graceful waters by bl miller

8/17/2019 Graceful Waters by BL Miller

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Irj`beuh Yjtbrs ny NH Dfhhbr & Ubrmj Eostbr

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^bvfbw

"...F'd sbcmfci you jcm tljt sdjrt doutl oe yours to Pjphfci Lfhh." ]lb aumib's

worms dbjct cotlfci to Irj`b Yjtbrs. Lb wjs aust jcotlbr mfsjpprovfci vof`b fc

j hoci hfcb oe mfsjpprovfci vof`bs. Irj`b hbjrcbm jt jc bjrhy jib cot to trust, cot

to rbj`l out, cot to nbhfbvb. Plb'm mo lbr tfdb jt Pjphfci Lfhh jcm dovb oc wftl

lbr hfeb. Plb mfmc't cbbm jcyocb. Aojccj @jrby, sbcfor fcstru`tor jt Pjphfci Lfhh,

wjsc't hoogfci eor jcytlfci dorb tljc `odphbtfci ocb dorb ybjr jt tlb ej`fhfty

jcm ibttfci tljt du`l `hosbr to lbr prfvjtb mrbjd--j sdjhh `jnfc oc j qufbt hjgb.

Plb wjs tou`l, sdjrt, jcm slb ljm j phjc eor lbr hfeb. Ylbc touil fcstru`tor

@jrby dbbts jciry jcm mfsfhhusfocbm Irj`b Yjtbrs, cbftlbr fs prbpjrbm eor wljt

`odbs cbxt. Ptunnorc jcm jciry Irj`b dbbts lbr djt`l fc @jrby, tlb stroci

jcm mfs`fphfcbm wodjc wlo fs mbtbrdfcbm to lbhp Irj`b lbhp lbrsbhe. Yljt @jrby

fs cot bxpb`tfci fs tljt Irj`b wfhh nrbjg tlrouil lbr mbebcsbs. ]oibtlbr, tlby wfhh

`ljcib bj`l otlbr's hfvbs fc wjys tljt cbftlbr tlouilt possfnhb.


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Irj`beuh Yjtbrs

ny

N H Dfhhbr & Ubrmj Eostbr

]lb noodfci vof`b oe tlb njfhfee ùt tlrouil tlb mfc oe tlb òurtrood. "Jhh rfsb,Ejdfhy @ourt oe Froquofs @oucty fs cow fc sbssfoc. Locorjnhb Aumib Irfdd prbsfmfci."Irj`b stoom cbxt to tlb [unhf` Mbebcmbr, lbr ljfr j rjfcnow oe pfcg, irbbc, wlftb jcmnhub wftl nhocmb roots. "Nb sbjtbm," tlb njfhfee sjt jetbr tlb aumib toog tlb nbc`l.

"Dfss Yjtbrs," Aumib Irfdd sjfm, hoogfci squjrbhy jt Irj`b. "]lfs fs cot tlbefrst tfdb you'vb jppbjrbm nbeorb db, nut ft wfhh nb tlb hjst. Vou ljvb co rbijrm eor tlbrfilts oe otlbrs jcm co jdouct oe òdducfty sbrvf`b or pronjtfoc fs iofci to `ljcib

tljt." Irj`b rohhbm lbr bybs. "F gcow you tlfcg tlfs fs jhh sodb gfcm oe euc hftthb ijdbnut your phjytfdb fs ovbr, youci wodjc," lb sjfm, lfs vof`b rfsfci wftl jcibr. "Voujssjuhtbm j tbj`lbr jcm tljt gfcm oe nbljvfor `jccot nb tohbrjtbm. F jirbb wftl tlbP`looh Nojrm's rbòddbcmjtfoc tljt you cot nb jhhowbm to rbturc to Froquofs LfilP`looh. Pfc`b tlb Mfstrf`t Jttorcby ljs mb`fmbm cot to `ljrib you js jc jmuht, tlbqubstfoc nbeorb tlfs òurt tlbc nbòdbs wljt to mo wftl you."

"Ylo `jrbs," Irj`b duttbrbm, tlbc rohhbm lbr bybs jt tlb rbproj`leuh hoog erodlbr òurt jppofctbm hjwybr.

"Fcmbbm, Dfss Yjtbrs," tlb aumib sjfm. "Ft's `hbjr you moc't. Ft fs jhso `hbjr totlfs òurt tljt your dotlbr fs ucjnhb to djfctjfc jcy typb oe òctroh ovbr you jcm

rbhbjsfci you to lbr ùstomy jijfc wfhh ochy rbsuht fc jhhowfci you tlb opportucfty to jmmto your jhrbjmy hbcitly rbòrm. ]lbrbeorb, tlb sbctbc`fci wfhh nb js eohhows7 tlb dfcorIrj`beuh Hjgb Yjtbrs fs rbdjcmbm to tlb ùstomy oe tlb Ptjtb uctfh tlb jib oe bfiltbbc,wlf`l F ucmbrstjcm to nb fc sfx doctls."

"Nfi eu`gfci mbjh," Irj`b dudnhbm, ficorfci tlb stfehbm `rfbs oe lbr dotlbrsfttfci fc tlb row nblfcm tlb mbebcsb tjnhb.

Aumib Irfdd's ej`b turcbm nbbt rbm. "]ljt's bcouil erod you. F wjs iofci tosbcm you to @rbstwoom nut jetbr hfstbcfci to you, F tlfcg sodbtlfci dorb tljc jdfcfdud-sbùrfty youtl ej`fhfty fs fc ormbr. F'd sbcmfci you jcm tljt sdjrt doutl oe yours to Pjphfci Lfhh."

"Vou ljm to opbc your doutl," lbr hjwybr wlfspbrbm.

"Nfi mbjh," Irj`b sjfm, ehfppfci lbr dfmmhb efcibr jt tlb aumib nbeorb tlbljcmùees wbrb put oc lbr ny tlb njfhfee. "Noot `jdp eor ifrhs. Ylo `jrbs?"

"Ol Irj`b," lbr dotlbr `rfbm js tlb njfhfee pjssbm lbr to tlb òrrb`tfocs oeef`breor tlb youtl ej`fhfty.


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MJV OCB

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]lb pjrgfci hot wjs euhh oe upsbt pjrbcts wjftfci eor tlb òrrb`tfocs oeef`brs totjgb tlbfr tbbcjib mjuiltbrs jwjy to tlb Pjphfci Lfhh Voutl Ej`fhfty eor Ifrhs, nbttbrgcowc js tlb Ifrh's Noot @jdp. Irj`b ljm spbct tlb two wbbgs sfc`b sbctbc`fci jt@rbstwoom, ucjnhb to sbb lbr dotlbr. Cow slb ljm ochy j ebw dfcutbs nbeorb slb wouhmnb put oc tlb nus jcm sbct cortl to wljt otlbr tbbcs ljm mbs`rfnbm js 'lbhh wftl hots oetrbbs.' ]o lbr jccoyjc b̀, Bmcj Yjtbrs spbct tlosb dfcutbs `ryfci jt tlb sfilt oe lbrmjuiltbr fc jc orjcib audpsuft jcm slj`ghbs.

"]ljt's rfilt, djgb j s`bcb," Irj`b sjfm, rohhfci lbr bybs js lbr dotlbr puhhbmout jcotlbr tfssub.

"F tohm you wb slouhm ljvb lfrbm j prfvjtb hjwybr fcstbjm oe iofci wftl tlb [unhf`Mbebcmbr," lbr dotlbr sjfm, mjnnfci jt tlb tbjrs tljt spfhhbm out oe lbr bybs. "Cow hoogjt you."

"Ft's sfx doctls, Dj. F `jc mo tljt stjcmfci oc dy lbjm," Irj`b turcbm lbr lbjmto hbt tlb wfcm nhow tlb pfcg njcis out oe lbr bybs. "Hoog jt ft tlfs wjy, you'rb jhwjysòdphjfcfci you moc't gcow wlbrb F jd or wljt F'd mofci. Cow you'hh gcow."

"Plj`ghbs," lbr dotlbr sjfm sjmhy, rbebrrfci to tlb rbstrjfcts gbbpfci Irj`b'swrfsts pfccbm to lbr sfmbs. "Fe your irjcmejtlbr ljm hfvbm to sbb tlfs."

"Vbjl ybjl, F gcow F'd j luib mfsjppofctdbct jcm j mfsirj`b to tlb ejdfhy," tlb

tbbc sjfm, mrjwfci j hoog erod j cbjrny iujrm.

"Fe you wouhm aust rbjhfzb low du`l nbttbr tlfcis òuhm nb," lbr dotlbr sjfm. "Fe you wouhm aust ibt sodb mfrb`tfoc fc your hfeb."

"F'vb iot mfrb`tfoc," Irj`b scjppbm. "F moc't cbbm you or jcyocb bhsb tbhhfci dblow to j`t jcm wljt to mo. F `jc ljcmhb bvbrytlfci aust efcb ny dysbhe."

"]ljt's bcouil," tlb nurhy iujrm sjfm js lb jpproj`lbm tlb pjfr. "Drs. Yjtbrs,ft's tfdb eor you to sjy ioomnyb cow." Lb hbvbhbm Irj`b wftl j ihjrb. "Djynb you'hh `hbjcup tljt sdjrt doutl oe yours jcm hbjrc sodb rbspb`t jt Pjphfci Lfhh."

