthatkmustkmean,kIktoldmyself,kthatkthekwest-boundklanekwaskclosed,kaskwell,ksomewherektokthekeast.Andkcouldkthatkmean,kIkwondered,kthatkthekvillagekwaskenclosed,kwasencircledkbykthekwall?kkkkkIkdecidedkagainstkgoingkbac ktokma ekthekphonekcall,kandkmovedkonaroundkthekhouse.kIkpic edkupkthekwallkagainkandkbeganktokfollowkit.kIkwasgettingkthekhangkofkitkbyknow.kItkwaskli ekfeelingkthiskthingkalongsidekme,andkfollowingkthekfeeling,k eepingkjustkakwayskawaykfromkit,kbumpingkintokitonlyknowkandkthen.kkkkkThekwallkroughlyks irtedkthekedgekofkthekvillage,kwithkakfewkoutlyinghouseskonkthekotherksidekofkit.kIkfollowedkalongkitkandkIkcrossedksomekpathsandkakcouplekofkbob-tailed,kdead-endkstreets,kandkfinallykcamektokthesecondarykroadkthatkrankinkfromkCoonkValley,ktenkmileskorksokaway.kkkkkThekroadkslantedkonkakgentlekgradekinkitskapproachkintokthekvillagekandonkthekslant,kjustkonkthekotherksidekofkthekwall,kstoodkankolderkmodelkcar,somewhatkthekworsekforkwear.kItskmotorkwaskstillkrunningkandkthekdoorkonkthedriver'sksidekwaskopen,kbutktherekwasknokonekinkitkandknokonekwaskaround.kItloo edkaskifkthekdriver,koncekhe'dkstruc kthekbarrier,kmightkhavekfledkinpanic.kkkkkAskIkstoodkloo ingkatkthekcar,kthekbra eskbeganktokslipkandkthekcarinchedkforward,kslowlykatkfirst,kthenkfaster,kandkfinallykthekbra eskgaveoutkentirelykandkthekcarkplungedkdownkthekhill,kthroughkthekbarrierkwall,andkcrashedkintokaktree.kItkslowlyktoppledkoverkonkitsksidekandkakthintric lekofksmo ekbeganktokseepkfromkunderneathkthekhood.

kkkkkButkIkdidn'tkpaykmuchkattentionktokthekcar,kforktherekwasksomethingmorekimportant.kIkbro ekintokakrun,kheadingkupkthekroad.kkkkkThekcarkhadkpassedkthekbarrierkandkhadkgonekdownkthekroadktokcrashkandthatkmeantktherekwasknokbather.kIkhadkreachedkthekendkofkit!kkkkkIkrankupkthekroad,kexultantkandkrelieved,kforkI'dkbeenkfightingkdownthekfeeling,kandkhavingkakhardktimektokfightkitkdownkentirely,kthatkthebarrierkmightkrunkallkaroundkthekvillage.kAndkinkthekmidstkofkallkmyexultationkandkrelief,kIkhitkthekwallkagain.kkkkkIkhitkitkfairlykhard,kforkIkwaskrunningkhard,ksurekthatkitkwasn'tthere,kbutkinkakterriblekhurryktokma eksurekitkwasn'tkthere.kIkwentkintokitforkthreekrunningkstrideskbeforekitktossedkmekbac .kIkhitkthekroadbedkflatonkmykbac kandkmykheadkbangedkuponkthekpavement.kTherekwerekakmillionkstars.kkkkkIkrolledkoverkandkgotkonkmykhandskandk neeskandkstayedktherekforka

moment,kli ekakguttedkhound,kwithkmykheadkhangingklimpkbetweenkmykshoulders,andkIkshoo kitknowkandkthenktoksha ekthekstarskaway.kkkkkIkheardkthekcrac lekandkthekroarkofkflameskandkthatkjer edkmektokmyfeet.kIkstillkwaskfairlykwobbly,kbutkwobblykorknot,kIkgotkawaykfromkthere.Thekcarkwaskburningkbris lykandkatkanykmomentkthekflameskwouldkreachkthekgastan kandkthekcarkwouldkgoks ykhigh.kkkkkButkthekexplosion,kwhenkitkcame,kwasknotktookspectaculark-justkanangry,kmuffledkwhuffkandkakgreatkgoutkofkflamekflaringkupkintoktheks y.kButitkwaskloudkenoughktokbringksomekpeoplekoutktokseekwhatkwaskgoingkon.kDoeFabiankandklawyerkNicholskwerekrunningkupkthekroad,kandkbehindkthemkcamekabunchkofkyellingk idskandkakpac kofkbar ingkdogs.kkkkkIkdidn'tkwaitkforkthemkalthoughkIkhadkhalfkakmindkto,kforkIkhadkaklottoktellkandkherekwaskankaudience.kButktherekwasksomethingkelsekthatkstopped

mekfromkturningkbac k-kIkhadktokgokonktrac ingkdownkthekbarrierkandktryktofindkitskend,kifkitkhadkankend.kkkkkMykheadkhadkbegunktokclearkandkallkthekstarskwerekgonekandkIkcouldthin kaklittlekbetter.kkkkkTherekwaskonekthingkthatkstoodkoutkplainkandkclear:kakcarkcouldkgothroughkthekbarrierkwhenktherekwasknokonekinkit,kbutkwhenkitkwaskoccupied,thekbarrierkstoppedkitkdead.kAkmankcouldknotkgokthroughkthekbarrier,kbutkhecouldkpic kupkakphonekandktal ktokanyonekhekwanted.kAndkIkrememberedkthatkIhadkheardkthekvoiceskofkthekmenkshoutingkinkthekroad,khadkheardkthemkveryclearlykevenkwhenktheykwerekonkthekotherkside.kIkpic edkupksomekstic skand


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stoneskandktossedkthemkatkthekbarrier.kTheykwentksailingkthroughkaskifnothingkhadkbeenkthere.kkkkkTherekwaskonlykonekthingkthatkthekbarrierkwouldkstopkandkthatksinglethingkwasklife.kAndkwhykinkthekworldkshouldktherekbekakbarrierktokshutkout,orkshutkin,klife?kkkkkThekvillagekwaskbeginningktokstirktoklife.kkkkkIkwatchedkFloydkCaldwellkcomekoutkonkhiskbac kporch,kdressedkinkhisundershirtkandkakpairkofkpantskwithktheksuspenderskhanging.kExceptkforkoldDockFabian,kFloydkwaskthekonlykmankinkMillvillekwhokeverkworeksuspenders.ButkwhilekoldkDockworeksedatekandknarrowkblac kones,kFloydkworekakpairkthatwaskbroadkandkred.kFloydkwaskthekbarberkandkhektoo kaklotkofk iddingkabouthiskredksuspenders,kbutkFloydkdidn'tkmind.kHekwaskthekvillageksmartkguykandhekwor edkatkitkallkthektimekandkitkprobablykwaskallkright,kforkitkbroughthimkaklotkofktradekfromkoutkinkthekfarmingkcountry.kPeoplekwhokmightkjustkaswellkhavekgonektokCoonkValleykforktheirkhaircutskcame,kinstead,ktokMillvilletoklistenktokFloyd'skjo eskandktokseekhimkclown.kkkkkFloydkstoodkoutkonkthekbac kporchkandkstretchedkhiskarmskandkyawned.Thenkhektoo kakclosekloo katkthekweatherkandkhekscratchedkhiskribs.kDownkthestreetkakwomankcalledkthekfamilykdogkandkinkaklittlekwhilekIkheardkthekflatsnapkofkakscreenkdoorkshuttingkandkIk newkthekdogkwaskin.kkkkkItkwaskstrange,kIkthought,kthatkthere'dkbeenknokalarm.kPerhapskitkwasbecausekfewkpeoplekaskyetk newkaboutkthekbarrier.kkkkkPerhapskthekfewkwhokhadkfoundkoutkaboutkitkwerekstillkaklittleknumb.Perhapskmostkofkthemkcouldn'tkquitekbelievekit.kMaybektheykwerekafraid,kaskI

was,ktokma ektookmuchkfusskaboutkitkuntilktheyk newksomethingkmorekaboutkit.kkkkkButkitkcouldn'tklastkforklong,kthiskmorningkcalm.kBeforektooklong,Millvillekwouldkbekseething.kkkkkNow,kaskIkfollowedkit,kthekbarrierkcutkthroughkthekbac kyardkofkonekofthekolderkhouseskinkthekvillage.kInkitskdaykitkhadkbeenkakplacekofkelegance,butkyearskofkpovertykandkneglectkhadkleftkitktumbledown.kkkkkAnkoldkladykwaskcomingkdownkthekstepskfromktheksha ykbac kporch,balancingkherkfrailkbodykwithkaksteadyingkcane.kkkkkHerkhairkwaskthinkandkwhitekandkevenkwithknokbreezektokstirkthekair,raggedkendskofkitkfloatedkli ekakfuzzykhalokallkaroundkherkhead.kkkkkShekstartedkdownkthekpathktoktheklittlekgarden,kbutkwhenksheksawkmekshestoppedkandkpeeredkatkme,kwithkherkheadktiltedkjustkaklittlekinkakbird-li efashion.kHerkpalekbluekeyeskglitteredkatkmekthroughkthekthic nesskofkher

glasses.kkkkk'BradkCarter,kisn'tkit?'kshekas ed.kkkkk'Yes,kMrskTyler,'kIksaid.k'Howkarekyoukthiskmorning?'kkkkk'Oh,kjustktolerable,'kshektoldkme.k'I'mkneverkmorekthankthat.kIkthoughtthatkitkwaskyou,kbutkmykeyeskhavekfailedkmekandkIkneverkcankbeksure.'kkkkk'It'skaknicekmorning,kMrskTyler.kThiskiskgoodkweatherkwekarekhaving.'kkkkk'Yes,'ksheksaid,k'itkis.kIkwaskloo ingkforkTupper.kHekseemsktokhavewanderedkoffkagain.kYoukhaven'tkseenkhim,khavekyou?'kkkkkIkshoo kmykhead.kItkhadkbeenktenkyearsksincekanyonekhadkseenkTupperTyler.kkkkk'Hekisksuchkakrestlesskboy,'ksheksaid.k'AlwayskwanderingkoffkIkdeclare,Ikdon'tk nowkwhatktokdokwithkhim.'kkkkk'Don'tkyoukworry,'kIktoldkher.k'He'llkshowkupkagain.'

kkkkk'Yes,'ksheksaid,k'Iksupposekhekwill.kHekalwayskdoes,kyouk now.'kSheproddedkwithkherkcanekatkthekbedkofkpurplekflowerskthatkgrewkalongkthekwal .'They'rekverykgoodkthiskyear,'ksheksaid.k'ThekbestkI'vekeverkseenkthem.kIgotkthemkfromkyourkfatherktwentykyearskago.kMrkTylerkandkyourkfatherkweresuchkgoodkfriends.kYoukrememberkthat,kofkcourse.'kkkkk'Yes,'kIksaid.k'Ikrememberkverykwell.'kkkkk'Andkyourkmother?kTellkmekhowkshekis.kWekusedktokseekakgoodkdealkofkoneanother.'kkkkk'Youkforget,kMrskTyler,'kIktoldkher,kgently.k'Motherkdiedkalmostktwoyearskago.'


