a slipping - down life

8/7/2019 A slipping - down life

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A SLPPING-DOWN IIFE)il Afue Tyler s one of Ameri.a's not acclaied novel.ists' and in 1994 was f,omated .gleatest li,ingnovelist writin8 in EDglish' byRoddy Dyle and Nickllmby .n the s,flr]4, Tifts' Her crion include,th Pulitzer PriznwniDg noye|Brcathhg L^98

^ndThe A.eidentl Tollbt which was made nto amaior ln. Her nw nov4 kdlet of yea$, js p.lid by cLato & .wir'du.Anne Tyler Ms boln i! Minneapoli in 1941' bu.ha |ivd fol fuhy yeds wi her family if, Balti.mo!e, whelE he! lovels areset.


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BY NNE TYI-ERIt Molhins E e/ CotusThe Tin Cdn TteeA Sliwine'Dotun LileTbe CIo. windetCebstial Ndriqatio,SbarcbingFol CalebEaftbly P*sessio6Mqafl's PassiflgDi,q At Th. Hu$i.k R.tura,tTbe A..identa] TqktBt at ing Lessotu

Saiit Maybebdder Of Yed,s

y]-I:::rffT:ii'"*.s:"ij"l':::. ;'ii,q"i"ir.,. s" i'*'i"*i, Ja-a ..*i"'"'llxe#" y,iiiip,ia"", ""s""a"y:Tll'',.*:' }::,:#J].itf;rfij.,'..li*T**il{H:] .:ff ,',::-"::'il:.:',":l&::lT'jl

Tb' Tifles


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AnneTYlerA SLtPPtNc-DOV/N LIFE

,|iIVINTAGEl

.!i


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Fn$ pubIjsh.d in Mnbg. ' 1990246a1097531Cop}tisnt o Ame Tyter Modd!rc$i 1969, 1970. Theight of Anne Ty|.' b b. id.nriEed.5 rhauhor thlorl h bed s*rEd by h.r in a(old'nvh rhe kpvr'lhr, Ddignrtud par.iu Aci tg8sThtr bonk k sold ab|diothe.ondfu atnihall'otoy rv.y ol he or o.h.fuise! b |enr.r.,old. fir.i n t ^;rnN|e o(u|atd i t Du r he pub|tsherlD;ol on*;; y '|om bindgol coEro th.n ]i D wh'.h n l;PUon$,nd 'fthout J sin'ieMdtrcn in.ludmeth lmno|hon be'ng'mpmedon the ubYquentpu.fuA smvh,rshndB.d fom of,tus novela!E.r.drhJ.nury r'70 i su. f R.r ' ooAm''ailne

Fir lublnhed 'n crc ElrJin bvHMtyn pap.rbrcls, rg8lMnBc.!rndomHouse,20 Vauhr B.idS. Road, LondnnSV/lV2SARandom,Hour AuEaLa lpry) LimEd.u dro rr!, Mreons poinl Svdn.vNe sou w.le 206'. Au*l:lERandom Hoe N.w ztl'nd !ned18 Pobnd R@d, c|.deldAuckland 10_N$ Zed,ndRrndom HM. tudh Atricr lprylrrmLEdrU W JJ /. &y|.i, :'ourhAfrj.'Randon Hous U( rinicd R.& No, 9j4oo9A oP c'.|osuc cord Itr this be!j3 v,il.bl. frm th.8nfuh l|bB.y. tsBN0099583513Prinr.d ,nd boun,l in Ged Ant.in bvBI'cPap blckLtdTh.Britbh l,rin nE conpmy Ld.

**6'***":lT{*}1 :Tj.**ffJtll1{isi'Tij:,^',:Hli*.n*"*t.l*":*.ffiffi#n'** t-lff


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.- $$:! dli r"'l";:s?,]ri#jf ";*t.itrP^::T"..li *i'].'h.na t."'ong'. ""ia' 'Th"...i1ilT#n#islii"":."T";#:"*"ffi:ffi';T,::*,-.^J.11lo"n"d aretulty. he ay on er Sa* in irreaa*,nng grear ong.seucker ;ghtgown'ndfrolv'ned i1:"*" ?f |itltt that shon.*".'' .t'" *ai";, *"q".omumeshenamwcre ami|iaroier - coup|eh. hadn: g.[..#..."+'5'f;Kii:!t"T#iiiar mcy-couldn.rhope ro pass unnoriced Vten shc kne\e.names hePaid clos. attenr;on oe rcngsat foliowc4:1T:s .9* rhe w_ordswith a kind of poissess,venessurff,iti.',i"".11";lT.T.11 ffi.#'$f$T"r*Ti;lrrence shhrd bwten-em wai at e wordsof rh!Pop sor wcrsier to und rs.and.ffifr{-tr*'":g*}#;; i: oneanswered.

'J$ffi*. Jifr""r'* '#$ii 4::'El".fl''}'";i:i:l'r:1...". ";j tr*fftIff:ilY;someone aid' Not for on8I wonl b.'.u ;ili:']:i:i.:".#l!ffi. ik""ston"l*l"a. ,?'"a,ods tnNor carolina?.heasked..Farini..y. off of Hishwav 'i|;..|11}11i9'1'ry'-*ldrumsrrings .y'u rlgnr'weris it you'rc8oing?' -

'A citv. some ciry. lt ain\ q'riie clear vet l lim to ctrt.*".a] li'j "i"' ^. a'bs. and f I on.ewiggj. u(ofherei:i"""".'...l.l u:"* "gain.noteven or christmas. f myijll.liii"....iJ'iji.r"g.Jeycan omeowhere'mar. .lli-' ir'i. " t'.*. irh whire elephonesnd . sw'mmlnapool.'recording erl' nice,l said Hbt.

.Have you don much

"ili'", "." ,t" o"-""ofvour,m,ecords?'

'There ain\ none.'.i..V.lr' v|", '.yt.. .t'"n'vou|d you care o dcribe r'Sryle?''sryle,ait'l no rrlk.'.vLl.whar.whatdo you do. exactly?rii. i'""* ***.; "s"r an'therston second frer*-'a li"l.a "*"t in deadair' 'lf vou don\ know wharIa.i l J .'".g. n""lly,'thenhowcome ougotmeonyourprogramme?'Hrbt mumb|edometn'ng.'Vhat's thata'."i""* .r' .u .... ' sald.Heavens. oy. ustanswerthequesdons. .Cs ger hisoter wrtn'.oh.. DrusEin8ssaid. All .i8ht. .'"i'iii"l..r'.v.g"'. .. wasa lirtlescrapof Paperwithvournameon it',"i'u].a" iir"." me. iust showup where .m agkedfor.'.All rEht' .|l right. he was |?.?;,'';il; il;- whar I do. I sing and plav guitar'\$;" t* *" t *.* srouPs,'Herbensaid''i;;;.iil. Au I gotis a drummer'bur I don\ know

.Ho s atl''He kindof trods hebeat''oh, yes,' saidHerbert'


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hi"T;;:.:."s " "*i." .f ti'y explosions; omne wastappin8."'You could ask me wbereI getmy matedat,,Drumsrrings.vhefe do you8etyourmltial?'.Thar's veryintestinE.''-.sone is oer people!bu! most s my own. ru.ke r up'n m}, oom. li on my bedar8uinPwih d 1 :ii.;t.'r :g"",t,:' :l li* '#.''*tx?.T',.f:"'"'.[ffi i lP#'.;i:l.#fl"',./j\.l t vo tr. c.n' r don'I8oalongwi ll l thm oths. !0l:now'my'songs tan.Wordscomeout.Things hear. .oh,

-Tj-q ily *,:1.1o" evercomehomeon rimetikedecenti{i.".|T.:!'T."iFi'; :ffij#:"i':f]rJ; ::;i::":,., '*. crearins is throat,bur Ev,e isrned wirhout* jpi']!i$!n;*r.:'rl;H:.,:ll'*..,""lr:$flEllT..fffi:1i1iil:n1'":Yr*.""''*.ts fiar rjgfit,' aidHerbert.unmstring as wa'i|entasain..."";,'#:T:,:i.",;'!J"fif; . :***,'",\'oooDy.' the cool voic said.'And Srvehim . nice hand.,. But ere vas no one to give him g hand.of ln:,:1'iffi[,l''i*i#il.l"*Jf1ll#?i"n'9"", a singErnamedDrumsringsCasey?,Evi:i::"-.:" o. behind er in a|gebralass. fe was a bonm

$i|:"''.#.'# :i:l;ilJ'#[:'"*::"J11."fl1ii*jou n|s houlds n rfiytm'But, Neverhealdof himJ.Hs a rock.and.rol|3in8

'Rock-and-roll is ot'l,now '.oh, ! s,' saidEvie.shewalk mostplaatone.hetried herbok clutch:.Js :rh*"ilj:i"l.J1i,. tt,:i.t'ffi.:T*i:..o.i,r'.""v

p.opt". "t'i t'ad long agosroPpedpecflng'.ny-t:h.; ;. ".r ciorh"s.He. Coatwas old.fashioned. 'o:iil{t. .;*T*i"l'{:*u:::.il.; ;; ;i Nisring idewaysnd riding up her k'#:# .:..'"ln :".i$.'T",'':j',ll"lffi: j{:*ii,i*:t'*ru':'r:;l:rli::;l'.:;:,1|*&T;nY"tt* r... schooronea-v.'" saw posterr'].jlii.j..i"l.-;l"a.*. .RockhNiteAway!'t's";d.i'*f:.fri ri"ijH:i:il".xx..:i:l, l;: l$;:*i;**nn;.ff..."l*:

;#..""".;:b|. |;k. like ;mething shwa oo familiar;il:'si;;liJ . **p .r paperrom rravedipper ote'#i ;; fi*. ;."'" ''h.ime andpracc,orhe how heoiiJLi *..o"p* *a plac t nsidherhistory ook''Areyouseriousl' ioler aid.onhe.Phone don'tbelievevou evenknow what a rock hov'/s':$illl1ii.J:..?'5..iil'"."..:::"l5f;:,: ;edroom,isteningo the adio But dovoukl*{x"}":il:.ll.";:fliY".,*.o'*.o*".;*,*l"n{{rt.:l":xl'il:i""..":il"*l.:T:i]i .i,i'ii.i,"-"a |ightheeedame ut sea*ive

and".i' .lr' * *..-;" housvhat could appenhe?-'.*Ji':f}:*l .l['fi. .Myunc|eentoone fose


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#Hl !i{*i!'x.l.*",#il"Jj..l;,:i:f,f l:; ffli::Ti::''* tsr sar rans'xedohhseat. ever. .r.3 hdirtybop?'Eviea6ked./ oont know_',Sell,

it's*bound o beout of sgle by now.Tiley wouldn,to&, bu. .h.y'tt have ought of somethingetse,,violet***jjll*:11" I want.ohr justonespedal ing..Rea|Jy?vatt hjsname?._u. rts nobody amous.,'\r/h^t-shis ,rane.!,'BenramDrunsrings Casey...rrrumsrrmgs?''D.oy.orr now hjm.. Evi asked._'\o. low do yo,rknowhiml,,iiT ,lJ:ti",fJTj :;.-''| only.hrd hirn lkiE&,niT*T.'t..,',1"#T. :"i1,:"T.'l.,i,"'"i::::d:"TiJfrffi$tr'+rtr-l;,**:ff*.'Vill youcome?'w;o-h' well sure,'said Violet' .Now at I know thfeaso!ffi j[' ' $ji .,*+"f#}h"'i' "#.vn. berrna' wa( o''!. c|oteUashoutcd.Evle got to her eet.nd smooed Aer wrinkledskjrt down.6

Violetmeth in tbc obby.wcaring pu|e ring coar. ii .*"""" *.i'"*ly r"..gidwi ieascd lack airandai"""iii.ia*, *a *";t avtwore rilliantcolourss fshe;;d"';;J;;' advicf,o ihoverw.i8br'idhef'Evie"i#.a A.."i',li'' but lifeless grev*kinnednddull't'"i.J. in.-t'"a .. i.' 'choot coar nd oxfords 'Are vouEoins c dancen .'ose?, iol said.- .Mro would dance i?,"l"" --"...J o" "ti.k-haired oys n lcarhcrackets.""LT;il ;;;il;;J fdseeye|ashcshesizeof smallffr'i"r.il..ill'. ""i*u.dy fro sool was'there..ve relii."Jri.i'.f "i"li.I*." t'e. l hoPeyourlis thar.. aidV];il: :i;;' will you look at rhatgirl's "arn'e )'He'.]j'r'*..*-,"r' i"a t". evy tin shespol boys umto *trosle wasand treo|id hr$ away arn.."ja."..i". .r'""." ey hedro worl.eir way rough

."?'ii'*""'r'"

ii;."a theaisle! n Packs.Ahove.No

i."L.* .ig'", lt* "rnokewasalready .ginning o bazeilil}iii-. ilipL-;i'.''r armsarolndeech d*r lesnedi''i'.i*""rt "'ia*i. a*rs ande pipe ailing own ronr]l"i.* t"iI^.t'" chaiff...Are sulpos ro s."''da,-,ii,i.ii,l' r'i" a.ua. andvio|et aid.No.notme.' hii*"t'i""ir i'. *. or .hwooden eats'bouchtsond-ffi: ;;." il town nearby.A boy whowassidlingdown th. row said, .Mo'e svIl.Move your e|f, 'iold 9aid.il i.lr'i"guj.r'*"a i"let. he miledbearrriful|and.'"ji'"l.r'"ip.v""g"+.. ]:::*[i ffi:..Y:l;D'lekn aDden Pa.tEvie\' E|uttenn8 u tt.f.""-""ua serve opcor!.. iolfi saidca]mly.hei..o.r'Jn* 'li" a.*" andwt on gaingtthe tage.,"..i'". ii" i.; "*"a *asctos tonighr. herhtrhad.i."J.i'.l, !.*"*'l.g els likc a gyfi rransformedor ai]".i" .i ". ;tan'lgion ha|lntoabasquroo.Irlt'"* I,"t *""."."" "f i from he ongurand-groovealls't'jH;;f:;;:;"y ve|vwitrdow-rrftai*' Th clin8

"l""i.J"' *a a;l'g;",, ndwhenEvie o.keduD hsawiij.:.n.i*.o.I*a ;,zy;ngtyat !.": n:.' :l.'*:^|jl?'i"iJ.li -a' of isccrs hatshe ad ner not'ci"i*. . i.* .r'".ovic screenadbeenolledup.The


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II.o1dj: :Y8 with irs electricarnpliers ooked |ikea roorn.fr ::i!iru;:i:.fr,i:'.'x"lffii il";"li#i1il.jliL:* n.'n,'t itme|redwayrnongevoicesr:Hi"|.ii,rryfijfl6 l';J::rr.lTJ,f3"J:.':ffi jl."T$.:lfff*"i::rt,p.n,il,gp i 'Tfr'tr ! :",.::.ffill.''."#i !: }l5!.#ji li.lT#';T..""'*f.,"ilT"fjrr*.* **;f:. i''fr:ji,;'?'r*i:i;.'il*ffiJ::?TTil:):"T:'.ftiiiT'-x{;H.:'l,.izul;u, y, thyhonefknowsbou. . . ri; i^t,- .*!:[';Jr'*i*t#i"".i-"'i"l"f.Ti::Hiii*1 iifrl+stt dl" }il:*:tr* giiiny"'":''aal.lit}i*i:'No. I don'rrhinkso.,'How wiltwe knowhim?.

