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writemore_4
Week 4 words
Jxxx xxxxxdx xhx cxxy xxmxxx xf Dxmxxx, Jxxy xxxxxxd hxx bxkx xff xhx xxxd xxd cxmx xx x xxxp. Cxxx wxxx whxzzxxg pxxx, bxx hx pxxd xhxm xx mxxd. Bxhxxd hxm wxx xhx cxxy xhxx hx’d xxvxd xx fxx xxx hxx xxfx. Xhxx cxxxd vxxy wxxx bx xhx xxxx xxmx hx xxw xx. Hx wxx xxxvxxg Dxmxxx bxhxxd, xxd xx wxx fxx gxxd. Xvxx xhx yxxxx, hx hxd xhxxghx xbxxx xxxvxxg Dxmxxx mxxy xxmxx. Hx hxd xxxxxx xxxxgh. X hxxxxxy xx x pxxk. X fxxhxx whx xxxxxxxxxd bxxwxxx xbxxxcx xxd dxxxkxx xxgx. X mxxhxx whx xxxxxxd fxx xxmpxx xbxxxcx. Fxx xxx mxxy pxxpxx cxxvxxcxd xhxx hx wxxxd xxvxx gx xxywhxxx xxd xxvxx xmxxxx xx xxyxhxxg. Yxx dxxpxxx xhxxx xhxxghxx, hx hxd xxxyxd. Xxx gxxd xhxxg hxd xxxwxxghxd xxx xhx bxd xhxxgx. Xhxx xxx gxxd xhxxg wxx Yxgx. Xhxxx wxx vxxy xxxxxx xhxx Jxxy wxxxdx’x dx fxx Yxgx. Xxxyxxg xx Dxmxxx wxx xxxhxxg. Xf Yxgx wxx xhxxx, Jxxy hxd xxxhxx xhxxghx xhxx hx wxxxd xxxy xx Dxmxxx fxx xhx xxxx xf xxx xxfx. Hx hxd xhxxghx hx cxxxd bx hxppy xhxxx, dxxpxxx xvxxyxhxxg. Xhxx xx hxd hxppxxxd. X mxxxxkx, xx xxxxpxcxxd xxd yxx xx dxvxxxxxxxg. Jxxx xxkx xhxx, hx wxx gxxx. Jxxy bxxxkxd bxck xxxxx xx xx hxx hxm xgxxx. Yxgx wxx gxxx, xxd hx wxxxd xxvxx bx cxmxxg bxck. Xx mxxx bxxghx xmxxx, xx mxxx xxwxvxxxxg fxxxh, xxd fxx Jxxy, xx mxxx hxpx. Xhx ‘fxxxxxx’ wxx xxdxy, bxx Jxxy dxdx’x pxxx xx bxxxg xhxxx fxx xx. Hx cxxxdx’x xxxxd xx. Xxxxxg xhxx fxcx, xx xxmxxxx xx xhx xxx hx mxxx wxxxxd xx xxx xxd yxx xx xhx xxmx xxmx xx dxffxxxxx…Xx wxxxd bx xxx mxch. Xx, Dxmxxx hxxd xxxhxxg mxxx fxx Jxxy. Xx wxx xxmx fxx x xxw xxxxx. Xx wxx xxmx fxx fxxxwxxx.
Xxmx xxxhxxx cxx xxkx x xxxxy xdxx xxd wxxxx xx xxd mxkx xx bxxxxxxxxxy cxxvxx. Xxhxx xxxhxxx cxx xxkx xhxx xxmx xxxxy xdxx xxd mxkx xx fxxxy. Xx fxx whxch cxxxgxxy xhxx xxxxy fxxxx xxxx...Wxxx, xx'x mxxxxy xhx xxxxxx, bxx X xhxxk xhxxx'x x xxxxxx xf xhx fxxmxx. Xx yxx'vx pxxbxbxy gxxxxxd fxxm xhx xxmmxxy, xhxx xxxxy xx cxxck xf xhx hxghxxx xxdxx. Hxwxvxx, yxx wxxx fxxd xxxy xhx fxxxxx xf cxxck hxxx. Zxmbxxx, fxghxx, wxxxcxxckx, yxxx, xxxmxxx bxck fxxm xhx dxxd, xxd xvxx xhx xccxxxxxxx xxxxxxx mxmxxx! X xxxckxxxd my wxy xhxxxgh xhxx xxxxxx xxxxy xxd xhx xxxy cxmpxxxxx xhxx xpxxxgx xx mxxd xx xhxx xx xxdxd. Xf cxxxxx, X wxxxdx'x xxggxxx xxxdxxg xhxx whxx yxx'xx xx xhx mxxd xx bx xxxxxxxy xxxxxxx, bxx xf yxx'xx xxxkxxg fxx x xxxxxx cxxzy, xhxx xx xxxcxxy whxxx yxx wxxx xx bx.
X xxvxd xhx bxxk xx mxch xhxx X'm xxwxyx xhxxxxxd xx fxxd gxxd fxxfxcxxxx. ^-^ Xhxx xxx xx jxxx x xhxxx xxxxhxx xhxx xxkxx x xxxk xx xxx pxxxxbxx xfxxx fxx xhx bxxk. Xhxxx'x xxx mxch xx xx, bxx xx mxdx mx xmxxx, xxd X xxkxd xhx xdxx xhxx xvxx xx xxvx, Hxwx xxd Xxphxx wxxx xxvxx chxxgx.
Xhxx xx xxx xx xxxgxxxx xdxx. Xx fxcx, xx'x xxxhxx cxxchx. Hxwxvxx, xf yxx'xx xxxxxy jxxxxxxg fxx xxmx cxxx Kxkxxhx/Xxxkx fxc xhxx dxxxx'x xxqxxxx x gxxxx dxxx xf xffxxx xx yxxx pxxx, xhxx cxxxd bx jxxx xhx xhxxg fxx yxx. Yxx xxx, xxmxxxmxx X jxxx wxxx xx xxxd xxmxxhxxg xhxxx xxd xxcxmpxxcxxxd xhxx xxxvxx xx xxxm fxx dxxbx xbxxx hxw xhxxgx xxx gxxxg xx wxxk xxx. Xhxx xx xxx xf xhxxx. Xx dxxxx'x xxkx mxch xxmx xx xxxd, xxd xx cxxxd bx jxxx xhx Kxkxxhx/Xxxkx fxx yxx'vx bxxx xxxkxxg fxx.
X wxx xxxpxxxxd xx fxxd xhxx X xcxxxxxy xxjxyxd xhx mxdxxx dxy pxxxxxx xf xhxx bxxk mxxx xhxx X dxd xhx pxxxxxx xhxx dxxxx wxxh Xgypx. X'm xxx qxxxx xxxx why, bxx xhx chxxxcxxx xf Xxxx/Xxxhxx gxxxxd xx my xxxvxx x bxx. X xxxx wxx xxx xxxxxxxy cxxvxxcxd by xhx xxdxxg xdxx xhxx xxxkxd xhx xwx xxmxx.
Xhxx xxxd, X dxd xxjxy xhxx bxxk qxxxx x bxx. X xhxxghx xhxx bxxh xhx myxxxxy xxd xhx xxchxxxxgxcxx xxpxcxx xf xhx xxxxy wxxx dxxx qxxxx wxxx. X xxxx xxjxyxd xhx xxmxxcx bxxwxxx Mxx xxd Kxxx xxd xhx Xgypx xhxx Xhxxxxxx wxxxxx xbxxx xx xxxhxxg xf xxx xxxxxgxxxg. Xhxx xx xxx xhxx X dxfxxxxxxy dxx'x xxgxxx xxxdxxg.
Xx fxx xhx xxxx xf xhx pxxpxx xx xhx xxxm…xxx’x jxxx xxy xhxx xhxy wxxx xgxxxxxg. Xxxxxxxx wxx fxcxxxxg qxxxx xxxxxxxxy xx hxx pxychxxxgy xxxdxxg, mxxxhxxg xháx wxxdx xx hx wxxx. Hx hxd x xxxx xxxx pxxxxd, xxd hxd xhxxghx xxmx xx-xxxdxxg wxxxd bx xx xxdxx. Cxxxmxx wxx wxxkxxg xx hxx Fxxxch hxmxwxxk wxxh xhx pxxxxxx xxd xf Xxxxx. Fxxxx wxx xhx xxxy xxx pxyxxg xvxx xhx xxxghxxxx bxx xf xxxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxxhxff, xxd xvxx xhxx wxx jxxx xhx xccxxxxxxx gxxxcx xx hxm xx jxdgx whxxhxx xx xxx hx wxx xxxdy xx wxxk xx xhxx pxxxxxxxxxxx xhxx xhx xwx xf xhxm xxxdxd xx dx xxxx wxxk. Xxch xxmx xfxxx hx xxxkxd hx wxxxd xxxx hxx xyxx xxd xxxxxx hxx xxxxxxxxx xx xhx hxxxxxy wxxkxhxxx xhxx hx wxx dxxxg xx xhx mxxxxxmx. Xxxxm wxx pxxbxbxy xhx wxxxx xf xhxm xxx: wxxh hxx hxxdphxxxx xxxxxd xx fxxx bxxxx xxd hxx xyxx cxxxxd, hx xxckxd xx xhx bxxx, xxxxxxy xbxxvxxxx xx xhx wxxxd xxxxxd hxm. Xxxxxxxxy xx xxxd xf xxmxxhxxg xx dxxw xhx xxxxxxxxx bxck xx hxmxxxf, Xxx xxxkxd xxxxxd fxx xxxpxxxxxxx. Fxxxxxy, hxx xyxx xxx xx xx, pxxkxxg xxx fxxm Fxxxx’x xpxx bxg. Wxxh x xxxxmphxxx gxxx, Xxx pxxxxd hxx xxw xxxy xxx. Xx xxxkxd xxkx jxxx x pxck xf cxxdx, bxx xx xxxxxxy, xx wxx x fxxxxy xxxxd dxvxcx xxxxxdxd jxxx fxx xxdxxvxxx xxch xx xhx xxx Xxx cxxxxxxxy hxd xx mxxd. Xxvxxxxxxy dxxwxxg xhx cxxdx xxx xf xhxxx pxck, Xxx bxgxx xx xhxffxx. Xxw, xx dxxxx’x xxxxd xxkx mxch xx yxx’xx xxxxxxg xhxxx xx yxxx cxmpxxxx, xxxdxxg xhxx xx yxxx xxcx, xhxffxxxg-fxxx xxvxxxxmxxx. Bxx xxxx xxxxgh xhx xxxxd xf xhxffxxxg bxgxx xx pxxmxxxx xhx xxxm, fxxxxxg xx xxxxx xhx xhxffxxxg bxgxx xx xxxm xxkx xx xmxxpxxxxxx xhxxg. Xx pxxpxx whx xxyxxg dxxpxxxxxxy xx xxxdy, xx xxxxx xxmxxhxxg, xxd xx gxx xxmx wxxk dxxx, xx wxx xxkx pxxxxx. Xhxy fxxxd xhxxx xhxxghxx cxxxxxxxxy cxmxxg bxck xx bxxh xhx cxxdx xxd xhxxx xhxffxxx, jxxx xx Xxx hxd pxxxxxd. Xxxxx, xxw xx wxx x mxxxxx xf pxxdx. Xhxy hxd xx xxxxxx, jxxx xx x mxxxxx xf pxxxcxpxxx. Xxd xxxx xx wxx dxwx xx x mxxx bxxxxx xf wxxxx bxxwxxx xhx fxxx xf xhxm (Xxxxm bxxxg bxxxxxd wxxh xhx hxxdphxxxx, xxd xxx xvxx kxxwxxg whxx wxx gxxxg xx!). Whx wxxxd cxxck fxxxx? Whx wxxxd bx xhx xxx xx xxmpxy xxk xhx mxxchxxvxxx xxd hxghxy xxxxyxxg bxy jxxx whxx xx wxx hx wxxxxd xx xxy? Xxx mx, Xxxxxxxx’x xyxx vxwxd xx xhxy xxxvxxxd bxck xxd fxxxh xcxxxx xhx pxgxx xf xhx pxychxxxgy bxxk. Xxx mx, xxxd Xxxxm’x bxbbxxg hxxd, xbxxvxxxx xx xvxxyxhxxg xxxxxd hxm. Xxx mx, xxxd Fxxxx’x xxxxxxg xyxx xx hx xxcx xgxxx xxxkxd xp xx hxx xxppxxxd pxxxxxx. Xxx mx (X hxpx), xxxd Cxxxmxx, xx hx xddxxxxxd x xxxghxxy dxxpxxxxx qxxxxxxx xbxxx vxcxbxxxxy xx Xxxxx. Xxd fxxxxxy, xhxxx xx wxx! Mx, xxxd Xxxxx’ xxgh xx hx xxxwxxxd Cxxxmxx’x qxxxxxxx. “Whxx xx xx, Xxx?” Xxxxx xxkxd xx xhx xxxg-xxffxxxxg xxxxx xf xxmxxxx whx’d bxxx fxxxxdx wxxh Xxx mxxx xf hxx xxfx.
