,,! ,,?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
      ,LAURA ,COX & ,BE? ,MC,GU69
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #G
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #FJE-FGH

          ,"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&




















                                     ;IV
























                 ,,BABY             #FJE

  ,9 ,MISS ,W9T]'S N>R[ B$1 H] FRAME 0
M>K$ 0ONLY ! SMALLE/ RISE & FALL 9 ! B$-
CLO!S4 ,W>ILY %E /OLE EA* BR1?1 Z ?\< %E
EXPECT$ 6BE AMBU%$ AT ANY M9UTE4 ,! LI<T
F ! LAMP S"\ \ H] SKELETON3 ,X CAU<T H]
PALE *EEKB"O & ILLUM9AT$ ! :ITE >C ( H]
BR[2 X SANK H] EYE 9 A DEEP POOL ( %AD[4
  ,OV] ! BACK ( MY *AIR LAY A GOLD SILK
%AWL4 ,I DRAP$ X OV] ! %ADE S T X MI<T
DI6USE ! LI<T1 W>M X1 MAKE X FALL LESS
BRUT,Y ^U ,MISS ,W9T]'S FACE4
  ,QUIETLY ,I SAT1 QUIETLY ,I WAT*$1 &
:5 %E SPOKE ,I B>ELY HE>D H] :ISP]4
  8,! TRU?8 ,LET ME SEE '''0
  ,! ^WS DRIFT$ F H] LIPS 96! AIR2 !Y
HUNG "! TREMBL+1 !N F.D _! WAY & 2GAN _!
J\RNEY4

  ,I 0 N K9D 6,AMBROSE4 ,I CD H BE54 ,9
ANO!R _W1 ,I MI<T H BE54 ,X WDN'T H BE5
S V H>D3 ,HE 0 TALL & /R;G & 8 HAIR 0
GOLD 9 ! SUN4 ,I KNEW HE LIK$ ME & ,I 0
N 9DI6]5T4 ,B ,I H>D5$ MY HE>T4 ,I 0 B.D
6,EMMEL9E4                          #FJF
  8,AM ,I N GD 5 = Y80 ,HE ASK$ ME "O
"D4 ,HE CAME /RAI<T \ ) X1 L T4
  ,I PRET5D$ N 6HE>1 B HE 9SI/$4
  8,IF ,I'M N GD 5\<1 Y TELL ME S 6MY
FACE60
  8,Y C'T R1D10 ,I SD1 8& Y C'T WRITE60
  ,HE SMIL$4 ,TOOK MY P5CIL F ! KIT*5
W9D[SILL & 2GAN 6SCRAT* LRS ONTO A PIECE
( PAP]4 ,HE 0 SL[4 ,! LRS 7 UNEV54 ,B X
0 CLE> 5\<4 .,AMBROSE4 ,HE WROTE 8 "N &
:5 HE _H D"O X1 HE TOOK ! PAP] & HELD X
\ 6%[ ME4
  ,I SNAT*$ X \ ( 8 H&1 SCREW$ X 96A
BALL & TOSS$ X 6! FLOOR4
  ,HE /OPP$ -+ 96! KIT*5 = 8 TEA BR1K4
,I DRANK MY TEA 9 ! ,MISSUS'S *AIR1
MISS+ MY CIG>ETTE1 :ILE ,I LI/5$ =! S.D
( 8 /EP OR ! R+ ( 8 SPADE4 ,:5 HE CAME
6! H\SE )! M1T1 HE PASS$ ! BAG )\T A ^W1
EYES AV]T$1 FACE FROZ54 ,HE _H GIV5 UP4
,LAT]1 CL1N+ ! KIT*51 ,I CAME ACR !
PIECE ( PAP] ) 8 "N ON X4 ,I FELT A%AM$
( MYF & PUT ! PAP] 9 8 GAME BAG HANG+ 2H
! KIT*5 DOOR1 S X WD 2 \ ( SI<T4
  ,:5 DID ,I R1LIZE ,EMMEL9E 0      #FJG
PREGNANT8 ,A FEW MON?S AF ! BOY /OPP$ -+
= TEA4 ,I KNEW X 2F %E KNEW H]F2 %E 0
H>DLY "O 6NOTICE ! *ANGES 9 H] BODY1 OR
6R1LIZE ! 3SEQU;ES4 ,I "Q$ H] AB ,AM-
BROSE4 ,X 0 H>D 6MAKE H] "U/& ! S5SE (
MY "QS1 & %E Q FAIL$ 6SEE :Y ,I 0 ANGRY4
8,HE 0 S SAD0 0 ALL %E WD TELL ME4 8,Y 7
TOO UNK9D40 ,%E SPOKE V G5TLY1 FULL (
-PAS.N =! BOY1 VELVET+ H] REPROA* = ME4
  ,I CD H %AK5 H]4
  8,Y D R1LIZE T Y'RE GO+ 6H A BABY N[1
DON'T Y80
  ,MILD A/ONI%;T PASS$ ACR H] FACE1 !N
LEFT X TRANQUIL Z 2F4 ,NO?+1 X SEEM$1 CD
4TURB H] S]5;Y4
  ,I 4MISS$ ,AMBROSE4 ,I GAVE HM 8 PAY
TILL ! 5D (! WEEK & S5T HM AWAY4 ,I
DIDN'T LOOK AT HM :ILE ,I SPOKE 6HM4 ,I
DIDN'T GIVE HM ANY R1SONS4 ,HE DIDN'T
ASK ANY "QS4 8,Y MAY Z WELL G IMMLY10 ,I
TOLD HM1 B T WASN'T 8 WAY4 ,HE F9I%$ !
R[ ( PLANT+ ,I _H 9T]RUPT$1 CL1N$ !
TOOLS SCRUPUL\SLY1 ! WAY ,JOHN _H TAU<T
HM1 & PUT !M BACK 9 ! G>D5 %$1 L1V+
"EY?+ N1T & TIDY4 ,!N HE KNOCK$     #FJH
AT ! KIT*5 DOOR4
  8,:AT W Y D = M1T8 ,D Y "K H[ 6KILL A
*ICK5 AT L1/80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4
  8,-E ON40
  ,HE J]K$ 8 H1D 9 ! DIREC;N (! P51 & ,I
FOLL[$ HM4
  8,DON'T WA/E ANY "T10 HE 9/RUCT$ ME4
8,CL1N & QK IS ! WAY4 ,NO SECOND ?"\S40
  ,HE SWOOP$ ON "O (! COPP]-F1!R$ BIRDS
PECK+ AB \R FEET & HELD XS BODY FIRMLY4
,HE MIM$ ! AC;N T WD BR1K XS NECK4
8,SEE80
  ,I NO4$4
  8,G ON !N40
  ,HE REL1S$ ! BIRD & X FLURRI$ 6! GR.D
": XS R.D BACK 0 SOON 9DIST+UI%A# F XS
NEI<BORS4
  8,N[80
  8,:AT ELSE >E Y GO+ 6EAT TN80
  ,! SUN 0 GL1M+ ON ! F1!RS (! H5S Z !Y
PECK$ = SE$S4 ,I R1*$ =A BIRD1 B X SCUT-
TL$ AWAY4 ,! SECOND "O SLIPP$ "? MY F+]S
9 ! SAME WAY4 ,GRA2+ =A ?IRD1 ? "T1
CLUMSILY1 ,I HELD ON 6X4 ,X         #FJI
SQUAWK$ & TRI$ 6B1T XS W+S 9 XS PANIC TO
ESCAPE1 & ,I WOND]$ H[ ! BOY _H HELD 8 S
EASILY4 ,Z ,I /RU7L$ 6KEEP X / "U MY >M
& GET MY H&S >.D XS NECK AT ! SAME "T1
,I FELT ! BOY'S SEV]E EYE ^U ME4
  8,CL1N & QK10 HE REM9D$ ME4 ,HE D\BT$
ME1 ,I CD TELL F 8 VOICE4
  ,I 0 GO+ 6KILL ! BIRD4 ,I _H DECID$ TO
KILL ! BIRD4 ,S1 GRIPP+ ! BIRD'S NECK1
,I SQUEEZ$4 ,B MY H&S WD ONLY HALF OBEY
ME4 ,A /RANGL$ CRY ( AL>M FLEW F !
BIRD'S ?ROAT1 &=A SECOND ,I HESITAT$4 ,)
A MUSCUL> TWI/ &A FLAP1 ! BIRD SLIPP$ F
"U MY >M4 ,X 0 ONLY 2C ,I 0 /RUCK 0! PA-
RALYSIS ( PANIC T ,I / _H X 0! NECK4
,W+S B1T+1 CLAWS FLAIL+ WILDLY AT ! AIR1
ALM X LUR*$ AWAY F ME4
  ,SWIFTLY1 P[];LLY1 ! BOY TOOK ! BIRD \
( MY GRASP & 9 A S+LE MOVE;T HE _H D"O
X4
  ,HE HELD ! BODY \ 6ME2 ,I =C$ MYF TO
TAKE X4 ,W>M1 H1VY1 /4
  ,! SUN %"O ON 8 HAIR Z HE LOOK$ AT ME4
,8 LOOK 0 WORSE ?AN ! CLAWS1 WORSE ?AN !
B1T+ W+S4 ,WORSE ?AN ! LIMP BODY    #FAJ
9 MY H&S4
  ,)\T A ^W HE TURN$ 8 BACK & WALK$
AWAY4