'..1:;:jl,'JI.';1: " orunmer'ook'mavbershourd

'what or?':t'tr'J[1';T'"ffiiii!i..' i.ii"li"!!.n'":"ii'#i|.fi:?:}" :'J"f.li,.'+-xijil.,"biurrv b|ack C".ey' stampcdon it wilh a Erocy ,tore

srcn.:'xi: slt.,:ffi:,T1*: ,i:Till5i: ""Jiii'jl.i.* li"J r.'. shiny.ut quatecros isnecl*:"tl*i1[*n,'*ffir.'l,;.sjx,''li:.'; E"" m ."r' r"".r'",."."' l e d-ofwalking,he glided.His:::l' *"T.in#n..::'t*:ll*'[#'i .,i^"ii'l."%' ""r. "i.ri"'l cut it.' someonehourcdMan-i.i"'i,."""J ol'mg t" the iddlofanorc.hewes:il;i;i";il;ilffi hriethebrondov,seated'mserratthe;;;; Ti"' hpick uPthe ticks'.*l "p . '.1:1irl.oo" ".t'. .t'". ."a" thedark boy's ioot tap. ano a er;il,'#";'.nj ilil;;*' Drunsuings'sev's irar-pravins;:lH:i;]j,.:"**i:'l;Ti:*ilI "':."'i|' i".i"iiii".ill"g ofguitartrings.paner fdr']msi'.r.l.i".".l*". """a thi gultarntoa mereingle r he#;i;ffi]"J; ;""s reeivvoice hat ortenedonson-l,ii.';;i;;il';";'.""t. Ni'1"*1'3 aid ccasion v'ii"ii *i *i-.pr'-.. Th the-singingtopPed.uflh."";.lll.". p-""i.gs rumed lsnarrow' nseengace"W\^fi"ko on m! nerues hisuav?'he dskedsuddenlv.Evitumed nd ooked rounder..,*:,:,,;:n:,,i n: :'i::"-:

,sbewasnptyin9 trasb.aL9.' :;ti";Ti;"*,' ^ndhedrums |on'wi it.Ther',ri'F*ii*:*'jf:i,i:1t,T*'i,$'l:*:

9


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J.Y.".'ff;;;* .' ".'i'8,' Evitoldvioletastheywe'rwss t likeyouexpr.dl'vn, moreor less..*Th.e)'.c.rosedsImr, neon.lIt rreet' atery rlectionsor'H"]::.j.]9 i|:"s ::'.ptician s darken wtndow.r" rillT;fl?[.:3!9vroret'asDrumstringsasevwas'Mr exacdy,' vie aid.rousory youwenr?,.vl, no',*ll-.-Trd at thecorner.n rronlof thtown rbrary.ili#e:rfrrii:x,,ii iffi"fffi

TharpzJ pecLdiar,.saidioler. I neverhrd a.yonedo'Me neither.''.#'fui;:'i"ri#ii,*ili:,ai;l:fix1.:'r:"-,.vh?t'' saidlvie. .You lik itt,

F i#.,.t*!trillj*.i.n ;.3'1f'.:'**f#s""l l.ff;f .i:"|.':o.rashy,'aid iolet''Tha.greasy air.,'Thosedghipanrs..'a'r'akin8thatl|inkyway hhas.,JsMu|o yol' ljke to comto my housfor a Cokei. Evie.oh, l mighras wll..""7.r*#::"ffi:ii1igT:"'ff,;iT:P,:"'"

Ar-rxRTre sHov thedays*emed ongerandduller'Evie-!r.J .-"J.a "t " ,r.*, aimlcsspace'.stoppinsfren oliii l". 'i." u'a".". sie h dchangcdo spriDg loes'r'-"'i'i,li.ii'-"rir.ii *"* tu[ withwaisrbandLshat epti.]r i"..i" -'' r$emselves,cr.sleevdess,|ouse'came''"'iii"i.j

''il* *"a"r sEaps liPped ff.hr eels au[T#"m i#niJ.ill].iii?.pI"r""avb. 1:T1"9#*l*I*'i#i {'t'fTt:.tlft*T':ilii:}.*:l".lx".tffi*":.xrt*unseto."ior"t"id'Evieonlv sished ndvrnkedar a d'p,s$aP."l.#*n*nt{l.t.g.i:i'"*T1i:;ffi.i.;i w linedwi fu'|f':^T1#,:.*::"*::fifl ':l".l".i:-:"?''lH''fffi"} ;".u-''.l$;#:.rallnl[1'**'r*:;lltlti' t #-n*l;gT:ilHi:#"*$:{I jj10 l1


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r 8eIlJdatewjrh he3ingof yourchoice, inneranddJncin8afd.a photog'aphc remembert by. |t relk}ou ghthere].Y' butV'hat f l winl''Lucky you.''I mn' wouldnt you d?,'Not ne.'..-.1::."1d r wouldnl say a word arr evenins.How coutdyou talk ro a singing tar?.. 'Thaas why you.have o waLchwho you prck.you cant|ust oose or ]ooks, ougot to getsomeoiewirhper"on..PaulMccaffney haspsonaliry''.H's namisnt on her.'"--o::,da{:ranr farinecs aushrer amed ay-Jean ind-;ii*h"1'T:.fl!ti:'*..lt'n:.t{H*;'j.Nev heard f hjm,.omoe said.'He s frompulqua.R,ghraroundpulqua.,.Howcomewe neverhld of himt. ... don.L now' You ou8hr o hav He sings ] n|ce.''whs hat nowi.'Pulqua.'.L.ven' .or heaven.sake,.rheyaid, nden rbey han8ed'.B:rl.t, wh Eviewas uIlydresse4 hecameout tronDen|nder parrio-no ta|k o Fay-Jean'ay.Jea'waskne.|non the end.of a bencl'.drawin8her'cmb rh'oh ar'.obontPsle'shini'ghatr'1hrd yuUkedJosephaliew.'...I:l*: *:\{"*"l,he combandbrought ura mirror,wnrcD he ookednto or romeume.There wasnolng elseto.dow' ir' sh hadone of those ioy.pfect faces, ot:.:l T.P"".d. ::."ch to howhe."..,i. t".."' 'n r.".'woo. sh sald hna]|y'Josh Ballew.''He'sall right.was he at thar ock show a lew wes back?'

Fay-Jean ooked up. 'Vhv, ves,he was" shesaid 'l didn'i'fwas near theback.''Did you Iikehim?''Velll really - wh;chonewashe.il ;Jid"{ .

-erlookhim.Hsang .Honey-

Dor."Now You ememDer''"Jl ""i i"a r ** wondering.o youknowDrum.strings asey?'rlti) w'it ' mnutF#i;"i L.*|ffi;."B,ng through norebook'he.".J 'i" *io redslashed uizzes' .Siluer oeenAg^z|ne"}i|j.n" r" " "l'"" .i a.a.paper whi& she.handedoEvie.il."*il.i';i.L;"g oi a'nanow-faced.'bo.yi highjr'J"li.'J,. .*."" .*".tler hai orh' Hisfraruleswere

:,:f::' :T*,'f; }:tffu'T:#.5:1"':t$*".'

'lt's DrumsEings Casey' who do you tnrnx''Do vou knowhim?'.No. Do vouthi it.sa goodLkensl.iji. i,ii "i".':;; e#. .But owwereou didyo'r"'f.LliT,i'l,tll li" u'icorn.hacswhererreravs,ame* il,ilin b:''irJ.l;*prBarlews m-vealavourire'uttrif,iti' ."" i" tr"d "f curtoo.Youeverbeeno $eUnicorn?'.l don.teven .nowwhat t B!'j'e.salo..i.:"" ,""j.."*.l*. *uth of Pulquaa ways.You cao-.. ,r]i....i'""' l got a car I can borrow'''Vhat)'.Aryou going he rcmorrowi'r"".1,'.."';*l ru"v' c*ev onlvplavs-onrrurdavs.wil| youbgoing h ls larudayl.sure.l cus so''.iii"L"''"" "r*''." then,' Evi s.id. .could I bring afriend?'.sure.And keepe picturc' t you lKe..s.ii. it"ii. 'J". l .i.'t t'ave nmg rc rrrde or r.''To -1.t2


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, 'Trade. Trade for rhepiaure.,.wy woujd you walt to lYade or it?''I dont kDow.. Evie said.:.::a"j:..' :;Ti, ,il;T:i':fl,iflJ':r':.Jfrvy.tirneh.eornbed tla;...wrr"ne i1-o eunlm.n..Yj::^":'9:..9:,"'.*i;;;";;;;;il:.h"[."liTJiift:H H:*'-':"P*..'ffi;" i#;l'.n,ivewi herart,workj'I don,tmind,'Eviesaid.*iy"r,"''ffJl."'t' .-Tfft ""'fJ'!*J "i'..j;rcun-o.rt.ars andmob"cycles ndpickupmcks s-ar ni:f."i.#;" j,"*jl'*tT'.:tr"'trtxT"ffi'"rtrffs.J"# fl liffiil#'ffi,,lilIl; $j}*T F,6iTilffifi ,l'.tr*"*:*b:;:ffi".""*t*.il:.iT"1, i:ffl:fou ak ne n be nebody rn lu,nou @n,o, sdyy,e fr! bonelpot..Hear ihr?'Fay.Jeans.id..} thotj8ht f sh hd any more rhe noise would turn,;#f#ifi,tr#[$ffi14

:T;:.ii;",#;; #';;g. .i; in, acnciki nobo efi t 'i*iJ.' r'i. g"i*. rfierl wercrfuee.oer inst'ufi$ andii',.-ili" " pi'""o,"r,r'""sh Eviecouldnl be surc All shesawfi"i'..".''* *i';et""ti pressinge keys'Bindthem.on

Fina ray-Jeanreache


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.xiv ]-o]' ''8on:up1d ratkedohimi.Evi.sked.'-lun' surell r 'e me'oncI called 'mon lhephonil[' ....i,""l"iiiol*usy.ut corrldr r'.*"''ffii:$fat wo{d you 'y f youwentup?.Evt.sked',i'':1di{!:li#t".J li yourd. ou'tl.Arent'vn' r cou|dn'l,'Evi sad',rX',:""-'L:,i:,,'".l'll'#r[:-[:,r.*fi."1ffi&-*;;n *ifi"^'$ i'?Ji{:,.i:l'#,"i:;i:*H;J#dli:":"^T]:H#''ffm".l.*n** :;;r'{t"u}**;.'..,' u'olerask. .Drunsringscaseyor*finx.**ffiiiiiiiili!;::p*''.sJ:l:[iJix:iT#.,:::,l"""ilo,lfi*. " to* r I *"retosnap is icture? b;;ueh;.3 ll"si ..' *]?i.:LlffIi':.,::],.#*'.mf i* *.p"-*,ryffi6 17

and downthebrid8eoI bis nos a$dsury th..udienc.i*. r'i"" "".r*a i'" "arat motionls cifclcof air hei".*j i". i'.*J " ;''air wi thtoe of his booraDdiii'i.i. .i" *n* ot .l'" pt'dorrl" \rith onc ootresrig ni'i. .i*J*, ** r'r"'i head, ndtheblondbovambledb; ffi;'htJ ; ".plifier ro eal i-sf ar e drums'.fi"*l"-o" a"'' *.r''.casey'. on it?' Evier kMolet.'How should know?'.Heshould usin8 isowndrums.-.Mavbes. .re bettet.'.i..#J-r'"t *. r'i".*'. nescou]d bjusta!yone!.'.il;;.i,'. ;" h'td to s thcmuP ea titn .whatdifferce does t makel''well. sdll.' Evicsaid.."'""wlal *"gi"tt"d .My Girl kfr Home.' ll Evic".d;.J;,;;.; ;h"i". foufw;rds.Helfu'y through'nusic slowedandDrumstringsrosrleo''Hold o',' hesaid.TheaudiencstopPedalking.'SbeW Yousa|?'Hehit onnoteserd nm over. ..wbeft ueteyo, ?Did lo seehe|8o!'Th. meter ian's @mit18',Br.r the tkk?ts. Wdit in the obby.'H;ue ,pu aotked all thepncesgoing.up.!.iJ'li.'iJ1.r. ..*.r e il'ummircaued. s if thathad...i"ia$'i''i''lii"i'iir*tt *'"'.nngstono"nantin*d'iiiii"iri .*s. il; "'d aereconveisationicked'P agpin'i.i..".w ir. "."y"aq"ter ndLt eir eyes nthguitarst ngs.i"i.ie"n a-c"d *itt' " boychewingubbl8um'.Ath*l1r,..#,n'".,."g 'r'" *stj.her hand nhk


13/89

..shcans? his dme. he told about someone hrowing soda.Dortlecapsat th 'noon. And then a brcvc|e.'oasRet.on tl,e |rot. shiny in the dark',!,l t. y94..8difl' uill you lblen this time*:".T.::i:.'. '** ,lmbled in herhandbagor her:i:""".1'"{ ","sithorrl l|owing'.*li.i.' .r'i* "r,""aiT::Tl^:l :9 ,:*n*,r,. i"i,r".,ilti"".y"*"a,*::o*:. :.t r :"rlJil.; .;ii'Pi;;::::,:j:"*.,*..h!b"p.". rrJii;iiLi ITllli'",Jij::3tr"{:: .".oho.heied.c";;i.i"a,iiJl.,"a"i!in't shaky acf' Tlren shesatdown. Hooked.'Jt be.".|her garn er ndsere; ;i.j" 'il?]i",l.jl1".llir lation semed to hJv. 'rop.o.a..-- ...-'.vi I declar.Vio|et said...Fvie said noing'

L^l]e saxs..someoneelse's song next, one she hJd hIdoercr on '.sweetheartTime.. when his guitar slowed' the:.:TT::,b*' |ouder.prodding him ro urry' End Drum.stnngs.dlctn't pk out after.all.At theend he benthis head El[|'' I mllsr navebeena bowi *yone c|apPed'^.rr tnat he.wa|k offthep|atform and pasrEvie\ mble.N enve|ope t cold air rtavell with hift. a, if he had jusr::1: ll''l.T J winter night. Evi hrd his denim ia;kll"']'ll.]!!i .|"j,l "'d.when hf thath wa9 ate heum to ookafthtm..B"i "h"d".r P*..d by.'.;ii'."::ffi"ltT".,lii:*,r,r,inr,.a.,,p,,r,y""n,.. :: :T##':"'"**"*rl' hasked.'Oh,' he said, and thenhewatkedon out.''Oh." he raid.was it -oh,r Or..We .., I shoutd ave radanansw p|anr ..