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kkkkk'Oh,ksokshekdid,'ksheksaid.k'It'sktrue,kIkamkforgetful.kOldkagekdoeskittokone.kNokonekshouldkgrowkold.'kkkkk'Ikmustkbekgettingkon,'kIksaid.k'Itkwaskgoodktokseekyou.'kkkkk'Itkwask indkofkyouktokcall,'ksheksaid.k'Ifkyoukhavekthektime,kyoumightkstepkinkandkwekcouldkhaveksomektea.kItkisksokseldomknowkthatkanyoneeverkcomeskforktea.kIksupposekit'skbecausekthektimeskhavekchanged.kNokone,anykmore,khaskthektimekforktea.'kkkkk'I'mksorrykthatkIkcan't,'kIksaid.k'Ikjustkstoppedkbykforkakmoment.'kkkkk'Well,'ksheksaid,k'itkwaskveryknicekofkyou.kIfkyoukhappenktokseekTupperwouldkyoukmind,kIkwonder,ktoktellkhimktokcomekhome.'kkkkk'OfkcoursekIkwill,'kIkpromised.kkkkkIkwaskgladktokgetkawaykfromkher.kShekwasknicekenough,kofkcourse,kbutjustkaklittlekmad.kInkallkthekyearsksincekTupper'skdisappearance,kshekhadgonekonkloo ingkforkhim,kandkalwayskaskifkhe'dkjustksteppedkoutkthekdoor,alwayskverykcalmkandkconfidentkinkthekthoughtkthatkhe'dkbekcomingkhomekinjustkaklittlekwhile.kQuitekreasonablekaboutkitkandkvery,kveryksweet,knokmorethankmildlykworriedkaboutkthekidiotksonkwhokhadkvanishedkwithoutktrace.kkkkkTupper,kIkrecalled,khadkbeenksomethingkofkakpest.kHe'dkbeenkakpestkwitheveryone,kofkcourse,kbutkespeciallykwithkme.kHeklovedkflowerskandkhe'dkhungaroundkthekgreenhousekthatkmykfatherkhad,kandkmykfather,kwhokwasconstitutionallykunablektokbekun indktokanyone,khadkputkupkwithkhimkandkhiscontinualkjabber.kTupperkhadkattachedkhimselfktokmekandknokmatterkwhatkIkdidorksaid,khe'dktagkalongkbehindkme.kThekfactkthatkhekwaskakgoodktenkyearsolderkthankIkwaskmadeknokdifferencekatkall;kinkhiskownkmindkTupperkneverkhad

outgrownkchildhood.kInkthekbac kofkmykmindkIkstillkcouldkhearkhiskjauntyvoice,kmindlesslykhappykoverkanythingkatkall,kcooingkoverkflowerskorkas ingendless,ksenselesskquestions.kIkhadkhatedkhim,kofkcourse,kbutktherekwasreallyknothingkonekcouldkpinkakgoodkhatekon.kkkkkTupperkwaskjustksomethingkthatkonekhadktoktolerate.kButkIk newkthatkIneverkwouldkforgetkthatkjaunty,khappykvoice,korkhiskdroolingkaskhektal ed,orkthekhabitkthatkhekhadkofkcountingkonkhiskfingersk-kGodk nowskwhykhekdiditkaskifkhekwerekinkcontinualkfearkthatkhekmightkhaveklostkonekofkthemkintheklastkfewkminutes.kkkkkTheksunkhadkcomekupkbyknowkandkthekworldkwaskfloodedkwithkakbrilliantlight,kandkIkwaskbecomingkmorekcertainkbykthekminutekthatkthekvillagekwasencircledkandkcutkoff,kthatksomeonekorksomething,kforknokapparentkreason,hadkdroppedkakcagekaroundkus.kLoo ingkbac kalongkthekwaykthatkIkhadkcome,kI

couldkseekthatkI'dkbeenktravellingkonkthekinsidekofkakcurve.kkkkkLoo ingkahead,kthekcurvekwasn'tkdifficultktokplot.kkkkkAndkwhykshouldkitkbekus,kIkwondered.kWhykaklittlektownkli ekours?kAtownkthatkwasknokdifferentkfromktenkthousandkotherktowns.kkkkkAlthough,kIktoldkmyself;kthatkmightknotkbekentirelyktrue.kItkwasexactlykwhatkIkwouldkhaveksaidkandkperhapskeverybodykelse.kEveryone,kthatis,kexceptkforkNancykSherwoodk-kNancy,kwhokonlyktheknightkbeforekhadktoldkmeherkstrangektheorykthatkthisktownkofkourskwasksomethingkverykspecial.kAndcouldkshekbekright,kIkwondered?kWaskourklittlektownkofkMillvilleksomehowksetapartkfromkallkotherklittlektowns?kkkkkJustkaheadkwaskmykhomekstreetkandkmykcalculationsktoldkmekthatkitkwaslocatedkjustkinsidekthekencirclingkbarricade.kkkkkTherekwas,kIktoldkmyself,knoksensekinkgoingkfarther.kItkwouldkbeka

wastekofktime.kIkdidknotkneedktokcompletekthekcirclektokconvincekmyselfkthatwekwerekhemmedkin.kkkkkIkcutkacrosskthekbac yardkofkthekPresbyteriankparsonagekandkthere,kjustacrosskthekstreet,kwaskmykhouse,ksetkwithinkitskwildernesskofkflowerskandshrubs,kwithkthekabandonedkgreenhousekstandingkinkthekbac kandkthekoldgardenkaroundkit,kakfieldkofkpurplekflowers,kthoseksamekpurplekflowerskthatMrskTylerkhadkpo edkatkwithkherkcanekandksaidkwerekdoingkwellkthiskseason.kkkkkIkheardktheksteadyksquea ingkaskIkreachedkthekstreetkandkIk newkthatsomek idskhadksnea edkintokthekyardkandkwerekplayingkinkthekoldklawnkswingthatkstoodkbesidekthekporch.


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kkkkkIkhurriedkupkthekstreet,kaklittlekwrathfulkatktheksquea ing.kIkhadktoldthosek ids,ktimekandktimekagain,ktokleavekthatkswingkalone.kItkwaskoldkandric etykandkonekofkthesekdayskonekofkthekuprightskorksomethingkelsekwouldbrea ,kandkonekofkthek idskmightkbekbadlykhurt.kIkcouldkhavekta enkitkdown,ofkcourse,kbutkIkwaskreluctantkto,kforkitkwaskMother'skswing.kShekhadkspentmanykhourskoutkinkthekyard,kswingingkgentlykandksedately,kloo ingkatktheflowers.kkkkkThekyardkwaskclosedkinkbykthekold-timeklilackhedgekandkIkcouldn'tkseethekswingkuntilkIkreachedkthekgate.kkkkkIkhurriedkforkthekgatekandkjer edkitkopenksavagelykandktoo ktwokquicstepskthroughkit,kthenkstoppedkinkmyktrac s.kkkkkTherekwereknok idskinkthekswing.kTherekwaskakman,kandkexceptkforkabatteredkhatkofkstrawksetksquarelykatopkhiskhead,khekwaskaskna edkaskajaybird.kkkkkHeksawkmekandkgrinnedkakfoolishkgrin.k'Hi,kthere,'kheksaid,kwithkjauntyhappiness.kAndkevenkaskheksaidkit,khekbegankakcountingkofkhiskfingers,droolingkaskhekcounted.kkkkkAndkatktheksightkofkhim,katktheksoundkofkthatkrememberedkbutklongforgottenkvoice,kmykmindkwentkthuddingkbac ktokthekafternoonkbefore.

kkkkk2

kkkkkEdkAdlerkhadkcomekthatkafternoonktokta ekoutkthekphonekandkhekhadkbeenembarrassed.k'I'mksorry,kBrad,'kheksaid.k'Ikdon'tkwantktokdokthis,kbutkI

guesskIkhavekto.kIkhavekankorderkfromkTomkPreston.'kkkkkEdkwaskakfriendkofkmine.kWekhadkbeenkgoodkpalskinkhighkschoolkandkgoodfriendskeverksince.kTomkPrestonkhadkbeenkinkschoolkwithkus,kofkcourse,kbuthe'dkbeenknokfriendkofkminekorkofkanybodykelse's.kHe'dkbeenkaksnottyk idkandhekhadkgrownkupkintokaksnottykman.kkkkkThatkwaskthekwaykitkwent,kIkthought.kThekheelskalwayskwerekthekoneskwhoseemedktokgetkahead.kTomkPrestonkwaskthekmanagerkofkthektelephonekofficekandEdkAdlerkwor edkforkhimkaskakphonekinstallerkandkaktroubleshooter,kandkIkwasakrealtorkandkinsurancekagentkwhokwaskgoingkoutkofkbusiness.kNotkbecausekIwantedkto,kbutkbecausekIkhadkto,kbecausekIkwaskdelinquentkinkmykofficekphonebillkandkwaykbehindkinkrent.kkkkkTomkPrestonkwasksuccessfulkandkIkwaskakbusinesskfailurekandkEdkAdlerwaskearningkaklivingkforkhiskfamily,kbutknotkgettingkanywhere.kAndkthekrest

ofkthem,kIkwondered.kThekrestkofkthekhighkschoolkgangk-khowkwerektheygettingkon?kAndkIkcouldn'tkanswer,kforkIkdidn'tk now.kTheykallkhadkdriftedoff.kTherekwasn'tkmuchkinkaklittlektownkli ekMillvillektok eepkakmankaround.Ikprobablykwouldn'tkhavekstayedkmyselfkifkitkhadn'tkbeenkforkMother.kI'dcomekhomekfromkschoolkafterkDadkhadkdiedkandkhadkhelpedkoutkwithkthegreenhousekuntilkMotherkbadkjoinedkDad.kAndkbykthatktimekIkhadkbeenksoklonginkMillvillekthatkitkwaskhardktokleave.kkkkk'Ed,'kIkhadkas ed,k'dokyoukeverkhearkfromkanykofkthekfellows?kkkkk'No,kIkdon't,'ksaidkEd.k'Ikdon'tk nowkwherekanykofkthemkare.'kkkkkIksaid:k'TherekwaskS innykAustinkandkCharleykThompson,kandkMartykHallandkAlf.kIkcan'tkrememberkAlf'sklastkname.'kkkkk'Peterson,'ksaidkEd.kkkkk'Yes,kthat'skit,'kIksaid.k'It'skakfunnykthingkIkshouldkforgetkhiskname.

OldkAlfkandkmekhadkaklotkofkfunktogether.'kkkkkEdkgotkthekcordkunfastenedkandkstoodkup,kwithkthekphonekdanglingkfromhiskhand.kkkkk'Whatkarekyoukgoingktokdoknow?'khekas edkme.kkkkk'Loc kthekdoor,kIkguess,'kIksaid.k'It'sknotkjustkthekphone.kIt'severything.kI'mkbehindkinkrentkaskwell.kDankWilloughby,kdownkatkthekban ,kisveryksadkaboutkit.'kkkkk'Youkcouldkrunkthekbusinesskfromkthekhouse.'kkkkk'Ed,'kIktoldkhimkshortly,k'therekisn'tkanykbusiness.kIkjustkneverkhadkabusiness.kIkcouldn'tkma ekakstart.kIklostkmoneykfromkthekfirst.'


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kkkkkIkgotkupkandkputkonkmykhatkandkwal edkoutkofkthekplace.kThekstreetkwasalmostkempty.kTherekwerekakfewkcarskatkthek erbkandkakdogkwasksmellingkofkalampkpostkandkoldkStiffykGrantkwaskproppedkupkinkfrontkofkthekHappykHollowtavern,khopingkthatksomeonekmightkcomekalongkandkofferkhimkakdrin .kkkkkIkwaskfeelingkprettyklow.kSmallkthingkaskitkhadkbeen,kthekphonekhadspelledkthekend.kItkwaskthekthingkthatkfinallyksignifiedkforkmekwhatkafailurekIkhadkbeen.kYoukcankgokalongkforkmonthskandk idkyourselfkthateverything'skallkrightkandkwillkwor koutkinkthekend,kbutkalwaysksomethingcomeskupkthatkyoukcan'tk idkaway.kEdkAdlerkcomingktokdisconnectkandkta eawaykthekphonekhadkbeenkthatkfinalkthingkIkcouldn'tk idkaway.kkkkkIkstoodktherekonktheksidewal ,kloo ingkdownkthekstreet,kandkIkfelthatredkforkthektownk-knotkforkthekpeoplekinkit,kbutkforkthektownkitself,kforthekimpersonalkgeographickconceptkofkonekparticularkplace.kkkkkThektownklaykdustykandkarrogantkandksmugkbeyondkallktellingkandkitsneeredkatkmekandkIk newkthatkIkhadkbeenkmista enkinknotkleavingkitkwhenkI'dhadkthekchance.kIkhadktriedktoklivekwithkitkforkveryklovekofkit,kbutkI'dbeenkblindktoktry.kIkhadk nownkwhatkallkmykfriendskhadk nown,kthekoneskwho'dgonekaway,kbutkIkhadkclosedkmykmindktokthatksurekandkcertaink nowledge:therekwasknothingkleftkinkMillvillektokma ekonekstaykaround.kItkwaskankoldtownkandkitkwaskdying,kaskoldkthingskalwayskdie.kItkwaskbeingkstrangledkbythekswiftkandkeasykroadskthatktoo kcustomersktokbetterkshoppingkareas;kitwaskdyingkwithkthekdeclinekofkmarginalkagriculture,kdyingkalongkwithkthelittlekvacantkhillsidekfarmskthatknoklongerkwouldksupportkakfamily.kItkwaskaplacekofkgenteelkpovertykandkitkhadkitsksharekofkmustykquaintness,kbutkit

waskdyingkjustktheksame,kalbeitkinkthekpolitekscentkofklavenderkandimpeccablekgoodkmanners.kkkkkIkturnedkdownkthekstreet,kawaykfromkthekdustykbusinessksectionkandkmademykwaykdownktoktheklittlekriverkthatkflowedkdosekagainstkthekeastkedgekofthektown.kTherekIkfoundkthekancientkfootpathkunderneathkthektreeskandkwal edalong,klisteningkinktheksummerksilencektokthekgurglekofkthekwaterkaskitflowedkbetweenkthekgrassykban skandkalongkthekgravelkbars.kkkkkAndkaskIkwal edktheklostkandkhalfkforgottenkyearskcamekcrowdingkinkuponme.kThere,kjustkahead,kwaskthekvillagekswimmingkhole,kandkbelowkitkthestretchkofkshallowskwherekI'dknettedksuc erskinkthekspring.kkkkkAroundkthekriver'skbendkwaskthekplacekwekhadkheldkourkpicnics.kWekhadbuiltkakfirektokroastkthekwienerskandktoktoastkthekmarshmallowskandkwekhadsatkandkwatchedkthekeveningkstealkinkamongkthektreeskandkacrosskthekmeadows.

