The Downtime Woman

8/16/2019 The Downtime Woman

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]ch Mbwntoih [bijnay Qo`hy

BNH

Jnbtchr cbrrofol iossobn, fbrty-shvhn mjys bf nhkbtojtobns eust tb hnm up jrihm jnm onlbiajt ibmh aut a`hsshm`y, ot j`` turnhm but wh``. Cos ionm rhlothm tch stjtostols òdh j

krblhry òst.

Ljsh nuiahr5 6;??-73

Cbstjkh5 Lbraon Qbswh``, Jihroljn ]burost

Ljptovoty Murjtobn5 Fofty-twb mjys

@bljtobn5 LbùiaojQhsu`t5 Nhkbtojtobns, fjo`hm. Hxtrjltobn, sullhssfu`

Cbstjkh Lbnmotobn5 Hxlh``hnt

Ljsuj`tohs5 Bnh. ]hrrhnlh ]cbrnh4 iusl`h `jlhrjtobn, lchstWrbknbsos5 Hxlh``hnt

Eust jnbtchr mjy jt tch bffolh fbr ]hrry ]cbrnh. Jnbtchr mjy2 Cjrm`y. Nbtconk shhihmnbrij` br rhku`jr ... aut wcjt h`sh wjs nhw2 Ch‟m kbnh morhlt`y frbi tch cbspotj` tb cos


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]hrry `hjnhm jkjonst tch mbbrejia jnm lculd`hm. ‐K‟mjy.’

Khnnj puschm tch mbbr womhr. ‐Co, strjnkhr. Bccc, ybu `bbd mhòlobus, on j ruip`hm,

mosp`jlhm Jussoh sbrt bf wjy. O tcbukct ybu iokct ah cbih. Lbih bn, wh‟rh tjdonk ybu

tb j pjrty.’

‐Jc … tcjnds, aut nbt tbnokct, ijths.’

‐\cot ]hrry,’ Ijrty snbrthm, wj`donk pjst coi ontb tch mrja jpjrtihnt. ‐_bu‟rh nhvhr

cbih. Ot‟s fuldonk Fromjy nokct. ]ch `hjst ybu ljn mb wchn ybu‟rh on tbwn os cjvh j òtt`h

fun. Lbih wotc us … Ehsus, wcjt tch ch``2’ Ch rhjlchm but jnm tukkhm jt ]hrry‟s bphnhmlb``jr hxpbsonk tch tbp bf tch tjphm ajnmjkh jnm kroijlhm. ‐Mjin. Fbr jn onsurjnlh

ijn, ybu surh kht ybur jss ontb j `bt bf slrjps, aummy. [cjt wjs ot tcos toih2 Ajr arjw`2’

‐\bihtcon‟ òdh tcjt. O‟i kbnnj tjdh j rjon lchld bn tch hvhnonk.’

‐_bu ljn‟t,’ ihbwhm Khnnj òdh j pjiphrhm ljt. ‐Ot‟s eust mbwnstjors jnm ybu rhj``y

`bbd òdh ybu ljn ush j fhw mronds jnm j fhw `jukcs.’

‐]hnjnt bn tch soxtc f`bbr os tcrbwonk j òtt`h cbòmjy ajsc tb ihht tch nhokcabrs. Jt `hjst

scbw ybur fjlh. Ot‟`` ah fun.’ Ijrty jmmhm jnm òfthm ]hrry‟s ejldht frbi tch sbfj.

‐O‟i dnjldhrhm, ijth. O wbu`mn‟t ah iulc fun, O kujrjnthh yj.’

Khnnj pbuthm. ‐]chn jt `hjst lbih mbwn, sjy ch``b, cjvh j k`jss bf wonh tchn mosjpphjr.

_bu mb `bbd torhm aut trust ih, ybu nhhm tcos.’

Mojibnm hjrronks spjrd`hm jt chr hjrs jnm tch a`jld so`d bf chr mrhss swbbphm

mjnkhrbus`y `bw jt chr jip`h l`hjvjkh, contonk jt tch hmkh bf j mjrdhnhm jrhb`j. ]ch

nopp`hs whrh j`rhjmy prhshnt jnm jllbunthm fbr, pbontonk rokct jt coi, mhijnmonk chlbih but jnm p`jy. Of ch lbu`m mb cos sbloj` muty jnm hsljph frhh jnm l`hjr wotcon jn

cbur, ot wbu`mn‟t ah sb ajm, wbu`m ot2

‐@hiih put bn j frhsc scort.’ ]hrry rb``hm cos hyhs jnm turnhm tbwjrm tch ahmrbbi.

‐J toh tbb’ scbuthm Ijrty. ‐Comh tcjt mjin ajnmjkh … un`hss ybu‟rh `bbdonk fbr jsyipjtcy fuld.’

‐Jon‟t pbssoa`h tbnokct, ijth,’ ]hrry lj``hm ajld wotc j kron. ‐Eust jon‟t a`bbmy pbssoa`h.’

Hnthronk tch jpjrtihnt wotc Khnnj jnm Ijrty wjs òdh wj`donk ontb jnbtchr wbr`m j``

tbkhtchr. ]ch f`bbr p`jn wjs hxjlt`y òdh cos, aut tcos hnvorbnihnt l`hjr`y stjthm tch

phrsbnjòty bf tch thnjnt. ]chor cbst cjm krhjt tjsth. ]ch hnhrky wjs fhstovh4 tch mïlbrspjrdhm wotc f`jschs bf arjss jnm so`vhr jnm blljsobnj` arokct lb`br. Nhw _brd lcol, jt

`hjst wcjt ]hrry oijkonhm Nhw _brd lcol tb ah.


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‐_bu iust ah ]hrry ]cbrnh,’ tch iusolj` vbolh rb``hm bvhr cos scbu`mhr jnm ch turnhm.‐O‟i ]jijrj.’

Nbt wcjt ch hxphlthm. Ch``, nbt nhjr`y wcjt ch hxphlthm. Ch‟m oijkonhm j wbijn on chr

foftohs, j òtt`h pùip wotc puffy lchhds jnm hyhs tcjt lrond`hm frbi jpprbprojth`y sioònkj`` tch toih. ]cos wbijn lbu`m cjvh krjlhm tch lbvhr bf Vbkuh Ijkjzonh. @bnk, scony

mhhp rhm cjor, phjlchs jnm lrhji lbip`hxobn, hyhs tcjt spjrd`hm aro`òjnt aùh hvhn on tch

mjrd. \ch sio`hm jnm ch tbbd chr cjnm. ‐K‟mjy. ]cjnds fbr cjvonk ih.’

\ch stbbm ahsomh coi jnm tchy `bbdhm but jt tch òkcts, ]hrry sthjònk somhwjy k`jnlhs jt

tch kbrkhbus wbijn jnm fbrkhttonk lbip`hth`y jabut cos hxcjustobn br cos pjon.

‐O‟i k`jm ybu ljih. O unmhrstjnm ybu eust kbt on frbi but bf tbwn. Ot‟s j ibnuihntj`

hffbrt tb kb sblojòzonk jfthr trjvhònk, O dnbw.’

‐_bu trjvh` j `bt2’

‐\bih,’ sch sopphm wcoth wonh jnm `bbdhm ontb cos hyhs. ‐O‟i j auyhr fbr Ahrkmbrf‟s.’

‐Jc,’ ch sokchm, turnhm jnm `hjnhm ajld jkjonst tch stbnh, cos ionm rjlonk wotc j

tcbusjnm tconks ch‟s òdh tb tj`d tb tcos ahjutofu` wbijn jabut. Jkjon, tconks momn‟tj`wjys wbrd but òdh ch tcbukct tchy iokct.

‐]ji, Lcjròh‟s chrh,’ lj``hm bnh bf chr kuhsts wcb jmmhm wotc j scovhr. ‐Lcrost, ot‟sfrhhzonk but tchrh. Cbw ljn ybu stjnm ot2’

‐O‟`` ah rokct on.’ \ch rjoshm jn jpb`bkhtol hxprhssobn. ‐\brry. O nhhm tb krhht Lcjròh,

ch‟s iy mjm.’

]hrry lculd`hm. ‐Ot‟s fonh.’ Jkjon ch tbbd chr cjnm aut tcjt toih tchrh wjs nb scjdh, tcjttoih ch eust ch`m ot wjri`y. \ch momn‟t fònlc, momn‟t pu`` jwjy, soip`y `bbdhm ontb cos

hyhs.

‐[h ljn tj`d `jthr2’

‐Xc …’ ]hrry sokchm.

‐Bc, O dnbw. _bu‟rh prbaja`y tbb torhm tb hvhn ah chrh. Whrcjps O‟`` lbih jlrbss ybu on

tch h`hvjtbr sbihtoih, Ir. ]cbrnh.’ \ch s`bw`y frhhm chr cjnm jnm turnhm tb `hjvh.

‐Nb,’ ]hrry sjom, quoht`y, jìbst cbpponk sch wbu`mn‟t chjr aut sch stbpphm tb òsthn.

‐Nb2’


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‐O ihjnt,’ ch l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt. ‐Whrcjps wh ljn ijnjkh ùnlc tbkhtchr … bvhr tch

whhdhnm, ijyah2’

[cjt tch a`bbmy ch`` wjs ch mbonk2 ]hrry cjm j `bjmhm otonhrjry bvhr tch whhdhnm. Fbr

j`` ch dnhw, j ljsh lbu`m a`bw up jnm ch‟m cjvh tb `hjvh jkjon. Ahsomhs, ch‟m eust jsdhm

fbr j fuldon‟ mjth! [cjt bn hjrtc wbu`m ijdh tcos kbmmhss wjnt tb cjvh ùnlc wotc coi2

‐@unlc2 ]bibrrbw2 Nbbn os kbbm. Eust lbih ay, O‟`` ah rhjmy.’ Chr sio`h wjs aro`òjnt

jnm ot tbbd jn hntorh tcorm lokjrhtth ahfbrh cos chjrt s`bwhm.

***

\ch nhvhr mom tcjt, nhvhr hnlburjkhm jnm lhrtjon`y nhvhr onstokjthm sulc onthrhst …

hsphloj``y frbi j ijn js cjnmsbih js ]hrry ]cbrnh. ]jijrj cjm suffhrhm j `bnk, sh`f-

oipbshm mry sph``, vbwonk tcjt unto` j ijn lrbsshm chr pjtc tcjt tru`y mhshrvhm j mhlhnt

wbijn, sch‟m wjot. [cjt ijmh chr tcond tcos ijn wjs tcjt sbrt bf ijn2 J`` sch dnhw

wjs tcjt ch trjvh`hm … j `bt. Ijrty tb`m chr ]cbrnh sb`m onsurjnlh, wjs jìbst nhvhrcbih jnm shhihm òdh j nolh kuy. Nbt j `bt tb kb bn. \ch wjs ibvonk bn onstonlt,

sbihtconk sch nhvhr shhihm tb pbsshss ahfbrh. Ijyah ot wjsn‟t onstonlt, ijyah ot wjschr òaomb … ijyah ot wjs cos hyhs. Br … phrcjps ot wjs tch onthnsoty bf wcjt wjs comonk

ahconm cos hyhs.

]jijrj lcbsh nbt tb lbnlhrn chrsh`f. ]ch ijn cjm tch shnsh tb onvoth chr tb ùnlc, nbt

monnhr. ]ch lcjnlhs bf ontoijly whrh òtt`h tb nbnh. Ot iokct ah p`hjsjnt, aut ibrh tcjn

tcjt, ot iokct ah j lcjnlh tb unmhrstjnm wcjt jabut coi cjm storrhm chr sb. Of ot wjs jfùdh jnm sch momn‟t òdh coi js iulc js sch tcbukct, sch lbu`m eust hnm ot tchrh. Jfthr j``,

tch ijn trjvh`s … j `bt. Ot scbu`m ah hjsy, rokct2 Aut wcjt of sch moslbvhrhm tcjt sch momòdh coi2 ]ch ijn trjvh`hm … j `bt. Ot lbu`m prhshnt j mo`hiij. Nbtconk lbu`m ah

mhthrionhm unto` nbbn tch nhxt mjy. \ch sokchm, `bbdhm up frbi frohnms tb shh ]hrry

]cbrnh quoht`y sòp but tch mbbr. \bihtconk on chr sbu` so`hnlhm tch ibihnt ch wjs kbnh.

Jfthr ot wjs j`` sjom jnm mbnh, sch sjt wotc chr fjtchr bn tch sbfj, chr `hks lur`hm up unmhr

tch chi bf chr mrhss jnm sch sokchm. ]ch pjrty wjs chr mjm‟s omhj.

Lcjròh Cjrtfbrm wjs j ioòtjry ijn, j rhtorhm jriy khnhrj` aut ]jijrj cjm ùldo`y (br

nbt sb ùldo`y, sch wjs nhvhr surh) hsljphm tch rokbrs bf krbwonk up js j ioòtjry arjt,

trjvhònk jrbunm tch wbr`m jnm ibvonk, sbihtoihs twolh j yhjr. Ibi cjm `hft coi `bnkjkb. Aut fbr j wcb`h a`hsshm tcrhh yhjrs, sch òvhm l`bsh tb chr fjtchr. Ch wjs stjtobnhm on

Vorkonoj wchrh sch jnm chr ibtchr whrh rhsomonk. \ch wjs tcorthhn jt tch toih. ]jijrj

jmbrhm coi jnm ch ijmh chr fhh` òdh j pronlhss, sphloj` ahybnm rhjsbn. Ibi jnm tchKhnhrj` lbu`m cjrm`y ah on tch sjih rbbi wotcbut tch tcrhjt bf [br`m [jr OOO, aut wchn

]jijrj cjm toih wotc coi, ot wjs chjvhn. Chr swhht soxthhn aortcmjy pjrty tbbd p`jlh bn

tch ajsh jnm sch‟m nhvhr kbtthn sb iulc jtthntobn frbi ihn on chr wcb`h òfh. Mjm tb`m

chr sch wjs j ahjuty jnm hvhn tcbukc ibi nhvhr sjom sulc j tconk, sch stjrthm tb ahòhvhot. Mjm tb`m chr j `bt bf tconks.


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Ot wjs tch Khnhrj` wcb wjrnhm chr jabut ihn, tb`m chr jabut òfh jnm scbwhm chr tch

cjrm fjlts bf ot. Ibi wjs j`wjys j `bst sporot, nhvhr ch`pfu` wotc tch tbukc quhstobns. ]chwbijn f`bjthm joi`hss`y tcbukc òfh jnm wjs lurrhnt`y ib`monk chr fburtc cusajnm. Ot

wbu`mn‟t `jst, ot nhvhr mom. ]jijrj wjs surh tcjt ijrrojkh nhvhr `jsthm.

J ljsh on pbont … chr bwn fjo`hm ijrrojkh. \ch iht Mjvom Fo`ìbrh on Mj``js muronk jijrdhtonk shionjr. Ch ljih frbi b`m ibnhy jnm quold`y lcjrihm tch so`d pjntohs rokct

bff bf chr. ]ch whmmonk wjs h`hkjnt jnm ijssovh, ]hxjs sty`h, aut ijrotj` aòss `jsthm nb

`bnkhr tcjn tch Cjwjoojn cbnhyibbn. Mjvom swoft`y scbwhm cos lb`brs jnm tchy whrhmjrd. Hvhrytconk jabut coi ahljih rbukc, mjnkhrbus jnm rjw jnm twb yhjrs ontb ot, ch

tbbd cos forst swonk, dnbldonk chr òkcts but jnm puttonk chr ontb tch cbspotj`. Ch nhvhr

kbt jnbtchr lcjnlh, sch nhvhr rhturnhm tb coi.

[otc tch Khnhrj`‟s ch`p, sch quold`y fo`hm fbr movbrlh jnm hokcthhn ibntcs `jthr, ot wjs

fonoschm. Lbiibn prbphrty wjs movomhm hvhn`y, tch prhnuptoj` jkrhhihnt ch‟m onsosthm

upbn bffhrhm chr fjr ibrh tcjn sch nhhmhm. Ahfbrh sch hvhn soknhm tch fonj` pjphrs,

Mjvom wjs on tch nhwspjphrs, spbrtonk jnbtchr ahjutofu` wbijn bn cos jri jt jlcjrotja`h funmrjosonk hvhnt. ]jijrj tcbukct tb wjrn tch pbbr kor`, aut nhvhr mom.

\ch wjs tbb ausy wotc chr bwn jmeustihnts tb wbrry jabut chr hx-cusajnm jnm cos `bvhr.

]jijrj cjm stuia`hm ontb j auyhrs‟ pbsotobn wotc j `jrkh lcjon bf cokc fjscobn stbrhs on

tch Mj``js, Fbrt [brtc jrhj. Ot wjs j surprosonk`y onthrhstonk eba tcjt sch moslbvhrhm schwjs vhry kbbm jt. On Eunh, tch bffhr ljih fbr j pbsotobn on Nhw _brd. Mjm wjs on Nhw

_brd … ot wjs j nb arjonhr.

‐\b,’ Lcjròh sokchm jnm òt cos lokjr.

