,,! ,,?IRTE5? ,,TALE

          ,,DIANE ,,SETT]FIELD

  ,PUBLI%$ 0,ATRIA ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK
  ,COPY"R ^C #BJJF 0,DIANE ,SETT]FIELD
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (
     ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-J-GDCB-IHJB-E
       ,,ISBN-#AJ3 #J-GDCB-IHJB-J

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,NANCY ,S*LOSS] & ,]IC ,SORLI5
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #E
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #DJG-EAJ

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
                                     ;II
























       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C ,COPY"R SYMBOL
@& ,AMP]S&
@ 7#D7 ,A35T SIGN



















                                     ;IV
























           ,,! ,,SILV] ,,G>D5       #DJG

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DI6]5T4 ,&A MO;T LAT]1 2F ,I EV5 OP5$ MY
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  ,G"O 7 ! %AD[S T _H LURK$ 9 MY ROOM
S9CE ! 2G9N+ (! MON?2 G"O1 TOO1 ! GLOOMY
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PALE RECTANGLE1 & F X "! 5T]$ A %IMM]+
PALE;S T ILLUM9AT$ E ASPECT ( MY ROOM4
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TGR1 6! KIT*5 &! G>D54
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MOONLI<T T %IMM]$ 9 ! G>D51 $G+ ! L1VES
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MY ANKLES = ATT5;N1 & ,I B5T 6/ROKE HM4
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  ,I TURN$ UP ! COLL> ( MY COAT1 %OV$ MY
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  ,I FROZE4                         #DAJ
  ,! FIGURE H1V$ & %IFT$ LABORI\SLY1 RE-
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  ,9 A L;G1 SL[ SECOND MY M9D RAC$ 6EX-
PLA9 ! PRES;E ( ANO!R HUMAN 2+ 9 ,MISS
,W9T]'S G>D5 AT NI<T4 ,"S ?+S ,I KNEW
9/ANTLY )\T NE$+ EV5 6?9K AB !M4 ,=A
/>T1 X 0 N ,MAURICE KNEEL+ ON ! GR.D "!4
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G>D51 X N"E O3URR$ 6ME 6WOND] :E!R X
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,MISS ,W9T] 0 TOO UNWELL 6B5D TO    #DAA
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WAS4
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AWAY4
  ,!N1 R1LIZ+ T MY FEET & H&S 7     #DAC
FREEZ+1 ,I TURN$ BACK 6! H\SE4























                                    #DAD
























         ,,PHONETIC ,,ALPHABET      #DAE

  ,A GRT _M YE>S _H PASS$ S9CE ,I LE>N$
! PHONETIC ALPHABET4 ,X 2GAN )A *>T 9 A
L+UI/ICS BOOK 9 "F'S %OP4 ,"! 0 NO R1SON
= MY 9T]E/ AT F/1 O!R ?AN T ,I _H NO?+
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Z LL ;N'S & CAPITAL ;,Y'S T W]5'T ! SAME
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& ;Z'S1 _H FUNNY LL TAILS & LOOPS AT-
TA*$1 & Y CD CROSS ;H'S & ;I'S & ;U'S Z
IF !Y 7 ;T'S4 ,I LOV$ ^! WILD & FANCI;L
HYBRIDS3 ,I FILL$ PAGES ( PAP] ) ;M'S T
TURN$ 96;J'S1 & ;V'S T P]*$ PREC>I\SLY
ON T9Y ;O'S L P]=M+ DOGS ON BALLS AT !
CIRCUS4 ,MY "F CAME ACR MY PAGES ( SYM-
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9T]N,NAL PHONETIC ALPHABET1 ,I 4COV]$1 Y
CD WRITE ^WS T LOOK$ L MA?1 ^WS T LOOK$
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SPECIAL ^W OV] & OV] AG4 ,MY SIS-   #DAF
T]'S "N4 ,A TALISMAN4 ,I FOLD$ ! ^W 9TO
ELABORATE M9IATURE ORIGAMI1 KEPT MY PL1T
( PAP] ALW CLOSE 6ME4 ,9 W9T] X LIV$ 9
MY COAT POCKET2 9 SUMM] X TICKL$ MY AN-
KLE 9SIDE ! FOLD ( MY SOCK4 ,AT NI<T1 ,I
FELL ASLEEP CLUT*+ X 9 MY H&4 ,= ALL MY
C>E1 ,I DID N ALW KEEP TRACK ( ^! BITS (
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TRI$ 6%UT H] AWAY1 9 ! D>K8 ,_H HE N
WANT$ 6=GET H]8 ,_H HE N TRI$ 6KEEP H] F
ME8 ,HE _H NO "R 6H] N[4
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SIL;E ( MY [N4 ,& REMEMB]4
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MY ABIL;Y 6RECITE ! ,GREEK ALPHABET =W>D
& BACKW>D 7,I :O H N"E LE>N$ A ^W (
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"O ( ^? SECRET1 R&OM WELLS ( USE.S K
LEFT OV] F MY BOOKI% *ILDHOOD4 ,I LE>N$
X ONLY 6AMUSE MYF2 XS PURPOSE 9 ^? "DS 0
M]ELY PRIVATE1 S Z ! YE>S PASS$ ,I MADE
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6CAPTURE ! SIBILANTS & FRICATIVES1 !
PLOSIVES & TRILLS ( ,EMMEL9E'S URG5T
:ISP]1 ,I _H 6MAKE S"EAL ATTEMPTS4
  ,AF ?REE OR F\R GOES1 ,I SAT ON ! B$ &
LOOK$ AT MY L9E ( SQUI7LES & SYMBOLS &
SIGNS4 ,0 X A3URATE8 ,D\BTS 2GAN 6ASSAIL
ME4 ,_H ,I REMEMB]$ ! S.DS A3URATELY AF
MY FIVE-M9UTE J\RNEY BACK 96! H\SE8 ,0
MY RECOLLEC;N (! PHONETIC ALPHABET XF
ADEQUATE8 ,:AT IF MY F/ FAIL$ AT-   #DAH
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*>M1 ! TALISMAN4
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AL"O4
  ,I SCREW$ ! PAP] 96A BALL & KICK$ X
96A CORN]4











               ,,! ,,LA4]           #DAI

  8,MY /ORY ISN'T BOR+ Y1 IS X1 ,MISS
,LEA80
  ,I 5DUR$ A NUMB] ( S* -;TS ! FOLL[+ "D
Z1 UNA# 6SUPPRESS MY YAWNS1 ,I FIDGET$ &
RU2$ MY EYES :ILE LI/5+ 6,MISS ,W9T]'S
N>R,N4
  8,I'M SORRY4 ,I'M J TIR$40
  8,TIR$60 %E EXCLAIM$4 8,Y LOOK L D1?
W>M$ UP6 ,A PROP] M1L WD PUT Y "R4 ,:AT-
"E'S ! MATT] ) Y80
  ,I %RU7$ MY %\LD]S4 8,J TIR$4 ,T'S
ALL40
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,I SD NO?+ M1 & %E TOOK UP H] /ORY4

  ,= SIX MON?S ?+S W5T ON4 ,WE SEQUE/]$
\RVS 9 A H&;L ( ROOMS3 ! KIT*51 ": ,JOHN
/ SLEPT AT NI<T1 ! DRAW+ ROOM &! LIBR>Y4
,WE GIRLS US$ ! BACK /AIRS 6GET F !
KIT*5 6! "O B$ROOM T SEEM$ SECURE4 ,!
MATTRESSES WE SLEPT ON 7 ^? WE _H DRA7$
F ! OLD ROOM1 ! B$S !MVS 2+ TOO H1VY TO
MOVE4 ,! H\SE _H FELT TOO BIG ANYWAY1
S9CE ! H\SEHOLD _H BE5 S DIM9I%$    #DBJ
9 NUMB]4 ,WE SURVIVORS FELT M AT EASE 9
! SECUR;Y1 ! MANAGEABIL;Y ( \R SMALL]
A3OMMOD,N4 ,ALL ! SAME1 WE CD N"E Q =GET
! RE/ (! H\SE1 SL[LY FE/]+ 2H CLOS$
DOORS1 L A MORIBUND LIMB4
  ,EMMEL9E SP5T M* ( H] "T 9V5T+ C>D
GAMES4 8,PLAY ) ME4 ,OH1 G ON1 D PLAY10
%E WD PE/]4 ,EV5TU,Y ,I GAVE 9 & PLAY$4
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ONLY %E "U/OOD1 & : %E ALW WON1 : GAVE
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LO/ H] LOVE ( SOAP & HOT WAT]1 SP5T H\RS
LUXURIAT+ 9 ! WAT] ,I'D H1T$ =! LAUNDRY
& WA%+ UP4 ,I DIDN'T 2GRUDGE H]4 ,X 0
BETT] IF AT L1/ "O ( U CD 2 HAPPY4
  ,2F WE CLOS$ UP ! ROOMS1 ,EMMEL9E _H
G"O "? CUPBO>DS 2L;G+ 6,ISABELLE & TAK5
DRESSES & SC5T BOTTLES & %OES1 : %E
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WORE ! DRESSES4 ,"S 7 \ ( DATE 0T5 YE>S1
O!RS--2L;G+ 6,ISABELLE'S "M1 ,I PRESUME
--W]E ?IRTY & =TY YE>S OLD4 ,EMMEL9E EN-
T]TA9$ U 9 ! EV5+S 0MAK+ DRAMATIC 5TR.ES
96! KIT*5 9 ! M EXTRAVAGANT \T-     #DBA
FITS4 ,! DRESSES MADE H] LOOK OLD] ?AN
FIFTE52 !Y MADE H] LOOK WOMANLY4 ,I RE-
MEMB]$ ,HE/]'S 3V]S,N )! DOCTOR 9 ! G>D5
--..,"! IS NO R1SON :Y ,EMMEL9E %D N M>-
RY "O ."D--& ,I REMEMB]$ :AT ! ,MISSUS
_H TOLD ME AB ,ISABELLE &! PICNICS--
..,%E 0 ! K9D ( GIRL M5 C'T LOOK AT )\T
WANT+ 6.T\*--& ,I FELT A SU45 ANXIETY4
,B !N %E FLOPP$ D[N ON A KIT*5 *AIR1
TOOK A PACK ( C>DS F A SILK PURSE & SD1
ALL *1 8,PLAY C>DS ) ME1 G ON40 ,I 0
HALF REASSUR$1 B /1 ,I MADE SURE %E DID
N L1VE ! H\SE 9 H] F9]Y4
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UN?9KA#1 ?\<3 ,HE GOT A BOY 6HELP 9 !
G>D54 8,X'LL 2 ALL "R10 HE SD4 8,X'S
ONLY OLD ,PROCTOR'S BOY1 ,AMBROSE4 ,HE'S
A QUIET LAD4 ,X WON'T 2 = L;G4 ,ONLY
TILL ,I GET ! H\SE FIX$ UP40
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BROAD] ACR ! %\LD]S4 ,!Y /OOD H&S 9
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& !N ! BOY />T$4 ,HE _H A M1SUR$1 PATI5T
WAY ( DI7+2 ! SMOO?1 3/ANT *IME (   #DBB
SPADE ON SOIL GOT ON MY N]VES4 8,:Y D WE
H 6H HM80 ,I WANT$ 6"K4 8,HE'S AN \TSID]
J L ! O!RS40
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_W ( M51 ! _W ,I DIDN'T "K4
  8,HE'S A GD LAD10 ,JOHN SD "T & "T AG
9 ANSW] 6MY "QS4 8,HE'S A H>D "W]4 ,HE
DOESN'T ASK TOO _M "QS1 & HE DOESN'T
TALK TOO M*40
  8,HE MI<T N H A T;GUE1 B HE'S GOT EYES
9 8 H1D40
  ,JOHN %RU7$ & LOOK$ AWAY1 UNEASY4
  8,I WON'T ALW 2 "H10 HE SD EV5TU,Y4
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:AT X 0 HE _H 6SAY4
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TASK 6LOOK UP :5 ,I CAME IN4 ,H] PLUMP1
TAP]$ F+]S PICK$ REL5T.SLY AT A SEQU9
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! _W4 ,H] CALM FACE N"E *ANG$ Z %E B5T
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SOON Z !Y _H T\*$ ! L[] LID1 RIS+ AG TO
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,I KNEW :AT A GD MAT* MY EYES 7 6H]S 9 !
MIRROR4 ,& ,I KNEW WE _H ! SAME SIDEWAYS
K9K "UN1? ! WEI<T ( R$ HAIR AT ! BACK (
\R NECKS4 ,& ,I KNEW ! IMPACT WE CD MAKE
ON ! VILLAG]S ON ^? R>E O3A.NS :5 WE
WALK$ >M 9 >M D[N ,! ,/REET 9 MAT*+
DRESSES4 ,B /1 ,I DIDN'T LOOK L ,EMME-
L9E1 DID ,I8 ,MY FACE CD N D T PLACID
3C5TR,N4 ,X WD 2 SCREW$ UP 9 FRU/R,N4 ,I
WD 2 BIT+ MY LIP1 PU%+ MY HAIR ANGRILY
BACK OV] MY %\LD] & \ (! WAY1 HU6+ )
IMPATI;E4 ,I WD N 2 TRANQUIL L      #DBD
,EMMEL9E4 ,I WD BITE ! SEQU9S (F ) MY
TEE?4
  ,Y WON'T L1VE ME1 W Y8 ,I WANT$ 6SAY4
,2C ,I WON'T L1VE Y4 ,WE'LL /AY "H ="E4
,TGR4 ,:AT"E ,JOHN-!-DIG SAYS4
  8,:Y DON'T WE PLAY80
  ,%E 3T9U$ H] SIL5T "W Z ?\< %E _HN'T
HE>D ME4
  8,LET'S PLAY GETT+ M>RI$4 ,Y C 2 !
BRIDE4 ,G ON4 ,Y C WE> ''' ?40 ,I PULL$
A YELL[ PIECE ( GAUZY /UFF F ! PILE (
F9]Y 9 ! CORN]4 8,X'S L A VEIL1 LOOK40
,%E DIDN'T LOOK UP1 N EV5 :5 ,I TOSS$ X
OV] H] H1D4 ,%E J BRU%$ X \ ( H] EYES &
C>RI$ ON PICK+ AT H] SEQU94
  ,& S ,I TURN$ MY ATT5;N 6H] TR1SURE
BOX4 ,HE/]'S KEYS 7 / 9 "!1 / %9Y1 ?\<
,EMMEL9E _H1 S F> Z "O CD TELL1 =GOTT5
_! PREVI\S KEEP]4 ,"! 7 BITS & PIECES (
,ISABELLE'S JEWELRY1 ! COLOR$ WRAPP]S F
! SWEETS ,HE/] _H GIV5 H] "O "D1 AN
AL>M+ %>D ( GLASS F A BROK5 GRE5 BOTTLE1
A L5G? ( RI2ON )A GOLD $GE T US$ 6BE
M9E1 GIV5 6ME 0! ,MISSUS M YE>S AGO ?AN
,I CD REMEMB]4 ,"UN1? ALL ! O!R     #DBE
JUNK "! WD / 2 ! ?R1DS ( SILV] %E _H "W$
\ (! CURTA9S ! "D ,HE/] >RIV$4 ,& HALF-
HI45 2N ! JUM# ( RUBIES1 GLASS & JUNK1
"! 0 "S?+ T DIDN'T SEEM 62L;G4 ,"S?+
L1!R4 ,I PUT MY H1D ON "O SIDE 6GET A
BETT] VIEW4 ,AH6 ,T 0 :Y %E WANT$ X6
,GOLD LR+4 ,I-,A-,R4 ,:AT 0 ,I-,A-,R8
,OR :O 0 ,I-,A-,R8 ,TILT+ MY H1D ! O!R
WAY ,I CAU<T SI<T ( "S?+ ELSE4 ,A T9Y
LOCK4 ,&A T9Y KEY4 ,NO WOND] X 0 9 ,EM-
MEL9E'S TR1SURE BOX4 ,GOLD LRS .&A KEY4
,I %D ?9K X 0 H] PRIZE POSSES.N4 ,& SUD-
D5LY X /RUCK ME4 ,I-,A-,R6 ,DI>Y6
  ,I R1*$ \ A H&4
  ,QK Z A FLA%--H] LOOKS CD 2 DCVG--,EM-
MEL9E'S H& CAME D[N L A VISE ON MY WRI/
& /OPP$ ME F T\*+4 ,/ %E DIDN'T LOOK AT
ME4 ,%E MOV$ MY H& AWAY )A FIRM MOVE;T &
BR"\ ! LID D[N ON H] BOX4
  ,"! 7 :ITE PRESSURE M>KS ON MY WRI/ ":
%E _H HELD ME4
  8,I'M GO+ 6G AWAY10 ,I SD EXP]I;T,Y4
,MY VOICE DIDN'T S.D T]RIBLY 3V9C+4 8,I
AM4 ,& ,I'M GO+ 6L1VE Y "H4 ,I'M GO+ TO
GR[ UP & LIVE .ON .MY .[N40         #DBF
  ,!N1 FULL ( DIGNIFI$ SELF-P;Y1 ,I /OOD
UP & WALK$ \ (! ROOM4
  ,X WASN'T UNTIL ! 5D (! AFN T %E CAME
6F9D ME ON ! W9D[ S1T 9 ! LIBR>Y4 ,I _H
DRAWN ! CURTA9 6HIDE ME1 B %E CAME
/RAI<T 6! PLACE & PE]$ >.D4 ,I HE>D H]
APPROA*+ /EPS1 FELT ! CURTA9 MOVE :5 %E
LIFT$ X4 ,=EH1D PRESS$ AG/ ! GLASS1 ,I 0
WAT*+ ! DROPS ( RA9 AG/ ! W9D[PANE4 ,!
W9D 0 MAK+ !M %IV]2 !Y 7 3/ANTLY ?R1T5+
6SET (F ON "O ( _! ZIGZAG C\RSES ": !Y
SWALL[ UP E DROPLET 9 _! PA? & L1VE A
BRIEF SILV]Y TRAIL 2H4 ,%E CAME 6ME &
RE/$ H] H1D AG/ MY %\LD]4 ,I %RU7$ H] (F
ANGRILY4 ,WD N TURN & SP1K 6H]4 ,%E TOOK
MY H& & SLIPP$ "S?+ ONTO MY F+]4
  ,I WAIT$ = H] 6G 2F ,I LOOK$4 ,A R+4
,%E _H GIV5 ME A R+4
  ,I TWI/$ ! /"O 9W>D1 6! PALM SIDE ( MY
F+]1 & BR"\ X CLOSE 6! W9D[4 ,! LI<T
BR"\ ! /"O 6LIFE4 ,GRE51 L ! COLOR ( MY
EYES4 ,GRE51 L ! COLOR ( ,EMMEL9E'S
EYES4 ,%E _H GIV5 ME A R+4 ,I CLOS$ MY
F+]S 96MY PALM & MADE A TI<T FI/ )! /"O
AT XS HE>T4                         #DBG

