Part Two-16
Thedayafterthisadvertisingwasfinishedhewaitedinthefrontroomdressedinashirtandatie.Nothinghappehejewelerwhogavehimoverflowworktodoathalfpritinacoupleofclocks.Thatwasall.Hetookithard.Hedidntgoouttolookforotherjobsanymore,buteveryminutehehadtobebusyaroundthehouse.Hetookdownthedoorsandoiledthehinges—whethertheyornot.HemixedthemargarineforPortiaandscrubbedthefloorsupstairs.Heworkedoutatraptiohewaterfromtheiceboxcouldbedraihroughthekitwindow.HecarvedsomebeautifulalphabetblocksforRalphandiedalittleneedle-threader.Overthefewwatchesthathehadtoworkoookgreatpains.
MickstillfollowedMisterSinger.Butshedidntwantto.Itwasliketherewassomethingwrongaboutherfollowingafterhimwithouthisknowing.Twoorthreedayssheplayedhookvfromschool.Shewalkedbehindhimwheoworkandhungaroundontheernearhisstoreallday.WheehisdiMisterBrannointothedspentanickelforasackofpeanuts.
Thenatnightshefollowedhimonthesedark,longwalks.Shestayedontheoppositesideofthestreetfromhimandaboutablockbehind.Wheopped,shestoppedalso—andwhenhewalkedfastsherantokeepupwithhim.Solongasshecouldseehimandbenearhimshewasrighthappy.Butsometimesthisqueerfeelingwouldetoherandshekhatshewasdoingwrong.Soshetriedhardtokeepbusyathome.
SheandherDadwerealikeihatnowtheyalwayshadtobefoolingwithsomething.Shekeptupwithallthatwentoninthehouseandtheneighborhood.Spare-ribsbigsisterwonfiftydollarsatamoviebanknight.BabyWilsonhadthebandageoffherheadnow,butherhairwascutshort
likeaboys.Shecouldntdahesoireethisyear,andwhehertookhertoseeitBabybegantoyellandcutupdurihedaheyhadtheroutoftheOperaHouse.AndonthesidewalkMrs.Wilsonhadtowhiphertomakeherbehave.AndMrs.Wilsooo.GeehatedBaby.Hewouldholdhisnoseandstopuphisearswhenshepassedbythehouse.PeteWellsranawayfromhomeandwasgohreeweeks.Hecamebackbarefootedandveryhungry.HebraggedabouthowhehadgohewaytoNewOrleans.
BecauseofEtta,Mickstillsleptintheliving-room.Theshortsofacrampedhersomuchthatshehadtomakeupsleepinstudyhallatschool.EveryhtBillsedwithherandshesleptwithGee.Thenaluckybreakcameforthem.
Afellowwhohadaroomupstairsmovedaway.Whenafteraweekhadgonebyandnobodyaheadinthepaper,theirMamatoldBillheoveuptothevatroom.
Billwasverypleasedtohaveaplatirelybyhimselfawayfromthefamily.ShemovedinwithGee.Hesleptlikealittlewarmkittyahedveryquiet.
Shekhenight-timeagain.Butnotthesameasisummerwhenshewalkedinthedarkbyherselfandlistehemusidmadeplans.Shekhenightadifferentwaynow.Inbedshelayawake.Aqueerafraidnesscametoher.Itwasliketheceilingwasslowlypressingdowntowardherface.Howwoulditbeifthehousefellapart?OheirDadhadsaidthewholeplaceoughttobened.Didhemeanthatmaybesomenightwhentheywereasleepthewallswouldcradthehousecollapse?Burythemunderalltheplasterandbrokenglassandsmashedfurniture?Sothattheycouldnotmoveorbreathe?Shelayawakeandhermuscleswerestiff.Inthenighttherewascreaking.Wasthatsomebodywalking—somebodyelseawakebesidesher—MisterSinger？
ShehoughtaboutHarry.Shehadmadeuphermindtethimandshedidfethim.HewrotethathehadajobwithagarageinBirmingham.SheansweredwithacardsayingO.K.astheyhadplanned.Hesenthismotherthreedollarseveryweek.Itseemedlikeaverylongtimehadpassedsiheywenttothewoodstogether.
Duringthedayshewasbusyisideroom.Butatnightshewasbyherselfinthedarkandfiguringwasnotenough.
Shewantedsomebody.ShetriedtokeepGeeawake.Itsureisfuntostayawakeandtalkinthedark.Lessustalkawhiletogether.’
Hemadeasleepyanswer.
Seethestarsoutthewindow.Ifsahardthingtorealizethateverysingleohoselittlestarsisaplaaslargeastheearth.’
*Howdotheyknowthat?’
Theyjustdo.Theygotwaysofmeasuring.Thatssce.’
Idontbelieveinit’
Shetriedtoegghimontumentsothathewouldgetmadandstayawake.Hejustlethertalkanddidopayattention.Afterawhilehesaid:Look,Mick!Youseethatbranchofthetree?Dontitlooklikeapilgrimforefatherlyingdownwithaguninhishand?’
Itsuredoes.Thatsexactlywhatitslike.Andseeoverthereonthebureau.Dontthatbottlelooklikeafunnymanwithahaton?’
?Naw,Geesaid.Itdontlookabitlikeoome.’
Shetookadrinkfromaglassofwateronthefloor.Lessmeandyouplayagame—thenamegame.YoubeItifyouwantto.Whicheveryoulike.Youchoose.fHeputhislittlefistsuptohisfadbreathedinaquiet,evenwaybecausehewasfallingasleep.
Wait,Gee!shesaid."Thisllbefun.ImsomebodybeginningwithanM.GuesswhoIam.’
Geesighedandhisvoicewastired.AreyouHarpoMarx?’
No,Fmnoteveninthemovies.’
Idontknow.’
Sureyoudo.MynamebeginswiththeletterMandIlivein
Italy.Yououghttoguessthis.’
Geeturnedoveronhissideandcurledupinaball.;Hedidnotanswer.
MynamebeginswithanMbutsometimesImcalledafnamebeginningwithD.InItaly.Youguess.ITheroomwasquietanddarkandGeewasasleep.Shepinchedhimandtwistedhisear.Hegroadidnotawake.Shefittedinclosetohimandpressedherfaceagainsthishotlittlenakedshoulder.Hewouldsleepallthroughthenightwhileshewasfiguringwithdecimals.
WasMisterSingerawakeinhisroomupstairs?Didtheceilingcreakbecausehewaswalkingquietlyupanddown,drinkingacecrushandstudyingthechessmenlaidoutoable?Hadeverhefeltaterribleafraidnesslikethisone?No.
Hehadneverdohingwrong.Hehadneverdandhisheartwasquietinthenighttime.Yetatthesametimehewoulduand.
Ifonlyshecouldtellhimaboutthis,thenitwouldbebetter.
Shethoughtofhowshewouldbegintotellhim.MisterSinger—IknowthisgirlnotanyolderthanIam—MisterSinger,Idontknowwhetheryouuandathinglikethisornot—MisterSinger.MisterSinger.Shesaidhisnameoverandover.