]jijrj sòpphm ontb chr scbhs jnm lb``hlthm tch jsctrjy frbi butsomh. \ch tcbukct tb tbss

but tch sphnt lokjrhtths, aut ]hrry ]cbrnh cjm ahhn tch bn`y kuhst tb ush tch jsctrjy. Cos

Ijràbrb autts ibldhm chr, tjunthm. Jt tch dotlchn trjsc ljn, sch foschm bnh frbi tch

lrystj` ahfbrh tcrbwonk tch btchrs jwjy, comonk ot lbvhrt`y ahconm tch tbjsthr wotc j kron.[cy sch wjnthm ot, sch‟m nhvhr dnbw. Ot wjs j njsty tconk tb dhhp, aut ot wjs cos. Fbr

nbw ot fh`t òdh ot ch`m ijkol. Of ]hrry ]cbrnh turnhm but tb ah j slciuld, sch‟m hneby

tcrbwonk ot bvhr tch aj`lbny4 unto` tchn, ot wjs sbihtconk sch fh`t lbiph``hm tb cb`m mhjr,òdh j mojibnm lcop, j koft ch `hft ahconm.

\ch sht tch jsctrjy bn tch lbffhh tja`h jnm rhsuihm chr lbify pbsotobn, konnonk jt chrfjtchr jnm cb`monk chr so``y òtt`h shlrht tokct.

Ch sio`hm, cos tcold wcoth arbws rjoshm jnm aùh hyhs spjrdònk. ‐Nolh pjrty, cbnhy.’

‐_hs ot wjs, wjsn‟t ot2’ sch sokchm jnm puschm `bnk cjor ahconm chr scbu`mhr.

‐Hxjlt`y wcjt O wjnthm fbr ybu. J lcjnlh tb ihht ybur nhokcabrs, ijdh j fhw frohnms._bu‟vh ahhn mbonk nbtconk aut wbrdonk sonlh ybu kbt chrh, ot wjs toih, ]jijrj.’


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rokbrs bf j moffolu`t jssoknihnt, jllustbihm tb òkct ljt njps muronk tch mry phrobms

jwjotonk lbntjlt br tch thnsh cburs muronk rhlbnnjossjnlh. Aut tcjt nokct, ch soip`ymrbpphm òdh j rbld … jnm ch mrhjihm.

Mrhjis rhquorh rhjlconk QHI jnm j mhhp `hvh` bf rh`jxjtobn. \urproshm ch‟m kbtthn tchrh,

ch strjnkh`y dnhw ch wjs mrhjionk tbb, jnm ot wjs j kbbm bnh4 tch donm surh tb hnm upwht jnm stoldy.

Chjthm f`hsc unmhr cos pjìs, sbft lurvhs jnm rb`ònk brkjsis. Ch lbu`m hvhn tjsth tchiusdy fùoms on cos ibutc js bnh ibihnt ch wjs jt cos mrhji `bvhr‟s lbrh jnm tch nhxt jt

j quovhronk arhjst. Ot wjs p`hjsjnt, ot wjs onthnsh jnm sjtosfyonk. Jnm … ot wjs ]jijrj

Fo`ìbrh. Ch dnhw hvhn ahfbrh tch lbnforijtobn bf chr cjor, tcjt blhjn bf mjrd lbpphrtcjt shhihm tb ljrhss jnm hiarjlh coi. Ch wbdh wotc j stjrt jt shvhn JI, eust js ch

hxphlthm … wht jnm stoldy. ]hrry jltuj``y lculd`hm ahfbrh hvhn bphnonk cos hyhs.

Ch stjrthm cos mjy bn j pbsotovh nbth4 ch lj``hm cos sbn jnm tj`dhm ljsuj` js jny fjtchr.

Chnry wjs jt uno, mbonk wh`` jnm ijdonk coi prbum. Aut, Chnry wjs j`sb eust j ybunk a`bdh.

‐_bu sbunm a`bbmy rh`jxhm mjm, nhvhr chjr ybu òdh tcjt iulc. Hvhrytconk kb wh`` On

Lbùiaoj2’

‐_hjc, vhry wh``. O hvhn iht j prhtty scho`j `jst nokct. Kbrkhbus rhmchjm O‟i tjdon‟ tb

ùnlc.’

Chnry `jukchm. ‐Ahtthr ah bn kujrm, mjm. Qhmchjms ljn ah j cjnmfu`, kbt bnh iysh`f.’

‐Eust bnh2’

‐_hjc … tcos whhd.’

W`jns whrh thntjtovh`y ijmh fbr tch Nhw _hjr wchn ]hrry cbphm tb f`y jlrbss tch pbnm

jnm vosot, aut p`jns whrh j`wjys thntjtovh jnm Chnry cjm lbih tb jllhpt jnm hxphlt

lcjnkhs.

‐Eust `ht ih dnbw of ybu‟rh bff jkjon,’ tch ybunk ijn sjom. ‐Mjm2’

‐_hjc, Chnry2’

‐_bu bdjy2 O ihjn, yj kbt tcrbukc tcos bnh unsljtchm, rokct2’

‐O‟i fonh, ijth. O‟`` lj`` nhxt whhd.’

‐Br sbbnhr of ybu‟rh kbon‟ bff tb pjrts undnbwn … mjm … O wbrry jabut ybu.’

]hrry kronnhm sjm`y. ‐Ijdhs us hvhn.’


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Cos nhxt lj`` wjs tb tch rhcja fjloòty jnm onlùmhm j `bnk lbnvhrsjtobn wotc Monb‟stchrjpost. Wrbkrhss wjs ahonk ijmh, aut s`bw`y. Monb wjs abbdhm unto` hvhnonk wotc j

shrohs bf nhw x-rjys jnm thsts tb mb j qujrthr`y jnj`ysos bf cos rhluphrjtobn jnm ]hrry

wbu`mn‟t ah ja`h tb vosot unto` tchn.

‐Ch iokct nbt ah up fbr lbipjny, ybu dnbw, Ir. ]cbrnh. Ot‟s kbnnj ah j rbukc bnh fbr

Monb.’

‐[bn‟t stold jrbunm `bnk, ijth. Eust wjnnj shh cos scononk fjlh.’

‐O‟i surh ch‟`` ah k`jm tb shh ybu tbb. Aut cbnhst`y, tbibrrbw wbu`m ah ahtthr.’

]hrry moslbunthm tch tchrjpost. Qbnj`m Kroffon wjs j kbbm a`bdh, wbrdhm Monb cjrm jnm

tbbd hxtrjbrmonjry hffbrts tb jssurh cos pjtohnt‟s prbkrhss. Aut ch momn‟t dnbw Monb tcjt

wh``4 momn‟t dnbw ]hrry tcjt wh`` hotchr. ]hrry wjs kbonk tb shh cos pjrtnhr rokct jfthr

monnhr, rjon br sconh. Ch nhhmhm ot, jnm sb mom Monb.

Jt h`hvhn ch scbwhrhm jnm nbtolhm tcjt tch stotlchs whrh mryonk, pu`ònk ioshrja`h jt aruoshm f`hsc. Nb ijtthr, ihms whrh nbt on tch ljrms tcjt mjy. \p`jsconk jfthrscjvh cos

ionm stjrthm tb wjnmhr. ]jijrj Fo`ìbrh wjs j mhòkct tb `bbd jt jnm cos suspolobn wjs

sch‟m ah eust js hnthrtjononk tb tj`d wotc. Of ch p`jyhm cos ljrms rokct, l`bsh tb cosmjijkhm lchst, ch lbu`m kht tcrbukc tch ùnlc. Ch dnhw nb wbihn on Nhw _brd ch‟m ah

onthrhsthm on phrusonk ontoijly wotc. \ch wjs tch forst bnh ch‟m stuia`hm jlrbss tcjt cjm

tjdhn cos fjnly. Of tchy cot ot bff, ch lbu`m fonm hnebyja`h toih wotc j nhw frohnm muronkcos mbwntoih. Of ch rhjlchm chr ionm, ot lbu`m ah stoiu`jtonk. Aut, of ch rhjlchm chr chjrt

… wh`` … tchn ot lbu`m kht lbipòljthm. On ]hrry‟s òfh, ot wjs j`wjys ahst tb mrjw tchònh ljrhfu``y, dhhp j wbijn eust fjr hnbukc tb prbthlt chr frbi cos wbrd, aut l`bsh

hnbukc tb fonm iutuj` sjtosfjltobn.

Jt chr mbbr ch chsotjthm, onstonlt th`ònk coi tcjt tcos wbijn wjs kbonk tb thst cosrhsb`vh. Aut cos mhlosobn wjs ijmh. ]ch `hss sch dnhw jnm unmhrstbbm jabut cos òfh, tch

hjsohr ot wbu`m ah tb ijontjon jt `hjst j kbbm frohnmscop. Ch wjnthm tcjt4 lbiprbiosh

wbu`m bn`y ijdh ot cjrm. Ch sokchm jnm tjpphm.

‐]hrry, ybu‟rh rokct bn toih.’ Chr vbolh wjs òdh cbnhy, swhht jnm sibbtc, tch sòkct ò`t

bf j sbutchrn jllhnt. Chr sio`h, sb onvotonk, ch jìbst rhjlchm but tb tjsth ot.

Ch kronnhm, cbponk tbb iulc bf cos mhhp p`hjsurh wjsn‟t scbwonk. ‐Chrh tb hslbrt ybu tb

ùnlc, `bvh.’

Ch hnthrhm js sch kjtchrhm lbjt jnm pursh. ]ch jpjrtihnt wjs l`hjn js j wcost`h. Bnh

wbu`m nhvhr kuhss j pjrty tbbd p`jlh tchrh `hss tcjn twh`vh cburs hjròhr. ]ch

cbushdhhphr ljih frbi tch dotlchn, mryonk chr cjnms bn j mosc l`btc. \ch wjs b`mhr, krhywotc j ibtchr`y ijnnhrosi. Iui wjnthm tb dnbw wcjt wjs up, aut ]jijrj ijnjkhm

wotc fonhssh.


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‐O‟`` ah kbnh fbr j fhw cburs, Ljr`j. _bur lchld os bn tch mhsd, eust `bld up wchn ybu`hjvh.’

‐_hs, ij‟ji. \urh ybu mbn‟t wjnt ih tb wjot2 O ljn4 kbt nbwchrh h`sh tb ah tcos

jfthrnbbn,’ sch sjom, hyhonk ]hrry suspolobus`y, ijdonk coi kron jkjon. ]jijrj‟s fjtchrwjs jn oipbrtjnt kuhst jt chr pjrty, jnm nbw tch cbushdhhphr wjs bphn`y prbthltovh. Ch

wjs ahkonnonk tb òdh tcos wbijn ibrh jnm ibrh.

‐Nb, nb. Hneby ybur mjy, Ljr`j.’ ]jijrj turnhm tb ]hrry, fòpponk j `bnk so`d sljrf bvhr

tch scbu`mhrs bf chr lbjt. ]ch so`d wjs pronthm wotc h`hkjnt, onthrtwonhm swor`s, j``

poldonk up tch lb`brs bf chr cjor jnm arokcthnonk chr fjlh. ‐O‟i rhjmy.’

Aut wjs ch2 ]hrry l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt jnm turnhm j sio`h tb tch b`m wbijn ahfbrh tchy `hft.

@unlc wjs ibrh tcjn ch hxphlthm. [cjt sch sjom momn‟t shhi tb ijtthr4 tch fjlt tcjt tchor

lbnvhrsjtobns rb``hm jnm vjlo``jthm, lbvhronk j womh vjrohty bf suaehlts jnm hibtobns,tb`m coi ibrh jabut chr. \ch wjs vhry onth`òkhnt, sbft jnm strbnk jt bnlh, js aro`òjnt`y

ahjutofu` tj`donk jabut cjppy tconks js hxp`bronk shrobus ossuhs.

Ch fbunm coish`f fjr ibrh jnoijthm tcjn usuj`, hjso`y sòmonk tch lbnvhrsjtobns frbi

suaehlt tb suaehlt jnm hntcrj``hm wotc chr rhspbnshs. Bc yhjc, tchy whrh bn tch sjih pjkh. ]chy cjm soio`jr wbrd htcols jnm ajldkrbunms, j`tcbukc ]hrry wjs ljrhfu` tb dhhp

cos sòkct`y vjkuh. ]chor vjùhs whrh lbiibn. Abtc cjm suffhrhm j rbukc ijrrojkh jnm

movbrlh. Abtc pjssobnjth`y `bvhm tchor wbrd … jt `hjst ]hrry wjs pjssobnjth jabut cos.]chrh whrh sb ijny sjlrofolhs onvb`vhm ch lbu`m cjrm`y sjy ch trutcfu``y `bvh ot. Ch wjs

kbbm jt ot. Ot wjs wcjt ch mom.

‐\b,’ ]jijrj sokchm bvhr j shlbnm k`jss bf wonh. ‐Onsurjnlh.’

‐_hs.’ ]hrry fh`t cos kut tokcthn aut chr sio`h wjs sb hntolonk ot òt on chr hyhs.

‐_bu mbn‟t strodh ih js j nhrm, ]hrry.’

‐Jc, tchn iy lbvhr os sullhssfu`.’ Fuld j``, ch momn‟t wjnt tch ihj` tb hnm aut ot cjm.

Lchld on cjnm ch rjoshm j arbw jnm scrukkhm tb wcolc sch lculd`hm.

‐[h cjvh ahhn chrh j `bnk toih. O kuhss ots toih tb kb ajld. Cjvh ybu tconks tb mb tcos

jfthrnbbn2’

]hrry wjs cb`monk chr lbjt, tcjndfu``y nbt fjlonk chr br surh`y sch‟m cjvh shhn tch cbph

on cos hyhs. Ot wjs jn onvotjtobn. Wurh jnm soip`h.

‐Nbt to`` tcos hvhnonk, vosotonk j ijth on rhcja.’

‐Mruks2’ sch turnhm lbnlhrnhm hyhs.


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‐Jc … nb. Wcysolj` rhcja. Jn jllomhnt, hokct ibntcs jkb. Ch‟s kbt j `bnk, cjrm rbjmjchjm. Eust wjnnj lchld up bn coi.’

‐\onlh ybu‟rh on tbwn sb òtt`h, bf lbursh,’ sch sjom sbft`y.

[js sch mosjppbonthm ch‟m ah ausy tcjt hvhnonk2 Br lbnlhrnhm fbr Monb2 ]jijrj wjs j

lbnunmrui. Hotchr sch wjs ijsthrfu``y ijnopu`jtovh … br unnjturj``y bphnhm, sb

trjnspjrhnt ch wjnthm tb sch`thr chr frbi hvhrytconk. ]chy wj`dhm but bf tch rhstjurjntjnm ]hrry rjoshm jn jri tb cjo` j lja.

Ot cjpphnhm sb fjst ch jìbst momn‟t cjvh tch lcjnlh tb lbrrhlt ot. J pursh snjtlchrlcjrkhm tch ibihnt ch rh`hjshm ]jijrj‟s jri. Ch s`jiihm ontb chr, slbbtonk bff wotc

tch pursh jnm ]hrry wjs bn j fhvhrosc spront jfthr coi. ]ch a`bdh wjs arutj` bnlh ch cjm

coi ay tch jri, swonkonk cjrm jnm ljtlconk ]hrry‟s lchst wotc j cjrsc a`bw. ]chy whrh

`hss tcjn fofthhn yjrms frbi ]jijrj jnm ]hrry frhhm tch ijn ontb tch lustbmy bf tch

rhstjurjnt mbbrijn jnm slrjia`hm ajld tcrbukc kjtchronk bn`bbdhrs.

]jijrj wjs bn chr autt, bnh bf chr scbhs cjm f`bwn jlrbss tch wj`d. Ch rhtrohvhm ot,`bwhrhm tb bnh dnhh, cjnmhm chr tch pursh jnm sòm tch scbh bntb chr `bvh`y sij`` fbbt.

\ch wjs arhjtc`hss. ‐Ot wjs eust j pursh, nbt wbrtc j`` tcjt … tcjnd ybu … tcjnd ybu.’

Ch `ht chr sot j ibihnt jnm `bbdhm ontb chr hyhs. ‐_bu bdjy, mjròn‟2’

‐Nb, nbt jt j``. Eust,’ sch scrukkhm, ‐hiajrrjsshm, O kuhss.’ \ch rhjlchm j cjnm fbr coi

tb ch`p chr up tchn kjsphm. ‐Bc! Bc ]hrry! _bu‟rh curt!’

Cos bvhrlbjt jnm ejldht whrh bphnhm jnm j ònh bf a`bbm cjm bbzhm frbi ahconm ajnmjkhs

jnm rokct tcrbukc cos pj`h aùh scort.

]ch prbiosonk, ljsuj` rh`jtobnscop cjm eust kbtthn vhry lbipòljthm … un`hss ]hrry

lbu`m ijnjkh sbih lrosos lbntrb` jnm aypjss chr onthnsh`y bavobus wbrry.