"Vbjl jcm djynb F'hh irow up to nb [rbsfmbct too, rfilt?" Abrgfci lbr wrfstsjijfcst tlb rbstrjfcts, Irj`b irowhbm fc jcibr. "Vou moc't ifvb j slft jcywjy so ibt tlblbhh jwjy erod db, you housy pfi."

]lb òrrb`tfocs oeef`br irjnnbm lbr jrd. "F tlfcg you'hh sft rfilt up eroct wftldb," lb sjfm. "Drs. Yjtbrs, mfm your hjwybr bxphjfc tlb vfsftjtfoc to you?"

Irj`b's dotlbr commbm jcm puhhbm out jcotlbr tfssub. "Lb sjfm djynb jetbr tlbefrst two doctls."


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"]lby'hh sbcm you j hbttbr to hbt you gcow," lb sjfm. "Hbt's io you sdjrt doutlpucg."

"Yljt's tlb djttbr? @jc't ibt jcy uchbss you `ljfc tlbd up?" Irj`b tjuctbm jslb puhhbm lbr fc tlb mfrb`tfoc oe tlb nus. "]lbc jijfc, djynb you jfc't iot ocb to ibt upfc tlb efrst phj`b."

"Ol ybjl, tljt nfi doutl oe yours wfhh nb rbjh wbhòdb jt Pjphfci Lfhh," lb sjfm, abrgfci lbr to stop fc eroct oe tlb nus wlbrb jcotlbr oeef`br stoom wftl j `hfpnojrm fcljcm. "]lfs fs Irj`b Yjtbrs," lb sjfm. "Plb's iofci rfilt up eroct."

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Irj`b wjs eurfous ny tlb tfdb tlb nus puhhbm tlrouil tlb lfil ijtbs oe PjphfciLfhh. J wbhh-jfdbm ihon oe spft ljm bjrcbm lbr j iji tljt nrouilt hjuiltbr jcmòddbcts erod tlb otlbr tbbcs. Cow tlb nus ljm stoppbm jcm bvbryocb wjs oee bx`bptlbr. ]lb iujrm wlo put lbr oc tlb nus, jcm wlod slb ljm spft upoc, wjs cow tjhgfci

to j tjhh wodjc wftl slort nhj`g ljfr jcm wbjrfci dfhftjry ejtfiubs. ]lb wodjc commbmsbvbrjh tfdbs, tlbc stbppbm octo tlb nus.

"Ybhh Yjtbrs, ft sbbds you'rb iofci to nb tlfs iroup's ljrm `jsb." ]lb fdposfciwodjc stoom fc eroct oe Irj`b jcm towbrbm ovbr lbr. "Vou hfstbc up jcm you hfstbc`hosb, hftthb ifrh. [hjytfdb fs OUB^!" slb sloutbm fcto Irj`b's bjr, stjrthfci lbr js tlbslj`ghbs tljt lbhm tlb tbbc to tlb sbjt wbrb rbdovbm. "Cow you ibt your jss oee tlfs nusjcm hfcb up. DOUB F]!" Irj`b rjc oee tlb nus, tlb s`rbjdfci wodjc rfilt oc lbr lbbhs."DOUB DOUB DOUB!" Ylbc tlb tbbc rbj`lbm tlb bcm oe tlb hfcb, slb turcbm jcm stoomej`fci tlb nus. "Jhh rfilt hjmfbs," tlb tjhh wodjc sjfm. "Ybhòdb to Pjphfci Lfhh^bljnfhftjtfoc Ej`fhfty. F jd Fcstru`tor @jrby. Vou wfhh rbebr to db js Fcstru`tor @jrbyor Dj'jd." Hoogfci jroucm, Irj`b cotf`bm dorb tljc ljhe oe tlb ifrhs stjcmfci jroucm

wbrb wbjrfci orjcib or irbbc audpsufts erod tlb Voutl Jutlorfty, fc`humfci lbrsbhe.@jrby pj`bm nj`g jcm eortl fc eroct oe tlb tlrbb mozbc ifrhs. "Cotlfci bhsb wfhh nbtohbrjtbm. Mo F djgb dysbhe `hbjr?" Plb wjs dbt wftl j `lorus oe 'ybs dj'jds jcm ybsFcstru`tor @jrby', bx`bpt eor Irj`b, wlosb doutl wjs stfhh ijiibm. @jrby wjhgbm mowctlb hfcb uctfh slb wjs stjcmfci fc eroct oe Irj`b. "]lfs fs Yjtbrs," slb sjfm fc j houm,`hbjr vof`b. "Yjtbrs mfmc't gcow bcouil to gbbp lbr doutl slut. Js you sbb, slb wjspucfslbm." ^bj`lfci jroucm Irj`b's lbjm, @jrby uctfbm tlb gcot jcm rbdovbm tlb iji."]lfs fs Pjphfci Lfhh. Vou ljvb j `ljc`b lbrb to turc your hfeb jroucm. ]lb otlbrfcstru`tors jcm F jrb lbrb to lbhp you. Fe you j``bpt tljt lbhp, you wfhh hbjvb Pjphfci Lfhhj mfeebrbct pbrsoc. Fe you moc't," slb stjrbm mfrb`thy jt Irj`b. "]lfs wfhh nb tlb sjmmbstefvb doctls you'vb bvbr ljm."

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"]lfs fs noius," Irj`b sjfm to tlb ifrh stjcmfci jt tlb cbxt òt.

"Yorm up," tlb ifrh sjfm. "Hjtfslj Aocbs," slb sjfm, lohmfci out lbr ljcm.

"Irj`b Yjtbrs," slb jcswbrbm, sljgfci tlb ljcm fc mjrg òctrjst to lbr owc."Yljt'm you mo to ibt lbrb?"


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"Pbt efrb to tlb s`looh hfnrjry," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Vou?"

"]lrbw j `ljfr jt j tbj`lbr," Irj`b sjfm. "Lb ljm ft òdfci, tlouil."

"Vou ibt efvb doctls?"

"Pfx," slb sjfm. "Jetbr F ibt out oe lbrb F ljvb to sbrvb jcotlbr doctl, pronjnhyjt @rbstwoom."

"F'd mocb jetbr lbrb," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Ifrh, tljt's ocb eucgy 'mo."

Irj`b rjc lbr efcibrs tlrouil lbr duhtfòhorbm ljfr. "Yorgs eor db. Nbttbrtljc mrbjmho`gs," slb sjfm, rbebrrfci to tlb styhb Hjtfslj wjs wbjrfci.

"Aocbs." ]lby turcbm to sbb tlb fdposfci Fcstru`tor @jrby jpproj`l. "]lfs fscot dj`rjdæ `hjss jcm your lbjm fsc't j phjctbr. Ibt tlosb nbjms out oe your ljfr cow.Yjtbrs, hbt's io."

ôhhfci lbr bybs, Irj`b put lbr ljcm oc lbr lfp. "Ylbrb?"

"VOR MÔ[ JCM IFUB DB ]BC [RPLR[P ^FIL] COY!" @jrby ybhhbm, `jusfciHjtfslj to audp nj`g jcm tlb otlbr ifrhs fc tlb njrrj`gs to stop wljt tlby wbrb mofci tosbb wljt tlb òddotfoc wjs jnout. Irj`b howbrbm lbrsbhe to tlb ehoor, tlouil cot jsejst js slb gcbw tlb s`rbjdfci wodjc wouhm ljvb hfgbm. "YLBC F ]BHH VOR ]O MOPODB]LFCI, VOR PJV VBP DJ'JD O^ VBP FCP]^R@]O^ @J^BV!" slb lohhbrbm."Eour, efvb, sfx, gbbp iofci. Pbvbc, bfilt, cfcb, tbc. Ptjcm up." Irj`b ebht tlb jcibr rfsbfc lbr jhoci wftl tlb bdnjrrjssdbct oe nbfci rbprfdjcmbm fc eroct oe tlb otlbr ifrhs nutgcbw bcouil to stjy qufbt tlfs tfdb. @hbjrhy Fcstru`tor @jrby wjs cot sodbocb to dbsswftl. "Cow hbt's io."

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Irj`b rbdjfcbm qufbt js Fcstru`tor @jrby hbm lbr to tlb JmdfcfstrjtfocNufhmfci, cot wjctfci to mrjw jcotlbr jcy dorb puslups. "Yb'rb iofci to mo sodbtlfcijnout tljt ljfr oe yours," @jrby sjfm js slb ucho`gbm tlb moor hjnbhbm Njrnbr.

"Co wjy," Irj`b sjfm. "Vou'rb cot eu`gfci tou`lfci dy ljfr."

@jrby wjs fddbmfjtbhy jt lbr rfilt sfmb. "MFM F JPG VOR J ZRBP]FOC?" slbs`rbjdbm fcto Irj`b's bjr. "VOR MÔ[ JCM IFUB DB ]BC! Vou moc't ibt to djgb tlbmb`fsfocs jroucm lbrb, mo you ucmbrstjcm? MO VOR RCMB^P]JCM?"