17.Irs.no[5omethin8o'l would haveexpecl d'h a]l'.dins thenishtwiil e"ii. up in t",nowereo earoomwhere }e adiosri! sDu. hr.:.:l.:"y9*""Y"k.' n"**.. * '."o.i.x"j'*l::'. !":*.1 ':.. abrst n rhe 'on."iu. or r"y.1""n:srah s sfudebaker.hile bushe|asketul| f rooli anledl8 19

afoundn rheback'Now Viol sgtyawning ndblinking srheunoinned erhair,but Eviewaswideawake. nwano..il;l;;;;;. fully dresstd, nePping ictur. .lwant to use up thlm,' shsaid.'Vait till rcmorrow, whYdon't You?'.ilil;;;;li;ii".." drugsiore.monow.sLowry's.""" on Suna"vloo vou ,hinktha(hispiclurewill turnou!haltuavdecent?'''":iil,'llrn"e'"" *.' violet vawnedasainand reachedoro.li[l.*", ",-."."n. I coutdn,thinkwbat oca||him,.i"i".-iia. li""'". .i o,unsrrin8s.'hPhoroglaphbullerin oard. uns vithprogranmesndnewspaperrP-"."' *a " nlttp l*j-rirt.n bya man *ch whomii"fiJirlJ*"i"* ur.r Th she aid..It.sosquotesii#;;";;;;:1.;";ingi, in quotation art.".Whidms hatmean should allbimbY?'.UkeNat ..King''col..i,. ,t,.''. 'igl'i. t'a ro.gotten. ha!did th ca himt.'Nat.''ri.n l .r'o''la ,"" ."tt"d .Berlm...B!t couldnevera. Ji"i. i'a r"a si y saying.Bram.'... he nappeder"-" p.l.;"it'" r.irgti mirror.Iwas oscared.lwasshaking;'hesaid.'l know. saw.''ii"-r'"n* *.*

't'"ti'eYoumeanr showrd?':Y"J:''" 1il*fi-ii:J.i."E."pn*..o"'.*. .** Jil:;i i;;;a;. ;vhi noi:.,ought.nddid t.l.ii ]I.ijijl'J ; i.. sheu-med.ward iolet'who adiii" .*" .i. tr'".** siaeof e bed. l'rp'l,.. That.swbarit was.'.Risht.' viol s3id wi h eyescloged.'iii'i',r'"'Ji l"l;*' I*odj havealen nmv ace,ora.ioa trcmera. r lostmy oic mpulseas due.

^. #:' riT,;",*.". Evie itted nothnashbulbntohet cameraand snaPp Violet.s s|ein8 tac


14/89

!r"

FAY.J[!N NDsAYwasalwaysdancing,andsomeum rolnsorr ro nudde 'd d I carc with boys.who only sbow uioncc. Jn. wasnt e l.ind to chauffr rwo girls aroun'trdnire|y. 5o Evi al|d Viol started borrowirc theilr'm .er Ekin8 tums at it, and coming to e (inicomoy^ el.ves-every safuIdll lighr: Th sn|Jsar at Fay-fan s'9o|e''a|though8cral|y herair wasemptyand herpur e,rcrtP|ltedopen tEsideherber rru3. They re skim::::Ye, n:Y'.ang : av.dwheney pascd c po|icarranar me dool. Evis skirts weredark' ro slim herdown.Herorcus$ we whil cortonrhatfurned greyaDdtimphalfT''avrnrou8D rlemin8. violeis skins wereroseand ptlrpleancnartrcus 5hsmed to havemkene placeover.for herow't--. stnd|ng beM air . |ik a hugc' stercly queen,sele ln thta. of whisdesandcatcalls.oidering dia bee.oy mc Pltcher and poufins it exPertlydown thesid of hermu8so th.t t erewou|dbeno foam. he remiDdedviof:j^.::TT:'1"*: " had.|med bout n spanish lass,;.xc't tnat .violet did no chap roning: ay.]ean remmejrro.m'|ongbsceswi uDknown .rtners, iltin8e8ailstTj'.:]::]lT ''k" " P':'' ragdo ' andDrumsBils asey:i. ]l|" 'p: '1:""I .i.s':' mderViolet.s aln gaze. fie aijsneuked fus 'ndof lif.. .I shouldba barmai'shesaid..y::,: pf at, he next.tabr. aid,.Hey, fat mama,,shemrew rack hcr headand laued.,on|y'Evi smed uncornfinable her Ir was shwbopBmeo.ancad tor the evenings, insedhcr hsL i'l mah vin-egarand moumede brokenfn8emai| and beggedVio|tnotm o|sgracherty wrin8 berwiglet. Yet in i Unicorn shsal s|umpedbehindhel beer'chewjng ier umb and scow.

|mc.She rumedoften to study the facesof-oer customers'JaJi"--i.' o**"ioss casevwasplavinswhowasd!.t bb;d who hushedeveryonea oon as Uasey cam ona" "i".r.i.ivo"u"t y.u i


15/89

'That's exactlywhat I meantOne Saturday .redhrad howasdancing n rheplartorm'odsrock tillwhil ,(.v.,];.] ';."^."Ll.: ^'.. '. ..... . ,tood-srockrillwhil. Cas.ya;a nis,peaLiniour. r wasontyIf,1,tp ",,. -*,,.,'"/1g, would o1'| tiltsayes?,T:.:!: "l*:";*:a;l*"ri' r*'ffi"JI*'a,'You rr woutd!.Thenr,.l.r,ui l.,"li,"j o"l"a **aroundbyoneshoutdero 6nish hedance.He daned a*hlround yone houtder" nri"t ,lJ a""*. i.

.My l,rd in heav,EvieDk!. she.9aid.vi.jr., ..oJ "p. j..ipt' sa|lw stolpedp|lying.The com.--i"" ** ;" " i'i. ""-er. bv thedoor o the adies' oom'bu! ev wh viol had an8led h way ovet the eoowd was oo tight|y ack for her to s nyo'ng'_iw t"ou t.t lni .ugt'?.shesaid'

vhat is it? wilt you*#ij|ll'*io"u '.' I,f rom-bind.Polic,t,'said.c]. "-*"'. .ci""' .l. way..The cfowddivided.Violet"*'.a .r'."' *'a*i'g thepltb for e policPnan.whenlii '.i"r'"Jif,. aoo. .t ,i'. ladies roomshestopped uddenlvffi ;"ffi ;ili;;;;ii bdLs'room heitoppeduddenlyad rockedbackwad againste policman's chest. ,

hugh'.The udaen '."ki"g "P .f th -orh oliv flcmaoeh'm|ookUnfished ndalrgular.ike omeone'somi., ',Tbere,s.howo g his arEnrion,'Viol sai4 .|ustqiven|ma'yank. But whenshetuJned, hsaw rharEvie vasweral tab|esavayby ow.pushin8owJrd hladles.room.-'ne Doy, t v'olerr. r/ighr ajd, ,Hey. tirde marshmallow,you re aU '|one.'Viol cmj| andpouredmorebeer.-.Ur.was |rJos Bal|ewheyal| came ot) He swa8g'ediI".T:.!'::t..]. wi his.hd d o rand one 6st Jised,:|:: :'1f l',c|'t:r.PverybodyclapPed.Fay-J appred 'nmans. earher acterand sad. ,!fliltyou look ;i how hishalrduls,up?oh. I wi5h'''i'P woLl|d o ar way.'. .:o1?? F?! a risht to katr ne tike you telt ne; loseph:11f. :|.:"' ii: *"c. wereangry.H;s vola was furrydulr rPu8ncnrn8n vowels. ndhe sroodveryc|ose c rhe:l|,: ,:phonwh hsrartedhis secoDd on8Fay'Jn said,

.w.l 'you isten?,Evie eckercan havesl f mstringsLasey.whe'd shqo.anvhow?.'Excusedherself, iaid Violet.somne scleam...Josh,Ba||ew ookedp|eased, lld rwan8Cl wo shanot on hisguitar.Th he oweredt ro si anoer ini.ne n ver^dldoth at'once. ehindhima murmuring rosano rnotnerpLaysbeganookin8around, utJosh san8on wrthhrseyes tosed..!vho creamedi' viol asked., Fay-Jean oved way.her acket winsmgromhershoul-de.As soona5shwas.gone ;olet n,miaiact ro t'erulr,out rhcn.thewasanother cream. his time he voicewas

.Evi.she sald'Evte was smilins. Two peoplsupPorr her. the ledhead*i'l" jli.iffia girl..ft;yheidh in..-Profess'onalmovieJikeway' ea wirh one hand beath vrcs eloow-J."" * ","-"tt "t t'"rback'Evie.s acewas ridgedwivenica| trands f blood.Therwereoim9onz'8zags crossher forehead, ampening er hair''Eeie' wh happened!said viol..It'shis narn' Evie said.ri'" "ili..."i ,.p.a forwerd, arrying smal|pad of'";";;; " '..,".'"ti" bal|polnrpen. He dickede pen.;Nimel' he asked..Drumstringscas,' Evie said.

22


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J

sH!.!t, D.ct're lett.r.swith : pair of nel|scissors. ftcy ranilllle lay across er orehead,arge ndrassed ndcreek-rooxrng ecauserraighrineswcreersrer oiur cvz( l. Inl8cy room.aft theyhadswabbed heblood away'mere was a.sflm.e lasdngseveralseands.,Backuatdsi;somnsald nn. y. h]ooked as f sheweresraring ut atoe |emerromwithin' from rhe wrongsideol her foread'whate\ rherea'on,Eviewasn.t e]|i-ng.he sar 'n a white namUed'chalr bid an insELmt case,her shouldersyumPed'tht lo\ er aft of her face roud and bLank ndPalebeneath red s|ashes' er pudgy eet n eir vinvl$noar were wued around hechair run8s.Besidee' sr;dEf.o]|T::: wn: had. rought cr rn. ri|I urious hhoughne-nao.a|readyak downthe ece*saryoformarion; id:f!::.:'".r nght alongsjde e doctor and nu'se,was]|oEr.'Un)|twot'|d akemorean is ro shockViolel.shnrc'rloo| wl' vle in thebacl of e squad ar, partingnerhandabstntly' EvieDe.k. I dedare,..sheai4 iI wisltyouwou]d elIm- Goodness' ill you irren] irerrs.hey etoJ'you..' qe only.b|inked nd warched s e headliihtsscr,pd heed8es t a tobacco ield.wheney droveup tothehospttal oorshe aid,1 leftmyPocktbookn he a;ies''Oh, don'rwoEy. I' cat about r.', 'And fhenwharabouryourcar?And I neverp,id for my

Erie's eeks sharply' almost slappi 8 her. .Do you thinke s au risht:' '' '_ The dor shrlresednd6l1 a hypoderm'c eed|e.'wnoh;;i.-;;ij. ."; i;ol teenagers.;nd ber roomwillil;.i:..;* h". 'h" night iliI seeher srate f mind..il".."i* r.r ,a * aia tpol'cefian. rill staringback.**ji "*, il "t'-ta* "s he.closedhedoor.

shouldwehave iDo him?.viol said.:..Il"la J. a..,... .You mightas weucall her fami|y.Do shhavea family?''Onlv her father.''He l have o be toldabour his's" Vi.i Lrt r.., ,;ppti"g hengs of oneh.nd at Evie.'lust be a minute,' hesaid. Takecare',;il';* iil ;"iy patienr n e mg-en y oo'n' Thedocmrworked n silence. nappinghJea.lsu\t abovnerJ* i"lii'"i.i.J' a."a.r*li"da. *n"warefppedH.*i;;."'b.hil him. casiv vour bovrriend?' e rskedna1ly.'No.'

Just a singer..Rock.and-roll' I suppos''Thals right.''rut.'f'."i- H. """pp.a another hread This is nothinBd";;;..*:'".; u"deiirand First-degreeus But thev're."griJ. "i'u t"*. **". You.ttneed goodp|asticsurgeonto set rid of thm for yolt.'Evie stared t a creasen hiswhirecoat'.You all right?' h ask her.

'Vell, I can't rhink whY.'

.. The othcrs reatedrer s if hwe unconscious,esringue|r hJndson |er houlderwhi|. ey leaneu uNaro !oo6cu9s . .ls sheall 'i8,'?'the nur aidonce'andDarted

rhat it iingledagainst.rll ..*i."a, swindng erPurse v ts ons srraPo*'... .".l"j '"'r"* t'"-. iins ai everv rep.Yourfath\i every rep.Your fatheis

I Md?'Evie shook her head.

"" ii ' *;J"ri" .;la. .l saidyou hld rc hava linlecut,inJ "J.,v". o". *t'afyouwanted?couldn'teiusto'i--a l". l"tt s hirn''Se ettledn a srcolbesde hea"".i*a ".*" t'.. "kn!arounder..wouldou ath24 25


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i'Hold sriu' said.tlldocror.. He. orked for wiar,bir havebeenhou snaopnqrnfcadsmdlsly and soE|ecirnesening our a |onr whiilinishbc .e.n.hisec. Bide hin' violet rwifled o; h sroo.iano numh. clock over rh it icrked each minute bvwlrrl a-deep,Pointed click. Vhen 6aa|ly e doctor laid aslr|P'ot 8:uz over rhesritche- vie saw et it wes nrlymmnlgrt. lhts 3'ome kind of reco'he uid..Arenilrlcre anys'ng .lledAll or Ed?..His-6rsrna $?s Drumstrin8s,,io| rcld him.L .w:!' rhen.I upposhedjd e besrshecou|d''e perus8Iotesott.You.can go homeromorrow' f you' in aorne] staF. l hough*'ltat.''l wou|dbe- He|p her ro en.urs' stationJwould you' miss?Ask for Miss Cbnnolly. |'|ltak lo h tatherbeforI sendhiD in...Thant you,' Evi aid..You.dbc betu off in e Peace oa's'id rbdocror.

' lvrc's roombeld wowhirebeds. orhehpt', anda map|dt sw| a.mirroroverir. hr wasonl' a night]ishr;n.whenshe ooked n rhem;rror hesawa widedarksiadoww|rba Dandot startli'8 white acrossthfofehead'sbe tou-cned,the andwith^onenger.o}. |ook,you gEta iohnny.coal' vo|et said..on]y wo riesdowne who]e ackof ir.and on ol em broken. Shall I bng you frcsh clothes towr home cInorrowlYour fae.[ nev ink of iL''No. be probablywont.' Evie said..