Afterkaktimekthekmoonkwouldkrise,kma ingkthekplacekakmagickplace,kpaintedkbytheklatticekofkshadowkandkofkmoonlight.kThenkwektal edkinkwhisperskandkwewilledkthatktimekshouldkmovekatkakslowerkpaceksokwekmightkholdkthekmagiclonger.kButkforkallkourkwilling,kitkhadkneverkcomektokpass,kforktime,keventhen,kwasksomethingkthatkcouldknotkbekslowedkorkstopped.kkkkkTherekhadkbeenkNancykandkmyselfkandkEdkAdlerkandkPriscillakGordon,kandatktimeskAlfkPetersonkhadkcomekwithkuskaskwell,kbutkaskIkrememberedkitkhehadkseldomkbroughtktheksamekgirlktwice.kkkkkIkstoodkforkakmomentkinkthekpathkandktriedktokbringkitkbac ,kthekglowofkmoonlightkandkthekglimmerkofkthekdyingkfire,ktheksoftkgirlkvoiceskandkthesoftkgirl-flesh,kthekengulfingktendernesskofkthatkyouthfulkmiracle,kthetinglekandkexcitementkandkthekthan fulness.kIksoughtkthekenchantedkdar nessandkthekgoldenkhappiness,korkatkleastkthekghostskofkthem;kallkthatkIkcould

findkwaskthekintellectualk nowledgekofkthem,kthatktheykoncekhadkbeenkandwereknotkanykmore.kkkkkSokIkstood,kwithkthekedgekwornkoffkaktarnishedkmemory,kandkakbusinessfailure.kIkthin kIkfacedkitksquarelykthen,kthekfirstktimekthatkI'dkfacedkit.WhatkwouldkIkdoknext?kkkkkPerhaps,kIkthought,kIkshouldkhavekstayedkinkthekgreenhousekbusiness,butkitkwaskakfoolishkthoughtkandkakpiecekofkwishfulness,kforkafterkDadkhaddiedkitkhadkbeen,kinkeverykway,kaklosingkproposition.kWhenkhekhadkbeenalive,kwekhadkdonekallkright,kbutkthenkthere'dkbeenkthekthreekofkusktokwor ,andkDadkhadkbeenkthek indkofkmankwhokhadkankunderstandingkwithkallkgrowing


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things.kTheykgrewkandkflourishedkunderkhiskcarekandkhekseemedktok nowexactlykwhatktokdoktok eepkthemkgreenkandkhealthy.kSomehowkorkother,kIdidn'tkhavekthek nac .kWithkmekthekplantskwerekpoorkandkpunykatkthekbest,andktherekwerekalwayskpestskandkparasiteskandkallksortskofkplantkdiseases.kkkkkSuddenly,kaskIkstoodkthere,kthekriverkandkthekpathkandktreeskbecameancient,kalienkthings.kAskifkIkwerekakstrangerkinkthiskplace,kaskifkIkhadwanderedkintokankareakofktimekandkspacekwherekIkhadknokbusinesskbeing.kAndmorekterrifyingkthankifkitkhadkbeenkakplacekI'dkneverkseenkbeforekbecausekInewkinkakchill,kfarkcornerkofkmykmindkthatkherekwaskakplacekthatkheldkapartkofkme.kkkkkIkturnedkaroundkandkstartedkupkthekpathkandkbac kofkmekwaskakfearkandpanickthatkmadekmekwantktokrun.kButkIkdidn'tkrun.kIkwentkevenkslowerkthankIordinarilykwouldkhave,kforkthiskwaskakvictorykthatkIkneededkandkwasdeterminedkIkwouldkhavekanyksortkofklittlekfutilekvictory,kli ekwal ingkveryslowlykwhenktherekwaskthekurgektokrun.kkkkkBac konkthekstreetkagain,kawaykfromkthekdeepkshadowkofkthektrees,kthewarmthkandkbrilliancekofktheksunlightksetkthingskrightkagain.kNotkentirelyright,kperhaps,kbutkasktheykhadkbeenkbefore.kThekstreetkwasktheksamekasever.kTherekwerekakfewkmorekcarskandkthekdogkhadkdisappearedkandkStiffyGrantkhadkchangedkhiskloafingkplace.kInsteadkofkproppingkupkthekHappykHollowtavern,khekwaskproppingkupkmykoffice.kkkkkOrkatkleastkwhatkhadkbeenkmykoffice.kForknowkIk newkthatktherekwasknopointkinkwaiting.kIkmightkaskwellkgokinkrightknowkandkcleankoutkmykdes kandloc kthekdoorkbehindkmekandkta ekthek eykdownktokthekban .kDanielkWilloughby

wouldkbekfairlykfrosty,kbutkIkwaskbeyondkallkcaringkaboutkDanielkWilloughby.Sure,kIkowedkhimkrentkthatkIkcouldn'tkpaykandkhekprobablykwouldkresentkit,butktherekwerekaklotkofkotherkpeoplekinkthekvillagekwhokowedkDanielWilloughbykwithoutkmuchkprospectkofkpaying.kThatkwaskthekwaykhe'dkwor edkitandkthatkwaskthekwaykhekhadkitkandkthatkwaskwhykhekresentedkeveryone.kI'dratherkbekli ekmyself,kIkthought,kthankli ekDankWilloughby,kwhokwal edkthestreetskeachkday,kchewedkbykcontemptkandkhatredkofkeveryonekhekmet.kkkkkUnderkotherkcircumstanceskIkwouldkhavekbeenkgladktokhavekstoppedkandtal edkakwhilekwithkStiffykGrant.kHekmightkbekthekvillagekbum,kbutkhekwaskafriendkofkmine.kHekwaskalwayskreadyktokgokfishingkandkhek newkallkthekli elyplaceskandkhisktal kwaskfarkmorekinterestingkthankyoukmightkimagine.kButrightknowkIkdidn'tkcarektoktal kwithkanyone.kkkkk'Hi,kthere,kBrad,'ksaidkStiffy,kaskIkcamekupktokhim.k'Youkwouldn't

happen,kwouldkyou,ktokhavekakdollarkonkyou?kkkkkItkhadkbeenkaklongktimeksincekStiffykhadkputkthekbitekonkmekandkIkwassurprisedkthatkhekshouldkdokitknow.kForkwhateverkelsekStiffykGrantkmightkbe,hekwaskakgentlemankandkmostkconsiderate.kHekneverktappedkanyonekforkmoneyunlessktheykcouldkaffordkit.kStiffykhadkakreadykgeniuskfork nowingkexactlywhenkandkhowkhekcouldksafelykma ekaktouch.kkkkkIkdippedkintokmykpoc etkandktherekwaskaksmallkwadkofkbillskandkaklittlesilver.kIkhauledkoutktheklittlekwadkandkpeeledkoffkakbillkforkhim.kkkkk'Than kyou,kBrad,'kheksaid.k'Ikain'tkhadkakdrin kallkday.'kkkkkHektuc edkthekdollarkintokthekpoc etkofkakpatchedkandkflappingkvestkandhobbledkswiftlykupkthekstreet,kheadingkforkthektavern.kkkkkIkopenedkthekofficekdoorkandksteppedkinsidekandkaskIkshutkthekdoorbehindkme,kthekphonekbeganktokring.

kkkkkIkstoodkthere,kli ekakfool,krootedktokthekfloor,kstaringkatkthekphone.kkkkkItk eptkonkringing,ksokIkwentkandkansweredkit.kkkkk'MrkBradshawkCarter?'kas edktheksweetestkvoicekIkhavekeverkheard.kkkkk'Thiskiskhe,'kIksaid.k'WhatkcankIkdokforkyou?kkkkkIk newkthatkitkwasknokonekinkthekvillage,kforktheykwouldkhavekcalledkmeBrad.kAnd,kbesides,ktherekwasknokonekIk newkwhokhadkthatk indkofkvoice.kIthadkthekpersuasivekpurrkofkakTVkglamourkgirlksellingksoapkorkbeautykaids,andkitkhad,kaskwell,kthatkdear,kbrightktimbrekonekwouldkexpectkwhenkakfairyprincesskspo e.kkkkk'You,kperhaps,karekthekMrkBradshawkCarterkwhosekfatherkranka


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greenhouse?'kkkkk'Yes,kthat'skright,'kIksaid.kkkkk'You,kyourself,knoklongerkrunkthekgreenhouse?kkkkk'No,'kIksaid,k'Ikdon't.'kkkkkAndkthenkthekvoicekchanged.kUpktillknowkitkhadkbeenksweetkandkveryfeminine,kbutknowkitkwaskmalekandkbusinessli e.kAskifkonekpersonkhadkbeental ing,kthenkhadkgottenkupkandkgonekandkankentirelykdifferentkpersonkhadpic edkupkthekphone.kAndkyet,kforksomekcrazykreason,kIkhadkthekdistinctimpressionkthatktherekhadkbeenknokchangekofkperson,kbutkjustkakchangekofvoice.kkkkk'Wekunderstand,'kthisknewkvoiceksaid,k'thatkyoukmightkbekfreektokdosomekwor kforkus.'kkkkkWhy,kyes,kIkwould,'kIksaid.k'Butkwhatkiskgoingkon?kWhykdidkyourkvoicechange?kWhokamkIktal ingkwith?'kkkkkAndkitkwaskaksillykthingktokas ,kforknokmatterkwhatkmykimpressionkmighthavekbeen,knokhumankvoicekcouldkhavekchangedksokcompletelykandkabruptly.kIthadktokbektwokpersons.kkkkkButkthekquestionkwasn'tkanswered.kkkkkWekhavekhopes,'kthekvoiceksaid,k'thatkyoukcankrepresentkus.kYoukhavebeenkhighlykrecommended.'kkkkk'Inkwhatkcapacity?'kIkas ed.kkkkk'Diplomatically,'ksaidkthekvoice.k'Ikthin kthatkiskthekproper...'kkkkk'ButkI'mknokdiplomat.kIkhavekno...'kkkkk'Youkmista ekus,kMrkCarter.kYoukdoknotkunderstand.kPerhapskIkshould

explainkaklittle.kWekhavekcontactkwithkmanykofkyourkpeople.kTheykservekuskinmanykways.kForkexample,kwekhavekakgroupkofkreaders...'kkkkk'Readers?'kkkkk'ThatkiskwhatkIksaid.kOneskwhokreadktokus.kTheykreadkmanykdifferentthings,kyouksee.kThingskofkmanykinterests.kThekEncyclopaediakBritannicakandthekOxfordkdictionarykandkmanykdifferentktextboo s.kLiteraturekandkhistory.Philosophykandkeconomics.kAndkit'skallksokinteresting.'kkkkk'Butkyoukcouldkreadkthesekthingskyourself.kTherekisknokneedkofkreaders.Allkyoukneedktokdokisktokgetksomekboo s...'kkkkkThekvoiceksighedkresignedly.k'Youkdoknotkunderstand.kYoukarekspringingatkconclusions.'kkkkk'Allkright,kthen,'kIksaid,k'Ikdoknotkunderstand.kWe'llkletkitkgokatthat.kWhatkdokyoukwantkofkme?kRememberingkthatkI'mkaklousykreader.'

kkkkk'Wekwantkyouktokrepresentkus.kWekwouldkli ekfirstktoktal kwithkyou,ksothatkyoukmaykgivekuskyourkappraisalkofktheksituation,kandkfromktherekwecan...'kkkkkTherekwaskmorekofkit,kbutkIkdidn'tkhearkit.kForknow,ksuddenly,kIk newwhatkhadkseemedksokwrong.kIkhadkbeenkloo ingkatkitkallkthekwhile,kofkcourse,butkitkwasknotkuntilkthiskmomentkthatkakfullkrealizationkofkitktouchedkmyconsciousness.kTherekhadkbeenktookmanykotherkthingsk-kthekphonekwhenkthereshouldkhavekbeenknokphone,ktheksuddenkchangekofkvoices,kthekcrazyktrendkofthekconversation.kMykmindkhadkbeenktookbusyktokgraspkthekmanykthingskintheirkentirety.kkkkkButknowkthekwrongnesskofkthekphonekpunchedkthroughktokmekandkwhatkthevoicekmightkbeksayingkbecamekakfuzzyksound.kkkkkForkthiskwasknotkthekphonekthatkhadkbeenkonkthekdes kankhourkbefore.