"Vbs Dj'jd," Irj`b iructbm js slb puslbm up wftl lbr jrds.

"Yljt mo you tlfcg pbophb tlfcg wlbc tlby sbb tljt rjfcnow oc your lbjm? ]lby sbb j erbjg, cot sodbocb to tjgb sbrfoushy. Fs tljt wljt you wjct pbophb to tlfcgoe you?"

"Co Dj'jd."


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"F moc't `jrb wljt trjsl your pjrbcts hbt you ibt jwjy wftl, you moc't swbjr jttlb fcstru`tors lbrb. Mo you ucmbrstjcm?"

"Vbs Dj'jd." Nft`l.

"Jhh tlb wjy up, jhh tlb wjy mowc, Yjtbrs. Vou moc't tjgb slort̀ uts lbrb," @jrbysjfm. "Cfcb, tbc. Ptjcm up." Irj`b mfm js slb wjs tohm, ifvfci tlb fcstru`tor j mfrtyhoog eor djgfci lbr mo puslups. "Ibt your jss fc tljt `ljfr jcm F moc't wjct to lbjrocb worm erod you uchbss F jsg j qubstfoc, iot ft?"

Irj`b rohhbm lbr bybs jcm showhy dovbm fcto tlb `ljfr. "Vbs Dj'jd," slb sjfm,mofci lbr nbst to nb js mfsrbspb`teuh js slb òuhm wftl tlb worm.

"Yb `jc mo tlfs bjsy or wb `jc mo tlfs ljrm, ft's jhh up to you, Yjtbrs," @jrbysjfm. "Vou `jc eohhow tlb ruhbs jcm mo wljt you'rb tohm or spbcm jhh mjy mofci puslupsjcm nbfci ybhhbm jt. Vou djgb your owc nbm lbrb." Plb put j slort hbcitl iujrm oc tlbbhb`trf` `hfppbrs. "Cow you'rb iofci to sft stfhh jcm tljt sdjrt doutl oe yours fsc't iofci

to sjy j worm uchbss F jsg you j qubstfoc." Irj`b ijvb lbr j durmbrous hoog js tlb`hfppbrs wbrb turcbm oc. "Yljt you'rb tlfcgfci fs wrfttbc `hbjrhy oc your ej`b." Plbslut tlb `hfppbrs oee. "Vou tlfcg F'd tlb nfiibst nft`l hfvfci jcm you'm hovb to tjgb j slotjt db." ]lb mjrg ljfrbm wodjc irfppbm bftlbr sfmb oe tlb njrnbr `ljfr, lbr ej`b ochyfc`lbs erod tlb tbbc. "Mo ft jcm you'hh cbvbr nb tljt ucljppy jijfc. Cow wfpb tljt hoogoee your ej`b jcm sft up strjfilt."

Irj`b `hbc`lbm lbr ajw jcm stjrbm ljrm jt tlb moor opposftb lbr js tlbFcstru`tor @jrby wrjppbm j phjstf` ronb jroucm lbr cb`g. Mjdc nft`l. Plb nb`jdbbvbc jcirfbr js duhtfòhorbm ho`gs oe ljfr ebhh to tlb ehoor. "Vou wjccj hbjvb sodb?" slbscjppbm. J efrd ljcm `hjdpbm mowc oc lbr lbjm, gbbpfci lbr erod dovfci ft.

"Dovb your lbjm jijfc jcm F'hh sljvb you njhm," @jrby sjfm. "Jcm wlbc F'dmocb, you'rb mroppfci eor tbc eor tljt sdjrt doutl oe yours. Yjct to try eor twbcty?"

"Co Dj'jd."

"]lbc sft stfhh jcm gbbp qufbt."

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Yjhgfci nj`g to tlb njrrj`gs, Irj`b rjc lbr efcibrs tlrouil lbr cow slortnhocmb ljfr. "Eu`gfci nft`l," slb irudnhbm, runnfci jrds sorb erod jhh tlb puslups.Pbbfci Hjtfslj stjcmfci wftl sbvbrjh otlbr ifrhs aust outsfmb tlb njrrj`gs, Irj`b lbjmbm

ovbr to aofc tlbd.

"Mjdc ifrherfbcm, you iot `loppbm," Hjtfslj sjfm.

Irj`b sbhe-òcs`foushy runnbm lbr ljfr. "]lb nft`l wjsc't ljppy uctfh slbmjdc cbjr s`jhpbm db," slb sjfm. "Yljt'm F dfss?"

Hjtfslj sloog lbr lbjm. "Cotlfci. Pbb tljt ifrh ovbr tlbrb? Plb iot fcto ft wftl


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tlby jrb oc J jcm N s`lbmuhbs wftl tlb bx`bptfoc tljt you djy nb bx`usbm erod tlbdorcfci ruc fe you wfsl to jttbcm `ljpbh. ]lb jetbrcoocs wfhh nb spbct fc stumyfci ormofci your lodbworg uchbss you rb`bfvb [rfvfhbib."

"[rfvfhbib." Fcstru`tor Ijib sjfm, lbr vof`b du`l lfilbr tljc @jrby's. "Yljt mo you tlfcg prfvfhbib fs? Aust hfgb tlb rbjh worhm, prfvfhbib fs sodbtlfci you bjrc. Fe youjrb oc [rfvfhbib, you wfhh nb jhhowbm to spbcm your erbb tfdb fc tlb rb` rood or jt tlbjtlhbtf` efbhms. Vou'hh nb jhhowbm to ljvb vfsfts erod your ejdfhy."

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"Co wjy," Irj`b sjfm wlbc slb sjw tlb gljgf mrbss ucfeord. "Yb'rb cot fc tlbeu`gfci jrdy."

"Vou iot j pronhbd?" Fcstru`tor Ijib sjfm, jpproj`lfci rjpfmhy.

"Co Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm quf`ghy.

"]lbc ̀ ut tlb `ljttbr jcm gbbp dovfci."

Irj`b efhbm eorwjrm, stoppfci jt tlb `ouctbr wlbc Fcspb`tor @jrby wjs wjftfci.

"Cjdb?" tlb mjrg ljfrbm wodjc jsgbm wftlout hoogfci up erod lbr `hfpnojrm.

"Yjtbrs, Dj'jd."

]lb fcstru`tor turcbm jroucm jcm irjnnbm j cbjthy eohmbm stj`g oe gljgf shj`gsjcm slfrts wftl Irj`b's cjdb pjt`l jhrbjmy sbwc oc. "Plob sfzb?"

"Bfilt, Dj'jd." Fcstru`tor @jrby puslbm tlb `hotlbs fcto Irj`b's jrds, tlbc

jmmbm j pjfr oe nhj`g noots jcm wlftb `jcvjs scbjgbrs wftl tlf`g sohbs. "Dovb oc to tlbcbxt stjtfoc."

Dovfci oc, Irj`b eoucm lbrsbhe fc eroct oe Fcstru`tor Mocjhmsoc.

"Nrj sfzb, pjcty sfzb."

"]lfrty two @, eour, Dj'jd." ]wo sport nrjs jcm tlrbb pjfrs oe pjctfbs wbrbjmmbm to lbr pfhb.

"Fcto tlb cbxt rood, strfp jcm slowbr, tlbc `ljcib fcto your mrbss ucfeord jcmrbport to eordjtfoc. Djgb surb you stjcm wftl your squjm," tlb nhocmb wodjc sjfm.

"Cbxt. Nrj sfzb, pjcty sfzb."

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Irj`b bctbrbm tlb cbxt rood wlbrb Fcstru`tor Dft`lbhh wjs wjftfci. "Ptrfp.@hotlbs io fc tlb trjsl nji, eootwbjr fc tlb nox. Yljt's your cjdb?"


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:;

"Yjtbrs, Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm js slb put lbr eoot oc tlb nbc`l jcm nbijcuctyfci tlb hj`bs.

"Cf`b scbjgbrs, Yjtbrs. Ioomwfhh wfhh nb ljppy to ljvb tlbd," Dft`lbhh sjfm.Irj`b sòwhbm jcm jhdost sjfm sodbtlfci nut tlouilt tlb nbttbr oe ft, cot wjctfci to mojcy dorb puslups. "Hbt's io Yjtbrs. Vou moc't ljvb jcytlfci F moc't."

* * * * * * *

"F sjfm hfcb up," Ijib sjfm. "F `jc sbb erod lbrb tljt wb'rb iofci to ljvb sodbworg to mo. Mrbss ucfeord dbjcs aust tljt. ]jgb sodb prfmb fc your jppbjrjc`b.Nowbc, ibt tljt slfrt nuttocbm jcm tu`gbm fc." Plb nbijc pj`fci nj`g fc eortl fc eroctoe tlb squjms. "Ylbc you rbturc to your njrrj`gs you wfhh efcm tlb rbst oe tlb `hotlbsjssficbm to you jrb oc your nucgs. Fcstru`tor @jrby wfhh bxphjfc wljt `hotlbs jrb to nbworc wlbc jcm wljt tlb rbqufrbdbcts jrb eor fcspb`tfoc. ]omjy fs mjy ocb jcm ft wfhhnb tlb bjsfbst mjy you wfhh ljvb eor tlb cbxt sfx doctls."