  ,:AT GD 0 ! BOY 6ME8 ,MY HE>T 0 N M9E
6GIVE2 X 2L;G$ 6ANO!R1 & ALW _H4
  ,I LOV$ ,EMMEL9E4
  ,I 2LIEVE T ,EMMEL9E LOV$ ME1 TOO4
,ONLY %E LOV$ ,ADEL9E M4
  ,X IS A PA9;L ?+ 6LOVE A TW94 ,:5 ,AD-
EL9E 0 "!1 ,EMMEL9E'S HE>T 0 FULL4 ,%E
_H NO NE$ ( ME1 & ,I 0 LEFT ON ! \TSIDE1
A CA/-(F1 A SUP]FLU;Y1 A M]E OBS]V] (!
TW9S & _! TW9;S4
  ,ONLY :5 ,ADEL9E W5T ROAM+ AL"O 0 "!
SPACE 9 ,EMMEL9E'S HE>T = ANO!R4 ,!N H]
SORR[ 0 MY JOY4 ,LL 0LL ,I COAX$ H] AWAY
F H] L"OLI;S1 (F]+ GIFTS ( SILV] ?R1D &
%9Y BAU#S1 UNTIL %E ALM =GOT %E _H BE5
AB&ON$ & GAVE H]F OV] 6! FR%IP & -PAN-
ION%IP ,I CD (F]4 ,0A FIRE WE PLAY$
C>DS1 SANG1 TALK$4 ,TGR WE 7 HAPPY4
  ,UNTIL ,ADEL9E CAME BACK4 ,FURI\S )
COLD & HUNG]1 %E WD -E RAG+ 96! H\SE1 &!
9/ANT %E 0 "!1 \R _W ( TWO CAME     #FAA
6AN 5D1 & ,I 0 ON ! \TSIDE AG4
  ,X WASN'T FAIR4 ,?\< ,ADEL9E B1T H] &
PULL$ H] HAIR1 ,EMMEL9E LOV$ H]4 ,?\<
,ADEL9E AB&ON$ H]1 ,EMMEL9E LOV$ H]4
,:AT"E ,ADEL9E DID1 X ALT]$ NO?+1 = ,EM-
MEL9E'S LOVE 0 TOTAL4 ,& ME8 ,MY HAIR 0
COPP] L ,ADEL9E'S4 ,MY EYES 7 GRE5 L
,ADEL9E'S4 ,9 ! ABS;E ( ,ADEL9E1 ,I CD
FOOL ANY"O4 ,B ,I N"E FOOL$ ,EMMEL9E4
,H] HE>T KNEW ! TRU?4