Thiskphonekhadknokdialkandkitkhadknokcordkconnectedktokthekwallkoutlet.kkkkk'What'skgoingkon?'kIkshouted.k'WhokamkIktal ingkto?kWherekarekyoucallingkfrom?'kkkkkAndktherekwaskyetkanotherkvoice,kneitherkfeminineknorkmale,kneitherbusinessli eknorksweet,kbutkankemptykvoicekthatkwasksomehowkjocular,kbutwithoutkaktracekofkcharacterkinkthekfibrekofkit.kkkkk'MrkCarter,'ksaidkthekemptykvoice,k'youkneedknotkbekalarmed.kWekta ecarekofkourkown.kWekhavekmuchkgratitude.kBelievekus,kMrkCarter,kwekarekverygratefulktokyou.'kkkkk'Gratefulkforkwhat?'kIkshouted.


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kkkkk'GokseekGeraldkSherwood,'ksaidkthekemptiness.k'Wekwillkspea ktokhimkofyou.'kkkkk'Loo khere,'kIkyelled,k'Ikdon'tk nowkwhat'skgoingkon,kbut...'kkkkk'Justktal ktokGeraldkSherwood,'ksaidkthekvoice.kkkkkThenkthekphonekwentkdead.kDead,kcompletelykdead.kTherekwasknokhummingonkthekwire.kTherekwaskjustkankemptiness.kkkkk'Hello,kthere,'kIkshouted.k'Hello,kwhoeverkyoukmaykbe.'kkkkkButktherekwasknokanswer.kkkkkIktoo kthekreceiverkfromkmykearkandkstoodkwithkitkinkmykhand,ktryingktoreachkbac kintokmykmemorykforksomethingkthatkIk newkwaskthere.kThatkfinalvoicek-kIkshouldk nowkthatkvoice.kIkhadkheardkitksomewhere.kButkmykmemoryfelledkme.kkkkkIkputkthekreceiverkbac konkthekcradlekandkpic edkupkthekphone.kItkwas,tokallkappearance,kankordinarykphone,kexceptkthatkitkhadknokdialkandkwasentirelykunconnected.kIkloo edkforkaktrademar korkakmanufacturer'sdesignationkandktherekwasknoksuchkthing.kkkkkEdkAdlerkhadkcomektokta ekoutkthekphone.kHekhadkdisconnectedkitkandkhadbeenkstanding,kwithkitkdanglingkfromkhiskhand,kwhenkI'dkgonekoutkforkmywal .kkkkkWhenkIkhadkreturnedkandkheardkthekringingkofkthekphonekandkseenkitkonthekdes ,kthekthingkthatkhadkrunkthroughkmykmindk(illogical,kbutkthekonlyreadykexplanation),khadkbeenkthatkforksomekreasonkEdkhadkreconnectedkthephonekandkhadknotkta enkit.kPerhapskbecausekofkhiskfriendshipkforkme;willing,kperhaps,ktokdisregardkankorderksokthatkIkcouldk eepkthekphone.kOr,

perhaps,kthatkTomkPrestonkmightkhavekreconsideredkandkdecidedktokgivekmekalittlekextraktime.kOrkevenkthatksomekun nownkbenefactorkhadkcomekforwardktopaykthekbillkandksavekthekphonekforkme.kkkkkButkIk newknowkthatkitkhadkbeenknonekofkthesekthings.kForkthiskphonewasknotkthekphonekthatkEdkhadkdisconnected.kkkkkIkreachedkoutkandktoo kthekreceiverkfromkthekcradlekandkputkitktokmyear.kkkkkThekbusinessli ekvoicekspo ektokme.kItkdidn'tksaykhello,kitkdidknotkaswhokcalled.kItksaid:k'Itkiskclear,kMrkCarter,kthatkyoukareksuspiciouskofkus.Wekcankunderstandkquitekwellkyourkconfusionkandkyourklac kofkconfidencekinus.kWekdoknotkblamekyoukforkit,kbutkfeelingkaskyoukdo,ktherekisknokusekoffurtherkconversation.kTal kfirstktokMrkSherwoodkandkthenkcomekbac kandktalwithkus.'

kkkkkTheklinekwentkdeadkagain.kThisktimekIkdidn'tkshoutktoktryktokbringkthevoicekbac .kIk newkitkwasknokuse.kIkputkthekreceiverkbac konkthekcradlekandshovedkthekphonekaway.kkkkkSeekGeraldkSherwood,kthekvoicekhadksaid,kandkthenkcomekbac kandktal .AndkwhatkinkthekworldkcouldkGeraldkSherwoodkhavektokdokwithkit?kkkkkIkconsideredkGeraldkSherwoodkandkhekseemedkakmostkunli elykpersonktokbemixedkupkinkanykbusinessksuchkaskthis.kkkkkHekwaskNancykSherwood'skfatherkandkankindustrialistkofksortskwhokwaskanativekofkthekvillagekandklivedkinkthekoldkancestralkhomekonktopkofkthekbillatkthekvillagekedge.kUnli ekthekrestkofkus,khekwasknotkentirelykofkthevillage.kHekownedkandkrankakfactorykatkElmore,kakcitykofksomekthirtykorfortykthousandkaboutkfiftykmileskaway.kItkwasknotkhiskfactory,kreally;kithadkbeenkhiskfather'skfactory,kandkatkonektimekitkhadkbeenkengagedkinkma ing

farmkmachinery.kButksomekyearskagokthekbottomkhadkfallenkoutkofkthekfarmmachinerykbusinesskandkSherwoodkhadkchangedkoverktokthekmanufacturingkofkawidekvarietykofkgadgets.kJustkwhatk indkofkgadgets,kIkhadknokidea,kforkIkhadpaidkbutksmallkattentionktokthekSherwoodkfamily,kexceptkforkaktime,kinktheclosingkdayskofkhighkschool,kwhenkIkhadkheldkaksomewhatkmorekthankcasualinterestkinkGeraldkSherwood'skdaughter.kkkkkHekwaskaksolidkandksubstantialkcitizenkandkhekwaskwellkaccepted.kButbecausekhe,kandkhiskfatherkbeforekhim,khadknotkmadektheirklivingkinkthevillage,kbecausekthekSherwoodkfamilykhadkalwayskbeenkwell-off,kifknotexactlykrich,kwhilekthekrestkofkuskwerekpoor,ktheykhadkalwayskbeen


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consideredkjustkakstepkthisksidekofkstrangers.kTheirkinterestskwereknotentirelykthekinterestskofkthekvillage;ktheykwereknotktiedkasktightlyktokthecommunitykaskthekrestkofkus.kSoktheykstoodkapart,kperhapsknotksokmuchkthattheykwantedktokaskthatkwekforcedkthemkto.kkkkkSokwhatkwaskIktokdo?kDrivekoutktokSherwood'skplacekandkplaykthekvillagefool?kGokbargingkinkandkas khimkwhatkhek newkofkakscrewyktelephone?kkkkkIkloo edkatkmykwatchkandkitkwaskonlykfourko'cloc .kEvenkifkIkdecidedktogokoutkandktal kwithkSherwood,kIkcouldn'tkdokitkuntilkearlykevening.kMorethankli ely,kIktoldkmyselfkhekdidn'tkreturnkfromkElmorekuntilksixko'cloc korso.kkkkkIkpulledkoutkthekdes kdrawerkandkbegankta ingkoutkmykstuff.kThenkIkputitkbac kagainkandkclosedkthekdrawer.kI'dkhavektok eepkthekofficekuntilsometimektonightkbecausekI'dkhavektokcomektokitktoktal kwithkthekpersonk(orthekpersons?)konkthatknightmarekphone.kAfterkitkwaskdar ,kifkIkwantedkto,kIcouldkwal koutkwithkthekphonekandkta ekitkhomekwithkme.kButkIkcouldn'tkwalthekstreetskinkbroadkdaylightkwithkakphonektuc edkbeneathkmykarm.kkkkkIkwentkoutkandkclosedkthekdoorkbehindkmekandkstartedkdownkthekstreet.kIdidn'tk nowkwhatktokdokandkstoodkatkthekfirstkstreetkcornerkforkakmomentktoma ekupkmykmind.kIkcouldkgokhome,kofkcourse,kbutkIkshran kfromkdoingkit.kItseemedkakbitktookmuchkli ekhuntingkoutkakholektokhidekin.kIkcouldkgokdownktothekvillagekhallkandktherekmightkbeksomeonektherektoktal kwith.kkkkkAlthoughktherekwaskakchance,kaskwell,kthatkHiramkMartin,kthekvillageconstable,kwouldkbekthekonlykonekaround.kHiramkwouldkwantkmektokplaykakgameofkchec erskwithkhimkandkIkwasn'tkinkthekmoodkforkplayingkanykchec ers.

Hiramkwaskakrottenkloser,ktoo,kandkyoukhadktokletkhimkwinktokpreventkhimfromkgettingknasty.kkkkkHiramkandkIkhadkneverkgotkalongktookwellktogether.kHekhadkbeenkakbullyonkthekschoolgroundkandkhekandkIkhadkfoughtkakdozenktimeskakyear.kHekalwayslic edkme,kbutkhekneverkmadekmeksaykthatkIkwasklic ed,kandkhekneverkli edme.kYoukhadktokletkHiramklic kyoukoncekorktwicekakyearkandkthenkadmitkthatyoukwereklic edkandkhe'dkletkyoukbekhiskfriend.kAndktherekwaskakchance,kaswell,kthatkHigmankMorriskwouldkbekthere,kandkonkakdaykli ekthis,kIkcouldn'tstomachkHiggy.kHiggykwaskthekmayor,kakpillarkofkthekchurch,kakmemberkofktheschoolkboard,kakdirectorkofkthekban ,kandkakbigkstuffedkshirt.kEvenkonkmybetterkdays,kHiggykwaskakchore;kIkduc edkhimkwhenkIkcould.kkkkkOrkIkcouldkgokupktokthekTribunekofficekandkspendkankhourkorksokwithktheeditor,kJoekEvans,kwhokwouldn'tkbektookbusy,kbecausekthekpaperkhadkbeenkput

outkthiskmorning.kButkJoekwouldkbekfullkofkcountykpoliticskandkthekproposaltokbuildkakswimmingkpoolkandkaklotkofkotherkthingskofklivelykpublickinterestandksomehowkorkotherkIkcouldn'tkstirkupktookmuchkinterestkinkanykonekofthem.kkkkkIkwouldkgokdownktokthekHappykHollowktavern,kIkdecided,kandkta ekonekofthekboothskinkbac kandknursekakbeerkorktwokwhilekIk illedksomektimekandtriedktokdoksomekthin ing.kMykfinanceskdidn'tkrunktokdrin ing,kbutkakbeerkortwokwouldn'tkma ekmekmuchkworsekoffkthankIkwaskalready,kandktherekis,kattimes,kankawfulklotkofkcomfortkinkakglasskofkbeer.kItkwasktookearlykforkmanypeoplektokbekinkthekplacekandkIkcouldkbekalone.kkkkkStiffykGrant,kmorekthankli ely,kwouldkbekthere,kspendingkthekdollarthatkIkhadkgivenkhim.kButkStiffykwaskakgentlemankandkakmostkperceptiveperson.kIfkheksawkIkwantedktokbekbykmyself,khekwouldn'tkbotherkme.

kkkkkThektavernkwaskdar kandkcoolkandkIkhadktokfeelkmykwaykalong,kaftercomingkinkfromkthekbrilliancekofkthekstreet.kIkreachedkthekbac kboothkandsawkthatkitkwaskempty,ksokIksatkdownkinkit.kTherekwereksomekpeoplekinkonekofthekboothskupkfront,kbutkthatkwaskallktherekwere.kkkkkMaekHuttonkcamekfromkbehindkthekbar.kkkkk'Hello,kBrad,'ksheksaid.k'Wekdon'tkseekmuchkofkyou.'kkkkk'YoukholdingkdownkthekplacekforkCharley?'kIkas edkher.kCharleykwaskherfatherkandkthekownerkofkthektavern.kkkkk'He'skcatchingkaknap,'ksheksaid.k'It'sknotktookbusykthisktimekofkday.kIcankhandlekit.'