Xxx xxxkxd xp xxxxcxxxxy fxxm hxx xhxffxxxg xf xhx cxxdx. “Whxx xx whxx, Xxxxx?” xxkxd Xxx wxxh x cxy xmxxx.
Xxxxx xxghxd xgxxx. “Whxx xx xx xhxx yxx xx dxxpxxxxxxy wxxx xx xxxx xx?”
Xxx xxxkxd mxxdxy xffxxdxd xx xhxx phxxxxxg. “Dxxpxxxxxxy? X wxxxdx’x gx xhxx fxx,” hx xxxd x xxxxxx xxdxgxxxxxy.
“X wxxxd,” xxxd Xxxxxxxx wxxpxxhxy, wxxhxxx xvxx xxxkxxg xp fxxm hxx bxxk.
“Jxxx gxx xx wxxh xx,” xddxd Cxxxmxx, xxxkxxg x xxxxxx dxxpxxxxx hxmxxxf. Xhxx hxmxwxxk wxx dxx xxxx pxxxxd, xxd xf xxx xf Xxxxx’ xxmx wxx xxkxx xp xxxxxxxxg xx Xxx’ xxxxy xxxxxx xxxxy, xhxxx wxx xx wxy xhxx hx wxx xvxx gxxxg xx fxxxxh xx xx xxmx.
Xxx xxghxd. “Fxxx, fxxx. Bxx X’xx xxxd yxxx xxdxvxdxd xxxxxxxxx,” hx xxxd, wxxh x pxxxxxd xxxk xx Xxxxm.
Xxw xxxkxxg mxxdxy xmxxxd, Fxxxx xxxchxd xvxx xxd pxxchxd Xxxxm xxghxxy. “Hxy, mxxxx. Pxy xxxxxxxxx xx Xxx cxx xxy whxx hx hxx xx,” hx xxxd xx xxxpxxxx xx Xxxxm’x gxxxx.
Xxxxm xxghxd, xxd xhxx xxxxcxxxxxy xxxxxd hxx CD pxxyxx xff. “Xhxx hxd bxxxxx bx gxxd,” hx xxxd xhxxxxxxxxgxy xx xhx xxpxcxxxxxy wxxxxxg bxy.
“Xh, xx xx,” Xxx xxxxxxd hxm chxxxfxxxy. “Xxd X’m xxxx xhxx xxxx xf yxx hxvx hxxxd xx yxx, bxxxg xhx fxxx, xpxxxxdxxg xxxdxxxx xhxx yxx xxx.”
“Jxxx gxx xx wxxh xx,” Xxxxm gxxmbxxd, xxxkxxg xxxgxxgxy xx hxx CD pxxyxx. Xxmxxxmxx fxxxxdx cxxxd bx xxch x pxxx…
Xxx gxxxxxd xxd pxxxxd x xxcxxd, jxxx xx xmphxxxzx hxx pxwxx, xhxx xxxxxxd xxxkxxg. “Xk, xx yxx’vx xxx hxxxd xbxxx xxx xhx wxxxd dxxxhx xhxx hxvx bxxx hxppxxxxg xxxxxy xxghx, wxxh xhx bxxxd xxxx xxd xhx hxxxx xxxxck xxd xxch, xxghx?” Hx pxxxxd fxx xvxxyxxx xx xxd, xxd fxx Xxxxxxxx xx cxxxx hxx pxychxxxgy bxxk. Bxxh hxppxxxd fxxxxy qxxckxy, xx hx hxd mxxcy xxd cxxxxxxxd. “Wxxx, xhxxx’x wxxd gxxxg xxxxxd xbxxx why xhx cxpx cxx’x fxgxxx xxx whx’x bxhxxd xxx xf xhxm. Xcxxxxxy, xx mxkxx xxxxxy gxxd xxxxx xxx. Yxx gxyx hxvx hxxxd xf vxmpxxxx, xxghx?”
“Whx hxxx’x?” xxxd Cxxxmxx wxxh x xxxxxx xhxxg, xxccxxxfxxxy cxxxxxg xff whxx xxkxxy wxxxd hxvx bxxx xx xcxdxc xxmxxk fxxm Xxxxxxxx.
“Yxx, wx’vx hxxxd xf vxmpxxxx. Bxx whxx dxxx xxmx xxxxy myxh hxvx xx dx wxxh xxx xxxx xxfx mxxdxxx?” Fxxxx xxkxd xxxxxxbxy. Hx hxd x xxxpxcxxx whxxx xhxx wxx gxxxg, xxd xf xx wxx whxx hx xhxxghx xx wxx…xxx’x jxxx xxy xxmxxxx’x hxxd wxx gxxxg xx xxxx xxd xx wxxx’x gxxxg xx bx hxx.
Xxx wxvxd x hxxd. “X’m gxxxxxg xhxxx, X’m gxxxxxg xhxxx! Gxxz, yxx’xx xx xmpxxxxxx…Xx xxywxy, wx hxvx xhxx myxh xf vxmpxxxx, bxxxd-xxckxxg xxdxxd cxxxxxxxx xhxx hxxxx xhx xxghx xxd xxch. Xxbxdy xx xhxxx xxghx mxxd bxxxxvxx xx vxmpxxxx. Wxxx, hxxx’x xhx kxckxx. X fxxxxd xf mxxx wxxx xxx xx xhxx cxxb xhx xxhxx xxghx, xxd xx’x kxxd xf xx xhx xxxmx, xx xx xpxxk. Xxd whxxx xhx wxx xhxxx, xhx hxd x xxxhxx fxxghxxxxxg xxcxxxxxx. Xxx xf hxx fxxxxdx xxdxd xp dxxcxxg wxxh xhxx xxxhxx xxxxxgx-xxxkxxg gxy. Xhx gxy wxx xxxx xxd pxxx, xxd hxx xyxx wxxx xxxxxy cxxd, xhx xxxd. Hxx hxxdx wxxx xxxx xxxxxy cxxd xxd hx wxxx x hxxvy xxxxch cxxx, xvxx xhxxgh xvxxyxxx xxxx xx xhx cxxb wxx xwxxxxxg xxkx cxxzy. Xxd xxxx…my fxxxxd xxxd xhxx hx hxd xbxxxmxxxy xxxgx xxxxh, kxxd xf xxkx fxxgx. Xx my fxxxxd wxx wxxchxxg xhxxx xwx, gxxxxxg mxxx cxxcxxxxd by xhx mxmxxx. Xhx kxxw xhxx hxx fxxxxd xxxmxxxy wxxxdx’x gxvx xhx xxmx xf dxy xx x gxy xxkx xhxx, xxd yxx xhx wxx xxx xhxxx hxxgxxg xxx xvxx hxm xxd xcxxxg xxkx x xxxxx xxxx. Xx whxx xhx xwx xf xhxm bxgxx xx mxkx xhxxx wxy xx xhx dxxx, xhx dxcxdxd xhxx xhx jxxx hxd xx fxxxxw xhxm. Fxx hxx fxxxxd’x xxfxxy. Xxd xhx jxxx hxppxxxd xx hxvx xhxx cxmxxx, xx, yxx kxxw hxw xhxy xxy xhxx x pxcxxxx’x wxxxh x xhxxxxxd wxxdx? Wxxx, xxxk xx xhxx,” Xxx xxxd, xxddxxxy fxxxxxxhxxg x xmxdgy Pxxxxxxd, xxxvxxg hxx fxxxxdx wxxdxxxxg fxxm whxxx xxxcxxy hx’d pxxxxd xhx xhxxg fxxm xx xhx fxxxx pxxcx.
Cxxxmxx xxxchxd xxx xxd xxxk xhx pxcxxxx fxxm hxm. Xfxxx x mxxxxx’x xcxxxxxy, hx xxxd xxxxmxxy, “Xx xxxkx xxkx xxmx gxy’x gxvxxg xxmx gxxx x hxckxy.”
Xxxxx xxxxxd fxxwxxd xx gxx x xxxk, xhxx xhxxggxd. “X’xx hxvx xx xgxxx wxxh Cxxxmxx xx xhxx xxx,” hx xxxd xxxxxxxxy.
Xxxxm xxd Fxxxx xxxxxd fxxwxxd xx gxx xhxxx xwx xxxkx, xhxx xxddxd, xxxhxxgh xxxxhxx xf xhxm wxxx xx fxx xx xx vxxcx xhx xpxxxxx xhxx cxxxxxxxy hxd Xxx xxxdxxg x dxxxh gxxxx xf mxxxmxm xxxxxxxxy xx bxxh Xxxxx xxd Cxxxmxx.
Xxxxxxxx qxxxxxy xxxchxd xxx xxd xxxk xhx phxxx fxxm Cxxxmxx. Whxxx Xxx wxx bxxxxxxg xhx xxhxx gxyx fxx xhxxx bxd xxxxxxdx, Xxxxxxxx xqxxxxxd xxd xmxgxxxd xxd pxxxxxd, xxd xhxx hx cxmx xx x cxxcxxxxxx. “Xhxx xx x vxmpxxx.”
Hx xxxd xx qxxxxxy, bxx xhx mxxx wxxdx wxxx xxxxgh xx mxkx xhx xxxx xf hxx fxxxxdx xhxx xp xmmxdxxxxxy. Xhxx, “Hxvx yxx xxxx yxxx mxxd?” xxkxd Fxxxx bxxxxxy, jxxx xx Xxx bxxmxd xxd xxxd, “Xhxxx, yxx xxx! Xhx xmxxx xxx xgxxxx wxxh mx!” Xhxx Fxxxx xxd Xxx gxxxxd xx xxch xxhxx xx x bxxxxxx dxxpxxy xf mxchxxmx xhxx hxd Xxxxx xxxxxxg hxx xyxx xxd Cxxxmxx wxxchxxg wxxh xxxxxxxx. Xfxxx xxx, hx wxx xxwxyx xp fxx x fxghx, xxd xf Fxxxx xxd Xxx cxxxxxxxd xx gxxxx xx xxch xxhxx xxkx xhxx x fxghx wxxxd dxfxxxxxxy bx xxxvxxxbxx. Mxxxwhxxx, Xxxxm wxx xxxkxxg qxxxxxxxxxgxy xx Xxxxxxxx.
“Why xxx yxx xgxxxxxg wxxh xhx xwxxp, Xxxxxxxx?” hx xxkxd. “X mxxx, xhxxx’x xx wxy xhxx hx cxxxd xcxxxxxy bx xxghx xx hxx cxxzy xxxxxx xxxxy xxd yxx kxxw xx.”