Shelovedhimbetterthanahefamily,bettereventhanGeeorherDad.Itwasadifferentlove.Itwasnotlikeanythingshehadeverfeltinherlifebefore.
InthemssheandGeewoulddresstogetherandtalk.
Sometimesshewantedverymuchtobeclosete.Hehadgrowntallerandaleandpeaked.Hissoft,reddishhairlayraggedlyoverthetopsofhislittleears.Hissharpeyeswerealwayssquihathisfacehadastrainedlook.Hispermaeethwereingin,buttheywereblueandfarapartlikehisbabyteethhad.
been.Oftenhisjawwascrookedbecausehehadahabitoffeelingoutthesorehwithhistongue.
Listenhere,Gee,shesaid.Doyouloveme?’
Sure.IloveyouO.K.’
Itwasahot,sunnymduriweekofschool.
Geewasdressedandhelayonthefloordoinghisnumberwork.Hisdirtylittlefingerssqueezedthepenciltightabreakingtheleadpoint.Whenhewasfinishedsheheldhim
bytheshouldersandlookedhardintohisface.Imeanalot.Awholelot.’
Lemmego.SureIloveyou.Aintyoumysister?’
Iknow.ButsupposeIwasntyoursister.Wouldyoulovemethen?’
Geebackedaway.Hehadrunoutofshirtsandworeadirtypulloversweater.Hiswristswerethinandblue-veihesleevesofthesweaterhadstretchedsothattheyhunglooseandmadehishandslookverysmall.
IfyouwasntmysisterthenImightnotknowyou.SoIcouldntloveyou.’
?ButifyoudidknowmeandIwasntyoursister.’
*ButhowdoyouknowIwould?Youtproveit.’
?Well,justtakeitfrantedaend.’
IreIwouldlikeyouallright.ButIstillsayyoutprove-------’
Prove!Yougotthatwordonthebrain.Ptoveandtrick.
Everythiheratrickottobeproved.Itstandyou,GeeKelly.Ihateyou.’
O.K.ThenIdontlikeyouher.’
Hecrawleddowhebedforsomething.
*Whatyouwantuhere?Youbetterleavemythingsalone.
IfIevercaughtyoumeddlinginmyprivateboxIdbustyourheadagainstthesideofthewall.Iwould.Idstomponyourbrains.’
Geecameoutfromuhebedwithhisspellingbook.Hisdirtylittlepawreachedinaholeiresswherehehidhismarbles.Nothingcouldfazethatkid.Hetookhistimeaboutchoosingthreebrownagatestotakewithhim.Aw,shucks,Mick,heansweredher.Geewastoolittleandtootough.
Therewasntanysenseinlovinghim.Heknewevenlessaboutthingsthanshedid.
Schoolwasoutandshehadpassedeverysubjeelusandsomebytheskieeth.Thedayswerelongandhot.Finallyshewasabletoworkhardatmusicagain.Shebegantowritedownpiecesfortheviolinandpiano.Shewrotesongs.Alwaysmusicwasinhermind.ShelisteoMisterSingersradioandwanderedaroundthehousethinkingabouttheprogramsshehadheard.
?WhatailsMick?Portiaasked.Whatkindofcatisitgue?Shewalkaroundanddontsayaword.Shenotevengreedylikesheusedtobe.Shegettingtularladythesedays.’
Itwasasthoughinsomewayshewaswaiting—butwhatshewaitedforshedidnotknow.Thesunburneddownglaringandwhite-hotireets.Duringthedaysheeitherworkedhardatmusiessedwithkids.Andwaited.SometimesshewouldlookallaroundherquidthispanicwouldeiheninlateJuherewasasuddenhappeningsoimportantthatitgedeverything.
Thatnighttheywerealloutontheporch.Thetwilightwasblurredandsoft.Supperwasalmostreadyandthesmellofcabbagefloatedtothemfromtheopenhall.AllofthemweretogetherexceptHazel,whohadnotehomefromwork,aa,whostilllaysibed.TheirDadleanedbaachairwithhissock-feetonthebanisters.Billwasoepswiththekids.TheirMamasatontheswingfanningherselfwiththeneer.Acrossthestreetagirlheneighborhoodskatedupanddownthesidewalkononerollerskate.Thelightsontheblockwerejustbeginningtobeturnedon,andfarawayamanwascallingsomeone.
ThenHazelehome.Herhighheelscloppedupthestepsandsheleanedbacklazilyonthebanisters.Inthehalf-darkherfat,softhandswereverywhiteasshefeltthebackofherbraidedhair.IsuredowishEttawasabletowork,shesaid.Ifoundoutaboutthisjobtoday.’
Whatkindofajob?askedtheirDad.AnythingIcoulddo,orjustfirls?’
Justfirl.Aclerkdoorthsisgoingtogetmarriedweek.’
"Theteore------Micksaid.
Youied?’
Thequestiontookherbysurprise.Shehadjustbeenthinkingaboutasackofwintergreendyshehadboughttherethedaybefore.Shefelthotandtense.Sherubbedherbangsupfromherforeheadandtedthefirstfewstars.
TheirDadflippedhiscigarettedowntothesidewalk.?No,hesaid.WedontwantMicktotakeontoomuchresponsibilityatherage.Lethergethergrowthout.Hergrowththroughwith,anyway.’
Iagreewithyou,Hazelsaid.Ireallydothinkitwouldbea
mistakeforMicktohavetular.Idontthinkitwouldberight.’
BillputRalphdownfromhislapandshuffledhisfeetoeps.Nobodyoughttoworkuntiltheyrearoundsixteen.
MickshouldhavetwomoreyearsandfinishatVocational—ifwemakeit.’
Evenifwehavetogiveupthehouseandmovedowninmilltown,theirMamasaid.IratherkeepMickathomeforawhile.’
Foraminuteshehadbeenscaredtheywouldtrytoerherintotakingthejob.Shewouldhavesaidshewouldrunawayfromhome.Butthewaytheytooktheattitudetheydidtouchedher.Shefeltexcited.Theywerealltalkingabouther—andinakindlyway.Shewasashamedforthefirstscaredfeelingthathadetoher.Ofasuddenshelovedallofthefamilyandatightnesscameihroat.
Abouthowmueyisinit?sheasked.
Tendollars.’
Tendollarsaweek?’
Sure,Hazelsaid.Didyouthinkitwouldbeonlytenamonth?’
Portiadontmakebutaboutthatmuch.’
Oh,coloredpeople------Hazelsaid.
MickrubbedthetopofherheadwithherfistThatsawholelotofmoney.Agooddeal.’
Itsnottobegri,Billsaid."ThatswhatImake.’
Mickstonguewasdry.Shemoveditaroundinhermouthtogatherupspitenoughtotalk.Tendollarsaweekwouldbuyaboutfifteenfriedchis.Orfivepairsofshoesorfivedresses.Orinstallmentsonaradio.Shethoughtaboutapiano,butshedidionthataloud.Itwouldtideusover,theirMamasaid.*ButatthesametimeIratherkeepMickathomeforawhile.Now,whea------’
Wait!Shefelthotandreckless.Iwanttotakethejob.Iholditdown.IknowI.ListentolittleMick,Billsaid.