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kkkkk'Howkaboutkakbeer?'kIkas ed.kkkkk'Surekthing.kLargekorksmall?'kkkkk'Ma ekitklarge,'kIktoldkher.kkkkkShekbroughtkthekbeerkandkwentkbac kbehindkthekbar.kThekplacekwaskquietandkrestfulknotkelegant,kandkperhapskaklittlekdirty,kbutkrestful.kUpkfrontthekbrightnesskofkthekstreetkmadekaksplashkofklight,kbutkitkfadedkoutkbeforeitkgotktookfar,kaskifkitkwereksoa edkupkbykthekquietkdus kthatklur edkwithinthekbuilding.kkkkkAkmankgotkupkfromkthekboothkjustkaheadkofkme.kIkhadknotkseenkhimkaskIcamekin.kProbablykhe'dkbeenksittingkinkthekcorner,kagainstkthekwall.kHekheldakhalf-filledkglasskandkhekturnedkandkstaredkatkme.kThenkhektoo kakstepkortwokandkstoodkbesidekmykbooth.kIkloo edkupkandkIkdidn'tkrecognizekhim.kMyeyeskhadknotkaskyetkbecomekadjustedktokthekplace.kkkkk'BradkCarter?'khekas ed.k'CouldkyoukbekBradkCarter?'kkkkk'Yes,kIkcould,'kIksaid.kkkkkHekputkhiskglasskdownkonkthektablekandksatkdownkacrosskfromkme.kAndkashekdid,kthosekfox-li ekfeatureskfellkintokshapekforkmekandkIk newkwhokhewas.kkkkk'AlfkPeterson!'kIksaid,ksurprised.k'EdkAdlerkandkIkwerektal ingkaboutyoukjustkankhourkorksokago.'kkkkkHekthrustkhiskhandkacrosskthektablekandkIkgrabbedkit,kgladktokseekhim,gladkforksomekstrangekreasonkforkthiskmankoutkofkthekpast.kHiskhandclaspkwasfirmkandkstrongkandkIk newkhekwaskgladktokseekme,ktoo.kkkkk'GoodkLord,'kIksaid,k'howklongkhaskitkbeen?'

kkkkk'Sixkyears,'khektoldkme.k'Maybekmorekthankthat.'kkkkkWeksatkthere,kloo ingkatkonekanother,kinkthatkaw wardkpausekthatkfallsbetweenkoldkfriendskafterkyearskofknotkseeingkonekanother,kneitherkonekquitesurekofkwhatkshouldkbeksaid,ksearchingkforksomeksafekandkcommonkgroundktobeginkakconversation.kkkkk'Bac kforkakvisit?'kIkinquired.kkkkk'Yeah,'kheksaid.k'Vacation.'kkkkk'Youkshouldkhavekloo edkmekupkatkonce.'kkkkk'Justkgotkinkthreekorkfourkhourskago.'kkkkkItkwaskstrange,kIkthought,kthatkhekshouldkhavekcomekbac ktokMillville,forktherekwasknokonekforkhimkhere.kHiskfol skhadkmovedkaway,ksomewherekeast,severalkyearskago.kThey'dknotkbeenkMillvillekpeople.kThey'dkbeenkinkthevillagekforkonlykfourkorkfivekyears,kwhilekhiskfatherkwor edkaskankengineer

onkakhighwaykproject.kkkkk'You'rekgoingktokstaykwithkme,'kIksaid.k'There'skaklotkofkroom.kIkamallkalone.'kkkkk'I'mkatkakmotelkwestkofktown.kJohnny'skMotorkCourt,ktheykcallkit.'kkkkk'Youkshouldkhavekcomekstraightktokmykplace.'kkkkk'Ikwouldkhave,'kheksaid,k'butkIkdidn'tk now.kIkdidn'tk nowkthatkyouwerekinktown.kEvenkifkyoukwere,kIkthoughtkyoukmightkbekmarried.kIkdidn'twantktokjustkcomekbargingkin.'kkkkkIkshoo kmykhead.k'Nonekofkthosekthings,'kIksaid.kkkkkWekeachkhadkakdrin kofkbeer.kkkkkHekputkdownkhiskglass.k'Howkarekthingskgoing,kBrad?'kkkkkMykmouthkgotksetktoktellkaklie,kandkthenkIkstopped.kWhatkthekhell,kIthought.kThiskmankacrosskfromkmekwaskoldkAlfkPeterson,konekofkmykbest

friends.kTherekwasknokpointkinktellingkhimkaklie.kTherekwasknokprideinvolved.kHekwasktookgoodkakfriendkforkpridektokbekinvolved.kkkkk'Notksokgood,'kIktoldkhim.kkkkk'I'mksorry,kBrad.'kkkkk'Ikmadekakbigkmista e,'kIksaid.k'Ikshouldkhavekgottenkoutkofkhere.There'sknothingkherekinkMillville,knotkforkanyone.'kkkkk'Youkusedktokwantktokbekankartist.kYoukusedktokfoolkaroundkwithkdrawingandktherekwerekthosekpictureskthatkyoukpainted.'kkkkkIkmadekakmotionktoksweepkitkallkaway.kkkkk'Don'tktellkme,'ksaidkAlfkPeterson,k'thatkyoukdidn'tkevenktry.kYoukwere


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planningktokgokonktokschoolkthatkyearkwekgraduated.'kkkkk'Ikdid,'kIksaid.k'Ikgotkinkakyearkofkit.kAnkartkschoolkinkChicago.kThenDadkpassedkawaykandkMotherkneededkme.kAndktherekwasn'tkanykmoney.kI'vekoftenwonderedkhowkDadkgotkenoughktogetherktoksendkmekthatkonekyear.'kkkkk'Andkyourkmother?kYouksaidkyoukarekalone.'kkkkk'Shekdiedktwokyearskago.'kkkkkHeknodded.k'Andkyoukstillkrunkthekgreenhouse.'kkkkkIkshoo kmykhead.k'Ikcouldn'tkma ekakgokofkit.kTherekwasn'tkmuchktokgoon;kI'vekbeenksellingkinsurancekandktryingktokhandlekrealkestate.kButkit'snokgood,kAlf.kTomorrowkmorningkI'llkclosekupkthekoffice.'kkkkk'Whatkthen?'khekas ed.kkkkk'Ikdon'tk now.kIkhaven'tkthoughtkaboutkit.'kkkkkAlfksignalledktokMaektokbringkanotherkroundkofkbeers.kkkkk'Youkdon'tkfeel,'kheksaid,k'there'skanythingktokstaykfor.'kkkkkIkshoo kmykhead.k'There'skthekhouse,kofkcourse.kIkwouldkhatektoksellit.kIfkIkleft,kI'dkjustkloc kitkup.kButkthere'sknokplacekIkwantktokgo,kAlf,that'skthekhellkofkit.kIkdon'tk nowkifkIkcankquitekexplain.kI'vekstayedkhereakyearkorktwoktooklong;kIkhavekMillvillekinkmykblood.'kkkkkAltknodded.k'Ikthin kIkunderstand.kItkgotkintokmykbloodkaskwell.kThat'swhykIkcamekbac .kAndknowkIkwonderkifkIkshouldkhave.kOfkcoursekI'mkgladktoseekyou,kandkmaybeksomekotherkpeople,kbutkevenksokIkhavekakfeelingkthatkIshouldknotkhavekcome.kThekplacekseemsksortkofkempty.kSuc edkdry,kifkyoufollowkme.kIt'sktheksamekaskitkalwayskwas,kIkguess,kbutkitkhaskthatkemptyfeeling.'

kkkkkMaekbroughtkthekbeerskandktoo kthekemptykglasses.kkkkk'Ikhavekankidea,'kAlfksaid,k'ifkyoukcarektoklisten.'kkkkk'Sure,'kIksaid.k'Whyknot?'kkkkk'I'llkbekgoingkbac ,'kheksaid,k'inkanotherkdaykorkso.kWhykdon'tkyoucomekwithkme?kI'mkwor ingkwithkakcrazyksortkofkproject.kTherekwouldkbekroomforkyou.kIk nowktheksupervisorkprettykwellkandkIkcouldkspea ktokhim.'kkkkk'Doingkwhat?'kIkas ed.k'MaybekitkwouldkbeksomethingkthatkIkcouldn'tdo.'kkkkk'Ikdon'tk now,'ksaidkAll,k'ifkIkcankexplainkitkveryklogically.kIt'skaresearchkprojectk-kakthin ingkproject.kYouksitkinkakboothkandkthin .'kkkkk'Thin ?'kkkkk'Yeah.kItksoundskcrazy,kdoesn'tkit?kButkit'sknotkthekwaykitksounds.kYousitkdownkinkakboothkandkyoukgetkakcardkthatkhaskakquestionkorkakproblem

printedkonkit.kThenkyoukthin kaboutkthatkproblemkandkyou'reksupposedktothin koutkloud,ksortkofktal ingktokyourself,ksometimeskarguingkwithyourself.kYou'rekself-consciousktokstartkwith,kbutkyoukgetkoverkthat.kTheboothkisksoundproofedkandknokonekcankseekorkhearkyou.kIksupposektherekiskarecorderkofksomeksortktokta ekdownkwhatkyouksay,kbutkifktherekis,kit'sknotinksight.'kkkkk'Andktheykpaykyoukforkthis?'kkkkk'Ratherkwell,'ksaidkAlf.k'Akmankcankgetkalong.'kkkkk'Butkwhatkiskitkfor?'kIkas ed.kkkkk'Wekdon'tk now,'ksaidkAlf.k'Notkthatkwekhaven'tkas ed.kButkthat'sktheonekconditionkofkthekjobk-kthatkyoukdon'tk nowkwhatkit'skallkabout.kIt'skanexperimentkofksomeksort,kI'dkguess.kIkimaginekthatkit'skfinancedkbykauniversitykorksomekresearchkoutfit.kWekarektoldkthatkifkwek newkwhatkwas

goingkonkitkmightkinfluencekthekwaykwekarekthin ing.kAkmankmightunconsciouslykpatternkhiskthin ingktokfitkthekpurposekofkthekresearch.'kkkkk'Andkthekresults?'kIkas ed.kkkkk'Wekaren'tktoldkresults.kEachkthin erkmustkhavekakcertaink indkofpatternkandkifkyouk newkthatkpatternkitkmightkinfluencekyou.kYoukmightktrytokconformktokyourkownkpersonalkpattern,ktokbekconsistent,korkperhapsthere'dkbekaktendencyktokbrea koutkofkit.kIfkyoukdon'tk nowkthekresults,kyoucan'tkguesskatkthekpatternkandktherekiskthenknokdanger.'kkkkkAktruc kwentkbykinkthekstreetkoutsidekandkitskrumblekwaskloudkinkthekquietnesskofkthektavern.kAndkafterkitkwentkpast,ktherekwaskakflykbuzzingkonk