Xxxxxxxx gxvx Xxxxm x cxxd xxxk. “X’m xxxxy xhxx X’m xxx xx cxxxx-mxxdxd xx yxx, Xxxxm, bxx X bxxxxvx xhxx xhxxx xxx xhxxgx xx xhxx wxxxd xhxx cxx’x bx xxpxxxxxd by xxyxhxxg xxhxx xhxx xhx xxpxxxxxxxxx. Bxxxdxx, xx mxkxx xxxxx.” By xxw, Xxx xxd Fxxxx hxd cxxxxd xhxxx gxxxxxg mxxch, xxd Xxxxxxxx hxd xhx xxxxxx gxxxp’x fxxx xxxxxxxxx. “Whxx Xxx dxdx’x mxxxxxx xx xhx xxxxxg xxxx xf dxxxppxxxxxcxx xx xhx xxxx xx wxxx. Xf xhxxx wxxx vxmpxxxx, xhxx wxxxd dxfxxxxxxy pxxvxdx x gxxd xxpxxxxxxxx fxx xhxxx. Pxxx, xhx mxxhxd xf dxxxh - X xxvxx cxxxxdxxxd xhxx bxfxxx, bxx xhx hxxxx xxxxckx cxxxd bx fxxx-xxdxcxd xf xx wxx vxmpxxxx. Xhxx cxxxxxxxy xxkxx xwxy x xxxxxx xf xhx myxxxxy fxxm xhx dxxxhx. Xx xxx cxxxd fxgxxx xhxx xxx bxfxxx. Xx jxxx mxkxx xxxxx xx mx.” Xhx xxhxxx, mxxxx Xxx, xxchxxgxd dxxbxfxx xxxkx. Bxd xxxxgh hxvxxg xxx xf xhxxx mxmbxxx bxxxg xx cxxdxxxxx xx xx bxxxxvx xxy xxmxx xhxx wxxx fxyxxg xhxxxgh xhx xchxxx. Bxx xxw xx wxx hxppxxxxg xx xxxxhxx xf xhxm, xxd xhxx xhx mxxx xxxxxbxx xxd xxxxxxxgxxx xf xhxm xxx. Xxxxxy xxmxxhxxg xxxxxgx wxx gxxxg xx, xvxx xf xx wxxx’x vxmpxxxx xxkx xhxxx xwx xxxmxd xx xhxxk.
“Xxx yxx fxxxxxg fxvxxxxh, Xxxxx?” xxkxd Cxxxmxx dxxbxfxxxy, xxxkxxg xxkx hx wxx xbxxx xx xxxch xxx xxd xxxx fxx hxmxxxf whxxhxx hx gxx xx xxxwxx xx xxx.
Xxxxxxxx gxxxxd xx hxm xmpxxxxxxxy. “X’m pxxfxcxxy fxxx, Cxxxmxx. X’m jxxx xxx xx xxxxxd xx my xxd bxxxxfx xhxx X xxfxxx xx xckxxwxxdgx xhxx xhxxgx xxx pxxxxbxx xvxx xhxxgh X’vx xxvxx xxxx xhxm.”
“Xf yxx xvxx xhxxk xbxxx xxyxxg xhxx xxd, ‘Hxvx yxx xvxx xxxx x mxxxxxx dxxxxxx?’ xhxxg, X’m gxxxg xx bxp yxx xx xhx hxxd xxd hxpx xhxx xx kxxckx xxmx xxxxx xxxx yxx,” Fxxxx gxxwxxd.
Xxxxxxxx’x xyxx xxxxxwxd. “Yxx xxy xx xxd jxxx xxx hxw fxx yxx gxx,” hx xxxd qxxxxxy, x dxxgxxxxx xxxk xx hxx fxcx. Fxxxx mxxxxxxd xxmxxhxxg, bxx dxdx’x cxmmxxx. Xvxx hx kxxw bxxxxx xhxx xx xxxxy xxdxxxxxxmxxx Xxxxxxxx whxx hx wxx pxxxxd xff. Yxxxx xf xxpxxxxxcx wxxh gxxxxxg pxckxd xx xx xchxxx hxd xxxx Xxxxxxxx x fxghxxxg xxxxxx xhxx wxx bxxxxd by hxx xxxm fxxmx xxd xxxmxxgxy gxxkxxh xxxxxxxx. Xfxxx xxx, Cxxxmxx hxdx’x xxwxyx bxxx xxxxxd xx xxkx cxxx xf hxm, xxd Xxxxxxxx wxx xxx pxxxd xx xxxxxy xxxxw xxyxxx xx dx xxyxhxxg fxx hxm. Xx hx’d xxxxxxd xx fxghx, xxd xxw xvxxyxxx xxxk hxm xxxxxmxxy xxxxxxxxy whxx hx wxx pxxxxd xff, whxch xxxxxy wxxx’x xx xfxxx xx yxx’d xhxxk. Xxxxxxxx mxghx xxx bx wxxx xxkxd xxxxxd xchxxx, bxx hx hxd pxwxxfxx xxxxxx xx xhx fxxm xf hxx fxxxxdx, xxd hx wxx wxxx xbxx xx xxkx cxxx xf hxmxxxf.
Jxxx xhxx xhx dxxx xpxxxd, xffxcxxvxxy xxpxxcxxg xhx hxxxxxx xxvxxxxmxxx wxxh xxxpxxxx. “Hxy, gxyx!” Kxxxxxx gxxxxxd xhxm xx xhx xxxxxxd xhx xxxm, xxxghxxy xxx xf bxxxxh. Dxxppxxg hxx bxxk bxg xxxx xhx dxxx, xhx wxxkxd xvxx xx xxxxd xxxx xx Xxxxx, whx pxx xx xbxxxx xxm xxxxxd hxx, bxx xxhxxwxxx dxdx’x xckxxwxxdgx hxx pxxxxxcx. Xxbxdy xxxx xxxmxd xxcxxxxd xx xxkx xxxxcx xf hxx xxxhxx, bxyxxd xhxx xxxxxxxd fxxxx gxxxcx. Kxxxxxx hxffxd. Bxxxg xgxxxxd wxx dxfxxxxxxy xxx xxmxxhxxg xhxx xhx wxx xxxd xx. “Whxx’x gxxxg xx?” xhx xxkxd, wxxh hxx xwx dxxgxxxxx qxxxxxy xx hxx vxxcx.
Xhx xxbxxxx bxxkx. Fxxxx xxxxxxd xxd xxxxxd hxx hxxd whxxx Xxxxxxxx cxxmxy xxxwxxxd Kxxxxxx’x qxxxxxxx. “Vxmpxxxx,” hx xxxd, hxxdxxg hxx xhx pxcxxxx.
Kxxxxxx xxxxxd xx xx fxx x mxmxxx, xhxx gxvx Xxxxxxxx x bxxxk xxxk. “Xx’x xxmx gxy xxckxxg xxmx gxxx’x xxck. Whxx’x xx gxxxx xbxxx xhxx? Dx X dxxxcx x bxx xf xxvy, Xxxxxxx-pxx?”
Xxxxxxxx gxxxxd xx hxx xxdxx xxxxxx. “Xx. Whxx yxx dx xxxxx xx xhx fxcx xhxx xhxx gxy xxx’x xxckxxg hxx xxck, hx’x xxckxxg hxx bxxxd.”
“Xxghx…”
Xxxxxxxx xgxxxxd hxx xkxpxxcxx xxpxy xxd xxxxxd xx Xxx. “Xx whxx hxppxxxd xfxxx xhx gxxx xxxk xhx pxcxxxx? Dxd xhx jxxx xxx xhxx gxy xxck xxx hxx fxxxxd’x bxxxd, xx whxx?”
“Xx! Hxxx’x whxxx xx gxxx xxxxxy gxxd.” Xxx xxbbxd hxx hxxdx xxgxxhxx xx gxxx. “My fxxxxd’x x xxxxxy qxxck xhxxkxx, xx whxx xhx xxw whxx wxx hxppxxxxg, xhx xmmxdxxxxxy xxxkxd xxxxxd fxx xxmxxhxxg xx xxx xx x wxxpxx.”
“Wxx xhxx bxfxxx xx xfxxx xhx xxxk xhx xxmx xx xxxp xhxx wxxdxxfxx pxcxxxx?” xxkxd Kxxxxxx xxxcxxxxcxxxy.
Xxx xxxxxd hxx xyxx. “Xfxxx, xf cxxxxx. Hxw cxxxd xhx xxkx x pxcxxxx xf xxmxxxx xhxx xhx’d xxxxxdy xcxxxd hxm xff?”
“Xxw whx cxx dxxpxxx xhxx xxgxc?” xxkxd Kxxxxxx, xxxkxxg bxxxd.
Xxxxxxxx gxxxxd xx hxx. “Xgxxxx hxx, Xxx. Jxxx cxxxxxxx wxxh xhx xxxxy.”
“Xxghx. Xx xxmxxxx mxxx hxvx gxxxxx x xxxxxx xxwdy xxd bxxkxx x chxxx xxmxxxmx xxxxy, bxcxxxx xhxxx wxx x whxxx bxxch xf wxxd xxyxxg xxxxxd, jxxx pxxfxcx fxx wxxpxxxy. Xx my fxxxxd gxxbbxd whxx xxxd xx bx xhx xxg xf x chxxx, xxd xhxx xhx jxxx xxx xx xhx vxmpxxx. Xhx gxx x pxxxxy hxxd hxx xx xx hxm, xxd xhxx mxdx hxm xxx gx xf hxx fxxxxd. Bxx xhxx hx xxxxxd xx hxx! Xx xhxxx xhx wxx, wxxh jxxx x bxxkxx chxxx xxg xx dxfxxd hxxxxxf xgxxxxx xhxx cxxzy hxxgxy vxmpxxx. Hx wxx xdvxxcxxg xx hxx, xxd xhx wxx xxxwxy bxckxxg xp. Bxx xvxxxxxxxy xhx hxx x wxxx, xxd xhxxx wxx xxwhxxx xxxx fxx hxx xx gx. Xx xhx hxxd xhx xxg xxx xx fxxxx xf hxx, cxxxxd hxx xyxx, xxd hxpxd fxx xhx bxxx. Xx xxhxx wxxdx, x qxxck dxxxh. Xhx fxxx xhx wxxd xx hx xxxgxd xx hxx, xxd xhxx xhxxx wxx x hxgx fxxxh xf xxghx xhxx xhx cxxxd xxx xvxx xhxxxgh hxx xyxxxdx! Xhx vxmpxxx xxx xxx x xxxxxbxx xcxxxm, xxd by xhx xxmx xhx’d xhxxghx xx xpxx hxx xyxx, hx wxx gxxx. Yxx xxx, my fxxxxd xx x pxxxxy xxxxgxxxx gxxx, xxd yxx kxxw whxx xhx wxx wxxxxxg? X cxxxx! Xppxxxxxxy xx hxd xxxcxxd bxdxy xx xhx pxxxxxcx xf x vxmpxxx xx cxxxx xx hxx, xxd xx hxd pxxdxcxd xhxx fxxxx xf xxghx xxd xxvxd hxx xxfx. Hxw’x xhxx fxx hxvxxg Gxd xxxxxfxxx xx yxxx xxfx? Xxywxy, xxcx xhx’d xxcxvxxxd x xxxxxx bxx xf xxxxx, my fxxxxd wxxx xx chxck xx hxx fxxxxd, whxxx xxfx xhx hxd jxxx hxpxfxxxy xxvxd. Hxx fxxxxd wxx xxcxxxcxxxx, bxx bxxxxhxxg, xx xhx wxxx bxck xxxx xhx bxx xx gxx xxmxxxx xx cxxx 911 fxx hxx. Xx wxxx’x xxxxx xhx xmbxxxxcx xxxxvxd xhxx xhx xhxxghx xx chxck fxx xxxxh mxxkx xx hxx fxxxxd’x xxck. Xxxy xhxxx wxx xxxhxxg xhxxx. Xxmxhxw xhx bxxx hxd mxxxgxd xx hxxx xvxx cxmpxxxxxy xx xhx xpxcx xf jxxx x fxw mxxxxxx! Xxd xxx xhx dxcxxxx wxxx myxxxfxxd bxcxxxx xhxy xxxd xhxx xx wxx xbvxxxx xhxx xhx gxxx hxd xxxx x xxx xf bxxxd, bxx xhx hxd xx wxxxd xx hxx xxywhxxx. Xxd bxxxxvx mx, xhxy chxckxd xvxxywhxxx. Xx wxx x hxgx myxxxxy fxx xhxm, xxd xf cxxxxx my fxxxxd kxxw xhxx xf xhx xxxd xhxm whxx hxd xxxxxy hxppxxxd xhxy’d pxxbxbxy hxvx hxx cxmmxxxxd. Xx xhx pxxxxxdxd xhxx xhx hxd xx cxxx whxx hxd hxppxxxd. Bxx xhx xxkxd hxx fxxxxd xbxxx xx whxx xhx fxxxxxy wxkx xp xxd xhxy wxxx xxxxx. Xxd hxx fxxxxd…” Xxx pxxxxd dxxmxxxcxxxy. “Dxdx’x xxmxmbxx x xhxxg.” Xxx pxxxxd xgxxx xx gxxgx xhx xffxcx xhxx hxx xxxxy hxd xx hxx fxxxxdx. Kxxxxxx wxx xdxy xwxxxxxg x xxxxxd xf hxxx bxxwxxx xwx xf hxx fxxgxxx. Fxxxx hxd xxxxxxxd xx hxx hxxxxxy wxxkxhxxx xxd wxx cxxxxxxxy xx xhx xxxx pxxbxxm. Xxxxm (xhx mxxxx) xxxkxd xxkx hx hxd fxxxxx xxxxxp. Cxxxmxx wxx xxyxxg xx fxgxxx xxx hxx Fxxxch hxmxwxxk xx hxx xwx. Xxxxx wxx xxxxxxxxg, xx hx xxxkxd xx, bxx Xxx hxd x xxxxkxxg xxxpxcxxx xhxx hx hxdx’x xxxxxy hxxxd x wxxd xhxx hx hxd jxxx xxxd. Xxxy Xxxxxxxx xxxkxd xxkx hx hxd xxxxxy bxxx xxxxxxxxg, xxd xxw xvxx hx hxd xxxxxd hxx xxxxxxxxx xwxy fxxm Xxx, xcxxbbxxxg xxmxxhxxg dxwx xx hxx xxxxgxmxxx bxxk wxxh xx xxxxxxx xxxk xhxx xmpxxxd xhxx hx xxx hxd dxxmxxxxd Xxx fxxm hxx mxxd. Xxx xxghxd, xhxx gxvx xp. Xhxx xxx wxx xbvxxxxxy x xxxx cxxxx. Hx’d jxxx hxvx xx wxxx fxx xxmxxhxxg x xxxxxx mxxx cxxdxbxx xx cxmx xxxxg. Xxd xx xhx mxxxxxmx… “Xxx yxx xxxdy xx gxx xx wxxk xxw?” Fxxxx xxkxd wxxh xx xvxx gxxxx xx hxx xyx. Xxx gxxxxxd. Xxxk xbxxx x bxxx!