  ,EMMEL9E _H H] BABY 9 ,JANU>Y4
  ,NO "O KNEW4 ,Z %E _H GR[N BI7]1 S %E
_H GR[N LAZI]2 X 0 NO H>D%IP = H] 6KEEP
6! 3F9ES (! H\SE4 ,%E 0 3T5T 6/AY 9SIDE1
YAWN+ 9 ! LIBR>Y1 ! KIT*51 H] B$ROOM4
,H] RETR1T 0 N NOTIC$4 ,:Y %D X H BE58
,! ONLY VISITOR 6! H\SE 0 ,MR4 ,LOMAX2
HE CAME ON REGUL> "DS AT REGUL> H\RS4
,EASY Z PIE 6H H] \ (! WAY 0! "T HE
KNOCK$ ON ! DOOR4
  ,\R 3TACT ) O!R P 0 SLI<T4 ,= M1T &
VEGETA#S WE 7 SELF-SU6ICI5T--,I N"E
LE>N$ 6L KILL+ *ICK5S1 B ,I LE>N$ 6D X4
,Z = O!R PROVI.NS1 ,I W5T 6! F>M    #FAB
9 P]SON 6COLLECT *EESE & MILK1 & :5 ONCE
A WEEK ! %OP S5T A BOY ON A BICYCLE ) \R
O!R REQUIRE;TS1 ,I MET HM ON ! DRIVE &
C>RI$ ! BASKET 6! H\SE MYF4 ,I ?"\ X WD
2 A S5SI# PRECAU;N 6H ANO!R TW9 SE5 0"S-
"O AT L1/ F "T 6"T4 ,ONCE1 :5 ,ADEL9E
SEEM$ CALM 5\<1 ,I GAVE H] ! CO9 & S5T
H] 6MEET ! BOY ON ! BICYCLE4 8,X 0 ! O!R
"O TD10 ,I IMAG9$ HM SAY+1 BACK AT !
%OP4 8,! WEIRD "O40 ,& ,I WOND]$ :AT !
DOCTOR WD MAKE ( X IF ! BOY'S A3.T R1*$
8 E>S4 ,B X SOON GREW IMPOSSI# 6USE ,AD-
EL9E L ? AG4 ,EMMEL9E'S PREGNANCY A6ECT$
H] TW9 CURI\SLY3 ,=! F/ "T 9 H] LIFE %E
4COV]$ AN APPETITE4 ,F 2+ A SCRAWNY BAG
( B"OS1 %E DEVELOP$ PLUMP CURVES & FULL
BR1/S4 ,"! 7 "TS--IN HALF-LI<T1 F C]TA9
ANGLES--:5 =A MO;T EV5 ,I CD N TELL !M
A"P4 ,S F "T 6"T ON A ,W$NES"D MORN+1 ,I
WD 2 ,ADEL9E4 ,I WD MESS MY HAIR1 GRIME
MY NAILS1 SET MY FACE 96A TI<T1 AGITAT$
MASK & G D[N ! DRIVE 6MEET ! BOY ON !
BICYCLE4 ,SEE+ ! SPE$ ( MY GAIT Z ,I
CAME D[N ! GRAVEL DRIVE 6MEET HM1 HE WD
"K X 0 .! .O!R ."O4 ,I CD SEE 8     #FAC
F+]S CURL ANXI\SLY >.D 8 H&LEB>S4 ,WAT*+
ME SURREPTITI\SLY1 HE H&$ OV] ! BASKET1
!N HE POCKET$ 8 TIP & 0 GLAD 6BICYCLE
AWAY4 ,! FOLL[+ WEEK1 :5 HE 0 MET 0ME Z
MYF1 8 SMILE _H A T\* ( RELIEF 9 X4
  ,HID+ ! PREGNANCY 0 N DI6ICULT4 ,B ,I
0 TR\#D DUR+ ^? MON?S ( WAIT+ AB ! BIR?
XF4 ,I KNEW :AT ! DANG]S ( LABOR MI<T
BE4 ,ISABELLE'S "M _H N SURVIV$ H] SEC-
OND LABOR1 & ,I CD N PUT ? ?"\ \ ( MY
H1D = M ?AN A FEW H\RS AT A "T4 ,T ,EM-
MEL9E %D SU6]1 T H] LIFE %D 2 PUT 9 DAN-
G]--? 0 UN?9KA#4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ! DOCTOR
_H BE5 NO FR ( \RS & ,I DID N WANT HM AT
! H\SE4 ,HE _H SE5 ,ISABELLE & TAK5 H]
AWAY4 ,T CD N 2 ALL[$ 6HAPP5 6,EMMEL9E4
,HE _H SEP>AT$ ,EMMEL9E & ,ADEL9E4 ,T CD
N 2 ALL[$ 6HAPP5 6,EMMEL9E & .ME4 ,2SS1
H[ CD HE -E )\T "! 2+ IMM -PLIC,NS8 ,&
AL? HE _H BE5 P]SUAD$1 ?\< HE DID N "U/&
X1 T ! GIRL 9 ! MI/ _H BROK5 "? ! C>A-
PACE (! MUTE RAG-DOLL ,ADEL9E :O _H ONCE
SP5T S"EAL MON?S ) HM1 IF HE 7 ONCE 6RE-
ALIZE T "! 7 .?REE GIRLS AT ,ANGELFIELD
,H\SE1 HE WD IMMLY SEE ! TRU? (!    #FAD
A6AIR4 ,=A S+LE VISIT1 =! BIR? XF1 ,I CD
LOCK ,ADEL9E 9 ! OLD NURS]Y1 & WE MI<T
GET AWAY ) X4 ,B ONCE X 0 "KN "! 0 A BA-
BY 9 ! H\SE1 "! WD 2 NO 5D ( VISITS4 ,X
WD 2 IMPOSSI# 6KEEP \R SECRET4
  ,I 0 WELL AW>E (! FRAGIL;Y ( MY POSI-
;N4 .,I KNEW ,I 2L;G$ "H1 .,I KNEW X 0
MY PLACE4 ,I _H NO HOME B ,ANGELFIELD1
NO LOVE B ,EMMEL9E1 NO LIFE B ? "O "H1
YET ,I 0 "U NO ILLU.NS AB H[ T5U\S MY
CLAIM WD SEEM 6O!RS4 ,:AT FRS DID ,I H8
,! DOCTOR CD H>DLY 2 EXPECT$ 6SP1K UP =
ME1 & ?\< ,MR4 ,LOMAX 0 K9D 6ME N[1 ONCE
HE KNEW ,I _H IMP]SONAT$ ,ADEL9E1 X 0
9EVITA# T 8 ATTITUDE WD ALT]4 ,EMMEL9E'S
A6EC;N = ME & M9E = H] WD C.T Z NO?+4
  ,EMMEL9E H]F1 IGNORANT & PLACID1 LET !
"DS ( H] 3F9E;T PASS 0UNTR\#D4 ,= ME !
"T 0 SP5T 9 AN AGONY ( 9DECI.N4 ,H[ TO
KEEP ,EMMEL9E SAFE8 ,H[ 6KEEP MYF SAFE8
,E "D ,I PUT (F ! DECI.N 6! NEXT4 ,DUR+
! F/ MON?S ,I FELT SURE ! SOLU;N WD -E
6ME 9 "T4 ,_H ,I N RESOLV$ "EY?+ ELSE1
AG/ ! O4S8 ,!N ?1 TOO1 CD 2 >RANG$4 ,B Z
! "T GREW NE>]1 ! PRO#M GREW M      #FAE
URG5T & ,I 0 NO NE>] A DECI.N4 ,I VE]$ 9
! SPACE (A M9UTE 2T GRA2+ MY COAT 6G 6!
DOCTOR'S H\SE1 "! & !N1 6TELL HM "EY?+1
&! 3TR>Y ?"\3 T 6D S 0 6REV1L MYF1 & T
6REV1L MYF CD ONLY L1D 6MY BANI%;T4 ,TM1
,I TOLD MYF1 Z ,I REPLAC$ MY COAT ON !
HOOK4 ,I W ?9K ( "S?+ TM4
  ,B !N X 0 TOO LATE = TM4
  ,I WOKE 6A CRY4 .,EMMEL9E6
  ,B X 0 N ,EMMEL9E4 ,EMMEL9E 0 HU6+ &
PANT+2 L A B1/ %E SNORT$ & SW1T$2 H]
EYES BULG$ & %E %[$ H] TEE?1 B %E DID N
CRY \4 ,%E ATE H] PA9 & X TURN$ 6/R5G?
9SIDE H]4 ,! CRY T _H WOK5 ME1 &! CRIES
T 3T9U$ 6RES.D ALL >.D ! H\SE1 7 N H]S B
,ADEL9E'S1 & !Y DID N C1SE TILL MORN+1
:5 ,EMMEL9E'S 9FANT1 A BOY1 0 DELIV]$4
  ,X 0 ! SEV5? ( ,JANU>Y4
  ,EMMEL9E SLEPT2 %E SMIL$ 9 H] SLEEP4
  ,I BA!D ! BABY4 ,HE OP5$ 8 EYES & GOG-
GL$1 A/.D$ 0! T\* (! W>M WAT]4
  ,! SUN ROSE4
  ,! "T = DECI.NS _H -E & G"O1 & NO DE-
CI.N _H BE5 MADE1 YET "H WE W]E1 ON !
O!R SIDE ( 4A/]1 & WE 7 SAFE4       #FAF
  ,MY LIFE CD G ON4























                 ,,FIRE             #FAG

  ,MISS ,W9T] SEEM$ 6S5SE ! >RIVAL (
,JUDI?1 = :5 ! H\SEKEEP] LOOK$ >.D ! $GE
(! DOOR1 %E F.D U 9 SIL;E4 ,%E _H BR"\
ME COCOA ON A TRAY B AL (F]$ 6REPLACE ME
IF ,I WANT$ 6SLEEP4 ,I %OOK MY H1D4
8,I'M ALL "R1 ?ANKS40
  ,MISS ,W9T] AL REFUS$ :5 ,JUDI? REM9D$
H] %E CD TAKE M (! :ITE TA#TS IF %E NE$$
!M4
  ,:5 ,JUDI? 0 G"O1 ,MISS ,W9T] CLOS$ H]
EYES AG4
  8,H[ IS ! WOLF80 ,I ASK$4
  8,QUIET 9 ! CORN]10 %E SD4 8,:Y %DN'T
HE BE8 ,HE IS C]TA9 ( 8 VICTORY4 ,S HE'S
3T5T 6BIDE 8 "T4 ,HE "KS ,I'M N GO+ TO
MAKE A FUSS4 ,WE'VE AGRE$ 6T]MS40
  8,:AT T]MS80
  8,HE IS GO+ 6LET ME F9I% MY /ORY1 & !N
,I AM GO+ 6LET HM F9I% ME40
  ,%E TOLD ME ! /ORY (! FIRE1 :ILE !
WOLF C.T$ D[N ! ^WS4