  ,JOHN COLLECT$ BUCKETS ( RA9WAT] &
EMPTI$ !M2 HE PEEL$ VEGETA#S =! POT2 HE
W5T 6! F>M & RETURN$ ) MILK & BUTT]4 ,B
AF E TASK1 8 SL[LY GA!R$ 5]GY SEEM$ EX-
HAU/$1 & E "T ,I WOND]$ :E!R HE WD H !
/R5G? 6H1VE 8 L1N FRAME UP F ! TA# 6GET
ON )! NEXT ?+4
  8,% WE G 6! TOPI>Y G>D580 ,I ASK$ HM4
8,Y MI<T %[ ME :AT 6D "!40
  ,HE DIDN'T REPLY4 ,HE H>DLY HE>D ME1
,I ?9K4 ,=A FEW "DS ,I LEFT X1 !N ,I
ASK$ AG4 ,& AG4 ,& AG4
  ,EV5TU,Y HE W5T 6! %$1 ": HE %>P5$ !
PRUN+ %E>S ) 8 OLD SMOO? RHY?M4 ,!N WE
LIFT$ D[N ! L;G LA4]S & C>RI$ !M \-(-
DOORS4 8,L ?10 HE SD1 R1*+ 6%[ ME !
SAFETY CAT* ON ! LA4]4 ,HE EXT5D$ ! LA4]
AG/ ! SOLID G>D5 WALL4 ,I PRACTIC$ !
SAFETY CAT* A FEW "TS1 !N W5T UP A FEW
FEET & D[N AG4 8,X WON'T FEEL S SECURE
:5 X'S RE/+ AG/ YEW10 HE TOLD ME4 8,X'S
SAFE 5\<1 IF Y GET X "R4 ,Y H 6GET A
FEEL = X40
  ,& !N WE W5T 6! TOPI>Y G>D54      #DBH
,HE L$ ME 6A M$IUM-SIZE YEW %APE T _H
GR[N %A7Y4 ,I W5T 6RE/ ! LA4] AG/ X1 B
8,NO1 NO10 HE CRI$4 8,TOO IMPATI5T40
,?REE "TS HE WALK$ SL[LY >.D ! TREE4 ,!N
HE SAT D[N ON ! GR.D & LIT A CIG>ETTE4
,I SAT D[N & HE LIT "O = ME1 TOO4 8,N"E
CUT 96! SUN10 HE TOLD ME4 ,& 8,DON'T CUT
96YR [N %AD[40 ,HE DREW A FEW "TS ON 8
CIG>ETTE4 8,BE W>Y ( CL\DS4 ,DON'T LET
!M SKEW YR L9E :5 !Y BL[ AB4 ,F9D "S?+
P]MAN5T 9 YR L9E ( VI.N4 ,A RO( OR A
F;E4 ,T'S YR AN*OR4 ,& N"E 2 9 A HURRY4
,?REE "TS Z L;G 9 ! LOOK+ Z 9 ! CUTT+40
,HE N"E LIFT$ 8 EYE F ! TREE ALL ! "T HE
SPOKE1 & NEI DID ,I4 8,Y H 6H A FEEL+ =!
BACK (! TREE :ILE Y'RE TRIMM+ ! FRONT1 &
! O!R WAY >.D4 ,& DON'T J CUT )! %E>S4
,USE YR :OLE >M4 ,ALL ! WAY UP 6YR %\L-
D]40
  ,WE F9I%$ ! CIG>ETTES & /U2$ \ ! 5DS
"U ! TOES ( \R BOOTS4
  8,& H[ Y SEE X N[1 F A 4T.E1 KEEP T 9
YR H1D :5 Y'RE SEE+ X CLOSE UP40
  ,I 0 R1DY4
  ,?REE "TS HE LET ME RE/ ! LA4]    #DBI
AG/ ! TREE 2F HE 0 SATISFI$ X 0 SAFE4 ,&
!N ,I TOOK ! %E>S & W5T UP4
  ,I "W$ = ?REE H\RS4 ,AT F/ ,I 0 3SCI\S
(! HEI<T1 KEPT LOOK+ D[N1 _H 6=CE MYF 6G
"O M /EP UP ! LA4]4 ,& EA* "T ,I MOV$ !
LA4]1 X TOOK ME S"EAL GOES 6GET X SAFE4
,B GRADU,Y ! TASK TOOK ME OV]4 ,I H>DLY
KNEW H[ HI< ,I WAS1 S ABSORB$ 0 MY M9D 9
! %APE ,I 0 MAK+4 ,JOHN /OOD BY1 MO/LY
SIL5T4 ,ONCE 9 A :ILE HE MADE A -;T--
.,WAT* .YR .%AD[6 OR ..,?9K (! .BACK6--B
MO/LY HE J WAT*$ & SMOK$4 ,X 0 ONLY :5
,I CAME D[N F ! LA4] =! LA/ "T1 SLIPP$ !
SAFETY CAT* & TELESCOP$ X1 T ,I R1LIZ$
H[ SORE MY H&S 7 F ! WEI<T (! %E>S4 ,B
,I DIDN'T C>E4
  ,I /OOD WELL BACK 6/UDY MY "W4 ,I
WALK$ ?REE "TS >.D ! TREE4 ,MY HE>T
L1P$4 ,X 0 .GD4
  ,JOHN NO4$4 8,N BAD10 HE PRON\NC$4
8,Y'LL D40

  ,I W5T 6GET ! LA4] F ! %$ 6TRIM ! BIG
B[L] HAT1 &! LA4] 0 G"O4 ,! BOY ,I
DIDN'T L 0 9 ! KIT*5 G>D5 )!        #DCJ
RAKE4 ,I W5T UP 6HM1 SC[L+4 8,":'S !
LA4]80 ,X 0 ! F/ "T ,I _H SPOK5 6HM4
  ,HE IGNOR$ MY BRUSQUE;S & ANSW]$ ME
POLITELY4 8,MR4 ,DIG;E TOOK X4 ,HE'S >.D
! FRONT1 FIX+ ! RO(40
  ,I HELP$ MYF 6"O (! CIG>ETTES ,JOHN _H
LEFT 9 ! %$1 & SMOK$ X1 S5D+ M1N LOOKS
6! BOY1 :O EY$ X 5VI\SLY4 ,!N ,I %>P5$ !
PRUN+ %E>S4 ,!N1 LIK+ ! %>P5+1 ,I %>P5$
! G>D5 KNIFE1 TAK+ MY "T1 DO+ X WELL4
,ALL ! "T1 2H ! RHY?M (! /"O AG/ !
BLADE1 0 ! RHY?M (! BOY'S RAKE OV] !
SOIL4 ,!N ,I LOOK$ AT ! SUN & ?"\ X 0
GETT+ LATE 6BE />T+ ON ! L>GE B[L] HAT4
.,!N ,I W5T 6F9D ,JOHN4
  ,! LA4] 0 LY+ ON ! GR.D4 ,XS TWO SEC-
;NS MADE A CRAZY CLOCK-H&S ANGLE2 !
METAL *ANNEL T 0 SUPPOS$ 6HOLD !M AT A
3/ANT SIX O'C _H BE5 WR5*$ F ! WOOD1 &
GRT SPL9T]S PROTRUD$ F ! GA% 9 ! SIDE
RAIL4 ,2S ! LA4] LAY ,JOHN4 ,HE DID N
MOVE :5 ,I T\*$ 8 %\LD]1 B HE 0 W>M Z !
SUN T T\*$ 8 SPLAY$ LIMBS & 8 BLOODI$
HAIR4 ,HE 0 />+ /RAI<T UP 96! CLE> BLUE
SKY1 B ! BLUE ( 8 EYES 0 /RANGELY   #DCA
OV]CA/4
  ,! S5SI# GIRL DES]T$ ME4 ,ALL (A SU45
,I 0 ONLY MYF1 J A /UPID *1 ALM NO?+ AT
ALL4
  8,:AT % ,I D80 ,I :ISP]$4
  8,:AT % ,I .D80 ,MY VOICE F"R5$ ME4
  ,/RET*$ \ ON ! GR.D1 ) ,JOHN'S H&
CLUT*$ 9 M9E & %>DS ( GRAVEL DI7+ 96MY
TEMPLE1 ,I WAT*$ "T PASS4 ,! %AD[ (! LI-
BR>Y BAY SPR1D ACR ! GRAVEL & R1*$ ! F>-
!/ RUNGS (! LA4]4 ,RUNG AF RUNG X CREPT
UP ! LA4] T[>D U4 ,X R1*$ ! SAFETY CAT*4
  .,! .SAFETY .CAT*4 ,:Y _H ,JOHN N
*ECK$ ! SAFETY CAT*8 ,SURELY HE WD H
*ECK$ X8 ,( C\RSE HE WD4 ,B IF HE .DID
*ECK X1 !N H[ ''' :Y '''8
  ,X DIDN'T BE> ?9K+ AB4
  ,RUNG1 AF RUNG1 AF RUNG1 ! %AD[ (! BAY
CREPT NE>] & NE>]4 ,X R1*$ ,JOHN'S WOR/$
TR\S]S1 !N 8 GRE5 %IRT1 !N 8 HAIR--H[ ?9
8 HAIR _H GR[N6 ,:Y _H ,I N TAK5 BETT]
C>E ( HM8
  ,X DIDN'T BE> ?9K+ AB4 ,YET H[ N 6?9K8
,:ILE ,I 0 NOTIC+ ! :ITE;S ( ,JOHN'S
HAIR1 ,I NOTIC$1 TOO1 ! DEEP        #DCB
GROOVES CUT 96! E>? 0! FEET (! LA4] Z X
LUR*$ AWAY F "U HM4 ,NO O!R SIGNS4
,GRAVEL IS N S& OR SN[ OR EV5 NEWLY DUG
E>?4 ,X DOES N HOLD A FOOTPR9T4 ,NO
TRACE 6%[ H[ "S"O MI<T H -E1 H[ !Y MI<T
H LOIT]$ AT ! BASE (! LA4]1 H[1 :5 !Y _H
F9I%$ :AT !Y CAME =1 !Y CALMLY WALK$
AWAY4 ,= ALL ! GRAVEL CD TELL ME1 X MI<T
H BE5 A <O/4
  ,"EY?+ 0 COLD4 ,! GRAVEL1 ,JOHN'S H&1
MY HE>T4
  ,I /OOD UP & LEFT ,JOHN )\T LOOK+
BACK4 ,I W5T >.D ! H\SE 6! KIT*5 G>D54
,! BOY 0 / "!2 HE 0 PUTT+ ! RAKE &!
BROOM AWAY4 ,HE /OPP$ :5 HE SAW ME AP-
PROA*1 />$ AT ME4 ,& !N1 :5 ,I /OPP$--
..,DON'T FA9T6 ,DON'T .FA9T6 ,I TOLD MYF
--HE CAME RUNN+ =W>D 6CAT* ME4 ,I WAT*$
HM Z ?\< F A L;G1 L;G WAY AWAY4 ,& ,I
DIDN'T FA9T4 ,N Q4 ,9/1D1 :5 HE CAME
CLOSE1 ,I FELT A VOICE RISE UP 9SIDE
MYF1 ^WS T ,I DIDN'T *OOSE 6SAY1 B : =C$
_! WAY \ ( MY /RANGL$ ?ROAT4 8,:Y
DOESN'T ANYBODY .HELP ME80
  ,HE GRASP$ ME "U MY >MS2 ,I       #DCC
SLUMP$ AG/ HM2 HE HELP$ ME G5TLY D[N 6!
GRASS4 8,I'LL HELP Y10 HE SD4 8,I W40

  ,)! D1? ( ,JOHN-!-DIG / FRE% 9 MY M9D1
! VI.N ( ,MISS ,W9T]'S FACE1 2REFT1 /
DOM9AT+ MY MEMORY1 ,I B>ELY NOTIC$ ! LR
T 0 WAIT+ = ME 9 MY ROOM4
  ,I DIDN'T OP5 X UNTIL ,I _H F9I%$ MY
TRANSCRIP;N1 & :5 ,I DID1 "! WASN'T M*
6X4

,DE> ,MISS ,LEA1
  ,AF ALL ! ASSI/.E YR "F HAS GIV5 ME
OV] ! YE>S1 MAY ,I SAY H[ GLAD ,I AM 6BE
A# 9 "S SMALL WAY 6RETURN ! FAVOR 6HIS
DAU<T]4
  ,MY 9ITIAL RESE>*ES 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,K+DOM
H REV1L$ NO 9DIC,N (! ":ABS ( ,MISS
,HE/] ,B>R[ AF H] P]IOD ( EMPLOY;T AT
,ANGELFIELD4 ,I H F.D A C]TA9 NUMB] (
DOCU;TS RELAT+ 6H] LIFE 2F T P]IOD1 & ,I
AM -PIL+ A REPORT T Y %D H )9 A FEW
WEEKS4
  ,MY RESE>*ES >E 0NO M1NS AT AN 5D4 ,I
H N YET EXHAU/$ MY 9VE/IG,N (!      #DCD
,ITALIAN 3NEC;N1 & X IS M ?AN LIKELY T
"S DETAIL >IS+ F ! E>LY YE>S W ?R[ UP A
NEW L9E ( 9QUIRY4
  ,D N DESPAIR6 ,IF YR GOV];S C 2 F.D1
,I W F9D H]4
    ,YRS S9C]ELY1
    ,EMMANUEL ,DRAKE