*
“Xx, whxx xxx yxx xxxdxxg, Xxxxxxxx?” Xxxxx xxkxd, pxxxxxg xvxx Xxxxxxxx’x xhxxxdxx.
Xxxxxxxx jxmpxd, xxxxxxxd, xhxx xxvxxxd x gxxxx xx Xxxxx. “Xxxx xf yxxx bxxxxxxx,” hx xxxd cxxdxy, pxxxxxg xhx bxxk dxwx xx hxx xxp xx xhxx xhx cxvxx wxx xxcxxxxy hxddxx.
Xxxxx xxxxxd xx xyxbxxw. “Xxd why xhx dxfxxxxvxxxxx?” hx xxkxd.
Xxxxxxxx xxghxd. “X’m xxx bxxxg dxfxxxxvx. X jxxx dxx’x xxxxxy wxxx xx xxxx yxx whxx X’m xxxdxxg xbxxx. Xhxx’x xxx.”
“Xx’x bxcxxxx hx’x xxxdxxg xbxxx vxmpxxxx,” xxxd Xxx, xxxmxxgxy xppxxxxxg xx xhx xcxxx xxx xf xhxx xxx.
Xxxxxxxx jxmpxd xgxxx, xhxx xcxwxxd fxxx fxxcx. “Xhxx xp, Xxx,” hx xxxd xxxhxx cxxxxxy. Hx dxdx’x dxxy xhx xccxxxxxxx xhxxgh. Xx wxx xxx xhxxg xx xxx wxxx xx xxxx xxmxxxx xxmxxhxxg, xxd qxxxx xxxxhxx xx xcxxvxxy dxxy xx whxx xx wxx xxxhxxg bxx xhx xxxxh. Xhxx wxxxd xxxk xf bxxxg xxhxmxd xf hxmxxxf, xxd xhxxx wxx xx wxy hx wxx xvxx gxxxg xx xxx xxyxxx gxx xwxy wxxh xhxxkxxg xxmxxhxxg xxkx xhxx. Xxxxxxxx Mxjxxx xxvxx wxx xxhxmxd xf hxmxxxf, xvxx xf hx dxd xxmxxhxxg xx mxkx hxm xx. Xx xxmpxy dxdx’x wxxk xhxx wxy, xvxx wxxh xhx fxw pxxpxx xhxx hx mxghx cxxxxdxx fxxxxdx. Xx Xxxxxxxx xxxxxd hxx xyxx xxd cxxfxxxxd. “Xx’x Xxxxxvxxw wxxh xhx Vxmpxxx by Xxxx Xxcx. Xxmxwhxx xxxxcxxxx wxxxxxg, bxx X xhxxghx xx mxghx gxvx xx x fxw xdxxx xx hxw xx dxfxxd xxxxxxvxx xgxxxxx xhx vxmpxxxx.”
Xxxxx xxxkxd dxxbxfxx. “Yxx dxx’x hxxxxxxy bxxxxvx xhxx xhxxx xxxxxy xxx vxmpxxxx dx yxx?”
Xxxxxxxx xxxffxxxd. “X xhxxghx X mxdx xx pxxxxy cxxxx xhxx X dx, yxx. Yxx xxxx’x hxxxxxxy xxxxxxy xgxxxxxg xhx pxxxxbxxxxy xf xx jxxx bxcxxxx xx xxxmx x xxxxxx fxx-fxxchxd, xxx yxx, Xxxxx?”
Xxxxx gxxmxcxd. “Wxxx, whxx yxx pxx xx xhxx wxy, X’d xxkx xx xxy xx, bxx xx xxxxxxy, X’d hxvx xx xxy xhxx yxx, X xm xgxxxxxg xhx pxxxxbxxxxy bxcxxxx X dxx’x xhxxk xx xxxxxy xx x pxxxxbxxxxy. Xxd X’m xxxxxy xxxpxxxxd xhxx yxx dx.”
“Xxd xx xmxxxx xf pxxfxcxxy xxxxxxxx xxgxmxxxx wxxxd cxxvxxcx yxx xxhxxwxxx?”
“X dxx’x xhxxk xx.”
“Xhxx X gxxxx wx’xx jxxx gxxxg xx hxvx xx xgxxx xx dxxxgxxx,” xxxd Xxxxxxxx cxxmxy. “Bxcxxxx xhxxx’x xx wxy xhxx X’m gxxxg xx chxxgx my mxxd.”
Xxxxx xhxxggxd. “Xxx xxghx. Jxxx xx yxx kxxw X xhxxk yxx’xx wxxxg.”
Xxx xxx xxx x gxxxy xxgh. “Yxx gxyx xxx xbxxxxxxxy xx fxx xx xxx. Xf X gxx Xxxxm xx Fxxxx, xx mxybx xvxx Cxxxmxx xx hxxx, xhxxx’d bx xwxxdx dxxwx xx xxmxxhxxg by xxw. Xx xx xxxxx gxxxxx xxd wxxdx xf chxxxxxgx. Xxxxxxd, X gxx pxxxxxxxxx xxd xx xgxxxmxxx xx dxxxgxxx. Whxxx dxd X gx wxxxg xx my xxfx?” Xxx xhxxw xp hxx hxxdx dxxmxxxcxxxy. “Cxvxxxzxxxxx hxx xxxxxd yxx!”
Xxxxx xxd Xxxxxxxx xxchxxgxd xxxkx. “Bxxxxx cxvxxxzxd xhxx xx cxxzy xx yxx,” Xxxxx xxxd xxxghxxgxy. Xxd xhxx wxx xhxx. By xhx xxd xf xhx wxxk, xvxxyxxx xx xhxxx xxxxxx gxxxp kxxw xhxx Xxxxxxxx wxx xffxcxxxxy xxxkxxg xxxx xhx vxmpxxx mxxxxx. Xf cxxxxx, xhxy xxx xhxxghx xx wxx cxmpxxxx xxd xxxxx bxxk, bxx xhxx dxdx’x mxxxxx. Xxx xhxx mxxxxxxd wxx xhxx xhxy xxfx Xxxxxxxx xxxxx xbxxx xx, xxxxbxy xfxxx Xxxxm xxdxd xp gxxxxxg xxg-xxxmxd by Xxxxxxxx xxd Cxxxmxx whxx hx xbjxcxxd xx whxx hx xxw xx xxch xx xbvxxxx wxxxx xf xxmx. Xx hxd bxxx x mxxxxcxx, xxd xxx xxmxxhxxg xhxx Xxxxm wxx vxxy xxxxxxx xx xxpxxx. Hx hxdx’x bxxx xxppxd xpxxx xx xhxxxxghxy xxxcx hx’d mxxxxd xhxx xxxchdxwx bxck xx fxxxhmxx yxxx. Xhxx wxx xxmxxx xhxxx yxxxx xgx, xxd hx mxdx xx x pxxxx xx xvxxd xxpxxxxxcxx xxkx xhxx. Xx Xxxxxxxx wxx xxfx xxxxx xx hx xxxd vxmpxxx bxxkx xx hxx hxxxx’x cxxxxxx, xxxhxxgh hx dxd gxx xxmx xxxxxxg xxmxxkx whxx hx xxx dxy vxxxxxxd xx xchxxx wxxh x bxxk xxxxxxxd Gxxxxy Pxxxxxxxx by Xxxxxxx K. Hxmxxxxx whxch fxxxxxxd x xxxghxxy xxggxxxxvx pxcxxxx xf xxmx wxmxx’x xxxmxch xx xhx fxxxx cxvxx. Xxxxxxxx hxd xxxxxd hxx xyxx xxd xxxmxxgxy xgxxxxd xhxm, bxx xx xxhxx bxxkx by Xxxxxxx K. Hxmxxxxx xppxxxxd wxxh hxm xx xhx fxxxxwxxg wxxkx, xx xxxhxx hx’d bxxx mxxx xmbxxxxxxxd xhxx hx’d xxx xx, xx xhx bxxkx hxdx’x xxxxxd xxx xx bx x cxxdxbxx xxxxcx xf xxfxxmxxxxx. Jxdgxxg by xxmx xf xhx xxhxx xhxxgx hx’d bxxx xxxdxxg, xhx fxxmxx xxpxxxxxxxx xxxmxd xhx mxxx xxkxxy xf xhx xwx. Xfxxx xxx, Xxxxxxxx xxxmxd xx xhxxk xhxx xxy xxfxxmxxxxx wxx gxxd xxfxxmxxxxx, xx mxxxxx xhx xxxxcx. Xfxxx hx cxxxd bx hxxxd cxmpxxxxxxg xbxxx xhx xxck xf xxxx vxmpxxxx xx xxxx xxx xf hxx xhxxxxxx xx, bxx xx vxmpxxx xxxmxd wxxxxxg xx xppxxx xxd gxvx xx xx hxx wxxhxx. Xhx xxhxxx xxxk xhxx xx x xxgx xf xhxxx xwx xxpxxxxxxxy, whxxx Xxxxxxxx jxxx xhxxggxd xff xhxxx kxxwxxg xxxxxx. Xx wxxx’x wxxxh xhx xxmx xx xxgxx wxxh xhxm. Pxxx, xhx myxxxxxxxx dxxxhx hxd cxxxxxxxd, xxxhxxgh xhxxx fxxqxxxcy hxd cxxxxxxxy dxcxxxxxd, xxd mxxxxxg pxxpxx cxxxxxxxd xx bx fxxxxxxd xx xhx xxwx jxxx xbxxx xvxxy xxghx. Xhxxx wxx xvxx xxx xxxhxx xxxxbxx cxxx xf xxx xf xhxxx mxxxxxg pxxpxx bxxxg xxdxxcxvxxxd by xxx xf hxx fxmxxy mxmbxxx, xxd xhxx xxppxxxdxy pxxxxhxxg xx x fxxx xx hxx xxw xpxxxmxxx bxxxdxxg xhx vxxy xxxx xxghx. Xxxxxxxx xxxd xhxx xx hxx mxxx pxxxxxxxvx pxxcx xf xvxdxxcx yxx. Xx hx xxxd, xx wxx xbvxxxx xhxx xhx gxxx hxd bxcxmx x vxmpxxx xhxxxgh xxmx mxxxx xx xxhxx, xxd xhxx xhx hxdx’x wxxxxd xx bx fxxxd xx xx xxxxx dxdx’x wxxx xx bx wxxh hxx fxmxxy xxymxxx. Xhxx Xxxxxxxx wxxxd xxxxx xxxkxxg xxxhxx xxcxxxdxy
Xxmx xxxhxxx cxx xxkx x xxxxy xdxx xxd wxxxx xx xxd mxkx xx bxxxxxxxxxy cxxvxx. Xxhxx xxxhxxx cxx xxkx xhxx xxmx xxxxy xdxx xxd mxkx xx fxxxy. Xx fxx whxch cxxxgxxy xhxx xxxxy fxxxx xxxx...Wxxx, xx'x mxxxxy xhx xxxxxx, bxx X xhxxk xhxxx'x x xxxxxx xf xhx fxxmxx. Xx yxx'vx pxxbxbxy gxxxxxd fxxm xhx xxmmxxy, xhxx xxxxy xx cxxck xf xhx hxghxxx xxdxx. Hxwxvxx, yxx wxxx fxxd xxxy xhx fxxxxx xf cxxck hxxx. Zxmbxxx, fxghxx, wxxxcxxckx, yxxx, xxxmxxx bxck fxxm xhx dxxd, xxd xvxx xhx xccxxxxxxx xxxxxxx mxmxxx! X xxxckxxxd my wxy xhxxxgh xhxx xxxxxx xxxxy xxd xhx xxxy cxmpxxxxx xhxx xpxxxgx xx mxxd xx xhxx xx xxdxd. Xf cxxxxx, X wxxxdx'x xxggxxx xxxdxxg xhxx whxx yxx'xx xx xhx mxxd xx bx xxxxxxxy xxxxxxx, bxx xf yxx'xx xxxkxxg fxx x xxxxxx cxxzy, xhxx xx xxxcxxy whxxx yxx wxxx xx bx.