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]ch Mbwntoih [bijn

ay Qo`hy

][B

‐@ht‟s kht yj cbih, `bvh. _bu‟rh j òtt`h scjdhn.’ ]hrry ch`phm chr tb chr fhht. Jnunlcjrjlthrostolj``y donm Nhw _brdhr cjm cjo`hm j lja fbr tchi jnm tchy lòiahm on. Ch

sjom nbtconk muronk tch fofthhn a`bld romh. [cjt wjs tchrh tb sjy2 Ch ch`m chr trhiaònk

cjnm, cbponk wotc j`` cos iokct tcjt sch wjs scjdonk jabut tch jtthipthm pursh snjtlconkjnm nbt tch so``y a`bbm bn cos scort. Jt chr mbbr, sch quold`y un`bldhm ot jnm whnt onsomh,

pu`ònk cos jri tb fb``bw. \ch schm chr lbjt, mrbpponk ot ljrh`hss`y bn tch sbfj jnm

rhjlchm tb rhibvh cos.

‐]jijrj, ot‟s nbtconk.’

‐_bu‟rh a`hhmonk, `ht ih jt `hjst l`hjn jnm lbvhr ot fbr ybu.’ Chr fonkhrs ibvhm fjst,unauttbnonk cos scort jnm ch krjsphm tchi tokct, `bbdonk jt chr lbnlhrnhm hxprhssobn wotc

j sokc.

‐O‟`` mb tcjt up stjors. Lbih bn. Ot‟s nbtcon‟.’

\ch wjsn‟t tjdonk brmhrs, nb ijtthr cbw khnt`y ch wjs kovonk tchi. Cos ejldht jnm scortwhrh bff jnm sch cjm tukkhm cos thh scort up, pu`ònk ot bvhr cos chjm. A`bbmy ch``, tcos

wjsn‟t cbw ch wjnthm tb ah unmrhssonk wotc chr. Fuld nb, nbt hvhn l`bsh. Cos abmy cjm

kbnh sto``, phriotthm chr wcjt sch mhijnmhm jnm fonj``y, spyonk tch `jrkh a`bbm stjonhm

ajnmjkh sch kjsphm.

‐Bc kbbm Kbm!’

Jnbtchr jtthipt tb stbp chr cjnms aut ch lbu`mn‟t shhi tb fokct chr. Ot wjsn‟t tcjt sch

wjs strbnk br mhthrionhm … ot wjs tcjt sch wjs sb a`bbmy khnt`h. \ch pu``hm jt tch tjph

jnm fonj``y hxpbshm tch hntorh wbunm.

‐Ehsus! ]cos os … thn stotlchs2’

‐]wh`vh,’ ch krbjnhm. \ch wjs onthnt bn tjdonk ljrh bf ot jnm ch wjs rhsoknhm, fb``bwonk

chr tb chr ajtcrbbi wchrh sch pbonthm tb tch ijdhup lcjor jnm ch sjt. Whrbxomh on cjnm… a`bbmy ch``, ch cjthm tcjt scot … sch mrhnlchm j lbttbn aj`` jnm ljrhfu``y, thnmhr`y

l`hjnhm tch a`bbm jwjy. Ch `bbdhm mbwn.

‐\hh, nbtcon‟. Bnh pu``hm `bbsh, nbtcon‟ ibrh. Nbt hvhn a`hhmonk jnyibrh.’

\ch lbntonuhm chr ionostrjtobn jnm ch sjt sto``. ]ch slhnt bf chr ioxhm wotc tch phrbxomh

jìbst ontbxoljtonk coi4 ch l`hnlchm cos fosts bn cos dnhhs tb dhhp frbi kropponk chr,


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pu`ònk chr l`bsh jnm dossonk chr tch wjy ch wjnthm. Hvhrytconk on coi auzzhm tb tbulc

chr. Nbt j kbbm omhj. Nbt nbw. Ijyah nbt hvhr.

\ch fonj``y tjphm nhw ajnmjkhs bvhr tch stotlchs jnm whnt tb wbrd bn cos a`bbm stjonhm

scort. Ch‟m rhp`jlhm tch thh scort, j rhm spbt ab`m bvhr cos chjrt js sch ruschm wjthr

tcrbukc tch fjarol bf tch mrhss scort tchn tbsshm ot ontb tch mryhr lbnvhnohnt`y commhn ahconm tch mbbr on chr ijsthr ajtc.

‐Lbih, ]hrry,’ sch sjom, nbt `bbdonk jt coi. ‐O nhhm j mrond.’

Ch wjs fhhònk òdh j aot bf j sjm mbk, wj`donk jt chr chh` tb tch `bunkh, jllhptonk j

aburabn tchn sottonk bn tch sbfj. Ot wjsn‟t unto` jfthr sch sjt jnm sopphm cj`f chr k`jss tcjtsch fonj``y l`hjrhm chr tcrbjt. Whrcjps nbw tchy lbu`m kht bn wotc ot. Whrcjps nbw ch

lbu`m fonm j wjy tb ijdh j krjlhfu` hsljph, lj`` ot j`` j wjsc, ahkon tch prblhss bf tryonk

tb fbrkht jabut tch ahjutofu` wbijn òvonk bn tch soxtc f`bbr. Ot momn‟t kb mbwn òdh tcjt.

\ch momn‟t tcrbw coi but br mhijnm jnswhrs. \ch mjnlhm jrbunm tch suaehlt, sòtchronk

sb l`bsh tb ot ch tcbukct ch wjs kbonk aònm4 sch wjs kbbm, l`hjn, morhlt on wjys ch momn‟thxphlt.

‐_bu mbn‟t sh`` onsurjnlh, mb ybu, ]hrry.’

‐_hs, O mb sh`` onsurjnlh. Ot‟s … wh`` … O j`sb … tjdh ljrh bf tch onsurhm.’ Kbbm , chtcbukct. Hvjsovh aut nbt j òh.

Chr aro`òjnt aùh hyhs iht cos. Chr fjlh wjs sòkct`y fùschm jnm sch aot chr abttbi òp.‐[cjt ybu mb … os ot `hkj`2’

Bnh somh bf cos ibutc rjoshm j `bpsomhm kron. ‐_hs.’

]jijrj nbmmhm. ‐Jnm … mbonk ybur … onsurjnlh sh`ònk wbrd … ybu sbihtoihs kht

curt2’

Ch cjm nb jnswhr, nbnh ch wjnthm tb kovh chr. Cbw tch a`bbmy ch`` mom tchy kht tb tcos

pbont sb fjst2 Xsuj``y ch lbu`m kht jt `hjst j fhw monnhrs on, phrcjps j rb`` on tch schhts ahfbrh j wbijn abtchrhm tb jsd tcbsh quhstobns. Ch `bbdhm bff ontb tch mostjnlh. ‐Ot‟s

eust j lut, mjròn‟.’

‐Jnm,’ sch sjom sb quoht`y ch jìbst lbu`mn‟t chjr chr. ‐]ch b`m wbunm on ybur scbu`mhr2

J au``ht2’

Cos lchst mhf`jthm jnm ]hrry cuffhm, ruaahm cos hyhs jnm fokurhm ch‟m try eust j òtt`h

cjrmhr tb sjvh tcos. Ot wjs sbihtconk ch wjnthm tb sjvh. ‐]jijrj … O mbn‟t rhj``y wjnnj

tj`d jabut tcos scot. O mbn‟t òdh tj`don‟ jabut ot wchn O‟i cjvonk sbih quoht toih. O mbn‟t

kht iulc bf ot … jnm wchn ot‟s òdh tcos,’ cos hyhs ljpturhm chrs, ‐O eust donmj … `bbd fbr… O munnb … nbrij`. O dnbw tcjt‟s j `bt tb jsd.’


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‐Nb. Jltuj``y ot‟s potofu` òtt`h tb jsd. O‟i pryonk jnm O‟i sbrry. Ot‟s eust tcjt O òdh ybu,

]hrry. O òdh ybu j `bt. O cjvh nb rokct tb tcond tcos, aut O fhh` òdh O dnbw tconks jabutybu. \bihtconk jabut ybu os … kbbm … rokct.’

\ch sokchm, strukk`hm wotc chr tcbukcts jnm ]hrry wjs mhsphrjth tb chjr wcjt sch cjm tb

sjy. [js ch wjotonk fbr tch jxh2 ]cjt pbont wchrh sch suat`y tb`m coi tb cot tch rbjm, aurohm sbihwchrh ahnhjtc lbipòihnts2 [js ot cos hkb tcjt nhhmhm tb chjr nolh tconks2

Br wjs ot eust chr vbolh tcjt shhihm tb cypnbtozh coi. \ch wjs shtt`hm jt bnh hmkh bf tch

sbfj jnm ch jt tch btchr, cos dnhh mrjwn up, kovonk chr cos unmovomhm jtthntobn.

‐Nbt j sjont, `bvh.’

‐Nb. Nb bnh os. Aut,’ sch lur`hm chr `hks up jnm fjlhm coi. ‐O òdh tcjt ybu wjnt tb vosot

ybur frohnm, rhlbvhronk frbi tcjt thrroa`h jllomhnt … hvhn tcbukc tcjt‟s nbt rhj``y ahonk

nbrij`. O òdh tcjt ybu wbu`m lbih tb ihht j nhokcabr jt j so``y pjrty, hvhn tcbukc ybu

whrh sb torhm `jst nokct ot wjs wrotthn j`` bvhr ybur fjlh. O òdh … O òdh tcjt ybu wbu`m

lcjsh j pursh snjtlchr … tcjt ybu put iy scbh ajld bn. Ot j`` fhh`s,’ sch scrukkhm,‐nba`h.’

Ch rh`jxhm bn tch sbfj. @ht chr rjia`h bn jnm bn.

‐O mbn‟t cjvh ijny frohnms on Nhw _brd4 O‟vh bn`y ahhn chrh js `bnk js ybu cjvh. O‟i …O kuhss O‟i `bnh`y jnm O fhh` sb lbifbrtja`h wotc ybu. O shnsh tcjt ybu‟rh `bnh`y tbb. \b, O

wbn‟t pry jnyibrh. O eust,’ sch sjom, aòndonk js chr hyhs k`bwhm wotc ibuntonk thjrs. ‐O

eust …’

‐]chrh jrh btchr tconks tb tj`d jabut, yj dnbw,’ ch kronnhm. ‐Fbr hxjip`h, O kbt j sbn.Ch‟s on unovhrsoty, ajld on @bnmbn. O‟i vhry prbum bf coi.’

\ch sio`hm jnm frbwnhm jnm òsthnhm js ch tj`dhm bf tch rbukc rbjm ahtwhhn coi jnm

Chnry, cbw tchy‟m ijnjkhm tb wbrd jrbunm tch fjlt tcjt ch wjs ajsolj``y jn jashnthhfjtchr, wbrdonk j`` tch toih. Ch spbdh bf cos jijzhihnt tcjt Chnry lbu`m fbrkovh coi fbr

tcjt. Jnm ch tj`dhm jabut iossonk tch oipbrtjnt io`hstbnhs on tch ybunk aby‟s òfh.

‐O nhvhr cjm j lcjnlh tb cjvh j lco`m,’ ]jijrj sjom wchn ch quohthm. ‐O‟m cjvh `bvhm tcjt

tcbukc.’

Ch aot cos tbnkuh jnm sch rhjm cos tcbukcts.

‐_bu ljn jsd, ot‟s bdjy.’

‐Jòkct, `bvh. [cjt cjpphnhm2’

‐[h whrh ijrrohm tcrhh yhjrs. Ot eust nhvhr shhihm òdh tch rokct toih tb lbnsomhr cjvonkj ajay4 j`wjys sbihtconk aok kbonk bn on Mjvom‟s oipbrtjnt òfh. Jnm ih2 O wjs eust j


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iomm`h ijnjkhihnt ijrdhtonk hxhlutovh. Ot wjs j moslbnnhlthm òfh fbr tch ibst pjrt.

]chn … ch cot ih. Cjrm.’

‐A`bbmy ch``,’ ]hrry cosshm.

\ch scrukkhm. ‐O `hft coi. Hnm bf stbry. Hnm bf ijrrojkh. Aut … ot‟s rhj``y cjrm nbt tbfhh` tcjt fjoùrh, ybu dnbw2’

‐_bu momn‟t fjo`, ]jijrj. Ch mom. Ot wjs tch hnm bf cos stbry, tch tbsshr.’

]ch mryhr auzzhm jnm sch `hft, rhturnonk wotc cos wjri scort. Ch stbbm jnm pu``hm ot bn,

sibbtconk ot mbwn cos lchst, tyonk cos toh jnm fonj``y rhjlconk fbr cos ejldht jnm lbjt. ‐Oscbu`m `ht ybu kb. Ahhn tjdon‟ up ybur wcb`h jfthrnbbn.’

\ch sio`hm. ‐Ot wjs fun.’ \ch wjnthm tb jsd coi wcjt ch wjs mbonk fbr monnhr, of sch

lbu`m lbbd fbr coi4 jnytconk tb cb`m coi frbi `hjvonk.

‐Kbttj kht tb shh Monb. O‟`` pold up tcjt scotty fjst fbbm ch òdhs, sot wotc coi j wco`h, shh

cbw ch‟s lbion‟ j`bnk.’ \ch wjs stjnmonk sb l`bsh ch tcbukct ch‟m euip rokct but bf cossdon. Cos cjnm tbbd chrs jnm ch`m ot, wjntonk tb pu`` chr ontb jn hiarjlh, sto`` unsurh bf

wchrh tchy stbbm. ‐Ljn O lj`` yj `jthr2’

\ch arokcthnhm. ‐_hs! O òdh cjvonk j frohnm on tch auo`monk. O‟m òdh ot of ybu lj`` `jthr …

br ybu ljn stbp ay … of ybu òdh.’

Cos cjnm lupphm chr fjlh. ]hrry lbu`mn‟t cb`m coish`f ajld jnbtchr shlbnm. Cos ibutc

`bwhrhm, lbu`m fhh` tch chjt bf chr òps jnm tch mbbrah`` rjnk. Ch sokchm, sthpphm ajldjnm sch aòndhm. ]ch sph`` wjs arbdhn. \ch rhjlchm jrbunm jnm bphnhm tch mbbr.

‐Mjmmy,’ sch konnhm womh jnm tch b`m ijn hnthrhm, hyhonk ]hrry frbi chjm tb fbbt.

‐Mjmmy, tcos os ]hrry ]cbrnh. ]hrry, tcos os iy fjtchr, Khnhrj` Lcjr`hs Cjrtfbrm.’

‐M‟kjy, Khnhrj`,’ ]hrry sjom rhsphltfu``y, scjdonk tch ijn‟s cjnm.

‐Qhtorhm jriy, ]cbrnh. Nolh tb ihht ybu.’ Ch `bbdhm tb ]jijrj. ‐O‟i sbrry cbnhy4 O

tcbukct ybur ùnlc wbu`m ah `bnk bvhr. O ljn pbp ay jnbtchr toih.’

‐Nb wbrrohs,’ ]hrry kronnhm. ‐O wjs eust `hjvonk.’

‐J p`hjsjnt ùnlc, O jssuih2’ ]ch b`m ijn‟s auscy wcoth arbws rbsh.

‐Vhry … spjrdhm wotc j aot bf pursh snjtlcon‟ tb dhhp j a`bdh bn cos tbhs. O‟i surh

]jijrj wo`` th`` yj j`` jabut ot. Kbttj run, `bvh.’ Jnm ch `hjnhm mbwn, phldonk j lcjsth

doss bn chr lchhd. ‐O‟`` lj`` `jthr.’

***


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Jfthr lcjnkonk cos scort, sp`jsconk lb`m wjthr bn cos fjlh jnm wbnmhronk of j lb`m scbwhrwjs on brmhr, ch cjo`hm j lja jnm chjmhm fbr Monb. Cos ionm wjs mosebonthm, l`jldonk

jabut on cos chjm. Ot cjm j`` stjrthm wotc j nbt sb pbsotovh oiprhssobn bf tch pjrty cbst jnm

cjm sonlh vjlo``jthm ontb sbihtconk h`sh j`` tbkhtchr. ]jijrj wjs j lbnunmrui, jn

hnokij. Hvhry ibihnt sphnt wotc chr puschm coi ontb jrhjs bf cos `bldhm chjrt ch cjmn‟tshhn on yhjrs. [js ot wosh tb lbntonuh2 ]b wjnt tcos sb iulc2 Ch krbjnhm, wjtlconk

Ijncjttjn sòmh pjst tch wonmbw. [cjt ch mjrhm tb tcond ch wjnthm wjs surh tb lrjsc

jnm aurn. Cos ijrrojkh cjm, hvhry rh`jtobnscop ch hvhr cjm mom tcjt. Frohnmscops whrhrjrh4 rhj` frohnmscops, tch donm wchrh j a`bdh lbu`m tj`d frhh`y jnm `ht but frustrjtobns

jabut wbrd jnm wbihn, òfh on khnhrj`. ]ch `jld bf tcbsh sbrt bf onthrjltobns `hft ]hrry tb

fhh` onlbip`hth. Ahnhjtc tch wbrm –frohnm‟ wjs ibrh wchn ]jijrj spbdh ot, iulc ibrh.Lbu`m ch cjnm`h … ibrh2 Bc yhjc, ch wjnthm ot, aut wjs ch up tb tch tjsd2

]jsd2 Ch cuffhm jnm scuff`hm on tch lja. Ot wjs j wbijn, nbt j ljsh … nbt j thst bf cos

ihtt`h. Br … wjs ot2

Bvhr IjlMbnj`m‟s aurkhrs jnm frohs, ch sjt jnm lcjtthm wotc Monb, swj``bwonk mbwn tch

thrroa`h fbbm j`bnk wotc cos bashrvjtobns bf cos bnlh pcysolj``y pbwhrfu` ahst ijth. ]chmjijkh wjs mhhp, fjr mhhphr tcjn j snjpphm sponh. _hs, tch tchrjposts whrh wbrdonk

iorjl`hs jnm Monb wjs prbum tb sjy ch jltuj``y wj`dhm … cb`monk strbnk jkjonst twb

rjoònks aut ot wjs vhrtolj` ibaoòty, j`` tch sjih. Jnm j`` tcos jfthr bn`y hokct ibntcs.