  ,I PUT ! LR AWAY 9 A DRAW]1 !N PULL$
ON MY COAT & GLOVES4
  8,-E ON1 !N10 ,I SD 6,%AD[4
  ,HE FOLL[$ ME D[N/AIRS & \TDOORS1 & WE
TOOK ! PA? AL;G ! SIDE (! H\SE4 ,"H & "!
A %RUB GR[N AG/ ! WALL CAUS$ ! PA? TO
DRIFT2 IMP]CEPTIBLY X L$ AWAY F ! WALL1
AWAY F ! H\SE1 6! MAZELIKE 5TICE;TS (!
G>D54 ,I RESI/$ XS EASY CURVE & 3T9U$
/RAI<T ON4 ,KEEP+ ! H\SE WALL ALW ON MY
LEFT M1NT SQUEEZ+ 2H AN "E-WID5+ ?ICKET
( D5SELY GR[N1 MATURE %RUBS4 ,_! GN>L$
/EMS CAU<T MY ANKLES2 ,I _H 6WRAP MY
SC>F >.D MY FACE 6AVOID 2+ SCRAT*$4 ,!
CAT A3OMPANI$ ME S F>1 !N /OPP$1 OV]-
:ELM$ 0! ?ICK;S (! "UGR[?4
  ,I KEPT GO+4 ,& ,I F.D :AT ,I 0   #DCE
LOOK+ =4 ,A W9D[1 ALM OV]GR[N ) IVY1 &)
S* A D5SE;S ( "EGRE5 L1F 2T X &! G>D5 T
! GLIMM] ( LI<T ESCAP+ F X WD N"E 2 NO-
TIC$4
  ,DIRECTLY 9SIDE ! W9D[1 ,MISS ,W9T]'S
SI/] SAT AT A TA#4 ,OPPOSITE H] 0 ,JU-
DI?4 ,%E 0 SPOON+ M\?;LS ( S\P 2T ! 9VA-
LID'S RAW1 PAT*$ LIPS4 ,SU45LY1 MIDWAY
2T B[L & M\?1 ,JUDI? PAUS$ & LOOK$ DI-
RECTLY T[>D ME4 ,%E CDN'T SEE ME2 "! 0
TOO M* IVY4 ,%E M/ H FELT ! T\* ( MY
GAZE4 ,AF A MO;T'S PAUSE1 %E TURN$ BACK
6H] TASK & C>RI$ ON4 ,B N 2F ,I _H NO-
TIC$ "S?+ /RANGE AB ! SPOON4 ,X 0 A SIL-
V] SPOON ) AN EL;GAT$ ;,A 9 ! =M (A /YL-
IZ$ ANGEL ORNA;T+ ! H&LE4
  ,I _H SE5 A SPOON L T 2F4 ;,A4 ,ANGEL4
,ANGELFIELD4 ,EMMEL9E _H A SPOON L T1 &
S DID ,AURELIUS4

  ,KEEP+ FLAT 6! WALL1 &)! BRAN*ES TAN-
GL+ 9 MY HAIR1 ,I WRI7L$ BACK \ (! %RUB-
B]Y4 ,! CAT WAT*$ ME Z ,I BRU%$ ! BITS (
BROK5 TWIG & D1D L1VES F MY SLEEVES &
%\LD]S4                             #DCF
  8,9SIDE80 ,I SU7E/$1 & HE 0 M ?AN HAP-
PY 63CUR4
  ,MR4 ,DRAKE _HN'T BE5 A# 6TRACE ,HE/]
= ME4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,I _H F.D ,EMMEL9E4




















         ,,! ,,ET]NAL ,,TWILI<T     #DCG

  ,9 MY /UDY ,I TRANSCRIB$2 9 ! G>D5 ,I
W&]$2 9 MY B$ROOM ,I /ROK$ ! CAT & HELD
(F MY NI<TM>ES 0/AY+ AWAKE4 ,! MOONLIT
NI<T :5 ,I _H SE5 ,EMMEL9E APPE> 9 ! G>-
D5 SEEM$ L A DR1M 6ME N[1 =! SKY _H
CLOS$ 9 AG1 & WE 7 IMM]S$ ONCE M 9 ! 5D-
.S TWILI<T4
  ,)! D1?S (! ,MISSUS & N[ ,JOHN-!-DIG1
AN A4I;NAL *ILL CREPT 96,MISS ,W9T]'S
/ORY4 ,0 X ,EMMEL9E--T AL>M+ FIGURE 9 !
G>D5--:O _H TAMP]$ )! LA4]8 ,I CD ONLY
WAIT & LET ! /ORY REV1L XF4 ,M1N:ILE1 )
,DECEMB] WAX+1 ! %AD[ HOV]+ AT MY W9D[
GREW ALW M 9T5SE4 ,H] CLOSE;S REPELL$
ME1 H] 4T.E BROKE MY HE>T1 E SI<T ( H]
EVOK$ 9 ME ! FAMILI> -B9,N ( FE> & L;G+4
  ,I GOT 6! LIBR>Y 9 ADV.E ( ,MISS ,W9T]
--MORN+ OR AFN OR EV5+1 ,I DON'T "K1 !Y
7 ALL ! SAME 0N[--& /OOD 0! W9D[ 6WAIT4
,MY PALE SI/] PRESS$ H] F+]S 6M9E1
TRAPP$ ME 9 H] IMPLOR+ GAZE1 MI/$ !
GLASS ) H] COOL BR1?4 ,I ONLY _H 6BR1K !
GLASS1 & ,I CD JO9 H]4
  8,:AT"E >E Y LOOK+ AT80 CAME      #DCH
,MISS ,W9T]'S VOICE 2H ME4
  ,SL[LY ,I TURN$4
  8,SIT D[N10 %E B>K$ AT ME4 ,!N1 8,JU-
DI?1 PUT ANO!R LOG ON ! FIRE1 WD Y1 & !N
BR+ ? GIRL "S?+ 6EAT40
  ,I SAT D[N4
  ,JUDI? BR"\ COCOA & TOA/4
  ,MISS ,W9T] 3T9U$ H] /ORY :ILE ,I
SIPP$ AT ! HOT COCOA4

  8,I'LL HELP Y10 HE SD4 ,B :AT CD HE D8
,HE 0 J A BOY4
  ,I GOT HM \ (! WAY4 ,I S5T HM 6FET*
,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY1 & :ILE HE 0 G"O ,I MADE
/R;G1 SWEET TEA & DRANK A POT;L4 ,I ?"\
H>D ?"\S & ,I ?"\ !M QKLY4 ,0! "T ,I 0
AT ! DREGS1 ! PRICK ( TE>S _H Q RETR1T$
F MY EYES4 ,X 0 "T = AC;N4
  ,0! "T ! BOY RETURN$ )! DOCTOR1 ,I 0
R1DY4 ,! MO;T ,I HE>D _! /EPS APPROA*+ !
H\SE1 ,I TURN$ ! CORN] 6MEET !M4
  8,EMMEL9E1 POOR *60 ! DOCTOR EXCLAIM$
Z HE CAME NE>1 H& \T/RET*$ 9 A SYMPA!TIC
GE/URE1 Z ?\< 6EMBRACE ME4
  ,I TOOK A /EP BACK1 & HE HALT$4   #DCI
8,EMMEL9E80 ,9 8 EYES1 UNC]TA9TY FL>$4
,ADEL9E8 ,X 0 N POSSI#4 ,X CD N BE4 ,!
"N DI$ ON 8 LIPS4 8,=GIVE ME10 HE /AM-
M]$4 ,B / HE DID N "K4
  ,I DID N HELP HM \ ( 8 3FU.N4 ,9/1D ,I
CRI$4
  ,N R1L TE>S4 ,MY R1L TE>S--& ,I _H
PL5TY ( !M1 2LIEVE ME--W]E ALL /OR$ UP4
,"S"T1 TN OR TM OR "S"T SOON1 ,I DID N
EXACTLY "K :51 ,I WD 2 AL"O & ,I WD CRY
= H\RS4 ,= ,JOHN4 ,= ME4 ,I WD CRY \
L\D1 %RIEK+ MY TE>S1 ! WAY ,I US$ 6CRY Z
A LL GIRL :5 ONLY ,JOHN CD SOO! ME1
/ROK+ MY HAIR ) H&S T SMELL$ ( TOBA3O &
! G>D54 ,HOT1 UGLY TE>S !Y WD BE1 & :5 !
5D CAME--IF X CAME--MY EYES WD 2 S PU6$
UP ,I WD H ONLY R$-RIMM$ SLITS 6SEE \ (4
  ,B ^? 7 PRIVATE TE>S1 & N = ? MAN4 ,!
TE>S ,I GRATIFI$ HM ) 7 FAKE "OS4 ,"OS
6SET (F MY GRE5 EYES ! WAY DIAMONDS SET
(F EM]ALDS4 ,& X "W$4 ,IF Y DAZZLE A MAN
) GRE5 EYES1 HE W 2 S HYPNOTIZ$ T HE
WON'T NOTICE "! IS "S"O 9SIDE ! EYES
SPY+ ON HM4
  8,I'M AFRAID "!'S NO?+ ,I C D =   #DDJ
,MR4 ,DIG;E10 HE SD1 RIS+ F 2S ! BODY4
  ,X 0 ODD 6HE> ,JOHN'S R1L "N4
  8,H["E DID X HAPP580 ,HE LOOK$ UP AT !
BALU/RADE ": ,JOHN _H BE5 "W+1 !N B5T
OV] ! LA4]4 8,DID ! SAFETY CAT* FAIL80
  ,I CD LOOK AT ! CORPSE )\T EMO;N1 ALM4
8,MI<T HE H SLIPP$80 ,I WOND]$ AL\D4
8,DID HE GRAB AT ! LA4] Z HE FELL & BR+
X D[N AF HM80
  8,NO "O SAW HM FALL80
  8,\R ROOMS >E AT ! O!R SIDE (! H\SE1 &
! BOY 0 9 ! VEGETA# G>D540 ,! BOY /OOD
SLI<TLY A"P F U1 LOOK+ AWAY F ! BODY4
  8,HMM4 ,"! IS NO FAMILY1 ,I SEEM 6RE-
MEMB]40
  8,HE ALW LIV$ Q AL"O40
  8,I SEE4 ,& ": IS YR UNCLE8 ,:Y IS HE
N "H 6MEET ME80
  ,I _H NO IDEA :AT ,JOHN _H TOLD ! BOY
AB \R SITU,N4 ,I _H 6PLAY X 0E>4
  ,)A SOB 6MY VOICE1 ,I TOLD ! DOCTOR T
MY UNCLE _H G"O AWAY4
  8,AWAY60 ,! DOCTOR FR[N$4
  ,! BOY DID N REACT4 ,NO?+ 6SURPRISE HM
S F>1 !N4 ,HE /OOD LOOK+ AT 8       #DDA
FEET S Z N 6LOOK AT ! CORPSE1 & ,I _H "T
6?9K HM A SISSY 2F GO+ ON 6SAY1 8,MY UN-
CLE WON'T 2 BACK =A FEW "DS40
  8,H[ _M "DS80
  8,OH6 ,N[1 :5 0 X EXACTLY HE W5T AWAY
'''80 ,I FR[N$ & MADE A LL PRET5SE (
C.T+ BACK ! "DS4 ,!N1 ALL[+ MY EYES 6RE/
ON ! CORPSE1 ,I LET MY KNEES QUIV]4
  ,! DOCTOR &! BOY BO? L1P$ 6MY SIDE1
TAK+ AN ELB[ EA*4
  8,ALL "R4 ,LAT]1 MY DE>1 LAT]40
  ,I P]MITT$ !M 6L1D ME >.D ! H\SE T[>D
! KIT*5 DOOR4
  8,I DON'T "K EXACTLY :AT 6D60 ,I SD Z
WE R.D$ ! CORN]4
  8,AB :AT1 EXACTLY80
  8,! FUN]AL40
  8,Y DON'T NE$ 6D ANY?+4 ,I W >RANGE !
"UTAK]S1 &! VIC> W TAKE C>E (! RE/40
  8,B :AT AB ! M"OY80
  8,YR UNCLE W SETTLE T :5 HE RETURNS4
,": IS HE1 0! WAY80
  8,B :AT IF HE %D 2 DELAY$80
  8,Y ?9K X LIKELY HE W 2 DELAY$80
  8,HE'S AN ''' UNPREDICTA# MAN40   #DDB
  8,9DE$40 ,! BOY OP5$ ! KIT*5 DOOR1 &!
DOCTOR GUID$ ME 9 & PULL$ \ A *AIR4 ,I
COLLAPS$ 96X4
  8,! SOLICITOR W SORT \ ANY?+ T NE$S
DO+1 IF X -ES 6X4 ,N[1 ": IS YR SI/]8
,DOES %E "K :AT'S HAPP5$80
  ,I DIDN'T BAT AN EYELID4 8,%E IS
SLEEP+40
  8,J Z WELL4 ,LET H] SLEEP1 P]H1 EH80
  ,I NO4$4
  8,N[1 :O C LOOK AF Y :ILE Y'RE ON YR
[N "H1 !N80
  8,LOOK AF U80
  8,Y C H>DLY /AY "H ON YR [N '''4 ,N AF
?4 ,X 0 RA% ( YR UNCLE 6L1VE Y 9 ! F/
PLACE S SOON AF LOS+ YR H\SEKEEP] & )\T
F9D+ A REPLACE;T4 ,"S"O M/ -E40
  8,IS X RE,Y NEC80 ,I 0 ALL TE>S & GRE5
EYES2 ,EMMEL9E WASN'T ! ONLY "O :O KNEW
H[ 6BE WOMANLY4
  8,WELL1 SURELY Y--0
  8,X'S J T ! LA/ "T "S"O CAME 6TAKE C>E
( U-- ,Y D REMEMB] \R GOV];S1 DON'T Y80
,& ,I FLA%$ HM A LOOK S M1N & S QK HE CD
H>DLY 2LIEVE HE'D SE5 X4 ,HE _H !   #DDC
GRACE 6BLU% & LOOK$ AWAY4 ,:5 HE LOOK$
BACK1 ,I 0 NO?+ B EM]ALDS & DIAMONDS AG4
  ,! BOY CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT4 8,MY GR&"M CD -E
& LOOK IN1 SIR4 ,N 6/AY L1 B %E CD -E E
"D1 J =A BIT40
  ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY1 4CONC]T$1 3SID]$4 ,X 0
A WAY \1 & HE 0 LOOK+ =A WAY \4
  8,WELL1 ,AMBROSE1 ,I ?9K T WD 2 ! ID1L
>RANGE;T4 ,9 ! %ORT T]M1 AT L1/4 ,& NO
D\BT YR UNCLE W 2 BACK 9 A V FEW "DS1 9
: CASE "! W 2 NO NE$1 Z Y SAY1 TO1 ]1
TO--0
  8,9DE$40 ,I ROSE SMOO?LY F MY *AIR4
8,S IF Y W SEE 6! "UTAK]S1 ,I W SEE !
VIC>40 ,I HELD \ MY H&4 8,?ANK Y = -+ S
QKLY40
  ,! MAN _H LO/ 8 FOOT+ 5TIRELY4 ,HE
ROSE 6HIS FEET AT MY PROMPT1 & ,I FELT !
BRIEF T\* ( 8 F+]S 9 M9E4 ,!Y 7 SW1TY4
  ,ONCE AG HE SE>*$ 9 MY FACE = MY "N4
,ADEL9E OR ,EMMEL9E8 ,EMMEL9E OR ,ADE-
L9E8 ,HE TOOK ! ONLY WAY \4 8,I'M SORRY
AB ,MR4 ,DIG;E4 ,TRULY ,I AM1 ,MISS
,M>*40
  8,?ANK Y1 ,DOCTOR40 ,& ,I HID     #DDD
MY SMILE 2H A VEIL ( TE>S4
  ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY NO4$ AT ! BOY ON 8 WAY
\ & CLOS$ ! DOOR 2H HM4
  ,N[ =! BOY HMF4
  ,I WAIT$ =! DOCTOR 6GET AWAY1 !N OP5$
! DOOR & 9VIT$ ! BOY 6G "? X4 8,0! WAY10
,I SD Z HE R1*$ ! ?RE%OLD1 9 A VOICE T
%[$ ,I 0 MI/RESS (! H\SE1 8"!'S NO NE$ =
YR GR&"M 6-E IN40
  ,HE GAVE ME A CURI\S LOOK4 ,"H 0 "O :O
SAW ! GRE5 EYES &! GIRL 9SIDE !M4
  8,J Z WELL10 HE SD )A CASUAL T\* 6!
BRIM ( 8 CAP1 8S9CE ,I HAV5'T GOT A GR&-
"M40