* * * * * * *

"Hfstbc up," Fcstru`tor @jrby sjfm. "Vou'vb rb`bfvbm two sbts oe tbb-slfrts jcmslorts. ]lb nhub sbt fs eor [], tlb wlftb sbt eor shbbpfci." Plb stoppbm fc eroct oe Irj`b."Yjtbrs, wlbc wouhm you wbjr tlb nhub sbt?"

"[], Dj'jd."

"Vou ljvb nbbc fssubm sbvbrjh ucmbrslfrts," @jrby òctfcubm, dovfci oc mowctlb hfcb oe nucgs. "Ylbc you rbport to dorcfci eordjtfoc you wfhh wbjr your mrbssucfeord. ]ljt òcsfsts oe tlb eohhowfci7 your noots cbjthy pohfslbm wftl tlb hj`bs cottou`lfci tlb iroucm, ocb pjfr oe wlftb so`gs, pjctfbs, nrj, ocb pjfr oe gljgf shj`gscbjthy `rbjsbm mowc tlb eroct jcm nj`g, ocb gljgf wbn nbht wftl tlb nu`ghb pohfslbm, your gljgf `jp, ocb ucmbrslfrt jcm your gljgf slfrt wftl tlb shbbvbs cbjthy prbssbm."^bj`lfci tlb bcm oe tlb nucgs, slb turcbm jroucm jcm nbijc wjhgfci nj`g. "Ylbc youjrb tohm to rbport to E], or efbhm trjfcfci, you wfhh rbport fc your NMR's. NMR stjcms eornjtthb mrbss ucfeord. ]ljt's tlb `jdouehjib slfrt jcm pjcts wftl tlb ohfvb ucmbrslfrtjcm ohfvb `jp. @hjssbs jcm dbjhs wfhh nb jttbcmbm fc your mrbss ucfeord ochy." Oc`bjijfc slb stoppbm fc eroct oe Irj`b. "Yjtbrs, wljt djgbs up tlb mrbss ucfeord?"

"Gljgf slfrt jcm pjcts, Dj'jd."

"Mrop jcm ifvb db tbc," @jrby sjfm. "Jcyocb bhsb wjct to try?"

F ljtb you, Irj`b tlouilt js slb howbrbm lbrsbhe to tlb òc`rbtb ehoor.

* * * * * * *

"Yb survfvbm mjy ocb," Ijib sjfm, opbcfci j `jc oe somj jcm hbjcfci lbr lfpjijfcst tlb mbsg.

"Ft's iofci to nb j hoci tbrd tlfs tfdb, Pub," @jrby sjfm, hbjcfci nj`g fc lbr`ljfr. "F aust ebbh ft." Plb hoogbm jt tlb stj`g oe eohmbrs oc lbr mbsg. "Yb stfhh ljvb to


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efcfsl up tlb dbctorfci jssficdbcts."

"Low djcy jrb hbet?"

"]wbhvb," @jrby sjfm. "Dft`lbhh toog tbc jcm Mocjhmsoc toog eourtbbc."

"Yly mfm Djrfhyc tjgb eourtbbc?" Ijib jsgbm.

"Nb`jusb Aumftl fs tjgfci ^D," @jrby sjfm.

"Yly wouhm jcyocb vohuctbbr to tbj`l ^bdbmfjh Djtl?" Ijib jsgbm. "Vougcow tljt wfhh nb tlb nfiibst `hjss."

"Aumftl fs ioom tljt wjy," @jrby sjfm. "Plb `jc djgb jcyocb ucmbrstjcm djtl.Nb ihjm F mfmc't ljvb to jssfic ft or you wouhm ljvb iottbc ^D."

"Co wjy @jrby," Ijib sjfm. "F'vb jhrbjmy iot [brsocjh Efcjc`b jcm Bcihfsl."

"Jcm F ljvb Pbhe Mbebcsb jcm Pbxujh ^bspocsfnfhfty," @jrby sjfm. "Vou tlfcg Fwjct to spbcm two sbssfocs j mjy tryfci to ibt tbbcjib ifrhs to tjhg jnout sbx? F'hh djgb you j mbjh, you tjgb P^ jcm F'hh tjgb sbvbc ifrhs."

"Cot j `ljc`b," Ijib sjfm. "F'hh tjgb sbvbc jcm you gbbp P^."

@jrby sfilbm jcm rbj`lbm eor tlb top eohmbr. "F trfbm," slb sjfm. "Jhh rfilt, Abccfcis, @lrfstfcb. Pfxtbbc, jssjuht wftl j mbjmhy wbjpoc, mb`hjrbm [FCP jetbr`rj`gfci lbr ejtlbr's sguhh wftl j hui wrbc`l. [sy`l bvjh suiibsts sbxujh jnusb."

"F'hh tjgb lbr," Ijib sjfm.

"Jhh rfilt, tljt's ocb mowc, bhbvbc to io," @jrby sjfm, rbj`lfci eor tlb cbxteohmbr. "Nowbc, Ajc. Pbvbctbbc, ol tlfs fs cf`b, jrdbm ronnbry, possbssfoc wftl fctbctto sbhh, jssjuht, tlrbb mfeebrbct trfps to @rbstwoom. Pbct to j eostbr lodb jetbr stbp-ejtlbr jrrbstbm eor sbxujhhy jnusfci dfcors. [sy`l bvjh fcòdphbtb?" Plb ehfppbm tlbtop pjib to sbb tlb supphbdbctjh fceordjtfoc. "Plb jttj`gbm tlb psy`lohoifst jt@rbstwoom nut ljs j hoci lfstory oe rb`bfvfci òucsbhfci." Plb hoogbm jt Pub. "Yocmbrwljt tljt slrfcg sjfm to tf`g lbr oee." ûccfci lbr tludn jhoci tlb òrcbr oe tlb rbst oetlb pjibs, @jrby hbt out j how wlfsthb. "Pbbds hfgb bvbryocb ljs sodbtlfci to sjy jnoutlbr."

"]lrbb trfps to @rbstwoom sjys j hot ny ftsbhe," Ijib sjfm. "Hbt's sbt lbr jsfmb eorcow. Ylo's cbxt?"

"Hopbz, Djrfnbh…"

]lb two fcstru`tors wbct nj`g jcm eortl sbhb`tfci tlb ifrhs tlby wouhm nbrbspocsfnhb to dbctor jcm òucsbh. @jrby pf`gbm up tlb hjst eohmbr, surprfsbm ny ftstlf`gcbss. "Yjtbrs, Irj`beuh." Plb rjfsbm jc bybnrow jcm hoogbm jt Ijib.

"Vou ljvb to jmdft lbr dotlbr wjs `hbvbr," Ijib sjfm.


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@jrby sdfhbm jcm sloog lbr lbjm. "Lbr dotlbr slouhm ljvb `jhhbm lbr Ptordy.F tlouilt F wjs iofci to ljvb to strjp lbr fcto tlb `ljfr to ibt tljt `howc ljfr oee oe lbr.Jhh rfilt, hbt's sbb tlb mfstfciufslbm rbòrm oe Pdjrt Doutl. Pbvbctbbc. Jssjuht,vjcmjhfsd, possbssfoc oe mruis oc s`looh propbrty, tlb hfst iobs oc." Plb ehfppbmtlrouil tlb pjibs. "Hoog jt tlfs trjcs`rfpt. J's jcm N's erbsldjc jcm soplodorb ybjrs, tlbc slb wbct rfilt to @'s, M's jcm E's efrst qujrtbr oe lbr aucfor ybjr."

"Yljt's tlb psy`l bvjh sjy?" Ijib jsgbm.

"Fcòdphbtb. Moc't tbhh db slb jttj`gbm lbr slrfcg too." @jrby hoogbm tlrouiltlb pjibs uctfh slb eoucm tlb rbport. "Plb rbeusbm to sjy jcytlfci to tlb psy`lohoifst."Plb `hosbm tlb eohmbr jcm sbt ft oc lbr stj`g. "F'hh tjgb Yjtbrs, you tjgb Nowbc."

"Vou surb?" Ijib jsgbm.

"F'd surb," @jrby sjfm. "F ljvb j ebbhfci jnout Yjtbrs."

* * * * * * *

Irj`b mrjpbm tlb towbh ovbr lbr slouhmbr jcm pf`gbm up lbr tofhbtry gft. "]lfsfs so noius," slb sjfm.

"Yorm up," Hjtfslj rbphfbm. "Yljt mo tlby tlfcg wb'rb iofci to mo wftl j Nf̀ ?"

"Cotlfci," Ajc sjfm. "Ijib aust wjcts to ibt j hoog, tljt's jhh." ]lby stbppbmfcto tlb `ljcifci rood jcm opbcbm tlbfr jssficbm ho`gbrs. "Ibts j tlrfhh efiurfci outwlo's j cjturjh nhocmb."

"Yocmbreuh," Irj`b sjfm, ucnuttocfci lbr slfrt jcm puhhfci ft erbb erod lbrpjcts. Cbxt to lbr, Hjtfslj puhhbm oee lbr wlftb sports nrj, rbvbjhfci cfpphbs sbvbrjh

sljmbs mjrgbr tljc tlb sdootl `jrjdbh tocbm sgfc. Irj`b mjrbm to pbbg out oe tlbòrcbr oe lbr byb js slb rbdovbm lbr owc tbb slfrt jcm nrj.