  ,I _H N"E GIV5 A GRT D1L ( ?"\ 6! BABY
2F HE >RIV$4 ,I _H 3SID]$ !         #FAH
PRACTICAL ASPECTS ( HID+ A BABY 9 !
H\SE1 C]TA9LY1 & ,I _H A PLAN = 8 FU-
TURE4 ,IF WE CD KEEP HM SECRET =A "T1 MY
9T5;N 0 6ALL[ 8 PRES;E 6BE "KN LAT]4
,?\< X WD NO D\BT 2 :ISP]$ AB1 HE CD 2
9TRODUC$ Z ! ORPHAN * (A 4TANT MEMB] (!
FAMILY1 & IF P *OSE 6WOND] AB 8 EXACT
P>5TAGE1 !Y 7 FREE 6D S2 NO?+ !Y CD D WD
=CE U 6REV1L ! TRU?4 ,:5 MAK+ ^! PLANS1
,I _H 5VISAG$ ! BABY Z A DI6ICULTY T
NE$$ 6BE RESOLV$4 ,I _H N TAK5 96A3.T T
HE 0 MY FLE% & BLOOD4 ,I _H N EXPECT$ TO
LOVE HM4
  ,HE 0 ,EMMEL9E'S1 T 0 R1SON 5\<4 ,HE 0
,AMBROSE'S4 ,T 0 A SUBJECT ,I DID N
DWELL ON4 ,B HE 0 AL M9E4 ,I M>VEL$ AT 8
PE>LY SK91 AT ! P9K JUT ( 8 LIPS1 AT !
T5TATIVE MOVE;TS ( 8 T9Y H&S4 ,! F]OC;Y
( MY DESIRE 6PROTECT HM OV]:ELM$ ME3 ,I
WANT$ 6PROTECT HM = ,EMMEL9E'S SAKE1 TO
PROTECT H] = 8 SAKE1 6PROTECT ! TWO ( !M
= MYF4 ,WAT*+ HM & ,EMMEL9E TGR1 ,I CD N
DRAG MY EYES AWAY4 ,!Y 7 B1UTI;L4 ,MY "O
DESIRE 0 6KEEP !M SAFE4 ,& ,I SOON LE>N$
T !Y NE$$ A GU>DIAN 6KEEP !M        #FAI
SAFE4
  ,ADEL9E 0 J1L\S (! BABY4 ,M J1L\S ?AN
%E _H BE5 ( ,HE/]1 M J1L\S ?AN ( ME4 ,X
0 ONLY 6BE EXPECT$3 ,EMMEL9E _H BE5 FOND
( ,HE/]1 %E LOV$ ME1 B NEI ( ^! A6EC;NS
_H T\*$ ! SUPREMACY ( H] FEEL+ = ,ADE-
L9E4 ,B ! BABY ''' AH1 ! BABY 0 DI6]5T4
,! BABY USURP$ ALL4
  ,I %D N H BE5 SURPRIS$ AT ! EXT5T (
,ADEL9E'S HATR$4 ,I KNEW H[ UGLY H] ANG]
CD BE1 _H WIT;S$ ! EXT5T ( H] VIOL;E4
,YET ! "D ,I F/ "U/OOD ! L5G?S %E MI<T G
TO1 ,I CD SC>CELY 2LIEVE X4 ,PASS+ ,EM-
MEL9E'S B$ROOM1 ,I SIL5TLY PU%$ ! DOOR
OP5 6SEE IF %E 0 / SLEEP+4 ,I F.D ,ADE-
L9E 9 ! ROOM1 L1N+ OV] ! CRIB 0! B$1 &
"S?+ 9 H] PO/URE AL>M$ ME4 ,HE>+ MY /EP1
%E />T$1 !N TURN$ & RU%$ PA/ ME \ (!
ROOM4 ,9 H] H&S %E CLUT*$ A SMALL CU%-
ION4
  ,I FELT -PELL$ 6DA% 6! COT4 ,! 9FANT 0
SLEEP+ S.DLY1 H& CURL$ 0HIS E>1 BR1?+ 8
LI<T1 DELICATE BABY BR1?4
  ,SAFE6
  ,UNTIL NEXT "T4                   #FBJ
  ,I 2GAN 6SPY ON ,ADEL9E4 ,MY OLD "DS (
HAUNT+ CAME 9 USE;L AG Z F 2H CURTA9S &
YEW TREES ,I WAT*$ H]4 ,"! 0 A R&OM;S 9
H] AC;NS2 9DOORS OR \TDOORS1 TAK+ NO NO-
TICE (! "T ( "D OR ! W1!R1 %E 5GAG$ 9
M1N+.S1 REP1T$ AC;NS4 ,%E 0 OBEY+ DIC-
TATES T 7 \TSIDE MY "U/&+4 ,B GRADU,Y "O
ACTIV;Y CAME "PICUL>LY 6MY ATT5;N4
,ONCE1 TWICE1 ?REE "TS A "D1 %E CAME 6!
COA* H\SE & LEFT X AG1 C>RY+ A C ( PET-
ROL ) H] EA* "T4 ,%E TOOK ! C 6! DRAW+
ROOM1 OR ! LIBR>Y OR ! G>D54 ,!N %E WD
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  ,I SEEM$ 6SP5D HALF MY "D RE-     #FBA
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0 H1P$ HI< ) TORN-UP BOOKS4         #FBF
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B$ & LAY ! BABY ON !M 9 8 CANVAS PA-
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  ,I AM ALM "! :5 MY FUTURE %ATT]S4
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9 ! LIBR>Y4 ,! EMPTY W9D[ FRAME %[S ME
LIQUID FIRE SPRAY+ ! ROOM1 PETROL CANS
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  .,EMMEL9E6
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FLOOR & WALLS >E COOL--! FIRE HAS NO
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H1T1 & ,I *OKE4
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CLO!S4 ,:5 ,I R1* ! SI/]S ,I _C SEE !M1
B R1* BLLY "? ! SMOKE4 ,MY T\* />TLES !M
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ROOM4
  ,:Y8
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  ,%E IS B.D4
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SMOKE4
  ,I W BR1K ! BOND4
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LIBR>Y1 >MS AH1D ( ME1 SE>*+4 ,:5 MY H&S
R1* H] 9 ! SMOKE1 ,I D N LET H]     #FCA
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DOESN'T BURN EASILY4 ,I PU% X %UT 2H U1
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IS "S?+ /R;G] ?AN FIRE T PULLS H] 96T
ROOM4
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"DS ( ,HE/]1 IS HOT4 ,X BURNS MY PALM Z
,I TURN X4 ,NO?+ ELSE HURTS ME T NI<T1 B
! KEY SE>S MY PALM & ,I SMELL MY FLE% Z
X *>S4 ,EMMEL9E PUTS \ A H& 6CLUT* ! KEY
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FEELS ! %OCK ( X1 ,I PULL H] H& AWAY4
  ,A GRT CRY FILLS MY H1D4 ,IS X HUMAN8
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) ME4 ,F A GUTTURAL />T X GA!RS /R5G? Z
X RISES1 R1*ES A %RILL P1K ( 9T5S;Y1 &
:5 ,I ?9K X M/ 2 AT ! 5D ( XS BR1?1 X
3T9UES1 IMPOSSIBLY L[1 IMPOSSIBLY L;G1 A
B.D.S S.D T FILLS ! _W & 5GULFS X &
3TA9S X4                            #FCB
  ,& !N ! S.D IS G"O & "! IS ONLY ! RO>
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S9K 6! GR.D2 WE ROLL ON ! WET GRASS TO
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COOL WET ON \R SCOR*$ FLE%4 ,ON \R BACKS
WE RE/ "!1 FLAT AG/ ! E>?4 ,I OP5 MY M\?
& DR9K ! RA94 ,X FALLS ON MY FACE1 COOLS
MY EYES1 & ,I C SEE AG4 ,N"E HAS "! BE5
A SKY L X1 DEEP 9DIGO ) FA/-MOV+ SLATE-
BLACK CL\DS1 ! RA9 -+ D[N 9 BLADE $GES (
SILV]1 & E S (T5 A PLUME1 A SPRAY ( B"R
ORANGE F ! H\SE1 A F.TA9 ( FIRE4 ,A BOLT
( LI<TN+ CRACKS ! SKY 9 TWO1 !N AG1 &
AG4
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MAKE ?+S ALL "R4
  ,I TURN 6H] & OP5 MY M\? 6SP1K4 ,H]
FACE--
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ALL SMOKE & BLOOD & FIRE4
  ,H] EYES1 H] GRE5 GAZE1 RAVAG$1 UNSEE-
+1 UN"K+4
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2LOV$ 9 X4
  8,EMMEL9E80 ,I :ISP]4 8,EMMEL9E80
  ,%E DOES N REPLY4
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,I '''8 ,IS X POSSI# T '''8
  ,I _C BE> 6"K4
  ,I _C BE> N 6"K4
  8,ADEL9E80 ,MY VOICE IS A BROK5 ?+4
  ,B %E--? P]SON1 ? "S"O1 ? "O OR ! O!R1
? MI<T OR MI<T N BE1 ? D>L+1 ? MON/]1 ?
,I DON'T "K :O %E IS--DOES N REPLY4
  ,P >E -+4 ,RUNN+ UP ! DRIVE1 VOICES
CALL+ URG5TLY 9 ! NI<T4
  ,I RISE 6A CR\* & SCUTTLE AWAY4 ,KEEP+
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:5 ,I AM SURE !Y H F.D H] ,I L1VE !M 6X4
,9 ! *UR* ,I PUT ! SAT*EL OV] MY %\LD]1
CLUT*+ ! BABY 9 8 PAPOOSE 6MY SIDE1 &
SET (F4
  ,X IS QUIET 9 ! WOODS4 ,! RA91 SL[$ 0!
CANOPY ( L1VES1 FALLS S(TLY ON ! "UGR[?4
,! * :IMP]S1 !N SLEEPS4 ,MY FEET C>RY ME
6A SMALL H\SE ON ! O!R $GE (! WOODS4 ,I
"K ! H\SE4 ,I H SE5 X (T5 DUR+ MY HAUNT+
YE>S4 ,A WOMAN LIVES "!1 AL"O4      #FCD
,SPY+ H] "? ! W9D[ KNITT+ OR BAK+1 ,I H
ALW ?"\ %E LOOKS NICE1 & :5 ,I R1D AB
K9DLY GR&"MS & FAIRY GOD"MS 9 MY BOOKS1
,I SUPPLY !M ) H] FACE4
  ,I TAKE ! BABY 6H]4 ,I GL.E 9 AT ! W9-
D[1 Z ,I H 2F1 SEE H] 9 H] USUAL PLACE
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/IT*ES \1 )! NE$LES ON ! TA# 2S H]4 ,"!
IS A DRY PLACE 9 ! POR* =! BABY4 ,I SET-
TLE HM "! & WAIT 2H A TREE4
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:5 ,I SEE H] EXPRES.N T HE W 2 SAFE )
H]4 ,%E LOOKS UP & >.D4 ,9 MY DIREC;N4
,Z IF %E'S SE5 "S?+4 ,H ,I RU/L$ !
L1VES1 2TRAY$ MY PRES;E8 ,X CROSSES MY
M9D 6/EP =W>D4 ,SURELY %E WD 2FR ME8 ,I
HESITATE1 &! W9D *ANGES DIREC;N4 ,I
SMELL ! FIRE AT ! SAME MO;T %E DOES4 ,%E
TURNS AWAY1 LOOKS 6! SKY1 GASPS AT !
SMOKE T RISES OV] ! SPOT ": ,ANGELFIELD
,H\SE /&S4 ,& !N PUZZLE;T %[S 9 H] FACE4
,%E HOLDS ! BABY CLOSE 6H] NOSE & SNI6S4
,! SMELL ( FIRE IS ON HM1 TRANSF]R$ F MY
CLO!S4 ,"O M GL.E AT ! SMOKE & %E   #FCE
/EPS FIRMLY BACK 96H] H\SE & CLOSES !
DOOR4
  ,I AM AL"O4
  ,NO "N4
  ,NO HOME4
  ,NO FAMILY4
  ,I AM NO?+4
  ,I H NO": 6G4
  ,I H NO "O :O 2L;GS 6ME4
  ,I />E AT MY BURN$ PALM B _C FEEL !
PA94
  ,:AT K9D (A ?+ AM ,I8 ,AM ,I EV5
ALIVE8
  ,I CD G ANY":1 B ,I WALK BACK 6,ANGEL-
FIELD4 ,X IS ! ONLY PLACE ,I "K4
  ,EM]G+ F ! TREES1 ,I APPROA* ! SC5E4
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/&+ BACK1 DAZ$ &) SMOKE-BLACK5$ FACES1
WAT*+ ! PROFES.NALS D BATTLE )! FLAMES4
,WOM51 MESM]IZ$ 0SMOKE RIS+ 96! BLACK
SKY4 ,AN AMBUL.E4 ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY KNEEL+
OV] A FIGURE ON ! GRASS4
  ,NO "O SEES ME4
  ,ON ! $GE ( ALL ! ACTIV;Y ,I /&1
9VISI#4 ,P]H ,I RE,Y AM NO?+4       #FCF
,P]H NO "O C SEE ME AT ALL4 ,P]H ,I DI$
9 ! FIRE & HAV5'T R1LIZ$ X YET4 ,P]H ,I
AM F9,Y :AT ,I H ALW BE53 A <O/4
  ,!N "O (! WOM5 LOOKS 9 MY DIREC;N4
  8,LOOK10 %E CRIES1 PO9T+4 8,%E'S "H60
& P TURN4 ,/>E4 ,"O (! WOM5 RUNS 6AL]T !
M54 ,!Y TURN F ! FIRE & LOOK1 TOO4
8,?ANK ,GOD60 "S"O SAYS4
  ,I OP5 MY M\? 6SAY ''' ,I DON'T "K
:AT4 ,B ,I SAY NO?+4 ,J /& "!1 MAK+
%APES ) MY M\?1 NO VOICE1 & NO ^WS4
  8,DON'T TRY 6SP1K40 ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY IS
0MY SIDE N[4
  ,I />E AT ! GIRL ON ! LAWN4 8,%E'LL
SURVIVE10 SAYS ! DOCTOR4
  ,I LOOK AT ! H\SE4
  ,! FLAMES4 ,MY BOOKS4 ,I DON'T ?9K ,I
C BE> X4 ,I REMEMB] ! PAGE ( .,JANE
.,EYRE1 ! BALL ( ^WS ,I SAV$ F ! PYRE4
,I H LEFT X 2H )! BABY4
  ,I 2G9 6WEEP4
  8,%E'S 9 %OCK10 SAYS ! DOCTOR 6"O (!
WOM54 8,KEEP H] W>M & /AY ) H]1 :ILE WE
PUT ! SI/] 9 ! AMBUL.E40
  ,A WOMAN -ES 6ME1 CLUCK+ H]       #FCG
3C]N4 ,%E TAKES (F H] COAT & WRAPS X >.D
ME1 T5D]LY1 Z ?\< DRESS+ A BABY1 & %E
MURMURS1 8,DON'T WORRY1 Y'LL 2 ALL "R1
YR SI/]'S ALL "R1 OH1 MY POOR DE>40
  ,!Y LIFT ! GIRL F ! GRASS & PLACE H]
ON ! B$ 9 ! AMBUL.E4 ,!N !Y HELP ME IN4
,SIT ME D[N OPPOSITE4 ,& !Y DRIVE U 6!
HOSPITAL4
  .,%E />ES 96SPACE4 ,EYES OP51 EMPTY4
,AF ! F/ MO;T ,I DON'T LOOK4 ,! AMBUL.E
MAN B5DS OV] H]1 ASSURES HMF T %E IS
BR1?+1 !N TURNS 6ME4
  8,:AT AB T H&1 EH80
  ,I AM CLUT*+ MY "R H& 9 MY LEFT1 UN-
3SCI\S (! PA9 9 MY M9D1 B MY BODY GIV+ !
SECRET AWAY4
  ,HE TAKES MY H&1 & ,I LET HM UNFOLD MY
F+]S4 ,A M>K IS BURN$ DEEP 96MY PALM4 ,!
KEY4
  8,T'LL H1L UP10 HE TELLS ME4 8,DON'T
WORRY4 ,N[1 >E Y ,ADEL9E OR >E Y ,EMME-
L9E80
  ,HE GE/URES 6! O!R "O4 8,IS ? ,EMME-
L9E80
  ,I C'T ANSW]1 C'T FEEL MYF1 C'T   #FCH
MOVE4
  8,N 6WORRY10 HE SD4 8,ALL 9 GD "T40
  ,HE GIVES UP ON MAK+ ME "U/& HM4 ,MUT-
T]S = 8 [N B5EFIT1 8,/1 WE'VE GOT 6CALL
Y "S?+4 ,ADEL9E1 ,EMMEL9E1 ,EMMEL9E1
,ADEL9E4 ,FIFTY-FIFTY1 ISN'T X8 ,X'LL
ALL -E \ 9 ! WA%40
  ,! HOSPITAL4 ,OP5+ ! AMBUL.E DOORS4
,ALL NOISE & BU/LE4 ,VOICES SP1K+ FA/4
,! /RET*]1 LIFT$ ONTO A TROLLEY & :EEL$
AWAY AT SPE$4 ,A :EEL*AIR4 ,H&S ON MY
%\LD]S4 8,SIT D[N1 DE>40 ,! *AIR MOV+4
,A VOICE 2H MY BACK4 8,DON'T WORRY1 *4
,WE'LL TAKE C>E ( Y & YR SI/]4 ,Y'RE
SAFE N[1 ,ADEL9E40