  8,I'LL HELP Y10 HE _H SD1 B HE 0 ONLY
A BOY4 ,HE DID "K H[ 6DRIVE A C>1 ?\<4
  ,! NEXT "D HE DROVE U 6! SOLICITOR 9
,BANBURY1 ,I 2S HM & ,EMMEL9E 2H4 ,AF A
QU>T] ( AN H\R WAIT+ "U ! EYE (A RECEP-
;NI/1 WE 7 F9,Y ASK$ 96,MR4 ,LOMAX'S (-
FICE4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,EMMEL9E & HE LOOK$
AT ME & HE SD1 8,NO NE$ 6ASK :O Y TWO
>E40
  8,WE'RE 9 "S?+ (A QU&>Y10 ,I      #DDE
EXPLA9$4 8,MY UNCLE IS ABS5T1 & \R G>D5]
HAS DI$4 ,X 0 AN A3ID5T4 ,A TRAGIC A3I-
D5T4 ,S9CE HE HAS NO FAMILY & HAS "W$ =
U ="E1 ,I D FEEL ! FAMILY %D PAY =! FU-
N]AL1 ONLY WE >E A LL %ORT '''0
  ,8 EYES VE]$ F ME 6,EMMEL9E & BACK AG4
  8,PL1SE EXCUSE MY SI/]4 ,%E IS N Q
WELL40 ,EMMEL9E DID 9DE$ LOOK ODD4 ,I _H
LET H] DRESS 9 H] \TMOD$ F9]Y1 & H] EYES
7 TOO FULL ( B1UTY 6L1VE ROOM = ANY?+ S
MUNDANE Z 9TELLIG;E4
  8,YES10 SD ,MR4 ,LOMAX1 & HE L[]$ 8
VOICE A SYMPA!TIC HALFT"O4 8,I _H HE>D
"S?+ 6T E6ECT40
  ,RESPOND+ 6HIS K9D;S1 ,I L1N$ OV] !
DESK & 3FID$1 8,&( C\RSE1 ) MY UNCLE--
WELL1 Y'VE _H D1L+S ) HM1 S Y'LL "K1
WON'T Y8 ,?+S >E N ALW T]RIBLY EASY "!1
EI40 ,I (F]$ HM MY MO/ TRANSP>5T />E4
8,IN FACT1 X'S A R1L TR1T 6TALK 6"S"O
S5SI# =A *ANGE60
  ,HE TURN$ ! RUMORS HE _H HE>D OV] 9 8
M9D4 ,"O (! TW9S 0 N Q "R1 !Y SD4 ,WELL1
HE 3CLUD$1 CLE>LY NO FLIES ON ! O!R "O4
  8,! PL1SURE IS 5TIRELY MUTUAL1    #DDF
,MISS1 ]1 =GIVE ME1 B :AT 0 YR "F'S "N
AG80
  8,! "N Y >E AF IS ,M>*4 ,B WE H 2COME
US$ 62+ "KN 0\R "M'S "N4 ,! ,ANGELFIELD
TW9S1 !Y CALL U 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,NO "O RE-
MEMB]S ,MR4 ,M>*1 ESPECI,Y U4 ,WE N"E _H
! *.E 6MEET HM1 Y SEE4 ,& WE H NO D1L+S
AT ALL ) 8 FAMILY4 ,I H (T5 ?"\ X WD 2
BETT] 6*ANGE \R "NS =M,Y4
  8,C 2 D"O4 ,:Y N8 ,SIMPLE MATT]1 R1L-
LY40
  8,B T'S = ANO!R "D4 ,TD'S BUSI;S '''0
  8,( C\RSE4 ,N[ LET ME PUT YR M9D AT
RE/ AB ? FUN]AL4 ,Y DON'T "K :5 YR UNCLE
W 2 BACK1 ,I TAKE X80
  8,X MAY 2 Q "S "T10 ,I SD1 : 0 N EX-
ACTLY A LIE4
  8,X DOESN'T MATT]4 ,EI HE W 2 BACK 9
"T 6SETTLE ! EXP5SES HMF1 OR IF HE IS N1
!N ,I W SETTLE X ON 8 2HALF & SORT ?+S \
:5 HE -ES HOME40
  ,I TURN$ MY FACE 96! PICTURE ( RELIEF
HE 0 LOOK+ =1 & :ILE HE 0 / W>M )! PL1S-
URE ( HAV+ BE5 A# 6TAKE ! LOAD (F MY
M9D1 ,I PLI$ HM )A DOZ5 "QS AB      #DDG
:AT WD HAPP5 IF A GIRL L ME1 HAV+ ! RE-
SPONSIBIL;Y (A SI/] L M9E1 %D H ! MIS=-
TUNE ( MISLAY+ H] GU>DIAN = GD4 ,9 A FEW
^WS HE EXPLA9$ ! :OLE SITU,N 6ME1 & ,I
SAW CLE>LY ! /EPS ,I WD H 6TAKE & H[
SOON ,I WD NE$ 6TAKE !M4 8,N T ANY ( ?
APPLIES 6Y1 9 YR POSI;N60 HE 3CLUD$1 Z
IF HE _H Q RUN AWAY ) HMF 9 PA9T+ ?
AL>M+ SC5>IO & WI%$ HE CD TAKE BACK ?REE
QU>T]S ( :AT HE _H SD4 8,AF ALL1 YR UN-
CLE W 2 BACK ) Y 9 A FEW %ORT "DS40
  8,GOD WILL+60 ,I B1M$ AT HM4
  ,WE 7 AT ! DOOR :5 ,MR4 ,LOMAX REMEM-
B]$ ! ESS5TIAL ?+4
  8,9CID5T,Y1 ,I DON'T SUPPOSE HE LEFT
AN A4RESS80
  8,Y "K MY UNCLE60
  8,I ?"\ Z M*4 ,Y D "K APPROXIMATELY ":
HE IS1 ?\<80
  ,I LIK$ ,MR4 ,LOMAX1 B X DIDN'T /OP ME
LY+ 6HM :5 ,I _H TO4 ,LY+ 0 SECOND NA-
TURE 6A GIRL L ME4
  8,YES ''' T IS1 NO40
  ,HE GAVE ME A S]I\S LOOK4 8,2C IF Y
DON'T "K ": HE IS '''0 ,8 M9D RE-   #DDH
TURN$ 6ALL ! LEGALITIES HE _H J ENUM]AT$
= ME4
  8,WELL1 ,I C TELL Y ": HE .SD HE 0 GO-
+40
  ,MR4 ,LOMAX LOOK$ AT ME1 EYEBR[S
RAIS$4
  8,HE .SD HE 0 GO+ 6,P]U40
  ,MR4 ,LOMAX'S R.D$ EYES BULG$1 & 8 M\?
DROPP$ OP54
  8,B ( C\RSE1 WE BO? "K T'S RIDICUL\S1
DON'T WE80 ,I F9I%$4 8,HE C'T POSSIBLY 2
9 ,P]U1 C HE80
  ,&) MY MO/ REASSUR$1 MO/ PLUCKILY CA-
PA# SMILE1 ,I CLOS$ ! DOOR 2H ME1 L1V+
,MR4 ,LOMAX 6WORRY ON MY 2HALF4

  ,! "D (! FUN]AL CAME & / ,I _HN'T _H A
*.E 6CRY4 ,E "D "! _H BE5 "S?+4 ,F/ !
VIC>1 !N VILLAG]S >RIV+ W>ILY AT ! DOOR1
WANT+ 6"K AB WR1?S & FL[]S2 EV5 ,MRS4
,MAUDSLEY CAME1 POLITE B COLD1 Z ?\< ,I
7 "SH[ TA9T$ ) ,HE/]'S CRIME4 8,MRS4
,PROCTOR1 ! BOY'S GR&"M1 HAS BE5 A M>-
VEL10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,D ?ANK YR HUSB& =
SU7E/+ X40                          #DDI
  ,"? X ALL ,I SUSPECT$ T ! ,PROCTOR BOY
0 KEEP+ AN EYE ON ME1 ?\< ,I CD N"E Q
CAT* HM AT X4
  ,JOHN'S FUN]AL WASN'T ! PLACE 6CRY1
EI4 ,X 0 ! V LA/ PLACE4 ,= ,I 0 ,MISS
,ANGELFIELD1 & :O 0 HE8 ,ONLY ! G>D5]4
  ,AT ! 5D (! S]VICE1 :ILE ! VIC> 0
SP1K+ K9DLY1 USE.SLY1 6,EMMEL9E--,WD %E
L 6ATT5D *UR* M FREQU5TLY8 ,GOD'S LOVE 0
A B.S+ 6ALL 8 CR1TURES--,I LI/5$ 6,MR4
,LOMAX & ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY1 :O ?"\ !MVS \ (
E>%OT 2H MY BACK4
  8,A -PET5T GIRL10 ,! SOLICITOR SD 6!
DOCTOR4 8,I DON'T ?9K %E Q R1LIZES !
GRAV;Y (! SITU,N2 Y R1LIZE NO "O "KS ":
! UNCLE IS8 ,B :5 %E DOES1 ,I'VE NO D\BT
%E'LL COPE4 ,I'VE PUT ?+S 9 TRA9 6SORT \
! M"OY SIDE ( ?+S4 ,%E 0 WORRI$ AB PAY+
=! G>D5]'S FUN]AL1 ( ALL ?+S4 ,A K9D
HE>T 6G )! WISE H1D ON H] %\LD]S40
  8,YES10 SD ! DOCTOR W1KLY4
  8,I 0 ALW "U ! IMPRES.N--DON'T "K ": X
CAME F1 M9D Y--T ! TWO ( !M 7 ''' N Q
"R4 ,B N[ ,I'VE MET !M X'S PLA9 Z "D T
X'S ONLY ! "O ( !M A6LICT$4 ,A      #DEJ
M]CY4 ,( C\RSE1 Y'LL H "KN H[ X 0 ALL
AL;G1 2+ _! DOCTOR40
  ,! DOCTOR MURMUR$ "S?+ ,I DID N HE>4
  8,:AT'S T80 ! SOLICITOR ASK$4 8,MI/1
DID Y SAY80
  ,"! 0 NO ANSW]1 !N ! SOLICITOR ASK$
ANO!R "Q4 8,: "O IS :1 ?\<8 ,I N"E DID
F9D \ :5 !Y CAME 6SEE ME4 ,:AT IS ! "N (
! "O :O IS S5SI#80
  ,I TURN$ J 5 6BE A# 6SEE !M \ (! CORN]
( MY EYE4 ,! DOCTOR 0 LOOK+ AT ME )!
SAME EXPRES.N HE _H _H 9 8 EYES DUR+ !
:OLE S]VICE4 ,": 0 ! DULL-M9D$ * HE _H
KEPT 9 8 H\SE = S"EAL MON?S8 ,! GIRL :O
CD N LIFT A SPOON 6H] LIPS OR SP1K A ^W
( ,5GLI%1 LET AL"O GIVE 9/RUC;NS =A FU-
N]AL & ASK 9TELLIG5T "QS (A SOLICITOR4
,I "U/OOD ! S\RCE ( 8 BA6LE;T4
  ,8 EYES FLICK]$ F ME 6,EMMEL9E1 F ,EM-
MEL9E 6ME4
  8,I ?9K X'S ,ADEL9E40 ,I SAW 8 LIPS =M
! "N1 & ,I SMIL$ Z ALL 8 M$ICAL !ORIES &
EXP]I;TS CAME TUMBL+ D[N AB 8 FEET4
  ,CAT*+ 8 EYE1 ,I RAIS$ MY H& 6! PAIR (
!M4 ,A GRACI\S GE/URE ( ?ANKS 6!M   #DEA
= -+ 6! FUN]AL (A MAN !Y H>DLY KNEW 9
ORD] 6BE ( S]VICE 6ME4 ,T'S :AT ! SOLIC-
ITOR TOOK X =4 ,! DOCTOR MAY H TAK5 X R
DI6]5TLY4

  ,LAT]4 ,_M H\RS LAT]4
  ,! FUN]AL OV]1 AT LA/ ,I CD CRY4
  ,EXCEPT T ,I CDN'T4 ,MY TE>S1 KEPT 9
TOO L;G1 _H FOSSILIZ$4
  ,!Y WD H 6/AY 9 ="E N[4