‐Hvhntuj``y, hvhntuj``y,’ Monb kronnhm, stuffonk frohs ontb cos ibutc.

‐Cbw ljn ybu hjt tcos a`bbmy kjrajkh2’ ]hrry lculd`hm, pusconk cos ihj` jsomh jnm

`bbdonk jrbunm. ]ch fjloòty wjs tbp nbtlc, tch ahst ibnhy lbu`m auy aut tchrh jrh tconksibnhy ljn‟t auy. ]chy cjmn‟t bnlh tj`dhm jabut tch ausonhss sonlh tch jllomhnt. Cjmn‟t

hxp`brhm tch bavobus nhw mynjiols tchy‟m nhhm tb put on p`jy. Ch jnm Monb whrh tch tbp

nhkbtojtbrs jnm proijry foh`m bphrjtovhs, tjdonk tch `hjm wotc hvhry oipbrtjnt ljsh,

aronkonk jabut pbsotovh rhsu`ts jt j stjkkhronk hokcty-hokct phrlhnt rjth. Aut … wotc bn`ybnh bf tchi wbrdonk tch shrobus ljsh `bjm, tconks whrh abunm tb mhthrobrjth. [cy tch

a`bbmy ch`` cjmn‟t tchy tjdhn tcos sbrt bf pbssoaoòty ontb lbnsomhrjtobn2 Bf lbursh, ch

dnhw wcy. ]b tcond jabut fjoùrh wjs tb onvoth ot. Nhotchr pjrtnhr wjs kbbm jt onvotonkfjoùrh.

‐J`rokct,’ Monb puschm cos wchh`lcjor ajld jnm turnhm ot. ‐Wusc iy sbrry jss, O‟i ahjt.[h kbttj tj`d, aummy.’

]hrry pbsotobnhm coish`f ahconm tch ijn jnm kropphm tch cjnm`hs. J wjvh bf ioshry puiih`hm coi, mosjppbontihnt, fhjr abrmhronk bn mhvjstjtobn. ]chy scbu`m‟vh p`jnnhm

fbr sulc j tconk4 ot lbu`m cjvh hjso`y ahhn coi jnm nbt Monb on j a`bbmy wchh`lcjor.

]conks scbu`m cjvh ahhn prhpjrhm4 ot‟s j lbntonkhnly jny sijrt ausonhssijn wbu`m cjvh

lbnsomhrhm. Jnm nbw2 ]b cjvh put ot bff fbr sb `bnk2 Ot wjs jìbst `jukcja`h. ‐]ch`bunkh2’ ch jsdhm eust butsomh tch mononk rbbi.


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‐Njc, iy rbbi.’ Ot wjs s so`hnt trop up on tch h`hvjtbr jnm ontb tch rbbi.

]hrry arjlhm coish`f tb òft tch ijn bntb cos ahm. Ot wbu`mn‟t ah tch forst toih, jnm jfthr

tch rbukc mjy Monb cjm, ot shhihm bn`y rokct.

‐Mbn‟t fuldonk lbmm`h ih. \ot mbwn, ]hrry. [h nhhm tb tj`d.’

‐\urh. \urh, ijth. \‟up2’

‐\tupom quhstobn.’ Monb hyhm cos pjrtnhr jnm ]hrry sokchm. ‐_bu kbt tcrbukc tch Qbswh``

ljsh uncjrihm2’

‐_hjc, O mom.’

‐_bu‟rh j fuldonk òjr. O iokct `bbd òdh j kbmmjin lropp`h aut O ljn moj` j mjin pcbnh.

Hnbukc wotc tcos scot. O‟i nbt j wbijn ybu nhhm tb prbthlt frbi tch mhtjo`s. O j`rhjmy

dnbw tch mhtjo`s. Jnm … O dnbw ot scbu`mn‟t cjvh cjpphnhm.’

]hrry scrukkhm, stbbm tb `bbd but tch wonmbw. Monb lbntonuhm, ch wjs orrotja`h frbi j``tch thsts jnm ijnopu`jtobns, jnm ch wjs bn j rb``. Nb pbont on hvhn tryonk tb stbp coi.

‐[h‟rh khttonk b`m, ]hrry. Ljrryonk mbua`h muty eust osn‟t sijrt jnm tcjt‟s wcjt ybu‟vh ahhn mbonk. J dnofh wbunm tb tch lchst2 Ehsus fuldonk Lcrost, ijn. [chrh wjs ybur

kbmmjin Dhv`jr2’

]hrry momn‟t jnswhr. ]ch hxtrjltobn ljih cjrm jnm fjst. Ch cjm cos Dhv`jr, aut … ot

wjsn‟t hvhn strjpphm bn. Ch mhshrvhm tch `hlturh jnm ch‟m tjdh ot. Nhhm`hss tb sjy,lbionk frbi Monb ot curt ibrh tcjn tch a`bbmy wbunm.

‐]conks cjvh kbt tb lcjnkh.’ Monb lbntonuhm. ‐[h‟vh kbt shvhrj` mjin kbbm nhkbtojtbrs

jnm jt `hjst sox foh`m bphrjtovhs tcjt jrh rhjmy tb ibvh up. Aronk Mjnlhr on frbi @bnmbn,tcjt kuy‟s kbttj ah `bbdonk fbr wbrd, ch‟s jn jmrhnjòn cbunm jnm mjin kbbm. Xtoòzh

[j``jlh jnm \oipsbn.’

]hrry turnhm tb `bbd jt cos pjrtnhr. Cos cjnms whrh jnoijthm js wjs cos hxprhssobns.

‐[cjt‟rh yj sjyon‟ ijth2’

‐O‟i sjyonk … ybu‟rh krbunmhm fbr j wco`h. ]cjt ljsuj`ty scbu`m cjvh nhvhr cjpphnhm.

_bu‟rh bvhrstrhtlchm, aummy. Kbbm fbr nbtconk aut j mosjsthr on tch ijdonk. O‟vh

onstrulthm tch bffolh tb dhhp ybu but bf tch foh`m fbr j wco`h.’

‐J wco`h2’

‐_hjc. \ox whhds, twb ibntcs, wcjthvhr ot tjdhs tb kht ybur chjm jnm ybur abmyscjrphnhm jkjon.’


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‐Jnm, ybu ijmh tcos mhlosobn j`bnh2 O bwn tch a`bbmy ausonhss tbb, Monb.’

‐O sjom …’ ch turnhm tch wchh`lcjor jnm ijnjkhm on bnh fòp bf jris jnm nhjr`y mhjm

`hks tb ibunt tch ahm. ‐_bu‟rh krbunmhm.’

‐[cy jrh yj mbon‟ tcos, ijth2’

‐Frohnmscop … prjltoljòty. _bu nhhm sbih fuldonk mbwntoih. O‟i nbt kbonk tb rosd ybu,

]hrry. Hnm bf stbry.’ Ch scuff`hm jnm tukkhm schhts bvhr coish`f. ‐Ahsomh, of tch tja`hswhrh turnhm, ybu‟m mb tch sjih tconk tb ih. Auld up jnm tjdh ot. Nbw, wcb‟s tch

wbijn2’

]hrry aòndhm, `bwhrhm ontb j lcjor. ‐[cjt ijdhs yj tcond tchrh‟s j wbijn2’

‐O ljn sih`` ot j`` bvhr ybu.’ Monb kronnhm. ‐[cb os sch2’

‐Eust iht chr.’ Ch wjs summhn`y prbthltovh bf j rh`jtobnscop ch momn‟t hvhn cjvh yht.

‐Jc, O shh. O kbt jn onthrhstonk pcbnh lj`` eust ahfbrh ybu kbt chrh. J Khnhrj` Lcjr`hsCjrtfbrm.’

‐A`bbmy ch``,’ ]hrry krbjnhm, rhjòzonk tcjt jny kbbm fjtchr, hsphloj``y j ioòtjry fjtchr,wbu`m nop tcos tconk on tch aum wotcbut j shlbnm tcbukct. ‐Chr fjtchr.’

‐]cjt hxp`jons chr jttrjltobn tb ybur uk`y iuk,’ Monb lculd`hm. ‐Jriy arjts òdhsb`mohrs.’

‐\ch mbhsn‟t dnbw wcjt O mb, Monb. O kuhss sch wo`` nbw.’

‐Nbph. ]ch Khnhrj`‟s jn up frbnt sbrt. Ch jsdhm tch quhstobns tcjn sjom ch wbu`mn‟t sjy

j wbrm tb cos mjukcthr. ]cjt‟s ybur eba. Aut, O mbn‟t tcond ch‟s kbnnj òdh ot iulc of ybuwjot tbb `bnk. \ch prhtty2’

Qhjòzonk tcjt shx wjs j rhibth pbssoaoòty fbr Monb un`hss j iorjl`h cjpphnhm, ]hrryjvbomhm h`jabrjtonk. ‐_hjc, rhj` prhtty.’

‐Kbbm, kht sbih fbr ih. Nbw … ybu stoldonk jrbunm Nhw _brd br wcjt2’

‐]cbukct ybu kjvh ih jn brmhr,’ ]hrry thjshm.

‐Jnswhr ih, ybu stoldonk jrbunm2’

‐_hjc.’

‐Jt `hjst sox whhds, rokct2’


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]hrry a`ondhm, rhj`ozonk tchrh wjs jn u`throbr ibtovh jt p`jy. Ch l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt. ‐]chy

slchmu`h jnbtchr surkhry2’

‐_hjc, jnbtchr ijkolj` iysthry tbur tcrbukc iy sponh.’ ]ch ihn whrh so`hnt, `bbdonk jt

tchor cjnms. Fonj``y Monb spbdh quoht`y. ‐_bu‟rh tch bn`y frohnm O cjvh, ]hrry. Kbt nb

fjio`y, nb wofh. Ah nolh tb dnbw sbihbnh‟s kbonk tb ah chrh wchn O wjdh up.’

‐O‟`` ah chrh.’


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]ch Mbwntoih [bijn

ay Qo`hy

]CQHH

]hrry wjsn‟t torhm wchn ch kbt cbih. Ch tbsshm bn j pjor bf swhjts jnm sjt, tchn `bunkhmbn tch sbfj, joi`hss`y swotlconk lcjnnh`s bn tch th``y jnm lchldonk cos wjtlc. Of ch lbu`m

sot tokct unto` thn, ot wbu`m ah bffoloj``y tbb `jth tb pbp mbwn jnm vosot wotc ]jijrj, aut

phrcjps nbt tbb `jth tb lj``. Chr nuiahr wjs tjttbbhm bn tcos arjon, rb`ònk jnm rhphjtonkòdh j ijntrj bvhr tch stupom ibvoh p`jyonk bn tch slrhhn, mrovonk coi ijm. Jt thn tb thn

ch stbbm, unjwjrh bf wcjt ch wjs jltuj``y mbonk. J pjor bf ehjns, frhsc scort jnm scbhs

iorjlu`bus`y ibunthm cos abmy jnm ch wjs on tch h`hvjtbr pusconk sox ahfbrh ch rhjòzhmch wjs kbonk tb chr.

Dnbldonk bn tch mbbr ch summhn`y fh`t tch nhhm tb turn jnm run. Fjlonk chr ihjnt th`ònkchr hvhrytconk jnm cos oijkonjtobn wjs p`jyonk but j slhnh bf onnblhnlh, bf puroty.]j`donk ot j`` but tjonthm tcjt vosobn, j`thrhm ot ontb sbihtconk fjr ibrh prhljrobus. Ahfbrh

sch bphnhm tch mbbr ch ijmh j lbnslobus mhlosobn4 shh wchrh ot kbhs, sjy wcjt ch cjm tb

sjy bn`y of ch cjm tb sjy ot, jnm eust cbph fbr tch ahst. Chr sioònk fjlh ljìhm cos rjlonkchjrt jnm sphm cos pu`sh jt bnlh. Cos abmy auzzhm wotc tch lbnfusobn jnm jn

hxtrjbrmonjry nhhm ch cjmn‟t fh`t fbr yhjrs. \wj``bwonk cjrm, ch l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt jnm

jtthipthm j sio`h.

‐Chy, `bvh. _j sjom O lbu`m eust stbp on.’

‐_hs! Bf lbursh. Cjvh ybu hjthn2

‐\bih. ]cbukct ijyah j mrond2’

Aut ch momn‟t fonosc cos tcbukct, cos òps fbunm chrs jnm tchy stbbm jt tch bphnhm mbbr,

tokct on j frjntol hiarjlh tcjt aurnhm hvhry onlc bf cos f`hsc. ]hrry mrhw on j mhhp arhjtc

jnm arbdh tch doss wotc j kjsp.

‐]bb fjst2 \brry mjròn‟. \brry.’

‐Nb. Mbn‟t sjy tcjt. O‟i nbt sbrry jnm O mbn‟t wjnt ybu tb ah sbrry. ]hrry, O mbn‟t wjnt j

mrond … O wjnt … ybu.’

Ot cjm ahhn ibntcs sonlh ]hrry cjm tbulchm j wbijn, ibntcs sonlh ch‟m fh`t tch lcjrkonkrusc bf cos a`bbm jt tch shnsjtobn bf sbft f`hsc ahnhjtc cos fonkhrtops. \`bw wbu`mn‟t f`y

chrh, jnm ]jijrj wjs ibvonk wotc coi, fjst jnm mhsphrjth. L`btchs mrbpphm js tchyhiarjlhm, ibvonk, sponnonk tbwjrm chr ahm. Bnh cjnm wbrdhm tch lòps bf chr arj js tch

btchr kropphm a`jndhts jnm swhpt tchi jwjy. Njdhm, trhiaònk, ch prhsshm chr bntb tch

ijttrhss. Cos òps sbukct hvhry wjri surfjlh bf chr, hvhry wht p`jlh. Ch `jpphm jnm


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suldhm, ahkkhm rhjltobn tcjt ljih jt cos sòkcthst lbiijnm. ]jijrj sokchm jnm ibjnhm

jnm fonj``y lrohm but.

]chrh wjs nb wjy tb cb`m tch ibihnt, cos abmy mhijnmhm hvhrytconk jnm mhijnmhm ot

nbw. Wrhssonk ontb chr ch wjtlchm chr fjlh. \ulc j ahjutofu` fjlh, chr hyhs k`bwonk, chr

lchhds fùschm, sbft ibutc pjntonk. Jnbtchr movh fbr j doss tb ljrry coi bvhr tch hmkh.Cos cops pbunmhm cjrm, s`jiionk jkjonst chr sbftnhss. Cos tbnkuh mbvh jnm tcrust tb

ijtlc tch rhst bf coi. J kjsp, j krunt jnm tch hxp`bsobn wjs tchrh, fu``, lbpobus … jnm

jìbst oiihmojth`y wjntonk ibrh. Ch prhsshm mhhphr, cossonk tcrbukc cos thhtc.

‐Ehsus! A`bbmy ch``!’ Mrbpponk bvhr chr tchy sòm, swhjt jkjonst swhjt aut ch ch`m l`bsh,

rh`hjsonk tch `jst fhw mrbps bf cos bffhronk wotc j krbjn bf jkbnozonk p`hjsurh. ]hrryquold`y ljukct cos arhjtc jnm dosshm chr ibutc, suld`hm j arhjst unto` cos chjrt sibbtchm

tb j nbrij` rcytci jnm ch rh`jxhm jt chr somh.

‐[bw,’ sch sokchm jnm ]hrry lculd`hm.

Lummònk chr tokct tb cos lchst chr fonkhrtops sòtchrhm bvhr tch ajnmjkhs jnm ch fh`t cos

chjrt tokcthn, aut ]jijrj jsdhm nbtconk, mhijnmhm nbtconk. \ch snukk`hm l`bshr jnmsbft`y dosshm cos scbu`mhr. ‐Cbw os ybur frohnm2’ Chr vbolh ljih òdh j wcosphr.

Ot wjs j wjvh bf rhòhf ch mom nbt hxphlt. [js ot pbssoa`h tcos wjs j wbijn wcbrhsphlthm cos woschs2 Ibst momn‟t4 tchy turnhm rhquhsts ontb mhijnms tcjt whrh mhstonhm

tb lruia`h hvhrytconk. ]jijrj shhihm tb lbiprhchnm tch frjkoòty bf ot j``. Cbw lbu`m

ch hvhr rhpjy chr2 Ch ijrvh`hm tcjt cos mhsorh tb scbw chr tch sjih rhsphlt ijmh coiwjnt tb th`` chr hvhrytconk ch wjs cbponk tb cb`m provjth. Ot wjs j lbnunmrui ]hrry

wjsn‟t quoth prhpjrhm fbr. Ch fbunm coish`f kronnonk, `bbdhm mbwn ontb chr fjlh.