  ,MISS ,W9T] SLEPT4
  ,I SAW ! T5D] SLACK;S ( H] OP5 M\?1 !
TUFT ( UNRULY HAIR T DID N LAY /RAI<T F
H] TEMPLE1 & 9 H] SLEEP %E SEEM$ V1 V
OLD & V1 V "Y4 ,) E BR1? %E TOOK ! B$-
CLO!S ROSE & FELL OV] H] ?9 %\LD]S1 & AT
EA* S9K+ ! RI2ON$ $GE (! BLANKET BRU%$
AG/ H] FACE4 ,%E SEEM$ UNAW>E ( X1 B ALL
! SAME1 ,I B5T OV] H] 6FOLD !       #FCI
COV]S BACK & SMOO? ! CURL ( PALE HAIR
BACK 96PLACE4
  ,%E DID N /IR4 ,0 %E RE,Y ASLEEP1 ,I
WOND]$1 OR 0 ? UNCONSCI\S;S ALR8
  ,I C'T SAY H[ L;G ,I WAT*$ H] AF T4
,"! 0 A CLOCK1 B ! MOVE;TS ( XS H&S 7 Z
M1N+.S Z A MAP (! SURFACE (! SEA4 ,WAVE
AF WAVE ( "T LAPP$ OV] ME Z ,I SAT ) MY
EYES CLOS$1 N SLEEP+1 B )! VIGIL.E (A "M
=! BR1?+ ( H] *4
  ,I H>DLY "K :AT 6SAY AB ! NEXT ?+4 ,IS
X POSSI# T ,I HALLUC9AT$ 9 MY TIR$;S8
,DID ,I FALL ASLEEP & DR1M8 ,OR DID
,MISS ,W9T] RE,Y SP1K "O LA/ "T8
  ..,I W GIVE YR MESSAGE 6YR .SI/]4
  ,I J]K$ MY EYES OP51 B H]S 7 CLOS$4
,%E SEEM$ 6BE SLEEP+ Z DEEPLY Z 2F4
  ,I DID N SEE ! WOLF :5 HE CAME4 ,I DID
N HE> HM4 ,"! 0 ONLY ?3 ,A LL 2F DAWN ,I
2CAME AW>E (A HU%1 & ,I R1LIZ$ T ! ONLY
BR1?+ 6BE HE>D 9 ! ROOM 0 MY [N4