TheirDadpickedhisteethwithamatchstidtookhisfeetdownfromthebanisters.Now,letsnotrushintoanything.IratherMicktakehertimeandthinkthisout.Wegetalong
somehowwithoutherw.Imeantoincreasemywatchworkbysixtypertsoonas------’
Ifot,Hazelsaid.IthinktheresaChristmasbonuseveryyear.’
Mickfrowned."ButIwouldntbewthen.Idbeinschool.Ijustwanttoworkduringvacationandthengobacktoschool.Sure,Hazelsaidquickly.
"ButtomorrowIllgodownwithyouandtakethejobifIgetit’
Itwasasthoughagreatworryandtightnessleftthefamily.Inthedarktheybegantolaughandtalk.TheirDaddidatrickfeewithamatchstidahandkerchief.ThenhegavethekidfiftytstogodowntotheerstoreforCoca-Colastobedrunkaftersupper.Thesmellofcabbagewasstrohehallandporkchopswerefrying.Portiacalled.
Theboardersalreadywaitedatthetable.Mickhadsupperinthedining-room.Thecabbageleaveswerelimpandyellowonherplateandshecould.Whenshereachedforthebreadsheknockedapitcheroficedteaoverthetable.
ThenlatershewaitedonthefrontporchbyherselfforMisterSioehome.Inadesperatewayshewaoseehim.Theexcitementofthehourbeforehaddieddownandshewassicktothestomach.Shewasgoingtoworkinateoreandshedidnotwanttoworkthere.Itwaslikeshehadbeentrappedintosomething.Thejobwouldforthesummer—butforalongtime,aslongasshecouldseeahead.
Oheywereusedtothemoneyinginitwouldbeimpossibletodowithoutagain.Thatwasthewaythingswere.
Shestoodinthedarkaighttothebanisters.AlongtimepassedandMisterSiilldidnote.Atelevenoclockshewentouttoseeifshecouldfindhim.Butsuddenlysheghtehedarkandranbae.
Theninthemshebathedanddressedverycareful.
Hazelaaloaheclothestorimpedhertolooknice.SheworeHazelsgreensilkdressandagreenhatandhigh-heeledpumpswithsilkstogs.Theyfixedherfacewithrougeandlipstidpluckedhereyebrows.Shelookedatleastsixteenyearsoldwhentheywerefinished.
Itwastoolatetobackdownnow.Shewasreallygrownaoearnherkeep.YetifshewouldgotoherDadandtellhimhowshefelthewouldtellhertowaitayear.AndHazelaaandBillandtheirMama,evennow,wouldsaythatshedidnthavetogo.Butshecouldntdoit.Shecouldntlosefacelikethat.ShewentuptoseeMisterSihewordscameallinarush:Listen—IbelieveIgotthisjob.Whatdoyouthink?Doyouthinkitsagoodidea?DoyouthinkitsO.K.todropoutofschoolandworknow?Youthinkitsgood?’
Atfirsthedidnotuand.Hisgrayeyeshalf-closedaoodwithhishandsdeepdowninhispockets.Therewastheoldfeelingthattheywaitedtotelleachotherthingsthathadneverbeentoldbefore.Thethiosaynowwasnotmuch.Butwhathehadtotellherwouldberight—andifhesaidthejobsoundedO.K.thenshewouldfeelbetteraboutit.Sherepeatedthewordsslowlyandwaited.
Youthinkitsgood?’
MisterSingersidered.Thenhenoddedyes.
Shegotthejob.ThemaookherandHazelbacktoalittleoffidtalkedwiththem.Afterwardshecouldntrememberhowthemanagerlookedoranythingthathadbeensaid.Butshewashired,andonthewayoutoftheplacesheboughttesworthofChocolateandalittlemodelingclaysetfee.Ohefifthshewastostartwork.ShestoodforalongwhilebeforethewindowofMisterSingersjewelrystore.Thenshehungaroundontheer.TTeCULLERS_lHEtimehadefertogotoAntonapoulosagain.
Thejourneywasalongone.For,althoughthedistaweenthemwassomethihantwohundredmiles,thetrainmeaopointsfaroutofthewayandstoppedfhoursatcertainstationsduringthenight.Singerwouldleavethetowniernoonandtravelallthroughthenightanduntiltheearlymoftheday.Asusual,hewasreadyfarinadvance.Heplaohaveafullweekwithhisfriendthisvisit.Hisclotheshadbeeotheers,hishatblocked,andhisbagswereinreadihegiftshewouldcarrywereedincoloredtissuepaper—andin
additiontherewasadeluxebasketoffruitsdoneupincellophaneandacrateoflate-shippedstrawberries.OnthembeforehisdepartureSingeredhisroom.Inhisiceboxhefoundabitofleft-ooseliverandtookitouttothealleyfortheneighborhoodcat.Onhisdoorhetackedthesamesignhehadpostedtherebefore,statingthathewouldbeabsentforseveraldaysonbusiness.Duringallthesepreparationshemovedaboutleisurelywithtwovividspotsofcoloronhischeekbones.Hisfacewasverysolemn.
Thenatlastthehourfordeparturewasathaoodoform,burdehhissuitcasesandgifts,andwatchedthetrainrollinoiontracks.Hefoundhimselfaseatinthedaycoadhoistedhisluggageontherackabovehishead.Thecarwascrowded,forthemostpartwithmothersandchildren.Thegreenplushseatshadagrimysmell.Thewindowsofthecarweredirtyandricethrownatsomeretbridalpairlayscatteredonthefloor.Singersmiledcordiallytohisfellow-travelersandleanedbahisseat.Heclosedhiseyes.Thelashesmadeadark,curvedfringeabovethehollowsofhischeeks.HisrighthandmovednervouslyinsidehispocketForawhilehisthoughtslihetownhewasleavingbehindhim.HesawMidDoctorCopelandandJakeBlountandBiffBrannon.Thefacescrowdedinonhimoutofthedarknesssothathefeltsmothered.HethoughtofthequarrelbetweenBlountandtheNegro.Thenatureofthisquarrelelesslyfusedinhismind—buteachofthemhadonseveraloccasionsbrokenoutintoabittertiradeagainsttheother,theabsentone.Hehadagreedwitheachoftheminturn,thoughwhatitwastheywantedhimtosanhedidnotknow.AndMick—herfacewasurgentandshesaidagooddealthathedidnotuandintheleast.AndthenBiffBrannonattheNewYorkCaf.Brannonwithhisdark,iron-likejawandhiswatchfuleyes.Andstrangerswhofollowedhimaboutthestreetsandbuttonholedhimforunexplainablereasons.TheTurkatthelinenshopwhoflunghishandsupinhisfadbabbledwithhistoomakewordstheshapeofwhigerhadneverimaginedbefore.
Acertainmillforemanandanoldblaan.Abusinessmanonthemaiandanurwhosolicitedsoldiersforawhorehouseheriver.Singerwriggledhisshouldersuneasily.Thetrain
rockedwithasmooth,easymotion.Hisheadorestonhisshoulderandforashortwhileheslept.