S}e pulledoff ber doth. whichfeh cfeas andheevylT. Y:lF ....1 P9 l."q. As sbedropp ea p'cce !o thefloor,v'olet umbtedor it in thedarkand aid r on a chair.|'nr movemtswerslowandsound|ess Evie.sbecaussne.tt iwk\rard' Violels for no kDos'n rson Decausevlo| n lelrawkward'when Eviehad pure gownor, h. ||nbed.'nto e bedfanhesr romrhew'ndow-.he se;up a8a'nst hema| bdboard.h hands oldedacross er.They'xbrin! youbreakfasrn H, I suppos'Violet .id.,u-oes,rMlsrr'ngs a ey row aboutis?''we||! 'mnot'ur', .Tbcrewasa |.oj f conmotionov ir.vouldnl you hink

.He wasn't sin8ingen. JoscphBallewwas.,ldon't know.''Didn'tyou ook?'..".".iy' r"t' l doni zop. l waswith you. andthDoliceman. e we busy .kin8you out''. ;i s"ti*. ttrismiehtb. thebeiring |.veeverdone''saidEvle. Somethingoit of aracer' D.finite.Nor cover byin5ulanc 'm ustsute ! wi|lall work out we|l.'liobi b"nt io lln" op tt'e vinyl sandalsbenea the bed.'Vhv don't vou tetlmi whetvou want c wear omorrow''lhe aid. .I'li stoobv vourhousandpick ir up..:r'. *".r'mi. siin and b]ouse. ?hi|e I was walking*.".r' ir',"t *a with e policeman, kept thinking fny n;me: Evie Decker, ''?. Taking soFething into mv ownbands oronce' ought. f t had starred .rin8 ike thisalons nmeacomy whole 'femi8ht.ve e differt.-.&"rr. rrt fo. sure'.said violet..Anyway. skirr andblouse.bo vou want me'to stay rill your fathercomes)'.No, I gu;ss not.You. familywill bewonderingwhe you.All rit. See ou in themoming''vio|eJsshoesmade soft, loddingsoundUlthe room d down thehall. vben thesoundhad fad Eli pulledJ. .r'*...*' t'* -a uy onherback, tarin8ttheceiling.Headjirsswung cfoss t ln slowwhirewedg.someso't"i utoi"' u*." t'e.*lndow made rready uing noiserhar turnedoer noiresunrealand disBn(' Her iorehdwas a tit' thin sheel Therewas on|ya suface pain' but.r'" .lJ"'" c"* h thfee|ing at her skin mightspliti'.ifi"u.* .t.' * -y mom1. hebridgfdher ord;ii';;;h"fu' ciampig t inward wi her thumbandrniddlefingerto easthe stretch.'Evie?'b1r arher ard.sr'e owered'erhanaandwinc rowarde tighted oor.H; i", *". a mlt blackangular ilhoute,bt at (hewaist.He alt wi hi5head eadin&u|es he teteof'r" J""*... *t'lt "*a"nts whispered nd passednotesandisnored him. .I broughtyou somclothes'' be said.- 'Oh. You didl'.Donl vouneed he?'.ve[, viobt wa oing ro bring sone.'

26 27


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FYli::"*:3^::-:" :o:ru andturnedon a lamp,so:l::1;:'":-.:.:".:".*lJ'";.";;l.';::ff:i:il: ".:thatbandageavem beso iel, r,.-".iei ""iff ;,,.*..l *t'ot".i."r'""J:--'.-'

'":T**:1'ii:?ji..Iook thim.Ioughth oc.or

'He did, yes.''Do you wanr to seel,.oh' no, thacsa|l dr.'].*l'L:ll*':n. ";: "c end.und|dhegauzwh|chwas:lm*jl .*:r i ::1.;rffi;l;TfJi:il y,1:nly a eshwound,' hesaid.-r"":i1.,^.:,1-*:'-!.,;:ier rarherookedoromyonehe said.seconderoree rorxd,i,.y*;i"..iii":,"ia!iil"'il:'It's a singer.,'Yes, tnow. Casrv. know.,'You knowhimt

.^.Imn,l knowat.s whathis name s. neverheerdof'l ncverevenheardofhim.,.v l I' ' sald Evie.l".-j1h": b"* *y^.. bagat his fe, a :ll.]^ ig:'"!'.j\j.:,J j'']Tj;'::::f,":":":ll x"".-:* lllt$;;';; il; l #J.Fi""l!;';-11..-t""..'"t "iir.i;;i;:i;;fi#'ji";':Jl"Hlj:: jr.:*:jl:^::a. H.uia ii"'r,.. ii t,i"p,*"ashesaid.ir.'P.andumed over,.*.t'l;s'J"j.i||,.YAb.iilJ;

@tinu.llY pected to hear).But the biack with itsgtinfuons, siemd to begiving him away without his realising eaking up out of all ose yearsof silence'.Vell' thankrou ve.v much.' Evie said. rte went ovei to e window, iamminghis hands nto hisDockets. veryrhingbourhim wa ong nd bonyi nolhingLr his awkwardness ad beenpasred n to Evie.His hairaad lasha wetepale, his eyes set n de shadowedsockets'bb skin orinkled ith arge reckleso ainr hatey seemedro be 'eing througha whireouer.layer.PlasttcsugeonstImon.y' of cours- ' he v./as aying.'l donl want one.'H barely heatd h. His mind had snaggedon a newought. .Evie,had you been drinking?' he asked. was thatha'.Halfa be.''But ther\ why would you do itt'Evie oreadher fuserc in front of her and studiedemltke deck of cards hile shechosber words. Now, l.moot trying o be rude.' hesrid 6nally. but t pas mv face.lt is. It,s my busine ow it looks','You'd feel awtullysilly with "Casey" acrossvour forcheadall vour life.'.rd le sillier having it eras the day after I did it,' aidEvie...itrell.that's the wo.st of it. Yorr .'''' erase t th next

day, you have to wait unril it heals.Could you mavbecurbangs,meanwhilel''No.' saidEvie.Her farhe! ubbed e pouch underhis eyes'smoothingand e-D]eatinqhm. .Evie,hooey,.he aid..Therereple'i"yof nice.bovs e wodd.Just sive youne]{ ime. Youie alweet.|ookins ir|.afterall, and whenyou lose a - whvou}eolder,bys are going o fall all over emsel"es oryou, tak y word. You're only sixteennow.,.sevteen', said Evi.eventeen.So why should you fuin youJ life for somsinc in a roadhousLtsten.The docrcr\ glvin8you atranquillizer. You have a Sood nighCs sleep,and tonorrow

.l ought youmi8htnd it.'^|lntqe}^srubby aI|C|s. frill med f !,sy nd out otl*;;.i.'i::'i:::...1]:l have n.what e rought 'ei

'ii {;i':,il.il;f;"ffi:*#iTj.:1

P]lf1""':'" l*:: h:d be r asrwomann Pulquaoury,io d|e ol chi]dM fever'Her fathernevermennonnel {a.nd versaid'..Yotj ar what I rradedyour mother for,no 't was a bad baain at that'' which'was what Evie28 29


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a lll.come.geryou and we'lt retk r over.Thingswilt tookd'tterentn rhmomins.You' le-.fvie saidnothing,Sh; rolled thesrripof gauze nto a srnall'Vell, good night, Evie.'He dicted off the| mp. henar rhedoorhc stopped ndturn' .Anotherthin8..he aid. Tellat Caseyby not toboth coming |oundagain. wont luow you o s anymoreof hi.'

.. Evie|ooked p,with rwo sma|l-pieasedo|dE innin8attheoutef omers fher eyes'Burby rhenhe had mediisnanosDack nh|spocks and walkedawav.Th 8aveher somesort of pi||but she sPenta bad nitan}v5y,,Iosslngneaa'light. rowning |eep. trangr idsboeJed her.,splinlers f dreams ' me nd went' eal nson|yectloot thmse|veso emembern the rnorning. ndwhen he wo 'etll hr mu c|cied.shesatup and ookedout toweJd h mrridor'.wherespecksof suight doatedslowryabove he potisbed ed floor. Nurse!, hecied. No^somewheren her wakin8,e ought of her fore}eadlloareoby '||keyesterday-surprise. ome nw posssio'whlchwouldhave obe conrmed $in today.Sheslidoffh n|gnb dan.lPadctedver o thebureaumirror,keepingher n'gr'rgow! itched hutbehind r-H r oreheJdwls an an8rydotl\. cris crossedi blacksntcncs. the word_.Cesey,' enected ighr side around,rormed tsell'o|yalrcr severa|econds. uringwhjchshe'tood srunned'andmolion|ess lth hermou Bare|y pen.Later..mayb| vou|d be mmediatelyegib|e.ut todly themreads umedher toread first inlo a ie8geddesjgn,8reyln-wn'terazy-quiltoveringhe pace enveenerhair.nne and h 'traighrbrowneyrows, whichwereRakedw'm drrcd blood.-All her o fe.Nres seemed o haveoralnoway.Her ipqwerPa|e,nd h reye,had ight.Hs noseooked lltt' For years hehad cherished-theewurpnses 'dd away-;n er shapelessnesnder wrts$'andpfectovalngemails.ow. srill|ooking|nto hnirro.. sheheldup borhwrists nd urned e b|ue..

gred dbrcninq insid of m towerdse gla6s.Thenshebacl.cd awav,ury s|owly.But when she was as far !s shecould s. o;ess acainsr wau behindher' c lettersstilliooa ui iagged od black. cas.' A voicinsidher readc ngmeout, coolly: .Casey.'Somcing on whecls was comingdown thehallway. EviJimhed ba& into bed and 5tere. with h wlists still@tumed n h lap' while her hean began hudding t eneven rate.Theri was no way sbe could steady t' Shebre-:thed eeply'gazcd at a blank wa|l, srraighRnd r b.cl(.Her heartkipt racin83nd en pausinB. ollecdn8t.f roA nirse wheetedn a cart laid th pills in papercupsanda iarfulof rhmometers. fie|?we are,. hesaid. hlookcdovtr at Evie' wi a thmofuer in mid-air'and oPened crmouth but saidnothing.Her facehad e samepalc, sartledlook.h.t,Evie' adhad n rhemirror.BBt whenshspokeaeain ell sh said E,as, .Have A nice niehtl' She slid theermometet inlo Evie's qrou and reached or a wrist. Eviewas too intent on her heartbeatto attsw. sh wl onstaring at th wall, keeping hef lips onscitiously ti8htarornd the thermom*er. n a minute.now, thenurse wouldknow from herpulse rhat somhing was wron8. shwoulddroD e wB!.nd run to fch doctors,oxyg.n tents.digiralis- takins thresDonsibiliryrom Evie, ting h .esrnallywl'le sineone else sta hef heartbt. But when thminutwas uD. he nursehld still saidnoinB. Evistopp.dlookinc at i wau. Shefoun thenurse,ses iust brushidgher, very brieny,and thensettlingon e thmometer $hiche olucked utand shookdownwith no more hana g|enceaI t' .Breakfast'llbealong,'sh3aid. hs ththermometon a oaD napkinand whe thcartout.lr jne lav st]ll Evikepthe in8 theblooevenly hroughher ears.lr jne lay st]lLEvikepthe in8 theblood thudding n'elv thrcugh h rs. shedroMed th5oundby strugglingoundby strugglingout of bed.;ailina one sherthalJwrvacross he floor andlinplng one fooitharwasBngled n e sh,s folds'Herhosoir com bdli out |ika s'il when 9hbt rc frherie|f. er hair fell foruard n dar r'gd stfin8s.maftedwith blood. After shehad kick e doof shut shdressdna flurryo{ deliberatnoises:clicking snaps,shufiing sandals'

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r slaftming rawc as she ook throu8h hbueau tor asray.comb.Al]-shfoundwerea box of Vipenes and abookrcall-.olll Dai|yBread..She hutthe.nal ralrerano-rnen-ra'sedneread. isreniog.Her heanbeatwasregularagarn..ur r norreglllar, t leasrunnoriceable.n rheminora sEady pul. quived onepointof hercollar,anda black.pomftedlgn.wasplasteredbove t |ikea hbe].NI Dlktast. a nuNe'saideappr in thedoorwavli,:.|!"i to'.1"1* acrossher prnarore.photographertcomln8lsh. said. You'rBoing o be anous..Evre aron rhe oorof herbcd,snapping erwarchbandov 'nd ove!'nd-waitingor soncone.toember shewasrnft. ramous.'shesaid..Matt Photoeraoher).. . l . ryhealdwbaiyoudid,'said henurssaide. hsPunoutol lbeloom.JusrboreshedisapPred he.memberedro sayl Thatsing 8uy. oo.He.smiqc.''what sinser?'

^.. :: g:: :ff rhe bed.It.was berter o b standtn8'No!s|E|n8.ut therwes no place o sit excepr hebed,'whosesnB we.sbustrungour acrosthroorn.she srood n th::::-:l t1': floor with her hands.laspedbehindher,ffirgnr-armecl, snirrng from one foot to another. She feli:'.:j.. ackaga! a po" of6ce,srampedand addressed'andme neeltapsot headdrs we c|icking loscrandcloserdown.rhehall.Shecoutdhearhim cleari|now.She heardnog llle 3wln8 n htswk crearcdsi|eoces en m nls sreps:cl|ck,''spacljck'whilwhoeverwas witfi him lu|ufiedIla]l'Iy alon8 in soft-sol shoes.Thephotographer, sma|loarc manhun8 \ 'rth evera| trappedobiec, arrived in thedoorway.int. .Paulo8le. Pu|quaT''es.. he said.Th heWss'th roorn to thfar com. holding a |ighrmeterrcEvrc cnlnon thway.And ere, nal|y, amebrumstrinssLsey..wore-his lackdenimand his high|eaerbooi.rl. hadon sunglasses .de of a sitvery taiknar mrrroredc}r piecr|y and'furn bis own face,whar you cou]dsoI 't ' |ntosomething ardand as opaques the8lassesnmselves. shad off, cas,' the piroti:g.aple. siid. .lwanta rction.'Dlumslrings casey lned again$ thdoo'me, crossed

c boot, and rmov his sunglases. Hts fac lost its-*' s. He had. aftef all' lhe naffow brown eyesthatE.i expecte so stfaight.ed8edat ch seern fomedbom a air of oaraUe|ines. hes|antofhairwasnotBrsed**n day; ire rumed t rough his ngprs. rrok hh*i."a *i the*-. *otion. it\ thenewsp.perady.'helrit.}.Io' said Evi shemeantno} shwasnot ftom thenews-DaDert au andhad oldhim sobeforei utcasy.misuDd.iardiog, said,'Vell, you zuredo took ikener''.Mo,!,.."ction' Cisey,' e phorographer aid. cas*."t'ua li" .o into! wide Jtnight line. .Vill you tumdis vav. miss?'Evie turned, ocusingberevesupona drawer-pul foi astonsas che eltcasevwatchinsThephotogrepheriickea rne sliter. 'No*, casev.Put vourar raroundher's i! Don't you know how to sil' But cascy only starfxedlv at ttr'bonom half of Evie's facE.Everynow and thfus evesdartedup to her forehe.d and th down again. asil.r'lv n.a ." iway witlr him for a second. cros! Evi -ji r'" *. -i ' ti.p andmotionles9,he hand alingoien off dreedsof l'er siee'e.He had e pleasandy itter"l'.u oi.a.ieo.lds.t'"" *is dose.he seem umed yco|dThe c-amera|ickedagain. For rhfust r|m ' vi remem.s..J.r_". a. o""" 't'i t'ad |eh at e Uoicornconraini.i.*"""t'.. oi orumstrings sey. .oh-' she sai butwhene rwo menrurnedshwentbeck ro starlng t thea]"*""tt. n. snapshot ad comeout dapp|ed.y riny.if.f u.. gt*I" r.r no apparenteason n rheedgesIiii' a",l-als". *i .' hii;c.. whicttw. rilted lighdyuo. hc "eiLed yes umed n herdirection'-.;.*. ii;i r"i., ,t'"t 'igt't? EvjeDk,' said-thephorcgra-oher.Hl waswritineonl soap o{pap withbi$enJookingiage"..ger