                                    #DEB
























           ,,FOSSILIZ$ ,,TE>S       #DEC

  8,EXCUSE ME '''0 ,JUDI? 2GAN1 & /OPP$4
,%E PRESS$ H] LIPS TI<T1 !N ) AN UN"*IS-
TIC FLUTT] (! H&S1 8,! DOCTOR IS ALR \
ON A CALL--HE WON'T 2 "H = AN H\R4
,PL1SE '''0
  ,I BELT$ MY DRESS+ G[N & FOLL[$2 ,JU-
DI? 0 HALF RUNN+ A FEW PACES AH1D4 ,WE
W5T UP & D[N FLI<TS ( /AIRS1 TURN$ 9TO
PASSAGES & CORRIDORS1 >RIV$ BACK ON !
GR.D FLOOR B 9 A "P (! H\SE ,I _HN'T SE5
2F4 ,F9,Y WE CAME 6A S]IES ( ROOMS T ,I
TOOK 6BE ,MISS ,W9T]'S PRIVATE SUITE4
,WE PAUS$ 2F A CLOS$ DOOR1 & ,JUDI? GAVE
ME A TR\#D LOOK4 ,I WELL "U/OOD H] ANXI-
ETY4 ,F 2H ! DOOR "! CAME DEEP1 9HUMAN
S.DS1 BELL[S ( PA9 9T]RUPT$ 0JA7$ GASPS
= BR1?4 ,JUDI? OP5$ ! F9AL DOOR & WE W5T
IN4
  ,I 0 A/ONI%$4 ,NO WOND] ! NOISE REV]-
B]AT$ S6 ,UNLIKE ! RE/ (! H\SE1 ) XS
OV]/U6$ UPHOL/]Y1 LAVI% DRAPES1 BA6L$
WALLS & TAPE/RIES1 ? 0 A SP>E & NAK$ LL
ROOM4 ,! WALLS 7 B>E PLA/]1 ! FLOOR
SIMPLE BO>DS4 ,A PLA9 BOOKCASE 9    #DED
! CORN] 0 /U6$ ) PILES ( YELL[+ PAP]1 &
9 ! CORN] /OOD A N>R[ B$ ) SIMPLE :ITE
COV]S4 ,AT ! W9D[ A CALICO CURTA9 HUNG
LIMPLY EA* SIDE (! PANES1 LETT+ ! NI<T
IN4 ,SLUMP$ OV] A PLA9 LL S*OOL DESK1 )
H] BACK 6ME1 0 ,MISS ,W9T]4 ,G"O 7 H]
FI]Y ORANGE & RESPL5D5T PURPLE4 ,%E 0
DRESS$ 9 A :ITE L;G-SLEEV$ *EMISE1 & %E
0 WEEP+4
  ,A H>%1 ATONAL SCRAP+ ( AIR OV] VOCAL
CORDS4 ,J>R+ WAILS T VE]$ 96F"R5+LY ANI-
MAL MOANS4 ,H] %\LD]S H1V$ & CRA%$ & H]
TORSO %U4]$2 ! =CE TRAVEL$ "? H] FRAIL
NECK 6H] H1D1 AL;G H] >MS 96H] H&S1 :
JOLT$ AG/ ! DESKTOP4 ,JUDI? HURRI$ 6RE-
PLACE A CU%ION 2N ,MISS ,W9T]'S TEMPLE2
,MISS ,W9T]1 UTT]LY POSSESS$ 0! CRISIS1
SEEM$ N 6"K WE 7 "!4
  8,I'VE N"E SE5 H] L ? 2F10 ,JUDI? SD1
F+]S PRESS$ 6H] LIPS4 ,&)A RIS+ NOTE (
PANIC1 8,I DON'T "K :AT 6D40
  ,MISS ,W9T]'S M\? GAP$ & GRIMAC$1 CON-
TORT$ 96WILD1 UGLY %APES 0! GRIEF T 0
TOO BIG = X4
  8,X'S ALL "R10 ,I SD 6,JUDI?4     #DEE
,X 0 AN AGONY ,I KNEW4 ,I DREW UP A *AIR
& SAT D[N 2S ,MISS ,W9T]4
  8,HU%1 HU%1 ,I "K40 ,I PLAC$ AN >M ACR
H] %\LD]1 DREW H] TWO H&S 96M9E4 ,%R\D+
H] BODY ) MY [N1 ,I B5T MY E> CLOSE 6H]
H1D & W5T ON )! 9CANT,N4 8,X'S ALL "R4
,X W PASS4 ,HU%1 *4 ,Y'RE N AL"O40 ,I
ROCK$ H] & SOO!D H] & N"E /OPP$ BR1?+ !
MAGIC ^WS4 ,!Y 7 N MY [N ^WS1 B MY "F'S4
,^WS T ,I KNEW WD "W1 2C !Y _H ALW "W$ =
ME4 8,HU%10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,I "K4 ,X W
PASS40
  ,! 3VUL.NS DID N /OP1 NOR ! CRIES BE-
-E LESS PA9;L1 B !Y GRADU,Y 2CAME LESS
VIOL5T4 ,%E _H "T 2T EA* NEW P>OXYSM TO
TAKE 9 DESP]ATE1 %U4]+ BR1?S ( AIR4
  8,Y'RE N AL"O4 ,I'M ) Y40
  ,EV5TU,Y %E 0 QUIET4 ,! CURVE ( H]
SKULL PRESS$ 96MY *EEK4 ,WISPS ( H] HAIR
T\*$ MY LIPS4 ,AG/ MY RIBS ,I CD FEEL H]
LL FLUTT]S ( BR1?1 ! T5D] 3VUL.NS 9 H]
LUNGS4 ,H] H&S 7 V COLD 9 M9E4
  8,"!4 ,"! N[40
  ,WE SAT 9 SIL;E = M9UTES4 ,I PULL$ !
%AWL UP & >RANG$ X M W>MLY >.D H]   #DEF
%\LD]S1 & TRI$ 6RUB "S W>M? 96H] H&S4
,H] FACE 0 RAVAG$4 ,%E CD SC>CELY SEE \
( H] SWOLL5 EYELIDS1 & H] LIPS 7 SORE &
CRACK$4 ,! BIR? (A BRUISE M>K$ ! SPOT ":
H] H1D _H BE5 %AK5 AG/ ! DESK4
  8,HE 0 A GD MAN10 ,I SD4 8,A GD MAN4
,& HE LOV$ Y40
  ,SL[LY %E NO4$4 ,H] M\? QUIV]$4 ,_H %E
TRI$ 6SAY "S?+8 ,AG H] LIPS MOV$4
  ,! SAFETY CAT*8 ,0 T :AT %E _H SD8
  8,WAS X YR SI/] :O 9T]F]$ )! SAFETY
CAT*80 ,X SEEMS A BRUTAL "Q N[1 B AT !
"T1 ) T FLOOD ( TE>S HAV+ SWEPT ALL ETI-
QUETTE AWAY1 ! DIRECT;S DID N FEEL \ (
PLACE4
  ,MY "Q CAUS$ H] "O LA/ SPASM ( PA91 B
:5 %E SPOKE1 %E 0 UNEQUIVOCAL4
  8,N ,EMMEL9E4 ,N H]4 ,N H]40
  8,:O1 !N80
  ,%E SQUEEZ$ H] EYES %UT1 2GAN 6SWAY &
%OOK H] H1D F SIDE 6SIDE4 ,I H SE5 !
SAME MOVE;T 9 ANIMALS 9 ZOOS :5 !Y H BE5
DRIV5 MAD 0_! CAPTIV;Y4 ,2G9N+ 6FE> !
RENEWAL ( H] AGONY1 ,I REMEMB]$ :AT X 0
T MY "F US$ 6D 63SOLE ME :5 ,I 0    #DEG
A *4 ,G5TLY1 T5D]LY1 ,I /ROK$ H] HAIR
UNTIL1 SOO!D1 %E CAME 6RE/ H] H1D ON MY
%\LD]4
  ,F9,Y %E 0 QUIET 5 = ,JUDI? 6BE A# TO
PUT H] 6B$4 ,9 A SLEEPY1 *ILDLIKE VOICE
%E ASK$ = ME 6/AY1 & S ,I /AY$ ) H]1
KNEEL+ 0H] B$SIDE & WAT*+ H] FALL
ASLEEP4 ,F "T 6"T A %IV] 4TURB$ H] SLUM-
B] &A LOOK ( FE> CAME ON H] SLEEP+ FACE2
:5 ? HAPP5$ ,I SMOO!D H] HAIR UNTIL H]
EYELIDS SETTL$ BACK 96P1CE4
  ,:5 0 X T MY "F _H 3SOL$ ME L ?8 ,AN
9CID5T ROSE \ (! DEP?S ( MY MEMORY4 ,I
M/ H BE5 TWELVE OR S4 ,X 0 ,SUN"D2 ,"F &
,I 7 EAT+ S&WI*ES 0! RIV] :5 TW9S AP-
PE>$4 ,TWO BLOND GIRLS ) _! BLOND P>5TS1
"D-TRIPP]S -E 6ADMIRE ! >*ITECTURE & EN-
JOY ! SUN%9E4 ,"EY"O NOTIC$ !M2 !Y M/ H
BE5 US$ 6! />ES ( /RANG]S4 ,B N M9E4 ,I
SAW !M & MY HE>T L1P$4 ,X 0 L LOOK+ 96A
MIRROR & SEE+ MYF -PLETE4 ,) :AT >DOR ,I
/>$ AT !M4 ,) :AT HUNG]4 ,N]V\S1 !Y
TURN$ AWAY F ! GIRL )! DEV\R+ />E & R1*$
= _! P>5TS' H&S4 ,I SAW _! FE>1 &A H>D
H& SQUEEZ$ MY LUNGS UNTIL ! SKY     #DEH
W5T D>K4 ,!N LAT]1 9 ! %OP4 ,I ON ! W9D[
S1T1 2T SLEEP &A NI<TM>E2 HE1 CR\*$ ON !
FLOOR1 /ROK+ MY HAIR1 MURMUR+ 8 9CANT,N1
8,HU%1 X W PASS4 ,X'S ALL "R4 ,Y'RE N
AL"O40

  ,"S"T LAT]1 ,DR4 ,CLIFTON CAME4 ,:5 ,I
TURN$ 6SEE HM 9 ! DOORWAY ,I GOT ! FEEL+
T HE MAY H BE5 "! = "S "T ALR4 ,I SLIPP$
PA/ HM ON MY WAY \1 & "! 0 "S?+ 9 8 EX-
PRES.N ,I DID N "K H[ 6R1D4













        ,,"UWAT] ,,CRYPTOGRAPHY     #DEI

  ,I RETURN$ 6MY [N ROOMS1 MY FEET MOV+
Z SL[LY Z MY ?"\S4 ,NO?+ MADE S5SE4 ,:Y
_H ,JOHN-!-DIG DI$8 ,2C "S"O _H 9T]F]$ )
! SAFETY CAT* ON ! LA4]4 ,X C'T H BE5 !
BOY4 ,MISS ,W9T]'S /ORY GAVE HM A CLE>
ALIBI3 ,:ILE ,JOHN & 8 LA4] 7 TUMBL+ F !
BALU/RADE "? ! EMPTY AIR 6! GR.D1 ! BOY
0 EYE+ H] CIG>ETTE1 N D>+ 6ASK =A DRAG4
,!N SURELY X M/ H BE5 ,EMMEL9E4 ,EXCEPT
T NO?+ 9 ! /ORY SU7E/S T ,EMMEL9E WD D
S* A ?+4 ,%E 0 A H>M.S *1 EV5 ,HE/] SD
S4 ,& ,MISS ,W9T] H]F CDN'T H BE5 CLE>]4
,NO4 ,N ,EMMEL9E4 ,!N :O8 ,ISABELLE 0
D1D4 ,*>LIE 0 G"O4
  ,I CAME 6MY ROOMS1 W5T IN1 /OOD 0! W9-
D[4 ,X 0 TOO D>K 6SEE2 "! 0 ONLY MY RE-
FLEC;N1 A PALE %AD[ Y CD SEE ! NI<T "?4
8,:O80 ,I ASK$ X4
  ,AT LA/ ,I LI/5$ 6! QUIET1 P]SI/5T
VOICE 9 MY H1D T ,I _H BE5 TRY+ 6IGNORE4
.,ADEL9E4
  ,NO1 ,I SD4
  .,YES1 X SD4 .,ADEL9E4
  ,X 0 N POSSI#4 ,! CRIES ( GRIEF   #DFJ
= ,JOHN-!-DIG 7 / FRE% 9 MY M9D4 ,NO "O
CD M\RN A MAN L T IF %E _H KILL$ HM1 CD
%E8 ,NO "O CD MURD] A MAN %E LOV$ 5 6CRY
^? TE>S =8
  ,B ! VOICE 9 MY H1D REC.T$ EPISODE AF
EPISODE F ! /ORY ,I KNEW S WELL4 ,! VIO-
L;E 9 ! TOPI>Y G>D51 EA* SWIPE (! %E>S A
BL[ 6,JOHN'S HE>T4 ,! ATTACKS ON ,EMME-
L9E1 ! HAIR-PULL+1 ! BATT]+1 ! BIT+4 ,!
BABY REMOV$ F ! P]AMBULATOR & LEFT C>E-
.SLY1 6DIE OR 6BE F.D4 ,"O (! TW9S 0 N Q
"R1 !Y SD 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,I REMEMB]$ & ,I
WOND]$4 ,0 X POSSI#8 ,_H ! TE>S ,I _H J
WIT;S$ BE5 TE>S ( GUILT8 ,TE>S ( RE-
MORSE8 ,0 X A MURD]ESS ,I _H HELD 9 MY
>MS & -=T$8 ,0 ? ! SECRET ,MISS ,W9T] _H
HI45 F ! _W = S L;G8 ,AN UNPL1SANT SUS-
PICION REV1L$ XF 6ME4 ,0 ? ! PO9T (
,MISS ,W9T]'S /ORY8 ,6MAKE ME SYMPA?IZE
) H]1 EXON]ATE H]1 =GIVE H]8 ,I %IV]$4
  ,B "O ?+ AT L1/ ,I 0 SURE (4 ,%E _H
LOV$ HM4 ,H[ CD X 2 O!RWISE8 ,I REMEMB]$
HOLD+ H] RACK$ & TOR;T$ BODY AG/ M9E &
KNEW T ONLY BROK5 LOVE C CAUSE S*
DESPAIR4 ,I REMEMB]$ ! * ,ADEL9E    #DFA
R1*+ 96,JOHN'S L"OLI;S AF ! D1? (! ,MIS-
SUS1 DRAW+ HM BACK 6LIFE 0GETT+ HM 6T1*
H] 6PRUNE ! TOPI>Y4
  ,! TOPI>Y .%E _H DAMAG$4
  ,OH1 P]H ,I WASN'T SURE AF ALL6
  ,MY EYES ROAM$ OV] ! D>K;S \TSIDE !
W9D[4 ,H] FABUL\S G>D54 ,0 X H] HOMAGE
6,JOHN-!-DIG8 ,H] LIFEL;G P5IT;E =! DAM-
AGE %E _H WR"\8
  ,I RU2$ MY TIR$ EYES & KNEW ,I "\ 6G
6B$4 ,B ,I 0 TOO TIR$ 6SLEEP4 ,MY ?"\S1
IF ,I DID NO?+ 6/OP !M1 WD G R.D 9 CIR-
CLES ALL NI<T L;G4 ,I DECID$ 6H A BA?4
  ,:ILE ,I WAIT$ =! TUB 6FILL1 ,I CA/ AB
= "S?+ 6O3UPY MY M9D4 ,A BALL ( PAP]
HALF VISI# 2N ! DRESS+ TA# CAU<T MY AT-
T5;N4 ,I UNFOLD$ X1 FLATT5$ X \4 ,A R[ (
PHONETIC SCRIPT4
  ,9 ! BA?ROOM1 )! WAT] ?"U+ 9 ! BACK-
GR.D1 ,I MADE A FEW %ORT-LIV$ ATTEMPTS
AT PICK+ "S K9D ( M1N+ \ ( MY /R+ ( SYM-
BOLS4 ,ALW "! 0 T "UM9+ FEEL+ T ,I _HN'T
CAPTUR$ ,EMMEL9E'S UTT].E Q A3URATELY4
,I PICTUR$ ! MOONLIT G>D51 ! 3TOR;NS (!
WIT* HAZEL1 ! GROTESQUE1 URG5T      #DFB
FACE2 ,I HE>D AG ! ABRUPT;S ( ,EMMEL9E'S
VOICE4 ,B H["E H>D ,I TRI$1 ,I CD N RE-
CALL ! PRON\NCE;T XF4
  ,I CLIMB$ 96! BA?1 L1V+ ! SCRAP ( PAP]
ON ! $GE4 ,! WAT]1 W>M 6MY FEET1 LEGS1
BACK1 FELT 4T9CTLY COOL] AG/ ! MACULA ON
MY SIDE4 ,EYES CLOS$1 ,I SLID "R "U !
SURFACE4 ,E>S1 NOSE1 EYES1 "R 6! TOP (
MY H1D4 ,! WAT] RANG 9 MY E>S1 MY HAIR
LIFT$ F XS ROOTS4
  ,I CAME UP = AIR1 !N 9/ANTLY PLUNG$
"UWAT] AG4 ,M AIR1 !N WAT]4
  ,9 A LOOSE1 "UWAT] FA%ION1 ?"\S 2GAN
6SWIM 9 MY M9D4 ,I KNEW 5 AB TW9 LAN-
GUAGE 6"K T X 0 N"E TOT,Y 9V5T$4 ,9 !
CASE ( ,EMMEL9E & ,ADEL9E1 X WD 2 BAS$
ON ,5GLI% OR ,FR5* OR CD 3TA9 ELE;TS (
BO?4
  ,AIR4 ,WAT]4
  ,9TRODUC$ 4TOR;NS4 ,9 ! 9TON,N1 MAYBE4
,OR ! V[ELS4 ,& "S"TS EXTRA BITS1 A4$ TO
CAM\FLAGE R ?AN 6C>RY M1N+4
  ,AIR4 ,WAT]4
  ,A PUZZLE4 ,A SECRET CODE4 ,A
CRYPTOGRAPH4 ,X WDN'T 2 Z H>D Z !   #DFC
,EGYPTIAN HI]OGLYPHS OR ,MYC5AEAN ,L9E>
;,B4 ,H[ WD Y H 6G AB X8 ,TAKE EA* SYL-
LA# SEP>ATELY4 ,X CD 2 A ^W OR A "P (A
^W4 ,REMOVE ! 9TON,N F/4 ,PLAY )! /RESS4
,EXP]I;T ) L5G!N+1 %ORT5+1 FLATT5+ ! V[-
EL S.DS4 ,!N :AT DID ! SYLLA# SU7E/ 9
,5GLI%8 ,9 ,FR5*8 ,& :AT IF Y LEFT X \ &
PLAY$ )! SYLLA#S ON EI SIDE 9/1D8 ,"! WD
2 A VA/ NUMB] ( POSSI# -B9,NS4 ,?\S&S4
,B N AN 9F9ITE NUMB]4 ,A -PUT+ MA*9E CD
D X4 ,S CD A HUMAN BRA91 GIV5 A YE> OR
TWO4
  ..,! D1D G ."UGR.D4
  ,:AT8 ,I SAT BOLT UP"R 9 %OCK4 ,! ^WS
CAME 6ME \ ( NO":4
  ,!Y B1T PA9;LLY 9 MY *E/4 ,X 0 RIDICU-
L\S4 ,X CDN'T BE6
  ,TREMBL+1 ,I R1*$ 6! $GE (! BA? ": ,I
_H LEFT MY JOTT+S1 & DREW ! PAP] NE> TO
ME4 ,ANXI\SLY ,I SCANN$ X4 ,MY NOTES1 MY
SYMBOLS & SIGNS1 MY SQUI7LES & DOTS1 7
G"O4 ,!Y _H BE5 SITT+ 9 A POOL ( WAT] &
_H DR[N$4
  ,I TRI$ ONCE M 6REMEMB] ! S.DS Z !Y _H
-E 6ME "UWAT]4 ,B !Y 7 WIP$ F MY    #DFD
MEMORY4 ,ALL ,I CD REMEMB] 0 H] FRAU<T1
9T5T FACE &! FIVE-NOTE SEQU;E %E SANG Z
%E LEFT4
  ..,! D1D G ."UGR.D4 ,^WS T _H >RIV$
FULLY =M$ 9 MY M9D1 L1V+ NO TRAIL 2H !M4
,": _H !Y -E F8 ,:AT TRICKS _H MY M9D
BE5 PLAY+ 6-E UP ) ^! ^WS \ ( NO":8
  ,I DIDN'T ACTU,Y 2LIEVE T ? 0 :AT %E
_H SD 6ME1 DID ,I8
  ,-E ON1 2 S5SI#1 ,I TOLD MYF4
  ,I R1*$ =! SOAP & RESOLV$ 6PUT MY "U-
WAT] IMAG9+S \ ( MY M9D4