‐Monb‟s mbon‟ js wh`` js ljn ah hxphlthm. Cjm j tbukc mjy, sb orrotjaoòty wjs tch njih bf

tch kjih. Ahhn wbrdonk wotc tcjt a`bdh j `bt bf yhjrs4 ushm tb cos orrotjaoòty.’

\ch scuff`hm, wjtlchm coi tj`d. ‐Cbw ajm os ot, rhj``y2’

]hrry scrukkhm. ‐Jt forst tchy sjom ch‟m nhvhr ibvh jkjon, nbw ch ljn òft coish`f frbiwchh`lcjor tb ahm, khtton‟ strbnkhr tcjt wjy. Cos `hks ljn‟t quoth cb`m cos whokct yht, aut

tchrh‟s j pbssoaoòty ch wo`` wj`d jkjon.’ ]hrry scrukkhm. ‐Ibst wh ljn mb os prjy … jnm

cbph fbr tch ahst hvhry toih tchy kb on jkjon.’

‐Cbw ijny bphrjtobns cjs ch cjm2’ Chr fjlh wjs pj`h wotc lbnlhrn jnm ot ijmh ]hrry‟s

chjrt jlch.

‐]crhh. Jnbtchr bnh os slchmu`hm fbr nhxt ibntc.’

‐Bc mhjr. Cos fjio`y os l`bsh2’

‐Xc … nb fjio`y, `bvh. Cos pjrhnts pjsshm yhjrs jkb, nb wofh.’


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]jijrj sjt up, pu`ònk schhts tb lbvhr chrsh`f. ‐Kbbm Kbm, wcjt of ybu‟rh but bf tbwn2[cb wo`` ah tchrh fbr coi2’ \ch aòndhm, puschm ajld `bbsh mjrd rhm cjor. ‐Of ybu tcond

ch wbu`mn‟t ionm, O‟m ah cjppy tb lchld on bn coi hvhry fhw mjys.’

]hrry‟s chjm to`thm jnm ch scuff`hm tb `hjn jkjonst tch chjmabjrm. ‐_bu‟m mb tcjt2 _jmbn‟t hvhn dnbw Monb.’

]jijrj scrukkhm. ‐Ch‟s ybur frohnm, oipbrtjnt tb ybu. Ot wbu`m ah iy p`hjsurh.’

Ot wjs bnh bf tch ibst unsh`fosc tconks ch‟m hvhr chjrm … jnm j`` tcos jfthr dnbwonk chr

`hss tcjn fbrty-hokct cburs. [cjt cjm ch fbunm on tcos wbijn2 Lbu`m ot ah rhj`2 Jnm …wjs tchrh j lcjnlh ch lbu`m th`` chr ibrh2 Nbt hvhrytconk, nbt yht. Dnbwonk wcjt ch mom

fbr j òvonk thnmhm tb sljrh wbihn jwjy … br ijdh tchi mhijnmonk cjrpohs, onsostonk

ch stbp mbonk wcjt ch mom ahst. Ijyah ch lbu`m sjy eust j òtt`h2 Ijyah nbt.

‐]cjt‟m ah krhjt, ]jijrj. Monb mbhs jmbrh ahjutofu` wbihn. Aut O‟`` ah stoldonk –rbunmtbwn unto` jfthr tch surkhry, prbaja`y sox whhds.’

Chr hyhs womhnhm, tch schhts tokcthnhm jt chr arhjsts. ‐Bc … uc … O sbrt bf … O tcbukct

ybu iokct ah `hjvonk tbwn jkjon sbbn … O … uc …’

Cos chjrt sjnd. ‐Chy, nb wbrrohs `bvh. Mbn‟t p`jn tb ibnbpbòzh ybur toih. O kbt wbrd jt

tch bffolh, ybu kbt wbrd. Frohnms. Baòkjtobns. Eust sbrtj cbphm O lbu`m shh ybu …

blljsobnj``y.’

‐Blljsobnj``y2’ Chr fjlh arokcthnhm jnm sch lculd`hm, `bwhronk chr fjlh tb cos lchst fbrj swhht lumm`h. ‐Ehhzh, ]hrry. O wjnt tb shh ybu ibrh tcjn blljsobnj``y. Ot‟s eust tcjt … of

O dnhw ybu‟m ah cbih jnm nbt rusconk bff jkjon … O iokct cjvh ahhn … wh`` … j òtt`h

`hss wjntbn, ybu dnbw.’

Ch `jukchm, dosshm chr arbw, cos hyhs twondònk. ‐O tcbukct ot wjs ih … ahon‟ sb …

wjntbn.’

***

Chnry dnhw ahtthr. Ch cjm tb dnbw ahtthr4 cos fjtchr wjs vhry l`hjr bn trjvhònk js sjfh`yjs pbssoa`h4 cjvonk j l`hjn otonhrjry prbvomonk mostonlt wjys bf ahonk trjldhm. ]cjt ihjnt

`httonk sbihbnh dnbw wchn ch wjs `hjvonk, wchrh ch wjs stjyonk jnm hxjlt`y wchn ch‟m

ah ajld jt uno. Aut tcos toih ot momn‟t kb tcjt wjy. Ot wjs fjst, cos ahst ijth lbionk ontbibnhy jnm wjntonk j òtt`h p`jy toih on Jisthrmji4 j whhdhnm cbòmjy bf iuscrbbis,

njdhm wbihn jnm fun. Orrhsostoa`h. Mjm wbu`m mhfonoth`y nbt jpprbvh … bc, nbt tch fun

pjrt, fun wjs phriotthm wotcon rhjsbn jnm nbtconk wbu`m ah o``hkj`. Ot wjs tch suphr fjst

p`jn tcjt ]hrry wbu`m cjvh au`dhm jt. Chnry rjtobnjòzhm4 ch wbu`mn‟t hvhn tj`d tb cosfjtchr unto` tch nhxt whhd jnm ay tchn, ch‟m ah cbih, ajld tb l`jsshs jnm wh`` rhlbvhrhm.

J arohf fòkct but, twb mjys jnm nokcts bf p`hjsurh jnm cbih, l`hjn js j wcost`h. Aut,


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Chnry lbu`mn‟t ch`p aut fhh` j aot bf kuo`t jt mbonk ot tcjt wjy, hvhn lbnsomhrhm lj`ònk tb

kht cos fjtchr‟s jpprbvj`.

Aut tchn jkjon, wcy2 Ch wjsn‟t j lco`m, momn‟t rhj``y nhhm phriossobn. Jnm ahsomhs,

]hrry lbu`mn‟t pbssoa`y tcond ch mhshrvhm j lbnstjnt upmjth bn Chnry‟s lcbolhs. ]ch ijn

cjm sb òtt`h tb mb wotc cos òfh fbr ibst bf cos òfh … rokct2 ]ch rhj` kuo`t momn‟t sht onunto` Chnry lòiahm bn tch p`jnh, nbt cjvonk nbtofohm cos ibtchr jabut tch òtt`h ejunt

hotchr.

A`bbmy ch``. Ch scbbd ot bff. Ch wjs j krbwn ijn, j rjtobnj` ijn wotc p`jns tb hnthr tch

Qbyj` Ijronhs on twb scbrt yhjrs. Ch wjsn‟t jabut tb mb jnytconk tb ehbpjrmozh tcjt … br

mosjppbont cos pjrhnts … nbt tb ihntobn cos krjnmfjtchr, tch Khnhrj`. Ot wbu`m ah fonh, eust fonh.

Ch `hjnhm ajld on tch shjt jnm rh`jxhm, fbrlonk j kron jnm tryonk tb kht ontb tch sporot bf

tch jmvhnturh jchjm.

***

]hrry sjt jt cos mhsd jnm turnhm frbi tch tcrhjthnonk lbrrhspbnmhnlh on cos cjnm. Ch

swovh`hm tch lcjor jnm sokchm, vohwhm tch loty butsomh tch wonmbw jnm ijrvh`hm jt cbw

soio`jr yht moffhrhnt tconks cjm ahlbih. Cos òfh cjm tjdhn bn tch fbri bf bvhr`jyonkoijkhs tcjt cjm sbihcbw ahlbih a`hnmhm, ihschm, lrhjtonk nhw pbonts bf vohw ch‟m

nhvhr jltuj``y lbnsomhrhm ahfbrh.

Ahnhjtc cos wbrd wjs ]jijrj. Fbr j whhd tchy‟m ahhn nhjr`y onshpjrja`h. \hnsjtobns bf

stjaoòty jnm surhty cjm lrhpt ontb cos wbrd cburs, sbfthnonk tch onhvotja`h a`bws tcjtljih wotc hvhry ibihnt, hvhry nhw ljsh, hvhry mhlosobn tcjt cjm tb ah ijmh. Cos

shlrhtjry cjm jltuj``y lbiihnthm hjròhr tcjt ibrnonk tcjt ch `bbdhm òdh j rjtchr

p`hjsjnt ijn fbr j lcjnkh, tcjt cos hmkh cjm sbfthnhm … jnm tcjt sch‟m `bvh tb cjvh j

òtt`h bf wcjthvhr cjm lcjnkhm ]hrry ]cbrnh. Ch kronnhm, ot wjs jn hnthrtjononk tcbukct,bnh bf tcbsh `hsaojn ibihnts j`` ihn `ht sòtchr ontb tchor psylch hvhry bnlh on j wco`h.

Aut js iulc js ch òdhm cos shlrhtjry … ch wjsn‟t jabut tb hvhn oijkonh scjronk

]jijrj.

]ch –sbftnhss‟ lbiihnt cjm lbnlhrnhm coi j aot, tcbukc. Cos ausonhss wjsn‟t tch donm

tcjt j``bwhm sulc whjdnhss. ]ch `htthr on cos cjnm lbnforihm sulc tconks. J tcrhjt, l`hjrjnm soip`h. ]hrry cjm posshm bff ibrh tcjn j fhw domnjpponk ronks on cos mjy, aut tconks

whrh khttonk rbukchr sonlh Monb‟s jllomhnt. [otc ]hrry cjnmònk ibst bf tch ijebr

nhkbtojtobns, ch wjs khttonk hjsohr jnm hjsohr tb phk … jnm jppjrhnt`y trjld mbwn. Oftchy dnhw wchrh cos bffolh wjs … jnm dnhw ch wjs tchrh … wcjt h`sh mom tchy dnbw2

Ch cjm j fhw bptobns. Ch lbu`m ibvh, tjdh ]jijrj wotc coi, kht tchi abtc ontb j ibrh

shlurh jpjrtihnt auo`monk. Ch lbu`m fb``bw tch onth`òkhnlh, trust tcjt tch tcrhjthnonk`htthr wjs eust tcjt, j `htthr wotc nb onthnt ahconm ot … nbt jn jssuiptobn ch wjs òdh`y tb

jllhpt. Ch lbu`m ahhf cos bwn shluroty up. Ijdh surh ch cjm j tjo` jt j`` toihs.


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Nbw cbw tch a`bbmy ch`` wbu`m ch hxp`jon j`` tcjt tb ]jijrj2

\ox nokcts on chr ahm jnm ch cjm yht tb th`` chr wcjt ch mom fbr j òvonk. Ahonk –krbunmhm‟

momn‟t shhi tb lcjnkh tch mynjiols bf cos eba4 tchrh whrh sto`` tcrhjts4 ch wjs sto`` nhhmhm

jt j`` cburs bf tch mjy br nokct tb jmvolh cos nhkbtojtbrs jrbunm tch wbr`m4 ch sto`` `bbdhmfbr wjys tb wbrry jnm prbthlt. Jnm nbw, ch cjm jnbtchr phrsbn tb prbthlt. Of ch cjmn‟t

fj``hn on `bvh wotc ]jijrj, ch wjs wh`` bn tch wjy … sb iulc sb, tchrh wjs nb wjy tb

stbp ot hvhn of ch wjnthm tb.

Ch trohm dhhponk ot l`hjr on cos ionm. \ch wjs j Mbwntoih [bijn, nbtconk ibrh …

surh`y jfthr ch mom chjm bff fbr jnbtchr ljsh, sch‟m ah kbnh, bn tb jnbtchr ibrh stja`h,bphnhm ijn jnm ]hrry wbu`m ah j`bnh jkjon. Ot wjs tch ajsol mynjiol bf cos òfh. Whrobm.

Fj`ònk on `bvh wjs nbt tch woshst lcbolh … of ch cjm j lcbolh tcjt os.

Ch momn‟t.

Ch spbdh wotc twb bf cos ihn, tbp onth` jnm j`rhjmy prhpjrhm tb jnswhr cos quhstobns

rhkjrmonk tch `htthr ahfbrh tchy hnthrhm tch bffolh.

‐]cbrnh, fbrkht jabut ot. Ot‟s jn hipty tcrhjt, j`tcbukc wh‟rh rhjmy jnm stjffhm tb put

shluroty bn ybu jnm ybur fhij`h frohnm “’

‐[cjt2’ ]hrry krunthm, scbldhm tchy hvhn dnhw jabut cos provjth toih bn tch soxtc f`bbr.

‐[h‟rh kbbm jt wcjt wh mb, sor,’ lculd`hm tch nhrm whjronk tcold k`jsshs. ‐\ch‟s prhtty,

tcjt‟s fbr surh. Aut òdh O sjom, wh‟rh prhpjrhm fbr lbvhr ybu abtc of ybu‟rh rhj``y tcjtlbnlhrnhm.’

]hrry scuff`hm on tch lcjor jnm rb``hm cos nhld. Ch momn‟t òdh tcjt tchy dnhw jabut

]jijrj, aut ch cjthm ot hvhn ibrh tcjt tch pbssoa`h mjnkhr wbu`m bavobus`y hxthnm tbchr. ‐Fbrkht wjtlconk ih. [jtlc … iy fhij`h frohnm. \tjrtonk rokct nbw.’ Ch tbsshm tch

lbrrhspbnmhnlh tb tch mhsd jnm turnhm cos ajld tb tch ihn. [jtlconk tch òkcts

arokcthnonk tch Nhw _brd sdyònh jkjonst tch krbwonk musd, ch òsthnhm tb cos kuhsts`hjvh.

Ijyah ot wjs toih tb stjrt hxp`jononk tconks tb ]jijrj. Eust nbt tcjt nokct, br tch nhxt.\unmjy nokct wbu`m ah ahst, kovh tchi abtc tch auffhr bf tchor wbrdwhhd, bffolhs jnm

jssblojths tb hjsh tch a`bw. Ch wjs j`rhjmy ahkonnonk tb shh tch whhdhnm js cos `jst

currjc wotc tch wbihn ch‟m j`rhjmy `ht tbb mhhp ontb cos chjrt.


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]ch Mbwntoih [bijn

ay Qo`hy

FBXQ

Ch cjm jn hkb, aut tchrh whrh jrhjs on ]hrry ]cbrnh‟s òfh tcjt sto`` ijontjonhm j chj`tcy`hvh` bf cuioòty. @bvhijdonk os jn jrt ch wjs nhvhr rhj``y surh ch cjm ijsthrhm. \hx

wjs j thntjtovh tconk wotc cos òfhsty`h. Cot jnm ioss jt ahst jnm ch sh`mbi stjyhm `bnk

hnbukc wotc j wbijn tb rhj``y kht tch cjnk bf chr rcytci. Ch dnhw ch wjs kbbm, autwjs ch kbbm hnbukc2 Bf lbursh, ]jijrj ijmh coi fhh` òdh tch donk bf chr ahm … chr

sbfj … chr ajtctua … chr f`bbrs jnm lbunthrtbps. ]ch whhdhnm wjs sphltjlu`jr, js whrh

j`` tch whhdnokcts ch‟m sphnt wotc chr prhvobus`y. \ch cjm j scynhss tcjt lbunthraj`jnlhmj sjuly ab`mnhss … j thnmhrnhss tcjt shhihm tb lbih frbi j tokrhss … j sbftnhss tcjt

suffolohnt`y schjtchm chr sthh` sturmy ajldabnh. ]cos wbijn cjm ot j``.

Jnm sch cjm ]hrry‟s chjrt. Kbbm, aut nbt sb kbbm.

\hvhrj` toihs bvhr tch pjst fhw mjys, ch‟m ljukct j kòipsh bf tch tjo` ch‟m jssoknhm tb

wjtlc bvhr chr4 tch lbvhrt abmykujrm tcjt stjyhm fjr hnbukc jwjy tb rhsphlt tcjt ]hrrywbu`m cjnm`h chr prbthltobn wchn ch wjs jrbunm, aut l`bsh hnbukc tb slrutonozh hvhn j

lja mrovhr wcb poldhm chr up fbr wbrd wchn ]hrry wjsn‟t. Ot wjs j lbifbrt, jnm j

rhionmhr tcjt ch cjm sbih unfonoschm ausonhss.

Xnfonoschm ausonhss2 Cjrm`y. ]cos wjs ausonhss ]hrry scbu`m cjvh fjlhm jnm tjdhn ljrh

bf `bnk jkb. Ot wjs toih tb th`` cos `bvhr jabut tch mjnkhrs bf cos òfh … jnm hxp`jon cbw

tchy whrh pbssoa`y spo`ònk bvhr ontb chrs. Nbw momn‟t tcjt sbunm òdh j mhòkctfu` lbnvb2Ch tcbukct nbt4 sb iulc sb tcjt tchrh ch wjs, tcrhh mjys pjst cos sh`f oipbshm mhjmònh

jnm sto`` un-lbnfhsshm.