Whenheopenedhiseyesagaiownwasfarbehindhim.Thetownwasfotten.Outsidethedirtywindowtherewasthebrilliantmidsummertryside.Thesunslantedinstrong,bronze-coloredraysreenfieldsoftheton.Therewereacresoftobacco,theplantsheavyandgreenlikesomemonstrousjungleweed.Theorchardsofpeacheswiththelushfruitweightingdownthedwarfedtrees.Thereweremilesofpasturesandtensofmilesofwasted,washed-outlandabahehardierweeds.Thetraincutthroughdeepgreenpineforestswherethegroundwascoveredwiththeslickbrownneedlesaopsofthetreesstretchedupvirginandtallintothesky.Andfarther,alongwaysouthofthetown,thecypressss—withthegnarledrootsofthetreeswrithingdownintothebrackishwaters,wherethegray,tatteredmosstrailedfromthebranches,wheretropicalwaterflowersblossomedindanknessandgloom.Thenoutagainintotheopehesunandtheindigo-bluesky.
Sisolemnandtimid,hisfaceturnedfullytowardthewindow.
Thegreatsweepsofspadthehard,elementalcalmostblindedhim.Thiskaleidoscopicvarietyofse,thisabundanceofgrowthandcolor,seemedsomehowectedwithhisfriend".HisthoughtswerewithAntonapoulos.Theblissoftheirreunionalmoststifledhim.Hisnoseinchedandhebreathedwithquick,shortbreathsthroughhisslightlyopenmouth.
Antonapouloswouldbegladtoseehim.Hewouldenjoythefreshfruitsandthepresents.Bynowhewouldbeoutofthesickwardandabletogoonanexcursiontothemovies,andafterwardtothehotelwheretheyhadeatendihefirstvisit.SingerhadwrittenmaerstoAntonapoulos,buthehadnotpostedthem.Hesurrenderedhimselfwhollytothoughtsofhisfriend.
Thehalf-yearsincehehadlastbeenwithhimseemedheralongnorashortspanoftime.Behindeachwakingmomenttherehadalwaysbeenhisfriend.AndthissubmergedunionwithAntonapouloshadgrownandgedasthoughtheyweretogetherintheflesh.SometimeshethoughtofAntonapouloswithaweandself-abasement,sometimeswithpride—alwayswithloveuncheckedbycriticism,freedofwill.Whenhedreamedatnightthefaceofhisfriendwas
alwaysbeforehim,massiveale.Andinhiswakingthoughtstheywereeternallyunited.
Thesummereveningcameslowly.Thesunsankdownbehindaraggedlireesiaheskypaled.Thetwilightwaslanguidandsoft.Therewasawhitefullmoon,andlowpurplecloudslayoverthehorizoh,thetrees,theunpaintedruraldwellingsdarkenedslowly.Atintervalsmildsummerlightningquiveredintheair.Sichedallofthisilyuntilatlastthenighthade,andhisownfacewasreflectedintheglassbeforehim.
Childrenstaggeredupanddowntheaisleofthecarwithdrippingpapercupsofwater.AnoldmaninoverallswhohadtheseatbeforeSingerdrankwhiskeyfromtimetotimefromaCoca-Colabottle.Betweenswallowshepluggedthebottlecarefullywithaaper.Alittlegirlontherightbedherhairwithastickyredlollipop.Shoeboxeswereopenedandtraysofsupperwerebroughtinfromthedining-car.
Singerdid.Heleanedbahisseatadesultoryatofallthatwentonaroundhim.Atlastthecarsettleddown.Childrenlayonthebroadplushseatsa,whilemenandwomendoubledupwiththeirpillowsaedasbesttheycould.
Singerdidnotsleep.Hepressedhisfacecloseagainsttheglassandstraioseeintothenight.Thedarknesswasheavyay.Sometimesthereatoonlightortheflickerofalanternfromthewindowofsomehousealongtheway.Fromthemoohatthetrainhadturnedfromitssouthwardcourseandwasheadedtowardtheeast.
Theeagernesshefeltwassokeenthathisoopiobreathethroughandhischeekswerescarlet.Hesatthere,hisfacepressedcloseagainstthecold,sootyglassofthewindow,throughmostofthelongnightjourney.
Thetrainwasmorethananhourlate,andthefresh,brightsummermwaswellunderwaywhentheyarrived.
Singerwentimmediatelytothehotel,averygoodhotelwherehehadmadereservationsinadvance.HeunpackedhisbagsandarrahepresentshewouldtaketoAntonapoulosonthebed.Fromthemenuthebellbhthimheselectedaluxuriousbreakfast—broiledbluefish,hominy,Frenchtoast,
andhotblackcoffee.Afterbreakfastherestedbeforetheelectriinhisunderwear.Atnooodress.HebathedandshavedandlaidoutfreshlinenandhisbestseersuckersuitAtthreeoclockthehospitalenforvisitinghours.ItwasTuesdayandtheeighteenthofJuly.
AttheasylumhesoughtAntonapoulosfirstinthesickwardwherehehadbeenfinedbefore.Butatthedoorwayoftheroomhesawimmediatelythathisfriendwasnotthere.hefoundhiswaythroughthecorridorstotheofficewherehehadbeehetimebefore.Hehadhisquestionalreadywrittenohecardshecarriedaboutwithhim.Thepersonbehindthedeskwasnotthesameastheonewhohadbeentherebefore.Hewasayoungman,almostaboy,withahalf-formed,immaturefadalankmopofhair.Singerhandedhimthecardandstoodquietly,hisarmsheapedwithpackages,hisweightrestingonhisheels.
Theyoungmanshookhishead.Heleanedoverthedeskandscribbledlooselyonapadofpaper.Singerreadwhathehadwrittenasofcolordrainedfromhischeekbonesinstantly.Helookedatthenotealongtime,hiseyescutsidewaysandhisheadbowed.ForitwaswrittehatAntonapouloswasdead.
Onthewaybacktothehotelhewascarefulnottocrushthefruithehadbroughtwithhim.Hetookthepackagesuptohisroomandthenwandereddowntothelobby.Behindapottedpalmtreetherewasaslotmae.Heiedawheriedtopulltheleverhefoundthatthemaewasjammed.Overthisihemadeagreatto-do.Heeredtheclerkandfuriouslydemonstratedwhathadhappened.Hisfacewasdeathlypaleandhewassobesidehimselfthattearsrolleddowntheridgesofhisnose.Heflailedhishandsaampedohhislong,narrow,elegantlyshoedfootontheplushcarpet.Norwashesatisfiedwhenhiswasrefunded,butinsistedonchegoutimmediately.Hepackedhisbagandwasobligedtoworkeicallytomakeitcloseagain.Forinadditiontothearticleshehadbroughtwithhimhecarriedawaythreetowels,twocakesofsoap,apenandabottleofink,arolloftoiletpaper,andaHolyBible.Hepaidhisbillandwalkedtothe
railwaystationtoputhisbelongingsincustody.Thetraindidnotleaveuntilheeveningaheemptyafternoonbeforehim.
Thistownwassmallerthantheoneinwhichhelived.Thebusireetsintersectedtoformtheshapeofacross.Thestoreshadatrifiedlook;therewereharnessesandsacksoffeedinhalfofthedisplaywindows.Singerwalkedlistlesslyalongthesidewalks.Histhroatfeltswollenaedtoswallowbutwasuodoso.Torelievethisstrangledfeelingheboughtadrinkihedrugstores.