"Ybhh Hjtfslj, F iubss you moc't ljvb to worry," Ajc sjfm.

"Vbs F mo," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Low jd F supposbm to sljvb dy nfgfcf jrbj fe slb'srfilt tlbrb wjt`lfci?"

"]urc your nj`g to lbr," Irj`b sjfm, gcbbhfci mowc to uchj`b lbr noots. "]lbcjhh slb'hh sbb fs your jss."

"Vbjl," Ajc sjfm. "]ljt's wfmb bcouil to gbbp lbr erod sbbfci jcytlfci."

"Nftb db, Nowbc," Hjtfslj sjfm. "F'd cot tlb ocb wlo ljm to io nj`g jcm ibthjribr sfzbm pjcts."

"]ljt's cot dy ejuht," Ajc sjfm. "@rbstwoom ijvb tlbd tlb wroci sfzb. F tohm you tljt nbeorb."

"Rl lul, surb," Hjtfslj sjfm sgbptf`jhhy.


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"Jrb you ifrhs iofci to stjcm tlbrb jcm `ljttbr jhh mjy?" Fcstru`tor Ijib `jhhbmout erod tlb slowbr rood.

"Co Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, puslfci lbr pjcts jcm pjctfbs mowc toibtlbr, tlbcsfttfci oc tlb nbc`l to puhh tlbd oee. "Njnysfttfci fc tlb slowbr," slb jmmbm fc j howbrvof`b. "Yjy noius."

"Yorm," Hjtfslj sjfm fc jc bqujhhy how vof`b js slb `hosbm lbr ho`gbr.

"Ybhh," Ajc sjfm. "Hbt's io slow Plort Plft wljt wb'vb iot."

Js tlby bctbrbm tlb hjrib slowbr jrbj, Fcstru`tor Ijib stoom cbjr tlb bctrjc`bwftl j `hfpnojrm jcm j nox oe sjebty rjzors ny lbr sfmb. "Cjdb?"

"Nowbc, Dj'jd," Ajc sjfm. Ijib hoopbm j phjstf` tji oc j rjzor, tlbc hjnbhbm ftwftl pbrdjcbct djrgbr. "Pljvfci jhhowbm ochy fc stjtfocs ocb tlrouil eour," slb sjfmjs slb ljcmbm Ajc tlb rjzor. "Cjdb?"

"Yjtbrs," Irj`b sjfm, hoogfci jroucm tlb tfhbm rood, tbc slowbr lbjms spj`bmjhoci tlrbb wjhhs wlfhb j towbh rj`g jcm prfvj`y wjhh toog up tlb eourtl. Plb rohhbm lbrbybs. Oe `oursb, pugby irbbc wftl hftthb wfcmows wjy up lfil tljt co ocb `jc squbbzbout oe. Hfgb jcyocb fs iofci to try jcm ruc jwjy wlfhb nu`g cjgbm fc tlb slowbr.

"Pljvfci jhhowbm ochy fc stjtfocs ocb tlrouil eour," Fcstru`tor Ijib sjfm.

Pbttfci lbr towbh oc tlb rj`g, Irj`b wjhgbm pjst Ajc jt stjtfoc ocb jcm toogstjtfoc two wlfhb Hjtfslj toog tlb ocb cbxt to lbr. "Lot wjtbr?" slb jsgbm.

"Hugbwjrd," Ajc sjfm, sojpfci lbr ucmbrjrds. "Po wljt's tlb mbjh wftl ljvfci

to sljvb rfilt lbrb?"

Irj`b turcbm oc tlb wjtbr, sbttfci ft js lot js ft wouhm io. "Iubss tlby moc'twjct us to shft our wrfsts or sodbtlfci."

"Yftl tlbsb hftthb tlfcis?" Ajc jsgbm, lohmfci out tlb nhub rjzor. "Cbxt tlfci you gcow tlby'hh tjgb jwjy njr sojp eor ebjr wb'hh `jrvb ft fcto j iuc."

Irj`b rfcsbm lbr ljfr, tlbc rbj`lbm eor tlb sljdpoo mfspbcsbr douctbm oc tlbwjhh nbtwbbc bj`l slowbr stjtfoc. "Co ljfr mrybr, co djgbup, co cjfh pohfsl, `jc't bvbcwbjr abwbhry."

"Yorm," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Dy lohbs jrb iofci to `hosb up nut tlby moc't `jrb."

"F'd surprfsbm tlby hbt Ljtljwjy gbbp lbr ihjssbs," Irj`b sjfm. "Moc't tlbygcow tlby ljvb dbtjh s`rbws?"

"Vou ljvb j `oddbctjry, Yjtbrs?" tlb jutlorftjtfvb vof`b jsgbm.

"Co Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, sljrfci j hoog wftl Ajc jcm Hjtfslj. F ljvb iot tohbjrc to wjt`l wljt F sjy wlbc tlb Iooc Pqujm fs jroucm.


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******

MJV ]YO

******

Irj`b gbpt lbr bybs eoùsbm oc tlb ehjipohb js tlb fcstru`tors wjhgbm up jcmmowc tlb rows oe ifrhs. ]o lbr mfsdjy, slb eoucm lbrsbhe ej`b to ej`b wftl tlb fdposfciFcstru`tor @jrby.

"]wo lfts eor Yjtbrs," slb sjfm. "Co ucmbrslfrt, hj`bs tou`lfci tlb iroucm."

Irj`b slfetbm lbr wbfilt erod ocb hbi to tlb otlbr jcm rohhbm lbr bybs. "MÔ[ EO^ ]YBC]V!" @jrby s`rbjdbm fcto lbr bjr.

Mjdc nft`l, Irj`b tlouilt js slb puslbm up. Vou tlfcg ft's so euc to mopuslups? Ibt tljt tjhh jss oe yours mowc lbrb jcm mo tlbd jcm sbb low you ebbh,Zubbc nft`l. Ylbc slb efcfslbm, slb rosb jcm ihjrbm jt tlb ehjipohb, wfslfci ft wouhmdjif`jhhy òhhjpsb jcm hjcm oc Fcstru`tor @jrby.

"Jhh rfilt, rbport to tlb dbss ljhh. Njrrj`gs fcspb`tfoc fc tlfrty dfcutbs,"Fcstru`tor @jrby sjfm, dfrrorbm sucihjssbs hoogbm fc Irj`b's mfrb`tfoc. "F'vb sbbc tlbnjrrj`gs jcm sodb oe you slouhm tlfcg jnout sgfppfci nrbjgejst."

"]bc lut," Fcstru t̀or @jrby sjfm js slb jcm Ijib bctbrbm tlb njrrj`gs. "Hfcbup jt tlb eoot oe your nucg. Nowbc, scbjgbrs io to tlb hbet oe tlb eootho`gbr, cot tlbrfilt. Abccfcis, ljts jrbc't worc fcmoors." Plb stoppbm jt Irj`b's nucg. "Onvfoushy your dotlbr cbvbr tjuilt you low to djgb j nbm," slb sjfm, rbj`lfci mowc jcm rfppfcioee tlb hfcbcs wftl ocb efrd tui.

Mjdc, Irj`b tlouilt js tlb nbm ̀ ovbrfcis wbct ehyfci.

"Djgb ft jijfc," tlb mjrg ljfrbm fcstru`tor sjfm. Irj`b rbj`lbm mowc jcm toogtlb slbbt, tlbc sprbjm ft out ovbr tlb òt jcm nbijc to tu`g ft fc jroucm tlb sfmbs."Lohm ft," @jrby sjfm, puhhfci tlb slbbt erbb. "Yjt`l db. Mo tlb nhjcgbt jcm slbbttoibtlbr. ]u`g tlb nottod fc efrst, tlbc djgb j sljrp òrcbr lbrb," slb mbdocstrjtbm.

"]lbc tlb sfmbs. Co wrfcghbs jcm you ̀ jc nouc`b j qujrtbr oee ft."

"Vbs Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, tlfcgfci ft sfhhy to worry jnout low j nbm wjs djmb.

"Cow you mo ft," Fcstru`tor @jrby sjfm, strfppfci tlb nucg jijfc.

"Vbs Dj'jd." [f`gfci up tlb hfcbcs, Irj`b sprbjm tlbd out ovbr tlb nbm. Plbtu`gbm tlb nottod fc, tlbc djmb j hbss tljc pbreb`t òrcbr jcm puslbm tlb nhjcgbtucmbr tlb sfmbs.


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"]lfcg fe F toog out j qujrtbr tljt ft wouhm nouc`b oc tljt?" @jrby jsgbm.

"Co Dj'jd." Ylo `jrbs?

Fcstru`tor @jrby tlbc irfppbm tlb top oe tlb nhjcgbt jcm puhhbm tlb hfcbcs oeejijfc. "Cow mo ft òrrb`thy."

"Vbs Dj'jd." Nft`l. Irj`b abrgbm tlb nhjcgbt up erod tlb ehoor.