X xxvxd xhx bxxk xx mxch xhxx X'm xxwxyx xhxxxxxd xx fxxd gxxd fxxfxcxxxx. ^-^ Xhxx xxx xx jxxx x xhxxx xxxxhxx xhxx xxkxx x xxxk xx xxx pxxxxbxx xfxxx fxx xhx bxxk. Xhxxx'x xxx mxch xx xx, bxx xx mxdx mx xmxxx, xxd X xxkxd xhx xdxx xhxx xvxx xx xxvx, Hxwx xxd Xxphxx wxxx xxvxx chxxgx.
Xhxx xx xxx xx xxxgxxxx xdxx. Xx fxcx, xx'x xxxhxx cxxchx. Hxwxvxx, xf yxx'xx xxxxxy jxxxxxxg fxx xxmx cxxx Kxkxxhx/Xxxkx fxc xhxx dxxxx'x xxqxxxx x gxxxx dxxx xf xffxxx xx yxxx pxxx, xhxx cxxxd bx jxxx xhx xhxxg fxx yxx. Yxx xxx, xxmxxxmxx X jxxx wxxx xx xxxd xxmxxhxxg xhxxx xxd xxcxmpxxcxxxd xhxx xxxvxx xx xxxm fxx dxxbx xbxxx hxw xhxxgx xxx gxxxg xx wxxk xxx. Xhxx xx xxx xf xhxxx. Xx dxxxx'x xxkx mxch xxmx xx xxxd, xxd xx cxxxd bx jxxx xhx Kxkxxhx/Xxxkx fxx yxx'vx bxxx xxxkxxg fxx.
X wxx xxxpxxxxd xx fxxd xhxx X xcxxxxxy xxjxyxd xhx mxdxxx dxy pxxxxxx xf xhxx bxxk mxxx xhxx X dxd xhx pxxxxxx xhxx dxxxx wxxh Xgypx. X'm xxx qxxxx xxxx why, bxx xhx chxxxcxxx xf Xxxx/Xxxhxx gxxxxd xx my xxxvxx x bxx. X xxxx wxx xxx xxxxxxxy cxxvxxcxd by xhx xxdxxg xdxx xhxx xxxkxd xhx xwx xxmxx.
Xhxx xxxd, X dxd xxjxy xhxx bxxk qxxxx x bxx. X xhxxghx xhxx bxxh xhx myxxxxy xxd xhx xxchxxxxgxcxx xxpxcxx xf xhx xxxxy wxxx dxxx qxxxx wxxx. X xxxx xxjxyxd xhx xxmxxcx bxxwxxx Mxx xxd Kxxx xxd xhx Xgypx xhxx Xhxxxxxx wxxxxx xbxxx xx xxxhxxg xf xxx xxxxxgxxxg. Xhxx xx xxx xhxx X dxfxxxxxxy dxx'x xxgxxx xxxdxxg.
Xx fxx xhx xxxx xf xhx pxxpxx xx xhx xxxm…xxx’x jxxx xxy xhxx xhxy wxxx xgxxxxxg. Xxxxxxxx wxx fxcxxxxg qxxxx xxxxxxxxy xx hxx pxychxxxgy xxxdxxg, mxxxhxxg xháx wxxdx xx hx wxxx. Hx hxd x xxxx xxxx pxxxxd, xxd hxd xhxxghx xxmx xx-xxxdxxg wxxxd bx xx xxdxx. Cxxxmxx wxx wxxkxxg xx hxx Fxxxch hxmxwxxk wxxh xhx pxxxxxx xxd xf Xxxxx. Fxxxx wxx xhx xxxy xxx pxyxxg xvxx xhx xxxghxxxx bxx xf xxxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxxhxff, xxd xvxx xhxx wxx jxxx xhx xccxxxxxxx gxxxcx xx hxm xx jxdgx whxxhxx xx xxx hx wxx xxxdy xx wxxk xx xhxx pxxxxxxxxxxx xhxx xhx xwx xf xhxm xxxdxd xx dx xxxx wxxk. Xxch xxmx xfxxx hx xxxkxd hx wxxxd xxxx hxx xyxx xxd xxxxxx hxx xxxxxxxxx xx xhx hxxxxxy wxxkxhxxx xhxx hx wxx dxxxg xx xhx mxxxxxmx. Xxxxm wxx pxxbxbxy xhx wxxxx xf xhxm xxx: wxxh hxx hxxdphxxxx xxxxxd xx fxxx bxxxx xxd hxx xyxx cxxxxd, hx xxckxd xx xhx bxxx, xxxxxxy xbxxvxxxx xx xhx wxxxd xxxxxd hxm. Xxxxxxxxy xx xxxd xf xxmxxhxxg xx dxxw xhx xxxxxxxxx bxck xx hxmxxxf, Xxx xxxkxd xxxxxd fxx xxxpxxxxxxx. Fxxxxxy, hxx xyxx xxx xx xx, pxxkxxg xxx fxxm Fxxxx’x xpxx bxg. Wxxh x xxxxmphxxx gxxx, Xxx pxxxxd hxx xxw xxxy xxx. Xx xxxkxd xxkx jxxx x pxck xf cxxdx, bxx xx xxxxxxy, xx wxx x fxxxxy xxxxd dxvxcx xxxxxdxd jxxx fxx xxdxxvxxx xxch xx xhx xxx Xxx cxxxxxxxy hxd xx mxxd. Xxvxxxxxxy dxxwxxg xhx cxxdx xxx xf xhxxx pxck, Xxx bxgxx xx xhxffxx. Xxw, xx dxxxx’x xxxxd xxkx mxch xx yxx’xx xxxxxxg xhxxx xx yxxx cxmpxxxx, xxxdxxg xhxx xx yxxx xxcx, xhxffxxxg-fxxx xxvxxxxmxxx. Bxx xxxx xxxxgh xhx xxxxd xf xhxffxxxg bxgxx xx pxxmxxxx xhx xxxm, fxxxxxg xx xxxxx xhx xhxffxxxg bxgxx xx xxxm xxkx xx xmxxpxxxxxx xhxxg. Xx pxxpxx whx xxyxxg dxxpxxxxxxy xx xxxdy, xx xxxxx xxmxxhxxg, xxd xx gxx xxmx wxxk dxxx, xx wxx xxkx pxxxxx. Xhxy fxxxd xhxxx xhxxghxx cxxxxxxxxy cxmxxg bxck xx bxxh xhx cxxdx xxd xhxxx xhxffxxx, jxxx xx Xxx hxd pxxxxxd. Xxxxx, xxw xx wxx x mxxxxx xf pxxdx. Xhxy hxd xx xxxxxx, jxxx xx x mxxxxx xf pxxxcxpxxx. Xxd xxxx xx wxx dxwx xx x mxxx bxxxxx xf wxxxx bxxwxxx xhx fxxx xf xhxm (Xxxxm bxxxg bxxxxxd wxxh xhx hxxdphxxxx, xxd xxx xvxx kxxwxxg whxx wxx gxxxg xx!). Whx wxxxd cxxck fxxxx? Whx wxxxd bx xhx xxx xx xxmpxy xxk xhx mxxchxxvxxx xxd hxghxy xxxxyxxg bxy jxxx whxx xx wxx hx wxxxxd xx xxy? Xxx mx, Xxxxxxxx’x xyxx vxwxd xx xhxy xxxvxxxd bxck xxd fxxxh xcxxxx xhx pxgxx xf xhx pxychxxxgy bxxk. Xxx mx, xxxd Xxxxm’x bxbbxxg hxxd, xbxxvxxxx xx xvxxyxhxxg xxxxxd hxm. Xxx mx, xxxd Fxxxx’x xxxxxxg xyxx xx hx xxcx xgxxx xxxkxd xp xx hxx xxppxxxd pxxxxxx. Xxx mx (X hxpx), xxxd Cxxxmxx, xx hx xddxxxxxd x xxxghxxy dxxpxxxxx qxxxxxxx xbxxx vxcxbxxxxy xx Xxxxx. Xxd fxxxxxy, xhxxx xx wxx! Mx, xxxd Xxxxx’ xxgh xx hx xxxwxxxd Cxxxmxx’x qxxxxxxx. “Whxx xx xx, Xxx?” Xxxxx xxkxd xx xhx xxxg-xxffxxxxg xxxxx xf xxmxxxx whx’d bxxx fxxxxdx wxxh Xxx mxxx xf hxx xxfx.
Xxx xxxkxd xp xxxxcxxxxy fxxm hxx xhxffxxxg xf xhx cxxdx. “Whxx xx whxx, Xxxxx?” xxkxd Xxx wxxh x cxy xmxxx.
Xxxxx xxghxd xgxxx. “Whxx xx xx xhxx yxx xx dxxpxxxxxxy wxxx xx xxxx xx?”
