,A ,,GE/URE ,,LIFE

            ,,*ANG-RAE ,,LEE

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
      ,RIV]H1D ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK
            ,COPY"R #AIII BY
             ,*ANG-RAE ,LEE
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,BE? ,GOODMAN1 ,C>OL ,/UD]1 &
              ,3NIE ,WOODS
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             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #D
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #CBE-DBF

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                                     ;II
























                  #AA               #CBE

  ,H[ ,I AM / UP S LATE & SLEEP.S 9 ?
D>K5$1 UNW>M KIT*51 AF SP5D+ ! 5TIRE AFN
) ,SUNNY'S 5]GETIC BOY1 IS AN AMAZE;T TO
ME4 ,I M/ 2 REJUV5AT$1 OR AT L1/ "SH[1 =
N[1 MADE OV]4 ,SURELY X IS 9 GD "P ,TOM-
MY'S PRES;E HAPPILY L+]+ ) ME1 ! SLI<TLY
DIZZI$1 HYP]ACTIVE ROMP ( HM1 ! 3/ANT1 Z
IF SELF-W9D+ LOCOMO;N ( 8 /URDY1 PUMP+
LIMBS4 ,X SEEMS 6ME ,I %D 2 TUCK$ AWAY 9
MY B$ & DR1M+ ( MYF ON "Y] LEGS1 RUNN+
AF ! BOY ) JOY\S1 FL[+ EASE1 9/1D ( SIT-
T+ "H AT ! TA# ) %OOTS (A DRAFT PRICKL+
MY FEET &A TEPID CUP ( GRE5 TEA COOL+ 9
MY H&S4 ,I AM C]TA9LY 3C]N$ T ,I MI<T 2
RU2+ ,SUNNY ! WR;G WAY1 5CROA*+ TOO F> &
TOO FA/ 96! WIDE T]RITORY %E HAS SET 2T
U1 : ,I H N"E ?"\ ILL ( H] =& H EV5
LOOK$ ^U )A C]TA9 M1SURE ( RELIEF &
GRATITUDE2 %E HAS ALW BE5 A# 6EX]CISE H]
RESOLVE1 A TRAIT T 0 DI6ICULT 6H&LE :5
%E 0 "Y B "O ,I AM 2G9N+ 6APPRECIATE M )
EA* PASS+ "D4 ,S ,I AM />T+ 6?9K T ! R1L
CAUSE ( MY RE/.S;S IS "S?+ T ,I SAW ?
AFN1 : 0 MO/ ORD9>Y & TRIVIAL4      #CBF
  ,X 0 AF ,I DROPP$ ,TOMMY (F AT ! MALL
AT ! 5D ( \R APPO9T$ "D TGR4 ,HE & ,I _H
?OR\<LY 5JOY$ A %OPP+ SPREE AL;G ,R\TE
#C;,A1 ": WE VISIT$1 9 TURN1 ! ,TOY
,PALACE &! ,SPORTS ,SEC;N &! OLD ROLL]-
SKAT+ R9K1 & !N SAT SIDE 0SIDE ON RE-
VOLV+ /OOLS AT ! ICE CR1M C.T] (! ,WOOL-
WOR?'S4 ,X 0 A WOND];L "D = ME1 RE,Y1
2G9N+ AT ! TOY %OP ": ! /\T LL BOY--:OM
,I TOLD P 0 MY GR&SON--%$ 8 9ITIAL %Y;S
& H1L?Y SUSPICION ( ME & SU45LY B.D$ D[N
! AISLES T\*+ & H&L+ Z _M (! B"RLY PACK-
AG$ TOYS Z HE CD4 ,I TOLD HM HE CD PICK
\ TWO ?+S1 ?\< LOOK+ ^U 8 DESP]ATE EX-
PRES.N ( TRY+ 6*OOSE ,I W1K5$ & SD ?REE1
& SOON 5 ,I LO/ ALL RESOLVE & X 0 FIVE
ITEMS HE CD H1 !N "SH[ SEV54 ,9 ! 5D
HE'D FILL$ UP ! C>T 6! EXACT NUMB]1 & ,I
CD TELL HE 0 FUNDA;T,Y A WELL-RAIS$ BOY
2C HE PICK$ \ ! SMALL]1 MODE/ ?+S R ?AN
"S P$AL-DRIV5 C> OR GR&LY BOX$ BUILD+
SET4
  ,SUNNY 0 "S:AT CROSS ) ME :5 WE >RIV$
AT ! /ORE1 ME BE>+ ! BULG+ BAGS ( 8 ?+S
& ,TOMMY1 DROOL+ & GREG>I\S1 ME-    #CBG
?ODIC,Y AIM+ 8 SPECIAL NOISE-&-LI<T-MAK+
PI/OL AT ! ,L]N]'S CU/OM]S4 ,B ,I CD SEE
T %E 0 TAK51 TOO1 0! LI<T;S ( 8 FEET1 8
GI4Y1 ]RANT L1PS & TWIRLS1 & MAYBE1 Z
WELL1 )! WAY HE KEPT CIRCL+ ! RACKS (
CLO!S & !N RETURN+ 6ME1 6%OOT ME SQU>E 9
! BELLY1 CLICK+ AWAY AG & AG4 ,SUNNY
DIDN'T SAY M* EXCEPT 6TELL ,TOMMY T HE
%D ?ANK 8,MR4 ,HATA10 & !N NO4$ 6ME )A
LUKEW>M SMILE &A WAVE ( H] H&4 ,B %E 0 N
2+ UNK9D4 ,%E _H GIV5 H] EMPLOYEES !
NEWS (! /ORE CLOS+ A FEW "DS E>LI]1 &!
MOOD ON ! FLOOR & AM;G ! /AFF 0 DECID$LY
SOMB]1 ALL ! M 4T+UI%$ F ,TOMMY'S
BRUSQUE1 OV]PL1S$ ACTIV;Y4
  ,& !N1 SURPRIS+LY1 ,I 0 CAU<T (F GU>D
0MY [N /IRR+1 AT L1/ ! SU45 ?RUM-?RUM 9
MY *E/ Z ,I %OOK 8 SMALL H& GDBYE1 : 0 A
S5S,N "O MI<T USU,Y DESCRIBE Z BO? SWEET
& BITT] B 6ME 0 AL SQU>ELY1 T]RIBLY RUE-
;L1 Z ,I R1LIZ$ H[ BRIEF & FEW MY "TS )
HM MI<T 2 9 FUTURE "DS4 ,X SEEMS CURI\S1
ALL ^! YE>S AL"O & MY R>ELY ?9K+ TWICE (
! L>G] "QS1 P]H SAVE C]TA9 RECONSID],NS
9 ! LA/ FEW WEEKS1 B N[ ! SIMPLE    #CBH
PA4+ T\* ( 8 BOY'S F+]S SEEM$ 6H ! =CE (
A ?\S& PULL+ H&S4 ,X 0 "EY?+ ,I CD D TO
HE$ 8 "M'S UNSPOK5 7?\< R1DILY CLE>7
WI%ES & KEEP A DIGNIFI$ FACE & UNEV5T;L-
LY L1VE HM UNTIL \R NEXT "T TGR1 : 0 Z
YET UN>RANG$4
  ,S ,I W5T \ F ! ,L]N]'S FEEL+ Z ?\< MY
_S 0 2+ LOOS$ 96! EXPANSIVE1 DUSKY CAV-
]NS (! MALL1 WAFT+ UPW>D AG/ ! BANK (
SKYLI<TS ^: GRIMY FILT] RECA/ ! B"R AU-
TUMN SUN%9E 96A HAZY1 GAUZY GL[4 ,I FELT
LACK+1 ( C\RSE1 2REFT 9 ! ?"\ ( MY
ADOPT$ DAU<T] & H] SON SIMPLY /AY+ 2H 9
! /ORE1 Z !Y M/ D AT ! 5D ( E AFN &)
H>DLY A ?"\ ( MISS+ ANY?+ OR ANY"O4 ,&
,I ?"\ IF ,I 7 ! BOY1 :AT WD ,I "K TN
EXCEPT T A SILV]-HAIR$ MAN ) WIRY F+]S
_H TAK5 ME >.D & B"\ ME ?+S & SEEM$ 6"K
,MOMMA WELL 5 & _H PL5TY (! M"OY %E DID
N8 ,:AT WD ,I REMEMB] 0! NEXT AFN1 EX-
CEPT = 8 OLD MAN'S VOICE L A S(T BELL[S1
! /RANGELY SL[ %U6LE ( 8 FEET1 8 HI<1
W1K C\<8 ,= :O 0 ,I 6HM1 RE,Y1 OR 6HIS
"M1 = T MATT]1 B A TOO-LATE-IN-COM+1
TOO-LATE-IN-LIFE NO;N (A GR&"F1 A   #CBI
SORRY1 OP5-H&$ FIGURE (A PATRI>*1 -E
BACK HUNGRY & HOPE;L 6P HE N"E KNEW8
  ,Z S*1 ,I WDN'T H BLAM$ ,SUNNY IF %E
CDN'T HELP B MAKE A SC5E & DEN\NCE ME 9
FRONT ( ALL4 ,P]H ,I WD H WELCOM$ X _H
%E ?"\ TWICE AB MY REAPPE>.E 9 H] LIFE &
FLA%$ ME ^? H>D EYES F H] Y\?2 T WAY1 AT
L1/1 ,I MI<T N H -E BACK 6? H\SE ( M9E
S5S+ T X _H GR[N EV5 VA/]--& ME T M*
SMALL] )9 X--IN ! WAKE (! EASY1 JOY;L
H\RS ,I SP5T ) H] SON4 ,& !N MY HAV+ !
-PANION FEEL+1 TOO1 T MY LIFE _H ALL AT
ONCE 2COME PROVI.NAL AG1 ! WAY A "Y
MAN'S MI<T BE1 OP5 6POSSIBIL;Y & *OICE &
!N VULN]ABIL;Y Z WELL1 A /ATE ( 2+ ,I H
ALW TR1T$ ) V]ITA# DR1D4 ,= X IS ! VUL-
N]ABIL;Y ( P T HAS L;G HAUNT$ ME3 ! MOR-
TAL;Y & FRAGIL;Y1 (! L ,I WIT;S$ P]=M+
MY DUTIES 9 ! W>1 : N"E C1S$ 6AL>M1 B AL
! SURPRIS+LY SUBJECT 3DI;N ( EV5 ! MO/
/OLID ( M5'S WILLS DUR+ W>"T1 ! 9HUMAN
CAPACITIES 6: !Y >E HELP.SLY GIV5 IF !Y
H B E>S 6HE> & EYES 6SEE4
  ,9 MY C> 9 ! P>K+ LOT1 ,I SAT =A FEW
M9UTES )! 5G9E RUNN+ 2F ,I DROVE    #CCJ
AWAY4 ,A "PICUL> SI<T 0 >RE/+ ME--& N (
,TOMMY OR ,SUNNY4 ,R1 X 0 AN O!RWISE IN-
SIGNIFICANT NOTICE3 T GR\P ( ,MI4LE
,EA/]N M5 :O _H OP5$ ! TEMPOR>Y ,HALL[E5
/ORE J ! WEEK 2F 7 ALR 4MANTL+ _! MODE/1
HOMESPUN W9D[ 4PLAYS 2F ,HALL[E5 _H EV5
>RIV$1 /RIPP+ ! %OP4 ,I 0 ON MY WAY \ B
/OPP$ 6WAT* !M =A MO;T4 ,!Y DID N APPE>
TOO UPSET OR 4TURB$1 J W5T AB _! "W !
SAME /1DY WAY Z !Y _H 2GUN X4 ,I FELT
BADLY = !M1 ( C\RSE1 "K+ T !Y M/ 2 LOS+
A DEC5T AM.T ( M"OY1 & T !Y 7 PRESUMABLY
/EMM+ _! LOSSES ) ? V QK CLOS+4 ,!Y 7 AG
\ 9 FRONT (! PLACE ) LA4]S1 UN/ICK+ !
PAP] BANN]S & SIGNS1 & ,I NOTIC$ 9SIDE !
/ORE A TE5AG$ BOY & GIRL SITT+ AT *AIRS
& "W+ 2S EA* O!R1 ! GIRL FOLD+ UP V>I\S-
SIZ$ SQU>ES ( BLACK CLO?1 ,HALL[E5 TA#
L95S & NAPK9S1 & PLAC+ !M 9 BOXES4 ,! "Y
MAN WASN'T Z S]I\S Z ! GIRL 7HIS TW9
SI/]871 9 FACT HE 0 CLE>LY 5]VAT$ 0!
TASK & 0 EF=T;LLY CLOS+ UP EA* SMALL
BOX1 FIT;LLY RUNN+ A TAPE 4P5S] ACR !
TOPS4 ,HE 0 TALK+ 6H]1 B X SEEM$ 9 A
H>ANGU+ SORT ( WAY1 8 JAWB"O "W+    #CCA
3T9U\SLY4 ,"! 0 A %ORT /ACK (! TAP$
BOXES 2S HM1 : HE KEPT KICK+ LI<TLY )!
SIDE ( 8 FOOT4 ,! GIRL1 A SL5D] "Y WOMAN
) HI<1 WIDE-SET EYES1 WDN'T 2 ANNOY$ BY
8 ATTITUDE4 ,%E /1DILY MADE H] WAY "? A
H1P+1 MESSY B9 (! D>K FABRIC4 ,%E WD
TAKE EA* PIECE & %AKE X FREE ( XS HAP-
HAZ>D FOLDS & SMOO? X D[N FLAT ON H]
LAP1 !N 2G9 6FOLD X AG F CORN] 6CORN]4
,! BOY F9I%$ S1L+ A BOX &1 HAV+ NO O!RS1
WAT*$ H] DI6ID5TLY4 ,%E 0 PICK+ ANO!R
SQU>E ( CLO? F ! B9 & 2G9N+ H] PROC$URE1
:5 HE R1*$ OV] & M1NLY PICK$ AT X1 CAUS+
X 6FALL 6H] FEET4 ,%E PAUS$1 !N RETRIEV$
X & />T$ OV]4 ,B AG HE MESS$ UP H] "W4
,? HAPP5$ TWICE M UNTIL F9,Y ! GIRL TOOK
! CLO? & %OOK X OP5 & PLAC$ X OV] H] [N
H1D4 ,! BOY 0 3FUS$4 ,%E SAT "! ) H]
FACE COV]$ 9 BLACK1 & HE YELL$ AT H]
ONCE & !N ROSE ABRUPTLY & LEFT H]4
  ,! GIRL REMA9$ "!1 "U ! VEIL1 UNMOV+ =
"S "T4 ,& Z ,I SAT P>K$ 9 ! MO/LY EMPTY
LOT 9 ! L;G %AD[ (! MALL1 ,I FELT ,I "U-
/OOD :AT %E 0 M1N+ 0H] PECULI> ACT1 H[
%E CD REPEL 8 9SULTS & F9,Y HM BY   #CCB
MAK+ H]F 9 "S M1SURE 4APPE>4 ,Z IF 6PRO-
VIDE ! M1NS ( H] [N DETA*;T4 ,X 0 2C ( ?
NO;N--Z WELL Z ! SIMPLE CLO? XF1 SIMIL>
6! SWA? ,SUNNY ONCE F.D 9 A LACQU]$ BOX
9 MY CLOSET--T ,I REMEMB]$ ! GIRL AG1
,KKUTAEH1 ! "O ,I CAME 6CALL SIMPLY ;,K1
&! EV5TS 9 \R CAMP 9 ^? LA/ MON?S (! W>4

  ,AF ! KILL+1 &! EXECU;N ( ,CORPORAL
,5DO1 X 0 UNUSU,Y QUIET 9 ! CAMP4 ,X 0
!N T ;,K 0 PLAC$ "U MY C>E4 ,? "U DIRECT
ORD] 0! DOCTOR1 ,CAPTA9 ,ONO4 ,HE DET]-
M9$ T %E 0 DESPOND5T & SUICIDAL1 & POS-
SIBLY DANG]\S 6O!RS1 "PICUL>LY 6! O!R
GIRLS4 ,I _H NO R1SON 6D\BT 8 APPRAISAL
Z ,I _HN'T OBS]V$ H] OR SP5T ANY L5G? (
"T ) H]1 NOR WD ,I H 4AGRE$ ) HM _H ,I
2LIEV$ O!RWISE4 ,HE F.D ME "O AFN DO+
PAP]"W & CALL$ ME \ 96! SMALL CLE>+ 2H !
9FIRM>Y1 ": \R M$ICAL WA/ES & O!R G>BAGE
7 4C>D$4 ,HE SD GRAVELY1 8,I H DET]M9$ T
! GIRL 7HE ALW CALL$ H] ?1 N"E REF]R+ TO
ANY (! O!RS7 IS A RISK & %D 2 QU>ANT9$
P]IODIC,Y4 ,:AT W HAPP5 IS T ,I W LET !