Heidledinthebarbershopandpurchasedafewtriflesattheteore.Helookednoonefullinthefadhisheaddroopedd松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
MickstillfollowedMisterSinger.Butshedidntwantto.Itwasliketherewassomethingwrongaboutherfollowingafterhimwithouthisknowing.Twoorthreedayssheplayedhookvfromschool.Shewalkedbehindhimwheoworkandhungaroundontheernearhisstoreallday.WheehisdiMisterBrannointothedspentanickelforasackofpeanuts.
Thenatnightshefollowedhimonthesedark,longwalks.Shestayedontheoppositesideofthestreetfromhimandaboutablockbehind.Wheopped,shestoppedalso—andwhenhewalkedfastsherantokeepupwithhim.Solongasshecouldseehimandbenearhimshewasrighthappy.Butsometimesthisqueerfeelingwouldetoherandshekhatshewasdoingwrong.Soshetriedhardtokeepbusyathome.
SheandherDadwerealikeihatnowtheyalwayshadtobefoolingwithsomething.Shekeptupwithallthatwentoninthehouseandtheneighborhood.Spare-ribsbigsisterwonfiftydollarsatamoviebanknight.BabyWilsonhadthebandageoffherheadnow,butherhairwascutshort
likeaboys.Shecouldntdahesoireethisyear,andwhehertookhertoseeitBabybegantoyellandcutupdurihedaheyhadtheroutoftheOperaHouse.AndonthesidewalkMrs.Wilsonhadtowhiphertomakeherbehave.AndMrs.Wilsooo.GeehatedBaby.Hewouldholdhisnoseandstopuphisearswhenshepassedbythehouse.PeteWellsranawayfromhomeandwasgohreeweeks.Hecamebackbarefootedandveryhungry.HebraggedabouthowhehadgohewaytoNewOrleans.
BecauseofEtta,Mickstillsleptintheliving-room.Theshortsofacrampedhersomuchthatshehadtomakeupsleepinstudyhallatschool.EveryhtBillsedwithherandshesleptwithGee.Thenaluckybreakcameforthem.
Afellowwhohadaroomupstairsmovedaway.Whenafteraweekhadgonebyandnobodyaheadinthepaper,theirMamatoldBillheoveuptothevatroom.
Billwasverypleasedtohaveaplatirelybyhimselfawayfromthefamily.ShemovedinwithGee.Hesleptlikealittlewarmkittyahedveryquiet.
Shekhenight-timeagain.Butnotthesameasisummerwhenshewalkedinthedarkbyherselfandlistehemusidmadeplans.Shekhenightadifferentwaynow.Inbedshelayawake.Aqueerafraidnesscametoher.Itwasliketheceilingwasslowlypressingdowntowardherface.Howwoulditbeifthehousefellapart?OheirDadhadsaidthewholeplaceoughttobened.Didhemeanthatmaybesomenightwhentheywereasleepthewallswouldcradthehousecollapse?Burythemunderalltheplasterandbrokenglassandsmashedfurniture?Sothattheycouldnotmoveorbreathe?Shelayawakeandhermuscleswerestiff.Inthenighttherewascreaking.Wasthatsomebodywalking—somebodyelseawakebesidesher—MisterSinger？
ShehoughtaboutHarry.Shehadmadeuphermindtethimandshedidfethim.HewrotethathehadajobwithagarageinBirmingham.SheansweredwithacardsayingO.K.astheyhadplanned.Hesenthismotherthreedollarseveryweek.Itseemedlikeaverylongtimehadpassedsiheywenttothewoodstogether.
Duringthedayshewasbusyisideroom.Butatnightshewasbyherselfinthedarkandfiguringwasnotenough.
Shewantedsomebody.ShetriedtokeepGeeawake.Itsureisfuntostayawakeandtalkinthedark.Lessustalkawhiletogether.’
Hemadeasleepyanswer.
Seethestarsoutthewindow.Ifsahardthingtorealizethateverysingleohoselittlestarsisaplaaslargeastheearth.’
*Howdotheyknowthat?’
Theyjustdo.Theygotwaysofmeasuring.Thatssce.’
Idontbelieveinit’
Shetriedtoegghimontumentsothathewouldgetmadandstayawake.Hejustlethertalkanddidopayattention.Afterawhilehesaid:Look,Mick!Youseethatbranchofthetree?Dontitlooklikeapilgrimforefatherlyingdownwithaguninhishand?’
Itsuredoes.Thatsexactlywhatitslike.Andseeoverthereonthebureau.Dontthatbottlelooklikeafunnymanwithahaton?’
?Naw,Geesaid.Itdontlookabitlikeoome.’
Shetookadrinkfromaglassofwateronthefloor.Lessmeandyouplayagame—thenamegame.YoubeItifyouwantto.Whicheveryoulike.Youchoose.fHeputhislittlefistsuptohisfadbreathedinaquiet,evenwaybecausehewasfallingasleep.
Wait,Gee!shesaid."Thisllbefun.ImsomebodybeginningwithanM.GuesswhoIam.’
Geesighedandhisvoicewastired.AreyouHarpoMarx?’
No,Fmnoteveninthemovies.’
Idontknow.’
Sureyoudo.MynamebeginswiththeletterMandIlivein
Italy.Yououghttoguessthis.’
Geeturnedoveronhissideandcurledupinaball.;Hedidnotanswer.
MynamebeginswithanMbutsometimesImcalledafnamebeginningwithD.InItaly.Youguess.ITheroomwasquietanddarkandGeewasasleep.Shepinchedhimandtwistedhisear.Hegroadidnotawake.Shefittedinclosetohimandpressedherfaceagainsthishotlittlenakedshoulder.Hewouldsleepallthroughthenightwhileshewasfiguringwithdecimals.
WasMisterSingerawakeinhisroomupstairs?Didtheceilingcreakbecausehewaswalkingquietlyupanddown,drinkingacecrushandstudyingthechessmenlaidoutoable?Hadeverhefeltaterribleafraidnesslikethisone?No.
Hehadneverdohingwrong.Hehadneverdandhisheartwasquietinthenighttime.Yetatthesametimehewoulduand.
Ifonlyshecouldtellhimaboutthis,thenitwouldbebetter.
Shethoughtofhowshewouldbegintotellhim.MisterSinger—IknowthisgirlnotanyolderthanIam—MisterSinger,Idontknowwhetheryouuandathinglikethisornot—MisterSinger.MisterSinger.Shesaidhisnameoverandover.
Shelovedhimbetterthanahefamily,bettereventhanGeeorherDad.Itwasadifferentlove.Itwasnotlikeanythingshehadeverfeltinherlifebefore.
InthemssheandGeewoulddresstogetherandtalk.
Sometimesshewantedverymuchtobeclosete.Hehadgrowntallerandaleandpeaked.Hissoft,reddishhairlayraggedlyoverthetopsofhislittleears.Hissharpeyeswerealwayssquihathisfacehadastrainedlook.Hispermaeethwereingin,buttheywereblueandfarapartlikehisbabyteethhad.
been.Oftenhisjawwascrookedbecausehehadahabitoffeelingoutthesorehwithhistongue.