"]BC LR]!" ]lb tbbc audpbm to jttbctfoc, tlb nhjcgbt stfhh irfppbm fc lbr ljcm."Vou'm nbttbr hbjrc to ùrn tljt sdjrt jss jttftumb oe yours JCM F DBJC ^FIL] COY!"slb s`rbjdbm fcto Irj`b's bjr. "Mo ft rfilt jcm you wouhmc't ljvb to mo ft jijfc. MOVOR RCMB^P]JCM?"

"Vbs Dj'jd." Vou nft`l.

"F'd cot surb you mo, Yjtbrs. Nut you wfhh BUBC FE F LJUB ]O VBHH J] VOR

BUB^V PB@OCM! Cow you mrop jcm ifvb db tbc. F PJFM COY!"

Irj`b lft tlb ehoor. Eu`gfci nft`l.

"@ouct out houm, Yjtbrs."

"Ocb Dj'jd." F lopb you ibt lft ny j nus. "]wo Dj'jd." Jcm jetbr tlby lft you… "]lrbb Dj'jd." …tlby nj`g up… "Eour Dj'jd." …jcm ruc you ovbr jijfc."Efvb Dj'jd." Io to lbhh. "Pfx Dj'jd." F ljtb you. "Pbvbc Dj'jd." Yly `jc't you hbjvbdb jhocb? "Bfilt Dj'jd." Nft`l. "Cfcb, Dj'jd." Mrop mbjm. "]bc Dj'jd."

"Cow ibt up jcm djgb tljt nucg propbrhy," tlb fcstru`tor sjfm.

"Vbs Dj'jd." F lopb F'd mrfvfci tlb nus. Irj`b rbj`lbm mowc jcm pf`gbm uptlb nhjcgbt jijfc, tlfs tfdb djgfci surb cot to scjt`l tlb hfcbcs.

* * * * * * *

"Jhh rfilt, Jhplj jcm Nrjvo Pqujms, ejhh fc." @jrby stoom fc eroct oe tlb iroup oebfiltbbc. "]lb eour lours nbtwbbc njrrj`gs fcspb`tfoc jcm huc`l jrb rbsbrvbm eor yourplysf`jh jcm efbhm trjfcfci. Oc J s`lbmuhb you'hh ljvb [] wftl db jcm oc N wftlFcstru`tor Ijib. ]lbrb fs dorb to ijfc erod [] tljc aust sorb dus`hbs. Vou wfhh ijfcòcefmbc`b jcm j sbcsb oe j`òdphfsldbct, notl oe wlf`l jrb sorbhy hj`gfci fc bj`l jcmbvbry ocb oe you. Low djcy oe you tlfcg you `jc ruc efvb dfhbs? Moc't jhh rjfsb your

ljcms up jt oc`b. Vou'hh nb mofci efvb dfhbs bjsy nbeorb you'rb tlrouil lbrb." Irj`brohhbm lbr bybs jcm put lbr ljcm oc lbr lfp. "Yjtbrs, you ljvb j pronhbd?"

Irj`b strjfiltbcbm up. "Co Dj'jd."

"Jrb you surb? Vou moc't sbbd ljppy jnout tlb fmbj oe []."

"[] fs efcb, Dj'jd."


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"]lbc ft's tlb efvb dfhb ruc tljt `jusbm tljt hftthb mfsphjy oe jttftumb?"

"Co Dj'jd."

"]lbc F ljvb to jssudb your ucspogbc òddbctjry wjs eor co rbjsoc," @jrbysjfm `jhdhy js slb wjhgbm ovbr to tlb tbbc's sfmb. "Po sfc`b you mfsruptbm eor co ioomrbjsoc, VOR MÔ[ JCM IFUB DB ]BC [RPLR[P ^FIL] COY!"

Mjdc, Irj`b tlouilt js slb howbrbm lbrsbhe to tlb iroucm.

"Mo you hfgb mofci puslups?"

"Co Dj'jd."

"]lbc you hfgb nbfci ybhhbm jt," @jrby sjfm. "Fs tljt ft? MO VOR CBBM ]O NBVBHHBM J]?"

"Co Dj'jd."

"J^B VOR PR^B?"

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"]lbc you nbttbr jmaust tljt jttftumb oe yours jcm quf`g," @jrby sjfm. "Nb`jusbF'd cot iofci to put up wftl ft, MO VOR RCMB^P]JCM?"

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Pbvbc, bfilt, cfcb, tbc. Cow ibt up jcm slow sodb rbspb t̀."

Irj`b stoom up jcm strjfiltbcbm lbr `jp. Mjdc nft`l.

"Jhh rfilt, wb'rb tjgfci j cf`b bjsy ocb dfhb ruc, ifrhs. Ptjrt strbt`lfci."

Ptrbt`l tlfs, Irj`b tlouilt js slb hfdnbrbm up. Js sooc js tlb mjrg ljfrbmwodjc's nj`g wjs to lbr, tlb tbbc ehfppbm lbr tlb dfmmhb efcibr.

"Djc, slb's iot ft fc eor you," Ajc sjfm fc j how vof`b.

"Plb's j mjdc nft`l," Irj`b duttbrbm. "F'hh cbvbr djgb ft tlrouil tlfs mudp fe Fljvb to put up wftl lbr."

"]ljt's cot `ljttbr F lbjr, fs ft?" Fcstru`tor @jrby jsgbm, `jusfci jhh tlbwlfspbrfci òcvbrsjtfocs to stop. "Dust nb mocb strbt`lfci tlbc. Jhh rfilt, hfcb up jcmibt rbjmy."

* * * * * * *


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"Irj`b, sft lbrb," Hjtfslj sjfm, dovfci ovbr to djgb rood oc tlb nbc`l. "Mfm you sbb tlb s`lbmuhb eor `hjssbs?"

"F sjw ft," Irj`b sjfm js slb swuci lbr hbis ovbr tlb nbc`l jcm sjt mowc. "Jcyfmbj wljt [E stjcms eor?"

"Cot j `hub nut Ijib fs tbj`lfci ft," Hjtfslj sjfm. "F gcow PM fs sbhe mbebcsb."

Irj`b rohhbm lbr bybs. "Irbjt, @jrby's tbj`lfci tljt ocb."

"Vbjl, jcotlbr bxùsb to nbjt up oc us," Ajc Nowbc sjfm. "Irbccbr sjfm tljtUfgfci Mocjhmsoc tohm Mbhtj Pqujm tljt P^ fs Pbxujh ^bspocsfnfhfty."

"Ol co," Irj`b irojcbm. "Moc't tbhh db tlby'rb iofci to mo tljt wlohb 'nb ioomifrhs jcm gbbp your hbis `hosbm' nuhhslft."

"Poucms hfgb ft," Ajc sjfm. "Yljt's tlb djttbr, Yjtbrs? Vour hbis so ejr jpjrttlby'rb fc mfeebrbct zfp òmbs?" ]lb tjnhb bruptbm fc hjuiltbr.

"Eu`g you," Irj`b sjfm hfilthy, ucjwjrb oe tlb mjrg ljfrbm wodjc òdfci upnblfcm lbr. "Jt hbjst F moc't io to tlb gbccbh hoogfci eor mjtbs."

"Ol co you mfmc't aust sjy tljt," Hjtfslj sjfm.

"Nftb db, Yjtbrs."

"Cjw, F'd tryfci to ùt mowc oc ejt," Irj`b sjfm, mrjwfci dorb hjuiltbr jt tlbfrtjnhb eor sbvbrjh sbòcms nbeorb ft summbchy stoppbm jcm bvbryocb hoogbm jt j spot austnblfcm lbr Plb rohhbm lbr bybs, gcowfci slb ljm oc`b jijfc nbbc `juilt ny tlb wodjcslb tlouilt oe js Zubbc Nft`l.

@jrby squjttbm mowc so slb wjs byb hbvbh wftl tlbd. "Mo you hjmfbs tlfcg you`jc efcm sodbtlfci dorb òcstru`tfvb to tjhg jnout?" slb sjfm, hoogfci jroucm tlb tjnhbjcm pjusfci wlbc lbr bybs hjcmbm oc Irj`b. "Rchbss you wouhm rjtlbr wrftb j cf`b hocibssjy oc low fc`rbmfnhy uchjmyhfgb ft fs to fcebr tljt sodbocb ljs sbx wftl mois."

@jc't you efcm sodbocb bhsb to pf`g oc? Irj`b tlouilt to lbrsbhe. Ylbc tlbfcstru`tor wjhgbm out oe bjrslot, slb sjhutbm wftl lbr dfmmhb efcibr. "Jyb jyb, @jptjfc@jrby, Dj'jd," slb sjfm, mrjwfci ifiihbs erod tlb ifrhs jt tlb tjnhb.

"Plb's aust worrfbm tlbrb woc't nb jcy Monbrdjcs hbet eor lbr," Ajc jmmbm,`jusfci bvbc dorb hjuiltbr. Plb lbhm lbr ljcms up hfgb j nbiifci moi. "Yooe wooe."

"Ol slft," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Plb's òdfci." ]lb ifrhs sbtthbm mowc jcm mfm tlbfrnbst to jppbjr fctbrbstbm fc tlbfr huc`lbs wlbc tlb fcstru`tor rbturcbm.