                                    #FDJ
























                ,2G9N+S             #FDA

                 ,,SN[

  ,MISS ,W9T] DI$ &! SN[ KEPT FALL+4
  ,:5 ,JUDI? CAME %E /OOD ) ME =A "T AT
! W9D[1 & WE WAT*$ ! E]IE ILLUM9,N (!
NI<T SKY4 ,!N1 :5 AN ALT],N 9 ! :ITE;S
TOLD U X 0 MORN+1 %E S5T ME 6B$4
  ,I AWOKE AT ! 5D (! AFN4
  ,! SN[ T _H ALR D1D5$ ! TELEPH"O N[
R1*$ ! W9D[ L$GES & DRIFT$ HALFWAY UP !
DOORS4 ,X SEP>AT$ U F ! RE/ (! _W Z EF-
FECTIVELY Z A PRISON KEY4 ,MISS ,W9T] _H
ESCAP$2 S _H ! WOMAN ,JUDI? REF]R$ 6Z
,EMMEL9E1 & :OM ,I AVOID$ NAM+4 ,! RE/ (
U1 ,JUDI?1 ,MAURICE & ,I1 7 TRAPP$4
  ,! CAT 0 RE/.S4 ,X 0 ! SN[ T PUT HM \2
HE DID N L ? *ANGE 9 ! APPE>.E ( 8 UNI-
V]SE4 ,HE W5T F "O W9D[SILL 6ANO!R 9
SE>* ( 8 LO/ _W1 & ME[$ URG5TLY AT ,JU-
DI?1 ,MAURICE & ME1 Z ?\< XS RE/OR,N 0 9
\R H&S4 ,9 -P>ISON1 ! LOSS ( 8 MI/RESSES
0 A SMALL MATT] T1 IF HE NOTIC$ X AT
ALL1 LEFT HM FUNDA;T,Y UNDISTURB$4
  ,! SN[ _H BLOCKAD$ U 96A SIDE-    #FDB
WAYS EXT5.N ( "T1 & WE EA* F.D \R [N WAY
( 5DUR+ X4 ,JUDI?1 IMP]TURBA#1 MADE VEG-
ETA# S\P1 CL1N$ ! KIT*5 CUPBO>DS \ &1 :5
%E RAN \ ( JOBS1 MANICUR$ H] NAILS & DID
A FACE PACK4 ,MAURICE1 *AF+ AT ! 3F9E;T
&! 9ACTIV;Y1 PLAY$ 5D.S GAMES ( SOLI-
TAIRE1 B :5 HE _H 6DR9K 8 TEA BLACK =
LACK ( MILK1 ,JUDI? PLAY$ RUMMY ) HM TO
4TRACT HM F ! BITT];S4
  ,Z = ME1 ,I SP5T TWO "DS WRIT+ UP MY
F9AL NOTES1 B :5 T 0 D"O1 ,I F.D ,I CD N
SETTLE 6R1D+4 ,EV5 ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES CD N
R1* ME 9 ! SN[LOCK$ L&SCAPE4 ,AL"O 9 MY
ROOM ,I SP5T AN H\R EXAM9+ MY MELAN*OLY1
TRY+ 6"N :AT ,I ?"\ 0 A NEW ELE;T 9 X4
,I R1LIZ$ T ,I MISS$ ,MISS ,W9T]4 ,S1
HOPE;L ( HUMAN -PANY1 ,I MADE MY WAY 6!
KIT*54 ,MAURICE 0 GLAD 6PLAY C>DS ) ME1
EV5 ?\< ,I KNEW ONLY *N'S GAMES4 ,!N1 :5
,JUDI?'S NAILS 7 DRY+1 ,I MADE ! COCOA &
TEA ) NO MILK1 & LAT] LET ,JUDI? FILE &
POLI% MY [N NAILS4
  ,9 ? WAY1 WE ?REE &! CAT SAT \ ! "DS1
LOCK$ 9 ) \R D1D1 &)! OLD YE> SEEM+ 6L+]
ON PA/ XS "T4                       #FDC
  ,ON ! FIF? "D ,I ALL[$ MYF 6BE OV]COME
0A VA/ SORR[4
  ,I _H D"O ! WA%+ UP1 & ,MAURICE _H
DRI$ :ILE ,JUDI? PLAY$ SOLITAIRE AT !
TA#4 ,WE 7 ALL GLAD (A *ANGE4 ,& :5 !
WA%+ UP 0 D"O1 ,I TOOK MYF AWAY F _!
-PANY 6! DRAW+ ROOM4 ,! W9D[ LOOK$ \
ONTO ! "P (! G>D5 T 0 9 ! LEE (! H\SE4
,"H ! SN[ DID N DRIFT S HI<4 ,I OP5$ A
W9D[1 CLIMB$ \ 96! :ITE;S & WALK$ ACR !
SN[4 ,ALL ! GRIEF ,I _H KEPT AT BAY =
YE>S 0M1NS ( BOOKS & BOOKCASES APPROA*$
ME N[4 ,ON A B5* %ELT]$ 0A TALL H$GE (
YEW ,I AB&ON$ MYF 6A SORR[ T 0 WIDE &
DEEP Z ! SN[ XF1 & Z UNTA9T$4 ,I CRI$ =
,MISS ,W9T]1 = H] <O/1 = ,ADEL9E & ,EM-
MEL9E4 ,= MY SI/]1 MY "M & MY "F4 ,MO/-
LY1 & MO/ T]RIBLY1 ,I CRI$ = MYF4 ,MY
GRIEF 0 T (! 9FANT1 NEWLY S"E$ F H] O!R
HALF2 (! * B5T OV] AN OLD T91 MAK+ SU451
%OCK+ S5SE (A FEW PIECES ( PAP]2 &(A
GR[N WOMAN1 SITT+ CRY+ ON A B5* 9 ! HAL-
LUC9ATORY LI<T & SIL;E (! SN[4
  ,:5 ,I CAME 6MYF ,DR4 ,CLIFTON 0 "!4
,HE PUT AN >M >.D ME4 8,I "K10 HE   #FDD
SD4 8,I "K40
  ,HE DIDN'T "K1 ( C\RSE4 ,N RE,Y4 ,&
YET T 0 :AT HE SD1 & ,I 0 SOO!D 6HE> X4
,= ,I KNEW :AT HE M1NT4 ,WE ALL H \R
SORR[S1 & AL? ! EXACT DEL9EA;TS1 WEI<T &
DIM5.NS ( GRIEF >E DI6]5T = "EY"O1 !
COLOR ( GRIEF IS -MON 6U ALL4 8,I "K10
HE SD1 2C HE 0 HUMAN1 & "!=E1 9 A WAY1
HE DID4
  ,HE L$ ME 9SIDE1 6W>M?4
  8,OH DE>10 SD ,JUDI?4 8,% ,I BR+ CO-
COA80
  8,)A T\* ( BR&Y 9 X1 ,I ?9K10 HE SD4
  ,MAURICE PULL$ \ A *AIR = ME & 2GAN TO
/OKE ! FIRE4
  ,I SIPP$ ! COCOA SL[LY4 ,"! 0 MILK--!
DOCTOR _H BR"\ X :5 HE CAME )! F>M] ON !
TRACTOR4
  ,JUDI? TUCK$ A %AWL >.D ME1 !N />T$
PEEL+ POTATOES = D9N]4 ,%E & ,MAURICE &!
DOCTOR MADE ! O3A.NAL -;T--:AT WE CD H =
SUPP]1 :E!R ! SN[ 0 LI<T] N[1 H[ L;G X
WD 2 2F ! TELEPH"O L9E 0 RE/OR$--& 9
MAK+ !M1 TOOK X ^U !MVS 6/>T ! LABORI\S
PROCESS ( CRANK+ UP LIFE AG AF      #FDE
D1? _H /OPP$ U ALL 9 XS TRACKS4
  ,LL 0LL ! -;TS MELD$ TGR & 2CAME A
3V]S,N4
  ,I LI/5$ 6_! VOICES &1 AF A "T1 JO9$
IN4



