Ch rb``hm bvhr, cos cjnms sbbtconk chr trhiaònk f`hsc jnm cos abmy mhijnmonk

lbnnhltobn. \hx wotc chr wjs jmmoltovh jnm ]hrry cjm ahlbih j wo`ònk jmmolt. ]chrh

whrh toihs, j`bnh on cos bffolh, wchn ch lbu`m l`bsh cos hyhs jnm tjsth chr lbih bn cosòps, sih`` chr slhnt, fhh` chr hnhrky. \ch cjm ahlbih bpoui fbr coi, sbbtconk, hntolonk,

ontbxoljtonk. ]ch rhjsbn ch cjmn‟t fhsshm up wjs soip`h. Ch dnhw ch iokct nhvhr jkjon

kht jnbtchr fox. [bu`m ch stjrvh wotcbut chr2 Zuoth pbssoa`y. Aut rjtobnj``y … ot wjstoih.

Ch krbjnhm jnm pu``hm jwjy, pjmmonk tb tch ajtcrbbi fbr j ajm`y nhhmhm lb`m scbwhr

jnm j mjsc bf aro`òjnlh tcjt eust iokct kht coi tcrbukc ot j``. ]cjt‟s wchn ch rhjòzhm, tchjmmoltobn wjs iutuj`.

Chr cjnm sòtchrhm ontb tch scbwhr stj`` jnm twosthm tch fjulht dnba. ]ch wjthr chjthm tb

sthji jnm ]jijrj swovh`hm jrbunm coi, prhpjronk tb `bwhr tb chr dnhhs jnm l`hjn coi

ahfbrh tjdonk coi ontb chr cbt, ùslobus ibutc. Mhsphrjtobn prhsshm cos kut jnm ch


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kropphm chr upphr jris, puschm chr jkjonst tch to`h scbwhr wj`` jnm dosshm chr ijm`y. Ot

wjs cjrm jnm arutj`4 ot fh`t jnoij` jnm eust js nhhmy js ot wjs. Bnh ibrh toih, eust bnlhibrh. ]b `bvh chr mhhp jnm pjssobnjth`y bnlh ibrh ahfbrh sch `bbdhm jt coi moffhrhnt`y.

Ch tbbd fu`` jmvjntjkh.

[chn fonj``y ch ljrrohm chr tb tch ahm, dosshm chr thnmhr`y jnm puschm ajld tch sbjdhmstrjnms bf chr cjor, ]hrry sokchm. \ch wjs hxcjusthm. ]oionk os hvhrytconk jnm sulc j tj`d

jt tcrhh JI eust wjsn‟t bptoiui. Ch tbb wjs abnh torhm. Ot wbu`m cjvh tb wjot unto`

ibrnonk.

Qhòhf mrhnlchm tcrbukc coi, shhponk ontb cos iusl`hs jnm ionm jnm ch lrjw`hm on tb

snukk`h jt chr somh. ]bkhtchr tchy mrbpphm ontb j mhhp mrhji`hss s`hhp, onthrtwonhm jris,`hks jnm fonkhrs ahnhjtc tch schhts.

***

_hs, toionk os hvhrytconk, jnm ot wjs nbt wbrdonk fbr ]hrry. Jt hxjlt`y tcrhh-tcorty fovhJI cos toih cjm run but.

Ch ehrdhm jwjdh, chjronk tch iuff`hm sbunm bf cos lh`` pcbnh slrhhlconk tch hihrkhnly

j`hrt ronk frbi sbihwchrh unmhr cos l`btconk on tch lbrnhr. Ch mrbpphm tb cos dnhhs frbi

tch ijttrhss, rhjlconk on tch mjrdnhss, cos hyhs sto`` unfblushm jnm cos chjrt rjlonk.@bljtonk tch lh`` ch turnhm tb shh ]jijrj sottonk up.

‐[cjt os ot2’ sch jsdhm. Ch stbbm jnm `hft tch ahmrbbi.

‐_hjc2’

‐]hrry, ot‟s ih.’

‐Monb2 [cjt tch fuld2’ ch k`jrhm jt tch lh`` pcbnh. ‐_bu bdjy, ijth2’

‐_hs, O‟i … O‟i bdjy. ]hrry, O‟i sbrry, _bu kbttj kht tb tch bffolh jnm ybu kbttj kht bn

j p`jnh.’

]hrry sokchm, `hjnhm jkjonst tch wj`` butsomh tch ahmrbbi mbbr jnm ruaahm cos hyhs. Hvhn

kbbm p`jns kb wrbnk. [cb wjs ch dommonk, tcondonk ch cjm sox wcb`h whhds bf rhst2 Autch mom cjvh twb. Ch k`jnlhm tbwjrm tch bphnhm mbbr. ]wb whhds bf tch rhst`hss donm bf

rhst hvhry chj`tcy rhm-a`bbmhm a`bdh nhhmhm. ‐[cjt cjvh tchy kbt fbr ih, jnm wcy jrh

ybu lj`ònk2’ J`hrt trokkhrhm on cos kut, ijdonk ot rb`` pjonfu``y. ‐Monb2 [cjt tch a`bbmych`` cjs cjpphnhm2’

Ch òsthnhm js Monb mrhw on j `bnk arhjtc jnm `ht ot but rhj` s`bw. Ot wjs wcjt ch mom

wchn ch wjs khjronk up fbr pjssonk bn ajm nhws. Fbr j ibihnt, ]hrry tcbukct ch‟m kbihntj`. ‐Eust spot ot but!’ ch cosshm, sto`` vhry jwjrh bf cos `bvhr, eust onsomh tch bphnhm

ahmrbbi mbbr.


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‐J`rokct. ]hrry … Chnry‟s ahhn tjdhn.’

‐[chn2’ ]hrry fbunm cos ionm ibvonk ontb jutbijtol po`bt. Of ch `ht tcos scoft frbi cos

chjm tb cos chjrt ch iokct soip`y mrbp mhjm rokct tchrh on tch cj``.

‐]wb mjys jkb. Jisthrmji. Aut O mbn‟t tcond tcjt‟s wchrh tchy‟rh cb`monk coi. Kht tb

tch bffolh4 tch kuys jrh rhjmy tb arohf ybu. ]hrry2’

Ch‟m sòm mbwn tch wj``4 cot tch f`bbr wotc j tcuip bf cos jrsh. Ch l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt.

‐]hrry2 _bu bdjy2’

‐Fuld nb.’ Jnm ch cunk up.

]jijrj‟s cjnm rhjlchm mbwn tb coi jnm ]hrry tbbd ot, stbbm wotc j ioshrja`h krbjn tchn

snjpphm onstjnt`y ontb jltobn. Ch turnhm tb rusc ontb tch ahmrbbi aut ]jijrj stbpphmcoi.

‐Chrh, O cjvh ybur l`btchs,’ sch sjom ljì`y, wjtlconk coi mrhss. Cos hyhs nhvhr iht

chrs. Fonj``y sch `hft fbr tch dotlchn.

]hrry‟s onthntobn wjs tb run but, `hjvh chr jnm tch untb`m shlrhts ahconm jnm kht tb Chnry

js quold`y js pbssoa`h. ]ch sih`` bf arhwonk lbffhh pu``hm cos ionm jnm hibtobns tb tch

nhxt `hvh`. Ch sokchm jnm ibvhm l`bsh ahconm chr4 nbt tbulconk chr, tjdonk on tch slhntjnm wjritc bf chr ajld. Cos fonkhrs twotlchm jnm j thjr k`jzhm cos hyhs. ‐O kbttj kb,’ ch

sjom.

\ch turnhm, `bbdhm up ontb cos pjonhm hxprhssobn. ‐O unmhrstjnm.’

Aut sch momn‟t jnm ot wjs cos fju`t sch momn‟t.

‐]jijrj, tcos os wcjt O mb. O sh`` domnjp jnm rjnmbi onsurjnlh jnm wchn … wchn …

wchn j lòhnt os tjdhn cbstjkh … O kb …’ Ch lbu`mn‟t fonosc.

\ch nbmmhm nuia`y. ‐O shh. ]chn ybu cjvh tb kb. [chn wo`` ybu ah ajld2’

‐O … fuld mjròn‟, O munnb. Lbu`m ah sbbn, lbu`m ah …’ ch jìbst lcbdhm. \ch pu``hm but

j lcjor jnm ch wo`ònk`y `bwhrhm ontb ot. ‐]chy kbt iy sbn.’

‐Ehsus!’

***

‐O unmhrstjnm tchy lj`` ot –mbwntoih‟,’ Khnhrj` Cjrtfbrm sjom khnt`y tb cos mjukcthr.

]jijrj cjm jltuj``y lj``hm bff sold frbi wbrd4 sch cjm tjdhn j lja j`` tch wjy tb tch


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lbuntry lùa bn @bnk Os`jnm eust tb trjld mbwn chr fjtchr. Jnm … sch cjm jsdhm tch

quhstobns Lcjròh Cjrtfbrm momn‟t wjnt tb ah jnswhronk. Ch tcbukct ch‟m ijmh ot l`hjr tbIr. ]cbrnh‟s pjrtnhr tcjt ot wjs ]hrry‟s rhspbnsoaoòty tb hxp`jon tconks tb ]jijrj.

Whrcjps, unmhr tch lorluistjnlhs jny sb`mohr iokct `ht jn brmhr sòp … aut ot wjs sto`` j

kbmmjin brmhr. Krjnthm, ch wjsn‟t ]cbrnh‟s suphrobr aut j ibmolui bf prbfhssobnj`

rhsphlt wjs lhrtjon`y hxphlthm. ]chn jkjon, of ch wjs j ybunk ijn hiajrdonk bn j prbiosonk nhw rh`jtobnscop, wbu`m ch cjvh ch`m bff js `bnk js pbssoa`h2 Wbssoa`y.

Wrbaja`y. _hjc, ibst òdh`y ch wbu`m cjvh mbnh tch sjih tconk … wotc tch sjih rhsu`ts.

‐Mbwntoih2’ ]jijrj wjs lryonk, chr fjlh wht jnm cjor wo`m. ]chy whrh j`bnh on j

provjth mononk rbbi4 ot wjs tch bn`y p`jlh tch Khnhrj` lbu`m tcond bf fbr j provjth

lbnvhrsjtobn wotc cos mostrjukct òtt`h kor`.

‐_hs, mbwntoih. ]ch ù`` ahtwhhn ljshs. Aut ihn on tcjt prbfhssobn mbn‟t usuj``y kht

iulc mbwntoih, cbnhy.’

\ch snoff`hm, puschm j rjtty D`hhnhx jlrbss chr lchhd. ‐\b, wcjt ybu‟rh sjyonk os …’

Lcjr`hs scofthm on cos lcjor jnm kropphm chr cjnm. ‐]cos donm bf wbrd os moffolu`t, ]jijrj.[chn tconks kht rbukc, bn`y tch tbukchst ihn ljn shh tcos tcrbukc. Ot ljn tjdh whhds br

ibntcs4 sbih cjvh wbrdhm yhjrs tb kjon frhhmbi fbr j cbstjkh. ]ch cbstjkhs jrh on morh,

òfh tcrhjthnonk sotujtobns. O wo`` th`` ybu tcos iulc, ihn wcb mb tcos jrh cjrm lbrh,mhmoljthm jnm lbiiotthm tb shhonk ot tcrbukc. Ot stjrts wotc nhkbtojtobns “’

‐_hjrs2’

Ch oknbrhm chr wotc j cuff, j sokn tcjt sch nhhmhm tb pjy jtthntobn, fb``bw tch prbkrjijnm òsthn ljrhfu``y. ]jijrj dnhw tcjt soknj` jnm quold`y aòndhm, tchn nbmmhm fbr coi tb

lbntonuh.

‐Ot stjrts wotc nhkbtojtobns. \bihtoihs tcjt‟s j`` ot tjdhs, aut of ybu sjy tchy cjvh cos sbn,O ljn jssurh ybu … ot‟`` tjdh ibrh. J `bt ibrh. Nb ijtthr,’ ch rb``hm cos nhld, k`jm ch‟m

mbnh cos cbihwbrd bn ]cbrnh‟s ausonhss. ‐]cos pjrtolu`jr lbipjny cjs j `bw tb`hrjnlh

`hvh` fbr slrhwonk jrbunm wotc nuiahrs. Ot‟s wcy tchy‟rh sb mjin sullhssfu`.’

‐[cjt cjpphns of … nhkbtojtobns … arhjd mbwn2’ ]hrrbr wjs on chr hyhs aut ch lbu`mn‟t

arhjd, sbihbnh cjm tb th`` chr tch trutc bf ot j``. Ch to`thm cos chjm jnm sch kjsphm.

‐_bu dnbw wcjt cjpphns, ]jijrj.’

‐Bc,’ sch sjom sbft`y, tcondonk jabut tch uk`y sòlh jlrbss ]hrry‟s lchst4 oijkononk cbw

ajm ot lbu`m cjvh ahhn jnm hnvosobnonk cbw ch iust cjvh rhlhovhm tch au``ht wbunm sljr

bn cos scbu`mhr.

‐Cbnhy,’ Lcjr`hs rjn j tcuia mbwn chr wht lchhd. ‐Ijyah tcos osn‟t tch ijn fbr ybu.’


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=7

]ch Mbwntoih [bijn

ay Qo`hy

\OS

]ch fo`hs Khnhrj` Cjrtfbrm shnt bn fbrihr X\ Ijronh Ljptjon, Jnmrhw [o`mhr whrhonmhhm hnthrtjononk. ]hrry rhjm tcrbukc tchi nbt bnlh aut twolh, ijrvhònk jt tch ijn‟s

thnjloty jnm lburjkh jnm jt cos jnoij`-òdh onstonlts tcjt whrh ibst òdh`y j somh hffhlt bf

wh`` cbnhm psylcol jaoòtohs. Ch ahkjn tb òdh [o`mljt ibrh jnm ibrh … jsomh frbi tchijn‟s bavobus onthrhst on ]jijrj, bf lbursh. Aut tcjt wjs jn jsomh, j somhajr tb ah fo`hm

jwjy mhhp on cos chjrt‟s vju`t j`bnk wotc ]jijrj chrsh`f.

]chy cjm j suoth, ch jnm [o`mhr. Ahfbrh mjwn, abtc whrh sottonk jt tch tony dotlchnhtth

lbunthr, sopponk fonh Hkyptojn lbffhh jnm `bbdonk tcrbukc tch nhwspjphrs. ]hrry rhjm

Hkyptojn jnm wjs mjin oiprhsshm tcjt [o`mljt tbb cjm j fjor unmhrstjnmonk bf tch`jnkujkh, j`tcbukc nhotchr spbdh ot wotc jny prbfolohnly.

Omhjs spjrdhm on ]hrry‟s ionm tcjt nhhmhm tb ah ibrh fbrihm ahfbrh ch rhj``y lbnsomhrhm

tchi. [bu`m [o`mhr ijdh j kbbm jmmotobn tb cos lbipjny2 ]ch ijn wjs rhtorhm ioòtjryjnm bavobus`y sto`` wo`ònk tb mb tch wbrd, rokct2 Aut wcy cjm ch `hft on tch forst p`jlh2]cjt mhlosobn wbu`m cjvh j mhfonoth oipjlt bn wchtchr jn bffhr wjs ijmh br nbt. Jnm …

wjs [o`mljt tch donm bf ijn wcb prhfhrrhm tch ibnhy jnm rusc bf rhnhkjmhjssoknihnts2 Cjrtfbrm mom sjy ch wjs jn jmrhnjòn eundoh. Fbbm fbr tcbukct. Fbbm fbr

tcbukct. ]hrry fòpphm jnbtchr pjkh jnm phrushm tch chjmònhs.

]chrh wjs j rhjsbn fbr tchor onthrhst on `blj` nhws tcjt cjm òtt`h tb mb wotc lbifbrtja`hibrnonk lbffhh jnm tch spbrts pjkh. \bihwchrh jibnk tch stbrohs tchrh iokct ah j lùh,

j mrbpphm lbiihnt tcjt shhihm orrh`hvjnt br moslbnnhlthm, j pbòtolj`, sbloj` br

onlomhntj` hvhnt tcjt lbu`m lbnnhlt wotc Chnry‟s jamultobn br pbssoa`h cbstjkh `bljtobn. Nhotchr ]hrry nbr [o`mhr ihntobnhm tch pbssoaoòtohs, aut tchy cjm abtc ahkun

vbrjlobus`y phhònk tcrbukc tch tcrhh `blj` nhwspjphrs wotcbut lbiihnt.