                 ,,HAIR             #DFE

  ,AT ,MISS ,W9T]'S H\SE ,I N"E LOOK$ AT
! CLOCK4 ,= SECONDS ,I _H ^WS1 M9UTES 7
L9ES ( P5CIL SCRIPT4 ,ELEV5 ^WS 6! L9E1
TW5TY-?REE L9ES 6! PAGE 0 MY NEW *RONOM-
ETRY4 ,AT REGUL> 9T]VALS ,I /OPP$ 6TURN
! H&LE (! P5CIL %>P5] & WAT* CURLS (
L1D-$G$ WOOD DANGLE _! WAY 6! WA/EPAP]
BASKET2 ^! PAUSES M>K$ MY 8H\RS40
  ,I 0 S PREO3UPI$ 0! /ORY ,I 0 HE>+1
WRIT+1 T ,I _H NO WI% = ANY?+ ELSE4 ,MY
[N LIFE1 S* Z X WAS1 _H DW9DL$ 6NO?+4
,MY "D"T ?"\S & MY NI<T"T DR1MS 7 PEOPL$
0FIGURES N F MY _W B F ,MISS ,W9T]'S4 ,X
0 ,HE/] & ,EMMEL9E1 ,ISABELLE & ,*>LIE1
:O W&]$ "? MY IMAG9,N1 &! PLACE 6: MY
?"\S TURN$ 3/ANTLY 0 ,ANGELFIELD4
  ,9 TRU? ,I 0 N UNWILL+ 6ABDICATE MY [N
LIFE4 ,PLUNG+ DEEP 96,MISS ,W9T]'S /ORY
0 A WAY ( TURN+ MY BACK ON MY [N4 ,YET
"O _C SIMPLY SNUFF "OF \ 9 T FA%ION4 ,=
ALL MY WILL$ BL;S1 ,I CD N ESCAPE ! K T
X 0 ,DECEMB]4 ,9 ! BACK ( MY M9D1 ON !
$GE ( MY SLEEP1 9 ! M>G9S (! PAGES ,I
FILL$ S FR5ETIC,Y ) SCRIPT1 ,I 0    #DFF
AW>E T ,DECEMB] 0 C.T+ D[N ! "DS1 & ,I
FELT ! ANNIV]S>Y CRAWL+ CLOS] ALL ! "T4
  ,ON ! "D AF ! NI<T (! TE>S1 ,I DID N
SEE ,MISS ,W9T]4 ,%E /AY$ 9 B$1 SEE+ ON-
LY ,JUDI? & ,DR4 ,CLIFTON4 ,? 0 3V5I5T4
,I _H N SLEPT WELL MYF4 ,B ! FOLL[+ "D
%E ASK$ = ME4 ,I W5T 6H] PLA9 LL ROOM &
F.D H] 9 B$4
  ,H] EYES SEEM$ 6H GR[N L>G] 9 H] FACE4
,%E WORE N A TRACE ( MAKEUP4 ,P]H H] M$-
IC,N 0 AT XS P1K ( E6ECTIVE;S1 = "! 0 A
TRANQUILL;Y AB H] T SEEM$ NEW4 ,%E DID N
SMILE AT ME1 B :5 %E LOOK$ UP Z ,I 5T]$1
"! 0 K9D;S 9 H] EYES4
  8,Y DON'T NE$ YR NOTEBOOK & P5CIL10 %E
SD4 8,I WANT Y 6D "S?+ ELSE = ME TD40
  8,:AT80
  ,JUDI? CAME IN4 ,%E SPR1D A %EET ON !
FLOOR1 !N BR"\ ,MISS ,W9T]'S *AIR 9 F !
ADJO9+ ROOM & LIFT$ H] 96X4 ,9 ! C5T] (!
%EET %E POSI;N$ ! *AIR1 ANGL+ X S T
,MISS ,W9T] CD SEE \ (! W9D[4 ,!N %E
TUCK$ A T[EL >.D ,MISS ,W9T]'S %\LD]S &
SPR1D H] MASS ( ORANGE HAIR OV] X4
  ,2F %E LEFT %E H&$ ME A PAIR (    #DFG
SCISSORS4 8,GD LUCK10 %E SD )A SMILE4
  8,B :AT AM ,I SUPPOS$ 6D80 ,I ASK$
,MISS ,W9T]4
  8,CUT MY HAIR1 ( C\RSE40
  8,CUT YR HAIR80
  8,YES4 ,DON'T LOOK L T4 ,"!'S NO?+ TO
X40
  8,B ,I DON'T "K H[40
  8,J TAKE ! SCISSORS & CUT40 ,%E SI<$4
8,I DON'T C>E H[ Y D X4 ,I DON'T C>E :AT
X LOOKS L4 ,J GET RID ( X40
  8,B ,I--0
  8.,PL1SE40
  ,RELUCTANTLY ,I TOOK UP POSI;N 2H H]4
,AF TWO "DS 9 B$1 H] HAIR 0 A TANGLE (
ORANGE1 WIRY ?R1DS4 ,X 0 DRY 6! T\*1 S
DRY ,I ALM EXPECT$ X 6CRACKLE1 & PUNCTU-
AT$ ) GRITTY LL KNOTS4
  8,I'D BETT] BRU% X F/40
  ,! KNOTS 7 NUM]\S4 ,?\< %E SPOKE N A
^W ( REPROA*1 ,I FELT H] FL9* AT E BRU%-
/ROKE4 ,I PUT ! BRU% D[N2 X WD 2 K9D] TO
SIMPLY CUT ! KNOTS \4
  ,T5TATIVELY ,I MADE ! F/ CUT4 ,A FEW
9*ES (F ! 5DS1 HALFWAY D[N H]       #DFH
BACK4 ,! BLADES %E>$ CL1NLY "? ! HAIR1 &
! CLIPP+S FELL 6! %EET4
  8,%ORT] ?AN T10 ,MISS ,W9T] SD MILDLY4
  8,6"H80 ,I T\*$ H] %\LD]S4
  8,%ORT]40
  ,I TOOK A LOCK ( HAIR & SNIPP$ AT X
N]V\SLY4 ,AN ORANGE SNAKE SLI!R$ 6MY
FEET1 & ,MISS ,W9T] 2GAN 6SP1K4

  ,I REMEMB] A FEW "DS AF ! FUN]AL1 ,I 0
9 ,HE/]'S OLD ROOM4 ,N = ANY SPECIAL
R1SON4 ,I 0 J /&+ "!1 0! W9D[1 />+ AT
NO?+4 ,MY F+]S F.D A LL RIDGE 9 ! CUR-
TA94 ,A TE> T %E _H M5D$4 ,HE/] 0 A V
N1T NE$LEWOMAN4 ,B "! 0 A BIT ( ?R1D T
_H -E LOOSE AT ! 5D4 ,& 9 AN IDLE1 R AB-
S5T SORT ( WAY1 ,I 2GAN 6WORRY AT X4 ,I
_H NO 9T5;N ( PULL+ X1 ,I _H NO 9T5;N (
ANY SORT1 RE,Y ''' ,B ALL (A SU451 "! X
WAS1 LOOSE 9 MY F+]S4 ,! ?R1D1 ! :OLE
L5G? ( X1 ZIGZA7$ )! MEMORY (! /IT*ES4
,&! HOLE 9 ! CURTA9 GAP+ OP54 ,N[ X WD
/>T 6FRAY4
  ,JOHN N"E LIK$ HAV+ ,HE/] AT ! H\SE4
,HE 0 GLAD %E W5T4 ,B ! FACT RE-    #DFI
MA9$3 ,IF ,HE/] _H BE5 "!1 ,JOHN WD N H
BE5 ON ! RO(4 ,IF ,HE/] _H BE5 "!1 NO "O
WD H M$DL$ )! SAFETY CAT*4 ,IF ,HE/] _H
BE5 "!1 T "D WD H DAWN$ L ANY O!R "D1 &
Z ON ANY O!R "D1 ,JOHN WD H G"O AB 8
BUSI;S 9 ! G>D54 ,:5 ! BAY W9D[ CA/ XS
AFN %AD[ OV] ! GRAVEL1 "! WD H BE5 NO
LA4]1 NO RUNGS1 NO ,JOHN SPRAWL$ ON !
GR.D 6BE TAK5 9 0XS *ILL4 ,! "D WD H -E
& G"O L ANY O!R1 & AT ! 5D ( X ,JOHN WD
H G"O 6B$ & SLEPT S.DLY1 )\T EV5 A DR1M
( FALL+ "? ! EMPTY AIR4
  ,IF ,HE/] _H BE5 "!4
  ,I F.D T FRAY+ HOLE 9 ! CURTA9 UTT]LY
UNBE>A#4

  ,I _H BE5 SNIPP+ AT ,MISS ,W9T]'S HAIR
ALL ! "T %E 0 TALK+1 & :5 X 0 LEVEL ) H]
E>LOBES1 ,I /OPP$4
  ,%E LIFT$ A H& 6H] H1D & FELT ! L5G?4
  8,%ORT]10 %E SD4
  ,I PICK$ UP ! SCISSORS AG & C>RI$ ON4

  ,! BOY / CAME E "D4 ,HE DUG & WE$$ &
PLANT$ & MUL*$4 ,I SUPPOS$ HE       #DGJ
KEPT -+ 2C (! M"OY HE 0 [$4 ,B :5 ! SO-
LICITOR GAVE ME "S CA%--8,6KEEP Y GO+
TILL YR UNCLE GETS BACK0--& ,I PD ! BOY1
HE / KEPT -+4 ,I WAT*$ HM F ! UP/AIRS
W9D[S4 ,M ?AN ONCE HE LOOK$ UP 9 MY DI-
REC;N & ,I JUMP$ \ ( VIEW1 B ON "O O3A.N
HE CAU<T SI<T ( ME1 & :5 HE DID1 HE
WAV$4 ,I DID N WAVE BACK4
  ,E MORN+ HE BR"\ VEGETA#S 6! KIT*5
DOOR1 "S"TS )A SK9N$ RA2IT OR A PLUCK$
H51 & E AFN HE CAME 6COLLECT ! PEEL+S =!
-PO/4 ,HE L+]$ 9 ! DOORWAY1 & N[ T ,I _H
PD HM1 M (T5 ?AN N HE _H A CIG>ETTE 2T 8
LIPS4
  ,I _H F9I%$ ,JOHN'S CIG>ETTES1 & X AN-
NOY$ ME T ! BOY CD SMOKE & ,I CDN'T4 ,I
N"E SD A ^W AB X1 B "O "D1 %\LD] AG/ !
DOOR FRAME1 HE CAU<T ME EYE+ ! PACK (
CIG>ETTES 9 8 BR1/ POCKET4
  8,SWAP Y "O =A CUP ( TEA10 HE SD4
  ,HE CAME 96! KIT*5--X 0 ! F/ "T HE _H
ACTU,Y -E 9 S9CE ! "D ,JOHN DI$--& SAT 9
,JOHN'S *AIR1 ELB[S ON ! TA#4 ,I SAT 9 !
*AIR 9 ! CORN]1 ": ! ,MISSUS US$ 6SIT4
,WE DRANK \R TEA 9 SIL;E & EXHAL$   #DGA
CIG>ETTE SMOKE T ROSE UPW>D T[>D ! D+Y
CEIL+ 9 LAZY CL\DS & SPIRALS4 ,:5 WE _H
TAK5 \R LA/ DRAG & /U2$ ! CIG>ETTES \ ON
\R SAUC]S1 HE ROSE )\T A ^W1 WALK$ \ (!
KIT*5 & RETURN$ 6HIS "W4 ,B ! NEXT "D1
:5 HE KNOCK$ )! VEGETA#S1 HE WALK$
/RAI<T IN1 SAT 9 ,JOHN'S *AIR & TOSS$ A
CIG>ETTE ACR 6ME 2F ,I _H EV5 PUT ! KET-
TLE ON4
  ,WE N"E SPOKE4 ,B WE _H \R HABITS4
  ,EMMEL9E1 :O N"E ROSE 2F LUN*"T1 "S"TS
SP5T ! AFNS \TDOORS LOOK+ ON Z ! BOY DID
8 "W4 ,I SCOLD$ H] AB X4 8,Y'RE ! DAU<T]
(! H\SE4 ,HE'S A G>D5]4 ,= ,GOD'S SAKE1
,EMMEL9E60 ,B X MADE NO DI6];E4 ,%E WD
SMILE H] SL[ SMILE AT ANY"O :O CAU<T H]
FANCY4 ,I WAT*$ !M CLOSELY1 M9D;L ( :AT
! ,MISSUS _H TOLD ME AB M5 :O CDN'T SEE
,ISABELLE )\T WANT+ 6T\* H]4 ,B ! BOY
%[$ NO 9DIC,N ( WANT+ 6T\* ,EMMEL9E1 ?\<
HE SPOKE K9DLY 6H] & LIK$ 6MAKE H] LAU<4
,I CDN'T 2 EASY 9 MY M9D AB X1 ?\<4
  ,"S"TS F AN UP/AIRS W9D[ ,I WD WAT* !
TWO ( !M TGR4 ,"O SUNNY "D ,I SAW H]
LOLL+ ON ! GRASS1 H1D ON H&1 SUP-   #DGB
PORT$ 0H] ELB[4 ,X %[$ ! RISE F H] WAI/
6H] HIPS4 ,HE TURN$ 8 H1D 6ANSW] "S?+ %E
SD & :ILE HE LOOK$ AT H]1 %E ROLL$ ONTO
H] BACK1 RAIS$ A H& & BRU%$ A /RAY LOCK
( HAIR F H] =EH1D4 ,X 0 A LANGUOR\S1 S5-
SU\S MOVE;T T MADE ME ?9K %E WD N M9D X
IF HE DID T\* H]4
  ,B :5 ! BOY _H F9I%$ :AT HE 0 SAY+1 HE
TURN$ 8 BACK 6,EMMEL9E Z ?\< HE _HN'T
SE5 & 3T9U$ 8 "W4
  ,! NEXT MORN+ WE 7 SMOK+ 9 ! KIT*54 ,I
BROKE \R USUAL SIL;E4
  8,DON'T T\* ,EMMEL9E10 ,I TOLD HM4
  ,HE LOOK$ SURPRIS$4 8,I HAV5'T T\*$
,EMMEL9E40
  8,GD4 ,WELL1 DON'T40
  ,I ?"\ T 0 T4 ,WE BO? TOOK ANO!R DRAG
ON \R CIG>ETTES & ,I PREP>$ 6LAPSE BACK
96SIL;E1 B AF EXHAL+1 HE SPOKE AG4 8,I
DON'T WANT 6T\* ,EMMEL9E40
  ,I HE>D HM4 ,I HE>D :AT HE SD4 ,T CU-
RI\S LL 9TON,N4 ,I HE>D :AT HE .M1NT4
  ,I TOOK A DRAG ( MY CIG>ETTE & DIDN'T
LOOK AT HM4 ,SL[LY ,I EXHAL$4 ,I DIDN'T
LOOK AT HM4                         #DGC
  8,%E'S K9D] ?AN Y >E10 HE SD4
  ,MY CIG>ETTE WASN'T EV5 HALF F9I%$1 B
,I /U2$ X \4 ,I /RODE 6! KIT*5 DOOR &
FLUNG X OP54
  ,9 ! DOORWAY HE PAUS$ LEVEL ) ME4 ,I
/OOD /I6LY1 />+ /RAI<T AH1D AT ! BUTTONS
ON 8 %IRT4
  ,8 ,ADAM'S APPLE BO2$ UP & D[N Z HE
SWALL[$4 ,8 VOICE 0 A MURMUR4 8,BE K9D1
,ADEL9E40
  ,/UNG 6ANG] ,I LIFT$ MY EYES UP1 M1N+
6FIRE DA7]S AT HM4 ,B ,I 0 />TL$ 0! T5-
D];S 9 8 FACE4 ,=A MO;T ,I 0 ''' 3FUS$4
  ,HE TOOK ADVANTAGE4 ,RAIS$ 8 H&4 ,0 AB
6/ROKE MY *EEK4
  ,B ,I 0 QK]4 ,I RAIS$ MY FI/1 LA%$ 8
H& AWAY4
  ,I DIDN'T HURT HM4 ,I CDN'T H HURT HM4
,B HE LOOK$ 2WILD]$4 ,4APPO9T$4
  ,& !N HE 0 G"O4
  ,! KIT*5 0 V EMPTY AF T4 ,! ,MISSUS 0
G"O4 ,JOHN 0 G"O4 ,N[ EV5 ! BOY 0 G"O4
  8,I'LL HELP Y10 HE _H SD4 ,B X 0 IM-
POSSI#4 ,H[ CD A BOY L HM HELP ME8 ,H[
CD .ANYBODY HELP ME8                #DGD