9T]VALS 2 "KN 6Y1 & "U MY AU?OR;Y   #CCC
Y W REMOVE H] F H] S]VICE & EXAM9E H]
?OR\<LY40
  8,YES1 SIR10 ,I SD4 8,B :AT % ,I EXAM-
9E H] =80
  8,= 9FEC;N & 41SE10 HE SD %>PLY1 />+
AT ME Z IF ,I 7 A TOTAL FOOL4 8,Y W PRE-
P>E & TR1T H] IF NEC4 ,I EXPECT H] 6BE
FREE ( ILL;S :5 %E -ES 6ME4 ,KEEP H] &
ISOLATE H] 2FH&40
  8,"H 9 ! 9FIRM>Y1 SIR80
  8,": ELSE1 ,LIEUT5ANT6 ,-E UP ) "S?+1
C'T Y8 ,= ALL ,I C>E Y C USE ! SURPLUS
SUPPLY CLOSET4 ,9 FACT1 T W D4 ,Y'LL
LOCK H] 9SIDE1 ( C\RSE4 ,D Y "U/&1
,LIEUT5ANT80
  8,YES1 SIR10 ,I TOLD HM1 ?\< N 2+ COM-
PLETELY C]TA9 ( :AT HE 0 ACTU,Y ORD]+ ME
6D4 ,I /OOD WAIT+ AT ATT5;N1 B HE 0 SI-
L5T4 ,I CD NORM,Y 8REMOVE H] F H] S]V-
ICE0 = M$ICAL R1SONS1 ) 8 P]MIS.N1 (
C\RSE1 B 6SELECT H] \ REGUL>LY1 & ONLY
H]1 2F 9DIC,NS ( AN ILL;S OR MALADY 0
UNUSUAL 9DE$4
  8,RESUME YR DUTIES10 HE MUTT]$1 TURN+
6G BACK 9SIDE ! 9FIRM>Y4 ,HE        #CCD
PAUS$ AT ! DOOR4 8,ANO!R ?+4 ,AB !
SIGN40
  8,SIR80
  8,S T Y "K :5 6GET H] R1DY4 ,I DON'T
WANT 6H 6SP1K 6Y E "T4 ,9 FACT F N[ ON
,I WANT 6M9IMIZE S* 3TACTS 2T U4 ,I'M
TOO BUSY 6BE SUP]VIS+ Y40
  8,YES1 SIR40
  8,!N :AT % X BE80 HE SD /]NLY4
  ,I _H NO H9T ( AN ANSW] = HM1 & ,I
%U6L$ MY FEET4 ,HE !N LOOK$ "S:AT PL1S$1
:ILE REG>D+ ME4
  8,WELL1 X %D 2 T !N40
  8,CAPTA980
  8,S9CE ? W N[ 2 A CRITICAL RESPONSI-
BIL;Y = Y1 ,LIEUT5ANT1 P]H X "\ 6BE
FAIRLY OBVI\S1 S T Y WON'T H ANY 3FU.N &
WA/E MY "T40
  8,YES1 SIR40
  8,IN ? _S1 !N1 Y W LOOK \ EA* MORN+ =A
BLACK FLAG40
  8,P>DON ME1 SIR80
  8,A BLACK FLAG4 ,:AT D Y ?9K1 ,LIEUT5-
ANT8 ,I W A6IX X ON ! FRONT (! 9FIRM>Y4
,I SUSPECT EV5 Y W 2 A# 6NOTICE     #CCE
?40
  8,I 2LIEVE ,I W SEE X CLE>LY1 SIR1
YES40
  ,HE WAIT$ = ME 6RESPOND FUR!R1 Z IF HE
HOP$ 6PROVOKE ME ) 8 *OICE ( SIGN4 ,B ,I
REMA9$ AT ATT5;N1 N MEET+ 8 PI]C+ EYES1
TRY+ Z H>D Z ,I CD 6IMAG9E MYF F> AWAY F
HM & ? PLACE1 P]H SWIMM+ 9 ! QUIET SEA T
LAPP$ ! %ORE ( ,RANGOON4 ,I _H BE5 ?9K+
LATELY ( T PO/+1 : 0 MO/LY A LA/1 BRIEF
,R&,R = U Z WE AWAIT$ TRANSPORT 6A M =-
W>D BASE4 ,I REMEMB]$ HAV+ ! ?"\ !N 9 !
GL[+ DUSK ON ! B1* T ! W>1 O4LY 5\<1 0 N
S AW;L2 T A "Y MAN UNC]TA9 ( HMF CD F9D
M1N+ AMID/ ! CAM>AD]IE ( 8 FELL[S "W+ 9
S* %>$ PURPOSE1 & T 9 FACT "! 0 NO TRU]
PROV+ "T = : HE CD HOPE4 ,& YET X SEEM$
"EY?+ FELL AWAY :5"E ,CAPTA9 ,ONO AD-
DRESS$ ME1 ALL MY C>E;LLY BUILT-UP P]-
CEP;N ( ?+S1 & 9 ! SORRY DEPLE;N ,I CD
FEEL ! SE>+1 RIS+ SURGES ( :AT M/ 2 PURE
5M;Y4 ,I H N"E Q %[N ? EXPRES.N1 & ,I
DID N !N ) ,CAPTA9 ,ONO4
  8,LOOK = X1 ,LIEUT5ANT ,KUROHATA10 HE
F9,Y SD1 &)A FLIT ( 8 SURGEON'S     #CCF
H& HE TURN$ & LEFT ME4
  ,:AT HE _H DET]M9$ Z ! SIGN1 ! BLACK
FLAG1 0 ( C\RSE M1NT = ME4 ,HATA IS1
LIT],Y1 8FLAG10 &A 8BLACK FLAG10 OR
.KUROHATA1 IS ! BANN] A VILLAGE WD RAISE
0XS GATE 9 OLD5 "TS 6W>N (A 3TAGION )94
,X IS ! SIGNAL ( SPR1D+ D1?4 ,MY ADOP-
TIVE FAMILY1 ,I LE>N$ "R AWAY1 _H AN AN-
CI5T L91GE ( APO!C>IES1 :O _H V5TUR$ 9TO
/RICK5 VILLAGES & _H = UN"KN R1SONS DE-
T]M9$ 6KEEP ! "N1 H["E 9AUSPICI\S X WAS4
,CAPTA9 ,ONO'S *OICE1 ( C\RSE1 0 9T5;N,Y
2LITTL+1 ?\< ,I CD SEE1 TOO1 H[ ! SIGN
WD S]VE 6KEEP O!RS AWAY F ! 9FIRM>Y :O
WD NATUR,Y ASSUME "! _H BE5 AN \TBR1K4
,Z "! 0 NO REC5T FI<T+ 9 \R >EA1 ! 9FIR-
M>Y 0 9 FACT EMPTY & _H BE5 S = "S
WEEKS1 & HE CD H A PRIVACY "! T 0 N POS-
SI# ANY": ELSE 9 ! CAMP1 EV5 = AN (FIC]4
  ,A FEW MORN+S LAT] ,I ROSE 2F DAWN &!
MORN+ CALL4 ,I DRESS$ & 2GAN MY USUAL
ABLU;NS3 A QK WA% )A DAMP5$ RAG1 A FIT-
;L1 PULL+ %AVE )A KNIFE'S $GE1 & !N A
M1G]1 R,N$ MORN+ M1L ( B>LEY PORRIDGE &
TEA F ! (FIC]S' MESS4 ,X 0 M* !     #CCG
SAME Z ANY O!R MORN+1 B Z ,I F9I%$ ,I
R1LIZ$1 GAZ+ \ AT ! LI<TLY FO7$-IN CAMP1
H[ ACTU,Y PITIA# ! 3DI;N ( ?+S _H 2COME4
,"! 0 ( C\RSE ! ?R1T ( AN 5EMY (F5SIVE
LOOM+ AB L A PALL1 B EV5 T1 TOO1 SEEM$
6BE 4SIPAT+1 ! NO;N GR[N M 5]VAT+1 "SH[1
?AN F"R;L4 ,SOON 5\<1 WE WD "U/& T !
FI<T+ _H 9DE$ PASS$ U OV]1 B WE DID N
2LIEVE T !N4 ,"! 7 V>I\S SCATT]S ( LITT]
AB ! 5CAMP;T1 & ALL AB ! AIR 0 ! F\L$1
E>?Y SMELL (! F> LATR9ES1 : _H FILL$ UP
AG & NE$$ 6BE CLE>$4 ,? 0 ! UNH]OIC /ATE
( \R F>-FLUNG \TPO/1 9 FACT "O =GOTT5 BY
BO? HOME & FOE1 & "U ! 9CR1S+LY RETIR+
L1D]%IP ( ,COLONEL ,I%II1 :O 0 H>DLY 6BE
SE5 ANYMORE \TSIDE 8 H\SE4
  ,Z ,I TOOK MY E>LY MORN+ WALK ,I DE-
CID$ N 6G DIRECTLY 6! 9FIRM>Y B R 6DET\R
T[>D ! LATR9ES1 ": ,I PASS$ 0! L;GI%1
N>R[ -=T H\SE1 ) XS FIVE MODE/1 UNADORN$
DOORS ALL SET 9 A R[4 ,X 0 QUIET1 NO
D\BT EMPTY1 B ,I MADE MY WAY T[>D ! NE>-
E/ DOOR & SWUNG X 9 ON XS D[EL$ H+ES 9
ORD] 6LOOK 9SIDE4 ,"! 0 NO "O "!1 Z ,I
_H EXPECT$4 ,J ! O4LY %AP$ PLANK    #CCH
( WOOD1 L A /RANGE1 O!R_WLY PEW 9 ! MID-
DLE (! T9Y SPACE M L A /ALL ?AN A ROOM1
! WOOD /A9$ D>K AT XS BOTTOM 5D4 ,? IS
:AT ! 5LI/$ M5 _H BE5 QUEU+ = ^! PA/ FEW
AFNS4 ,I _HN'T D"O S MYF ! WEEK E>LI]1
:5 X 0 ! (FIC]S :O VISIT$ EXCLUSIVELY 7&
/ DID1 9 ! LATE EV5+S N[1 "S"TS =! 5TIRE
NI<T71 & ?\< ,I 0 PUBLICLY SAY+ 6MY FEL-
L[S T ,I / WD1 ,I CD N YET REMOVE F MY
?"\S H[ ,CORPORAL ,5DO _H (F]$ 6GIVE ME
8 TICKET1 H[ DESP]ATELY HE _H WANT$ 6RE-
L9QUI% 8 TURN4 ,! NI<T 2F ,I _H FELT UN-
-=TA# :5 ,I SAW ! M5 WAIT+ 9 L9ES \TSIDE
! DOORWAYS1 SMOK+ & TAUNT+ & S++ 6"O AN-
O!R Z !Y WAIT$1 _! EXUB].E AMAZ+LY :OLE1
UNATT5UAT$4 ,I WI%$ ,I CD 2 J ! SAME Z
!Y1 ,I WI%$ =! SIMPLE %E];S ( _! ANTICI-
P,N1 :E!R X 0 BORN F DESIRE OR L"O"S;S
OR FE> OR ANG] OR DR1D4
  ,B ,I DID N H S* A FEEL+1 NOR CD ,I
CALL X =?4 ,I SUPPOS$ ,I %D 2 HALF-GLAD4
,MAYBE X 0 2C ,I KNEW 5 ( :AT WD HAPP5 9
! T9Y ROOM1 OR :AT WD O3UR 9 TURN OV] !
L;G H\RS (! AFN & EV5+4 ,"O CD SAY X 0 A
M$ICAL K4 ,OR S ,I *OSE 65C.T] X4   #CCI
,I KNEW T TW5TY OR EV5 ?IRTY OR M WD
VISIT EA* "O ( !M1 & T ! RESULT+ 9SULT
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  ,S Z ,I LEFT ! CRAMP$ ROOM & W5T \ 96!
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N ?9K D\BT;LLY (! DOCTOR = L;G1 Z ,I
3V9C$ MYF 6HOLD A DEEP] FAI? 9 8 JUDG-
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62LIEVE1 HE _H 4COV]$ A CURIOS;Y 9 H]1 A
UNIQUE;S SCI5TIFIC OR M$ICAL OR O!RWISE1
T ATTRACT$ 2Y H] PHYSICAL B1UTY1 : 0 BY
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?+ 9 ? MORN+ REMA9+ UNTO XF1 & Z S* AP-
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TOO EASILY4 ,NO MATT] :AT ,CORPORAL ,5DO
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ADOPT$ 0! FAMILY ,KUROHATA 6MY 9DUC;N
96! ,IMP]IAL ,>MY 6EV5 ! GR& OP5+ (
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S Y'VE MADE ME "UTAKE ! TASK ( AN ]R&
BOY4 ,N[ Y TAKE H]1 = ,I DON'T WANT TO
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6! 9FIRM>Y %E TRAIL$ ME AT A FEW MET]S1
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DESPITE 8 "S"TS SE>+ CRITICISMS 9 ? V
ROOM 7& 9 FRONT ( O!RS71 : 7 AIM$ N AT
MY SPECIFIC 3DUCT B AT ! LEGACIES ( MY
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MY .E?OS1 Z X W]E1 A T]M 7F 8 BRIEF UNI-
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  8,I H _M DUTIES1 9 V>I\S >1S40
  8,W Y TELL ME :AT HE WANTS F ME80 %E
SD N[1 A LL DESP]ATELY4 ,:5 ,I TURN$ %E
0 B AN >M'S L5G? AWAY4 ,I CD SMELL ! L9-
G]+ AIR (A MUSKY P]FUME1 : ,MRS4 ,MATSUI
REQUIR$ ! GIRLS 6WE>4 ,B -P>$ 6! %>P1
S\R REEK (! M51 EV5 ! TAWDRY SC5T 0
TRANSPORT+4 ,%E ASK$1 8,:Y HAS HE KEPT
ME F :AT ! O!RS M/ D80
  8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB8 ,Y HAV5'T YET BE5
AT ! -=T H\SE80
  8,I H N10 %E ANSW]$4 ,=! F/ "T %E
LOOK$ "S:AT F"R5$4 8,LA/ NI<T ,I    #CED
0 6VISIT ! -M&]1 & S HE _H 6S5D ME4 ,B
2F T ! CAPTA9 HAS ALW ORD]$ ,MATSUI-SAN
6KEEP ME 9 \R T5T4 ,"S"TS HE HAS H] BR+
ME 6HIS PRIVATE QU>T]S1 :5 HE EXAM9ES
ME4 ,HE RUNS 8 H&S OV] MY BODY & EXAM9ES
ME "EY":4 ,B T IS ALL4 ,HE HAS KEPT ME F
! -=T H\SE40
  8,Y >E LY+ 6ME40
  8,I WD N LIE AB S* A ?+4 ,Y C ASK
,MATSUI-SAN4 ,I WD R 2 KILL$1 L MY SI/]1
2F GO+ 6! -=T H\SE4 ,B ,I AM GR[+ AFRAID
( :AT ! CAPTA9 W D ) ME4 ,X C ONLY 2
HORRI#1 ,I AM C]TA94 ,HE IS ! ONLY "O :O
TRULY F"R5S ME1 & ,I ?9K HE M/ H A T]RI#
PLAN4 ,=GIVE ME = SP1K+ L ?1 B Y H A G5-
TLE "* 6YR FACE4 ,Y SEEM K9D & C>E;L1 &
,I FEEL ,I C SAY ^! ?+S 6Y40
  ,I CD N 2LIEVE ,CAPTA9 ,ONO _H ORD]$
:AT %E DESCRIB$1 EV5 IF HE ?"\ %E 0
8DANG]\S10 : ,I CD N AT ALL SEE4 ,I WON-
D]$1 TOO1 IF ! -M&] KNEW ( ? >RANGE;T1
OR :E!R HE WD F9D X 7Z ,I OR ANY"O WD7
6BE AN EGREGI\S M>K ON ! CAPTA9'S .SELF-
RESPECT1 AT L1/ 9 ! ,JAPANESE S5SE (!
T]M1 : HAS LL 6D ) PRIDE OR "O'S    #CEE
"RS B )! EF=TS A P]SON %D MAKE 6BE VIEW$
WELL 0HIS -RADES4 ,YET ,I 0 N AB 6"Q !
CAPTA9 9 FRONT ( H]1 OR %[ MY [N HESI-
T.E4 ,X 0 ALL V 4TURB+1 ?\< 9 TRU? A
L>GE "P ( ME _H 9DE$ 2GUN 6S5SE ! IRREG-
UL>;Y ( 8 REQUE/S &! BROAD5+ LIC5SE HE
SEEM$ 6BE TAK+ 9 RESPECT 6! CAMP4 ,!
-M&]1 Z NOT$1 0 H>DLY EVID5T ANYMORE1 &
X 0 ,CAPTA9 ,ONO :O 0 9CR1S+LY *>G+ &
A4RESS+ ! CORPS (! M52 X 0 8 ISSU.ES T 7
2+ 5ACT$ & FOLL[$1 ) ,COLONEL ,I%II AP-
PE>+ ^! "DS ONLY 9T]MITT5TLY 2F ! (FIC]S
ON ! V]&A ( 8 HUT1 (T5 P9K-FAC$ & SL[ (
SPEE*4
  8,! CAPTA9 M/ H 8 R1SONS10 ,I SD 6H]1
8: ,I AM N PRIVY 6& WD N SP1K AB IF ,I
W]E4 ,I AM RESPONSI# = C]TA9 M$ICAL DU-
TIES & T IS ALL4 ,I NE$ "K NO?+ AB ?