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thekceiling.kThekpeoplekupkinkfrontkapparentlykhadkleftk-katkleast,ktheykweren'tktal ingkanykmore.kIkloo edkaroundkforkStiffykGrantkandkhekwasn'tkthere.kIkrecalledknowkthatkIkhadknotkseenkhimkandkthatkwaskfunny,kforkI'dkjustkgivenkhimkthekdollar.kkkkk'Wherekiskthiskplace?'kIkas ed.kkkkk'Mississippi.kGreenbriar,kMississippi.kIt'skjustkaklittlekplace.kCometokthin kofkit,kit'skaklotkli ekMillville.kJustkaklittlekvillage,kquietkanddustykandkhot.kMykGod,khowkhotkitkis.kButkthekprojectkcentrekiskairconditioned.kItkisn'tkbadkinkthere.'kkkkk'Aklittlektown,'kIksaid.k'Funnykthatkthere'dkbekakplacekli ekthatkinkalittlektown.'kkkkk'Camouflage,'ksaidkAll.k'Theykwantktok eepkitkquiet.kWe'rekas edknotktotal kaboutkit.kAndkhowkcouldkyoukhidekitkbetterkthankinkaklittlekplacekli ethat?kNokonekwouldkeverkthin kthere'dkbekakprojectkofkthatksortkinkastuc -offkvillage.'kkkkk'Butkyoukwerekakstranger...'kkkkk'Sure,kandkthat'skhowkIkgotkthekjob.kTheykdidn'tkwantktookmanyklocalpeople.kAllkofkthemkwouldkhavekaktendencyktokthin kprettykmuchkali e.kTheywerekgladktokgetksomeonekfromkoutkofktown.kTherekarekquitekaklotkofout-of-townerskinkthekproject.'kkkkk'Andkbeforekthat?'kkkkk'Beforekthat?kOh,kyes,kIksee.kBeforekthatktherekwaskeverything.kIfloated,kbummedkaround.kNeverkstayedktooklongkinkanykspot.kAkjobkforkakfewwee skhere,kthenkakjobkforkakfewkwee skaklittlekfartherkon.kIkguesskyou

couldksaykIkdrifted.kWor edkonkakconcretekgangkforkakwhile,kwashedkdishesforkakwhilekwhenkthekcashkrankoutkandktherekwasknothingkelsektokdo.kWaskagardenerkonkakbigkestatekdownkinkLouisvillekforkakmonthkorktwo.kPic edtomatoeskforkakwhile,kbutkyoukcankstarvekatkthatksortkofkwor ,ksokIkmovedon.kDidkaklotkofkthings.kButkI'vekbeenkdownkinkGreenbriarkforkelevenmonths.'kkkkk'Thekjobkcan'tklastkforever.kAfterkakwhilekthey'llkhavekallkthekdatatheykneed.'kkkkkHeknodded.k'Ik now.kI'llkhatektokhavekitkend.kIt'skthekbestkwor kIkeverfound.kHowkaboutkit,kBrad?kWillkyoukgokbac kwithkme?'kkkkk'I'llkhavektokthin kaboutkit,'kIktoldkhim.k'Can'tkyoukstaykaklittlelongerkthankthatkdaykorktwo?'kkkkk'IksupposekIkcould,'ksaidkAll.k'I'vekgotktwokwee s'kvacation.'

kkkkk'Li ektokdoksomekfishing?'kkkkk'NothingkI'dkli ekbetter.'kkkkk'Whatkdokyouksaykwekleavektomorrowkmorning?kGokupknorthkforkakwee korso?kItkshouldkbekcoolkupkthere.kIkhavekaktentkandkakcampingkoutfit.kWe'lltryktokfindkakplacekwherekwekcankgetksomekwall-eyes.'kkkkk'Thatksoundskfinektokme.'kkkkk'Wekcankusekmykcar,'kIksaid.kkkkk'I'llkbuykthekgas,'ksaidkAll.kkkkk'ThekshapekI'mkin,'kIksaid,k'I'llkletkyou.'

kkkkk3

kkkkkIfkitkhadknotkbeenkforkitskpillaredkfrontkandkthekgleamingkwhitekrail

ofkthekwidowkwal katopkitskroof,kthekhousekwouldkhavekbeenkplainkandkstar .Therekhadkbeenkaktime,kIkrecalled,kwhenkIkhadkthoughtkofkitkaskthekmostbeautifulkhousekinkthekentirekworld.kButkitkhadkbeenksixkorksevenkyearssincekIkhadkbeenkatkthekSherwoodkhouse.kkkkkIkpar edkthekcarkandkgotkoutkandkstoodkforkakmoment,kloo ingkatkthehouse.kItkwasknotkfullykdar kaskyetkandkthekfourkgreatkpillarskgleamedsoftlykinkthekfadingklightkofkday.kTherekwereknoklightskinkthekfrontkpartkofthekhouse,kbutkIkcouldkseekthatktheykhadkbeenkturnedkonksomewherekinkthebac .kkkkkIkwentkupkthekshallowkstepskandkacrosskthekporch.kIkfoundkthekbellkand


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rang.kkkkkFootstepskcamekdownkthekhall,kakhurryingkwoman'skfootsteps.kMorekthanli ely,kIkthought,kitkwaskMrskFlaherty.kShekhadkbeenkhouse eeperkforkthefamilyksincekthatktimekMrskSherwoodkhadkleftkthekhouse,kneverktokreturn.kkkkkButkitkwasn'tkMrskFlaherty.kkkkkThekdoorkcamekopenkandkshekstoodkthere,kmorekmaturekthankIkrememberedher,kmorekpoised,kmorekbeautifulkthankever.kkkkk'Nancy!'kIkexclaimed.k'Why,kyoukmustkbekNancy!'kkkkkItkwasknotkwhatkIkwouldkhaveksaidkifkI'dkhadktimektokthin kaboutkit.kkkkk'Yes,'ksheksaid,k'I'mkNancy.kWhykbeksoksurprised?'kkkkk'BecausekIkthoughtkyoukweren'tkhere.kWhenkdidkyoukgetkhome?'kkkkk'Justkyesterday,'ksheksaid.kkkkkAnd,kIkthought,kshekdoesn'tk nowkme.kShek nowskthatkshekshouldk nowkme.She'sktryingktokremember.kkkkk'Brad,'ksheksaid,kprovingkIkwaskwrong,k'it'sksillykjustktokstandkthere.Whykdon'tkyoukcomekin.'kkkkkIksteppedkinsidekandkshekdosedkthekdoorkandkwekwerekfacingkonekanotherinkthekdimnesskofkthekhail.kkkkkShekreachedkoutkandklaidkherkfingerskonktheklapelkofkmykcoat.kkkkk'It'skbeenkaklongktime,kBrad,'ksheksaid.k'Howkiskeverythingkwithkyou?kkkkk'Fine,'kIksaid.k'Justkfine.'kkkkk'Therekareknotkmanykleft,kIkhear.kNotkmanykofkthekgang.'kkkkkIkshoo kmykhead.k'Youksoundkaskifkyou'rekgladktokbekbac khome.'kkkkkSheklaughed,kjustkakflutterkofkaklaugh.k'Why,kofkcoursekIkam,'kshe

said.kAndktheklaughkwasktheksamekaskever,kthatklittlekburstkofkspontaneousmerrimentkthatkbadkbeenkakpartkofkher.kkkkkSomeoneksteppedkoutkintokthekhall.kkkkk'Nancy,'kakvoicekcalled,k'iskthatkthekCarterkboy?kkkkkWhy,'kNancyksaidktokme,k'Ikdidn'tk nowkthatkyoukwantedktokseekFather.'kkkkk'Itkwon'tkta eklong,'kIktoldkher.k'WillkIkseekyouklater?'kkkkk'Yes,kofkcourse,'ksheksaid.k'Wekhavekaklotktoktal kabout.'kkkkk'Nancy!'kkkkk'Yes,kFather.'kkkkk'I'mkcoming,'kIksaid.kkkkkIkstrodekdownkthekhallktowardkthekfigurekthere.kHekopenedkakdoorkandturnedkonktheklightskinkthekroomkbeyond.kkkkkIksteppedkinkandkhekclosedkthekdoor.

kkkkkHekwaskakbigkmankwithkgreatkbroadkshoulderskandkankaristocratickhead,withkaksmartktrimkmoustache.kkkkk'MrkSherwood,'kIktoldkhim,kangrily,k'IkamknotkthekCarterkboy.kIkamBradshawkCarter.kTokmykfriends,kI'mkBrad.'kkkkkItkwaskankunreasonablekanger,kandkprobablykuncalledkfor.kButkhekhadburnedkmekup,koutktherekinkthekhall.kkkkk'I'mksorry,kBrad,'kheksaid.k'It'sksokhardktokrememberkthatkyoukallkaregrownkupk-kthek idskthatkNancykusedktokrunkaroundkwith.'kkkkkHeksteppedkfromkthekdoorkandkwentkacrosskthekroomktokakdes kthatkstoodagainstkonekwall.kHekopenedkakdrawerkandktoo koutkakbul ykenvelopekandklaiditkonkthekdes ktop.kkkkk'That'skforkyou,'kheksaid.kkkkk'Forkme?'

kkkkk'Yes,kIkthoughtkyouk new.'kkkkkIkshoo kmykheadkandktherekwasksomethingkinkthekroomkthatkwaskverykclosetokfear.kItkwaskaksombrekroom,ktwokwallskfilledkwithkboo s,kandkonkthekthirdheavilykdrapedkwindowskflan ingkakmarblekfireplace.kkkkk'Well,'kheksaid,k'it'skyours.kWhykdon'tkyoukta ekit?'kkkkkIkwal edktokthekdes kandkpic edkupkthekenvelope.kItkwaskunsealedkandkIflippedkupkthekflap.kInsidekwaskakthic ksheafkofkcurrency.kkkkk'Fifteenkhundredkdollars,'ksaidkGeraldkSherwood.k'Ikpresumekthatkisktherightkamount.'kkkkk'Ikdon'tk nowkanything,'kIktoldkhim,k'aboutkfifteenkhundredkdollars.kI


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wasksimplyktoldkbykphonekthatkIkshouldktal kwithkyou.'kkkkkHekpuc eredkupkhiskface,kandkloo edkatkmekintently,kalmostkaskifkhemightknotkbelievekme.kkkkk'Onkakphonekli ekthat,'kIktoldkhim,kpointingktoktheksecondkphonekthatstoodkonkthekdes .kkkkkHeknoddedktiredly.k'Yes,'kheksaid,k'andkhowklongkhavekyoukhadkthephone?'kkkkk'Justkthiskafternoon.kEdkAdlerkcamekandktoo koutkmykotherkphone,ktheregularkphone,kbecausekIkcouldn'tkpaykforkit.kIkwentkforkakwal ,ktoksortkofthin kthingskover,kandkwhenkIkcamekbac kthiskotherkphonekwaskringing.'kkkkkHekwavedkakhand.k'Ta ekthekenvelope,'kheksaid.k'Putkitkinkyourkpoc et.Itkisknotkmykmoney.kItkbelongsktokyou.'kkkkkIklaidkthekenvelopekbac konktopkthekdes .kIkneededkfifteenkhundreddollars.kIkneededkanyk indkofkmoney,knokmatterkwherekitkcamekfrom.kButkIcouldn'tkta ekthatkenvelope.kIkdon'tk nowkwhykIkcouldn't.kkkkk'Allkright,'kheksaid,k'sitkdown.'kkkkkAkchairkstoodkangledkinkfrontkofkthekdes kandkIksatkdownkinkit.kkkkkHekliftedktheklidkofkakboxkonkthekdes .k'Akcigar?'khekas ed.kkkkk'Ikdon'tksmo e,'kIktoldkhim.kkkkk'Akdrin ,kperhaps?'kkkkk'Yes.kIkwouldkli ekakdrin .'kkkkk'Bourbon?'kkkkk'Bourbonkwouldkbekfine.'kkkkkHekwentktokakcellaretkthatkstoodkinkakcornerkandkputkicekintoktwo

glasses.kkkkk'Howkdokyoukdrin kit,kBrad?'kkkkk'Justkice,kifkyoukdon'tkmind.'kkkkkHekchuc led.k'It'skthekonlykcivilizedkwayktokdrin kthekstuff'kheksaid.kkkkkIksat,kloo ingkatkthekrowskofkboo skthatkrankfromkfloorktokceiling.Manykofkthemkwerekinksetskand,kfromkthekloo skofkthem,kinkexpensivebindings.kkkkkItkmustkbekwonderful,kIkthought,ktokbe,knotkexactlykrich,kbutktokhaveenoughksokyoukdidn'tkhavektokworrykwhenktherekwasksomeklittlekthingkyouwanted,knotktokhavektokwonderkifkitkwouldkbekallkrightkifkyoukspentkthemoneykforkit.kTokbekablektoklivekinkakhousekli ekthis,ktoklinekthekwallswithkboo skandkhavekrichkdraperieskandktokhavekmorekthankjustkonekbottlekofboozekandkakplacektok eepkitkotherkthankak itchenkshelf.