  ,! %EET 0 COV]$ 9 ORANGE HAIR4 ,I 0
WALK+ ON HAIR & HAIR 0 /UCK 6MY %OES4
,ALL ! OLD DYE _H BE5 CUT AWAY2 ! SP>SE
TUFTS T CLUNG 6,MISS ,W9T]'S SCALP 7
PURE :ITE4
  ,I TOOK ! T[EL AWAY & BLEW ! /RAY BITS
( HAIR F ! BACK ( H] NECK4
  8,GIVE ME ! MIRROR10 ,MISS ,W9T] SD4
  ,I H&$ H] ! LOOK+ GLASS4 ,) H] HAIR
%ORN1 %E LOOK$ L A GRIZZL$ *4
  ,%E />$ AT ! GLASS4 ,H] EYES MET H]
[N1 NAK$ & SOMB]1 & %E LOOK$ AT H]F =A
L;G "T4 ,!N %E PUT ! MIRROR1 GLASS SIDE
D[N1 ON ! TA#4
  8,T'S EXACTLY :AT ,I WANT$4 ,?ANK Y1
,M>G>ET40
  ,I LEFT H]1 & :5 ,I W5T BACK 6MY ROOM
,I ?"\ AB ! BOY4 ,I ?"\ AB HM & ,ADEL9E1
& ,I ?"\ AB HM & ,EMMEL9E4 ,!N ,I ?"\ AB
,AURELIUS1 F.D Z AN 9FANT1 WE>+ AN OLD-
FA%ION$ G>;T & WRAPP$ 9 A SAT*EL1 )A
SPOON F ,ANGELFIELD &A PAGE ( .,JANE
.,EYRE4 ,I ?"\ AB X ALL AT L5G?1 B = ALL
MY ?9K+1 ,I DID N >RIVE AT ANY      #DGE
3CLU.N4
  ,"O ?+ DID O3UR 6ME1 ?\<1 9 "O ( ^?
UNFA?OMA# SIDE /EPS (! M9D4 ,I REMEMB]$
:AT X 0 ,AURELIUS _H SD ! LA/ "T ,I 0 AT
,ANGELFIELD3 8,I J WI% "! 0 "S"O 6..TELL
ME ! .TRU?40 ,& ,I F.D XS E*O3 8,TELL ME
! TRU?40 ,! BOY 9 ! BR[N SUIT4 ,N[1 T WD
EXPLA9 :Y ! .,BANBURY .,H]ALD _H NO REC-
ORD (! 9T]VIEW _! "Y REPORT] _H G"O TO
,YORK%IRE =4 ,HE WASN'T A REPORT] AT
ALL4 ,X 0 ,AURELIUS ALL AL;G4













                                    #DGF
























            ,,RA9 ,,& ,,CAKE        #DGG

  ,! NEXT "D ,I WOKE 6X3 TD1 TD1 TD4 ,A
TOLL+ BELL ONLY ,I CD HE>4 ,! TWILI<T
SEEM$ 6H P5ETRAT$ MY S\L2 ,I FELT AN UN-
E>?LY WE>I;S4 ,MY BIR?"D4 ,MY D1?"D4
  ,JUDI? BR"\ A C>D F MY "F )! BR1KFA/
TRAY4 ,A PICTURE ( FL[]S1 8 HABITUAL1
VAGUELY ^W$ GREET+S &A NOTE4 ,HE HOP$ ,I
0 WELL4 ,HE 0 WELL4 ,HE _H "S BOOKS =
ME4 ,%D HE S5D !M8 ,MY "M _H N SIGN$ !
C>D2 HE _H SIGN$ X = BO? ( !M4 ..,LOVE F
,DAD & .,"M4 ,X 0 ALL WR;G4 ,I KNEW X &
HE KNEW X1 B :AT CD ANY"O D8
  ,JUDI? CAME4 8,MISS ,W9T] SAYS WD N[
'''80
  ,I SLID ! C>D "U MY PILL[ 2F %E CD SEE
X4 8,N[ WD 2 F9E'0 ,I SD1 & PICK$ UP MY
P5CIL & PAD4
  8,H Y BE5 SLEEP+ WELL80 ,MISS ,W9T]
WANT$ 6"K1 & !N1 8,Y LOOK A LL PALE4 ,Y
DON'T EAT 5\<40
  8,I'M F9E10 ,I ASSUR$ H]1 ?\< ,I
WASN'T4
  ,ALL MORN+ ,I /RU7L$ )! S5S,N ( /RAY
WISPS ( "O _W SEEP+ "? ! CRACKS (   #DGH
ANO!R4 ,D Y "K ! FEEL+ :5 Y />T R1D+ A
NEW BOOK 2F ! MEMBRANE (! LA/ "O HAS _H
"T 6CLOSE 2H Y8 ,Y L1VE ! PREVI\S BOOK )
ID1S & !MES--"*S EV5--CAU<T 9 ! FIB]S (
YR CLO!S1 & :5 Y OP5 ! NEW BOOK1 !Y >E /
) Y4 ,WELL1 X 0 L T4 ,ALL "D ,I _H BE5
PREY 64TRAC;NS4 ,?"\S1 MEMORIES1 FEEL+S1
IRRELEVANT FRAG;TS ( MY [N LIFE1 PLAY+
HAVOC ) MY 3C5TR,N4
  ,MISS ,W9T] 0 TELL+ ME AB "S?+ :5 %E
9T]RUPT$ H]F4 8,>E Y LI/5+ 6ME1 ,MISS
,LEA80
  ,I J]K$ \ ( MY R"EIE & FUM#D = AN AN-
SW]4 ,_H ,I BE5 LI/5+8 ,I _H NO IDEA4
,AT T MO;T ,I CDN'T H TOLD H] :AT %E _H
BE5 SAY+1 ?\< ,I'M SURE T "S": 9 MY M9D
"! 0 A PLACE ": X 0 ALL RECORD$4 ,B AT !
PO9T :5 %E J]K$ ME \ ( MYF1 ,I 0 9 A K9D
( NO-MAN'S-L&1 A PLACE 2T PLACES4 ,! M9D
PLAYS ALL SORTS ( TRICKS1 GETS UP 6ALL
K9DS ( ?+S :ILE WE \RVS >E SLUMB]+ 9 A
:ITE Z"O T LOOKS = ALL ! _W L 9ATT5;N 6!
ONLOOK]4 ,LO/ = ^WS1 ,I />$ AT H] =A M9-
UTE1 :ILE %E GREW M & M IRRITAT$1 !N ,I
PLUCK$ AT ! F/ COH]5T S5T;E T       #DGI
PRES5T$ XF 6ME4
  8,H Y "E _H A *1 ,MISS ,W9T]80
  8,GD ,"L1 :AT A "Q4 ,( C\RSE ,I
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  8,WE H AN AGREE;T1 D WE N8 ,NO "QS80
,& !N1 *ANG+ H] EXPRES.N1 %E B5T =W>D &
SCRUT9IZ$ ME CLOSELY4 8,>E Y ILL80
  8,NO1 ,I DON'T ?9K S40
  8,WELL1 Y >E CLE>LY N 9 YR "R M9D =
"W40
  ,X 0 A 4MISSAL4

  ,BACK 9 MY ROOM ,I SP5T AN H\R BOR$1
UNSETTL$1 PLAGU$ 0MYF4 ,I SAT AT MY
DESK1 P5CIL 9 H&1 B DID N WRITE2 FELT
COLD & TURN$ ! RADIATOR UP1 !N1 TOO HOT1
TOOK MY C>DIGAN (F4 ,I'D H LIK$ A BA?1 B
"! 0 NO HOT WAT]4 ,I MADE COCOA & PUT
EXTRA SUG> 9 X2 !N ! SWEET;S NAUS1T$ ME4
,A BOOK8 ,WD T D X8 ,9 ! LIBR>Y ! %ELVES
7 L9$ ) D1D ^WS4 ,NO?+ "! CD HELP ME4
  ,"! CAME A DA% ( RA9DROPS1 SCATT]+ AG/
! W9D[1 & MY HE>T L1P$4 .,\TSIDE4 ,YES1
T 0 :AT ,I NE$$4 ,& N J ! G>D54     #DHJ
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MOORS4
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,9/1D1 ,I H1D$ "? ! G>D5 6! F>!/ PO9T F
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DOOR1 OV]GR[N ) IVY1 _H N BE5 OP5$ =A
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MY H&S 2F ,I CD OP5 ! LAT*4 ,:5 ! DOOR
SWUNG T[>D ME1 "! 0 M IVY 6BE PU%$ ASIDE
2F ,I CD /EP1 A LL DI%EVEL$1 \TSIDE4
  ,I US$ 6?9K T ,I LOV$ RA91 B 9 FACT ,I
H>DLY KNEW X4 ,! RA9 ,I LOV$ 0 G5TEEL
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T[N XF4 ,ON ! MOORS1 5RAG$ 0! W9D & EM-
BITT]$ 0! *ILL1 ! RA9 0 VICI\S4 ,NE$LES
( ICE /UNG MY FACE &1 2H ME1 VESSELS (
FREEZ+ WAT] BUR/ AG/ MY %\LD]S4
  ,HAPPY BIR?"D4
  ,IF ,I 0 AT ! %OP1 MY "F WD PRODUCE A
PRES5T F 2N ! DESK Z ,I CAME D[N !
/AIRS4 ,"! WD 2 A BOOK OR BOOKS1 PUR*AS$
AT AUC;N & PUT ASIDE DUR+ ! YE>4 ,&A
RECORD OR P]FUME OR A PICTURE4      #DHA
,HE WD H WRAPP$ !M 9 ! %OP1 AT ! DESK1
"S QUIET AFN :5 ,I 0 AT ! PO/ (FICE OR !
LIBR>Y4 ,HE WD H G"O \ "O LUN*"T 6*OOSE
A C>D1 AL"O1 & HE WD H WRITT5 9 X1
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Q AL"O4 ,HE WD G 6! BAK]Y =A CAKE1 & "S-
": 9 ! %OP--,I _H N"E 4COV]$ ":2 X 0 "O
(! FEW SECRETS ,I _H N FA?OM$--HE KEPT A
C&LE1 : CAME \ ON ? "D E YE>1 0 LIT1 & :
,I BLEW \1 ) Z GD AN IMPRES.N ( HAPPI;S
Z ,I CD MU/]4 ,!N WE ATE ! CAKE1 ) TEA1
& SETTL$ D[N 6QUIET DIGES;N & CATALOG+4
  ,I KNEW H[ X 0 = HM4 ,X 0 EASI] N[ T
,I 0 GR[N UP ?AN :5 ,I 0 A *4 ,H[ M*
H>D] BIR?"DS _H BE5 9 ! H\SE4 ,PRES5TS
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:O CD N BE> ! SI<T ( !M4 ,! 9EVITA# H1D-
A*E 0 H] J1L\SLY GU>D$ RITE ( REMEMBR.E1
"O T MADE X IMPOSSI# 69VITE O!R *N 9 !
H\SE1 IMPOSSI#1 TOO1 6L1VE H] =! TR1T (A
VISIT 6! ZOO OR ! P>K4 ,MY BIR?"D TOYS 7
ALW QUIET "OS4 ,CAKES 7 N"E HOMEMADE1 &!
LEFTOV]S _H 6BE DIVE/$ ( _! C&LES & IC+
2F !Y CD 2 PUT 9 ! T9 =! NEXT "D4
  .,HAPPY .BIR?"D8 ,"F :ISP]$ !     #DHB
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MY E>4 ,WE PLAY$ SIL5T C>D GAMES ": !
W9N] PULL$ GLEE;L FACES &! LOS] GRIMAC$
& SLUMP$1 & NO?+1 N A PEEP1 N A SPLUTT]1
CD 2 HE>D 9 ! ROOM ABV \R H1DS4 ,9 2T
GAMES1 UP & D[N HE W5T1 MY POOR "F1 2T !
SIL5T PA9 (! B$ROOM &! SECRET BIR?"D
D[N/AIRS1 *ANG+ 8 FACE F JOLL;Y 6SYMPA-
?Y1 F SYMPA?Y BACK 6JOLL;Y1 9 ! /AIR-
WELL4
  ,UNHAPPY BIR?"D4 ,F ! "D ,I 0 BORN1
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VAD$ U ) E BR1? WE TOOK4 ,X %R\D$ U 9 \R
[N SEP>ATE MIS]IES4
  ,ONLY 2C ,I 0 S COLD CD ,I BE> 63TEM-
PLATE ^! MEMORIES4
  ,:Y CDN'T %E LOVE ME8 ,:Y DID MY LIFE
M1N LESS 6H] ?AN MY SI/]'S D1?8 ,DID %E
BLAME ME = X8 ,P]H %E 0 "R TO4 ,I 0
ALIVE N[ ONLY 2C MY SI/] _H DI$4 ,E SI<T
( ME 0 A REM9D] ( H] LOSS4
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DI$8
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  ,!N ,I BUMP$ 96"S?+4
  8,M>G>ET6 ,M>G>ET60
  ,I 0 TOO COLD 6BE />TL$1 TOO COLD TO
MAKE MY FACE RESPOND 6! VA/ =M T /OOD 2F
ME1 %R\D$ 9 T5TLIKE DRAPES ( GRE5 RA9-
PRO( FABRIC4 ,X MOV$1 & TWO H&S CAME D[N
ON MY %\LD]S & GAVE ME A %AKE4
  8,M>G>ET60
  ,X 0 ,AURELIUS4
  8,LOOK AT Y6 ,Y'RE BLUE ) COLD6 ,QK1
-E ) ME40 ,HE TOOK MY >M & L$ ME BRISKLY
(F4 ,MY FEET /UM#D OV] ! GR.D 2H HM UN-
TIL WE CAME 6A ROAD1 A C>4 ,HE BUNDL$ ME
IN4 ,"! 0 A SLAMM+ ( DOORS1 ! HUM ( AN
5G9E1 & !N A BLA/ ( W>M? >.D MY ANKLES &
KNEES4 ,AURELIUS OP5$ A ,!RMOS FLASK &
P\R$ A MUG ( ORANGE TEA4
  8,DR9K60
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  8,EAT60
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  ,9 ! W>M? (! C>1 DR9K+ HOT TEA    #DHD
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3TROLLABLY4
  8,GD;S GRACI\S60 ,AURELIUS EXCLAIM$
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ANO!R4 8,DE> ME60
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8,:AT >E Y DO+ "H1 ,AURELIUS80
  8,I CAME 6GIVE Y ?10 HE SD1 & HE R1*$
OV] 6! BACK & LIFT$ A CAKE T9 "? ! GAP
2T ! S1TS4
  ,PLAC+ ! T9 ON MY LAP1 HE B1M$ GLORI-
\SLY AT ME Z HE REMOV$ ! LID4
  ,9SIDE 0 A CAKE4 ,A HOMEMADE CAKE4 ,&
ON ! CAKE1 9 CURLY IC+ LRS1 7 ?REE ^WS3
.,HAPPY .,BIR?"D .,M>G>ET4
  ,I 0 TOO COLD 6CRY4 ,9/1D ! -B9,N (
COLD & CAKE SET ME TALK+4 ,^WS EM]G$ F
ME1 R&OMLY1 L OBJECTS 4GORG$ 0GLACI]S Z
!Y ?AW4 ,NOCTURNAL S++1 A G>D5 ) EYES1
SI/]S1 A BABY1 A SPOON4 8,& %E EV5 "KS !
H\SE10 ,I BAB#D :ILE ,AURELIUS DRI$ MY
HAIR ) PAP] T[ELS1 8YR H\SE & ,MRS4
,LOVE'S4 ,%E LOOK$ "? ! W9D[ & ?"\ ,MRS4
,LOVE 0 L A FAIRYTALE GR&"M '''4    #DHE
,DON'T Y SEE :AT X M1NS80
  ,AURELIUS %OOK 8 H1D4 8,B %E TOLD
ME--0
  8,%E LI$ 6Y1 ,AURELIUS6 ,:5 Y CAME TO
SEE H] 9 YR BR[N SUIT1 %E LI$4 ,%E HAS
ADMITT$ X40
  8,B.S ME60 EXCLAIM$ ,AURELIUS4 8,H["E
DID Y "K AB T BR[N SUIT ( M9E8 ,I _H TO
PRET5D 6BE A J\RNALI/1 Y "K40 ,B !N1 Z
:AT ,I 0 TELL+ HM 2GAN 6S9K IN1 8,A
SPOON L M9E1 Y SAY8 ,& %E KNEW ! H\SE80
  8,%E'S YR AUNT1 ,AURELIUS4 ,& ,EMMEL9E
IS YR "M40
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  ,I NO4$4
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8,TAKE ME 6H]1 ,M>G>ET40
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US1 %E'S N WELL40
  8,ILL8 ,!N Y .M/ TAKE ME 6H]4 ,)\T DE-
LAY60
  8,N ILL1 EXACTLY40 ,H[ 6EXPLA98 8,%E 0
9JUR$ 9 ! FIRE1 ,AURELIUS4 ,N ON-   #DHF
LY H] FACE4 ,H] M9D40
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/ORE ( LOSS & PA91 & :5 HE SPOKE AG X 0
)A GRAVE FIRM;S ( PURPOSE4 8,TAKE ME TO
H]40
  ,0 X ILL;S T DICTAT$ MY RESPONSE8 ,0 X
! FACT T X 0 MY BIR?"D8 ,0 X MY [N "M.S-
;S8 ,^! FACTORS MI<T H _H "S?+ 6D ) X1 B
M SIGNIFICANT ?AN ALL ( !M 0 ,AURELIUS'S
EXPRES.N Z HE WAIT$ = MY ANSW]4 ,"! 7 A
HUNDR$ & "O R1SONS 6SAY NO 6HIS DEM&1 B
FAC$ )! F]OC;Y ( 8 NE$1 !Y FAD$ 6NO?+4
  ,I SD YES4