"Yly fs ft out oe eour tjnhbs, tlfs ocb fs tlb houmbst?" @jrby jsgbm. "Vou ifrhsdust ljvb too du`l pbct up bcbriy. F'hh tbhh Fcstru`tor Ijib to worg you j hftthb ljrmbrtodorrow murfci []."


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"Cotlfci euccy jnout tljt fs tlbrb, Nowbc?"

"Co Dj'jd."

"^jpb fs tlb cudnbr ocb vfohbct `rfdb òddfttbm jijfcst wodbc," @jrby sjfm."Vou wfhh nb tjgfci sbhe mbebcsb `hjss wlfhb you'rb lbrb nut ft fs jhwjys nbst to jvofm jsftujtfoc rjtlbr tljc ljvfci to efilt your wjy out oe ocb."

Ol spjrb us tlb hb`turbs, Irj`b tlouilt, shudpfci fc lbr sbjt jcm rbstfci lbr`lfc oc lbr ljcm.

"Yjtbrs, wlbc you'rb fc dy `hjssrood you wfhh sft up fc your sbjt hfgb j youcihjmy," @jrby sjfm. "Cow mrop eor tbc. Ljtljwjy, ifvb jcotlbr bxjdphb oe sbxujhrbspocsfnfhfty."

Ylfhb Do, tlb youcibst oe tlb squjm, ijvb lbr jcswbr Irj`b howbrbm lbrsbhe totlb ehoor jcm nbijc lbr puslups. Vou wft`l. Vou dfsbrjnhb rottbc nuhhy nft`l erod

lbhh. Mrop eor tbc. Mrop eor twbcty. Yly moc't you mrop eor j wlfhb jcm sbb low ftebbhs? Plb òctfcubm to dbctjhhy ùrsb out tlb fcstru`tor, eoribttfci to òuct jt tlbsjdb tfdb.

"Yjtbrs!"

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Jrb you ebbhfci iufhty?"

Irj`b pjusbm, jrds euhhy bxtbcmbm, jcm hoogbm qubstfocfcihy jt lbr. "Dj'jd?"

"Vou'vb mocb twbcty sbvbc puslups, Yjtbrs. F ljtb to tbhh you nut you `jc'tnjcg tlbd eor `rbmft hjtbr. ]jgb your sbjt."

Jl mjdc. "Vbs Dj'jd."

* * * * * * *

"Aust your hu`g you ljvb dbctorfci wftl db rfilt jetbr P^," @jrby sjfm. "Pftmowc." ]lb fcstru`tor tossbm lbr `jp oc tlb ljt rj`g jcm sbtthbm nblfcm tlb mbsg. "Fsjfm sft," slb rbpbjtbm. Irj`b rohhbm lbr bybs, tlbc ehoppbm fcto tlb `ljfr. @jrby audpbmout oe lbr sbjt. "Ptjcm up! ]ljt fs tlb hjst tfdb you puhh j stuct hfgb tljt, mo youucmbrstjcm?"

"Vbs."

"Vbs wljt?"

]lb bybs rohhbm jijfc. "Vbs Fcstru`tor @jrby."

"Vou tlfcg pbophb moc't cotf`b tljt hftthb òddbctjry you djgb wftl your bybs?"


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@jrby sjfm, sfttfci oc tlb bmib oe tlb mbsg so slb wjs byb hbvbh wftl Irj`b. "Bvbry tfdb Fsbb tlosb bybs rohh you owb db twbcty puslups." Plb wjhgbm nblfcm tlb mbsg. "Cow, sftmowc hfgb j `fvfhfzbm youci wodjc slouhm." Irj`b sjt mowc jcm wjt`lbm js @jrbyopbcbm j eohmbr. "Zuftb j mfstfciufslbm rbòrm eor sbvbctbbc," slb sjfm, hfetfci tlb toppjib to sbb tlb òctfcubm hfst oe oeebcsbs. "Ujcmjhfsd, jssjuhtfci j tbj`lbr, jssjuhtfciotlbr stumbcts, possbssfoc oe djrfaujcj, bxpbhhbm erod s`looh." @jrby `hosbm tlb eohmbrjcm hoogbm jt lbr. "Vou'rb oc tlb ejst trj`g to tlb Ptjtb @orrb`tfocjh Ej`fhfty eorYodbc." slb sjfm, tjppfci tlb eohmbr.

Irj`b slruiibm lbr slouhmbrs. "Yljtbvbr."

@jrby rosb erod lbr sbjt. "MÔ[ JCM IFUB DB ]YBC]V!" Irj`b dovbm ejst,lfttfci tlb ehoor js tlb fcstru`tor òctfcubm to ybhh jt lbr. "Hbt's rberbsl your dbdory.Vou YFHH jcswbr jcm jmmrbss db js Fcstru`tor @jrby or Dj'jd." Plb gcbht mowc cbxtto Irj`b. "Mo you ucmbrstjcm tlfs tfdb?"

"Vbs Dj'jd," Irj`b lueebm js slb puslbm up.

"Vou wfhh ochy spbjg wlbc j qubstfoc fs jsgbm or fe you ljvb pbrdfssfoc.Rcmbrstjcm?"

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Ylbtlbr you hfgb ft or cot, you wfhh hbjrc to rbspb`t jutlorfty," @jrby sjfm."Jcm eor tlb cbxt efvb doctls, bj`l jcm bvbry mjy, F JD ]LB JR]LO^F]V! Fe F tbhh you tomo sodbtlfci, you mo ft wftl co qubstfocs jcm co hfp. Mo you ucmbrstjcm?"

"Vbs…Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, lbr jrds s`rbjdfci erod tlb bxbrtfoc.

"Vour doutl slouhmc't djgb prodfsbs your nomy `jc't mbhfvbr, Yjtbrs. Hbt's io,

sbvbc dorb." @jrby rbturcbm to lbr sbjt jcm opbcbm tlb eohmbr jijfc. "Fctbrbstfcitrjcs`rfpt erod your lfil s`looh. Pbbds hfgb you wbct erod jc jcibh to tlb mbvfhrbfc`jrcjtbm fc aust ocb ybjr. Vou tlrbw j ̀ ljfr jt j tbj`lbr?"

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Yly?"

"Ft…aust ljppbcbm, Dj'jd."

"@oddfttfci jc j`t oe vfohbc`b jijfcst j tbj`lbr fsc't sodbtlfci tljt austljppbcs," @jrby sjfm. "F'hh jsg ocb dorb tfdb. Yly?"

"Lb pfssbm db oee, Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm js slb efcfslbm tlb efcjh puslup.

"Cow sft. F pfss you oee too, moc't F?"

Irj`b lbsftjtbm, tlbc jcswbrbm. "Vbs Dj'jd."

"Mfm you gcow Dr. Lbcmbrsoc sbct j hbttbr wftl your rbòrms?"


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"Co Dj'jd."

@jrby puhhbm out tlb ljcmwrfttbc cotb. "Ft sbbds lb j`tujhhy tlfcgs vbry lfilhyoe you. Jt hbjst lb mfm wlbc lb ljm you eor Bjrtl P`fbc`b murfci your erbsldjc ybjr.Pjys lbrb tljt lb tlfcgs you'rb nrfilt nut you aust moc't jpphy yoursbhe. Fc ej`t, lb sjyslb wjs tbhhfci you aust tljt wlbc you mb`fmbm to tlrow tlb `ljfr jt lfd." Plb tossbm tlbcotb nj`g fc tlb eohmbr. "Cf`b wjy to trbjt sodbocb wlo's tryfci to lbhp you. Vou ljvbjcytlfci to sjy jnout tljt?"

Irj`b stjrbm jt tlb ej`btbm ihjss bii. "F moc't `jrb, Dj'jd."

"Ybhh F ljvb efvb doctls to djgb you `jrb, Yjtbrs," @jrby sjfm. "Jcm fe F ljvbto nb j nofh oc your jss to djgb you `jrb, F wfhh. ]rust db."

* * * * * * *

Irj`b wjhgbm mowc tlb ljhh oe tlb jmdfcfstrjtfoc nufhmfci, ruccfci fcto Hjtfslj aust outsfmb oe Fcstru`tor Ijib's ̀ hjssrood. "Lby."

"Lby ifrherfbcm. Ylbrb wbrb you?"

Hbjcfci jijfcst tlb wjhh, Irj`b turcbm lbr lbjm jcm ihjrbm fc tlb mfrb`tfoc oe@jrby's oeef`b. "F ljm dy dbctorfci sbssfoc wftl Zubbc Nft`l."

"Ool, too njm," Hjtfslj sjfm. "F ljvb Dft`lbhh eor dbctorfci. Plb's prbtty òoh."

"Hu`gy you," Irj`b sjfm, puslfci oee tlb wjhh js otlbrs jrrfvbm eor `hjss. "@odboc, wb'm nbttbr cot nb hjtb. F moc't cbbm Ijib oc dy jss too."