MATT]4 ,FUR!RMORE1 ,I ?9K Y %D N DWELL
ON ! PRES5T CIRCUM/.E4 ,PL1SE LET ME
F9I%4 ,IF Y >E N S]V+ AT ! -=T H\SE1 !N
"! >E UND\BT$LY O!R DUTIES AWAIT+ Y4
,:E!R !Y W 2 BETT] OR WORSE NO "O B
,CAPTA9 ,ONO C SAY4 ,& J Z )! RE/ ( U
"H1 A FATE ( LIFE OR D1? AWAITS     #CEF
Y2 9 ? REG>D1 Z ! -M&] ONCE SD 6U1 X IS
BE/ IF WE ALL TAKE AN A3EPT+ PA?4 ,? WAY
DE/9Y C F9D XS "R /,N40
  8,IS T :Y ! SOLDI] 0 EXECUT$80 %E
ASK$4 8,2C HE 0 RESI/ANT80
  8,HE 0 ILL ( M9D10 ,I SD1 TRY+ N 6RE-
MEMB] ,CORPORAL ,5DO'S ADOLESC5T1 POCK-
M>K$ FACE4 8,& OBVI\SLY DANG]\S4 ,Y %D 2
?ANK;L = :AT 0 ORD]$ = HM40
  8,I AM ONLY ?ANK;L = :AT HE DID4 ,I AM
HAPPY = MY SI/] N[4 ,I DON'T CRY = H]
ANYMORE4 ,& ,I AM HOP+ T "S"O L Y W D !
SAME = ME4 ,T IS :Y ,I ASK IF Y "K :AT !
CAPTA9 WANTS4 ,IF ,I'M 6H ! SAME MIS]Y1
!N ,I WD BEG Y1 Z A C.TRYMAN1 6TAKE YR
GUN F YR HOL/] & PUT ME D[N "R N[40
  8,I AM N YR C.TRYMAN10 ,I SD 6H]1 PU%+
MY *AIR BACK Z ,I ROSE4 8,& ,I W C]TA9LY
D NO?+ (! K9D4 ,PL1SE /& BACK N[40
  8,B :AT IF ,I 7 ATTACK+ Y80 %E SD1
/EPP+ =W>D4 8,:AT WD Y D !N8 ,IF ,I TOOK
"O ( ^? SURGEON'S BLADES F ! CAB9ET1 &
,I RU%$ AT Y ) X1 Y WD H TO1 YES8 ,Y WD
H 6%OOT ME40
  8,I W N 2 %OOT+ ANY"O10 ,I SD     #CEG
6H]1 ALM %\T+1 MY H& HOV]+ AT MY SIDE1
GRAZ+ ! PI/OL H&LE4 8,I AM A M$ICAL (FI-
C]4 ,I H N"E FIR$ AT ANO!R HUMAN 2+1 M*
LESS A "Y WOMAN4 ,I HOPE ,I W N"E H TO4
,Y _H BETT] G N[ & GET YR ?+S4 ,I AM OR-
D]+ Y 6D S4 ,I ORD] Y60
  ,B %E /EPP$ =W>D AG & H] H&S1 PALE-
:ITE & SMALL1 LUNG$ \ = MY ?ROAT1 MY
EYES4 ,I _H 6/EP ASIDE & !N /RIKE H] ACR
! *9 )! BALL ( MY OP5 PALM1 & %E FELL
AWKW>DLY & HIT H] H1D ON ! /EEL LEG (!
EXAM9,N TA#4 ,I 0 %OCK$ ) H[ H>D ,I _H
/RUCK H]1 & X 0 A HALF-M9UTE 2F ,I CD
GET H] 6REGA9 3SCI\S;S4 ,:5 %E DID &
OP5$ H] EYES %E 2GAN CRY+1 F ! SMELL+
SALTS1 C]TA9LY1 B AL1 ,I ?"\1 F H] R1LI-
Z,N T ,I _H N 9 FACT %OT H] D1D4
  8,I DIDN'T 9T5D 6/RIKE Y S =CE;LLY10
,I SD 6H]4 8,I AM SORRY4 ,B Y GAVE ME NO
O!R *OICE40
  8,:Y WON'T Y HELP ME80 %E SD1 RAIS+
H]F \ ( MY GRASP4 ,H] M\? 0 BLE$+1 Z %E
_H BITT5 H] T;GUE ON FALL+4 8,IF Y H ANY
-PAS.N Y W HELP ME4 ,Y %D "K ,I WON'T
LET HM D ANY?+ 6ME4 ,I WON'T4 ,I    #CEH
W KILL MYF 2F T4 ,OR ,I W KILL HM F/ "S-
H[1 & !N MYF40
  ,I LET H] ^WS PASS Z %E GOT 6H] FEET1
& ,I DECID$ T ,I "\ 6ESCORT H] 6,MRS4
,MATSUI'S T5T 6GET H] ?+S IMMLY & LODGE
H] 9SIDE ! MAKE%IFT QU>T]S4 ,I 0 6LOCK
H] 9 ! SURPLUS SUPPLY CLOSET1 : 0 A
LI<T.S SPACE )A N>R[ DOOR & AN IRON LOOP
= AN OLD-/YLE BRASS LOCK1 ! K9D TYPIC,Y
US$ ON A CAB9ET OR *E/ B ? "O Q L>GE &
H1VY4 ,! IDEA ( 3F9+ H] L ? SEEM$ "S:AT
M R1SONA# 6ME N[1 = X SEEM$ %E "\ N 6BE
ALL[$ 6ROAM FREELY AB ! 9FIRM>Y OR !
CAMP4 ,B X 0 ! F/ "T ,I _H ACTU,Y SPOK5
AT L5G? 6ANY ( !M1 & !N 9 MY *ILDHOOD
LANGUAGE1 : /IRR$ ME 9 AN UNEXPECT$ WAY4
,Z WE WALK$ 6,MRS4 ,MATSUI'S T5T & BACK
,I FELT A C]TA9 3NEC;N 6H]1 N 9 BLOOD OR
CULTURE OR K9D1 B 9 T MANN]1 ,I SUPPOSE1
T ANY "Y MAN MI<T NATUR,Y FEEL =A "Y
WOMAN4 ,? MAY S.D LUDICR\S1 & EV5 EXE-
CRA# "U ! CIRCUM/.ES1 B ,I 0 Y\?;L & NA-
IVE 5 T ,I POSSESS$ M* M (A K9D ( H>D
FOCUS+ ?AN ANY CIRCUMSPEC;N1 : "O MAY
>GUE HAS REMA9$ ) ME = MY :OLE      #CEI
LIFE4
  ,B ,I CD N LOCK H] 9SIDE ! SUPPLY
CLOSET4 ,X _H NO SLATT$ W9D[ OR O!R M1NS
( DEC5T V5TIL,N1 &)! RAYS (! AFN SUN DI-
RECTLY HITT+ ! \T] WALL1 ,I FE>$ %E MI<T
DIE ( H1T/ROKE OR ELSE SU6OCATE 9 !
CRAMP$1 LI<T.S SPACE4 ,S Z (T5 Z ,I CD
DUR+ ! "D ,I ALL[$ H] 6/AY ) ME 9 ! EX-
AM9,N ROOM4 ,%E 0 WE>Y F N SLEEP+ ! NI<T
2F & LAY D[N ON ! FLOOR :ILE ,I ATT5D$
6MY USUAL ADM9I/RATIVE "W = ,CAPTA9
,ONO4 ,I KNEW T HE CD /OP 0AT ANY "T1 B
"SH[ ,I 0 N ?9K+ AB T *.E4 ,I 0 ?9K+ ON-
LY ( ;,K4 ,%E DID N SP1K V M*1 NOR ASK
ANY M AB ME1 & AF "S "T ,I TURN$ 6SEE T
%E _H F9,Y FALL5 ASLEEP1 H] KNEES DRAWN
UP T[>D H] *E/4 ,I />$ AT H] = Q A L;G
MO;T1 TAK+ 9 H] FIGURE & LOOSELY FI/$
H&S &! S]5E1 PALE OVAL ( H] FACE1 :5 %E
SL[LY OP5$ H] EYES4 ,%E DID N O!RWISE
MOVE4 ,%E M]ELY MET MY GAZE & AC"KL$G$
X1 & !N FELL ASLEEP AG1 H] BR1?+ LI<T &
EV54 ,OR P]H1 ,I ?"\1 %E _H N"E RE,Y
AWOK54
  ,IF "S"O _H ASK$ ME !N :AT ,I     #CFJ
FELT1 ,I WD H BE5 UNA# 6ANSW]4 ,B IF ,I
C SP1K = T "Y MAN N[1 IF ,I C TELL "S "P
(! TRU? = HM1 ,I WD SAY T HE FELT HMF
DRAWN 6H]1 DRAWN 6H] V PRES;E1 : M/ F9,Y
L1VE EV5 S* A ?+ Z B1UTY ASIDE4 ,HE DID
N YET "K X1 B HE HOP$ T IF HE CD SIMPLY
2 NE> 6H]1 NE> 6H] VOICE & 6H] BODY--IF
N"E EV5 T\*+ H]--NE>1 HE ?"\1 6H] SLEEP+
M9D1 HE MI<T "SH[ 2 F.D4















                  #AB               #CFA

  ,=! BETT] "P (! NEXT F\R "DS \R -PANY
0 UNDISTURB$1 ! :OLE (! 9FIRM>Y /&+ EMP-
TY4 ,ON ^? MORN+S ,I AWOKE ESPECI,Y E>-
LY1 F9I%+ MY CAMP-WIDE DUTIES Z SOON Z
,I 0 A#1 & 0N9E O'C OR S ,I CD HURRY
BACK 6MY T5T & GET MYF 9 DEC5T ORD]4 ,)A
WA%CLO? ,I WD SWAB MY NECK & "U>MS &
FEET & PUT ON A CL1N %IRT & TR\S]S4 ,I
RU2$ TOO? P[D] AL;G MY GUMS & SMOO!D D[N
MY CREWCUT HAIR & SET MY CAP ON /RAI<T4
,I MADE SURE 6EMPTY MY PI/OL ( BULLETS
2F PLAC+ X 9 ! HOL/]1 : ,I WD !N ATTA*
6MY BELT4 ,!N ,I WD G 6! (FIC]S' MESS &
ASK =A HALF-R,N ( COOK$ RICE F ! MESS
S]G1NT1 :O WD NOD & N SAY A ^W4 ,:5 ,I
R1*$ ! 9FIRM>Y ,I'D WA% MY H&S & !N MIX
X ) TWO RICE BALLS ,I'D SAV$ F MY [N M1L
! EV5+ 2F & MAKE !M L>G]1 DU/+ !M )
%RIMP P[D]4
  ;,K SEEM$ 6L ! P9K-COLOR$ P[D]4 ,N !
TA/E S M*1 ,I SUPPOSE1 : 0 M SALTY ?AN
FI%Y1 B ! FACT T ,I _H TAK5 ! "T 6PREP>E
! RICE BALLS = H]1 =M !M 96R.D$ W$GES &
B"RLY COLOR "O CORN]4 ,:5 %E        #CFB
LOOK$ AT !M SET ON ! PAP] 9 MY H&S %E
SD1 ) AN AC"KL$G+ T"O1 8,ALL !Y NE$ N[
IS SESAME SE$S40 ,S ON ! NEXT "D ,I TOOK
A P9*;L F ,S]G1NT ,TAKAGAWA & C>E;LLY
SPR9KL$ X OV] ! RICE BALLS4 ,:5 %E SAW
:AT ,I _H D"O %E DIDN'T TAKE !M F ME "R
AWAY 7Z HUNGRY Z %E WAS7 B TOOK MY CUPP$
H&S & HELD !M = :AT SEEM$ _M SECONDS4 ,I
WI%$ !N T ,I CD H F.D "S /RIPS ( DRI$
FI% = H]1 OR A "PRIDGE EGG1 OR ANY?+ M
SUB/ANTIAL1 = %E APPE>$ Q ?9 6ME1 ! B"OS
( H] %\LD]S SEEM+ PRON\NC$ ALL (A SU45 &
H] EYES D>KLY SUNK5 9 H] FACE4 ,9 FACT
"! 0 A FULL R,N ( FOOD = H] AT ,MRS4
,MATSUI'S1 B %E _H REFUS$ 6EAT 9 ! "DS
2F %E 0 S5T 6! -M&]'S HUT1 & X 0 ONLY 9
! "T ) ME T %E F9,Y 2GAN REL5T+ 2F H]
HUNG]4
  ,I WAT*$ H] EAT ON ^? MORN+S4 ,WE
DIDN'T TALK M*1 B R SAT 9 ! ?RE%OLD (!
CLOSET DOOR1 L P WAIT+ = "S?+ 6HAPP54 ,9
! AFNS1 ,I _H 6L1VE H] & LOCK H] 9SIDE !
CLOSET AG =A C\PLE ( H\RS1 9 ORD] 6COM-
PLETE ! RE/ ( MY NON-M$ICAL
RESPONSIBILITIES1 & 0! 5D ( !M ,I   #CFC
2GAN 6FEEL ANXI\S1 Z ?\< ! DW9DL+ (! "D
0 N -+ FA/ 5\<4 ,I CDN'T HELP B PICTURE
H] 9 ! CLOSET1 B>ELY TWO MET]S SQU>E1
LI<T.S SAVE =! SUNLI<T PU%+ "? CRACKS 9
! WALL1 ! H1T BLOOM+ & RED\BL+ 9 ! TI<T
SPACE4 ,B X 0 N H] S M* T MADE ME UN-
EASY4 ,I FELT Z IF MY LUNGS & HE>T 7 DE-
TA*+1 MOV+ \TW>D 6! SK91 & T ? 0 ALL TOO
OBVI\S 6"EY"O ,I D1LT )4 ,Z ,I 0 *ECK+ !
/ATE & 3DI;N (! MESS HALL &! LATR9ES &
SUPPLY DUMP1 ORD]+ M5 6CL1N & ORGANIZE &
RAZE 7! SECOND>Y R.DS ( BUSY"W 9 T L;G1
ODD PROB,N F ANY FI<T+71 ,I 0 ALM C]TA9
T ! SOLDI]S 7 S5S+ MY IMPATI;E & 4COM=T4
,!Y CD N "K1 ( C\RSE1 ! F/ ?+ AB :AT
,CAPTA9 ,ONO _H 9/ITUT$1 OR MY [N 9CR1S+
9VOLVE;T1 & YET ,I ?"\ !Y KEPT MEET+ MY
GAZE1 N 9SUBORD9ATELY B )A WOND] &A HO/
( "QS4 ,:O IS ! "O WE HAV5'T YET SE58
,:AT IS HE DO+ ) H]1 "! 9 ! EMPTY SICK
H\SE8 ,HAS ! POOR M$IC ACTU,Y FALL5 =
H]8
  ,& :AT IF HE _H8 ,WD HE H TRULY "KN X
!N ANYWAY8 ,X 0 NE>LY UNIMAG9A#1 (
C\RSE1 6?9K S* A REL,N%IP 0 POS-    #CFD
SI#1 & YET 9 A /RANGE WAY ! DOCTOR'S UN-
T[>D 9T]E/ 9 H]1 & 8 HI<LY IRREGUL> OR-
D]S1 LET ME 2LIEVE T MY 2FRI5D+ H] & %[+
H] K9D;S & 3/ANTLY ?9K+ ( H] :5 %E
WASN'T PRES5T 0 ALM ORD9>Y4 ,9 FACT1 ;,K
ADMITT$ 6ME T %E _H N BE5 M5/RUAT+ "S
"DS 2F1 T %E _H 9T5;N,Y PRICK$ H] ?UMB )
A WOOD SPL9T] & SMUDG$ ! BLOOD >.D H]
PRIVATE >EA & ?I<S1 9 ! HOPE T ! -M&] WD
REJECT H]4 ,NORM,Y ,I CD N H ABID$ S*
9=M,N2 & YET :AT 0 HAPP5+ 6ME 0 S QK &
SURE1 L "O (! LATE AUTUMN DELUGES T 7
SWEEP+ 9 ON U M & M (T51 ! R$-BR[N WAT]
SU45LY ANKLE-DEEP1 SEEP+ 9 "EY":1 & 9 !
LA/ M9UTES 2F ,I WD G 6H] AG ,I 0 PRAC-
TIC,Y TREMBL+4
  ,B X 0 RE,Y ONLY T[>D DUSK & EV5+ T F/
"D1 :5 %E 0 WILL+ 6TALK ) ME1 T ,I LO/
MYF4 ,I BR"\ H] "S M RICE1 & AF F9I%+ %E
DIDN'T SIMPLY TURN AWAY & DWELL 9 A COR-
N] UNTIL X 0 "T = ME 6G4 ,! "DLI<T GREW
W1K & DIM & 0 ALM G"O1 ! EXAM ROOM WE 7
9 2COM+ NE>LY D>K4 ,%E ASK$ AG AF MY
*ILDHOOD & MY FAMILIES1 ! ,OHS &!