Listenhere,Gee,shesaid.Doyouloveme?’
Sure.IloveyouO.K.’
Itwasahot,sunnymduriweekofschool.
Geewasdressedandhelayonthefloordoinghisnumberwork.Hisdirtylittlefingerssqueezedthepenciltightabreakingtheleadpoint.Whenhewasfinishedsheheldhim
bytheshouldersandlookedhardintohisface.Imeanalot.Awholelot.’
Lemmego.SureIloveyou.Aintyoumysister?’
Iknow.ButsupposeIwasntyoursister.Wouldyoulovemethen?’
Geebackedaway.Hehadrunoutofshirtsandworeadirtypulloversweater.Hiswristswerethinandblue-veihesleevesofthesweaterhadstretchedsothattheyhunglooseandmadehishandslookverysmall.
IfyouwasntmysisterthenImightnotknowyou.SoIcouldntloveyou.’
?ButifyoudidknowmeandIwasntyoursister.’
*ButhowdoyouknowIwould?Youtproveit.’
?Well,justtakeitfrantedaend.’
IreIwouldlikeyouallright.ButIstillsayyoutprove-------’
Prove!Yougotthatwordonthebrain.Ptoveandtrick.
Everythiheratrickottobeproved.Itstandyou,GeeKelly.Ihateyou.’
O.K.ThenIdontlikeyouher.’
Hecrawleddowhebedforsomething.
*Whatyouwantuhere?Youbetterleavemythingsalone.
IfIevercaughtyoumeddlinginmyprivateboxIdbustyourheadagainstthesideofthewall.Iwould.Idstomponyourbrains.’
Geecameoutfromuhebedwithhisspellingbook.Hisdirtylittlepawreachedinaholeiresswherehehidhismarbles.Nothingcouldfazethatkid.Hetookhistimeaboutchoosingthreebrownagatestotakewithhim.Aw,shucks,Mick,heansweredher.Geewastoolittleandtootough.
Therewasntanysenseinlovinghim.Heknewevenlessaboutthingsthanshedid.
Schoolwasoutandshehadpassedeverysubjeelusandsomebytheskieeth.Thedayswerelongandhot.Finallyshewasabletoworkhardatmusicagain.Shebegantowritedownpiecesfortheviolinandpiano.Shewrotesongs.Alwaysmusicwasinhermind.ShelisteoMisterSingersradioandwanderedaroundthehousethinkingabouttheprogramsshehadheard.
?WhatailsMick?Portiaasked.Whatkindofcatisitgue?Shewalkaroundanddontsayaword.Shenotevengreedylikesheusedtobe.Shegettingtularladythesedays.’
Itwasasthoughinsomewayshewaswaiting—butwhatshewaitedforshedidnotknow.Thesunburneddownglaringandwhite-hotireets.Duringthedaysheeitherworkedhardatmusiessedwithkids.Andwaited.SometimesshewouldlookallaroundherquidthispanicwouldeiheninlateJuherewasasuddenhappeningsoimportantthatitgedeverything.
Thatnighttheywerealloutontheporch.Thetwilightwasblurredandsoft.Supperwasalmostreadyandthesmellofcabbagefloatedtothemfromtheopenhall.AllofthemweretogetherexceptHazel,whohadnotehomefromwork,aa,whostilllaysibed.TheirDadleanedbaachairwithhissock-feetonthebanisters.Billwasoepswiththekids.TheirMamasatontheswingfanningherselfwiththeneer.Acrossthestreetagirlheneighborhoodskatedupanddownthesidewalkononerollerskate.Thelightsontheblockwerejustbeginningtobeturnedon,andfarawayamanwascallingsomeone.
ThenHazelehome.Herhighheelscloppedupthestepsandsheleanedbacklazilyonthebanisters.Inthehalf-darkherfat,softhandswereverywhiteasshefeltthebackofherbraidedhair.IsuredowishEttawasabletowork,shesaid.Ifoundoutaboutthisjobtoday.’
Whatkindofajob?askedtheirDad.AnythingIcoulddo,orjustfirls?’
Justfirl.Aclerkdoorthsisgoingtogetmarriedweek.’
"Theteore------Micksaid.
Youied?’
Thequestiontookherbysurprise.Shehadjustbeenthinkingaboutasackofwintergreendyshehadboughttherethedaybefore.Shefelthotandtense.Sherubbedherbangsupfromherforeheadandtedthefirstfewstars.
TheirDadflippedhiscigarettedowntothesidewalk.?No,hesaid.WedontwantMicktotakeontoomuchresponsibilityatherage.Lethergethergrowthout.Hergrowththroughwith,anyway.’
Iagreewithyou,Hazelsaid.Ireallydothinkitwouldbea
mistakeforMicktohavetular.Idontthinkitwouldberight.’
BillputRalphdownfromhislapandshuffledhisfeetoeps.Nobodyoughttoworkuntiltheyrearoundsixteen.
MickshouldhavetwomoreyearsandfinishatVocational—ifwemakeit.’
Evenifwehavetogiveupthehouseandmovedowninmilltown,theirMamasaid.IratherkeepMickathomeforawhile.’
Foraminuteshehadbeenscaredtheywouldtrytoerherintotakingthejob.Shewouldhavesaidshewouldrunawayfromhome.Butthewaytheytooktheattitudetheydidtouchedher.Shefeltexcited.Theywerealltalkingabouther—andinakindlyway.Shewasashamedforthefirstscaredfeelingthathadetoher.Ofasuddenshelovedallofthefamilyandatightnesscameihroat.
Abouthowmueyisinit?sheasked.
Tendollars.’
Tendollarsaweek?’
Sure,Hazelsaid.Didyouthinkitwouldbeonlytenamonth?’
Portiadontmakebutaboutthatmuch.’
Oh,coloredpeople------Hazelsaid.
MickrubbedthetopofherheadwithherfistThatsawholelotofmoney.Agooddeal.’
Itsnottobegri,Billsaid."ThatswhatImake.’
Mickstonguewasdry.Shemoveditaroundinhermouthtogatherupspitenoughtotalk.Tendollarsaweekwouldbuyaboutfifteenfriedchis.Orfivepairsofshoesorfivedresses.Orinstallmentsonaradio.Shethoughtaboutapiano,butshedidionthataloud.Itwouldtideusover,theirMamasaid.*ButatthesametimeIratherkeepMickathomeforawhile.Now,whea------’
Wait!Shefelthotandreckless.Iwanttotakethejob.Iholditdown.IknowI.ListentolittleMick,Billsaid.
TheirDadpickedhisteethwithamatchstidtookhisfeetdownfromthebanisters.Now,letsnotrushintoanything.IratherMicktakehertimeandthinkthisout.Wegetalong
somehowwithoutherw.Imeantoincreasemywatchworkbysixtypertsoonas------’
Ifot,Hazelsaid.IthinktheresaChristmasbonuseveryyear.’
Mickfrowned."ButIwouldntbewthen.Idbeinschool.Ijustwanttoworkduringvacationandthengobacktoschool.Sure,Hazelsaidquickly.