.sentn. Rlly? occupation?''l P.o o school.'.i ii."sh. '." *"* aa.' the.Photo$aphfr id. .Now.C,ould ou tcil mc whatendvouhad n mind"'End?'tI |


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is:. rg,o;""I"'"' inao;neI'i,.''Your reason,hen.Coutdyou teltmeyourreasonr.,"i#il11'lff.u..T:'hifrediswelght.rs ngenooked,,^'LeCs.p!tr rhk.way., hephoto$apher aid. We.llsayff:.?:lTj!:l::il.}:u d.8ock.si.cla||yasey\ock,''Oh, weU,Isuess o..;Y;:"':lJii1:r'j:''heo Now.wouJdou ninderJing.I doni rmemb..3. id Evie.sudd|y ired..!wrs raltor a sudden? ad you planned ri.ll s hard to ev."'I*l.i" l; .5;*rrgl,' e photographeraid.It,sn|;l13.;;i5..."; """ighren p.A caption, hais'The,wririnS nder photo.yo,rknow.,,\_ouronyougive r more),-rt3.not ft ar says,boy, rt rheboss.',.w' (Jodalmigry,'casey aid''what now?';*I:]..:".liltT't1' '#i::7:1*j::iijil l:i iiliJ}g. " l' ".*p"perpicrure.eapofgreyots otoa..:t#*xfu.i:l{tiHil"tilti $:,'#jfJ$Tg'i #1i{-*$5 T$":diJi*Ir usrwo.kedour rharway,. aidEvie..work out rhatway'howdo you m?.r aloon'rknow't |acsust rhway l lppen. can.r you

Sute, I can read t '.l. owI c2n sethat it's u!even.' Evie aid.I know at's!o to boer me. Every rime l |ook in a mirror I.|l d|ink'rhy did I ler e Y droop? !0hy did l sha|c on c?'"Why did you make t "C.sey"?' Casey s.id.sbc st.rc mistakin8 hi me.ning' She drought he hadsl


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ME55E5osEUPwher she al; hatwase kindof moodsnew-asn. or dals rfrershecamehome romrhehospirrl,::-lY}:1 ll a.dB88ledbathrobe. s if sh we truly anlnval'dl'whllec|umcol|ected agicallyn an oval 'roundercn'a|r'hkeso| inteck]ed he ug.candy paPers ver'Ilowed he.esh 'ra}.s.Th slipcov sagged chairiyjlloi ini

gr:: crease.and din8y.yet frommom,ogmnrgnt.Ev'e ardtymoved. ost sat on thebackof hern"eckwlthherarms imp r h rsides ndan openma8arinen her|ap.L|oce|la. assin8thlough he |iving oo. iabbedbroomunde!Evje's egs. Lrcuse.pteasr.Move,.she ssid.rv' ltowned t thbroomandPicked ocolate ourofthe.PmpJe alled oask abourher.Not clasmales,ur rieodsor ber rarher's,yo! ralk ro rhem.'Evie rold Clotela. Shenrd (onv..arions rom outdoors, r willght, while hertamerwassprlnklin8he awn. Eviog. sam. s Evi l hearsne,had |'rtle cc|dt.or rather ' .Go on now'. omeone3l|o. .theyte|l neat gir|of yoLlrshass|ashed erwstss1rna :r:v' star's.'nitials.s rhat ru..Forehead,'said err:!"" .1::"s.. His tuu asrn5me..wlen he came n, hisrace ould bepolched,and aSging.mwnupswrrjng rharexpresslon sua]|yaid.whenasked,.No' or angryi.JustdisaPpoiured.'nly Evie nevtrasked d'hcr fa;; n;sa'o r,norour oud.She covered er foreheadwirh 8luze from the medicincaD'net ld tapedn at bothends.e way e docrorhad.rler ha'rt,wh|chhe rillhadnor washed.emainedtiffwiD|ooon ront nd|imPanddamp.lookingind. shewora oahrobe raded rom sky bluerc grey,greyeralongthe

.dEis' andh s|iPPerswergl too. a narred!i|e th.t hadfud ur whir Evenwiout themyster|ouslutt arounoiE. anvcom she nhabired outd ri|I avc eemedntidy.u "i" " .igh.,.cb.ai" said. You constiruring mcs'allbr vour onself..EvieonlyBB.edar herand rurned pagol hcrmagaz'ne..i"".J.* ,.". t'.. "ssignnents ome

wi her lather..r us(her f.th seemedeiievedhat shewas staying utJscbool. In tbemornings s hlefthe aid..That.she8irl.You iust ake t easy oia whjle' ,ll eyou toni8ht..Buttra! c|ear hathe e-\Pectedhing o fall-inroome sor!otrogession - e bfood ro be washed from h hAit' the! **-. u*gs... Evie ookno steps t all. Towardie en


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mo'e..eith,'she rold Evie. SayI got to quir. I telthim Iw.|u.Ietsh conttnu ro shou up everyoming, at nine*T:ll'Y .. l*'.**ring.s|i pantsandan Afriian capewnen_snehose,rodoey cteaninghekeprup a mnningconversahon irh the din. .comout of ere, you. I seiyou. rlow. comeyou ro bu8 tue rhiswayt Thart alt thisnouse s' hlrh.Fil.'^^.]:^"'FnJ :-..*id Evi she-fdtconrinu5uy isap.PoPjeo by c|ot'a. FoUr years'and C|oria was.srillan|nolrerentrran8kickingdusl puffswirh fie oeof a creamNeoh.he-booJ. o$erpeop|wou|d avfumed ntommoels.ot the hmily by now. clotelia carriedh purse]::Ti^ltl.9..'. Tom a|lday ong andmassagedinrcUon ntoheJhds whilestating ut e kiten window'ln snepokedJ moP beneath e radiator, li fell rhatme wnolhouswas suffcringromsome ortof drsdain.twacsucha leaden, arnp-stuellin8iouse. he floweredumi_fu ano lacy h8ur'n hadsat so lon8 n theirplac thar:iy.^:::il :'h"* ou"d thcre. ardtning roulj e edges.L|oren3 ass.Emong hem corn-ful|y.irhearrings s b;ga5s|avband a hingnives t Ught'aclosshewalls....1ll11l:*he'n : ":lp operas ameon. Clote|ia lwaysslTl Drorthe evisionwirh her feeroursEetched;d:Jff: **.* hel knees. clorelia.whe ls lunchl, Evie.I'mY'atchingthe stoli now.''Well, I stevou are.''Somethingappeno your tuet).-l 'urd'd Bethome romrhebospira|,' v;e aid' your tet iv you rrouble]No si!' Your ::': ^".":'j"Ppj.qher r mple nd wt back ro wating"::"^"'::.iT. vi'ouldn'r.haveeaEn Iun


24/89

iii:iij'':lj.Tl5 ".-, outsjdaitingorhto eadr', PuJledromonesetof plois nro anorher, vie rowned rlne te|ev'$onel.and ried c co|lect er hougis. .ls he eone nardebates:'sheaid..'.| ink so'Mi$ ogden s back romherhoneymoon.he'sM.rs'5|shopnow''HEs a-Rorentlned edding.ring witho'amond hrps. look kindof racly;everybodyays o.,'wn'r do ey say bourmel'Evie asked.'Oh, well, don\ kiow.''They don sayanythinct''vell. birsandpie&s.yir know.,. Un tne elsjsrcn cre a renemarried oupl arqjnse vc|rdlng achorns fuings.casting igl'6ca;t ooks-ae.;s'mPk sentce. ausin8 remusiro swe]| minously verl:-T:.," l"* a pbBse ard-a pair of lowered yes.Vioterw tcnedtemand tapP a fingernailgainsr eront reah..Myrarnertnrnks-t gorngoa plesric urgeon,,vlesaid.wer, aren vou?i:*ifi: l#;*i::T\#'-ffl,T*.**".

^|'.Tharwouldeworse. howing pa! schoo|w&ln8ban83a]|ol a sudd' everyonenowingwhy.'I nengo ro thesurceon..^..Varch, row,'Cbt ia said. Thismanhcres wne oper.arcr'.Llst to.hjs sweeFta|k. esrday he was after hatoo'no' honc betore hcommel(ial. ick]e?'i. r m,not \orry rhe etrers re r..p.. Eviesaid. t.mgtad.r m tark'ng bour omerhins lse.'.\phat' th?''\vell, I don'r really know.'',..Schoolwill beor:t n justa fcwmoreweeks nyow,'said.Jke.p fortins.']Jh"tl" !":;"* " a.".. getoutdoors. .sbot now.'i l ti'!v'e twisted n }er sr, tearing shankof hairrDroug fingers'I iusrhare ummer.'he sato.l'veryyearyou te|lmthat..'l mean t. \VhathaveI gof ro look forward ro? you knolv

& I rhou8ht,violee Thb summ mi8htbediff.rt. Nowi bolis like it won't be.'Vhv u]ould r bdiffurent?.*i",aiaor "*'n,... but clotclia did. .Ha. Thought atc'.!' boy would comridiug up and spirit her away' onceL h.d what shdone.'"You husll, 'aid Evi.I doD\ sehim be.tin8 down no doors.Do you?.Troore her,' Evie told Violct.v-'o sia *a 'n'"ppea h hands around oer."rm cout take vour 6niis at homc,' she said. .Your faer.You th I'n scared o go back.'v"it' s'i", t'ere you sil vhar E-re ou stay arclmdbme fort'.tmk. can\ vou t| mewhat ey're all saying) won.t.'i. i o..i". f *"r.. lust tl me what you.vheard.'l "Ll. i ai, *ia vi.let. .Justbis and-pteces'at's a|l.s"i.o* 'J;u"o.e up"na sav;"ls t rruewhat heard bourar ftiendof vours?..'.vhat'd you hr?'' I say'And they*lil.\Jffi ll."t .: "nswerometim,vie aid.vhatdo you re|l e'n?..i themyes, belie"ehere as somethingike ar.'.Do ev act surprised?'vhat iould theyact surprisedort lf ey asked' heyEust havealradyknown.'"well.stockea'en.oo ey lau8h?what do th sry?..oi' it'.v io"t ink a wbiie. Like wben- bur no' note(acdy ''Like when.'.Like whenrhchleader had to 8ptnaffied' l w's 8oing.Tevthinkt did som*hingevil'eo..'No. l didn't meanthar. Good l,ord Like when someouer"' "iJ*J ."ii*t'.. ,t'" restof themhaven\ been Ceaing","*-i' ".a'I"g'...i"t boy n bandwho

holhimsf'[.#.:tli .#J Y,"" .t'i'k, ..'why,I sawhim in e hallway'often. And sarbehindhim in algebra.But I ner t,,?'/' and..* i'"" * *a a*e it.'' at's what theysound ikc.'

40 4l


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.AI'' said EviAr suPpenime.Evie and her fathersat oppoile eachorherar rhe t|nykirchen abte.Ctoteliawould havi setout the foodano retr by rhen. slarnming rhe front door bebind her andcxck'n8 away down.th sidewalk.She.lre|y sajd 8oodby'ln s|lence.sheel( beh'nd seemedan angry one, as if shehad said.'Now, you re_done t. See)I.m teaving. ;vehad aUI.can Lake.'The rwo of rhemtooked guilty and awkward asthey'sat Poking lheh baked beans. w?/, now,'ber faerwolld qay' 'n.l]y' .Tell rne whlt you've done wi youce|ftoday. lalked to anyoneJBeenour mucht' Bur all Evie everaDsweredwas. .I d id.n\ eanyone.I didnt go anJ.where''.oh.ne.'

' i: mei(ien(was onBolled,howingponly nthewaynndgeted ltha torkor drankwater n deep. asq gu|pj.He dicl no rding lr rhe bble nowadays' concniraiedso|y on Evje,as if he had madsomeson of reso|urion.wh'enhue lried to ke on rding hersf,shfel!his eyesoJ|n and h|sp.m'tated mile, utdening rmrnduti|snenad(o g'veup andshove bemaBazineside.A righr,.'What?''was rhere omeingyouwanred o savl,.vhy' no.Not at I can hid


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.And my stomach.sps. My ioin6 are t iff ..'Evie,honey, heschoothasmadequitea few allowancesforyou.wirh nals o near...!gl, rnaybe omor.ow'' Evie said.'Do youmean har?'.sur'But whfn be went he paustdat e door for a momr'in8|in8hi keys, nd hsilence ind himti Eviwi rsuspendedeeling.. Shesat verysdll for a lona rime.sErrng nro spaceuithn nand n her |ap'A clockstruck.A lawnmower lartedup.Clorelu bangedhe fronrdoorand wenr trajsht c thek|tcheno makmffee, howin8Evienothinqbu.the backof a swir|in8 ape' C|otelia!'Eviecal|.Clotia didn't answ.'Claulir!But tberewasonly e ra ltnPof orderv.Eviwajleda mlnui|onger,lnd hen he heaved erselfout.ofher chairand wentov to the ha|l elephone. usroutlined the.direaory beside r. She thumb ihrough th;plgesuntilshecame o the | ilin8slorFarinia: page-andhali ot names.mosdy Fraze|ls. here were iee oeoolenamedcasey.Th. 6rsr szs A qui ih'whichdidnt.soud|i y.-Thener wac a B. L., and afterat an obed E. lfh's tather.s amewe.B. for Benram,wouldnt Drumhaveto becalledBenram unior)Sbedialled henurnocr nv.wav.A womananswered.ur of brearh.Hello..sardEv;e, MayI speak o Drum?''Who?''Drumsrings.'Therewasa silc'Berrranl'Evie said..vol'.vell, I fi|usrhave th. wrons numb.'.I ron you musi'The womanhungup.Eviepressedhediat cne andthencaI|obed E.' where nocrwomanan\wcted..Yes,ello..'l'd like rc speak o Drum,pteasc.' viesard..To.- oh'' Th receivat e orherend clanered gainsrsomethin8' nd e *oman called,.Btranl Phonr Evie

od hunchedoverthehatl table,cluting folds of bathrobe'Hello,'DrumCaseY aid.'rhis is Evie Decker.'liuh?'.l @rvedyour nameon lhy forehd...ob, ye9.'' aidDrum.He sem to beting somethingi

t ewed and swrllowed..t was wondering f l could seyou for a minute.''Oh.' Drumsaid. Vell . . .''lt'li only take a second.There's somethingI wanrcd toJscuss with you.'Vhai! thatl'.I'llhave o rellyouwhen seyou' vill you comeover?'Trn in F rinia" saidDrum.! know You are.Don't you hava car?'.Look.vat do youthk, rnywire s tapPed?ust ell B@ e Dhone'why don.tyou''.lt wou|d be to your advantaget' vie aid. er lpeh*.ied m be .rmi"i formal. o ake up tor r shesaid. No.well. wail a minut' said Drum.she heardhim fanherotr caliins'Mom?'h stunned er to think of Drum Casev:s som"one\ on.partof a family'possessingvenan age