,KUROHATAS4 ,6MY SURPRISE1 %E       #CFE
DIDN'T WANT 6"K ONLY AB MY F/ P>5TS2 9
FACT1 ! ,KUROHATAS SEEM$ 69TRIGUE H] M4
,%E 0 CURI\S Z 6H[ !Y _H TR1T$ ME &
RAIS$ ME & IF !Y LOV$ ME ! WAY %E 0 SURE
MY BIR? P>5TS M/ H LOV$ ME1 EV5 ?\< !Y'D
GIV5 ME UP4
  ,I TOLD H] ,I 2LIEV$ ! ,KUROHATAS FELT
A /R;G BOND ) ME1 T !Y _H PROVID$ ME ) E
ADVANTAGE & OPPORTUN;Y !Y CD MU/]1 A RE-
SPECTA# H\SE & S*OOL+ & \TSIDE LESSONS1
& _H ALW TR1T$ ME L A SON4
  8,B ,I 0 WOND]+ IF !Y LOVE Y L A SON40
  8,I ?9K S4 ,B ,I AM N SURE IF "! IS A
DI6];E10 ,I SD1 8IF !Y H ALW TR1T$ ME L
"O40
  8,I SUPPOSE N10 %E SD1 H] FACE H>DLY
APP>5T 6ME 9 ! D>K;S4 ,I (F]$ 6LI<T AN
OIL LAMP1 B %E WANT$ 6KEEP ! ROOM D>K4
,!N %E SD3 8,H Y ALW TR1T$ !M L P>5TS80
  8,I C ONLY HOPE ,I H10 ,I REPLI$1 IN-
/ANTLY PICTUR+ !M Z !Y /OOD 0_! ,G]MAN
S$AN & WAV$ 6ME Z ,I BO>D$ ! TROOP %IP
AT ,%IMONOSEKI4 ,B ,I _H N FELT MOV$ 5
6CRY1 Z DID "S (! O!R "Y M5 L1V+ HOME =!
F/ "T1 EV5 AT ! SI<T ( MY "M        #CFF
WEEP+ FIT;LLY 96A K]*IEF4 ,? IS N S AW;L
A F>EWELL1 0 MY ?"\1 EV5 IF ,I AM 6DIE4
,I W MISS !M & FEEL SORRY = !M1 & IF ,I
RETURN ,I W 2 HAPPY4
  8,Y S.D UNC]TA910 %E SD4
  8,I AM ONLY UNC]TA9 ( MY HONOR+ ( !M1
: ,I AM ALW FAIL+ IN4 ,B T IS A *'S
LIFEL;G BURD540
  8,YES10 %E REPLI$1 H] VOICE A BIT
S(T]4 8,Y'RE PROBABLY "R1 ,LIEUT5ANT4
,EV5 = ^? ( U :O WD N WI% X1 L ME1 "O (
F\R UNWANT$ DAU<T]S4 ,YET ,I "K T IF MY
"F 7 6-E 6ME TN & ASK ME 6WA% 8 FEET )!
LA/ DROPS ( WAT] ,I _H ,I WD N HESITATE
=A SECOND40
  8,Y WD 2 GD 6D S10 ,I SD4
  ,%E DIDN'T ANSW] IMMLY4 ,ALL ,I CD
MAKE \ 0 ! VAGUE/ %APE ( H] FACE4
  8,B HE WD N"E ASK ME S* A ?+10 %E SD4
8,HE WD H>DLY "E SP1K 6ME1 Y "K1 OR 6ANY
( U GIRLS4 ,6HM WE 7 UNA4RESSA#1 EV5 2F
ALL ! TR\# T HAPP5$ 6\R FAMILY4 ,HE MI<T
SAY1 T[>D MY "M OR "O ( \R S]VANTS1 T ,I
%D FET* 8 SLIPP]S = HM1 OR T ,I %D 2
QUIET]1 OR G PLAY \TSIDE4 ,I        #CFG
DIDN'T S5SE HATR$ OR BITT];S F HM4 ,B
:AT HE _H = ME 0 MO/LY NO?+ AT ALL1 Z IF
,I 7 (! MO/ 4TANT BLOOD4 ,HE T\*$ ME ON-
LY ONCE ,I C REMEMB]4 ,A LI<T H& T\*+ MY
H1D1 :5 MY BRO!R 0 BORN4 ,I ?"\ X WD 2 !
T\* (A GOD40
  8,WAS X80
  8,NO10 %E SD4 8,X WASN'T4 ,N AT ALL40
  8,B HE M/ H BE5 PL1S$ AT ! BIR? ( YR
BRO!R40
  8,( C\RSE HE WAS4 ,B !Y 2CAME S PRO-
TECTIVE ( HM1 HE & MY "M BO?4 ,S 9 TURN
WE 7 6BE Z WELL1 ! F\R ( U GIRLS40
  8,& Y 7 N80
  ,%E DIDN'T ANSW] = "S MO;TS4 ,I HE>D !
RU/LE ( H] TR\S]S Z %E %IFT$ 9 H] *AIR4
8,I LOV$ HM :5 HE 0 BORN4 ,I LOVE HM N[4
,B ,I WASN'T L MY SI/]S OR MY "M1 T WAY4
,P]H X 0 2C WE 7 CLOSE/ 9 AGE4 ,I 0 N"E
Q FILIAL1 & MY "F & "EY"O KNEW X4 ,YET
MY BRO!R N"E M9D$4 ,HE'S A K9DHE>T$
BOY40
  8,IS HE / AT HOME80
  8,I M/ HOPE S10 %E ANSW]$1 H] VOICE L[
& QUIET4 8,OR MY SI/] HAS SU6]$ &   #CFH
DI$ = NO?+40
  ,I TOLD H] !N1 8,I AM SORRY = :AT HAP-
P5$40
  8,>E Y RE,Y80
  8,YES10 ,I SD1 ?9K+ TOO ( ,CORPORAL
,5DO1 & H[ ,I MI<T H HELP$ HM M4 8,I "K
Y >E ?9K+ T X IS BETT] T YR SI/] IS D1D1
?AN S]V+ 9 ! -=T H\SE4 ,B X'S AL POSSI#
T %E CD H EV5TU,Y G"O \ ( ? PLACE & _H A
L;G & DEC5T LIFE4 ,%E CD H P]SEV]$1 Z ,I
2LIEVE Y W40
  ;,K LAU<$ !N1 ?\< G5TLY & )\T ANY T"O
( DERI.N4 ,I ASK$ H] AG IF ,I MI<T LI<T
! OIL LAMP1 & ? "T %E SD ,I %D4 ,! LI<T
CAME UP QKLY1 & 9 ! W>M CA/ %E 0 P]FECT-
LY RADIANT1 H] R.D FACE GOLD5 & SMOO?4
,%E SEEM$ 6BE GAZ+ ON ME "S:AT SOMB]LY1
Z IF ,I _H J BE5 BORN 96! DI6ICULT _W1
H] EYES BE>+ A SAD;S & AWE4
  ,%E SD S(TLY1 8,Y >E AN UNLIKELY FEL-
L[1 ,LIEUT5ANT ,KUROHATA4 ,Y %D "K ,I AM
GRATE;L = AT L1/ YR HOPE;L;S4 ,I D HE>
T1 & ,I AM APPRECIATIVE4 ,B PL1SE LET'S
R 3T9UE :AT WE 7 SP1K+ ( 2F1 ?AN TALK (
MY SI/]1 OR ? PLACE4 ,I DON'T WI%   #CFI
6?9K ( H] "R N[4 ,Y "U/&1 ,I "K40
  8,C]TA9LY1 ,I D40
  8,?ANK Y1 ,LIEUT5ANT10 %E SD1 B[+ H]
H1D1 J Z %E MI<T 9 "EY"D1 CIVILIAN LIFE1
& ,I FELT SU45LY ILLICIT 9 H] PRES;E1 Z
?\< WE'D SLIPP$ \ ( SI<T ( \R *AP]ONS &
F.D \RVS 9 A D>K5$1 PRIVATE P>K "S":4
  8,W Y TELL ME M AB YR GR[+ UP8 ,AB YR
S*OOL+8 ,I ALW L 6HE> ( :AT O!RS H D"O40
  8,X 0 NO?+ TOO UNUSUAL10 ,I TOLD H]4
8,I F9I%$ ! UPP] S*OOL & 0 ADMITT$ 6!
UNIV]S;Y1 B :5 ! W> BROKE \ ,I 0 REAS-
SIGN$ 6! MILIT>Y 9/ITUTE 9/1D1 = FIELD
M$ICAL TRA9+4 ,EV5TU,Y ,I'LL G 6M$ICAL
S*OOL1 B ,I AM M ?AN WILL+ 6S]VE 9 ? WAY
N[4 ,I'M LOOK+ =W>D 6MY F9AL TRA9+1 ?\<1
& 2COM+ A SURGEON40
  8,:AT K9D80
  8,I'M N C]TA9 YET10 ,I SD 6H]1 ?\< ,I
ALR KNEW ,I'D L 6SPECIALIZE 9 "S?+ L C>-
DIOPULMON>Y SURG]Y4 ,I 0 AFRAID 6SP1K
AL\D MY WI%1 LE/ X N"E -E 6PASS4 ,9 FACT
,I H ALW BE5 FASC9AT$ 0! "W+S (! HE>T &
LUNGS1 ! IMMORTAL 3/ANCY & VITAL;Y ( _!
OP],N4 ,2F ,I WIT;S$ ! DOCTOR       #CGJ
MASSAG+ ! COB#R'S HE>T1 ,I _H 9 MY *ILD-
HOOD SE5 A BUT*] QKLY KILL A SMALL PIG1
SLITT+ XS ?ROAT & !N IMMLY CUTT+ X OP5 Z
X HUNG F XS H9D LEGS4 ,! F/ SWIFT CUT AT
! /]NUM 0 = AN 9/ANT /RANGELY UNBLOODY1
& ,I CD SEE ! QUIV]+ HE>T &! PLIANT SACS
(! LUNGS1 / ALIVE Z ! PIG 0 =A FEW MO;TS
L;G]4 ,S9CE !N1 ,I H _H ! ?"\ F "T 6"T T
9DE$ ^! 7 ! VESSELS (! ANIMAL'S _S1 & T
P]H \R S\LS1 TOO1 RESIDE N 9 \R M9DS B 9
! V FLE% ( U1 ! FRANK1 GRAY TISSUE :
SEEMS MO/ REM>KABLY POSSESS$ (! W 6G ON1
6P]SI/4 ,"S"TS :5 "O IS A PHYSICIAN OR A
M$IC OR A NURSE1 ! PHYSICAL BODY C TAKE
ON AN ALM MY/ICAL PRES;E1 & :E!R LIV+ OR
N 2COMES A C]TA9 M>K] (! _W1 A SIGN (!
WID] CIRCUM/.E4 ,& ?\< %E 0 2F ME ,I ?"\
( H] AG RECL9+ 9 H] SLEEP 2F ,I UNLOCK$
! DOOR1 ? P]SON 9 A T9Y CLOSET-ROOM1 ?
SOLIT>Y GIRL 9 A BOX4
  ,I SD 6H]1 8,I'M CURI\S4 ,:Y DON'T Y
TELL ME ( H[ Y GREW UP8 ,(! S*OOLS Y M/
H ATT5D$40
  8,I DON'T H M* ( ANY S*OOL+10 %E SD1
SURPRIS+ ME4 8,N (! =MAL K9D4 ,I    #CGA
W5T 6GRAMM> S*OOL = S"EAL YE>S B X 0 DE-
CID$ 0MY "F T Z ) MY SI/]S ,I %DN'T 3T9-
UE40
  8,B Y SEEM Q WELL $UCAT$40
  8,I H TRI$ 6$UCATE MYF10 %E ANSW]$1 )!
B>E/ $GE ( PRIDE4 8,S AF T1 ALL ? "T1
,I'VE /UDI$ AT HOME1 F/ ) MY OLD] SI/]S1
& !N ) MY BRO!R4 ,HE & ,I WD CLIMB !
HILL 2H \R H\SE & ,I'D SECRETLY R1D !
LESSONS AL;G ) HM1 & AL HELP HM :5"E ,I
CD4 ,I DON'T M1N 6BRAG1 B ,I "K M ,*9ESE
"*S ?AN ANY"O 9 MY FAMILY1 EXCEPT1 (
C\RSE1 = MY "F1 :O 0 REN[N$ 9 \R PROV9CE
:5 HE 0 A "Y] MAN = 8 LE>N+ & 8 PUBLIC
RECIT,NS ( CLASSICAL POETRY4 ,MY "M WD
TELL ME & MY SI/]S ( 8 SP1K+1 H[ IMPRES-
SIVE & BRILLIANT HE WAS1 & WE GREW UP
IDOLIZ+ HM4 ,WE MADE SURE 6BE ABSOLUTELY
QUIET 9 ! MORN+S1 :5 HE R1D & SMOK$ 8
PIPE 9 ! /UDY40
  8,I L 6R1D1 TOO10 ,I SPOKE UP1 8:5"E
,I C4 ,MO/LY M$ICAL TEXTS1 ( C\RSE1 B
LIT]ATURE Z WELL4 ,I H 5JOY$ "S MOD]N
NOVELS1 TOO1 ESPECI,Y S"EAL ,FR5* &
,G]MAN1 : ,I H F.D 6BE PAS.NATE &   #CGB
4T9CTLY D>K1 9 TURN40
  ,%E NO4$ )A HALF-SMILE1 & ,I R1LIZ$ H[
5?USIA/IC ,I PROBABLY S.D$1 Z ?\< WE 7
ON AN 9ITIAL DATE1 L ANY TWO UNIV]S;Y
/UD5TS4 ,& YET ,I CD H>DLY 3TA9 MYF1 A#
6BROA* S* SUBJECTS AF ^? _M MON?S (
DRUDG]Y & R\T9E & ANXI\S 9AC;N4
  8,Y'RE LUCKY 6H R1D O!R K9DS ( BOOKS10
%E SD4 8,I'VE ONLY R1D LESSON BOOKS &!
L1 & !N :5 MY "F 0 AWAY ,I MI<T /1L 9TO
8 /UDY & TRY 6R1D POETRY & HI/ORICAL
TEXTS4 ,HE DIDN'T H ANY ,WE/]N NOVELS
AM;G 8 BOOKS1 : ,I WD H LOV$4 ,HE WD N"E
H !M 9 8 LIBR>Y4 ,HE ALW TOLD MY BRO!R T
WE %D REV]E \R ,ASIAN H]ITAGE & PROTECT
X F =EIGN 9FLU;ES1 T :E!R ,*9ESE OR
,JAPANESE OR ,KOR1N WE 7 ROOT$ (A -MON
CULTURE & M9D & T WE %D PUT ASIDE \R
DI6];ES & "W TGR40
  8,? IS EXACTLY \R ,EMP]OR'S M&ATE10 ,I
TOLD H]1 86DEVELOP AN ,ASIAN PROSP];Y1 &
AN ,ASIAN WAY ( LIFE40
  8,?\< X SEEMS X IS 6BE A ,JAPANESE
LIFE10 ;,K SD1 H] T"O "S:AT IRONICAL4 ,B
AF A FEW MO;TS %E S5S$ MY QUIET &   #CGC
SD 6ME1 8,I WI% T WE CD R1D "O ( ^? NOV-
ELS Y M5;N$1 & !N TALK AB X4 ,A /ORY SET
9 ANO!R L& & "T 9 HI/ORY1 ) -PLETELY
DI6]5T SORTS ( P4 ,S9CE ,I 0 A LL GIRL1
,I ALW WANT$ 6LIVE A -PLETELY DI6]5T
LIFE1 EV5 IF X MI<T 2 A H>D "O4 ,I 0
SURE ,I WASN'T M1NT 62L;G 6M9E4 ,MAYBE Y
C DESCRIBE ! /ORIES 6ME1 & WE CD PRET5D
WE 7 9 _! LIVES1 ^? ,EUROP1N P 9 ! NOV-
ELS1 9VOLV$ ) _! [N "PICUL> PRO#MS1 : ,I
AM SURE M/ 2 V -PELL+40
  8,!Y >E 9T]E/+10 ,I SD1 RECALL+ ! FIG-
URE (A WOMAN 9 A SMALL ,FR5* PROV9CIAL
T[N T 0 H] _W1 & PRISON4 8,& "S"TS EV5
TRAGIC40
  8,I SUPPOSE X "\ 6BE S10 ;,K REPLI$4
8,OR X WDN'T 2 M* (A TALE1 WD X1 ,LIEU-
T5ANT80
  8,NO10 ,I SD 6H]1 GAZ+ AT H] FACE &
WOND]+ IF %E KNEW H[ DI6ICULT ! PRES5T
LIFE WD SOON 2 = H]1 &= ME Z WELL4
  ,NE> MIDNI<T1 ,I A3$$ 6H] REQUE/ &
WALK$ ) H] 6! PLACE ": H] SI/] 0 BURI$4
,"! 0 NO M>K]1 NO SIGN1 J A SLI<T M.D (
DUG-UP E>? B>ELY NOTICEA# 9 !       #CGD
MOONLI<T4 ,I WAIT$ = H] AT A RESPECT;L
4T.E4 ,Z WE RETURN$ %E TOLD ME ( H] TWO
O!R SI/]S1 :O 7 ALR 5GAG$ 6BE M>RI$ & S
CD N 2 S5T AWAY F HOME4 ,A RECRUIT] _H
-E 6! DOOR ) "S MILIT>Y POLICE1 C>RY+ A
LI/ ( S+LE "Y M5 9 ! T[N4 ,!Y 7 GO+ TO
3SCRIPT H] BRO!R1 & Z H] "F _H LO/ 8 IN-
FLU;E & /&+ & _H NO M"OY LEFT 6BRIBE !M1
HE CD D NO?+ AB X2 B HE PL1D$ ) !M 9 8
/UDY & SOON "!AF !Y LEFT4 ,! NEXT "D !
RECRUIT] RETURN$ 0HMF1 B = ;,K & H] SIS-
T]4 ,_! "M _H ALR PREP>$ EA* ( _! BAGS1
_! "F HAV+ _S$ 8 SON (F "S": 2F DAWN4
,%E GAVE !M EA* A FANCY SILK5 DOLL1 /U6$
9SIDE )A LL TRAVEL+ M"OY4 ,!Y WD HELP !