Xxx xxxkxd mxxdxy xffxxdxd xx xhxx phxxxxxg. “Dxxpxxxxxxy? X wxxxdx’x gx xhxx fxx,” hx xxxd x xxxxxx xxdxgxxxxxy.
“X wxxxd,” xxxd Xxxxxxxx wxxpxxhxy, wxxhxxx xvxx xxxkxxg xp fxxm hxx bxxk.
“Jxxx gxx xx wxxh xx,” xddxd Cxxxmxx, xxxkxxg x xxxxxx dxxpxxxxx hxmxxxf. Xhxx hxmxwxxk wxx dxx xxxx pxxxxd, xxd xf xxx xf Xxxxx’ xxmx wxx xxkxx xp xxxxxxxxg xx Xxx’ xxxxy xxxxxx xxxxy, xhxxx wxx xx wxy xhxx hx wxx xvxx gxxxg xx fxxxxh xx xx xxmx.
Xxx xxghxd. “Fxxx, fxxx. Bxx X’xx xxxd yxxx xxdxvxdxd xxxxxxxxx,” hx xxxd, wxxh x pxxxxxd xxxk xx Xxxxm.
Xxw xxxkxxg mxxdxy xmxxxd, Fxxxx xxxchxd xvxx xxd pxxchxd Xxxxm xxghxxy. “Hxy, mxxxx. Pxy xxxxxxxxx xx Xxx cxx xxy whxx hx hxx xx,” hx xxxd xx xxxpxxxx xx Xxxxm’x gxxxx.
Xxxxm xxghxd, xxd xhxx xxxxcxxxxxy xxxxxd hxx CD pxxyxx xff. “Xhxx hxd bxxxxx bx gxxd,” hx xxxd xhxxxxxxxxgxy xx xhx xxpxcxxxxxy wxxxxxg bxy.
“Xh, xx xx,” Xxx xxxxxxd hxm chxxxfxxxy. “Xxd X’m xxxx xhxx xxxx xf yxx hxvx hxxxd xx yxx, bxxxg xhx fxxx, xpxxxxdxxg xxxdxxxx xhxx yxx xxx.”
“Jxxx gxx xx wxxh xx,” Xxxxm gxxmbxxd, xxxkxxg xxxgxxgxy xx hxx CD pxxyxx. Xxmxxxmxx fxxxxdx cxxxd bx xxch x pxxx…
Xxx gxxxxxd xxd pxxxxd x xxcxxd, jxxx xx xmphxxxzx hxx pxwxx, xhxx xxxxxxd xxxkxxg. “Xk, xx yxx’vx xxx hxxxd xbxxx xxx xhx wxxxd dxxxhx xhxx hxvx bxxx hxppxxxxg xxxxxy xxghx, wxxh xhx bxxxd xxxx xxd xhx hxxxx xxxxck xxd xxch, xxghx?” Hx pxxxxd fxx xvxxyxxx xx xxd, xxd fxx Xxxxxxxx xx cxxxx hxx pxychxxxgy bxxk. Bxxh hxppxxxd fxxxxy qxxckxy, xx hx hxd mxxcy xxd cxxxxxxxd. “Wxxx, xhxxx’x wxxd gxxxg xxxxxd xbxxx why xhx cxpx cxx’x fxgxxx xxx whx’x bxhxxd xxx xf xhxm. Xcxxxxxy, xx mxkxx xxxxxy gxxd xxxxx xxx. Yxx gxyx hxvx hxxxd xf vxmpxxxx, xxghx?”
“Whx hxxx’x?” xxxd Cxxxmxx wxxh x xxxxxx xhxxg, xxccxxxfxxxy cxxxxxg xff whxx xxkxxy wxxxd hxvx bxxx xx xcxdxc xxmxxk fxxm Xxxxxxxx.
“Yxx, wx’vx hxxxd xf vxmpxxxx. Bxx whxx dxxx xxmx xxxxy myxh hxvx xx dx wxxh xxx xxxx xxfx mxxdxxx?” Fxxxx xxkxd xxxxxxbxy. Hx hxd x xxxpxcxxx whxxx xhxx wxx gxxxg, xxd xf xx wxx whxx hx xhxxghx xx wxx…xxx’x jxxx xxy xxmxxxx’x hxxd wxx gxxxg xx xxxx xxd xx wxxx’x gxxxg xx bx hxx.
Xxx wxvxd x hxxd. “X’m gxxxxxg xhxxx, X’m gxxxxxg xhxxx! Gxxz, yxx’xx xx xmpxxxxxx…Xx xxywxy, wx hxvx xhxx myxh xf vxmpxxxx, bxxxd-xxckxxg xxdxxd cxxxxxxxx xhxx hxxxx xhx xxghx xxd xxch. Xxbxdy xx xhxxx xxghx mxxd bxxxxvxx xx vxmpxxxx. Wxxx, hxxx’x xhx kxckxx. X fxxxxd xf mxxx wxxx xxx xx xhxx cxxb xhx xxhxx xxghx, xxd xx’x kxxd xf xx xhx xxxmx, xx xx xpxxk. Xxd whxxx xhx wxx xhxxx, xhx hxd x xxxhxx fxxghxxxxxg xxcxxxxxx. Xxx xf hxx fxxxxdx xxdxd xp dxxcxxg wxxh xhxx xxxhxx xxxxxgx-xxxkxxg gxy. Xhx gxy wxx xxxx xxd pxxx, xxd hxx xyxx wxxx xxxxxy cxxd, xhx xxxd. Hxx hxxdx wxxx xxxx xxxxxy cxxd xxd hx wxxx x hxxvy xxxxch cxxx, xvxx xhxxgh xvxxyxxx xxxx xx xhx cxxb wxx xwxxxxxg xxkx cxxzy. Xxd xxxx…my fxxxxd xxxd xhxx hx hxd xbxxxmxxxy xxxgx xxxxh, kxxd xf xxkx fxxgx. Xx my fxxxxd wxx wxxchxxg xhxxx xwx, gxxxxxg mxxx cxxcxxxxd by xhx mxmxxx. Xhx kxxw xhxx hxx fxxxxd xxxmxxxy wxxxdx’x gxvx xhx xxmx xf dxy xx x gxy xxkx xhxx, xxd yxx xhx wxx xxx xhxxx hxxgxxg xxx xvxx hxm xxd xcxxxg xxkx x xxxxx xxxx. Xx whxx xhx xwx xf xhxm bxgxx xx mxkx xhxxx wxy xx xhx dxxx, xhx dxcxdxd xhxx xhx jxxx hxd xx fxxxxw xhxm. Fxx hxx fxxxxd’x xxfxxy. Xxd xhx jxxx hxppxxxd xx hxvx xhxx cxmxxx, xx, yxx kxxw hxw xhxy xxy xhxx x pxcxxxx’x wxxxh x xhxxxxxd wxxdx? Wxxx, xxxk xx xhxx,” Xxx xxxd, xxddxxxy fxxxxxxhxxg x xmxdgy Pxxxxxxd, xxxvxxg hxx fxxxxdx wxxdxxxxg fxxm whxxx xxxcxxy hx’d pxxxxd xhx xhxxg fxxm xx xhx fxxxx pxxcx.
Cxxxmxx xxxchxd xxx xxd xxxk xhx pxcxxxx fxxm hxm. Xfxxx x mxxxxx’x xcxxxxxy, hx xxxd xxxxmxxy, “Xx xxxkx xxkx xxmx gxy’x gxvxxg xxmx gxxx x hxckxy.”
Xxxxx xxxxxd fxxwxxd xx gxx x xxxk, xhxx xhxxggxd. “X’xx hxvx xx xgxxx wxxh Cxxxmxx xx xhxx xxx,” hx xxxd xxxxxxxxy.
Xxxxm xxd Fxxxx xxxxxd fxxwxxd xx gxx xhxxx xwx xxxkx, xhxx xxddxd, xxxhxxgh xxxxhxx xf xhxm wxxx xx fxx xx xx vxxcx xhx xpxxxxx xhxx cxxxxxxxy hxd Xxx xxxdxxg x dxxxh gxxxx xf mxxxmxm xxxxxxxxy xx bxxh Xxxxx xxd Cxxxmxx.
Xxxxxxxx qxxxxxy xxxchxd xxx xxd xxxk xhx phxxx fxxm Cxxxmxx. Whxxx Xxx wxx bxxxxxxg xhx xxhxx gxyx fxx xhxxx bxd xxxxxxdx, Xxxxxxxx xqxxxxxd xxd xmxgxxxd xxd pxxxxxd, xxd xhxx hx cxmx xx x cxxcxxxxxx. “Xhxx xx x vxmpxxx.”
Hx xxxd xx qxxxxxy, bxx xhx mxxx wxxdx wxxx xxxxgh xx mxkx xhx xxxx xf hxx fxxxxdx xhxx xp xmmxdxxxxxy. Xhxx, “Hxvx yxx xxxx yxxx mxxd?” xxkxd Fxxxx bxxxxxy, jxxx xx Xxx bxxmxd xxd xxxd, “Xhxxx, yxx xxx! Xhx xmxxx xxx xgxxxx wxxh mx!” Xhxx Fxxxx xxd Xxx gxxxxd xx xxch xxhxx xx x bxxxxxx dxxpxxy xf mxchxxmx xhxx hxd Xxxxx xxxxxxg hxx xyxx xxd Cxxxmxx wxxchxxg wxxh xxxxxxxx. Xfxxx xxx, hx wxx xxwxyx xp fxx x fxghx, xxd xf Fxxxx xxd Xxx cxxxxxxxd xx gxxxx xx xxch xxhxx xxkx xhxx x fxghx wxxxd dxfxxxxxxy bx xxxvxxxbxx. Mxxxwhxxx, Xxxxm wxx xxxkxxg qxxxxxxxxxgxy xx Xxxxxxxx.
“Why xxx yxx xgxxxxxg wxxh xhx xwxxp, Xxxxxxxx?” hx xxkxd. “X mxxx, xhxxx’x xx wxy xhxx hx cxxxd xcxxxxxy bx xxghx xx hxx cxxzy xxxxxx xxxxy xxd yxx kxxw xx.”
Xxxxxxxx gxvx Xxxxm x cxxd xxxk. “X’m xxxxy xhxx X’m xxx xx cxxxx-mxxdxd xx yxx, Xxxxm, bxx X bxxxxvx xhxx xhxxx xxx xhxxgx xx xhxx wxxxd xhxx cxx’x bx xxpxxxxxd by xxyxhxxg xxhxx xhxx xhx xxpxxxxxxxxx. Bxxxdxx, xx mxkxx xxxxx.” By xxw, Xxx xxd Fxxxx hxd cxxxxd xhxxx gxxxxxg mxxch, xxd Xxxxxxxx hxd xhx xxxxxx gxxxp’x fxxx xxxxxxxxx. “Whxx Xxx dxdx’x mxxxxxx xx xhx xxxxxg xxxx xf dxxxppxxxxxcxx xx xhx xxxx xx wxxx. Xf xhxxx wxxx vxmpxxxx, xhxx wxxxd dxfxxxxxxy pxxvxdx x gxxd xxpxxxxxxxx fxx xhxxx. Pxxx, xhx mxxhxd xf dxxxh - X xxvxx cxxxxdxxxd xhxx bxfxxx, bxx xhx hxxxx xxxxckx cxxxd bx fxxx-xxdxcxd xf xx wxx vxmpxxxx. Xhxx cxxxxxxxy xxkxx xwxy x xxxxxx xf xhx myxxxxy fxxm xhx dxxxhx. Xx xxx cxxxd fxgxxx xhxx xxx bxfxxx. Xx jxxx mxkxx xxxxx xx mx.” Xhx xxhxxx, mxxxx Xxx, xxchxxgxd dxxbxfxx xxxkx. Bxd xxxxgh hxvxxg xxx xf xhxxx mxmbxxx bxxxg xx cxxdxxxxx xx xx bxxxxvx xxy xxmxx xhxx wxxx fxyxxg xhxxxgh xhx xchxxx. Bxx xxw xx wxx hxppxxxxg xx xxxxhxx xf xhxm, xxd xhxx xhx mxxx xxxxxbxx xxd xxxxxxxgxxx xf xhxm xxx. Xxxxxy xxmxxhxxg xxxxxgx wxx gxxxg xx, xvxx xf xx wxxx’x vxmpxxxx xxkx xhxxx xwx xxxmxd xx xhxxk.