]hrry strukk`hm wotc lbiprhchnmonk tch oipjlt [o`mhr‟s unoquh sdo`` iokct cjvh bn tch

ljsh. [js ot jn jutbijtol f`bwonk bf onfbrijtobn br wjs ot rjnmbi2 Mom ot rhquorh

pcysolj` hffbrt bn tch ijn‟s pjrt, òdh wchn ch ch`m tch pcbtb bf Chnry4 br mom oijkhs eust sòp ontb cos ionm unmhthlthm unto` tchy ijmh shnsh tb coi2 Jnm cbw wbu`m ]hrry ah

surh tch rokct tomaot bf prhibnotobn br onsokct wjs ahonk hxp`brhm2 Jfthr j``, ch lbu`mn‟t ah wj`donk jrbunm onsomh [o`mljt‟s arjon, nbw lbu`m ch2

Jnbtchr sop bf lbffhh jnm ot cot, s`jiihm ontb ]hrry‟s lchst òdh j fost. J`` tch thrrbr,

wbrry jnm fhjrs j pjrhnt fjlhs wchn j sbn br mjukcthr os tjdhn cbstjkh krhw jnm swh``hmjnm aruoshm òdh j wbunm. Ch kjsphm, aòndhm jnm scbbd cos chjm cjrm. ]cos wbu`mn‟t mb,

ot eust wjsn‟t jllhptja`h. Vosobn‟s bf Chnry‟s fjlh, ajtthrhm jnm a`bbmy a`jzhm ahconm cos

tokct`y l`bshm hyhòms. Arbdhn abnhs, lrohs bf cbrrbr. ]hrry momn‟t hibtobnj``y rhturn tb


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tch lbunthr jnm stbb`, tb tch lbffhh sto`` `yonk bn cos tbnkuh unto` [o`mhr p`jlhm j ljì

cjnm bn cos scbu`mhr … krbunmonk coi … scjdonk coi ontb tch ibihnt. ]hrryswj``bwhm, nhjr`y kjkkhm bn tch scjrpnhss bf tch lbffhh jnm krbjnhm tchn fbrlhm cos

chjrt tb sthjmy, cos ionm tb rb`` rjtobnj``y, cos sbu` tb stbp scjdonk.

[o`mhr sjom nbtconk, eust rhturnhm cos jtthntobn tb tch pjphr jnm ]hrry fbunm coish`f sbkrjthfu` ch lbu`m cjvh lrohm. ]chy cjm j rbukc mjy jchjm bf tchi. Ot wjs votj` tcjt tch

domnjpphrs dnbw ch wjs on Ljorb, wjotonk jnm rhjmy tb tj`d. ]cjt rhquorhm ahlbionk

cokc`y vosoa`h. Ch‟m hjt jt butmbbr ljfïs, wj`d rjtchr tcjn tjdh ljas, phrcjps `bothr on tchsqujrh. [chtchr [o`mhr wjs usonk cos sphloj` tj`hnt br eust ibvonk bn tch sjih trjon bf

tcbukct, ]hrry wbu`m nhvhr dnbw.

‐Ljn‟t ah kbon‟ j`bnh,’ [o`mljt krunthm. Ch pburhm coish`f ibrh lbffhh jnm muiphm

shvhrj` bvhrf`bwonk spbbnfu`s bf sukjr ontb tch k`jss. ‐]ch wjy tchsh tconks wbrd …

Chnry‟s tch ùrh. Ot‟s ybu tchy wjnt. @bbds òdh wh‟`` ah pj`ònk jrbunm j `bt.’

‐_bu kbt ybur bwn scot tb mb, ijth,’ ]hrry sjom, sto`` scjdhn ay cos fhjrfu` hposbmh.

‐J`` mbnh,’ stjthm [o`mhr. Ch scrukkhm. ‐Mbn‟t s`hhp iulc, sor. J`` tch hquopihnt os shtup jnm trutc ah tb`m, O kbt iy suspolobns tchy j`rhjmy dnbw ybu‟rh chrh. ]chsh mumhs jrh

mjin thlc sjvvy, ybu sjom sb ybursh`f. _bu whrh bn tch rbsthr fbr tch provjth eht

pjsshnkhr `jnmonk, ushm ybur lcjrkh ljrm fbr tch suoth … hvhn ushm ybur lh`` pcbnh `jstnokct.’

‐Cbw tch a`bbmy ch`` mom ybu dnbw tcjt2’ ]hrry‟s arbws rbsh.

[o`mhr kronnhm. ‐O‟i cokc thlc sjvvy tbb. _bu lj``hm ybur bffolh jnm sbihwchrh h`sh.[cjt h`sh mb tchy nhhm tb dnbw ybu‟rh chrh2 Bc … bc fuldon‟ scot. @bbd jt tcos,’ ch

snbrthm jnm pjsshm tch pjphr bvhr, pbonthm tb j nbnmhslropt phrsbnj` jm.

]hrry squonthm, ihntj``y trjns`jthm.

Mjmmy‟s òtt`h aby `bbdonk fbr sjtosfjltobn2 Fjtchr‟s cbnbr iokct ah quhstobnja`h aut

vhnkhjnlh wo`` prhvjo`, nbw br tbibrrbw. \unsht on tch scjmbw bf tch kbms, a`jldhnhm

a`bbm jnm tch pjtc.

‐Fuldon‟ Lcrost, cbw tch a`bbmy ch`` mom ybu fonm tcos2’ ]hrry turnhm j kjwd, wbnmhronkhvhn ibrh jabut [o`mhr‟s psylcol pbwhrs.

]ch ijn kronnhm. ‐Ch``, O wjs `bbdonk fbr –\onk`h Hkyptojn kbmmhss shhds kbbm toih wotccjnmsbih Jihroljn. Kovhs kbbm chjm‟, O wjsn‟t hxphltonk tcos jnm `bbd wcjt h`sh O

fbunm,’ ch scrukkhm. ‐[cjt ljn O sjy, O òdh bmmotohs.’

]ch jm on jnbtchr nhwspjphr j`tbkhtchr wjs fbr tch \cjmbw bf tch Kbms koft scbp, `hsstcjn tcrhh a`blds jwjy. ]hrry fòpphm tb jnbtchr pjkh. ‐\unsht, fovh fofty-tcrhh tbmjy.’


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‐_bu ljn‟t kb j`bnh, eust nbt sijrt,’ [o`mhr ljì`y storrhm cos lbffhh, tch spbbn lòndonk

jkjonst tch k`jss.

‐_hjc, O ljn. O dnbw tchsh a`bdhs. ]chy òdh tch ljt jnm ibush kjih. ]bmjy, `ht‟s kht bur

muld‟s on ònh, ijth. O‟vh jrrjnkhm fbr j cb`monk p`jlh jnm j stjsc bf whjpbns. ]oih tb

kht j fhw ibrh sb`mohrs on bur jriy.’

‐_bu ljn‟t ush tch lh``.’

]hrry k`jrhm, ch wjsn‟t jn omobt. ]chrh whrh btchr, lbvhrt wjys bf lbiiunoljtonk wotc

tch Nhw _brd bffolh.

***

\unmjy hvhnonk ]jijrj wjs ajld jt tch rhcjaoòtjtobn cbspotj`. \ch wjs wbrrohm jabut

Monb‟s uplbionk surkolj` prblhmurh, aut ch shhihm lbb` js j luluiahr, `jukconk jnm

ebdonk jnm pu`ònk tbkhtchr j pbdhr kjih on tch `bunkh. Ot onlùmhm Kjrrhtt ]o`ìjn, j`jrkh a`jld ijn `hjrnonk cbw tb wj`d wotc j prbstchtol `hk4 ]jijrj, wcb‟m nhvhr p`jyhm

pbdhr on chr òfh, jnm rbunmhm but wotc j fburtc4 j wbijn Kjrrhtt jnm Monb `bvonk`ylj``hm Nursh Lrjtlcht, bff muty jnm rh`jxonk wotc chr abys. @onmj Khjry cjm ahhn j nursh

ibst bf chr jmu`t òfh, jt forst ljronk fbr h`mhr`y pjrhnts bf chr bwn, tchn stumyonk jnm

khttonk chr mhkrhh on Wcysolj` ]chrjpy. Aut jt tch fjloòty, sch wjs eust j nursh jnm cjppytb ah sb. @ofh kbt tbukchr jnm chr abmy rhah``hm js sch rhjlchm chr iom foftohs4 sch wjnthm

bn`y tb ah bf sbih lbifbrt tb chr pjtohnts jt tcjt pbont on chr òfh. Cjuònk tch mhjm

whokct bf j pjrjp`hkol jrbunm wjs nbw j fjmonk ihibry. \ch wjs wombwhm jnm òvonkj`bnh jnm hsphloj``y òdhm tch fjlt tcjt sch cjm j `bt bf toih wotc chr pjtohnts, sonlh tchy

stjyhm quoth j wco`h jt tch fjloòty. Chr òfh wjs fo``hm wotc hx-pjtohnt frohnms jnm cbòmjykrhhtonk ljrms.

‐[cjt‟rh wh p`jyonk2 Fovh ljrm stum2’ sch jsdhm, scuffònk tch mhld òdh j Vhkjs mhj`hr.

‐Jnm, wcjt jrh wh p`jyonk fbr2’ ]jijrj jsdhm, dnbwonk sch cjm òtt`h lcjnkh on chr

pursh.

Kjrrhtt scrukkhm. ‐Lchhz-Ots2’

‐Bc ch`` nb,’ tch nursh krbw`hm. ‐]ch l`hjnonk stjff wotc cjvh ybur aj``s. O‟vh kbtsbihtconk.’ \ch ahnt mbwn jnm rhjlchm ontb chr aok pursh, j l`btc ajk tch sozh bf j

krblhry sjld hiarbomhrhm wotc Krjnmij `bvhs ih ahst!. @onmj p`bpphm j fu`` ajk bf

sukjr-frhh cjrm ljnmy, tch donm wrjpphm onmovomuj``y on l`hjr p`jstol twosthm jt tch hnms.J`` nbshs lur`hm aut tch ljnmy wjs movvohm hvhn`y jnm tch ljrms whrh mhj`t.

‐Cbw mb O dnbw of O‟vh wbn2’ ]jijrj jsdhm, rhjrrjnkonk tch ljrms on chr cjnm.

@onmj `hjnhm bvhr, pbonthm tchn wondhm. ‐_bu‟`` dnbw, aut ot‟s nbt òdh`y. ]chsh twb

lchjt òdh ch``. [cjt‟`` ybu cjvh, Monb2’


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‐]wb.’

Jnm tch p`jy whnt bn. Kjih jfthr kjih, sbihtoihs Monb slbbponk tch ljnmy tb cos po`h,

btchr toihs Kjrrhtt rosonk trouipcjnt. @onmj kjvh j lbnstjnt òtjny bf hxjlt`y cbw tch twb

whrh lchjtonk4 sòkct bf cjnm, commhn cokc ljrms, iosmhjònk. Monb eust kronnhm jnmshhihm tb ah hnebyonk coish`f. Jt nonh-fofthhn, @onmj mhj`t tch `jst cjnm.

‐]cos os ot fbr tch nokct, kuys. O nhhm tb kht cbih jnm ybu,’ chr hyhs sphjrhm jt Monb,‐cjvh j tbukc mjy tbibrrbw.’

Monb scofthm ljrms jnm hyhm tchi ljrhfu``y. ‐O‟`` tjdh bnh.’

Kjrrhtt tbbd tcrhh jnm fb`mhm, ]jijrj jsdhm fbr twb jnm tch mhj`hr tbbd twb. Ahttonk

ahkjn jnm sbbn ot wjs mbwn tb ]jijrj jnm Monb. @onmj `hjnhm tb tjdh j `bbd tchn puschm

shvhrj` ljnmohs ontb ]jijrj‟s po`h.

‐O cjvh j fu`` cbush,’ Monb jnnbunlhm. ‐[cjt cjvh ybu kbt, ]jiiy2’

‐Eust j pjor,’ jnm sch mosp`jyhm chr twb jlhs wotc j donk bf chjrts, j ejld bf spjmhs jnm j

fovh. J`` ibutcs mrbpphm. ‐[cjt2 Mom O won2’ ]chy nbmmhm jnm sch hxlothm`y abunlhm on

chr lcjor. ‐O wbn! Bc ijn, O wbn! Bnh ibrh kjih2’

‐Njc,’ Monb strhtlchm cos jris cokc. ‐O nhhm j òtt`h tj`d wotc ybu ahfbrh ybu `hjvh

tbnokct. ]jdh ybur wonnonks jnm `ht‟s kb up tb iy rbbi.’

‐Jrh ybu cottonk bn ybur ahst frohnm‟s kor`2’ Kjrrhtt jsdhm bphnonk j rhm ljnmy jnm pbpponk ot on cos ibutc. Monb kjvh j woldhm kron jnm Kjrrhtt jìbst lcbdhm. ‐Bc nb, ybu

mo-n‟t! ]cjt ]cbrnh fh``bw wo`` ljstrjth ybu!’

‐Ch jon‟t kbt tch aj``s tb kb jfthr iy aj``s.’

J sukjr-frhh òih krhhn ljnmy tcuiphm bff cos chjm jnm ch kjvh j scbldhm k`jrh on

]jijrj‟s morhltobn. ‐Chy! O‟i jn oneurhm ijn.’

‐Kht ybur rhst, Monb.’ @onmj stbbm jnm chjvhm chr aok ajk bntb chr scbu`mhr. ‐Ijdh surh

ch khts tb ahm sbbn,’ sch sokchm, `bbdonk jt ]jijrj, rhj` lbnlhrn on chr hyhs.

‐Wrbiosh.’

]jijrj puschm Monb‟s wchh`lcjor j`bnk tch cj`` jnm ontb tch h`hvjtbr. ]chy whrh so`hnt

jnm sch wbnmhrhm of cos ljsuj` jttotumh wjs eust lbvhronk cos rhj` fhjr. ‐Ot‟`` ah fonh,’ sch

sjom, pjttonk cos scbu`mhr jnm ch p`jlhm cos cjnm bvhr chrs.

‐Ot‟`` ah wcjthvhr ot os, cbnhy.’ On cos rbbi, Monb kbt coish`f ontb tch ahm jnm kropphm

chr cjnm thnmhr`y. ‐@osthn, ]jiiy. O chjrm frbi ]hrry `jst nokct.’ Ch wjtlchm chr


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hxprhssobns vjlo``jth frbi p`hjshm tb surprosh tb mosjppbontihnt. ‐_hjc, ch lj``hm ih …

nbt ybu. Aut tchrh wjs j rhjsbn, swhhtchjrt. O‟i kbonk tb arhjd j fhw ru`hs chrh … nbt prbioshs ahljush ch sjom nbtconk jabut nbt th`ònk ybu jnytconk … eust ru`hs. Ot‟s nbt

lbiibn prjltolh tb th`` jn bphrjtovh‟s soknofoljnt btchr cbw j ljsh os kbonk, aut O tcond

ybu cjvh j rokct chrh. Ahsomhs, wotc ybur abmy kujrm jnm ybu fjtchr sottonk jt ]cbrnh‟s

mhsd, O‟i tcondonk ot wbn‟t ah j arhjlc bf lbnfomhnlh br j rosd bf onfbrijtobn `hjd.’

‐O wbn‟t th`` jnybnh jnytconk ybu th`` ih. Os ch j`rokct2’ \ch cjm sjt jt tch hmkh bf tch

ijttrhss, chr chjrt rjlonk jnm chr cjnm kropponk cos tokct.

‐Cbnhy, O mbn‟t tcond sb, aut ch‟s cb`monk up. ]chrh‟vh ahhn j fhw bmm mhvh`bpihnts.

Ch‟s nbt on Jisthrmji … ch‟s on Ljorb.’

‐Hkypt2’ ]jijrj aòndhm, tryonk tb unmhrstjnm ot j`` jnm rhijon ljì tcrbukcbut.

‐Qokct. @osthn, O dnbw tcjt oijkhs bf tch Iomm`h Hjst aronk up j`` donms bf wbrrohs fbr

ybu, aut trust ih, bn ljshs òdh tcos, Ljorb os tch sjih js Jisthrmji jnm tch sjih jsAbstbn. ]chy‟rh j`` mjnkhrbus. Ch‟s dhhponk cos chjm slrhwhm bn js tokct js pbssoa`h, aut

O tcond ot‟s khttonk tb coi. @uldy fbr ]hrry, ybu‟rh mjm shnt sbihbnh tb ch`p but. FbrihrIjronh … [o`mhr O tcond.’

‐[o`mljt2 Mjmmy shnt [o`mljt2 ]cjt‟s j rhj``y, rhj``y kbbm tconk. Ch‟s j kbbm sb`mohrjnm j rhj``y sijrt ijn. Mom ybu th`` ]hrry O‟i sljrhm fbr coi2 ]cjt O‟i tcondonk jabut

coi j`` tch toih2’

Monb sokchm. ‐Nb. O momn‟t. Jnm O wbu`mn‟t. Ch mbhsn‟t nhhm tb dnbw tcjt stuff, ch nhhms

tb chjr tcjt ybu‟rh strbnk fbr coi. ]cjt‟s wcjt O tb`m coi … hvhn tcbukc ch momn‟t jsd.’

]hjrs kòtthrhm on chr hyhs jnm ch squhhzhm chr cjnm tokcthr.

‐Cbnhy, O tb`m ybu, ot‟s nbt tcjt ybu‟rh nbt on cos chjm.’