FAMILY1 %E TOLD !M :ILE CRY+1 0GO+ 6"W 9
A BOOT FACTORY \TSIDE ( ,%IMONOSEKI4 ,B
:5 !Y >RIV$ AT ! H>BOR !Y 7 IMMLY TRANS-
F]R$ ONTO A C>GO %IP B.D =! ,PHILIPP9ES
& ,S+APORE1 & !N BOAT$ 6,RANGOON1 2F FI-
N,Y 2+ TRUCK$ "? ! =E/$ HILLS "H 6!
CAMP4 ,!Y _H N "KN AT ALL :AT AWAIT$ !M1
NO IDEA :AT _! TRUE S]VICE WD BE4
  ,I 0 "S:AT TAK5 ABACK 0H] A3.T4 ,I CD
N Q A3EPT ! :OLE TRU? ( X4 ,B X 0   #CGE
M P]H T ,I _H R1*$ ! LIMITS ( MY 3CEP;N1
?AN ?9K+ "! 0 "S?+ 9 H] /ORY 6D\BT4 ,AL?
X 0 ! MO/ NAIVE & VACANT ( NO;NS 6?9K T
ANY"O WD WILL+LY GIVE H]F 6S* A FATE1 L
"EY"O ELSE ,I _H ASSUM$ ! GIRLS _H 9DE$
BE5 8VOLUNTE]S10 Z !Y 7 ALW CALL$4 ,6!
M5 9 ! QUEUE1 !Y 7 NO?+1 OR LESS ?AN
NO?+2 S"EAL H\RS E>LI] ,I _H OV]HE>D A
SOLDI] SP1K M W>MLY & HUMANLY (! LA/
FULL-C\RSE M1L HE REMEMB]$ ?AN ! GIRL
HE'D BE5 )! PREVI\S AFN4 ,HE 0 A CORPO-
RAL ATTA*$ 6! MOTOR POOL1 A TYPIC,Y DE-
C5T "Y MAN4 ,HE CRUDELY REF]R$ 6! -=T
GIRL Z .CHOSEN-PI1 A BASE ANATOMICAL
SLUR : AL DENOT$ H] ,KOR1N;S4 ,?\< ,I
KNEW X 0 "P (! BLU/] & BRAVADO HE 4PLAY$
= 8 FELL[S1 "! 0 A CASUAL;S 6HIS USAGE1
Z IF HE 7 SP1K+ ( ANY ANIMAL 9 A P51 :
/OPP$ ME COLD =A MO;T4 ,I C]TA9LY DID N
?9K (! O!R GIRLS Z ANIMALS1 & YET ,I _C
SAY !Y HELD ANY SORT ( POSI;N 9 MY RE-
G>D2 P]H MY ?9K+ 0 Z A RI* MAN'S1 :O
MI<T H>DLY AC"KL$GE ! _M S]VANTS "W+ AB
8 H\SE OR ON ! PROP]TY1 _! EF=TS &
/RU7LES1 & SEE !M ONLY Z "PS (!     #CGF
L>G] ME*ANISM ( 8 LIV+1 ! /1DY MA*9E T
GR9DS AL;G EA* NI<T & "D4
  ,9 FACT A FEW M9UTES LAT] ,I F.D !
SOLDI] & ASK$ HM 6EXPLA9 HMF & 8 USAGE1
B HE 0 S 2WILD]$ 0MY "Q HE CD H>DLY
SP1K4 8,I DON'T "K :AT 6SAY1 ,LIEUT5-
ANT10 HE SD %EEPI%LY AF A PAUSE1 8B
ISN'T T :AT !Y >E80
  ,F 8 P]SPECTIVE1 ,I SUPPOSE1 HE 0
TELL+ ONLY :AT HE KNEW4 ,& _H ,I BE5 (!
SLI<TE/ DI6]5T OP9ION1 ,I TOO WD PROBA-
BLY H ?"\ ( !M T WAY1 Z S(T SLIPS (
FLE%1 A BRIEF W>M PL1SURE 6BE TAK5 2F X
0 G"O1 : IS ! BASIC MODE ( W>"T4 ,B )
;,K1 ,I 0 2G9N+ 6?9K O!RWISE1 ( H[ 6PRE-
S]VE H]1 H[ ,I MI<T KEEP H] A"P F ALL
USES 9 ANY WAY ,I CD4
  ,AF RETURN+ F ! GRAVESITE1 WE SAT "U !
COOL CA/ (! MOONLI<T 9 ! SMALL Y>D 2H !
9FIRM>Y4 ,"! 0 A D5SE R+ ( WIDE-L1F$
VEGET,N 5CLOS+ ! SPACE1 & NO "O CD SEE
U4 ,%E 0 N S OBVI\SLY UPSET AT HAV+ SE5
H] SI/]'S GRAVE2 %E _H N CRI$ \ OR MADE
ANY S.D ( M\RN+4 ,N[ 9 FACT "! 0 A
LI<T;S 6H] VOICE1 Z IF %E 7 ALM     #CGG
2+ PLAY;L ) ME1 ?\< ,I KNEW X WASN'T T
EI4 ,X 0 "S?+ DI6]5T1 A /RANGE K9D ( RE-
L1SE OR RELIEF4 ,=! F/ "T %E SEEM$ TRULY
VULN]A# 6ME1 N J H] PHYSICAL BODY1 : 0
ALW 5DANG]$1 B H] _S4 ,%E WD N -E CLOS]
6ME1 Z M* Z ,I ?"\ %E WI%$ TO1 HUNG]+ N
= ANY?+ L LOVE B = PLA91 HUM# SU3OR4 ,&
?\< ,I WANT$ TO1 ,I DID N ATTEMPT 6EM-
BRACE OR T\* H] OR R1* \4 ,I DID N %IFT
OR MOVE AT ALL4 ,:AT PREV5T$ ME ,I C'T
"K1 :E!R X 0 DEF];E OR DETA*;T OR A KE5+
HE>T ( FE>4
  ,E>LI] %E _H WANT$ 6SP1K 9 ! D>K;S1 &
N[1 TOO1 %E ASK$ IF WE CD SIT CLOSE 6!
BUILD+1 2N ! L[ EAVE1 E "P ( U 9 ! %AD-
[S4 ,I CD F9,Y "U/& :AT %E 0 WI%+ =4 ,I
2LIEVE X 0 S %E CDN'T SEE MY UNI=M OR !
%9E ( MY BOOTS OR EV5 MY FACE2 ,I R1LIZ$
T %E 0 TRY+ 6PRET5D WE 7 O!R P1 "S":
ELSE1 )! MO/ ORD9>Y R1SONS = KEEP+ S*
FURTIVE -PANY1 J \R :ISP]+ VOICES APP>5T
6! NI<T AIR4
  ,WE /AY$ "! UNTIL J 2F ! LI<T 2GAN TO
RISE AG4 ,!N ,I L$ H] BACK 9SIDE & 6!
CLOSET-ROOM ": %E SLEPT4 ,I UNDID   #CGH
! BRASS SPIKE LOCK & OP5$ ! DOOR & %E
QKLY /EPP$ 9SIDE ! CORDON$ BLACK;S4 ,AG
,I CD H>DLY SEE H]4 ,I BID H] GD NI<T &
TOLD H] ,I WD 2 %UTT+ ! DOOR & LOCK+ X
AG4 ,%E DIDN'T ANSW]1 & Z ,I 0 CLOS+ !
DOOR %E PRESS$ H] WEI<T AG/ X1 & ,I ?"\
= AN 9/ANT T %E 0 TRY+ 6=CE X BACK OP54
,B ! PU%+ /OPP$ & X 0 H] PALE F+]S CURL$
>.D ! DOOR $GE1 & !N ! FALL ( H] L;G
/RAI<T HAIR LOOSELY COV]+ ! SIDE ( H]
FACE4 ,H] EYES 7 CA/ D[NW>D1 & Z ! DOOR
SWUNG OP5 A LL1 ,I TOOK H] H&S CUPP$
W1KLY 96FI/S & %E LET ME OP5 !M & HOLD
!M1 H] H&S 9 MY [N TREMUL\S H&S4 ,I 0
BR1?.S4 ,I _H CLOS$ MY EYES4 ,& ,I RE-
MA9$ "! = :AT SEEM$ A V L;G "T1 DRAW+ NO
CLOS] 6H] Z WE /OOD 9 ! ?RE%OLD ( H]
CELL1 UNMOV+1 UNSP1K+1 B>ELY RESI/+ ALL4

  ,TWO M :OLE "DS ,I _H1 2F ,I SAW !
BLACK FLAG RAIS$ ^U ! TILT$ POLE (! IN-
FIRM>Y4 ,I 0 H1D+ "! 9 ! E>LY MORN+1 9
MY H& ! L;G1 FLAT1 TWO-PR;G$ KEY =! LOCK
6! SUPPLY CLOSET1 :5 ,I SAW T PIECE (
CLO?4 ,AT F/ ,I ?"\ X 0 A BLANK     #CGI
SPOT 9 MY VI.N1 A COLOR.S VOID4 ,!N A
PAT* ( SKY OP5$ L[ 9 ! EA/ &! LI<T HIT !
DOOR1 &! FLAG NEXT 6X 2CAME UNUSU,Y LUS-
TR\S1 REFLECTIVE & YET FLAT-SEEM+ ) XS
ABSOLUTE /ILL;S4 ,X 0 L>G] ?AN ,I _H F/
?"\1 A P]FECT SQU>E ( BLACK SILK4 ,I ?"\
X 0 (! ,*9ESE K9D1 XS TEXTURE SUBTLY
/RIAT$ & B&$2 &! WAY X FELL /I6LY F !
TWO HOLES CUT \ AL;G "O $GE1 "? : A R\<
TW9E 0 LOOP$ & !N LA%$ 6! %ORT POLE1 X 0
L A PIECE ( %9Y1 BURNT P>*;T4
  ,I DID N T\* X4 ,9/1D ,I LET MYF 9SIDE
& W5T DIRECTLY 6! BACK (! BUILD+1 6!
CLOSET ": ,I _H LEFT H]4 ,I TOOK MY KEY
& PU%$ X UP "? ! BRASS SLOTS (! LOCK4
,:5 ,I OP5$ ! DOOR %E 0 ALR /&+ UP1
WAIT+ = ME4 ,I GAVE H] ! RICE BALLS HI45
9 MY POCKETS2 ,I _H SAV$ !M F ! (FIC]S'
MESS ! NI<T 2F1 N EAT+ TWO ( MY [N &
TAK+ TWO O!RS :5 ,I SAW T ! COOK _H
/EPP$ \TSIDE =A SMOKE4 ,WE SAT ON !
BLANKETS %E _H LAID \ OV] ! FLOOR4 ,I
LET H] EAT A LL :ILE 2F SP1K+4
  ,!N ,I SD 6H]1 8,HE DID N -E "H LA/
NI<T80                              #CHJ
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BALLS4 8,I WOKE UP :5 ,I HE>D "S"O WALK+
>.D ? MORN+4 ,I LI/5$ B HE SEEM$ 6G
AWAY4 ,X 0 ! CAPTA91 WASN'T X8 ,WASN'T
X80
  8,YES10 ,I SD 6H]1 N MEET+ H] EYES4
,%E 0 />+ AT ME1 ,I CD FEEL X4 ,I TOLD
H]1 8,I ?9K X IS ? EV5+1 ;,K1 T HE W -E
6! 9FIRM>Y40
  ,%E NO4$ 6H]F4 ,WE 7 QUIET = "S "T1 &
,I FELT ,I "\ 6D "S?+ = H]1 OR AT L1/
SAY A FEW ^WS4 ,I _H NO?+ R1DY 6(F]1 H[-
"E1 ?\< N 2C "! WASN'T ANY FEEL+ 9SIDE
ME4 ,I _H TOO M* FEEL+1 P]H4 ,I FELT A
/"O 9 MY *E/1 : SEEM$ ALM 6P9 ME D[N4
  ,%E SPOKE S(TLY N[3 8,I M/ ASK Y AG IF
Y W HELP ME40
  8,I AM SORRY1 ;,K1 B ,I H TOLD Y "! IS
NO?+ ,I C D40
  8,YES1 ,I "K1 B WE >E FRS N[10 %E SD1
8& ,I ONLY ASK T Y GIVE ME "S?+ N[4 ,I
DON'T EXPECT Y 6HELP ME 9 ANY O!R WAY4
,Y'RE A M$ICAL (FIC]1 & Y M/ "K :AT TO
GIVE ME1 S ,I WON'T WAKE UP AG40
  ,I CD H>DLY BE> 6PICTURE H] T     #CHA
WAY4
  8,PL1SE1 ,JIRO10 %E SD1 US+ MY "N =!
F/ "T4 ,%E _H ASK$ :AT X 0 ! NI<T 2F1 &
,I _H FELT /RANGE TELL+ H]1 ?\< N[ ! S.D
( H] SP1K+ X 0 L A BALM4 8,PL1SE4 ,Y C
HELP Z NO "O ELSE40
  8,I WON'T40
  8,H[ C Y N WI% TO1 "K+ ! CAPTA9 W -E
"H TN80
  8,I D WI% 6HELP Y40
  8,!N Y "\ 6D S10 %E SD1 "S:AT H>%LY1
H] VOICE R++ 9 ! 5SU+ SIL;E4 ,B !N %E
GA!R$ H]F1 H] H&S CLUT*+ H] ELB[S4 ,%E
TRI$ 6SMILE4 8,Y H BE5 TOO K9D1 SP5D+ "T
) ME & BR++ ME EXTRA FOOD4 ,I H TOLD Y
H[ Y'RE S M* L MY BRO!R1 G5]\S & 9NOC5T
L HM4 ,B.S$ T WAY4 ,B ,I'VE ?"\ Y'VE BE5
A LL BRAVE1 TOO40
  8,I DON'T ?9K ,I AM BRAVE40
  8,Y >E40 ,%E SAT UP ON H] KNEES4 8,I
DON'T "K :AT RISKS Y'RE TAK+ 02+ K9D TO
ME4 ,B ,I "K Y >E TAK+ RISKS4 ,:AT WD !
CAPTA9 H D"O IF HE _H F.D U 9 ! O!R ROOM
YE/]"D OR ! "D 2F T1 SITT+ & TALK+ Z WE
W]E8 ,:AT WD HE H D"O !N80          #CHB
  ,I CDN'T SAY :AT WD H O3URR$4 ,I /
CDN'T IMAG9E MYF *ALL5G+ HM1 OR 2+ 9SUB-
ORD9ATE 9 ANY WAY1 & YET ! ?"\ ( A3EPT+
:AT"E PUNI%;T HE DEEM$ DES]V+ = ME1 &
ESPECI,Y = H]1 SEEM$ EQU,Y IMPOSSI#4 ,9
! LA/ FEW "DS ,I _H 2GUN 6F9D MYF DEF5D+
H]1 AT L1/ 9 MY M9D1 /EPP+ 2T H] & O!RS1
OR PULL+ H] F "S FACE.S DANG]4 ,B 9 TRU?
X 0 SOLELY ! DOCTOR & SURGEON1 ,CAPTA9
,ONO1 :O "E _H ANY PURPOSE & 9T5;N = H]1
:O EV5 KNEW1 2SS MYF1 ": ;,K WAS1 & X 0
8 N>R[$1 SEV]E VISAGE T ,I CD N YET 3CV
( REPELL+4
  8,I WANT 6HELP Y10 ,I SD 6H]4 8,B ,I C
ONLY D = Y :AT ,I H D"O ALR1 & NO?+ M4
,I H TRI$ 6KEEP Y 9 A /ATE ( H1L?;L;S1 :
IS MY RESPONSIBIL;Y1 &! CAPTA9 WD ULTI-
MATELY "U/& T1 ,I 2LIEVE40
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,Y DON'T H 6SP1K L
T1 ,JIRO4 ,I "K Y DON'T 2LIEVE ONLY :AT
Y SAY4 ,Y'RE N J 2+ A DUTI;L M$ICAL (FI-
C]4 ,I ?"\ WE _H TALK$ YE/]"D AB :AT
MI<T HAPP5 AF ! W>4 ,:AT YR HOPES &
PLANS W]E1 6G 6M$ICAL S*OOL & 2COME A
RESPECT$ PHYSICIAN 9 ,KOBE4 ,& !N   #CHC
MEET+ A NICE GIRL F A GD FAMILY & HAV+
_M *N1 ALL ( Y 9 A F9E H\SE ) B1UTI;L
GR.DS4 ,I 5JOY$ TALK+ L T1 AB :AT ! FU-
TURE WD HOLD1 ,DIDN'T Y80
  8,YES10 ,I ANSW]$4
  8,& REMEMB] :AT Y SD8 ,H[ WE CD P]H
MEET AG1 9 AN 9T]E/+ PLACE L ,H;G ,K;G1
OR ,KYOTO4 ,:AT FUN "TS WE MI<T H1 SEE+
! SI<TS TGR4 ,WE 7 J TALK+1 ,I "K1 B "S-
"TS T'S 5 6MAKE "EY?+ SEEM R1L40
  8,I WD L X 6BE R1L10 ,I SD1 RECALL+ !
S]5E TEMPLES ,I _H DESCRIB$ 6H]1 ! "OS 9
,KYOTO ,I _H VISIT$ ON S*OOL TRIPS1 !