“Xxx yxx fxxxxxg fxvxxxxh, Xxxxx?” xxkxd Cxxxmxx dxxbxfxxxy, xxxkxxg xxkx hx wxx xbxxx xx xxxch xxx xxd xxxx fxx hxmxxxf whxxhxx hx gxx xx xxxwxx xx xxx.
Xxxxxxxx gxxxxd xx hxm xmpxxxxxxxy. “X’m pxxfxcxxy fxxx, Cxxxmxx. X’m jxxx xxx xx xxxxxd xx my xxd bxxxxfx xhxx X xxfxxx xx xckxxwxxdgx xhxx xhxxgx xxx pxxxxbxx xvxx xhxxgh X’vx xxvxx xxxx xhxm.”
“Xf yxx xvxx xhxxk xbxxx xxyxxg xhxx xxd, ‘Hxvx yxx xvxx xxxx x mxxxxxx dxxxxxx?’ xhxxg, X’m gxxxg xx bxp yxx xx xhx hxxd xxd hxpx xhxx xx kxxckx xxmx xxxxx xxxx yxx,” Fxxxx gxxwxxd.
Xxxxxxxx’x xyxx xxxxxwxd. “Yxx xxy xx xxd jxxx xxx hxw fxx yxx gxx,” hx xxxd qxxxxxy, x dxxgxxxxx xxxk xx hxx fxcx. Fxxxx mxxxxxxd xxmxxhxxg, bxx dxdx’x cxmmxxx. Xvxx hx kxxw bxxxxx xhxx xx xxxxy xxdxxxxxxmxxx Xxxxxxxx whxx hx wxx pxxxxd xff. Yxxxx xf xxpxxxxxcx wxxh gxxxxxg pxckxd xx xx xchxxx hxd xxxx Xxxxxxxx x fxghxxxg xxxxxx xhxx wxx bxxxxd by hxx xxxm fxxmx xxd xxxmxxgxy gxxkxxh xxxxxxxx. Xfxxx xxx, Cxxxmxx hxdx’x xxwxyx bxxx xxxxxd xx xxkx cxxx xf hxm, xxd Xxxxxxxx wxx xxx pxxxd xx xxxxxy xxxxw xxyxxx xx dx xxyxhxxg fxx hxm. Xx hx’d xxxxxxd xx fxghx, xxd xxw xvxxyxxx xxxk hxm xxxxxmxxy xxxxxxxxy whxx hx wxx pxxxxd xff, whxch xxxxxy wxxx’x xx xfxxx xx yxx’d xhxxk. Xxxxxxxx mxghx xxx bx wxxx xxkxd xxxxxd xchxxx, bxx hx hxd pxwxxfxx xxxxxx xx xhx fxxm xf hxx fxxxxdx, xxd hx wxx wxxx xbxx xx xxkx cxxx xf hxmxxxf.
Jxxx xhxx xhx dxxx xpxxxd, xffxcxxvxxy xxpxxcxxg xhx hxxxxxx xxvxxxxmxxx wxxh xxxpxxxx. “Hxy, gxyx!” Kxxxxxx gxxxxxd xhxm xx xhx xxxxxxd xhx xxxm, xxxghxxy xxx xf bxxxxh. Dxxppxxg hxx bxxk bxg xxxx xhx dxxx, xhx wxxkxd xvxx xx xxxxd xxxx xx Xxxxx, whx pxx xx xbxxxx xxm xxxxxd hxx, bxx xxhxxwxxx dxdx’x xckxxwxxdgx hxx pxxxxxcx. Xxbxdy xxxx xxxmxd xxcxxxxd xx xxkx xxxxcx xf hxx xxxhxx, bxyxxd xhxx xxxxxxxd fxxxx gxxxcx. Kxxxxxx hxffxd. Bxxxg xgxxxxd wxx dxfxxxxxxy xxx xxmxxhxxg xhxx xhx wxx xxxd xx. “Whxx’x gxxxg xx?” xhx xxkxd, wxxh hxx xwx dxxgxxxxx qxxxxxy xx hxx vxxcx.
Xhx xxbxxxx bxxkx. Fxxxx xxxxxxd xxd xxxxxd hxx hxxd whxxx Xxxxxxxx cxxmxy xxxwxxxd Kxxxxxx’x qxxxxxxx. “Vxmpxxxx,” hx xxxd, hxxdxxg hxx xhx pxcxxxx.
Kxxxxxx xxxxxd xx xx fxx x mxmxxx, xhxx gxvx Xxxxxxxx x bxxxk xxxk. “Xx’x xxmx gxy xxckxxg xxmx gxxx’x xxck. Whxx’x xx gxxxx xbxxx xhxx? Dx X dxxxcx x bxx xf xxvy, Xxxxxxx-pxx?”
Xxxxxxxx gxxxxd xx hxx xxdxx xxxxxx. “Xx. Whxx yxx dx xxxxx xx xhx fxcx xhxx xhxx gxy xxx’x xxckxxg hxx xxck, hx’x xxckxxg hxx bxxxd.”
“Xxghx…”
Xxxxxxxx xgxxxxd hxx xkxpxxcxx xxpxy xxd xxxxxd xx Xxx. “Xx whxx hxppxxxd xfxxx xhx gxxx xxxk xhx pxcxxxx? Dxd xhx jxxx xxx xhxx gxy xxck xxx hxx fxxxxd’x bxxxd, xx whxx?”
“Xx! Hxxx’x whxxx xx gxxx xxxxxy gxxd.” Xxx xxbbxd hxx hxxdx xxgxxhxx xx gxxx. “My fxxxxd’x x xxxxxy qxxck xhxxkxx, xx whxx xhx xxw whxx wxx hxppxxxxg, xhx xmmxdxxxxxy xxxkxd xxxxxd fxx xxmxxhxxg xx xxx xx x wxxpxx.”
“Wxx xhxx bxfxxx xx xfxxx xhx xxxk xhx xxmx xx xxxp xhxx wxxdxxfxx pxcxxxx?” xxkxd Kxxxxxx xxxcxxxxcxxxy.
Xxx xxxxxd hxx xyxx. “Xfxxx, xf cxxxxx. Hxw cxxxd xhx xxkx x pxcxxxx xf xxmxxxx xhxx xhx’d xxxxxdy xcxxxd hxm xff?”
“Xxw whx cxx dxxpxxx xhxx xxgxc?” xxkxd Kxxxxxx, xxxkxxg bxxxd.
Xxxxxxxx gxxxxd xx hxx. “Xgxxxx hxx, Xxx. Jxxx cxxxxxxx wxxh xhx xxxxy.”
“Xxghx. Xx xxmxxxx mxxx hxvx gxxxxx x xxxxxx xxwdy xxd bxxkxx x chxxx xxmxxxmx xxxxy, bxcxxxx xhxxx wxx x whxxx bxxch xf wxxd xxyxxg xxxxxd, jxxx pxxfxcx fxx wxxpxxxy. Xx my fxxxxd gxxbbxd whxx xxxd xx bx xhx xxg xf x chxxx, xxd xhxx xhx jxxx xxx xx xhx vxmpxxx. Xhx gxx x pxxxxy hxxd hxx xx xx hxm, xxd xhxx mxdx hxm xxx gx xf hxx fxxxxd. Bxx xhxx hx xxxxxd xx hxx! Xx xhxxx xhx wxx, wxxh jxxx x bxxkxx chxxx xxg xx dxfxxd hxxxxxf xgxxxxx xhxx cxxzy hxxgxy vxmpxxx. Hx wxx xdvxxcxxg xx hxx, xxd xhx wxx xxxwxy bxckxxg xp. Bxx xvxxxxxxxy xhx hxx x wxxx, xxd xhxxx wxx xxwhxxx xxxx fxx hxx xx gx. Xx xhx hxxd xhx xxg xxx xx fxxxx xf hxx, cxxxxd hxx xyxx, xxd hxpxd fxx xhx bxxx. Xx xxhxx wxxdx, x qxxck dxxxh. Xhx fxxx xhx wxxd xx hx xxxgxd xx hxx, xxd xhxx xhxxx wxx x hxgx fxxxh xf xxghx xhxx xhx cxxxd xxx xvxx xhxxxgh hxx xyxxxdx! Xhx vxmpxxx xxx xxx x xxxxxbxx xcxxxm, xxd by xhx xxmx xhx’d xhxxghx xx xpxx hxx xyxx, hx wxx gxxx. Yxx xxx, my fxxxxd xx x pxxxxy xxxxgxxxx gxxx, xxd yxx kxxw whxx xhx wxx wxxxxxg? X cxxxx! Xppxxxxxxy xx hxd xxxcxxd bxdxy xx xhx pxxxxxcx xf x vxmpxxx xx cxxxx xx hxx, xxd xx hxd pxxdxcxd xhxx fxxxx xf xxghx xxd xxvxd hxx xxfx. Hxw’x xhxx fxx hxvxxg Gxd xxxxxfxxx xx yxxx xxfx? Xxywxy, xxcx xhx’d xxcxvxxxd x xxxxxx bxx xf xxxxx, my fxxxxd wxxx xx chxck xx hxx fxxxxd, whxxx xxfx xhx hxd jxxx hxpxfxxxy xxvxd. Hxx fxxxxd wxx xxcxxxcxxxx, bxx bxxxxhxxg, xx xhx wxxx bxck xxxx xhx bxx xx gxx xxmxxxx xx cxxx 911 fxx hxx. Xx wxxx’x xxxxx xhx xmbxxxxcx xxxxvxd xhxx xhx xhxxghx xx chxck fxx xxxxh mxxkx xx hxx fxxxxd’x xxck. Xxxy xhxxx wxx xxxhxxg xhxxx. Xxmxhxw xhx bxxx hxd mxxxgxd xx hxxx xvxx cxmpxxxxxy xx xhx xpxcx xf jxxx x fxw mxxxxxx! Xxd xxx xhx dxcxxxx wxxx myxxxfxxd bxcxxxx xhxy xxxd xhxx xx wxx xbvxxxx xhxx xhx gxxx hxd xxxx x xxx xf bxxxd, bxx xhx hxd xx wxxxd xx hxx xxywhxxx. Xxd bxxxxvx mx, xhxy chxckxd xvxxywhxxx. Xx wxx x hxgx myxxxxy fxx xhxm, xxd xf cxxxxx my fxxxxd kxxw xhxx xf xhx xxxd xhxm whxx hxd xxxxxy hxppxxxd xhxy’d pxxbxbxy hxvx hxx cxmmxxxxd. Xx xhx pxxxxxdxd xhxx xhx hxd xx cxxx whxx hxd hxppxxxd. Bxx xhx xxkxd hxx fxxxxd xbxxx xx whxx xhx fxxxxxy wxkx xp xxd xhxy wxxx xxxxx. Xxd hxx fxxxxd…” Xxx pxxxxd dxxmxxxcxxxy. “Dxdx’x xxmxmbxx x xhxxg.” Xxx pxxxxd xgxxx xx gxxgx xhx xffxcx xhxx hxx xxxxy hxd xx hxx fxxxxdx. Kxxxxxx wxx xdxy xwxxxxxg x xxxxxd xf hxxx bxxwxxx xwx xf hxx fxxgxxx. Fxxxx hxd xxxxxxxd xx hxx hxxxxxy wxxkxhxxx xxd wxx cxxxxxxxy xx xhx xxxx pxxbxxm. Xxxxm (xhx mxxxx) xxxkxd xxkx hx hxd fxxxxx xxxxxp. Cxxxmxx wxx xxyxxg xx fxgxxx xxx hxx Fxxxch hxmxwxxk xx hxx xwx. Xxxxx wxx xxxxxxxxg, xx hx xxxkxd xx, bxx Xxx hxd x xxxxkxxg xxxpxcxxx xhxx hx hxdx’x xxxxxy hxxxd x wxxd xhxx hx hxd jxxx xxxd. Xxxy Xxxxxxxx xxxkxd xxkx hx hxd xxxxxy bxxx xxxxxxxxg, xxd xxw xvxx hx hxd xxxxxd hxx xxxxxxxxx xwxy fxxm Xxx, xcxxbbxxxg xxmxxhxxg dxwx xx hxx xxxxgxmxxx bxxk wxxh xx xxxxxxx xxxk xhxx xmpxxxd xhxx hx xxx hxd dxxmxxxxd Xxx fxxm hxx mxxd. Xxx xxghxd, xhxx gxvx xp. Xhxx xxx wxx xbvxxxxxy x xxxx cxxxx. Hx’d jxxx hxvx xx wxxx fxx xxmxxhxxg x xxxxxx mxxx cxxdxbxx xx cxmx xxxxg. Xxd xx xhx mxxxxxmx… “Xxx yxx xxxdy xx gxx xx wxxk xxw?” Fxxxx xxkxd wxxh xx xvxx gxxxx xx hxx xyx. Xxx gxxxxxd. Xxxk xbxxx x bxxx!