               ,,,REUNION           #DHG

  ,MY BA? W5T "S WAY T[>D ?AW+ ME \1 B
DID NO?+ 6SOO! ! A*E 2H MY EYES4 ,I GAVE
UP ALL ?"\S ( "W+ =! RE/ (! AFN & CREPT
96B$1 PULL+ ! EXTRA COV]S WELL UP OV] MY
E>S4 ,9SIDE ,I 0 / %IV]+4 ,9 A %ALL[
SLEEP ,I SAW /RANGE VI.NS4 ,HE/] & MY "F
&! TW9S & MY "M1 VI.NS 9 : "EY"O _H "S"O
ELSE'S FACE1 9 : "EY"O 0 "S"O ELSE DIS-
GUIS$1 & EV5 MY [N FACE 0 4TURB+ 6ME Z X
%IFT$ & ALT]$1 "S"TS MYF1 "S"TS ANO!R4
,!N ,AURELIUS'S B"R H1D APPE>$ 9 MY
DR1M3 HMF1 ALW HMF1 ONLY HMF1 & HE SMIL$
&! PHANTOMS 7 BANI%$4 ,D>K;S CLOS$ OV]
ME L WAT]1 & ,I SANK 6! DEP?S ( SLEEP4
  ,I AWOKE )A H1DA*E1 A*ES 9 MY LIMBS &
MY JO9TS & MY BACK4 ,A TIR$;S T _H NO?+
6D ) EX];N OR LACK ( SLEEP WEI<$ ME D[N
& SL[$ MY ?"\S4 ,! D>K;S _H ?ICK5$4 ,_H
,I SLEPT "? ! H\R ( MY APPO9T;T ) ,AURE-
LIUS8 ,! ?"\ NA7$ AT ME B ONLY V 4TANT-
LY1 & L;G M9UTES PASS$ 2F ,I CD R\SE MYF
6LOOK AT MY WAT*4 ,= DUR+ MY SLEEP1 AN
OBSCURE S5TI;T _H =M$ )9 ME--TREPID,N8
NO/ALGIA8 EXCITE;T8--& X _H GIV5    #DHH
RISE 6A S5SE ( EXPECT,N4 ,! PA/ 0 RE-
TURN+6 ,MY SI/] 0 NE>4 ,"! 0 NO D\BT+ X4
,I CDN'T SEE H]1 CDN'T SMELL H]1 B MY
9N] E>1 ATTUN$ ALW & ONLY 6H]1 _H CAU<T
H] VIBR,N1 & X FILL$ ME )A D>K & SOPO-
RIFIC JOY4
  ,"! 0 NO NE$ 6PUT (F ,AURELIUS4 ,MY
SI/] WD F9D ME1 :]"E ,I WAS4 ,0 %E N MY
TW98 ,9 FACT1 ,I _H HALF AN H\R 2F ,I 0
DUE 6MEET HM AT ! G>D5 DOOR4 ,I DRA7$
MYF H1VILY F MY B$ &1 TOO COLD & WE>Y TO
TAKE (F MY PAJAMAS 2F DRESS+1 ,I PULL$ A
?ICK SKIRT & SW1T] ON OV] ! TOP4 ,BUNDL$
UP L A * ON FIRE"W NI<T1 ,I W5T D[N/AIRS
6! KIT*54 ,JUDI? _H LEFT A COLD M1L =
ME1 B ,I _H NO APPETITE & LEFT ! FOOD
UNT\*$4 ,= T5 M9UTES ,I SAT AT ! KIT*5
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CASE ,I GAVE 9 6! TORPOR T 0 9VIT+ MY
H1D T[>D ! H>D TA#TOP4
  ,) FIVE M9UTES 6SP>E1 ,I OP5$ ! KIT*5
DOOR & SLIPP$ 96! G>D54
  ,NO LI<T F ! H\SE1 NO />S4 ,I /UM#D 9
! D>K;S2 S(T SOIL "UFOOT &! BRU% ( L1VES
& BRAN*ES TOLD ME :5 ,I _H VE]$     #DHI
(F ! PA?4 ,\ ( NO": A BRAN* SCRAT*$ MY
FACE & ,I CLOS$ MY EYES 6PROTECT !M4
,9SIDE MY H1D 0 A HALF-PA9;L1 HALF-
EUPHORIC VIBR,N4 ,I "U/OOD 5TIRELY4 ,X 0
H] S;G4 ,MY SI/] 0 -+4
  ,I R1*$ ! MEET+ PO9T4 ,! D>K;S /IRR$
XF4 ,X 0 HM4 ,MY H& BUMP$ CLUMSILY AG/
HM1 !N FELT XF CLASP$4
  8,>E Y ALL "R80
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  8,D Y H A TEMP]ATURE80
  ,! ^WS 7 "!2 X 0 CURI\S T !Y _H NO
M1N+4
  ,I'D H LIK$ 6TELL HM AB ! GLORI\S VI-
BR,NS1 6TELL HM T MY SI/] 0 -+1 T %E WD
2 "H ) ME ANY M9UTE N[4 ,I KNEW X2 ,I
KNEW X F ! H1T RADIAT+ F H] M>K ON MY
SIDE4 ,B ! :ITE S.D ( H] /OOD 2T ME & MY
^WS & MADE ME DUMB4
  ,AURELIUS LET G ( MY H& 6REMOVE A
GLOVE1 & ,I FELT 8 PALM1 /RANGELY COOL 9
! HOT NI<T1 ON MY =EH1D4 8,Y %D 2 9 B$10
HE SD4
  ,I PULL$ AT ,AURELIUS'S SLEEVE1 A FEE#
TUG1 B 5\<4 ,HE FOLL[$ ME "? !      #DIJ
G>D5 Z SMOO?LY Z A /ATUE ON CA/]S4
  ,I H NO MEMORY ( ,JUDI?'S KEYS 9 MY
H&1 ?\< ,I M/ H TAK5 !M4 ,WE M/ H WALK$
"? ! L;G CORRIDORS 6,EMMEL9E'S A"P;T1 B
T1 TOO1 HAS BE5 WIP$ F MY M9D4 ,I D RE-
MEMB] ! DOOR1 B ! PICTURE T PRES5TS XF
6MY M9D IS T X SWUNG OP5 Z WE R1*$ X1
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R1L;Y HAS BE5 LO/ &! IMAGE (! DOOR OP5+
0XF P]SI/S4
  ,MY MEMORY ( :AT HAPP5$ 9 ,EMMEL9E'S
QU>T]S T NI<T IS FRAG;T$4 ,:OLE TRACTS (
"T H COLLAPS$ 9 ON !MVS1 :ILE O!R EV5TS
SEEM 9 MY RECOLLEC;N 6H HAPP5$ OV] & OV]
AG 9 RAPID SU3ES.N4 ,FACES & EXPRES.NS
LOOM F"R5+LY L>GE1 !N ,EMMEL9E & ,AURE-
LIUS APPE> Z T9Y M>IONETTES A GRT 4T.E
AWAY4 ,Z = MYF1 ,I 0 POSSESS$1 SLEEPY1
*ILL$--& 4TRACT$ DUR+ ! :OLE A6AIR 0MY
[N OV]:ELM+ PREO3UP,N3 MY SI/]4
  ,0A PROCESS ( LOGIC & R1SON1 ,I H AT-
TEMPT$ 6PLACE 96A M1N+;L SEQU;E IMAGES T
MY M9D RECORD$ ONLY 9COMPLETELY & 9 R&OM
FA%ION1 L EV5TS 9 A DR1M4           #DIA
  ,AURELIUS & ,I 5T]$ ,EMMEL9E'S ROOMS4
,\R /EP 0 S.D.S ON ! DEEP C>PET4 ,"? "O
DOORWAY !N ANO!R WE /EPP$1 UNTIL WE CAME
6A ROOM ) AN OP5 DOOR GIV+ ONTO ! G>D54
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MY SI/]4 ,AT MY SIDE ,AURELIUS WAIT$ =
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       ,,"EYBODY ,,HAS ,A ,,/ORY    #DIE

  ,ANXIETY1 %>P Z "O ( ,MISS ,W9T]'S
GRE5 GAZES1 NE$LES ME AWAKE4 ,:AT "N H
,I PRON\NC$ 9 MY SLEEP8 ,:O UNDRESS$ ME
& PUT ME 6B$8 ,:AT W !Y H R1D 96! SIGN
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A GLASS 6MY LIPS4 ,I DR9K4
  ,2F ,I C SP1K1 SLEEP OV]:ELMS ME AG4

  ,! SECOND "T ,I WOKE UP1 ,MISS ,W9T] 0
AT MY B$SIDE1 BOOK 9 H&4 ,H] *AIR 0
PLUMP ) VELVET CU%IONS1 Z ALW1 B ) H]
TUFTS ( PALE HAIR >.D H] NAK$ FACE1 %E
LOOK$ L A NAU<TY * :O HAS CLIMB$ ONTO !
QUE5'S ?R"O =A JOKE4
  ,HE>+ ME MOVE1 %E LIFT$ H] H1D F H]
R1D+4
  8,DR4 ,CLIFTON HAS BE54 ,Y _H A V HI<
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  ,I SD NO?+4                       #DIF
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  8,ME8 ,I HAV5'T GOT A /ORY10 ,I SD4
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  8,N ME40 ,I %OOK MY H1D4 ,9 MY H1D ,I
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  8,"EYBODY HAS A /ORY4 ,X'S L FAMILIES4
,Y MI<T N "K :O !Y >E1 MI<T H LO/ !M1 B
!Y EXI/ ALL ! SAME4 ,Y MI<T DRIFT A"P OR
Y MI<T TURN YR BACK ON !M1 B Y C'T SAY Y
HAV5'T GOT !M4 ,SAME GOES = /ORIES4 ,S10
%E 3CLUD$1 8"EYBODY HAS A /ORY4 ,:5 >E Y
GO+ 6TELL ME YRS80
  8,I'M N40                         #DIG
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6ME4 8,2LIEVE ME1 ,M>G>ET4 ,I "K40

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,I WOKE1 "! 0 "S 9VALID'S M1L 0MY B$1
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--NO H1DA*E1 NO *ILLS1 NO SICK;S--UN.S Y
C.T PROF.D WE>I;S &A REMORSE T WEI<$
H1VILY 9 MY H1D & 9 MY HE>T4 ,:AT _H ,I
D"O 6,EMMEL9E8 ,& ,AURELIUS8 ,9     #DIH
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FAULT4
  ,Z = ,AURELIUS1 ! ONLY ?+ ,I CD D 0
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COPY3

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  ,>E Y ALL "R8
  ,I'M S SORRY AB :AT HAPP5$4 ,I N"E
M1NT 6HURT ANY"O4 ,I 0 MAD1         #DII
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  ,:5 C ,I SEE Y8
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  ,HE REMOV$ ! !RMOMET] F MY M\?1 FOLD$
8 >MS & DELIV]$ 8 DIAGNOSIS4 8,Y >E SUF-
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LI]1 H>%] C5TURIES4 ,NO TUB]CULOSIS1 NO
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  8,I H NO APPETITE40
  8..,L'APP@ETIT VIENT EN .MANGEANT40
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  8,EXACTLY4 ,YR APPETITE W -E BACK4 ,B
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  ,F ! DOOR HE SALUT$ ME & 0 G"O4
  ,I R1*$ =! PRESCRIP;N4 ,9 A VIGOR\S
SCRAWL1 HE _H 9K$3 ..,SIR ,>?UR ,CONAN
.,DOYLE1 ,! ,CASE ,BOOK ( ,%]LOCK
,HOLMES4 ..,TAKE T5 PAGES1 TWICE A "D1
TILL 5D ( .C\RSE4








            ,,DECEMB] ,,"DS         #EJC

  ,OBEY+ ,DR4 ,CLIFTON'S 9/RUC;NS1 ,I
SP5T TWO "DS 9 B$1 EAT+ & SLEEP+ & R1D+
,%]LOCK ,HOLMES4 ,I 3FESS ,I OV]DOS$ ON
MY PRESCRIB$ TR1T;T1 GULP+ D[N "O /ORY
AF ANO!R4 ,2F ! 5D (! SECOND "D ,JUDI?
_H BE5 D[N 6! LIBR>Y & FET*$ ANO!R VOL-
UME ( ,CONAN ,DOYLE = ME4 ,%E _H GR[N
SU45LY K9D T[>D ME S9CE MY COLLAPSE4 ,X
0 N ! FACT T %E 0 SORRY = ME T ALT]$ H]
--?\< %E .0 SORRY--B ! FACT T N[ ,EMME-
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H\SE1 %E 0 AT LIB]TY 6LET H] NATURAL
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MA9TA9+ A 3/ANTLY GU>D$ FACADE4
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  8,N A ^W4 ,& 6Y80
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M\S /ORY ( ALL IS "O T MI<T N EV5 EXI/4
,J ?9K1 %E CD PROBABLY PUBLI% A BOOK )
.ALL ! /ORIES MISS+ & X WD / SELL L HOT-
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?"\S1 &A NEW T"O1 8,S :AT D Y       #EJD
MAKE ( ,DR4 ,CLIFTON1 !N80
  ,:5 ,DR4 ,CLIFTON DROPP$ 06SEE H[ ,I 0
DO+1 8 EYE ALI<T$ ON ! VOLUMES 0MY B$-
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  ,ON ! ?IRD "D1 FEEL+ Z FRAIL Z A NEW-
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MY VE9S4
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RETRIEV$ MY PILE ( PAP]1 NEGLECT$ S9CE !
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BE/ "P (! "DLI<T H\RS R1D+4 ,I R1D & ,I
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TICULTURAL DE/RUC;N1 DEVELOP$ 96,MISS
,W9T]1 ! SELF-4CIPL9$ AU?OR ( DOZ5S (
BE/-SELL+ NOVELS &1 FUR!RMORE1 MAK] ( AN
EXQUISITE G>D58                     #EJF
  ,I PU%$ MY PILE ( PAP]S 6"O SIDE1
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(A /ORY ": "EY?+ _H BE5 PLANN$ WELL 9
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= MY 5JOY;T1 & ": ,I CD M1SURE H[ F>
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/ 6-E4 ,I _H NO IDEA H[ _M PAGES X WD
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L9E4 ,UNTIL EV5+1 :5 %E CAME )A MESSAGE
F ,MISS ,W9T] H]F3 ,0 ,I FEEL+ WELL 5 TO
R1D 6H] =A :ILE 2F SUPP]8
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/OPP$1 S5S+ T %E WANT$ 6TALK 6ME4
  8,:AT .DID HAPP5 T NI<T80 ,MISS ,W9T]
ASK$4 8,! NI<T Y FELL ILL80
  ,I 0 N]V\SLY GLAD 6H AN OPPORTUN;Y =
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9 ! H\SE4 ,I _H HE>D H] AT NI<T4 ,I _H
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  8..,! D1D G ."UGR.D10 ,I QUOT$4 8,T'S
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9 ! G>D54 ,! V ^WS6 8,IS T X80 A4$ ,MISS
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