PLUM TREES BLOOM+ AB _! HILLTOP P]*ES 9
FANTA/ICAL COLOR4 8,I /AY$ AWAKE UNTIL
ALM MORN+1 ?9K+ ( O!R PLACES Y MI<T L TO
SEE40
  8,:AT 7 !Y80
  8,I ?"\ (! ROCKY S1SIDES ON ,%IKOKU1 !
/EEP CLI6S ABV ! WAT]1 ! HUM# FI%+ VIL-
LAGES "!4 ,2C Y SD Y LIK$ ! WAT]1 &
SWIMM+4 ,& !N ( C\RSE "! IS ,TOKYO1 : ,I
H N YET BE5 TO1 B : M/ 2 WONDR\S 9 ALL
XS ACTIV;Y4 ,!Y SAY X IS A HUNDR$
,KOBES1 PUT ALL TGR40               #CHD
  8,MY "F 0 "! ONCE10 %E SD1 SURPRIS+
ME4 8,:5 ,I 0 EI<T OR N9E4 ,HE BR"\ BACK
A FANCY SET ( BRU%ES = U GIRLS 6%>E1 &
BR&-NEW ,5GLI% LESSON BOOKS = \R BRO!R4
,= MY "M HE BR"\ A T9Y *E/ FILL$ ) ,EU-
ROP1N FACE P[D] & P]FUME & LIP P5CILS40
  8,:Y 0 HE "!80 ,I ASK$4
  8,HE 0 A K9D ( AMBASSADOR1 ,I ?9K4 ,MY
"M TOLD U T A NUMB] ( NO#M5 & CIVIC L1D-
]S 7 GO+ 6,JAPAN1 6H 4CUS.NS ON ! ISSUE
(! ,JAPANESE COLONI/S -+ 6,KOREA4 ,!Y 7
TRY+ 6-E 6AN AGREE;T1 ( SORTS1 6MAKE X
BETT] = "EY"O1 & FAIR] = ^? :O 7 2+ DIS-
PLAC$ F _! HOMES & %OPS4 ,I REMEMB] H[
PL1S$ MY "F 0 :5 HE RETURN$1 Z PL1S$ Z
,I H "E SE5 HM1 EV5 TAK+ U GIRLS 6BE
PHOTOGRAPH$ ! NEXT "D1 ) \R "M4 ,B 0! 5D
(! YE> HE 0 MO/ 4ILLU.N$4 ,NO?+ _H
*ANG$4 ,9 FACT "! 7 M SETTL]S ?AN "E4 ,&
9 T[N P 2GAN 6BLAME MY "F1 Z HE 0 ! LO-
CAL (FICIAL :O _H G"O ON ! MIS.N4 ,"O
NI<T WE CAME HOME F A F>M]S' FE/IVAL TO
F9D \R H\SE BURN+ D[N4 ,WE _H 6L1VE \R
L& & MOVE 96A H\SE-=-LET1 & SOON AF T HE
H>DLY SPOKE 6ANY"O4 ,EV5 \R BRO?-   #CHE
]4 ,HE J /AY$ 9 8 ROOM ( BOOKS1 R1D+
,*9ESE POETRY & PRACTIC+ 8 CALLIGRAPHY40
  8,Y N"E M5;N$ :AT K9D ( FAMILY Y 7 F40
  8,WD X H MADE A DI6];E 9 ANY?+80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D1 "K+ T X WD N H4 ,B
N"O!.S X EXPLA9$ H] SPEE*1 H] $UC,N1 :AT
,I 0 F9,Y "U/&+ 6BE H] .CLASS1 : ,I
_HN'T Q FA?OM$ UNTIL !N1 HAV+ _H NO CON-
TACT ) S* ,KOR1NS4 ,9 FACT %E _H POK$
FUN AT MY [N TALK1 : 0 6H] R\< & SLANGY
&(! /REETS1 ! TWI/Y1 CRAMP$ <ETTO ALLEYS
( ,KOBE4 ,& X SEEM$ 9CONGRU\S1 Z WELL1
H[ X 0 T ,I1 ! ONLY * (A HIDE TANN] &A
RAG MAID1 %D -E 6WE> A SECOND LIEUT5-
ANT'S UNI=M (! ,OC1N ,SKY ,BATTALION (!
,IMP]IAL ,=CES1 & T %E1 BORN 96A NO#1
S*OL>LY H\SE 7IF P]H "O FALL571 WD H TO
SLEEP 9 A SURPLUS CLOSET (A F>-FLUNG
MILIT>Y \TPO/1 H] SI/] ALR D1D & BURI$1
WI%+ ^U H]F ! SAME HORRID 5D4
  8,I WANT 62LIEVE T Y & ,I W D ALL !
?+S WE SPOKE (10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,I AM HOP+
! W> W 5D SOON1 Z HAS BE5 RUMOR$1 & P]H
M* SOON] ?AN ANY"O "KS4 ,X IS SD ! W> 9
FACT HAS BE5 GO+ V BADLY4 ,"! IS    #CHF
EV5 TALK ! ,AM]ICANS W SOON ATTEMPT 6IN-
VADE ,JAPAN XF4 ,NO "O W SAY X1 B ! 5D
IS LIKELY -+1 & AN A3OMMOD,N W 2 MADE4
,X M/4 ,P]H X W 2 NEXT MON?1 OR NEXT
WEEK EV54 ,!N WE C G \ ( ? PLACE1 WE C G
\ ( ? PLACE TGR1 & ,I W TAKE C>E ( Y &
PROTECT Y NO MATT] ": WE G40
  8,B Y SAY HE IS -+ TN10 %E SD %>PLY4
8,! DOCTOR W -E "H TN4 ,TN6 ,W ! W> 5D
2F !N8 ,? AFN8 ,W Y _S U AWAY 2F ! DUSK
FALLS1 ,JIRO8 ,2C IF N "! IS NO?+ M TO
TALK AB 9 A R1L WAY4 ,"! IS DR1M+ &
DR1M+ TALK & LL ELSE1 : IS HAPPY 5\<1 &
MAYBE ALL T REMA9S 6U4 ,B PL1SE DON'T
TRY 6MAKE ?+S S.D R1L ANYMORE4 ,X MAKES
ME FEEL DESP]ATE & MAD4 ,Y'RE A DEC5T
MAN1 ,JIRO1 M DEC5T ?AN Y EV5 "K1 S
PL1SE4 ,Y C PRET5D1 IF Y WI%1 & ,I'LL
PRET5D ) Y1 Z M* Z ,I AM A#4 ,B ,I ASK Y
PL1SE NO M ?AN T40
  ,%E 2CAME WE>Y ALL (A SU451 & LET H]
>MS FOLD 2N H] Z %E LAY ON H] SIDE ON !
M1G] BLANKET4 ,! CR[N ( H] H1D 0 ALM
T\*+ MY KNEE ": ,I SAT 2S H]1 & AF A
MO;T ,I R1*$ \ & 2GAN /ROK+ H]      #CHG
HAIR4 ,%E _H LET ME D ? 2F & %E DID N
M9D N[4 ,H] HAIR 0 UNWA%$ & H1VY & UN-
SWEETLY R$OL5T B 6ME X 0 A P]FECT MANE4
,TWO NI<TS 2F ,I _H D"O ! SAME :5 %E
GREW TIR$ & LAY D[N1 /ROK+ H] G5TLY AT
F/ B !N M VIGOR\SLY & DEEPLY1 RUNN+ MY
F+]S D[N 6H] S(T SCALP1 UNTIL MY H&S 7
W>M$ & SMOO? ) H] OIL4 ,%E FELL ASLEEP &
,I W5T 6MY T5T & CD N SLEEP MYF1 ! RI*1
BODILY SMELL WAFT+ OV] ME4 ,I HELD UP MY
H&S Z ,I LAY ON MY B$ROLL1 & 2F ,I KNEW
X ,I _H TA/$ & KISS$ !M & RU2$ !M ON MY
FACE & NECK & ELSE":1 & 9 ! MORN+ ,I
WANT$ 6BE ) H] L NO?+ ,I _H "E "KN4 ,B
ON SI<T (! CLOSET DOOR ,I _H 6RETR1T &
SCRUB MY H&S 9 ! EXAM ROOM1 A%AM$ 0!
FEEL+ T ,I _H SECRETLY PROFAN$ H]4
  ,B N[ %E CLOS$ H] EYES Z ,I /ROK$4 ,%E
_H TOLD ME %E 0 NO L;G] SLEEP+ M* AT
NI<T OR ANY O!R "T1 H>DLY %UTT+ H] EYES
EV5 A FEW M9UTES A "D4 ,%E WANT$ 6FALL
ASLEEP B CD N4 ,B ,I ?"\ N[ %E 0 V NE>
X1 H] BR1?+ /1DY & RHY?MICAL1 & X SEEM$
) EA* PASS ( MY H& "? H] HAIR H]
EXHAL,NS GREW L;G] & LI<T]4 ,X _H   #CHH
BE5 _M YE>S S9CE ,I _H WAT*$ A WOMAN
SLEEP2 ! LA/ "T 0 :5 ,I LIV$ ) MY F/
P>5TS 9 ,KOBE1 ": WE SLEPT ALL TGR 9 A
"O-ROOM H\SE4 ,MY "M & "F WD 2 H1P$ 9 !
CORN] L A M.D ( SACKCLO?S1 ! NOISE ( _!
EXHAU/$ SLUMB] KEEP+ ME AWAKE1 MY "M
TITT]+ 9 H] DR1MS4 ,"S MORN+S H] PANTS
BOTTOM 0 PULL$ HALF-D[N1 H] L;G /RAI<T
HAIR FALL5 D[N 96! CORN]S ( H] GAP+ M\?1
MY "F'S H& CLUT*+ H] BR1/4 ,I REMEMB]$
WANT+ 6BRU% ! LOOSE /R&S AWAY F H] M\?1
6COV] H] NAK$;S )! BLANKET4
  ,B "H 2N ME1 ;,K 0 FALL+ AWAY1 ! L9E (
H] M\? S(T5+1 & ?\< "S"O 7EV5 ! DOCTOR7
CD -E 0AT ANY MO;T1 ,I CRAWL$ >.D & LAY
D[N 2H H]1 S T \R BODIES 7 ALIGN$1 NE/L$
L SPOONS4 ,%E 0 W>M & / & ,I G5TLY
PRESS$ MY FACE 96! BACK ( H] NECK &
BR1!D 9 ! OILY MUSK ( H] HAIR4 ,& X 0 S
T ,I F9,Y 2GAN 6T\* H]4 ,I PUT MY H& ON
! PO9T ( H] HIP & CD FEEL ALL AT ONCE !
PLIANCY ( X &! M1G];S &! NEW;S1 TOO4 ,I
FELT 2WILD]$ & 9NOC5T & /RANGELY RENEW$1
Z ?\< A SURGE ( "S GRT LIV+ 2+ 7 C\RS+
UP MY >M & SPR1D+ "? MY UN"K+       #CHI
BODY4 ,%E 0 SLEEP+1 OR PRET5D+ 6SLEEP1
OR "SH[ =C+ H]F TO1 & %E DID N MOVE OR
SP1K OR MAKE ANY?+ B ! %ALL[E/ ( BR1?S1
EV5 Z ,I 0 CA/+ MYF ^U H]4 ,I KISS$ Z M*
( H] BODY Z 0 B>$4 ,I KISS$ H] SMALL
BR1/S1 : SEEM$ 6SPILL A SWEET1 WAT]Y
LIQUID4 ,I GA7$ B DID N C>E4 ,!N X 0 ALL
Q SWIFT & NATURAL1 Z *A/E Z X CD "E BE4
,& :5 ,I 0 D"O ,I FELT ! 5VELOP+ W>M? (A
FEV]1 XS LANGUOR\S COCOON1 ?\< :5 ,I
GAZ$ AT H] %\LD] & BACK "! 0 NO?+ B
/ILL;S1 H] PO/URE UN*ANG$1 H] SK9 COOL &
COLOR.S1 & %E LAY Z IF %E 7 ! SCULPTURE
(A RECUMB5T GIRL & N A R1L GIRL AT ALL4
  ,I SD !N1 .,I .LOVE .Y1 & %E DIDN'T
ANSW]4 .,I .LOVE .Y1 ,I SD AG1 9 ,KOR1N1
N :ISP]+ X ? "T B SP1K+ X Z CLE>LY Z ,I
CD1 & :5 %E DIDN'T REPLY ,I ASSUM$ %E 0
-PLETELY ASLEEP4 ,I ROSE C>E;LLY & /EPP$
BACK & BUCKL$ MY TR\S]S1 WANT+ DESP]ATE-
LY 6WAKE H] & KISS H] ON ! M\? B 9/1D
LETT+ H] REMA91 RECALL+ H[ RE/IVE &
SLEEP.S %E SD %E'D BE54 ,I WD H D"O ANY-
?+ !N 6L5D H] "S P1CE4 ,I WD H EXECUT$
:AT"E %E ASK$ ( ME1 HELP$ H] EV5    #CIJ
6ESCAPE4 ,I WD H WILL+LY 9JUR$ ANO!R HU-
MAN 2+ _H %E ASK$1 OR NE$$ ME TO4 ,& X
UNN]VES ME EV5 N[ H[ "PICUL> & EXACT+ T
S5S,N WAS1 H[ T]RIBLY PURE4 ,T A MAN
PL1SUR$ CD S EASILY RESOLVE HMF 6! :OLE
SPECTRUM ( ACTS1 9DI6]5T & MURD]\S & HU-
MANE1 & *OOSE ) S* >BITR>Y W :AT HE % H
6REMEMB] ="E & ="E4
  ,I W5T \ ( H] CLOSET-ROOM1 :ISP]+ 6H]
T ,I WD RETURN 9 S"EAL H\RS1 ) FOOD = H]
& MAYBE "S?+ 6DR9K1 & ?9K+ AH1D 6AN EN-
TIRE EV5+ 9 H] -PANY2 B Z ,I G5TLY %UT !
DOOR ,I ?"\ ,I HE>D A MURMUR4 ,I CDN'T
LOCK X2 6D S SEEM$ AT T MO;T TOO CRUEL4
,9/1D ,I /OOD QUIETLY =A MO;T & WAIT$ &
9DE$ X 0 ;,K1 SAY+ OV] & OV] V QUIETLY
:AT S.D$ MO/ PECULI>LY L .HATA-HATA1
.HATA-HATA4 ,B Z ,I LI/5$ M CLOSELY ,I
R1LIZ$ T %E 0 FIT;LLY CRY+1 ?\< 9 QUELL$
GASPS1 Z IF %E 7 TRY+ 6HU% H]F4 ,I 0
AFRAID 6MOVE1 LE/ %E HE> ME1 & S ,I RE-
MA9$1 MY E> LI<TLY PRESS$ 6! WORN WOOD (
! DOOR1 UNTIL %E QUIET$ & 0 SIL5T AG & 9
FACT FELL ASLEEP1 H] BR1?+ DEEP & C]TA94
  ,AF ,I LEFT H] ,I F.D MYF 9 A     #CIA
/ATE ( UNEASE & EXHIL>,N4 ,I CD "U/& :Y
%E %D 2COME UPSET1 T %E 0 P]H SAD =! 5D
( H] MAID5HOOD 7: ,I ?"\ !N 0 ! MO/ PRE-
CI\S ORE ( ANY WOMAN71 B _HN'T ,I PRO-
FESS$ MY DEVO;N 6H]1 _HN'T ,I 9 MITIG,N
SD ! ^WS T %D LET H] "K :AT ,I 0 9T5D+ =
U1 AF ! W>8 ,I ?"\ ,I %D H AL TOLD H] T
,I 0 N[ RESOLV$ 6SP1K C&IDLY ) ,CAPTA9
,ONO1 T ,I 0 PREP>$ 6SU7E/ 6HM MY KEEP+
A LOG ( MY DUTIES >.D ! CAMP & 9FIRM>Y--
: ,I _H 9DE$ 2GUN -PIL+4 ,AT L1/ ,I WD N
WILT & FADE & 4APPE> 2F HM1 Z ,I _H
SCORE ^U SCORE ( "TS4
  ,& YET ,I _H NO O!R1 FUR!R PLAN2 "! 0
NO GD REC\RSE F H] REQUIR$ DUTIES 6!
CAMP1 "! 0 NO ACTUAL REPRIEVE ,I 0 (F]+
H]4 ,I LOV$ H]1 ?\< ,I _C SAY H[ T LOVE
0 OR IF X 0 TRUE OR WOR?Y 9 ANY S5SE1
HAV+ N"E 9 MY LIFE BE5 SURE H[ S* A ?+
%D BE4 ,I C SAY ,I WANT$ H] & CD N BE>
H] 2+ ) ANO!R1 & IF ^? >E V]ITA# SIGNS1
!N ,I %D "RLY HOLD H] 9 MEMORY 9 E WAY T
,I AM A#1 & 6! LA/ ( MY "DS4
  ,CAPTA9 ,ONO1 H["E1 0 SEEM+LY NO": 6BE
F.D2 ,I EV5 S"\ HM \ AT ! -M&]'S    #CIB
HUT1 RAPP+ ON ! DOOR %>PLY UNTIL ! NEW
S5TRY RAN UP >.D ! SIDE & REQUE/$ T ,I
/OP1 SAY+ ! COLONEL 0 8RE/+0 =! AFN4 ,!