‐Qokct, rokct. O unmhrstjnm. Chnry cjs tb lbih forst. [chn wo`` ybu chjr frbi coi

jkjon2’

‐Munnb,’ ch scrukkhm tchn yjwnhm womh. ‐Momn‟t th`` coi jabut tbibrrbw‟s surkhry. Ch

ijy try tb rhjlc ih, aut ch ljn j`wjys rhjlc tch bffolh. O‟i surh wh‟`` chjr sbihtconksbbn. Nbw,’ ch tukkhm chr cjnm jnm dosshm chr lchhd. ‐O‟i fj`ònk js`hhp chrh.’

‐O‟`` ah ajld jt fovh tcorty tbibrrbw ibrnonk. _bu‟rh bphrjtobn os slchmu`hm fbr sox tcortyjnm tchy sjom O iokct kht j fhw ionuths wotc ybu ahfbrh tchy dnbld ybu but.’

‐Jcc, tch ahst pjrt bf surkhry, tch dnbldonk but pjrt. _bu mbn‟t nhhm tb ah chrh sb hjr`y.

O‟`` shh ybu wchn O wjdh up.’ Ch nhk`hlthm tb th`` chr tcjt iokct ah twb mjys frbi nbw.


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‐Fovh tcorty.’ ]jijrj cukkhm ]hrry‟s mhjrhst frohnm jnm p`jnthm j thnmhr doss bn cos

arbw. ‐Bn tch mbt.’

***

\unsht on Ljorb. ]ch òkct os moffhrhnt on Hkypt. Ot k`bws j tjwny kb`m jnm abunlhs frbitch mhsshrt, rhf`hltonk ajld bn jny wospy l`bums arjvh hnbukc tb pjont tch arutj`, l`hjr

sdohs. [o`mhr whnt wotc ]hrry aut ch momn‟t jrkuh jabut ot. Ijyah tch ijn dnhw

sbihtconk, ijyah nbt. Hotchr wjy, twb chjms whrh ahtthr tcjn bnh.

]chy hnthrhm tch tburost trjp koft scbp jnm wj`dhm mbwn jn jos`h. ]hrry‟s hyhs sljnnhm

tch othis. Cos ionm abunlhm ahtwhhn ahonk `bum jnm jttrjltonk jtthntobn br fbrlonk cosoijkonjtobn tb wbnmhr wchrh tch commhn onfbrijtobn iokct ah. ]chn ch nbtolhm

sbihtconk lurobus. [o`mhr wjs ibvonk wotc ljsuj` purpbsh tbwjrm tch stjtobnhry shltobn

bf tch stbry. ]hrry rhijonhm so`hnt, stoldonk l`bsh jnm wjtlconk frbi tch lbrnhr bf cos

hyh.

[o`mhr tbulchm j fhw othis jnm turnhm, spbdh sbft`y. ‐_bu cjvh tb auy sbihtconk.’

]hrry krunthm. ]chrh wjs nbtconk on tchrh ch wjnthm. [js [o`mhr sukkhstonk tcjt j

ihssjkh wbu`m lbih tcrbukc tch ljscohr2 Oiotjtonk tch ijn‟s ahcjvobr, ]hrry rjn cos

cjnm bvhr othis, òfthm j fhw jnm hxjionhm tchi4 j fjux-kb`m phn, j abx bf pbstljrms, j pjldjkh bf ijrdhrs.

[o`mhr cjm stbpphm, cos pjì `jy f`jt bvhr j stjld bf abbds jnm ]hrry ibvhm l`bshr. ]chywhrh a`jnd eburnj`s4 tch donm phbp`h ijdh nbths on, rhlbrm tcbukcts jnm omhjs, hvhn

fhhònks. Kbm fbraom, fhhònks2 \bih lbvhrs whrh jmbrnhm wotc polturhs bf tch pyrjioms,btchrs lb``jkhs bf jnlohnt Hkyptojn kbms. [o`mhr wbrdhm ihtcbmolj``y tcrbukc tch stjld.

J`` whrh shj`hm wotc l`hjr p`jstol jnm butrjkhbus`y prolhm. Ch òfthm bnh jnm p`jlhm cos

pjì bvhr ot, l`bshm cos hyhs. Cos cjnm ehrdhm jwjy tchn ch kropphm tch abbd jnm cjnmhm

ot tb ]hrry.

Ot wjs ibrh hxphnsovh tcjn tch btchrs, j wcbpponk hokcty-fovh Jihroljn mb``jrs fbr j

a`bbmy a`jnd abbd, aut tch lbvhr wjs fonh arbwn `hjtchr jnm kb`m `hjf hiabsshm wotccohrbk`ypcols. ]hrry k`jnlhm tb cos lbcbrt. ]chrh wjs ibrh on tcjt abbd, wjy ibrh.

Whrcjps hvhn cos sbn‟s òfh. Ch ibvhm tb tch lbunthr jnm unhvhntfu``y ijmh cos purlcjsh.

On jn hffbrt tb jpphjr baòvobus, ch tuldhm tch tconk on cos ejldht pbldht jnm tbkhtchr ch

jnm [o`mhr whnt tb j rhstjurjnt jnm cjm monnhr. Jfthr tcjt, j fhw mronds, tchn fonj``y tchy

rhtorhm tb tch rbbi.

]ch p`jstol wrjp wjs unlbiprbioshm jnm ]hrry‟s chjrt mrbpphm js ch hxjionhm ot. J

quold sòt wotc cos phndnofh jnm tch abbd wjs frhh. Ot sih``hm bf kbbm `hjtchr jnm `bbdhm

js tcbukc ot cjm nhvhr ahhn tbulchm ay cuijn cjnms. [o`mhr sjt quoht`y bn tch sbfj jnmwjtlchm.


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]hrry ljrhfu``y turnhm tch abbd bvhr jnm scbbd ot. Nbtconk fh`` but. Cos mosjppbontihnt

hslj`jthm. ]chn ch `ofthm tch lbvhr. ]chrh, bn pjkh bnh … mjys, toih jnm rjmob frhquhnly.

Ch sokchm jnm rjn j cjnm mbwn cos lcon, rhfusonk tb ah furtchr jijzhm jt tch ahnhfots tch

Khnhrj`‟s [o`mljt wjs aronkonk tb tch ljsh.

‐[h‟rh bn fbr ]cursmjys jnm \jturmjys, shvhn WI scjrp.’ Ot wjs Ibnmjy.


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]ch Mbwntoih [bijn

ay Qo`hy

\HVHN

Mhlhiahr twhnty-tcorm jnm ]jijrj wjs wj`donk ontb tch cbspotj`. ]chy iust cjvhscuff`hm Monb frbi tch rhcja fjloòty on tch iomm`h bf tch nokct tcrbukc tch aotthr Nhw

_brd lb`m jnm sch scovhrhm jt cbw unlbifbrtja`h ch iust cjvh ahhn. Fovh tcorty-fovh

JI jnm sch stbbm ahsomh cos ahm. ]ch hxprhssobn bf mhòkct jnm rhòhf bn cos fjlh tb`m chrtcjt yhs, ch cjm on fjlt ahhn puttonk bn j aok scbw. Ch wjs jfrjom. Js jfrjom js sch wjs

fbr coi … js jfrjom js sch wjs fbr ]hrry‟s sbn … fbr ]hrry.

‐_bu ijmh ot. Ot‟s tch autt lrjld bf mjwn, ]jiiy,’ Monb sùrrhm. Ch wjs j`rhjmy mrbwsy

frbi tch prh-surkhry prhpjrjtobns jnm tch lchiolj`s mropponk ontb cos vhon.

‐Bf lbursh,’ sch sio`hm lchhro`y. ‐O tb`m ybu O‟m ah chrh.’

‐@osthn,’ cos vbolh wjs sbft jnm sch `hjnhm mbwn tb chjr. ‐Of O mbn‟t kht tcrbukc tcos, ybu

th`` ]hrry O … O … fuld, O `bvh tcjt Jussoh jsscb`h. ]h`` coi tcjt fbr ih.’

]jijrj snbrthm. ‐_bu‟`` ijdh ot. _bu‟rh j tbukc hkk.’ Jnm ahsomhs, sch tcbukct. Ch

dnbws ybu `bvh coi. Kbm dnbws ch `bvhs ybu. Aut … mbhs ch `bvh ih2 \ch sokchm jnmMonb kjvh j `bpsomhm kron, j`rhjmy cos hyhs whrh k`jzonk bvhr.

‐Mb ih j fjvbr, wchn ybu shh coi … th`` coi ybu `bvh coi tbb. ]hrry‟s tch donmj kuy

wcb nhhms tb chjr tcjt stuff. Nbw … O‟i kbnnj lchld but … fbr j wco`h … shh ybu bntch fòp somh, ]jiiy.’

\ch‟m kbtthn nb s`hhp. Bc sch‟m trohm, hvhn lbnsomhrhm j s`hhponk po`` aut wjs jfrjomsch‟m ah unja`h tb wjdh bn toih. \ch wjtlchm tch nurshs rb`` Monb‟s ahm jwjy tchn sch

sjt on tch wjotonk rbbi wotc btchr, nhrvbus, wbrrohm phbp`h4 j fjio`y cumm`hm tbkhtchr

jnm so`hnt, tch iomm`h-jkhm wbijn whjronk jn uk`y arokct rhm vhst wotc shquonhmLcrostijs trhhs bn ot, chr twb krbwn lco`mrhn wcosphronk quoht`y jnm nbmmonk. ]b tch

somh, j aj`m ijn wjs so`hnt, j`` j`bnh jnm bavobus`y prjyonk cjrm, cos hyhs tokct jnm

ibutc ibvonk wotcbut wbrms. ]chy whrh j`` òdh tony lbnlhntrjtobns bf hnhrky,onmhphnmhnt aut tbkhtchr on tchor lbiibn lbnlhrns. \ch wjnthm tb jsd jrbunm, chjr tchor

stbrohs, aut cbw wbu`m sch hxp`jon chrs2

\ch‟m dnbwn Monb B‟@hjry eust j fhw mjys … cos mhjrhst frohnm, ]hrry wjs on Hkyptnhkbtojtonk tch rh`hjsh bf cos sbn frbi ljptovoty … sch wjs on `bvh wotc j ijn wcb nhvhr

bnlh ihntobnhm ch wbrdhm js j domnjp jnm rjnsbi lrosos lbnsu`tjnt jnm bphrjtovh, j ebamhslroptobn sch‟m nhvhr chjrm bf ahfbrh … jnm nbw sch wjs sottonk, prjyonk jnm wjotonk

fbr cos ahst frohnm tb survovh jnbtchr mjnkhrbus bphrjtobn. Nb, sch lbu`mn‟t scjrh j`` tcjt.


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]cbsh phbp`h jrbunm chr whrh khnuonh`y thrrofohm fbr tch bnhs tchy `bvhm kbonk unmhr tch

dnofh. Nbt tcjt sch wjs jny `hss thrrofohm fbr Monb … sch soip`y fh`t òdh j iosfot.

Ot wjs strjnkh, jfthr j``. Xnmhr nbrij` lorluistjnlhs, sch‟m cjvh kovhn Monb‟s surkhry

tbmjy j pjssonk wh`` wosc jnm nbtconk ibrh. Chr òfh eust momn‟t fo`thr but tcjt wjy

jnyibrh. Jt shvhn sch `hft tch chjvonhss bf tch wjotonk rbbi jnm whnt tb tch cbspotj`ljfhthroj fbr arhjdfjst.

]chrh wjs j Lcrostijs trhh on tch cj``wjy jnm fbr j ibihnt, ]jijrj stjrhm jt ot,wbnmhronk wcy ot wjs tchrh. [js ot pbssoa`h Lcrostijs wbu`m jltuj``y cjpphn tcos yhjr2

[otc hvhrytconk curtonk on chr chjrt, sch soip`y lbu`mn‟t oijkonh ot.

‐Wrhtty, cuc,’ J``hn sjom, wj`donk sòkct`y ahconm chr.

]jijrj aòndhm. Chr abmykujrm. Jnbtchr tconk sch fbrkbt j`` jabut. Fbr sulc j `jrkh,

iuslu`jr ijn ch wjs sb quoht jnm unbatrusovh, tchrh whrh toihs ch wjs soip`y onvosoa`h

tb chr. ]bkhtchr tchy sòm tchor trjys j`bnk tch sch`f jnm ijmh tchor lcbolhs4 bjtihj` fbrchr, j lonnjibn rb`` fbr coi. ]bkhtchr tchy fbunm j quoht tja`h jnm tbkhtchr tchy jth. Aut

tcjt wjs j`` tchy mom tbkhtchr. ]chy momn‟t tj`d br scjrh tchor tcbukcts br omhjs. ]chymomn‟t hvhn rhj``y `bbd jt hjlc btchr, j`tcbukc J``hn wjs lbnstjnt`y j`hrt jnm wjtlconk

bvhr chr. [otc chr fjtchr wbrdonk jkjon, tcos toih jt ]hrry‟s bffolh4 chr `bvhr jlrbss tch

p`jnht4 chr nhw frohnm ahonk rhjsshia`hm ay surkhbns jnm chr ijom kbnh cbih tbVorkonoj fbr Lcrostijs … ]jijrj cjm nb bnh … hxlhpt J``hn.

\ch sokchm jnm hyhm coi l`bsh`y. ]ch ijn l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt, `bbdhm j òtt`h nhrvbus.Bavobus`y J``hn wjs ibrh ushm tb ahonk onvosoa`h tcjn ahonk nbtolhm. Ch wjs jltuj``y

cjnmsbih on j ihjty, aruth sbrt bf wjy. Cos hyhs whrh kb`mhn arbwn, cos cjor tcold jnmmjrd. Cos nbsh … arbdhn, prbaja`y shvhrj` toihs aut ot jmmhm tb cos lcjri. \ch‟m shhn

coi sio`h jnm ot wjs hnmhjronk, òdh j òtt`h aby `bbdonk fbr jpprbvj`. \ch‟m shhn coi

slbw` jnm ot wjs thrrofyonk. Nb bnh mjnkhrbus wjs khttonk l`bsh tb chr, sch wjs surh bf ot.

\b, hotchr tcjt `hft chr tbtj``y j`bnh fbr Lcrostijs, br ot `hft chr j`bnh wotc coi.

‐[chrh jrh ybu frbi, J``hn2’ sch jsdhm wotc rhj` onthrhst jnm cos tcold arbws rbsh.

‐Xc … Cbustbn … wcy2’

‐Mb ybu kht snbw fbr Lcrostijs on Cbustbn2’

J``hn Wjtrold dnhw hxjlt`y wcjt wjs cjpphnonk. Ch‟m shhn tcos ahfbrh. Bfthn ch wjs

stjtobnhm tb wjtlc bvhr tch wofh br mjukcthr bf j cbstjkh, hsphloj``y of tch cbstjkh wjs pbòtolj``y oipbrtjnt. ]chy whrh sljrhm, tchy whrh `bnh`y jnm tchy whrh hvhn mhsphrjth.

@bvh`y ]jijrj wjs j`` tcbsh tconks, aut sch wjs j`sb tch abss‟ wbijn.

J``hn cjm nhvhr iht Monb B‟@hjry. ]cbrnh corhm coi `jst Eu`y jnm ch wjs lurrhnt`y ontrjononk tb ahlbih jn bphrjtovh. ]cos òtt`h jssoknihnt cjm put j dond on cos jmvjnlhihnt,

aut ot wjs wcjt ot wjs. Ch dnhw bf abtc ]cbrnh jnm B‟@hjry‟s sullhss rhlbrms jnm


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wjnthm tb ah j pjrt bf j`` tcjt. J``hn cjm nb fjio`y jnm wjs jt hxjlt`y tch p`jlh on cos òfh

wchrh jmvhnturh wjs tch njih bf tch kjih. [cjt ch wbu`mn‟t kovh tb ah jt ]cbrnh‟s somhrokct nbw … br ahtthr yht, tchrh onsthjm bf ]cbrnh. ]chrh wjs nb wjy tcjt ijn scbu`m ah

nhkbtojtonk fbr cos bwn sbn. Ot sih``hm rhj``y, rhj``y ajm. Ch `bbdhm jt ]jijrj, sto``

wjotonk fbr jn jnswhr, jnm rhjòzhm tcjt tcos wjs on fjlt j vhry oipbrtjnt jssoknihnt. Of

tconks whnt js hxphlthm, sch wbu`m ah tch oipbrtjnt soknofoljnt btchr ah`bnkonk tb jljptovh. Hvhrybnh dnhw j trjmh wjs wchrh tch ljsh wbu`m kb … jnm nb bnh cjm j lùh

wcjt ]cbrnh wbu`m mb jabut ot.

]cos `jmy wjs j vhry sphloj` ljsh. Ot wjs nhvhr cos eba tb unmhrstjnm tcbsh ch wjs

lcjrkhm wotc kujrmonk, aut hvhrytconk ch‟m shhn jnm chjrm sb fjr onmoljthm tcjt ]jijrj

wjs js iulc j voltoi js Chnry ]cbrnh jnm cos fjtchr. ]jijrj cjm nb lùh wcjt wjsjchjm jnm ]cbrnh wjs j ibrbn fbr nbt wjrnonk chr. Cbw cjrm lbu`m ot ah2 _bu th`` tch

wbijn wcjt ybu mb fbr j òvonk, hvhntuj``y `hjvh fbr j nhjr`y oipbssoa`h ljsh prbiosonk

nb surh rhturn … jnm cbph sch‟`` st

The Downtime Woman

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