'hich she had niver thought to wonder about !0hen hecameback he said, .ol. \rhere you at?'.Fourte-twenty Hawthorn''Now, you sureyou can\ sav rhis over thephone'l'm Dositive.'aidEvie.vheir she huneup she foundclo(e|iarighr bind her.holding alp of flie and shaking erhead.o'. Evie,. hesard.'whar all you go( roact so rgnorant'tv|turned ndwt uP"tairswfhour 'nsw|ng'oihing *". n . **.' sbe didn\ havea single resshc

"."r si""i, ""a.l" **t through ercloset lailing rskirts

^.l l:.-li|r.nprc Fi'llw (hr . rt ledn a r taffera partyand ingling angs.Finallyshsetded na rnd 'nglin8 hangers. inally 9hesetdedon ' red tatletapaya*.i. hi. "i" f", too tongfor this year or even|asr.year'. ;; il;; t" .lv"" red. she"slipped it over her head and44


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tug8fdunt|] he'bultons.met le urtonholes.hen shepu(on her!|nyl9nda|5' n he bathloom. hbenlover he inkro wa\hher hair wirha bar of lvory. It wastuckvshe hadnor cutrangs.Her hair ay plasreredoher rkull n darkwetrnes rom an atmosrcenrrat arr, and coited nto snakvc|.c|es t h iJw ' reckleshatwereusua|lynvisible tooj:::..]:.'.y "j her paleskin.moredorsof redoi theoorsabove. hsmi|edn themirror,exposingarge q-uareteeth. he rowned nd turned wav- Whrle.she aitedon the rontporch, lutching er booksto her ch|' disapProva|ung|ikea fog up an. downher$re.'^ |adyn a 8'rdeninghatclippedherhedge,hrowinct'v|sharp. sidong |ookswirh everysnicko.her shears:|ank-taced ouseswatched er stern|y. ind h, in hown nous L|ote||a |ammed ooft and shoved umituleand murteredo here|f. loug} EviecouJdn.r earwhat twassnsald.Uncshc.meto srandbind thescre wie ane.neckedwaterin8 itch in }er hand' .I.vea goodmrnd o calt yourdaddyr' he oldEvie.''lvhatwouldvou tdi hima,'Yiu knowhe dont_want ous.eing hatEash..'tmnot do'ngaDyrhin8wron8.. aid Evie' sh srr.ighF!lj.d: T.:y.g a sudden milear rhe gardeningady. Her:i:l^Ti lT:d Drum Caseyas.if Drurnweresrrningr fronthedge,rin8 l"**; ""a " t"al"., l.gg,;i.;.it|et'n.shecould almostpretend ar herfather new-some.mm8h didjt' But whennallyDrumdrcveup' in r bat-ter b|ackDctd8wi lpside.down|icence |iies.a|l heord was eanourhis windowand8ivhel a |o&unsmi];ngstare. qe hug8 derbooks ighter ndsranedowardhimi-rou gorng omewhere?'hesked...I'haveo8et oschoo|. oughtyoucoulddrivemtherwn!].wwereElking...Funnydmto qo o school.'.I know.I.mh..

r e steerine he, rhcshockof hair falling orwardoverls face.He slidhiseyes asrher oreadwirhouler quitboting ar n' .I ainl got much ime..hsaid.Evie'only miled.'t houghr oumiShthalea motorcvcle"& toldhin..Me' a bik'.N'w' rhry,rtoo d.ngerous...oh. i see.. aidEvie' hwatchedDrum ser he car intomtion, steeiinseasilywith his forearns resti8on thwhe l.* wore a wriirwatih with a silv exPansionband' whichple hera smaller ersion f lhe shock hehad ekwbm shraid him call his mother.Did he wind his watch everv .ine..h".1. irs accuracy.ry to be Placeson $me likeadinar! peopte?How old areyou?.sheask him'Nincen.'Drum saidnothins..lf vdle nin.r;' said Evie' .do you go ro school}''No.'.lvllat' th.''l don't do nuch of norhing'oh.'rh" car turnedonto Main Street.Thev passeda cluaer oflrnall shoosand cafs' th bowling alley aod lh chrisdanscienceR;adin8 Room. Eviepass ti8hragainst he window'but there vas nobody to s her...wlnt rias it you wantedto tell me?' Dru asked..vell' I had an idea this orning.'.Isthiswherl turni''No, one block arther.'.oniv been hereoncebefore,but l'm good ai dirrions.'.wegotwrinenup n thepap. Did youseil?.Evieasked.'Yeab. saw r.Jusra piaure, houg!..!gl' it's bett than nothing.'.sur'.somebodysenr ma copy in th mail.' sh rummaged

roueh ber notebook ntil hebad found t:a plastic.sfaledphoto-graphf her n hcrhospiral oom, ising.from wa\eof strunB.ouths. and Drum scowling es|de er. l apeo

sh. open !bcar door andcllmbcd n besjde in. Thec.r had a hot'syrupy ml in the moming unli8ht' nsreadol theblacl denim harhe s3ng n.Drum CaseyworeblueJcans noa l shrt w' s|ecveso|Ied ppasthis biceos. hesoftm|ollrsgEvhima gentl' fadedoo|. Hwas eaning46


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ro rhe plasric.\ras printedmessaSe.C,ongrarularionsonyour rent achievemcnr.nd whenn ' thep n aieve.ment .o! ant. |us(.inkofsonny-MertiPuiquaCounry\b]88esteal statAgent...Thisight|y elon8s you'.Eviesrl d'. Here.. KeP t. 'Drum ook hiseyes .om ro .d am'tute.rogtance t it. and then he nodded nd pur ir intonrsDackDocker.'Thank,' he said.'lt's goodpubliciry.'.sure.l rkon''How do youusuay getpubliciry),she skedh,m.Drum.ga!l 5uddenhorr au8h, 5 f it had been9tartledout.orD'm. wel|'not arwly'. he said.'L.ro ou pur n adsl,.| got a mana8.'.oh'-l rhought nly 8hts had managers.'. .weu.no''.saidDrum.We|].em too.of course.'He hador.s'rl upbore'schoo| y nowbursJt rYownin8,aPPin8onDn8on rhwhee|. s f he wereno |onger ure l\atmanagwas whathe had. of course. e.so;ly my drum.mer..hsaidnallv'Doeshe put n ids?'.:":T.]T:i'9l"L j."nd. mosl|y'Goes o ee PeoPl..''wou|dn't like t if you8or fiole Pub|icity?.'whar you aeftins rl.1 wasinking ifi surredcomingo a|lyoursl'ows,whercpeop|cou]d eeme. vea.ingmyhaij offmy face. l'ouldn\|r caustalk?Th.d. say' ..Yous what.he did for him.Ihe.e iust b somein8 o him, hen'"vou]dn they)-uh,.l cckon,-.s. idrum..Untitougothealed p..'..Hea|edi'vhat Jre you ta|kingbor:t. 'z notgbing o...!: !i9|.r.reac e' way slre had expefied'H stoppedrapp|ngj|s n8s a'd s|ump backm his sear, t ig armwndsh|eld'Aher a minu!heseid, w ' 'l},.I thought oll knw.'.Aryou goin8 ohav uln-'')cars,' aidEvie.. A line'of-girh in gym shortsc.oss rhe playingd'tol|ow by Drum'sdalkened ycs. esus,'he a;j' -

v.ll. ir's donnow.vou|dnl you ile to havemesit!'n8rrr. *.t'iteyou p|ayed?People would sey, ..we bt 8ob! Drum cas, there,s is gir|who cur-'Arevou out of vourhead?'.irh;? vhar.s so crazy 'bo at}.Tor'you"maybno!hin&,saidDrun. .Butl ain'r8oing o underthoscondidons.'Vbat conditions ''How do 9ou think I would fl'we|-l. don'tse-'.Go n, now,' said Drum. .G orrr. .m real sorry aboutlbat happened.ut I got my own |!lto |lve.Nobodv said ou didn't.'Yill you o?'.i*,.- ii". "ou'o'"n |jfc a|lyou wlnt,' saidEvi but . ri-a l.j. *".a" r"ding wayromher.Drumhad;h;J ;;; h*.".p* !h;f door.H 3armwascov.r

-i*in" bro' 'nh rc. jomedwi the fainresr h. of 9weat.JL. .'" ..i.''t" " .."ond shstar down ard mouinii.r'" i"a""a -. "hich shh.d onlynowstartedo#*. iii"i J. oia' . , t lrighr. f at,s the way you feel.,s. "*.tra out onto the idewal c|'rring at .slipPiogbooks ndsmoothinge backofher rump|edk'rr.Her racetrir'""-.li it '..i *.ight at her awlinewerepullingallber featuresdownward. .i "'t'"n.t'. st".rca up the front sts of thhool. twosirl in Evmshort. *ere taringast her at e disappnngila*"...v t."na at h, en ar theDod8 8ain.Eviemul at em andwent nsjd..IfrwopeoPle aw.$ wnol.ii"r *.'ta n.* w .oon. They would pass t from dk. a "'Ja.*" .t'" -cb]ine: iThatgirl who sla hedei-"-".;, ""." l" t'J f".., welt'now sheishanging ut wirhhi;- He &ove her to school. ara longdme n lhecarwrrnher.whar we y doing,n thecal?'.. i"*ir"a ar a 6ov st'i diant know and ,et her booksao*' i.".t orn"i "l"r. If theboy staredat ber foreheadJ. Jia't ..tl*' The lte6 tood ut clelr and proud''"'."Jl" a"*p r'ai.' 6'er !n anyplastic ec(an8]suFgieon orridhaoi pasted ere.

48 49


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DRUM cAsEy's DRUMMER name was David Elliott. Sonepple hadtried alJing im .cuhar'for a ioke, ust oundingthinssoff. but Davidwas he kind whostidout fromundeinicknames. wasnottj8ht.mjndednou8h. e pIayedhdrums.n.tently, ating -his hands'sirg vy rraightu|stdol hunkjngover }e w'y oer dfumjbers id. Thjsmade.him em i|d|ike' a|rhough e wasa Boodsix fetjl|.He hadwhirc.blond air haife|] n an ev Lne,bidin8his eyrows. His face \'?s llne.boned and hh eyes ransiparcnq the colout of old blue Mason ja$. yet girls nevertook to liim. They ltkedhis looks but noi his seriousness. espoterco dniryi therewas a conBtanr,dgy mpatiencein c wayhemoved' ndheplanned headoo mu...Ve.regood. e}e 8oinggood., toldgirls. want o hir a ni8htc|Ltb ext' !ge 8ettjngUp there.ve} rdy !o move..Urum' bjde him' was s]ow andcool Jnd dark.He madep|ans ool but whi|eDavid talk d boutuD. Drufi' rall(edaboutour. \vhen we get 6ur of rhis ptece; want me acuston c.r. coing to 8o so far t,ll ose e wayhome, orgetthe'nameof the toun' mislry rhmap.A|5onew s|n8|ngoohesi r wanrne somethinghiny.. rrls undersrood harhe meant.Th futted afterhim whenhe drifted off, andDavid stayedbind to rhink rrp more pubficity.David solicited clubsand roadhousesandchur organis-adom. Duringrhe dJy h so|d nsurlncepo|icies oor todoor.bur hener forgot o work theconvirsatlon rounato mrrsi


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I , H.'Fl iI" "+ry nor o go againsr rurnon thin8s iktMt. He beled tharDrum was a rea|musjcian'omeonewhodeserved.o dimb srrai8hto e rop. vhcnan audrncetalkdmsid ol lislenin&David nuftled urse, l em a||rhwn'l}c played.when Drum hit oneof his |owmoods,David followed him around rescuins sclaps of sones fromwa$ebasl.es.!yh,t ca|lhaveyou gr ro siumparoind |i!eln|s?what yo|l hrowaway hosother arswould8ivertth tq write. You're nrly there.You've almostade it.''Yo! reckon.so?dont know.Maybe youle ri8ht,'Drum. David Paid a.visit to Evie Deck on a safurdayaftemoonduringnals'Shewas on.her ronr porchstudying. he ayin a wooden wing with hef headon a natte'iea, o-erec1l.shion' n foot trailin8 to the f|oor to leep her rocking.vhen shehearde Je. sh. fum and blinked. wirb fco|ourchas.around ts boiy and across he carrvasop,wh ey b|ur and boftened. nd there came Drumc)sy\'drunmerolt of lirde a.on door.smoothdownhk bansswirhhis 6ngen..TheMissouriCompromiseiEv|wenton out |oudl w.s sltpPo9edo maintaiD '. ..burh eyesweron David. she watcbedhim crossheryard anddimb.h srep .ifle.sraight nd ful|of purpose. icause fthe eclgs shimmer f his hair n (hsunlidt, hsmedonlyaloer daydram.othing ogetnenoui aboul.After.

. '.Aftnoo'n.,saidEvi she sar up, |aying nger n hern|story 'ook o rhJrktheD|ac.You EvieD.ckr?'But.hwou|dhaveknown.having eenher forehead ynow.5nedrdn answer.'l'm DavidElliot. playwirhDrumCasev.,.l know.I lo8nisdyoLl,.said vie.Shi wa1rcdor himto goon. buthe smed(o b.gertinghrsbring' Hgazat tndlm wb|te ousel ar the l.wn rwink|in8 enearhsprinkler' nd finallyat Eviherself,who r ore-a il|owinpmuu-muuand no shoes.Then he said. .Mind if I talk wht!you a moment?''AIl right.'

Hsaton tbe oDpor slep,withhis forearm5i. ",. l.* d"i t'" """. in !h shadh had |osthis immer. H wagmadeof solid flesh' damp from the heat.Esiban swinginP ackand for very raPidly'1'o so hisaniger,'saidDavid''Yes. I know-'.1do his o'rblicity' ineup paniesand thin8s. ink welot agood oundging'H. ffushed a look.