"ButtomorrowIllgodownwithyouandtakethejobifIgetit’
Itwasasthoughagreatworryandtightnessleftthefamily.Inthedarktheybegantolaughandtalk.TheirDaddidatrickfeewithamatchstidahandkerchief.ThenhegavethekidfiftytstogodowntotheerstoreforCoca-Colastobedrunkaftersupper.Thesmellofcabbagewasstrohehallandporkchopswerefrying.Portiacalled.
Theboardersalreadywaitedatthetable.Mickhadsupperinthedining-room.Thecabbageleaveswerelimpandyellowonherplateandshecould.Whenshereachedforthebreadsheknockedapitcheroficedteaoverthetable.
ThenlatershewaitedonthefrontporchbyherselfforMisterSioehome.Inadesperatewayshewaoseehim.Theexcitementofthehourbeforehaddieddownandshewassicktothestomach.Shewasgoingtoworkinateoreandshedidnotwanttoworkthere.Itwaslikeshehadbeentrappedintosomething.Thejobwouldforthesummer—butforalongtime,aslongasshecouldseeahead.
Oheywereusedtothemoneyinginitwouldbeimpossibletodowithoutagain.Thatwasthewaythingswere.
Shestoodinthedarkaighttothebanisters.AlongtimepassedandMisterSiilldidnote.Atelevenoclockshewentouttoseeifshecouldfindhim.Butsuddenlysheghtehedarkandranbae.
Theninthemshebathedanddressedverycareful.
Hazelaaloaheclothestorimpedhertolooknice.SheworeHazelsgreensilkdressandagreenhatandhigh-heeledpumpswithsilkstogs.Theyfixedherfacewithrougeandlipstidpluckedhereyebrows.Shelookedatleastsixteenyearsoldwhentheywerefinished.
Itwastoolatetobackdownnow.Shewasreallygrownaoearnherkeep.YetifshewouldgotoherDadandtellhimhowshefelthewouldtellhertowaitayear.AndHazelaaandBillandtheirMama,evennow,wouldsaythatshedidnthavetogo.Butshecouldntdoit.Shecouldntlosefacelikethat.ShewentuptoseeMisterSihewordscameallinarush:Listen—IbelieveIgotthisjob.Whatdoyouthink?Doyouthinkitsagoodidea?DoyouthinkitsO.K.todropoutofschoolandworknow?Youthinkitsgood?’
Atfirsthedidnotuand.Hisgrayeyeshalf-closedaoodwithhishandsdeepdowninhispockets.Therewastheoldfeelingthattheywaitedtotelleachotherthingsthathadneverbeentoldbefore.Thethiosaynowwasnotmuch.Butwhathehadtotellherwouldberight—andifhesaidthejobsoundedO.K.thenshewouldfeelbetteraboutit.Sherepeatedthewordsslowlyandwaited.
Youthinkitsgood?’
MisterSingersidered.Thenhenoddedyes.
Shegotthejob.ThemaookherandHazelbacktoalittleoffidtalkedwiththem.Afterwardshecouldntrememberhowthemanagerlookedoranythingthathadbeensaid.Butshewashired,andonthewayoutoftheplacesheboughttesworthofChocolateandalittlemodelingclaysetfee.Ohefifthshewastostartwork.ShestoodforalongwhilebeforethewindowofMisterSingersjewelrystore.Thenshehungaroundontheer.TTeCULLERS_lHEtimehadefertogotoAntonapoulosagain.
Thejourneywasalongone.For,althoughthedistaweenthemwassomethihantwohundredmiles,thetrainmeaopointsfaroutofthewayandstoppedfhoursatcertainstationsduringthenight.Singerwouldleavethetowniernoonandtravelallthroughthenightanduntiltheearlymoftheday.Asusual,hewasreadyfarinadvance.Heplaohaveafullweekwithhisfriendthisvisit.Hisclotheshadbeeotheers,hishatblocked,andhisbagswereinreadihegiftshewouldcarrywereedincoloredtissuepaper—andin
additiontherewasadeluxebasketoffruitsdoneupincellophaneandacrateoflate-shippedstrawberries.OnthembeforehisdepartureSingeredhisroom.Inhisiceboxhefoundabitofleft-ooseliverandtookitouttothealleyfortheneighborhoodcat.Onhisdoorhetackedthesamesignhehadpostedtherebefore,statingthathewouldbeabsentforseveraldaysonbusiness.Duringallthesepreparationshemovedaboutleisurelywithtwovividspotsofcoloronhischeekbones.Hisfacewasverysolemn.
Thenatlastthehourfordeparturewasathaoodoform,burdehhissuitcasesandgifts,andwatchedthetrainrollinoiontracks.Hefoundhimselfaseatinthedaycoadhoistedhisluggageontherackabovehishead.Thecarwascrowded,forthemostpartwithmothersandchildren.Thegreenplushseatshadagrimysmell.Thewindowsofthecarweredirtyandricethrownatsomeretbridalpairlayscatteredonthefloor.Singersmiledcordiallytohisfellow-travelersandleanedbahisseat.Heclosedhiseyes.Thelashesmadeadark,curvedfringeabovethehollowsofhischeeks.HisrighthandmovednervouslyinsidehispocketForawhilehisthoughtslihetownhewasleavingbehindhim.HesawMidDoctorCopelandandJakeBlountandBiffBrannon.Thefacescrowdedinonhimoutofthedarknesssothathefeltsmothered.HethoughtofthequarrelbetweenBlountandtheNegro.Thenatureofthisquarrelelesslyfusedinhismind—buteachofthemhadonseveraloccasionsbrokenoutintoabittertiradeagainsttheother,theabsentone.Hehadagreedwitheachoftheminturn,thoughwhatitwastheywantedhimtosanhedidnotknow.AndMick—herfacewasurgentandshesaidagooddealthathedidnotuandintheleast.AndthenBiffBrannonattheNewYorkCaf.Brannonwithhisdark,iron-likejawandhiswatchfuleyes.Andstrangerswhofollowedhimaboutthestreetsandbuttonholedhimforunexplainablereasons.TheTurkatthelinenshopwhoflunghishandsupinhisfadbabbledwithhistoomakewordstheshapeofwhigerhadneverimaginedbefore.
Acertainmillforemanandanoldblaan.Abusinessmanonthemaiandanurwhosolicitedsoldiersforawhorehouseheriver.Singerwriggledhisshouldersuneasily.Thetrain
rockedwithasmooth,easymotion.Hisheadorestonhisshoulderandforashortwhileheslept.
Whenheopenedhiseyesagaiownwasfarbehindhim.Thetownwasfotten.Outsidethedirtywindowtherewasthebrilliantmidsummertryside.Thesunslantedinstrong,bronze-coloredraysreenfieldsoftheton.Therewereacresoftobacco,theplantsheavyandgreenlikesomemonstrousjungleweed.Theorchardsofpeacheswiththelushfruitweightingdownthedwarfedtrees.Thereweremilesofpasturesandtensofmilesofwasted,washed-outlandabahehardierweeds.Thetraincutthroughdeepgreenpineforestswherethegroundwascoveredwiththeslickbrownneedlesaopsofthetreesstretchedupvirginandtallintothesky.Andfarther,alongwaysouthofthetown,thecypressss—withthegnarledrootsofthetreeswrithingdownintothebrackishwaters,wherethegray,tatteredmosstrailedfromthebranches,wheretropicalwaterflowersblossomedindanknessandgloom.Thenoutagainintotheopehesunandtheindigo-bluesky.