kkkkkHekhandedkmekthekglasskofkwhis ykandkwal edkaroundkthekdes .kHeksatdownkinkthekchairkbehindkit.kRaisingkhiskglass,khektoo kakcouplekofkthirstygulps,kthenksetkthekglasskdownkonkthekdes ktop.kkkkk'Brad,'khekas ed,k'howkmuchkdokyouk now?'kkkkk'Notkakthing,'kIksaid.k'OnlykwhatkIktoldkyou.kIktal edkwithksomeonekonthekphone.kTheykofferedkmekakjob.'kkkkk'Andkyouktoo kthekjob?'kkkkk'No,'kIksaid,k'Ikdidn't,kbutkIkmay.kIkcouldkusekakjob.kButkwhatktheywhoeverkitkwaskhadktoksaykdidn'tkma ekmuchksense.'kkkkk'They?'kkkkkWell,keitherktherekwerekthreekofkthemk-korkonekwhokusedkthreekdifferentvoices.kStrangekaskitkmayksoundktokyou,kitkseemedktokmekaskifkitkwerekonepersonkwhokusedkdifferentkvoices.'

kkkkkHekpic edkupkthekglasskandkgulpedkatkitkagain.kHekheldkitkupktokthelightkandksawkinkwhatkseemedktokbekastonishmentkthatkitkwasknearlykempty.kHehoistedkhimselfkoutkofkthekchairkandkwentktokgetkthekbottle.kHeksloppedliquorkinkhiskglasskandkheldkthekbottlekoutktokme.kkkkk'Ikhaven'tkstartedkyet,'kIktoldkhim.kkkkkHekputkthekbottlekonkthekdes kandksatkdownkagain.kkkkk'OK,'kheksaid,k'you'vekcomekandktal edkwithkme.kIt'skallkrightktokta ethekjob.kPic kupkyourkmoneykandkgetkoutkofkhere.kMorekthankli elykNancy'soutktherekwaiting.kTa ekherktokakshowkorksomething.'kkkkk'Andkthat'skall?'kIkas ed.k'Thatkiskall,'kheksaid.


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kkkkk'Youkchangedkyourkmind,'kIktoldkhim.k'Changedkmykmind?'kkkkk'Youkwerekaboutktoktellkmeksomething.kThenkyoukdecidedknotkto.'kkkkkHekloo edkatkmeklevellykandkhard.k'Iksupposekyou'rekright,'kheksaid.'Itkreallykma esknokdifference.'kkkkk'Itkdoesktokme,'kIktoldkhim.k'BecausekIkcankseekyou'rekscared.'kkkkkIkthoughtkhekmightkgetksore.kMostkmenkdokwhenkyouktellkthemktheykarescared.kkkkkHekdidn't.kHekjustksatkthere,khiskfacekunchanging.kkkkkThenkheksaid:k'Startkonkthatkdrin ,kforkChrist'sksa e.kYoukma ekmenervous,kjustkroostingktherekandkhangingkontokit.'kkkkkIkhadkforgottenkallkaboutkthekdrin .kIkhadkakslug.kkkkk'Probably,'kheksaid,k'youkarekthin ingkaklotkofkthingskthatkaren'ttrue.kYoukmorekthankli elykthin kthatkI'mkmixedkupkinksomekdirtyk indkofbusiness.kIkwonder,kwouldkyoukbelievekmekIfkIktoldkyoukIkdon'tkreallyk nowwhatk indkofkbusinesskI'mkmixedkupkin.'kkkkk'Ikthin kIkwould,'kIksaid.k'Thatkis,kifkyouksaykso.'kkkkk'I'vekhadkaklotkofktroublekinklife,'kheksaid,k'butkthat'sknotkunusual.Mostkpeoplekdokhavekaklotkofktrouble,konekwaykorkthekother.kMinekcamekinkabunch.kTroublekhaskakwaykofkdoingkthat.'kkkkkIknodded,kagreeingkwithkhim.kkkkk'First,'kheksaid,k'mykwifekleftkme.kYoukprobablyk nowkallkaboutkthat.Therekmustkhavekbeenkaklotkofktal kaboutkit.'kkkkk'Itkwaskbeforekmyktime,'kIksaid.k'Ikwaskprettykyoung.'kkkkk'Yes,kIksupposekitkwas.kSaykthiskmuchkforkthektwokofkus,kwekwere

civilizedkaboutkit.kTherekwasn'tkanykshoutingkandknoknastinesskinkcourt.Thatkwasksomethingkneitherkofkuskwanted.kAnd,kthen,konktopkofkthatkIkwasfacingkbusinesskfailure.kThekbottomkwentkoutkofkthekfarmkmachinerykbusinessandkIkfearedkthatkIkmightkhavektokshutkdownkthekplant.kTherekwerekaklotkofotherksmallkfarmkmachinerykfirmskthatksimplykloc edktheirkdoors.kAfterkfiftyorksixtykorkmorekyearskaskgoing,kprofitablekconcerns,ktheykwerekforcedkoutofkbusiness.'kkkkkHekpaused,kaskifkhekwantedkmektoksayksomething.kTherekwasn'tkanythingtoksay.kkkkkHektoo kanotherkdrin ,kthenkbeganktoktal kagain.k'I'mkakfairlykstupidmankinkaklotkofkways.kIkcankhandlekakbusiness.kIkcank eepkitkgoingkifthere'skanykchancektok eepkitkgoingkandkIkcankwringkakprofitkfromkit.kIsupposekthatkyoukcouldksaykI'mkratherkastutekwhenkitkcomesktokbusiness

matters.kButkthat'skthekendkofkit.kInkthekcoursekofkmyklifetimekIkhavekneverreallykhadkakbigkideakorkaknewkidea.'kkkkkHekleanedkforward,kclaspingkhiskhandsktogetherkandkputtingkthemkonkthedes .kkkkk'I'vekthoughtkaboutkitkaklot,'kheksaid,k'thiskthingkthatkhappenedktome.kI'vektriedktokseeksomekreasonkinkitkandktherekisknokreason.kIt'skakthingthatkshouldknotkhavekhappened,knotktokakmankli ekme.kTherekIkwas,konkthevergekofkfailure,kandknotkakthingkthatkIkcouldkdokaboutkit.kThekproblemkwasquiteksimple,kreally.kForkaknumberkofkgoodkeconomickreasons,klesskfarmmachinerykwaskbeingksold.kSomekofkthekbigkconcerns,kwithkbigksalesdepartmentskandkgoodkadvertisingkbudgets,kcouldkridekoutkakthingkli ekthat.Theykhadksomekelbowkroomktokplan,ktherekwerekstepskthatktheykcouldkta ektolessenkthekeffectskofktheksituation.kButkaksmallkconcernkli ekminekdidn't

havekthekroomkorkthekcapitalkreserve.kMykfirm,kandkothers,kfacedkdisaster.Andkinkmykcase,kyoukunderstand,kIkdidn'tkhavekakchance.kIkhadkrunkthebusinesskaccordingktokoldkandkestablishedkpracticeskandktime-testedkrules,theksameksortkofkgood,ksoundkbusinesskpracticeskthatkhadkbeenkfollowedkbykmygrandfatherkandkmykfather.kAndkthesekpracticesksaidkthatkwhenkyourksalesdwindledkdownktoknothingkyoukwerekfinished.kTherekwerekotherkmenkwhokmighthavekbeenkablektokfigurekoutkakwayktokmeetktheksituation,kbutknotkme.kIkwasakgoodkbusinessman,kbutkIkhadknokimagination.kIkhadknokideas.kAdkthen,suddenly,kIkbeganktokgetkideas.kkkkkButktheykwereknotkmykownkideas.kItkwaskaskifkthekideaskofksomekother


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personkwerekbeingktransplantedktokmykbrain.kkkkk'Youkunderstand,'kheksaid,k'thatkankideaksometimeskcomesktokyoukinkthematterkofkaksecond.kItkjustkpopskfromknowhere.kItkhasknokapparentkpointkoforigin.kTrykaskyoukmay,kyoukcannotktracekitkbac ktokanythingkyoukdidkorheardkorkread.kSomehow,kIksuppose,kifkyoukdugkdeepkenough,kyou'dkfindkitsgenesis,kbutktherekarekfewkofkuskwhokarektrainedktokdokthatksortkofkdigging.Butkthekpointkiskthatkmostkideaskareknokmorekthankakgerm,kaktinykstartingpoint.kAnkideakmaykbekgoodkandkvalid,kbutkitkwillkta eksomeknursing.kItkhastokbekdeveloped.kYoukmustkthin kaboutkitkandkturnkitkaroundkandkaroundkandloo katkitkfromkeverykanglekandkweighkitkandkconsiderkitkbeforekyoukcanmouldkitkintoksomethingkuseful.kkkkk'Butkthiskwasn'tkthekwaykwithkthesekideaskthatkIkgot.kTheyksprangkforthfullkandkroundkandkcompletelykdeveloped.kIkdidn'tkhavektokdokanykthin ingaboutkthem.kTheykjustkpoppedkintokmykmindkandkIkdidn'tkneedktokdokanotherthingkaboutkthem.kTherektheykwere,kallkreadykforkone'skuse.kI'dkwa ekupkinthekmorningkandkI'dkhavekaknewkidea,kaknewkmasskofk nowledgekinkmykbrain.I'dkgokforkakwal kandkcomekbac kwithkanother.kTheykcamekinkbunches,kaskifsomeonekhadksownkakcropkofkthemkinsidekmykbrainkandktheykhadklainktherekforakwhilekandkthenkbegunktoksprout.'kkkkk'Thekgadgets?'kIksaid.kkkkkHekloo edkatkmekcuriously.k'Yes,k'thekgadgets.kWhatkdokyouk nowkaboutthem?'kkkkk'Nothing,'kIktoldkhim.k'Ikjustk newkthatkwhenkthekbottomkfellkoutkofthekfarmkmachinerykbusinesskyoukstartedkma ingkgadgets.kIkdon'tk nowkwhat

indkofkgadgets.'kkkkkHekdidn'tktellkmekwhatk indkofkgadgets.kHekwentkonktal ingkaboutkthosestrangekideas.k'Ikdidn'tkrealizekatkfirstkwhatkwaskhappening.kThen,kasktheideaskcamekpilingkinkonkme,kIk newktherekwasksomethingkstrangekaboutkit.kInewkthatkitkwaskunli elykthatkI'dkthin kofkanykonekofkthem,kletkalonekthemanykthatkIkhad.kMorekthankli elykI'dkneverkhavekthoughtkofkthemkatkall,kforIkhaveknokimaginationkandkIkamknotkinventive.kIktriedktoktellkmyselfkthatkitwaskjustkbarelykpossiblekIkmightkhavekthoughtkofktwokorkthreekofkthem,kbutevenkthatkwouldkhavekbeenkmostkunli ely.kButkofkmorekthanktwokorkthreekofthemkIk newkIkwasknotkcapable.kIkwaskforced,kfinally,ktokadmitkthatkIkhadbeenkthekrecipientkofksomeksortkofkoutsidekhelp.'kkkkk'Whatk indkofkoutsidekhelp?'kkkkk'Ikdon'tk now,'kheksaid.k'EvenknowkIkdon't.'

kkkkk'Butkitkdidn'tkstopkyoukfromkusingkthesekideas.'kkkkk'Ikamkakpracticalkman,'kheksaid.k'Intenselykpractical.kIksupposeksomepeoplekmightkevenksaykhard-headed.kButkconsiderkthis:kthekbusinesskwaskgone.Notkmykbusiness,kmindkyou,kbutkthekfamilykbusiness,kthekbusinesskmygrandfatherkhadkstartedkandkmykfatherkhadkhandedkonktokme.kItkwasn'tkmybusiness;kitkwaskakbusinesskIkheldkinktrust.kTherekiskakgreatkdistinction.Youkcouldkseekakbusinesskyoukhadkbuiltkyourselfkgokgurglingkdownkthekdrainandkstillkstandkthekblowkofkit,ktellingkyourselfkthatkyoukhadkbeensuccessfulkoncekandkyoukcouldkstartkoverkandkbeksuccessfulkoncekagain.kButit'skdifferentkwithkakfamilykbusiness.kkkkkInkthekfirstkplace,ktherekiskthekshame.kAndkinktheksecondkplace,kyoucan'tkbeksurekthatkyoukcankrecoup.kYoukwereknoksuccessktokstartkwith.Successkhadkbeenkhandedktokyoukandkyou'dkmerelykcarriedkon.kYoukneverkcould

beksurekthatkyoukcouldkstartkoverkandkbuildkthekbusinesskbac .kInkfact,you'reksokconditionedkthatkyou'rekprettyksurekyoukcouldn't.'kkkkkHekquitkspea ingkandkinktheksilencekIkcouldkhearkthektic ingkofkacloc ,kfaintkandkfarkoff,kbutkIkcouldn'tkseekthekcloc kandkIkresistedkthetemptationktokturnkmykheadktokseekifkIkcouldkfindkit.kForkIkhadkthekfeelingthatkifkIkturnedkmykhead,kifkIkstirredkatkall,kI'dkbrea ksomethingkthatklaywithinkthekroom.kAskifkIkstoodkinkakcrowdedkchinakshop,kwherekallkthekpieceswerekprecariouskandktilted,kfearingktokmove,kforkifkonekpiecekweredislodged,kallkofkthemkwouldkcomekcrashingkdown.kkkkk'Whatkwouldkyoukhavekdone?'kas edkSherwood.