                                    #FDF
























            ,,HAPPY ,,BIR?"D        #FDG

  ,I W5T HOME4
  ,6! BOOK%OP4
  8,MISS ,W9T] IS D1D10 ,I TOLD MY "F4
  8,& Y8 ,H[ >E Y80 HE ASK$4
  8,ALIVE40
  ,HE SMIL$4
  8,TELL ME AB ,MUM10 ,I SD 6HM4 8,:Y IS
%E ! WAY %E IS80
  ,HE TOLD ME4 8,%E 0 V ILL :5 Y 7 BORN4
,%E N"E SAW Y 2F Y 7 TAK5 AWAY4 ,%E N"E
SAW YR SI/]4 ,%E NE>LY DI$4 ,0! "T %E
CAME >.D1 YR OP],N _H ALR TAK5 PLACE &
YR SI/] '''0
  8,MY SI/] _H DI$40
  8,YES4 ,"! 0 NO "K+ H[ X WD G ) Y4 ,I
W5T F H] B$SIDE 6YRS ''' ,I ?"\ ,I 0 GO+
6LOSE ALL ?REE ( Y4 ,I PRAY$ 6E ,GOD ,I
_H "E HE>D ( 6SAVE Y4 ,& MY PRAY]S 7 AN-
SW]$4 ,9 "P4 ,Y SURVIV$4 ,YR "M N"E RE,Y
CAME BACK40
  ,"! 0 "O O!R ?+ ,I NE$$ 6"K4
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL ME8 ,AB 2+ A TW980
  ,! FACE HE TURN$ 6ME 0 DEVA/AT$4 ,HE
SWALL[$1 & :5 HE SPOKE 8 VOICE 0    #FDH
HO>SE4 8,! /ORY ( YR BIR? IS A SAD "O4
,YR "M ?"\ X TOO H1VY =A * 6BE>4 ,AT L1/
T'S :AT YR "M SD4 ,I WD H BORNE X = Y1
,M>G>ET1 IF ,I CD4 ,I WD H D"O ANY?+ TO
SP>E Y40
  ,WE SAT 9 SIL;E4 ,I ?"\ ( ALL ! O!R
"QS ,I MI<T H ASK$1 B N[ T ! MO;T _H -E
,I DIDN'T NE$ TO4
  ,I R1*$ = MY "F'S H& AT ! SAME MO;T Z
HE R1*$ = M9E4

  ,I ATT5D$ ?REE FUN]ALS 9 Z _M "DS4
  ,MISS ,W9T]'S M\RN]S 7 _M4 ,! N,N
GRIEV$ = XS FAVORITE /ORYTELL]1 & ?\S&S
( R1D]S TURN$ \ 6PAY _! RESPECTS4 ,I
CAME AWAY Z SOON Z ,I CD1 HAV+ SD MY GD-
BYES ALR4
  ,! SECOND 0 A QUIET A6AIR4 ,"! 7 ONLY
,JUDI?1 ,MAURICE1 ! DOCTOR & ME 6M\RN !
WOMAN REF]R$ 6"?\T ! S]VICE Z ,EMMEL9E4
,AFW WE SD BRIEF F>EWELLS & "P$4
  ,! ?IRD 0 L"OLI] /4 ,9 A CREMATORIUM 9
,BANBURY ,I 0 ! ONLY P]SON 9 ATT5D.E :5
A BL&-FAC$ CL]GYMAN OV]SAW ! PASS+ 9TO
,GOD'S H&S (A SET ( B"OS1 ID5T;Y    #FDI
UN"KN4 ,96,GOD'S H&S1 EXCEPT T X 0 ME :O
COLLECT$ ! URN LAT]1 8ON 2HALF (! ,AN-
GELFIELD FAMILY40

  ,"! 7 SN[DROPS 9 ,ANGELFIELD4 ,AT L1/
! F/ SIGNS ( !M1 BOR+ _! WAY "? ! FROZ5
GR.D & %[+ _! PO9TS1 GRE5 & FRE%1 ABV !
SN[4
  ,Z ,I /OOD UP ,I HE>D A S.D4 ,X 0
,AURELIUS1 >RIV+ AT ! LY*-GATE4 ,SN[ _H
SETTL$ ON 8 %\LD]S & HE 0 C>RY+ FL[]S4
  8,AURELIUS60 ,H[ CD HE H GR[N S SAD8
,S PALE8 8,Y'VE *ANG$10 ,I SD4
  8,I H WORN MYF \ ON A WILD-GOOSE
*ASE40 ,8 EYES1 ALW MILD1 _H LI<T5$ 6!
SAME WA%$-\ BLUE Z ! ,JANU>Y SKY2 Y CD
SEE /RAI<T "? _! TRANSP>5CY 6HIS 4AP-
PO9T$ HE>T4 8,ALL MY LIFE ,I H WANT$ TO
F9D MY FAMILY4 ,I WANT$ 6"K :O ,I WAS4
,& LATELY ,I H FELT HOPE;L4 ,I ?"\ "!
MI<T 2 "S *.E ( RE/OR,N4 ,N[ ,I FE> ,I 0
MISTAK540
  ,WE WALK$ AL;G ! GRASS PA? 2T ! GRAVES
& CLE>$ ! SN[ F ! B5* & SAT D[N 2F M CD
FALL4 ,AURELIUS DELV$ 96HIS POCK-   #FEJ
ET & UNWRAPP$ TWO PIECES ( CAKE4 ,ABS5T-
LY HE H&$ "O 6ME & DUG 8 TEE? 96! O!R4
  8,IS T :AT Y H = ME80 HE ASK$1 LOOK+
AT ! CASKET4 8,IS T ! RE/ ( MY /ORY80
  ,I H&$ HM ! CASKET4
  8,ISN'T X LI<T8 ,LI<T Z AIR4 ,& YET
'''0 ,8 H& VE]$ 6HIS HE>T2 HE S"\ A GES-
TURE 6%[ H[ H1VY 8 HE>T WAS2 N F9D+ X1
HE PUT D[N ! CASKET & TOOK ANO!R BITE (
CAKE4
  ,:5 HE _H F9I%$ ! LA/ MORSEL HE SPOKE4
8,IF %E 0 MY "M1 :Y 0 ,I N ) H]8 ,:Y DID
,I N DIE ) H]1 9 ? PLACE8 ,:Y WD %E TAKE
ME AWAY 6,MRS4 ,LOVE'S H\SE & !N -E BACK
"H 6A H\SE ON FIRE8 ,:Y8 ,X DOESN'T MAKE
S5SE40
  ,I FOLL[$ HM Z HE /EPP$ (F ! C5TRAL
PA? & MADE 8 WAY 96! MAZE ( N>R[ BORD]S
2T ! GRAVES4 ,HE /OPP$ AT A GRAVE ,I _H
LOOK$ AT 2F & LAID D[N 8 FL[]S4 ,! /"O 0
A SIMPLE "O4