Sisolemnandtimid,hisfaceturnedfullytowardthewindow.
Thegreatsweepsofspadthehard,elementalcalmostblindedhim.Thiskaleidoscopicvarietyofse,thisabundanceofgrowthandcolor,seemedsomehowectedwithhisfriend".HisthoughtswerewithAntonapoulos.Theblissoftheirreunionalmoststifledhim.Hisnoseinchedandhebreathedwithquick,shortbreathsthroughhisslightlyopenmouth.
Antonapouloswouldbegladtoseehim.Hewouldenjoythefreshfruitsandthepresents.Bynowhewouldbeoutofthesickwardandabletogoonanexcursiontothemovies,andafterwardtothehotelwheretheyhadeatendihefirstvisit.SingerhadwrittenmaerstoAntonapoulos,buthehadnotpostedthem.Hesurrenderedhimselfwhollytothoughtsofhisfriend.
Thehalf-yearsincehehadlastbeenwithhimseemedheralongnorashortspanoftime.Behindeachwakingmomenttherehadalwaysbeenhisfriend.AndthissubmergedunionwithAntonapouloshadgrownandgedasthoughtheyweretogetherintheflesh.SometimeshethoughtofAntonapouloswithaweandself-abasement,sometimeswithpride—alwayswithloveuncheckedbycriticism,freedofwill.Whenhedreamedatnightthefaceofhisfriendwas
alwaysbeforehim,massiveale.Andinhiswakingthoughtstheywereeternallyunited.
Thesummereveningcameslowly.Thesunsankdownbehindaraggedlireesiaheskypaled.Thetwilightwaslanguidandsoft.Therewasawhitefullmoon,andlowpurplecloudslayoverthehorizoh,thetrees,theunpaintedruraldwellingsdarkenedslowly.Atintervalsmildsummerlightningquiveredintheair.Sichedallofthisilyuntilatlastthenighthade,andhisownfacewasreflectedintheglassbeforehim.
Childrenstaggeredupanddowntheaisleofthecarwithdrippingpapercupsofwater.AnoldmaninoverallswhohadtheseatbeforeSingerdrankwhiskeyfromtimetotimefromaCoca-Colabottle.Betweenswallowshepluggedthebottlecarefullywithaaper.Alittlegirlontherightbedherhairwithastickyredlollipop.Shoeboxeswereopenedandtraysofsupperwerebroughtinfromthedining-car.
Singerdid.Heleanedbahisseatadesultoryatofallthatwentonaroundhim.Atlastthecarsettleddown.Childrenlayonthebroadplushseatsa,whilemenandwomendoubledupwiththeirpillowsaedasbesttheycould.
Singerdidnotsleep.Hepressedhisfacecloseagainsttheglassandstraioseeintothenight.Thedarknesswasheavyay.Sometimesthereatoonlightortheflickerofalanternfromthewindowofsomehousealongtheway.Fromthemoohatthetrainhadturnedfromitssouthwardcourseandwasheadedtowardtheeast.
Theeagernesshefeltwassokeenthathisoopiobreathethroughandhischeekswerescarlet.Hesatthere,hisfacepressedcloseagainstthecold,sootyglassofthewindow,throughmostofthelongnightjourney.
Thetrainwasmorethananhourlate,andthefresh,brightsummermwaswellunderwaywhentheyarrived.
Singerwentimmediatelytothehotel,averygoodhotelwherehehadmadereservationsinadvance.HeunpackedhisbagsandarrahepresentshewouldtaketoAntonapoulosonthebed.Fromthemenuthebellbhthimheselectedaluxuriousbreakfast—broiledbluefish,hominy,Frenchtoast,
andhotblackcoffee.Afterbreakfastherestedbeforetheelectriinhisunderwear.Atnooodress.HebathedandshavedandlaidoutfreshlinenandhisbestseersuckersuitAtthreeoclockthehospitalenforvisitinghours.ItwasTuesdayandtheeighteenthofJuly.
AttheasylumhesoughtAntonapoulosfirstinthesickwardwherehehadbeenfinedbefore.Butatthedoorwayoftheroomhesawimmediatelythathisfriendwasnotthere.hefoundhiswaythroughthecorridorstotheofficewherehehadbeehetimebefore.Hehadhisquestionalreadywrittenohecardshecarriedaboutwithhim.Thepersonbehindthedeskwasnotthesameastheonewhohadbeentherebefore.Hewasayoungman,almostaboy,withahalf-formed,immaturefadalankmopofhair.Singerhandedhimthecardandstoodquietly,hisarmsheapedwithpackages,hisweightrestingonhisheels.
Theyoungmanshookhishead.Heleanedoverthedeskandscribbledlooselyonapadofpaper.Singerreadwhathehadwrittenasofcolordrainedfromhischeekbonesinstantly.Helookedatthenotealongtime,hiseyescutsidewaysandhisheadbowed.ForitwaswrittehatAntonapouloswasdead.
Onthewaybacktothehotelhewascarefulnottocrushthefruithehadbroughtwithhim.Hetookthepackagesuptohisroomandthenwandereddowntothelobby.Behindapottedpalmtreetherewasaslotmae.Heiedawheriedtopulltheleverhefoundthatthemaewasjammed.Overthisihemadeagreatto-do.Heeredtheclerkandfuriouslydemonstratedwhathadhappened.Hisfacewasdeathlypaleandhewassobesidehimselfthattearsrolleddowntheridgesofhisnose.Heflailedhishandsaampedohhislong,narrow,elegantlyshoedfootontheplushcarpet.Norwashesatisfiedwhenhiswasrefunded,butinsistedonchegoutimmediately.Hepackedhisbagandwasobligedtoworkeicallytomakeitcloseagain.Forinadditiontothearticleshehadbroughtwithhimhecarriedawaythreetowels,twocakesofsoap,apenandabottleofink,arolloftoiletpaper,andaHolyBible.Hepaidhisbillandwalkedtothe
railwaystationtoputhisbelongingsincustody.Thetraindidnotleaveuntilheeveningaheemptyafternoonbeforehim.
Thistownwassmallerthantheoneinwhichhelived.Thebusireetsintersectedtoformtheshapeofacross.Thestoreshadatrifiedlook;therewereharnessesandsacksoffeedinhalfofthedisplaywindows.Singerwalkedlistlesslyalongthesidewalks.Histhroatfeltswollenaedtoswallowbutwasuodoso.Torelievethisstrangledfeelingheboughtadrinkihedrugstores.
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并不代表本站立场!本站亦无法严格审:The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter最新章节其版权归属。如您对The Heart Is A Lonely HunterTXT下载持有版权方面的异议，请联系本站客服。我们将于72小时内处理。
Copyright (C) 2019 All Rights Reserved 版权所有：松语文学