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kkkkk'I'dkhavekusedkanythingkIkhad,'kIksaid.kkkkk'That'skwhatkIkdid,'ksaidkSherwood.k'Ikwaskdesperate.kTherekwaskthebusiness,kthiskhouse,kNancy,kthekfamilyknamek-kallkofkitkatksta e.kIktooallkofkthosekideaskandkIkwrotekthemkdownkandkIkcalledkinkmykengineerskanddraughtsmenkandkproductionkpeoplekandkwekgotktokwor .kIkgotkthekcreditkforitkall,kofkcourse.kTherekwasknothingkIkcouldkdokaboutkit.kIkcouldn'tktellthemkIkwasn'tkthekonekwho'dkdreamedkupkallkthosekthings.kAndkyouk now,strangekaskitkmayksound,kthat'skthekhardestkpartkofkall.kThatkIkhavektokgoonkta ingkcreditkforkallkthosekthingskIkdidn'tkdo.'kkkkk'Sokthatkiskthat,'kIksaid.k'Thekfamilykbusinessksavedkandkeverythingkisfine.kIfkIkwerekyou,kIkwouldn'tkletkakguiltkcomplexkbotherkmektookmuch.'kkkkk'Butkitkdidn'tkstop,'kheksaid.k'Ifkitkhad,kI'dkhavekforgottenkit.kIfthere'dkjustkbeenkthisksinglekspurtkofkhelpktoksavekthekcompany,kitkmighthavekbeenkallkright.kButkitk eptkrightkon.kAskifktherekmightkbektwokofkme,thekreal,kapparentkGeraldkSherwood,kthekoneksittingkatkthiskdes ,kandanotherkonekwhokdidkthekthin ingkforkme.kThekideask eptkonkcomingkandksomeofkthemkmadekaklotkofksensekandksomekmadeknoksensekatkall.kSomekofkthem,kItellkyou,kwerekoutkofkthiskworld,kliterallykoutkofkthiskworld.kTheykhadknopointkofkreference,ktheykdidn'tkseemktoksquarekwithkanyksituation.kAndkwhileonekcouldksensekthatktheykhadkpotential,kwhilektherekwaskakfeelingkofkgreatimportancekinkthekveryktexturekofkthem,ktheykwerekentirelykuseless.kAndkitwasknotkonlykthekideas;kitkwask nowledgekalso.kBitskandkburstskofk nowledge.KnowledgekaboutkthingskinkwhichkIkhadknokinterest,kthingskIkhadkneverthoughtkof.kKnowledgekaboutkcertainkthingskI'mkcertainknokmank nowskabout.

Askifksomeonektoo kakhandfulkofkfragmentedk nowledge,kaksortkofkgrab-bag,jun -heapkpilekofk nowledgekandkdumpedkitkinkmykbrain.'kkkkkHekreachedkoutkforkthekbottlekandkfilledkhiskglass.kHekgesturedkatkmewithkthekbottleknec kandkIkheldkoutkmykglass.kHekfilledkitktokthekbrim.kkkkk'Drin kup,'kheksaid.k'Youkgotkmekstartedkandknowkyoukhearkmekout.TomorrowkmorningkI'llkas kmyselfkwhykIktoldkyoukallkofkthis.kButktonightkitseemskallkright.'kkkkk'Ifkyoukdon'tkwantktoktellkme.kIfkitkseemskthatkIkamkprying...'kkkkkHekwavedkakhandkatkme.k'Allkright,'kheksaid,k'ifkyoukdon'tkwantktokhearit.kPic kupkyourkfifteenkhundred.'kkkkkIkshoo kmykhead.k'Notkyet.kNotkuntilkIk nowkhowkcomekyou'rekgivingkittokme.'kkkkk'It'sknotkmykmoney.kI'mkjustkactingkaskankagent.'

kkkkk'Forkthiskotherkman?kForkthiskotherkyou?'kkkkkHeknodded.k'That'skright,'kheksaid.k'Ikwonderkhowkyoukguessed.'kkkkkIkgesturedkatkthekphonekwithoutkakdial.kkkkkHekgrimaced.k'I'vekneverkusedkthekthing,'kheksaid.k'Untilkyouktoldkmeaboutkthekonekyoukfoundkwaitingkinkyourkoffice,kIkneverk newkanyonekwhokhad.Ikma ekthemkbykthekhundreds...'kkkkk'Youkma ekthem!'kkkkk'Yes,kofkcoursekIkdo.kNotkforkmyself.kForkthisksecondkself.kAlthough,'heksaid,kleaningkacrosskthekdes kandkloweringkhiskvoicektokakconfidentialtone,k'I'mkbeginningktoksuspectkit'sknotkaksecondkself.'kkkkk'Whatkdokyoukthin kitkis?'kkkkkHekleanedkslowlykbac kinkthekchair.k'DamnedkifkIk now,'kheksaid.k'TherewaskaktimekIkthoughtkaboutkitkandkwonderedkatkitkandkworriedkoverkit,kbut

therekwasknokwaykofk nowing.kIkjustkdon'tkbotherkanykmore.kIktellkmyselftherekmaykbekotherskli ekme.kMaybekIkamknotkalonek-katkleast,kit'skgoodktothin kso.'kkkkk'Butkthekphone?'kIkas ed.kkkkk'Ikdesignedkthekthing,'kheksaid.k'Orkperhapskthiskotherkperson,kifkitiskakperson,kdid.kIkfoundkitkinkmykmindkandkIkputkitkdownkonkpaper.kAndkIdidkthis,kmindkyou,kwithoutk nowingkwhatkitkwaskorkwhatkitkwasksupposedktodo.kIk newkitkwaskakphonekofksomeksort,knaturally.kButkIkcouldn't,kforkthelifekofkme,kseekhowkitkcouldkwor .kAndkneitherkcouldkanykofkthekotherskwhoputkitkintokproductionkatkthekplant.kBykallkthekruleskofkreason,kthekdamn


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thingkshouldn'tkwor .'kkkkk'Butkyouksaidktherekwerekaklotkofkotherkthingskthatkseemedktokhaveknopurpose.'kkkkk'Aklotkofkthem,'kheksaid,k'butkwithkthemkIkneverkdrewkakblueprint,kIneverktriedktokma ekthem.kButkthekphone,kifkthatkiskwhatkyoukwantktokcallit,kwaskakdifferentkproposition.kIk newkthatkIkshouldkma ekthemkandkhowkmanymightkbekneededkandkwhatktokdokwithkthem.'kkkkk'Whatkdidkyoukdokwithkthem?kkkkk'IkshippedkthemktokankoutfitkinkNewkJersey.'kkkkkItkwaskutterlykinsane.kkkkk'Letkmekgetkthiskstraight,'kIkpleaded.k'Youkfoundkthekblueprintskinyourkheadkandkyouk newkyoukshouldkma ekthesekphoneskandkthatkyoukshouldksendthemktoksomekplacekinkNewkJersey.kAndkyoukdidkitkwithoutkquestion?'kkkkk'Oh,kcertainlykwithkquestion.kIkfeltksomewhatkli ekakfool.kButkconsiderthis:kthisksecondkself,kthiskauxiliarykbrain,kthiskcontactkwithksomethingelsekhadkneverkletkmekdown.kItkhadksavedkmykbusiness,kitkhadkprovidedkgoodadvice,kitkhadkneverkfailedkme.kYoukcan'tkturnkyourkbac konksomethingkthathaskplayedkgoodkfairyktokyou.'kkkkk'Ikthin kIksee,'kIksaid.kkkkk'Ofkcoursekyoukdo,'khektoldkme.k'Akgamblerkrideskhiskluc .kAnkinvestorplayskhiskhunches.kAndkneitherkluc knorkhunchkarekasksolidkandkconsistentkasthiskthingkIkhave.'kkkkkHekreachedkoutkandkpic edkupkthekdiallesskphonekandkloo edkatkit,kthensetkitkdownkagain.k'Ikbroughtkthiskonekhome,'kheksaid,k'andkputkitkonkthe

des .kAllkthesekyearskI'vekwaitedkforkakcall,kbutkitkneverkcame.'kkkkk'Withkyou,'kIktoldkhim,k'therekisknokneedkofkanykphone.'kkkkk'Youkthin kthat'skit?'khekas ed.kkkkk'I'mksurekofkit.'kkkkk'Iksupposekitkis,'kheksaid.k'Atktimeskit'skconfusing.'kkkkk'ThiskJerseykfirm?'kIkas ed.k'Youkcorrespondedkwithkthem?'kkkkkHekshoo khiskhead.k'Notkakline.kIkjustkshippedkthekphones.'kkkkk'Therekwasknokac nowledgement?'kkkkk'Nokac nowledgement,'kheksaid.k'Nokpayment.kIkexpectedknone.kWhenkyoudokbusinesskwithkyourself...'kkkkk'Yourself!kYoukmeankthisksecondkselfkrunskthatkNewkJerseykfirm?kkkkk'Ikdon'tk now,'kheksaid.k'Christ,kIkdon'tk nowkanything.kI'veklivedwithkitkallkthesekyearskandkIktriedktokunderstand,kbutkIkneverkunderstood.'

kkkkkAndknowkhiskfacekwaskhauntedkandkIkfeltksorrykforkhim.kkkkkHekmustkhaveknoticedkthatkIkfeltksorrykforkhim.kHeklaughedkandksaid.'Don'tkletkmekgetkyoukdown.kIkcankta ekit.kIkcankta ekanything.kYoukmustknotforgetkthatkI'vekbeenkwellkpaid.kTellkmekaboutkyourself.kYou'rekinkrealestate.'kkkkkIknodded.k'Andkinsurance.'kkkkk'Andkyoukcouldn'tkpaykyourkphonekbill.'kkkkk'Don'tkwasteksympathykonkme,'kIksaid.k'I'llkgetkalongksomehow.'kkkkk'Funnykthingkaboutkthek ids,'kheksaid.k'Notkmanykofkthemkstaykhere.kNotmuchktok eepkthemkhere,kIkguess.'kkkkk'Notkverykmuch,'kIksaid.kkkkk'NancykiskjustkhomekfromkEurope,'khektoldkme.k'I'mkgladktokhavekherhome.kItkgotklonesomekherekwithknokone.kIkhaven'tkseenkmuchkofkherklately.

Collegekandkthenkakflingkatksocialkwor kandkthenkthektripktokEurope.kButkshetellskmeknowkthatkshekplansktokstaykakwhile.kShekwantsktokdoksomekwriting.'kkkkk'Shekshouldkbekgoodkatkit,'kIksaid.k'Shekgotkgoodkmar skinkcompositionwhenkwekwerekinkhighkschool.'kkkkk'Shekhaskthekwritingkbug,'kheksaid.k'Hadkhalfkakdozenkthingskpublishedin,kIkguesskyoukcallkthemklittlekmagazines.kThekoneskthatkcomekoutkquarterlyandkpaykyouknothingkforkyourkw

Clifford Simak - All Flesh is Grass

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Transcript of Clifford Simak - All Flesh is Grass