          ,,JOAN ,,M>Y ,,LOVE
             ,,N"E ,,=GOTT5
                                    #FEA
,POOR ,AURELIUS4 ,HE 0 S V WE>Y4 ,HE
H>DLY SEEM$ 6NOTICE Z ,I SLIPP$ MY >M "?
HIS4 ,B !N HE TURN$ 6FACE ME FULLY4
8,P]H X'S BETT] N 6H A /ORY AT ALL1 R
?AN H "O T KEEPS *ANG+4 ,I H SP5T MY
:OLE LIFE *AS+ AF MY /ORY & N"E Q CAT*+
X4 ,RUNN+ AF MY /ORY :5 ,I _H ,MRS4
,LOVE ALL AL;G4 ,%E LOV$ ME1 Y "K40
  8,I N"E D\BT$ X40 ,%E _H BE5 A GD "M
6HM4 ,BETT] ?AN EI (! TW9S CD H BE54
8,P]H X'S BETT] N 6"K10 ,I SU7E/$4
  ,HE LOOK$ F ! GRAVE/"O 6! :ITE SKY4
8,D .Y ?9K S80
  8,NO40
  8,!N :Y SU7E/ X80
  ,I SLID MY >M F 8 & TUCK$ MY COLD H&S
"U ! >MS ( MY COAT4 8,X'S :AT MY "M WD
SAY4 ,%E ?9KS A WEI<T.S /ORY IS BETT]
?AN "O T'S TOO H1VY40
  8,S4 ,MY /ORY IS A H1VY "O40
  ,I SD NO?+1 & :5 ! SIL;E GREW L;G1 ,I
TOLD HM N 8 /ORY B MY [N4
  8,I _H A SI/]10 ,I 2GAN4 8,A TW940
  ,HE TURN$ 6FACE ME4 ,8 %\LD]S 7 SOLID
& WIDE AG/ ! SKY & HE LI/5$         #FEB
GRAVELY 6! /ORY ,I P\R$ \ 6HM4
  8,WE 7 JO9$4 ,"H--0 & ,I BRU%$ MY H&
D[N MY LEFT SIDE4 8,%E CDN'T LIVE )\T
ME4 ,%E NE$$ MY HE>T 6B1T = H]4 ,B ,I
CDN'T LIVE ) H]4 ,%E 0 DRA9+ MY /R5G?4
,!Y SEP>AT$ U1 & %E DI$40
  ,MY O!R H& JO9$ ! F/ OV] MY SC>1 & ,I
PRESS$ H>D4
  8,MY "M N"E TOLD ME4 ,%E ?"\ X 0 BETT]
= ME N 6"K40
  8,A WEI<T.S /ORY40
  8,YES40
  8,B Y D "K40
  ,I PRESS$ H>D]4 8,I F.D \ 0A3ID5T40
  8,I AM SORRY10 HE SD4
  ,I FELT MY H&S TAK5 0HIS1 & HE 5CLOS$
BO? ( !M 96"O GRT FI/4 ,!N1 ) 8 O!R >M1
HE DREW ME 6HM4 ,"? LAY]S ( COATS ,I
FELT ! S(T;S ( 8 BELLY1 &A RU% ( NOISE
CAME 6MY E>4 ,X IS ! B1T+ ( 8 HE>T1 ,I
?"\4 ,A HUMAN HE>T4 ,0MY SIDE4 ,S ? IS
:AT X'S L4 ,I LI/5$4
  ,!N WE DREW A"P4
  8,& IS X BETT] 6"K80 HE ASK$ ME4
  8,I C'T TELL Y4 ,B ONCE Y "K1     #FEC
X'S IMPOSSI# 6G BACK40
  8,& Y "K MY /ORY40
  8,YES40
  8,MY TRUE /ORY40
  8,YES40
  ,HE B>ELY HESITAT$4 ,J TOOK A BR1? &
SEEM$ 6GR[ A LL BI7]4
  8,Y _H BETT] TELL ME1 !N10 HE SD4
  ,I TOLD4 ,& :ILE ,I TOLD WE WALK$1 &
:5 ,I F9I%$ TELL+ WE 7 /&+ AT ! PLACE ":
! SN[DROPS 7 PO9T+ "? ! :ITE;S (! SN[4

  ,)! CASKET 9 8 H&S1 ,AURELIUS HESITAT-
$4 8,I H A FEEL+ ? IS AG/ ! RULES40
  ,I ?"\ X WAS1 TOO4 8,B :AT ELSE C WE
D80
  8,! RULES DON'T "W = ? CASE1 D !Y80
  8,NO?+ ELSE WD 2 "R40
  8,-E ON1 !N40
  ,WE US$ ! CAKE KNIFE 6G\GE A HOLL[ 9 !
FROZ5 E>? ABV ! C(F9 (! WOMAN ,I KNEW Z
,EMMEL9E4 ,AURELIUS TIPP$ ! A%ES 96X1 &
WE REPLAC$ ! E>? 6COV] !M4 ,AURELIUS
PRESS$ D[N ) ALL 8 WEI<T1 & !N WE
RE>RANG$ ! FL[]S 6HIDE ! 4TURB.E4   #FED
  8,X W LEVEL \ )! MELT+ (! SN[10 HE SD4
,& HE BRU%$ ! SN[ F 8 TR\S] LEGS4
  8,AURELIUS1 "! IS M 6YR /ORY40
  ,I L$ HM 6ANO!R "P (! *UR*Y>D4 8,Y "K
AB YR "M N[4 ,B Y _H A "F1 TOO40 ,I 9DI-
CAT$ ,AMBROSE'S GRAVE/"O4 8,! ;,A &! ;,S
ON ! PIECE ( PAP] Y %[$ ME4 ,X 0 .8 "N4
,8 BAG1 TOO4 ,X 0 US$ = C>RY+ GAME4 ,T
EXPLA9S ! F1!R40
  ,I PAUS$4 ,X 0 A LOT = ,AURELIUS 6TAKE
IN4 ,:5 AF A L;G MO;T HE NO4$1 ,I W5T
ON4 8,HE 0 A GD MAN4 ,Y >E V L HM40
  ,AURELIUS />$4 ,DAZ$4 ,M K4 ,M LOSS4
8,HE IS D1D4 ,I SEE40
  8,T'S N ALL10 ,I SD S(TLY4 ,HE TURN$ 8
EYES SL[LY 6M9E1 & ,I R1D 9 !M ! FE> T
"! 0 6BE NO 5D 6! /ORY ( 8 AB&ON;T4
  ,I TOOK 8 H&4 ,I SMIL$ AT HM4
  8,AF Y 7 BORN1 ,AMBROSE M>RI$4 ,HE _H
ANO!R *40
  ,X TOOK A MO;T = HM 6R1LIZE :AT X
M1NT1 & :5 HE DID1 A JOLT ( EXCITE;T
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DID "S?+ ,I H N"E D"O 9 MY LIFE 2F & N"E
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                                    #FFJ
























          ,,! ,,?IRTE5? ,,TALE      #FFA

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T]4 ,! _W MAY WELL 2 AGOG =! /ORY1 B X
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MY ?"\S1 L+] 9 MY DR1MS1 MY MEMORY H]
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              ,,AC"KL$G;TS          #FGG

  ,) ?ANKS 6,JO ,ANSON1 ,GAIA ,BANKS1
,M>TYN ,B$=D1 ,EMILY ,BE/L]1 ,PAULA
,CATLEY1 ,ROSS & ,COL9 ,CATLEY1 ,JIM
,CRACE1 ,P5NY ,DOLAN1 ,M>IANNE ,D[NIE1
,M&Y ,FRANKL91 ,ANNA & ,NA?AN ,FRANKL91
,VIVI5 ,GRE51 ,D\GLAS ,GURR1 ,J5NY ,JA-
COBS1 ,C>OL9E LE ,M>E*AL1 ,PAUL9E &
,JE6REY ,SETT]FIELD1 ,*RI/9A ,%+L]1
,JANET & ,BILL ,:ITTALL1 ,JOHN ,WILKES &
,JANE ,WOOD4
  ,) SPECIAL ?ANKS 6,[5 ,/ALEY1 :O HAS
BE5 A FR 6? BOOK F ! V 2G9N+1 & ,PET]
,:ITTALL1 6:OM .,! .,?IRTE5? .,TALE [ES
XS TITLE &A GD D1L M 2SS4









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