CAPTA9 _H 9DE$ BE5 >.D1 HE SD1 ) 8 M$I-
CAL KIT1 Z HE _H EA* MORN+ = "S "DS1 & 9
! AFNS ! COLONEL REQUIR$ /RICTLY UNDIS-
TURB$ QUIET1 Z ORD]$ 0,CAPTA9 ,ONO4
  ,I RECALL$ !N ! MULTIPLE REQUISI;NS ,I
_H J S5T 0C\RI] 6,RANGOON = MORPH9E &
E!R1 Z \R SUPPLY = SURG]Y 0 CURI\SLY
DW9DL+1 DESPITE \R N HAV+ 3DUCT$ ANY RE-
C5T PROC$URES4 ,I _H L;G SUSPECT$ HE 0
M$ICAT+ ! -M&]1 ?\< C]TA9LY N AG/ !
MAN'S W1 Z "O "S"TS SAW !M TALK+ 9 !
EV5+S ON ! V]&A (! HUT1 ! COLONEL'S DE-
M1NOR FAMILI> & JOVIAL1 IF A BIT TOO
LOOSE4 ,! PROBA# FACT ( ? FUR!R EMBOLD5$
ME1 & Z ,I W5T >.D ! CAMP 9 SE>* (! DOC-
TOR ,I FELT M DET]M9$ ?AN "E 6)/& :AT"E
9SULT HE MI<T LEVEL AT ME1 & "SH[ 9FLU;E
HM 6AGREE 6MY SOLE /EW>D%IP ( 8! GIRL0
"U "S OBSCURE TE*NICAL OR M$ICAL R,NALE4
  ,S SURE ( MYF 0 ,I1 S C]TA9 ( MY IMMI-
N5T RESOLVE1 T ! ?"\ ( -MITT+ AN A7RES.N
SEEM$ AG SU45LY Q NATURAL 6ME1 Z    #CIC
IF ,I 7 A MAN L;G A3U/OM$ 6! NECESS;Y (
S* ?+S4 ,I REMEMB] SU45LY FEEL+ SUIT$ 6!
NO;N1 P]H EV5 BRI/L+ ) X Z ,I /RODE PUR-
POSE;LLY AB ! CAMP1 ! IMAGE ( ,ONO DES-
P]ATE & PA9$ 2N ! WEI<T ( MY W4 ,= ,I _H
BE5 QUIETLY 3SID]+ V>I\S REV5GES ^U HM1
DRAW+ UP ! WAYS ,I WD PAY HM BACK = 8
DIATRIBES & A6RONTS1 MY PLANS 9CLUD+1
TOO1 ! MO/ EXTREME ( ACTS4 ,_H "S"O
ASK$1 ,I WD H D5I$ ANY S* ?"\S1 B 9 !
CORE ( MY HE>T ,I 0 T5D+ ! D>KE/ FIRES4
,I _H C]TA9LY DESPIS$ O!RS 2F1 "PICUL>LY
! BOYS 9 ! S*OOL ,I ATT5D$ AF 2+ ADOPT$
0! ,KUROHATAS1 BOYS :O TR1T$ ME ) 4DA9
MO/ (! "T & AT WOR/ L A /RAY DOG4 ,EA*
"D ,I V[$ 6WR1K V5GE.E ^U !M1 SEE !M "?
"S T]RI# CIRCUM/.E ,I'D 3TRIV$1 OR ELSE
AWAIT ! H& ( FATE4 ,B NO?+ "E TRANSPIR$4
,I N"E ATTEMPT$ 6M>K !M1 & SOON 5 WE
PASS$ ON 6! UPP] S*OOL & "! 7 PL5TY (
O!RS 62FR1 BO? CAUSE & 5M;Y M]CI;LLY
FAD+ F MY M9D4 ,I SAY M]CI;LLY 2C X 0
N"E MY NATURE 6H>BOR S* ?"\S1 : H ALW
BE5 NE>-CAU/IC 6ME1 B 9 RESPECT 6!
DOCTOR A VITAL1 SE>+ *>GE 0 PRO-    #CID
PELL+ ME1 AN A%51 BITT] HATE ^: TA/E ,I
NO L;G] ABHORR$4
  ,& ?\< EXACTLY H[ ,I _C DESCRIBE1 MIX$
UP ) ? 0 MY FEEL+ = ;,K1 & MY SU45 S5SE
( H] NE>;S 6ME4 ,X 0 A 3NEC;N ASIDE F
:AT WE _H J D"O1 :AT ,I %D SAY ,I 2LIEV$
ALR 6BE A SPECIAL CORRESPOND;E 2T U1 AN
A69;Y ( 2+4 ,? MAY S.D SPECI\S--"O MAY
"RLY ?9K "H 0 A "Y MAN 9 ! BLU% ( 8 F/
SEXUAL LOVE1 TYPIC,Y 3FLAT+ S5S,N & DE-
VO;N--B ,I 0 N ?9K+ S M* ( H] BODY OR
EV5 ! DESIR\S T5TACL$ FEEL+ ( M9E4 ,I 0
3SID]+ :AT %E _H SU7E/$ AB \R PRET5D+ TO
2 O!R P1 L FIGURES 9 A ,WE/]N NOVEL1
IMAG9+ H[ WE CD "SH[ EXI/ \TSIDE ( ?
PLACE & "T & CIRCUM/.E1 %>E 9/1D ! M9UTE
& SORDID PRO#MS ( S* FOLKS1 ! VAG>IES &
ORNATE DRAMAS ( IMP]FECT LOVE4
  ,S :5 ,I F9,Y CAME ^U ! DOCTOR1 :5 ,I
F9,Y SAW ! ANGUL> %APE ( 8 BACK & 8 WIRY
NECK Z HE 2RAT$ S"EAL SOLDI]S =! DILAPI-
DAT$ /ATE ( _! QU>T]S1 X SEEM$ ,I 0 SUM-
MON+ ! PICTURE ( MY PLUNG+ A L;G BLADE
96HIS ?ROAT1 T]RORIZ+ HM N ) PA9 S M* Z
! F"R ( AN 9/ANT1 :OLLY UNANTICI-   #CIE
PAT$ D1?4 ,9 R1L;Y ,I 0 C>RY+ A SCALPEL
9 MY HOL/] 7P9N$ AG/ ! PI/OL71 & ,I AC-
TU,Y R1*$ 96! L1!R P\* Z ,I APPROA*$ HM
& FELT ! METAL H&LE4 ,I CD SIMPLY PULL \
! RAZOR-%>P 9/RU;T & 9S]T X A FEW C5TI-
MET]S 96HIS SK9 & RUN X D[N ! L5G? (!
C>OTID4 ,N"O (! M5 WD PROTE/1 & IF "O
DID1 X WD 2 TOO LATE4 ,! DOCTOR WD CLUT*
AT 8 ?ROAT1 ! BLOOD WD FL[ =? FREELY1 &
9 LESS ?AN A M9UTE HE WD QUIETLY EXPIRE4
  ,CAPTA9 ,ONO TURN$ 6ME J Z ,I 0 A FEW
/EPS AWAY4 ,B MY H& 0 AT MY H1D 9 SALUTE
& HE SD1 ) NO LL IRRIT,N1 8,:AT M/ X 2
N[1 ,LIEUT5ANT80
  8,I WD REQUE/ 6SP1K ) Y1 SIR4 ,X'S AN
IMPORTANT MATT]40
  8,IS T :AT Y 2LIEVE80
  8,YES1 SIR10 ,I ANSW]$4 ,! 5LI/$ M5 7
HOLD+ !MVS IN1 PL1S$ Z !Y 7 6WIT;S AN (-
FIC] RCVG ! CAPTA9'S H>% TR1T;T4
  8,& :AT WD ? 3C]N1 ,LIEUT5ANT80
  8,I 0 HOP+ 6SP1K 9 PRIVATE1 SIR4 ,X
3C]NS "O (! VOLUNTE]S40
  8,Y SURELY >E 2+ SCRUPUL\S1 ,LIEUT5ANT
,KUROHATA4 ,& IS "R N[ ! MO/ NEC    #CIF
"T = Y 6TELL ME :AT'S ON YR M9D80
  8,YES1 SIR10 ,I SD %>PLY1 NE>LY B>K+4
,"O (! 5LI/$ M5 CDN'T HELP HMF & LET \ A
SNORT AT MY PA9$ RIGOR4 ,! CAPTA9 AT
ONCE :EEL$ & /RUCK HM ACR ! FACE ) 8 OP5
H&1 &! MAN FELL D[N1 M1 X SEEM$1 F %E]
SURPRISE ?AN ! =CE (! BL[4 ,HE QKLY /OOD
UP )\T ANY HELP & /OOD AT ATT5;N1 Z 7 8
FELL[S4 ,A WIDE R$ WELT ROSE UP OV] 8
EYE &! SIDE ( 8 FACE4 ,! DOCTOR WAIT$ &
!N HIT HM AG1 & AG ! MAN FELL D[N & !N
GOT BACK UP 6HIS FEET1 ? "T M T5TATIVE-
LY4 ,! :OLE AC;N SEEM$ "SH[ SELF-EVID5T1
2+ /RANGELY ME*ANICAL4 ,HE !N TURN$ 6ME
& 9 NO DI6]5T A VOICE SD1 8,!N P]H Y &
,I %D TALK ELSE":1 ,LIEUT5ANT ,KUROHATA4
,I REQUIRE A FEW M MO;TS ) ^! M54 ,Y'LL
MEET ME AT ! 9FIRM>Y %ORTLY40
  ,I DID N ( C\RSE WANT 6G BACK "! ) HM1
B HE _H ALR 4MISS$ ME & IMMLY RESUM$ AD-
DRESS+ ! M51 CRITICIZ+ !M = _! 9DOL;E &
4ORGANIZ,N4 ,S* A SI<T 0 2COM+ M & M
-MON4 ,L MO/ O!RS 9 ! CAMP1 ! DOCTOR HMF
SEEM$ CAU<T 9 A /ATE ( 9CR1S+ AGIT,N1 !
PROTRACT$ /RET* ( WAIT+ & 9AC;N &   #CIG
5NUI CAUS+ FL>ES ( ANXIETY & 4RUP;N4 ,A
RA% ( FI<TS _H REC5TLY BROK5 \ AM;G !
M51 &! FEEL+ )9 ! (FIC] CORPS _H1 9
FACT1 2COME 4T9CTLY *ILLY & 4TANT1 :AT )
! SY/EM ( -M& "E LOOS5+ &! ?R1T ( FI<T+
HAV+ CLE>LY PASS$ U OV]4
  ,I 0 WALK+ Q SL[LY1 Z ,I 0 LOA?+ ! ?"\
(! ?REE ( U TGR1 H] S NE> 6HM 9 MY PRES-
;E1 &! DOCTOR ACTU,Y CAU<T UP ) ME 2F ,I
R1*$ ! 9FIRM>Y4 ,HE TOOK ME 0! %\LD] TO
/OP ME1 ! W9D[.S BACK WALL ": ;,K 0
LOCK$ 9 ! CLOSET J 9 \R SI<T4
  8,P]H Y'LL R1LIZE "S"D1 ,LIEUT5ANT1 :Y
,I'VE BE5 S H>D ON Y10 HE SD FLATLY1 NO
M AVUNCUL> ?AN HE "E WAS1 OR CD BE4 8,I
SAY ? N 2C ,I C>E :AT Y ?9K ( ME1 OR EV5
= YR SAKE4 ,I _C 2 3C]N$ ) Y1 Z AN 9DI-
VIDUAL4 ,I ?9K Y WELL "K ?40
  ,I ASS5T$ OP5LY1 =! F/ "T FEEL+ "SH[
EQUAL 6HM1 IMM95TLY FREE4
  8,GD10 HE SD1 TAK+ \ A SMALL CASE (
ET*$ SILV]4 ,HE (F]$ A BR[N-WRAPP$ CIGA-
RETTE 6ME1 B ,I DECL9$4 ,HE TOOK X = HMF
& LI<T$ X1 SMOK+ QKLY & DEEPLY4 8,Y >E N
AN 9CAPA# "Y (FIC]1 ,LIEUT5ANT      #CIH
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SUE & B"OS4









                                    #DJF
























                  #AC               #DJG

  ,>.D ! "T T ,TOMMY 0 LIKELY BORN1 ,I
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NY 0 ( C\RSE L;G G"O1 HAV+ DE"P$ _M
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ALL "D & ALL NI<T4 ,HE 0 FOCUS$ ON !
JOYS ( L1P+1 ( C\RSE1 B ,I 0 ?9K+ (! 5D-
.S NECESS;Y ( HAV+ 6L1VE "O'S ELE;T =
ANO!R & S DEP5D ON ! RES\RCE ( ANO!R
R1LM1 T NO MATT] H[ AUTOMATIC & NATURAL
X 0 OR 2CAME "! %D ALW 2 ! PRESSURE (
SURVIVAL1 ? PO9T$1 MORTAL 3DI;N (   #DAD
2+4
  ,I DIDN'T SP1K ( ? 6,?OMAS1 = OBVI\S
R1SONS4 ,I DIDN'T TELL HM1 EI1 ( MY O!R
NO;NS (! PAS"T1 T 9 FACT "S ( U L;G"T
SWIMM]S (T5 WI% = \RVS T SUBM]G$1 MAJES-
TIC FLI<T1 FEEL ! NE>-DESIRE 6OP5 "O'S
M\? & RELAX & LET ! WAT]S RU% 9 DEEP1
HOP+ T "S?+ MAGICAL MI<T HAPP54 ,ONCE1
,I W ADMIT1 DUR+ ! V "T ,I 0 ?9K+ (T5 (
,SUNNY & H] PREGNANCY1 ,I ATTEMPT$ ?1 OR
LET X O3UR1 J A T9Y 9HAL,N1 J A LL TAK+
IN1 & ?\< MY M9D 0 CLE> & PLACID1 E CELL
9 MY BODY AT ONCE OBJECT$1 MY LIMBS
PRACTIC,Y JETT+ ME \ (! WAT] & ONTO !
SLATE SURR.D (! POOL1 ": ,I LAY ON MY
SIDE C\<+ VIOL5TLY4 ,DID ,I WI% 6D AWAY
) MYF8 ,DID ,I TRULY WI% 6DIE8 ,OR 0 ,I
HOP+ =A TRANSMOGRIFIC,N1 -PLETE & H["E
/RANGE1 A :OLLY DI6]5T HE>T & %ELL & MI5
T WD DELIV] ME OV] 6A BR&-NEW LIFE1 FRE%
& HOPE;L & UNFETT]$8
  ,& "H1 P]H1 X IS4 ,I TURN UP ! /EEP
DRIVE 6,! ,3IF]S1 A R5TAL 3DOM9IUM 9 :AT
MI<T 2 DESCRIB$ Z ! 8BETT]0 SEC;N (
,E2+TON1 A /R+ ( MOD]N ATTA*$       #DAE
UNITS SET 9 A SP>SE /& ( "EGRE5S1 EA* )A
C>PORT 9 FRONT &A PRIVATE BALCONY 9
BACK1 OV]LOOK+ ! HUM# T[N 2L4 ,"! IS A
GU>DH\SE HALFWAY UP1 ?\< X'S LOCK$ %UT &
UNMANN$1 &! ONLY ?+ PREV5T+ ME F GO+ "?
UN*ECK$ IS AN OLD SPE$ BUMP WORN D[N 6A
NUB4 ,? IS ! SORT ( PLACE T 9 ,B$LEY
,RUN WD H A CLUBH\SE =! T5ANTS )A L>GE-
SCRE5 TELEVI.N1 A WET B>1 AN EX]CISE
ROOM & SAUNA1 P]H EV5 A POOL & HOT TUB &
T5NIS C\RTS1 ": ,LIV ,CRAW=D OR ,R5NY
,BAN]JEE MI<T PRIVATELY & 3V5I5TLY RE-
SIDE UNTIL !Y SETTL$ D[N & 2GAN A FAMI-
LY4 ,B "H AT ,! ,3IF]S Y SEE TRICYCLES &
C&Y WRAPP]S /REWN \TSIDE2 Y SEE P]5NIALS
& %RUBS APL5TY B ALL BADLY 9 NE$ (
SPRUC+ & PRUN+2 Y SEE ! DOME/IC C>S &
ECONOMY IMPORTS2 Y SEE ! SUBTLE & V>I$
9DIC,NS ( BO? DEC5CY & DECL9E4 ,0LIV+ "H
X'S CLE> ^! FOLK >E ASPIR+ 6A M PRIVI-
LEG$ LIFE1 ?\< P]H X'S TRUE T MO/ W N"E
SEE BETT] ?AN ! ,WE/ ,HILL ( ,E2+TON1 :
0ALL "RS %D 2 Z GD Z ANY PLACE 9 :AT RE-
,Y MATT]S1 J Z "RE\S1 J Z VALU$1 B ISN'T
ALL ! SAME4                         #DAF
  ,:5 ! DOOR OP5S X'S ,SUNNY1 DRESS$ 9 A
SM>T-LOOK+ D>K BUSI;S SUIT & :ITE BL\SE1
FA/5+ A /R+ ( PE>LS AB H] ?ROAT4 ,! REA-
SON ,I H ! *.E 6TAKE ,?OMAS SWIMM+ IS T
%E HAS AN 9T]VIEW 9 ,/AM=D & TWO H\RS
E>LI] 0 CALL$ 0H] SITT]1 :O C.EL$ =!