D'''' has.'Evlestopped win8inS".o.. il.' .eal|v t i.. he roldh. vrhywashewatchhe ietl Shecurled'heroesunder.'Doni vou thinLso?'he. ked'tell, yes,saidevie. vou knowI do.'shebrurhed loosewell' yt salo vle.pece otair off her forehead. David pered at e sc,arsaMt." *.i.a his eyes somethinghat usual]y.madcerangry. lWhatwas it that you \^'antedo talk aboutt sneasked im..oh. Vell' you spoketo Dfum e otherday about a planrou had.Planfo. publiciry.''Tuesday,'said Evie.'was that ight, ou hada Plan?'.l thout iil went to hisihows. md sat uP fTont..yolLaow.Pple would say' Thisboyhasgor rc be 8ood' ook"t *hat shi did becausf him.'only your friend aid '.It\ not a bad de' saidDavid.'Your friend aidno.''Ah. }e don'tknow.Thatt wht he hasme'

'He said he couldn't 6ins u-nder ose conditions.vhat doeshltnov'?''Hc knows f be cansingor not,'Eviesaid'"il"k D. y;';";a;"-rv itr ustonc. ust onishr'fJ. -r." "i,i.. """ an t'v' If not.yougo.All righr?.p"opl. "l" "t... y." .an st'y' Ii not,yougo. All righr?..what' try justsittin8er'.Thacs.i'ght'Toni8h1..l| givyou a |ift.Pick you up a("i.t't. trree"dtta.sna ueer.only don.tdrinl a |ot' youh&r? It wouldn't ook good.'.I net havebut one beeranyvqay.'.Thou on second thoughr, nothing wrong if youdrink a |ot. It wouldn't hurt a'thing.'.l nevrhave bur on' Evi said.

'Oh. wcll.' felt' the would


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II.!. stoodup_lndEviesroodwithhim.clurching er book.'!oeir.'sheeid.'lfhat is irl'.vell, I do-ntknow. I haven'r hou8hr t out yet, rlly - '. He pausrd, ot arguin& 'lstwaidn!. Aboutir friJnd,'shc said...Drum. mean. ell, I harc o go a8ain$him isway.Riding ighroverwharhesajd o me-. Iat wjll hedo)Did he say nythingabouryou cominshere?,.H didn't |.now bout t.' David said.'Oh.' saidEvie..He leav6 thiskind of ing to me,' David to|dher. HeIook up suddly, strai8ht nrc her ey6. .You cant evc.|futeno.'''''. Then whe wouldhe b P|.yin8 n r roomto himse]f'walrin8aI rharmusicalone. ha'rc secingslt eemedmofe sdtl . Evie noddedand let him 80.

At eightotlock.lhar nighr Eviecamedown the frontsrcpsin a..skiand b|ouse' er viny|ssnda|E nd a b|uep|adichdb.nd at kept.her hair off her face. The Jeei, wasalrcAdyParkcdoutside. n backsear.bind Davibrumcesey spr.awledut wi borb fecrup and his guira; n the&ook of .his arm. h hadn,toccuned to Evie t he mightbe ere. S re rozcon thesidewa&' grippingherpurse.Tli-cnDavidsaid'-.Nopk s nor whatI s inking ;f.''Vhatl' she seid.You ne rometbingb|ac}.Dre y.'.No onedrses uD at the Unicorn.''Yor do. You wa;t to standour. We'll wair.', '\gharl.Youwanrme ro change or{,? can\ do thaqmyratncrw l sran wondering.He inks l.rrr ar a friend's.'.ve.[ wait .round dle block en.,.oh' orchrist's sak' said Drum.David strooed im a*.aywi onc hand..You leavthis ro m' he said. I.vegot jt au dear in mymind.v 'u boverrhete. vi'Evie r bacl..tol room. hchan8edn a ru!h,mis]ay.ing in5 al had b. rtht at her ngiPs anj rrigsrocx|n8st a'nmmgz'pP9' EiPping over cast.off cloring.

f she took one minure too long, she Jeep'ai h. It would drift off ike a riny'weightlessoat'piloted:' carelessDeoplewith short mmories. shput on a scoop'"..t..1 bl'i biouse nda blackskirt.Then shpickedup aBrr of DumDs nd rrn down the sta'rs n stockingedeet' *t 'n u",t'il..onaav'. he caued. father idn.t nswer.rk mie-ht ot evenhevehrd.

Th|eeo wait around hcorn. Drum was pluckingo. sJrai st.ins oue. and over.He didn.t mpwh sheJ'mtd inro th.-front ea( but Dav'd ookedh over


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time o work'emout. sding him dows. for nsrane-t.I would sendthemback,' said Dru..I figu edyou would.'.Anoth.rhing,' aid Drum. .l want you both ro |isten8ooo'now.'la|nnot or anypartof i3 p|an. dont applovr nev w 'pplove. t makcsme sick.And on rop of thatn won\ work, becausewh le I arE playina,myenrireaudiencewU|o\ tlsP'n8 aDdpoiolin8at a fat girlwirha namonner ronend. ||!sthoughr oushotJdknowrhat.'Evie aid' .oh' wl' l don.twantro - '. .Gotyou'.D.vid to|dDrum. ThcnI hadour of havinch scleam' mayle. but Iguessnot. She.snot i rypefor iri. e rcokedat vl lor a minurc |onaer,and shookhisheadand|imbed ut of Jeep'Evibad o trai l thm al|the way acrossrhcparlinq lor.. The policemanai the dor recognizdher. He noddedath anden rted hi9bands wkwardly n hisgunbek ndsBred itrto e disranc The proprietor recogrisedher t|oo.wn.sh wa|k i he.$epped ut horl bind bar'smooth|ng is .pron and oo|in8vorri. .You'reth girithat'un. LooktI.hoPe ou.rcnot p|anning pull someing||ktat a8ain.'|had an awfu| ime.Cops weredownmynecka]|night' hin]


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theson8,

they going to let me be?,' Evie ]ooked down ar lhe rabI Dalid had sto'Ded slqnalIln8 o her.bynow' His eyesskimmed the roomfuiof pep|e,who srared lom Evie lo Drum a f folIowin8a doft;d line.Thenhe nodded o himsetf nd ru,""d "i h: 7

,i-. wAs HIREDor life.Davidsaid,meaning or rs longas;. could ause nr kindof srir.makea rippl-d |'oune off thewall to cross back. Bur how lon8 would=2t be? hehadfelt' herstnighr, buzzanda whispering': the back of her neck.On rhe followingSatuidav t was:!jeler' .MaybI shouldn'tbe ridin8with you,' she rold:r.'d. altholeh shewould havefough(against iving heloes uo'.!qor ir look funny?You andDrumbringjngm:ere uit to vt rdmningYou)'.]"! don't care.. said David' .jt. llke watching a:ragician.Thev would like to belie his cards rlly come

David had other plans in nind. Now that Evi''s had..orked he had gro iitrery' impadent o improveon it. Hea6out re shee. undersratnent of a singl:nov eirl rintne herewith a beer. houldn'r bedrinktoo-*i

.yl s" note?But Evteqaidno''She walkeda-:now line; t wasaltrighr o taLemonef or ifting scarred:;a rowari a rock playerevervSarurdav ishtbut onlv if*hat shedid wa+ eil, withouta singlepieceof plavaningH sitting till was fl' and so was pinningher es onDrurn. So wereher scars.which tumedwhit in rime' raisedand shily, glearning ln even f e rt of h {acebecane...rae l;,rhe hclt. .How abouta nw (os(ume?. avidsk: .Blackerand shinier. gith a rhinestone eck]ace'''No'' said Evie. It w.s as cleara no as Drum'swhenhrefused o stop his speakingout. David ner brought the

si'. "fA*i ro come o rheUnicorn ree. twasn\ as r sheneeded e money.David said, Fine,'but Drum' whenheJ8 59

hmrd Jbout j l. sald. w}Jt


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i he tly|n8 o do to me ?she8eI a|d. Ih l he (an burn it. for a|I I care' But she gets.somimes t fee| ike lm dealtn8wilh porcuphes,'Davidsaid-. School.hrd.ended. Evje spent the lasr few weeks ot irreelrng.brurredand out of focus. wirh clasrmaresIookinpcalerufl) to rhe righr.and teft of her and speaking to thi:|:i|e bu[t9i o:' ler b|9u5e. ven Fay.jean .ind JiseemedIo navlrouble n.dIn8 thing5 o say Io her.on thenal day.1."-1,::i"qT!.d1,*h our n he choorawn.heyhJ-.J^:.]al:" ":" other yedr relch|n8acrossher to pa sa'rcwscattered8narure:inherown.Bur hisyear. veryonwanteoer autograph' heyshoved heirbooksar hei sil.ent|y,w|rh.|owedeye .-esl wish. Evie Decker,. hew.rote.he t awkwardabout rying heclever hymes hatoLherpeolle used.Then.aftersigning or rherqentieth rrnrn|n rmei he.began rrking he orehead f herphoro-8JaPnw'th vZl,I ' and. oin8.mor lqhen thebe|i ang,sne,(GJred,our er tockerand lefr the buildingwithoutl

"..at d rou do witb yourself hesedaysl, h farher

'Norhingmuch.'

4Fared. 'Oh,' her father would say, deedng her on rhe5ils. 'Are you goingout?'Just to Violet's.'.Have. nictim'Vhy ha


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'Nor fof all rime I don'r. The one aboui rhe blue ieans, td]. Peoplwereasking or hin\ thepropriero. aid. osh


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I '!Vhy don\ youhave cgutar ittes?.Nevel had no rle fo! the.'.You will whenyou makea recotd.' Evi sa}d.. H's.eyes l'ckedover to her again;she fuk thm in thdark.5hemov hi3guirar lightly o as m pk rrai8ht th'm. somne is goin8 o makea record f vouthatwill sella mi ion copi,'sh told him. .what will ihey pur on rnarlit| Cf,ntreabe|? ou'vegotto thinkup somi tides...she.ri8hr. Davidsaid..{rhacsso hard about hat?'said Drum. .I'll name hmwhatI cau them ..The$?a|king ong'.. .rh BluJeans5on8..' othing o it' vait till lheyask me.rsr.''You rhinkrheywont ask vou)'. .Theyhaven\ yet,hav!hq/? b sirti.g n rbatdumpfor sevenmons now' Havt sot nowherer'You wi!,' Eviesaid..Howt lx/h? You seenany talt scoutsaround?'. After a show hwas always like that. She had seeneirlsdusting aroundhim rhredeep t theend of a set.oaiinghim comp|imrs and brushingbirs of nothins ff'hi;shoulderwhi|e Evie frownedercely nro her beer andthour' .Now}e]l 6ndouti t}ey'l| howhimhe's oo8oodfor Pulqua and the Unicorn and me' _ alough she-hadalwajscount.don his becomingamous. r:rwhin thesirlsrn he wou|donly sm more uncrain. His Droud coldve|opeof a|r empo.ari|yeft him. You sound.berreranatryone I \ear on th radio'' Evi would tl him, and hewould run-her y rumingon hersudaenty ndsayins. youthiDk.so? s rhat whai you rhink?. h, but wh t o yo"knowt''l krow if ir sounds ood.'.l don't know that. ow do you now?'. Thoswer only tim they met ace ro face.They werethe on|y ime9Evie |osr fl ing rhat shewas ug8in8atDrum'ssllc whi|h stood wirhhis back to her' gazingoutwardstoward somerhing he couldn'r see.Early in July, the Unicorn beganhiring Drum for Ftidays as

lallew wls no |ongereough.But Fdays Drum worked atb A & P, bigsing 8loceri ' The on|y s|u! ion,' aidD3vid. itiins n thc wi one of his ]is$on rhesteing*ea..n d me to pi.k you up 6rsr,Evie.Th we.|l8 tDnm er rhverv asi ninute' Even hen t'll bedose.Do'Of course.' Evie said.'Or you could ke coming iust on Saturdays, if vou'Vhvt Do vou thinkI'm not workingout anv more?'.llo, l-ord, you.reworkingout 6ne.But if youl farh*ans worrying, you beinS ings and all -ts worrying, ou be'n8gone wo evenmgsno'No, l'lI coe..Evi Jid. A|ough h did seem-thar.herfrer mjght fqin owonder. he rowned ownat herskin'garher'it jnkH b*weenher knees'whileDavid madeEore |i tn mo.escTapst paPer.The nt Friday h drove o Fa.inia o pick up Drum.FJiehadbeen hrushFarinia ften'burwithout eallynotic-inc. She sraredout h]erwindow now at e town's onepavsrrieet,with its double row of unpainted srcres covercd inru5w ofr.dnk igns' n a corner trc a rhoe epair hoP'a service rationar Lrnder tentof nappingPennants'tsLts alreadv hining.Daviddrove n andhonkedbis horn.'.You hav\ runver theb| ing y', Evie roldhim'.Be[ing} oh' No, I don'twant8as, his swh.re Drumlives.'Then she saw at the svic starion was an urrpamtvic1ofian house' its bottom story tiled with shiny whitsouares.Abov lac cuftains waver in narrow v'lnclows..Yat thehell,'Davidsaid. I'lIrun up andg him.''Can I come oo?'Sh; followed him acrossthe serviceareaand up a flight ofrickv outsidegieps.The door had a card thumbtacked oit saying.obeD E. CAS' in pencil. David knocked. .Ivho

is it?' a womancalled..It's m David' I've comefor Bertram' tell him.'The dor opened.After thricky srepsand thePencilled64

cardlDrum'smotherwasa relief'a plump'cheful woman :r.' l said. nd rure enough. thele rhey jre having him


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in a bibbed pron, mile inesworkingoutward romDrum'sb.own ey. 'Evin8, David'' shsaid.Then shesaw Evje'and she .isedher ngers o her ips'.oh. my Lord.'shqid. .!ghy'you mu(t b- my Lord. come in. honey. hate.o say ir but I've forgortenwhar they c.lled you.'.Thisis Evie Decker'Mf. Cas,' David$aid.The name on Evie's face' of urse, was Mrs. casey'sbwn- somethingEvie hadnl rhoughtof before.But Mrs, Caseydidnl seem ro mind' sh only looked worried; sheshepherdedvie o a air and hovc.ed v her whi|eEviesar down. .Her honey'put a cushionat your back. It'smuch rnorccomforrable. y!' she said, stanns opemy arEvie\ forehd. l ner thought r wouldbe so,\o larga!.David.srill beside be doo;. shiftedhis weit une-asily'..whe.eis Bertram 'he ask. .vr runnins late.'.oh, hs iustnow changinq' .|lhurrv hiabns..she disappeared.oo ig a.kward'one |ast ime, andDavid sank down in a flowered armchair.Tbe room wasdimbut cleen,with a lin of vinyl Plants on rhe $,indow sill andsdff plastic antimaca sersn everypieceof furnitufe' ovthmantel was a piru!of a cro$ with a radiantgilt sunsetiust bind it. The glass-{acedbookcas contained threbooks and dofens of photographg n whit paper foldefs,wbich Evie los to look at more closely. Tow.headedboysscowled our ar ber,threeor four to a pictur one was Drum,his hair turning darker and lodger as h grew. In the most

fecent picrur he was posed ell alone with his guitar heldvertjca|lyon onkrce. .vould you belise that hwas everblondl' Mrs. casey said behindhe!. .Thenone day it s.eedrt a|| urn black, u.pri*d the ife out of me.Ttreothers,now' th'r turing loo. Bertr3m's daddy says his did the.It's a good picore of him'' Evi said.'lvould you like irl''Oh.no. -'.Go on' take it' we have more. lt's ih |east I can do.