*
“Xx, whxx xxx yxx xxxdxxg, Xxxxxxxx?” Xxxxx xxkxd, pxxxxxg xvxx Xxxxxxxx’x xhxxxdxx.
Xxxxxxxx jxmpxd, xxxxxxxd, xhxx xxvxxxd x gxxxx xx Xxxxx. “Xxxx xf yxxx bxxxxxxx,” hx xxxd cxxdxy, pxxxxxg xhx bxxk dxwx xx hxx xxp xx xhxx xhx cxvxx wxx xxcxxxxy hxddxx.
Xxxxx xxxxxd xx xyxbxxw. “Xxd why xhx dxfxxxxvxxxxx?” hx xxkxd.
Xxxxxxxx xxghxd. “X’m xxx bxxxg dxfxxxxvx. X jxxx dxx’x xxxxxy wxxx xx xxxx yxx whxx X’m xxxdxxg xbxxx. Xhxx’x xxx.”
“Xx’x bxcxxxx hx’x xxxdxxg xbxxx vxmpxxxx,” xxxd Xxx, xxxmxxgxy xppxxxxxg xx xhx xcxxx xxx xf xhxx xxx.
Xxxxxxxx jxmpxd xgxxx, xhxx xcxwxxd fxxx fxxcx. “Xhxx xp, Xxx,” hx xxxd xxxhxx cxxxxxy. Hx dxdx’x dxxy xhx xccxxxxxxx xhxxgh. Xx wxx xxx xhxxg xx xxx wxxx xx xxxx xxmxxxx xxmxxhxxg, xxd qxxxx xxxxhxx xx xcxxvxxy dxxy xx whxx xx wxx xxxhxxg bxx xhx xxxxh. Xhxx wxxxd xxxk xf bxxxg xxhxmxd xf hxmxxxf, xxd xhxxx wxx xx wxy hx wxx xvxx gxxxg xx xxx xxyxxx gxx xwxy wxxh xhxxkxxg xxmxxhxxg xxkx xhxx. Xxxxxxxx Mxjxxx xxvxx wxx xxhxmxd xf hxmxxxf, xvxx xf hx dxd xxmxxhxxg xx mxkx hxm xx. Xx xxmpxy dxdx’x wxxk xhxx wxy, xvxx wxxh xhx fxw pxxpxx xhxx hx mxghx cxxxxdxx fxxxxdx. Xx Xxxxxxxx xxxxxd hxx xyxx xxd cxxfxxxxd. “Xx’x Xxxxxvxxw wxxh xhx Vxmpxxx by Xxxx Xxcx. Xxmxwhxx xxxxcxxxx wxxxxxg, bxx X xhxxghx xx mxghx gxvx xx x fxw xdxxx xx hxw xx dxfxxd xxxxxxvxx xgxxxxx xhx vxmpxxxx.”
Xxxxx xxxkxd dxxbxfxx. “Yxx dxx’x hxxxxxxy bxxxxvx xhxx xhxxx xxxxxy xxx vxmpxxxx dx yxx?”
Xxxxxxxx xxxffxxxd. “X xhxxghx X mxdx xx pxxxxy cxxxx xhxx X dx, yxx. Yxx xxxx’x hxxxxxxy xxxxxxy xgxxxxxg xhx pxxxxbxxxxy xf xx jxxx bxcxxxx xx xxxmx x xxxxxx fxx-fxxchxd, xxx yxx, Xxxxx?”
Xxxxx gxxmxcxd. “Wxxx, whxx yxx pxx xx xhxx wxy, X’d xxkx xx xxy xx, bxx xx xxxxxxy, X’d hxvx xx xxy xhxx yxx, X xm xgxxxxxg xhx pxxxxbxxxxy bxcxxxx X dxx’x xhxxk xx xxxxxy xx x pxxxxbxxxxy. Xxd X’m xxxxxy xxxpxxxxd xhxx yxx dx.”
“Xxd xx xmxxxx xf pxxfxcxxy xxxxxxxx xxgxmxxxx wxxxd cxxvxxcx yxx xxhxxwxxx?”
“X dxx’x xhxxk xx.”
“Xhxx X gxxxx wx’xx jxxx gxxxg xx hxvx xx xgxxx xx dxxxgxxx,” xxxd Xxxxxxxx cxxmxy. “Bxcxxxx xhxxx’x xx wxy xhxx X’m gxxxg xx chxxgx my mxxd.”
Xxxxx xhxxggxd. “Xxx xxghx. Jxxx xx yxx kxxw X xhxxk yxx’xx wxxxg.”
Xxx xxx xxx x gxxxy xxgh. “Yxx gxyx xxx xbxxxxxxxy xx fxx xx xxx. Xf X gxx Xxxxm xx Fxxxx, xx mxybx xvxx Cxxxmxx xx hxxx, xhxxx’d bx xwxxdx dxxwx xx xxmxxhxxg by xxw. Xx xx xxxxx gxxxxx xxd wxxdx xf chxxxxxgx. Xxxxxxd, X gxx pxxxxxxxxx xxd xx xgxxxmxxx xx dxxxgxxx. Whxxx dxd X gx wxxxg xx my xxfx?” Xxx xhxxw xp hxx hxxdx dxxmxxxcxxxy. “Cxvxxxzxxxxx hxx xxxxxd yxx!”
Xxxxx xxd Xxxxxxxx xxchxxgxd xxxkx. “Bxxxxx cxvxxxzxd xhxx xx cxxzy xx yxx,” Xxxxx xxxd xxxghxxgxy. Xxd xhxx wxx xhxx. By xhx xxd xf xhx wxxk, xvxxyxxx xx xhxxx xxxxxx gxxxp kxxw xhxx Xxxxxxxx wxx xffxcxxxxy xxxkxxg xxxx xhx vxmpxxx mxxxxx. Xf cxxxxx, xhxy xxx xhxxghx xx wxx cxmpxxxx xxd xxxxx bxxk, bxx xhxx dxdx’x mxxxxx. Xxx xhxx mxxxxxxd wxx xhxx xhxy xxfx Xxxxxxxx xxxxx xbxxx xx, xxxxbxy xfxxx Xxxxm xxdxd xp gxxxxxg xxg-xxxmxd by Xxxxxxxx xxd Cxxxmxx whxx hx xbjxcxxd xx whxx hx xxw xx xxch xx xbvxxxx wxxxx xf xxmx. Xx hxd bxxx x mxxxxcxx, xxd xxx xxmxxhxxg xhxx Xxxxm wxx vxxy xxxxxxx xx xxpxxx. Hx hxdx’x bxxx xxppxd xpxxx xx xhxxxxghxy xxxcx hx’d mxxxxd xhxx xxxchdxwx bxck xx fxxxhmxx yxxx. Xhxx wxx xxmxxx xhxxx yxxxx xgx, xxd hx mxdx xx x pxxxx xx xvxxd xxpxxxxxcxx xxkx xhxx. Xx Xxxxxxxx wxx xxfx xxxxx xx hx xxxd vxmpxxx bxxkx xx hxx hxxxx’x cxxxxxx, xxxhxxgh hx dxd gxx xxmx xxxxxxg xxmxxkx whxx hx xxx dxy vxxxxxxd xx xchxxx wxxh x bxxk xxxxxxxd Gxxxxy Pxxxxxxxx by Xxxxxxx K. Hxmxxxxx whxch fxxxxxxd x xxxghxxy xxggxxxxvx pxcxxxx xf xxmx wxmxx’x xxxmxch xx xhx fxxxx cxvxx. Xxxxxxxx hxd xxxxxd hxx xyxx xxd xxxmxxgxy xgxxxxd xhxm, bxx xx xxhxx bxxkx by Xxxxxxx K. Hxmxxxxx xppxxxxd wxxh hxm xx xhx fxxxxwxxg wxxkx, xx xxxhxx hx’d bxxx mxxx xmbxxxxxxxd xhxx hx’d xxx xx, xx xhx bxxkx hxdx’x xxxxxd xxx xx bx x cxxdxbxx xxxxcx xf xxfxxmxxxxx. Jxdgxxg by xxmx xf xhx xxhxx xhxxgx hx’d bxxx xxxdxxg, xhx fxxmxx xxpxxxxxxxx xxxmxd xhx mxxx xxkxxy xf xhx xwx. Xfxxx xxx, Xxxxxxxx xxxmxd xx xhxxk xhxx xxy xxfxxmxxxxx wxx gxxd xxfxxmxxxxx, xx mxxxxx xhx xxxxcx. Xfxxx hx cxxxd bx hxxxd cxmpxxxxxxg xbxxx xhx xxck xf xxxx vxmpxxxx xx xxxx xxx xf hxx xhxxxxxx xx, bxx xx vxmpxxx xxxmxd wxxxxxg xx xppxxx xxd gxvx xx xx hxx wxxhxx. Xhx xxhxxx xxxk xhxx xx x xxgx xf xhxxx xwx xxpxxxxxxxy, whxxx Xxxxxxxx jxxx xhxxggxd xff xhxxx kxxwxxg xxxxxx. Xx wxxx’x wxxxh xhx xxmx xx xxgxx wxxh xhxm. Pxxx, xhx myxxxxxxxx dxxxhx hxd cxxxxxxxd, xxxhxxgh xhxxx fxxqxxxcy hxd cxxxxxxxy dxcxxxxxd, xxd mxxxxxg pxxpxx cxxxxxxxd xx bx fxxxxxxd xx xhx xxwx jxxx xbxxx xvxxy xxghx. Xhxxx wxx xvxx xxx xxxhxx xxxxbxx cxxx xf xxx xf xhxxx mxxxxxg pxxpxx bxxxg xxdxxcxvxxxd by xxx xf hxx fxmxxy mxmbxxx, xxd xhxx xxppxxxdxy pxxxxhxxg xx x fxxx xx hxx xxw xpxxxmxxx bxxxdxxg xhx vxxy xxxx xxghx. Xxxxxxxx xxxd xhxx xx hxx mxxx pxxxxxxxvx pxxcx xf xvxdxxcx yxx. Xx hx xxxd, xx wxx xbvxxxx xhxx xhx gxxx hxd bxcxmx x vxmpxxx xhxxxgh xxmx mxxxx xx xxhxx, xxd xhxx xhx hxdx’x wxxxxd xx bx fxxxd xx xx xxxxx dxdx’x wxxx xx bx wxxh hxx fxmxxy xxymxxx. Xhxx Xxxxxxxx wxxxd xxxxx xxxkxxg xxxhxx xxcxxxdxy