AFN4 ,B ,I'M LATE :5 ,I NE$N'T H BE51 &
,I APOLOGIZE4
  8,I D APPRECIATE ?10 %E SAYS TI<TLY TO
ME1 N HAV+ 6ADD T ,I AM 9DE$ H] LA/ RE-
SORT4 8,I _H 6S5D HM 6! NEI<BORS S ,I CD
GET DRESS$ 9 P1CE4 ,HE'S ABSOLUTELY CRA-
ZY T HE'S GO+ SWIMM+4 ,I'LL CALL OV] "!
N[40
  ,:ILE %E R+S = HM ,I SIT ON ! S(A 9 !
LIV+ ROOM1 ": %E AL HAS A -=TA# >M*AIR1
& COCKTAIL TA#1 & M9I-/]EO ON ! MANTEL (
! GAS FIREPLACE4 ,"!'S A SMALL D9+ >EA
NEXT 6! OP5 KIT*5 )A P9E TA# & F\R
*AIRS1 & !N TWO B$ROOMS D[N ! %ORT HALL
9 ! BACK1 ! :OLE PLACE P]H J A BIT L>G]
?AN ! FAMILY ROOM ( MY H\SE4 ,B %E'S
PA9T$ ! WALLS A CR1MY1 W>M P1* &! TRIM A
GLOSSY :ITE4 ,"!'S A NICE RUG "H & "U !
D9+ TA#1 &! KIT*5 IS PAP]$ )        #DAG
,?OMAS'S H&I"W1 ! C>E] ( 8 F+] PA9T+S &
SCRAWLS4 ,A S(T1 SWEET SMELL ( LAV5D]
L+]S F ! B[LS ( DRI$ FL[]S1 & ALL "?\T
"! IS A SP>KLE 6! SURFACES1 A /1DY GL1M
T GOES /RAI<T 6? OLD MAN'S HE>T1 EV5 Z
HE "KS X'S N 9 ! L1/ = HM4
  8,HE'S HAV+ LUN* OV] "!1 S HE'LL 2 A
FEW M9UTES4 ,D Y WANT "S?+ 6DR9K80 ,SUN-
NY SAYS 6ME1 POK+ H] H1D >.D ! KIT*5
OP5+4 8,I H SODA & TEA4 ,Y PROBABLY WD L
TEA40
  8,IF "! IS "T40
  8,"! RE,Y ISN'T10 %E ANSW]S1 B ,I HE>
H] RUNN+ ! WAT] 9 ! KETTLE ANYWAY4 ,%E
CALLS1 8,I DON'T H GRE5 TEA4 ,J BLACK1 &
H]BAL40
  8,I W H ! H]BAL1 ?ANK Y40
  8,I ?"\ Y N"E _H ANY?+ B GRE510 %E
SAYS1 BR++ \ A SAUC] ) ?REE BUTT] COOK-
IES4 ,I WANT 6SAY ?ANK Y B DON'T 2C ,I'M
AFRAID ( 2+ >D5T & SC>+ H] (F4 ,B ? IS
H] PLACE & %E SEEMS ONLY SLI<TLY 4TURB$
0MY PRES;E1 ! WAY %E MI<T 2 IF A SMALL1
TAME BIRD _H "SH[ FL[N IN4
  8,MAY ,I ASK :AT Y'RE 9T]VIEW+    #DAH
=80 ,I SAY1 TAK+ A COOKIE4 8,IS X 9 RE-
TAIL AG80
  8,X IS10 %E ANSW]S1 SITT+ =W>D ON !
>M*AIR4 8,X'S 6BE A MANAG]4 ,X'S A *A9
/ORE = "Y] GIRLS1 TE5S & PRETE5S4 ,X'S N
EXACTLY :AT ,I "K1 B ,I GUESS SELL+
CLO!S IS SELL+ CLO!S40
  8,Y'LL H 6MOVE \ 6,3NECTICUT80
  8,NO1 !Y'RE J 9T]VIEW+ "!4 ,! *A9 IS
ACTU,Y \ 9 ! WE/1 9 ,CALI=NIA & ,>IZONA
& ,TEXAS4 ,!Y'RE EXP&+1 & !Y NE$ EXP]I-
;ED MANAG]S1 : ,I GUESS !Y DON'T H 5 ( \
"!4 ,I HAV5'T SD ANY?+ 6,?OMAS1 NO?+ AT
ALL1 S ,I'LL ASK Y N 6M5;N X40
  8,I PROMISE 6BE QUIET AB X40
  8,I'M SURE Y W10 %E SAYS1 H] OLD ,SUN-
NY-S.D+;S ALM SN1K+ BACK 96H] VOICE4 ,B
%E CAT*ES H]F1 OR ,I ?9K %E DOES1 & %E
R1*ES OV] & TAKES A COOKIE1 BIT+ J ! $GE
( X1 A T9Y NIB#4 ,X'S A NO?+ ACT B ,I'M
TAK5 BACK 9/ANTLY1 _M YE>S1 :5 ,I WD (F]
H] ^? POPUL> VANILLA WAF]S & %E WD RE-
FUSE1 N 2C %E DIDN'T WANT !M B = FE> ,I
WD ?9K H] GRE$Y & SELFI% = TAK+ M ?AN
"O1 ? ORPHAN GIRL4 ,I WD ALM H TO   #DAI
SCOLD H] 6MAKE H] "U/& X 0 ALL "R4
  8,I "K ,?OMAS IS GO+ 6WANT 6SEE Y M AF
TD4 ,HE ASK$ AB Y A C\PLE "DS AGO4 ,\ (!
BLUE HE SD HE WANT$ 6G TO ,8,FRANKL9'S
H\SE40' ,DID Y TELL HM Y _H A POOL80
  8,I MAY H A3ID5T,Y M5;N$ X4 ,I'M SOR-
RY40
  8,I DON'T WANT HM 6G OV] "!4 ,I'M FIRM
ON ?4 ,HE'LL SEE ! H\SE &! Y>D & POOL &
HE'LL G CRAZY4 ,HE'S DI6ICULT 5\<1 & IF
HE ?9KS HE C G OV] "! ANY"T HE WANTS TO
PLAY & SWIM1 ,I DON'T "K :AT ,I'M GO+ TO
D4 ,HE NE$S 6"W ON 8 R1D+ ? YE>4 ,HE'S
GO+ 6BE LEFT BACK ? FALL1 Y "K4 ,! S*OOL
SD HE HAS 6REP1T ! F/ GRADE1 UN.S HE
PASSES A TE/ NEXT MON?40
  8,IS T "R80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,I ?9K S4 ,I'VE BE5 TRY+
6R1D ) HM1 B HE'S N RE,Y PICK+ X UP V
WELL1 & ,I'VE _H 6L1VE HM )! SITT] :ILE
,I'M F9I%+ UP AT ,L]N]'S & 9T]VIEW+1 &
WE HAV5'T _H M* "T = X4 ,! SITT] SAYS %E
R1DS ) HM1 B ,I'M PRETTY SURE %E DOES
NO?+ B WAT* ,,TV & CALL H] BOYFR40
  8,:Y DON'T ,I HELP80 ,I SAY TO    #DBJ
H]4 8,X'S A GD SITU,N = "EY"O4 ,I'M HOME
ALL "D1 OR J DO+ ]R&S1 & ?\< ,I C'T
PROMISE :AT K9D ( R1D+ T1*] ,I'LL BE1
,I'D 2 HAPPY 6TRY MY BE/ ) HM4 ,I C]TA9-
LY WD 2 ATT5TIVE1 & ,I'LL ONLY ALL[ HM
6PLAY & SWIM Z M* Z Y SAY4 ,I'M FREE (
*>GE1 TOO1 IF T'S ALL "R ) Y4 ,X'S P]-
FECT1 Z F> Z ,I C SEE40
  8,X'S N EXACTLY P]FECT1 Y "K '''40
  8,B :Y8 ,Y C FOCUS -PLETELY ON YR JOB
SE>*1 & ,?OMAS W H 3/ANT ATT5;N4 ,I'LL
-E OV] "H1 IF Y DON'T WANT HM 6-E 6!
H\SE4 ,OR IF Y'RE UNCOM=TA# ) T1 WE'LL G
"S": DI6]5T EA* "D4 ,! ZOO OR MUSEUM1 OR
! WAT] P>K4 ,I'LL TAKE HM 6,J"OS ,B1*4
,Y C ?9K ( ME Z 8 P]SONAL "D-CAMP C\N-
SELOR4 ,I'LL MAKE SURE HE EATS WELL1
TOO1 & H1L?;LLY40
  8,I D\BT Y'LL 2 A# 6D T40
  8,B ,I PROMISE ,I'LL TRY4 ,PL1SE DON'T
9VITE M DI6ICULTY ON YRF4 ,I C HELP1 &
,I "\ 6HELP1 & ,I V M* WI% TO4 ,& "! WD
2 NO?+ 9 ? T WD 2 DETRI;TAL 6,?OMAS1 EX-
CEPT T ,I MI<T SPOIL HM A LL4 ,B :O
%DN'T D )A LL SPOIL+1 ESPECI,Y A    #DBA
GD BOY L HM8 ,I WI% ,I CD H D"O BETT] 0Y
:5 Y 7 "Y1 B ,I 0 J OP5+ ! /ORE !N &
CIRCUM/.ES 7 SP>E--0
  8,PL1SE--0
  8,I'M N TRY+ 6EXCUSE MYF10 ,I TELL H]
FIRMLY1 5 T X'S A SURPRISE 6ME4 8,I'M N
S NAIVE Z 6BE IGNORANT ( H[ Y M/ FEEL AB
?+S4 ,Y H N BE5 ANY?+ B G5]\S4 ,B ,I "K
,I'M ON T5U\S GR.D1 & ,I A3EPT X40
  8,D Y80 %E SAYS1 ?\< N UNK9DLY4 ,& ,I
NOTE1 TOO1 T "! IS A C]TA9 GIVE 9 H]
VOICE1 A NEW G5TIL;Y1 & :E!R X'S F !
PASSAGE ( "T OR A HE>T ( P;Y OR J ! AU-
TOMATIC LILT ( \R L9E ( "W1 ,I DON'T
C>E1 ,I DON'T GIVE 8TWO D>NS10 Z ,M>Y
,BURNS "S"TS ALL[$ H]F 6SAY1 ,I DON'T
WANT 6"U/& ANY?+ B T ,I AM "H & %E IS
"H1 & T "! IS A GLIMM] ( G5TLE "DS AH1D4
  ,%E GOES ON1 8,I'M SORRY1 B ,I DON'T
?9K T Y D4 ,I DON'T WANT 6FI<T TD4 ,OR
RE,Y ANYMORE4 ,"!'S J TOO M* 6D4 ,I'M
GRATE;L = :AT"E Y WANT 6GIVE 6,?OMAS OR
D ) HM4 ,I'M N GO+ 6BE /UPID AB X4 ,N AB
HM4 ,B ,I WON'T H Y =GET OR 3V5I5TLY PUT
AWAY H[ Y FELT BACK !N40            #DBB
  8,I SIMPLY DIDN'T WANT Y 6G (F ) T MAN
& BR+ RU9 ON YR LIFE4 ,Y 7 TOO "Y40
  8,( C\RSE ,I %DN'T H G"O ) HM10 %E
SAYS ) F9AL;Y4 8,B ,I RE,Y DON'T WANT TO
TALK AB HM N[40
  8,NO1 ,SUNNY1 WE %DN'T4 ,:Y DON'T WE
SP1K AB ,?OMAS4 ,X'S ,?OMAS WE >E 3C]N$
)1 YES80
  8,T'S "R40
  8,WELL1 :AT % WE D = HM80 ,I SAY1 ?9K+
& M1N+ =! F> FUTURE1 8 S*OOL+ & TRA9+ &
VOC,N1 :AT % REMA9 AF ,I AM G"O4
  ,B ,SUNNY DOESN'T ANSW]1 & ,I R1LIZE
H[ M* %E IS RE/RA9+ H]F1 ?\< = :AT R1SON
,I D N "K4 ,X IS Z IF %E HAS 8GOTT5 RE-
LIGION10 Z !Y SAY1 F.D "S SECRET /ORE (
=GIVE;S 9 H]F1 EV5 Z ,I H L;G BE5 DE-
PLET+ X4 ,OR P]H X IS TRU] T =GIVE;S IS
9EXHAU/I#1 T X IS MIRACUL\SLY DEP?.S &
RENEW+ Z L;G Z Y S WI% X1 NO MATT] :AT
HAS 2COME ( X1 NO MATT] H[ RESIDUAL &
M1G]4
  8,X'S FUNNY 6?9K N[10 %E F9,Y SAYS1 8T
IF ,I _H _H T F/ BABY1 ,I PROBABLY WDN'T
H _H ,?OMAS4 ,OR N EXACTLY ,?OM-    #DBC
AS4 ,: IS T]RI# 6IMAG9E40
  8,YES1 ( C\RSE40
  8,B ,I DIDN'T WI% = X4 ,TELL ME N[4 ,Y
_H ALR PD HM1 _HN'T Y8 ,DOCTOR ,ANA/A-
SIA4 ,2F ,I EV5 AGRE$40
  8,I DID NO?+ (! K9D10 ,I ANSW]1 SITT+
BACK A BIT 96! S(T S(A4 8,I M]ELY 4CUSS$
POSSIBILITIES ) HM1 AB OP;NS = Y40
  8,X 0 ONLY J "O OP;N40
  ,I DON'T ANSW]1 2C AG = ME "! IS NO?+
6SAY4
  8,I DIDN'T RE,Y BLAME Y1 ACTU,Y10
,SUNNY TELLS ME4 8,I C]TA9LY DON'T N[4
,X 0 MY DECI.N 6D & LIVE )4 ,MO/ ANY P>-
5T WD H WANT$ ! SAME4 ,I 0 AFRAID1 & Y 7
S C]TA9 Z USUAL H[ MY LIFE %D BE40
  8,Y SEEM$ 6BE SURE YRF40
  8,= Y ,I WAS10 %E ANSW]S1 GAZ+ "R AT
ME4 8,I WANT$ T BABY M J 6BE AG/ Y4 ,&
,I'M N HAPPY T 9 "S WAY1 MAYBE1 EV5 ?\<
X 0 YE>S LAT]1 T ,?OMAS CAME F MY SPIT+
Y4 ,B (T5 ,I ?9K1 ": WD ,I 2 N[ IF ,I
DIDN'T H ,?OMAS8 ,HE'S ALW BE5 A DI6I-
CULT KID B E "D ,I ?9K HE'S SAV+ ME1
TOO4 ,I _H HM MAYBE =! WR;G REA-    #DBD
SONS & N[ HE SAVES ME4 ,OV] & OV]1 A ?\-
S& "TS40
  8,YES10 ,I UTT]1 = 9 LI/5+ 6H] A BLOOM
( WELL-2+ IS OP5+ IMMLY & FULLY 9 MY
HE>T1 ! K9D ( PL1SURE ,I H HI!RTO ONLY
R1D AB OR IMAG9$1 :AT M/ 2 ! SECRET OPI-
ATE ( ALL "FS & "MS4
  ,SUNNY SAYS S(TLY1 8,Y "K1 ,I (T5 ?9K
X 0 A GIRL4 ,"S"TS ,I MISS H]4 ,I DIDN'T
"K H] AT ALL ( C\RSE B ,I MISS H]4 ,B Y
ALW KNEW ,I FELT ? WAY1 DIDN'T Y80
  ,I NOD1 EV5 ?\< ,I'M UNSURE :E!R ,I
DID OR N1 :E!R ,I "E "U/OOD AT ALL H[
DEEPLY T "T MI<T H A6ECT$ H]4 ,I 0 S
?OR\<LY ORGANIZ$ 9 MY 3V9C+ H] 7?\< N"O
( X WD H "W$ _H %E N BE5 PLA9 SC>$ IN-
SIDE1 A F"R5$ GIRL ( SEV5TE51 NO MATT]
H[ SURE ( H]F %E WAS1 OR 2LIEV$ %E WAS71
T ,I CDN'T /OP UNTIL X 0 -PLETE4 ,I =C$
H] 6D X4 ,_H %E DECID$ N TO1 ,I DON'T "K
:AT ,I WD H D"O4 ,9 A WAY1 X 0 A K9D (
IGNOR+ T ,I DID1 AN AVOID.E ( H] Z ,SUN-
NY--DI6ICULT1 RA%1 ANGRY ,SUNNY--: ,I
MASK$ )A TYPICAL P]=M.E ( 3S5SUS BUILD+
& SUBTLE PRESSURE1 : ALW IS !       #DBE
DIFFICULT "W ( ATTEMPT+ 6H>MONIZE "O'S
LIFE &! LIVES ( ^? :OM "O *]I%ES4 ,X IS
! SY/EMATIC OP],N1 : ALW & OBTUSELY SUC-
CE$S1 ! WELL-PLANN$ RESPONSE 6LIFE'S UN-
C]TA9TIES & -PLIC,NS4 ,& !N1 TOO1 X IS A
PROF.DLY >RE/+ ?+ 6R1LIZE ! EXACT MODE &
MATT] ( "O'S [N LIFE AT ! V MO;T X IS
2COM+ 9C>NATE & TRUE1 "NLY1 H[ AF Y H
PU%$ ASIDE & PU%$ ASIDE & PU%$ ASIDE AG1
! OLD B1CONS W BOB UP ONCE M1 DOTT+ !
WAT]S 2F Y L A GL[+ R+ ( FIRE4













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