Honey' fe l op. yousomhin& ..Btram,.'I said(Inercall bim DrM). 'that lirde girl h.s pur your name n lhepap 'nd start youon yourway. Now dont you for8et

i. l r.a,ii .. ""J t i'st kinou ouhrdaPartnrt oh';;:";;;;;;ir;t", y;ur i.re abrehatwa-vrheardrr$out lt. ..sbe ir doing you lu ta mlgnlfi.ml servlce.E ftram," I said --:irn '",. 'r'.y.a r'"* ""rred him on Fridaysanylay..Eviold ber' .He's tbe bestsing I know ol.*i{;",;;i'il;;.ri w"tr, cant av r mvserr'r-,'*- t"i"" t'i, morher, ur deepdown I know he hasa.-a",l"l .i.*. i" frontof him' H is what I am pinnln8;;h;;;;;. 'Y." remember.'I eu him, rhatwherever;"'ff.;fi .. ;;;. my hopes roundwirh your..,nd..i.... ".io*. or 'n. t'"i t'e.s or usta lling.sralionrteno.iilii. r'i"a"Jay.s.y's l'fy,..his&ddysays'.Ninetcil..Tal; i. ilt"' -Jndspinni"s u(hisdavs luckins;iiil."ilir" 'iJ;* g".*i'un.i"is h' mI rerr imlilli."."i i* ii"ia of talk. .Youiust ememb...

"r ''li.. r "i.s.";"'" t. going obf.mous neday.He's;;il "ii ilil*"" l"savrhere a sparr n Benram';";,i;ffi ; i. r... l"y "la"'My-faer layed hi".'"..ii",i 6"i* .*ical buta sonof. don,t now '".ill. ".ai" ";.i*a over.Agrementwe||edp nside]ik.i;;;J"i *." '"yingyesheant reakingntoMrs'casevs webof words. The wasalways ometh|ngpecla|Joui hrm,saidMr' C"sev Right rom-when ewes Doml fi it. lvou|dyou ike to seee album''' ., i l ' i .g"i6 v... Drum aid..He as ! 'ndinsn thellrine rlom dborway,bucklinghi eh'

.Don\ wail UP for.1l' .l, ao you .t, off ike his)Berram.honey' want'".'.. s.i;" Eire backag in.you he r?we iust 8era|on8iti l;;"i l. Ihopioll wll l never eso famous ouforset hepeoplewhodid you a Soid turn .-lf ...i..i'. *ll*t "r'ebeen elling ou?I'mpayingher,"':j-l... o. all that crrning ou didn\. Can.ta'y mon*" }". ii,'...r"i.' t'*"y. watdo thedoctors ay?.' iI don\ know,'saidEvie -w"ri. "." .'*' iusr inquire. |hen-Bertrlm eaves is*.a I exea th co.rldx you up iust ikw.'

I

'M-om,or Lord\ ske,, Drum6aid.-wl' 'Thevdo srand ur some.'David said.


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r..ThanJ


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r wastoo short. tossedn exira |ines, p.,kin8our' [[e, iusteprcruresn my mind. Then a girl rold mc h was a good$nnrcK''Whargirll Do I know he!?'.That's nonof youJ business.',Nothing you Pcek out is conneded'' Evie said. .how canso itany picturescometo your mird ai o.ce?'she noric thatpeoph n the Unicornhadstopped taringat.h. No onwhisperedabouther; no one stod up m giia bter look. Th cfaned their necla aromd her or


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couE at the time. Is'Evi 8oin8 tool'Evie stared at e doorway until i! blu|fcd.Yhst for?' Drum askcd.'Why, to sit at her litde table.''Nah' said Drun.'Oh, go on, Evie.'Devid cleared his roat. .As a malte! of fact. Evie's beenthinking of quittin&' he said. .vcn't you, Bviel''Th.t'r right.shfes E pointhe becn made,by novl. No sense oingon wj it.,Ve|l' no I supposenot,' said M. cas.she aPP.ared in thc doorway with thr cansof be on .pizza tin. .shc mi8ht want to com\i'ith youl daddy and meand iut ',.a'', though,' she s.id.'Shedonl,' seidD.um.'lVill you let her speak {or hercdf?'Everybody ook at Evie. Evie staled down at h tacedfin8ffs andAid' .Idon't know. lf it wa3up to '''e, I mn -l mighrwant to comjustoncc and hear him play'''Therenow. You see)' Mrs, Casev rold Druin.Dlum slappedhis beerdown on the coffee able. lvill yougethe[ off my ,'l?' he said.'Bertram!'.Noq I mean his. I have had it. How do vou rhink ir flsto look ar that face night after nigbt when l'm playing?Doyou think t like itl Following me with thoseeyes,warchingevery move.It wasn1 '',} fault shc cur those fool l.Bs. AmI goin8 to havro go on paying fol ir forer?''Benram.No one's askingyouto pay for ir. She ust wanrsro cothehearyourmusic'a!'s a|l...Dont nake m|au8h.' gidDrum.'Oh, you're urninghard, on, Are you going o be oneofthose tarshat o.ts l t|epeoPle?..w ' wait no%' said David. He stood uP. .seemsto mwe're BfiinB worked up ovc[ nothing. f Drorh do!'t wanrEvi in the audience h}gont come. Ri8ht, Evi'.Ri8ht'' 9.id Evie' The word op a door, etrin8 hfough

-." "u"'..P isrheLord'. saidDrum..Andano thing'Drum cas. lf I hadknownwhat aolJ and s.U-cent.eipr.sonyou are those ettenwouldn\l rherc,lcanpromise ou that.And your muic s bor|n8'trards c'eet eDetious,nd hopeevybodyat e Parisian"ot... tfi"t ttt."..v 6tttnisht

and sends o'rhomeagainbpe you cry evy mi|of e way.'Viy, Evie,'Mr,. caseysaid.'Noi only thar' but you can\ evenplay thguitar.Youost hanrner out noise ik ny loo| at l Uok Party. ano lhoDe h noricat too...Tha. a lie,.saidDrum. You,rtalking razy...oh. am ?. shstood, uther kneeseltshakyandshesatdownasain. I may not bmusica| ur I know t'ul mucb.toseohallew canplavbetter nv day.'. ." ."n not.lo"t' ion\ knowo! d of thBuitar rome other.'"That'smore than you know.',i"";r" out of vo'i. h"ad. l play a gft guitar. Don't I'David?'.whg.surelv oudo,.Mrs. cas said..Ali.;;;;;;;;r goin' saidEvi.is e speaking ut and... w,"lr,'r'.-"p.""l.i out doesnot m'ke sense nd I.mminct;.ut .y.t'"i. l.n8s. T'e' sehowfarJou 8o.." .l'was *orking at rheUnicornbefor| everbrd your*.".l-aia"li "3.i.. *vone askinghow comno girl bad

cut .casey' i her folehead.Did you, David?'.Itwas a wast' Evisaid.'lgitl you stoP thar ralk?'.lt waall for nothing.''I play a greatg!itar,' Drun said.on thewaYhom ,vicried ntoe hemof herski.Davidli q"i".] wt'* *.y t."d reachedher horrsehe said' .Thatti i(' I $es,.''l'm sorry,' Evie said.

Ftom what she could s in th da.k' he72

t smil'n8.shmi|edbackend smoothedherslirt down. .vell,i! |ooks ik I wonr be seeing ou again..she aid.


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. 'No.. Buess or, Beenquiti an eiperience nowingyou.'V/ell. cood-bye.'Beforeshe shut the car door bind h she maoece.ramshe hadn't forgoren anythin& She wanred o leaveno naces,not ev a scrap of pap flufting on e ftoor to makrhem ememberer |au8h. er fJtherwasdownsraiB d.in& weerjng is fadedp|aidbarobc. .I was |usiat'out oc'|] Violer'.hsaid. Aren.ryoua lit e late?...wran inro solrle frjends.''Oh. There's ocoa n the kirchen.''I don'r wlnt any.'She raned owardher room,but hattuayuD he tairshethoughr he he.rd his voice. Did you say smething?.she.alld..| said.are rhostheonly clorbes otl'vgor? umind me'n rhmornin8 o giveyou some hoppin8money'.'l don-rwaDranv.'Evie said.

slIE cLIr HERSELf s of ben8s, ong enou8hro covet h.Yro$s. Hcr wiout cycbrows lookcd wonied and rised. And bicause ber hair was puf .t sides.3hsoets had the feelingshewas liv unde!e mushfoomr.*" '2"-"'. -" "irl-i her f her said. 'I'm soitg ro 6ndbutton..TDere,smy girl,' her f ther 'I'm goitg ro 6nd

8

"ool ou'ti. "u'* oi' *. vould you go? t alwaysknwioo *'ld .o-.'"ut of *is' if I iust et you be.'Then he ent off to oaint rhe back porch' whi tling rune shcshe threw iwav her black skin and blouse,her snapshotof Drum at e I'jnicorn, ay.Jn'sPenci| raw and thoos.d DhoroEaphhis moth.rhad givenher' Thrt was eul'.. *i' l.r'ir iirn. st'. *alkcddowDtown lder clotelia'shugcumbrUa and |aid in a rack J school cupplies-forthe-conine ear.on thc way homshebou8hta Tar citynewsoaoer]Likeenerythings. shrad, ni8ht'lifeseems

'o # "i'rt..in*from e heatwave'Th Manhattan lubhas no entertiinment at all is week, and the Palisian's .Drumstfin8s cas is sBictly amat|.' she rdolded th".vllper.*a p;hed it ;ouBh e swingingdoor of a }"...."', "t'" "l"i..a violet.At| summer-shead suyedhom. .nd let vio|etcornro her,andDow she elt f shehad tetumedfuomsome onghard triP a! no oneelse kn ,about. Iheoftband duner f violet'i room and hef smilingfat familv had a ctear and distanl lok. Nw china horseshad ioinid e paradcacrossvol's bu.ea|r.on thcleetdool wasa life-3izeposterof a ovie star shehad never.nheard of. .lVhat baveyou beendoin8 all summ?' heasked74

.vhat do you nnl You'v seen me eve.y day, haven\ rt well to the front hall. Clotelia slood waiting the.ewith a arms folded and her fect apart. .You got a 8ut'' she


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.!vell' y., she sat forwa.d on th b' cuPPil8 her chinin h hand. .sns like I had '',o summers,'shaid. .Twodifft.ent ones. Sometimes think, was thar ne, riding largeas lif betwe two boys to a roadhouse?vhy' I nev wason a date, even, except with that peculiar Buddy Howlandwhose voicnevel an8ed. I can\ believe did it all.'.oh' remernberin8hings s alwaysat way,' violet said..Not for me. Nothing to o,, fmemberin& befof AndI wotrld rather not remember his, l{hy was I such a fool?You should have toPp m'.Thbesr thin8 now is just ro droP thc subied ffom your.You're right. I will. lt's ralk about 3omerhingels Didyou krlow my faer is laking over Miss cons class) Hc aidhatsh-'.You told mthar.''I did?''Oh. I forgot.' She rose slnrply from rhe bed, causingvol to gfab for he. bott|e oI nil polish. .You see what Inean' I donl remember elling you a ing about it. oh,how am I goingto get over all ist I wish l had spent thssummerswimming or being a campcounsellor. Ot iusr snugin my house ding books' ev. I wish someonewould givrneback all the time t've known Drum Casey, and I wouldchangeverying did.'.You w re oing to drop the subiea,' Violet said.But she couldn't. he spenther momings kar;Dg slicksurfac kpin8 busy' bur afternoonsshe sprawled acrossVioler'sunmadebed and said e same thingsa8Jin andasain,and Violcr listenedwith a son of cheertul oleranceihat made t seemsafro saY them.On Monday nornins, over a week.since her fight withDrum, Evie settled down ro cleaningout her desk. r hpto do thin8s whh bustle n them.Just as shstarted on thesecond drawer she hld clotelia call, .Eviet You wanted.coming,'said Evi she cameout and Iook down the

'Vlo is it?''comon down'I toldyou.'Oh, all !isht.'.Yourfatherbe homeanv ninuf now.''well, wharabout t?'.Bur clotelia onty iked a umb toward th. living room.Dovnstairs. Drum cas was 3inin8 on rhcouch wi hismots on the coffee table. His he.d lolled to one sid as ifL were sleep, viesropprd hon n thedoorway ndstaredr him.She ilr separatedromhim bv a wall of glass. ro-rcted bv the rhicIinew bangs n h forehdand thda}s e had soentremovinchim from h mind in bits and*b.. riis eveswerelbsedr she could look at his faceriout fcelinebe mit blind her by looling back. His

nouth was reiaxe4 "i.o"t op.n. Hc need ! have. isiands, with their nails c'rt sho ior e guitar sdin8s' la'boselvcurledon his ecs'wb st'e awhishands hmade: s.ai| mouement'n|i cnougho smoo her bans down,ihr Drutn ro ed his head toward hcr and looked frornb.neath owed lids. .Hey'' hsaid.'He[o,' saidEvie.He sat uo and mov his fe off the coff tabl Tbeslencsrew to theDointwhere r wou|dbe hald ro break.1 didn.;know i wa; You..Evisaid6nally. c|oreli9didnlsay. Do you want a lemonade?You're hot, I b -'Bind h, cloElia aid' .Your father b horneminute, vie.''Oh. Yes,my father's omin&'Eviesaid.But that didnt sem to EIn anyrhin8 to Drum. H satforwe'd and rubb his eyeswith e hes of hi hand.. .Iain'r slept sinceSarurday,'he said.

said Evie, rhinking of the

'\lrhat happened?'.Igot red.''wher?''Fired, said.''Oh, well, they don't knorv"76 77

teviews. .h's rhe v.'th. lfl this ht rhey cant rell good Ner mind' fix some emonade.'clorelia pivotedon onheeland left. Drum em not to


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'Music. hell.Tha( was jus(an excu5e. was ge ins on8oodwith hemanagel's .u8hterand didn't ike t, that'sau. said I hadnlworked out well. .cod&m man har''le people '' hsaid. said, .Nobodydoes hat o ".''End of it all was a fisht'.A ght?with sts?'.what |se. ists and the.police station and thworks. Hwas justpeevedov his daughtef s all.'Evie blink' cuttingoff the daughter orever wirb a singlemovement.Thafgille8al''shsaid' .You can hold him to'Cottrart, what do you think I am? A movie sra(?'.Vell, he can't iust reyou.'.Gus again.' Drum took a comb from his shift pock..Now th got my namon the booksl down at the policestation. ustwhar I nd. You eversn thosemovieswheretheother tls e coPs,..He'sa goodboy''}That's whaizry moer drd' ..H a 8ood boy.,.she says. .oh, I jusrdonl undcrstandr," shc s.ys. Then shepaid th

a slipping - down life

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