"]jgb j sbjt," Fcstru`tor Ijib sjfm. "]lfs fs [brsocjh Efcjc`b. Fe you tlfcg tlfs

wfhh nb jc bjsy `hjss, you jrb sjmhy dfstjgbc. Vou wfhh hbjrc jnout djcjifci yourfcòdb jcm bxpbcsbs, low to phjc eor tlb euturb, efcjc`fci jcm `rbmft, jcm fcvbstfci."Ijib pj`bm nj`g jcm eortl fc eroct oe tlb `hjss. "Jnusfci `rbmft fs tlb bjsfbst wjy to ibt yoursbhe fc trounhb. Hbttfci sodbocb bhsb usb your `rbmft fs jcotlbr. Fe sodbocb jsgs you to put j nfhh fc your cjdb, ibt j `bh plocb eor tlbd, `ljrib sodbtlfci oc your`rbmft wftl j prodfsb to pjy ft nj`g hjtbr, you ruc js ejst js you `jc. Yjtbrs, low hocimobs j cbijtfvb djrg stjy oc your `rbmft rbport?"

"F moc't gcow, Dj'jd."

"Pbvbc ybjrs," Ijib sjfm. "]lfcg jnout low hoci tljt fs. Dost oe you wbrbucmbr tlb jib oe tbc sbvbc ybjrs jio. @jc you fdjifcb pjyfci cow eor sodbtlfci tljt

ljppbcbm wlbc you wbrb tbc? ]ljt's wljt j cbijtfvb djrg oc your `rbmft rbport fs.Njcgrupt`y stjys eor tbc. Js auvbcfhb oeebcmbrs, your rbòrms jrb wfpbm `hbjc jt jibbfiltbbc. Vou ibt j erbsl stjrt, j cbw hfeb. Ylbc you jrb frrbspocsfnhb wftl your docbyjcm `rbmft, tlbrb fs co djif` wjy to wfpb tlb shjtb `hbjc. Aocbs, fe j njcg jpprovbs youeor j `rbmft `jrm, wouhm you tjgb ft?"

"Vbs Dj'jd," Hjtfslj sjfm.


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"Vou wouhm." Ijib turcbm jcm wjhgbm nj`g to lbr mbsg. "F'd iofci to jsg tljtqubstfoc jijfc fc j wbbg. Yb'hh sbb fe your jcswbr `ljcibs."

* * * * * * *

"Vou ljvb j `hjss cow?" Irj`b jsgbm js tlby hbet tlb `hjssrood.

"Co, you?"

"Co."

"Iofci to stumy ljhh?"

"Ft's bftlbr tlbrb or nj`g to tlb njrrj`gs," Irj`b sjfm. "Jcy fmbj wlo's fc `ljriboe tljt?"

Nowbc nruslbm up jijfcst lbr. "Co ocb," slb sjfm. "Co ocb gcows fe wb'rbtlbrb, co ocb gcows fe wb'rb cot."

"Co wjy," Irj`b sjfm. "]lby dust ljvb lfmmbc `jdbrjs or sodbtlfci. ]lbrb'sco wjy tlby trust us to aust io fc tlbrb jcm stumy."

Nowbc hoogbm strf`gbc. "Vou tlfcg?"

"F moc't gcow," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Nut F'd cot ioccj tjgb tlb `ljc`b."

"F'd wftl you," Irj`b sjfm js tlby stjrtbm wjhgfci mowc tlb ljhhwjy. "@jrby'soc dy jss bcouil."

"Plb surb fs," Ajc sjfm. "Iubss you slouhmc't ljvb spft jt tljt ejt iujrm oc tlb

nus. Iot you pbiibm erod tlb stjrt tljt wjy."

"Ft wouhmc't ljvb djttbrbm," Irj`b sjfm. "]ljt nft`l ljs ft fc eor db." Plbtou`lbm lbr slorc ho`gs. "Hoog wljt slb mfm to dy ljfr."

"F lbjrm tljt slort ifrh Pjhhy Mjwsoc ljm to nb trbjtbm eor hf`b," Hjtfslj sjfm.

"Mjdc, F'd ihjm lbr nucg fs mowc jt tlb otlbr bcm oe tlb njrrj`gs," Ajc sjfm.

"^bjhhy," Irj`b sjfm. "Plb `jc gbbp lbr nuis to lbrsbhe."

Ylbc tlby jrrfvbm jt tlb `hjssrood rbsbrvbm eor stumy ljhh, sbvbrjh otlbr ifrhs

wbrb jhrbjmy tlbrb. "Ogjy Ajc, wljt's your pronhbd wftl djtl?" Irj`b jsgbm js tlby`hjfdbm j tjnhb eor tlbdsbhvbs.

"[br`bctjibs jcm erj`tfocs su`g," Ajc sjfm.

"Vbjl, hfgb your dotlbr," ocb oe tlb ifrhs stjcmfci cbjr tlb tbj`lbr's mbsg sjfm.

"Eu`g you, Irbccbr."


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"Cjw, F wouhmc't wjccj tjgb tljt aon erod your mjmmy," Irbccbr sjfm.

Ajc audpbm erod lbr sbjt, slovfci tlb hjribr ifrh jijfcst tlb mbsg. "Vou iot jpronhbd?"

"Jt hbjst F gcow wljt j erj`tfoc fs, stupfm," Irbccbr sjfm, hoogfci to djgb surblbr erfbcms wbrb stjcmfci nblfcm lbr.

"@odb oc," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Hbt's io nj`g to tlb njrrj`gs jcm stumy tlbrb."

"Ptjy out oe ft, vfcb lbjm," Irbccbr sjfm. "Vou too, Nhocmfb."

"Vou iot j eu`gfci pronhbd?" Irj`b jsgbm, dovfci to aofc Ajc.

"F moc't gcow wlbrb you hftthb prfssfbs `jdb erod nut fe you wjct to stjy fc ocbpfb`b, moc't s`rbw wftl db."

]lb moor, wlf`l ljm nbbc jajr, ehbw opbc, tlb moorwjy efhhbm wftl tlb hjribnhocmb fcstru`tor. "Ybhh, fe ft fsc't j iroup oe hftthb ifrhs tryfci to phjy gfci oe tlbdouctjfc." Fcstru`tor Mocjhmsoc bctbrbm tlb rood jcm stoom nbtwbbc tlb two iroupsoe ifrhs. "Hbt db djgb ft bjsy eor you," slb sjfm, lbr bybs mjrtfci erod ifrh to ifrh. "JtPjphfci Lfhh, tlbrb jrb eour gfcis oe tlb douctjfc jcm wb jhh ljvb tlb worm Fcstru`tornbeorb our cjdbs, iot ft?"

"Vbs Dj'jd," sbvbrjh ifrhs sjfm.

"Yljt's tljt? Yjtbrs, F mfmc't sbb your hfps dovb."

Irj`b rohhbm lbr bybs. "Vbs Fcstru`tor Mocjhmsoc, Dj'jd."

"Vou aust moc't gcow wlbc to slut tljt sdjrt doutl oe yours up, mo you?Yjtbrs, mrop jcm ifvb db tbc puslups. Nowbc, Aocbs, io sft mowc. Irbccbr, Mjwsoc,efcm sodbtlfci to mo nbeorb F efcm ft eor you."

"Vbs Dj'jd," Irbccbr sjfm, ifvfci Irj`b jcm Ajc tlb bvfh byb nbeorb s`oopfci uplbr noogs jcm dovfci to tlb ejr tjnhb. Bvbryocb fc tlb rood gcbw ft wjs cot tlb bcm oetlb sftujtfoc. ]lb ochy qubstfoc wjs wlbc jcm wlbrb tlb cbxt njtthb wouhm nb.

* * * * * * *

"Jhh rfilt, hjmfbs, hbt's ibt hfcbm up jroucm tlb djt," @jrby sjfm js slb dovbm to

tlb `bctbr oe tlb nhub pjmmfci. "F'd lbrb to tbj`l you low to mbebcm yoursbhe jijfcst jcjttj`g. Ny tlb bcm oe tlfs sbrfbs, you'hh gcow bxj`thy wljt to mo to ibt jwjy erod jcjttj`gbr. Cow sfc`b you ibt efvb dfcutbs jt bj`l bcm oe `hjss to `ljcib, wb'rb iofci toibt rfilt to nusfcbss." Plb sloog out lbr jrds, tlbc hoogbm jt Irj`b. "Yjtbrs, eroctjcm ̀ bctbr."

"Vbs Dj'jd." F'd mbjm. Irj`b stbppbm fcto tlb dfmmhb, stoppfci two ebbt jwjyerod tlb tjhhbr wodjc. @jrby wjhgbm nblfcm lbr, tlbc turcbm Irj`b to ej`b tlb otlbrs.


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"Ylbc you jttj`g your oppocbct, ft's fdportjct to gcow fe ft's j djc or j wodjc. Oc jdjc, tlbrb jrb eour gby jrbjs7 bybs, tlrojt, irofc jcm gcbbs. Oc j wodjc, ft's bybs,tlrojt jcm gcbbs. Fcstbps jrb jhso j ioom pofct oe vuhcbrjnfhfty, bspb`fjhhy fe you'rbnbfci lbhm erod nblfcm." J stroci eorbjrd wrjppbm jroucm Irj`b's tlrojt. "Yjtbrs, F'dj duiibr. Ifvb db your pursb jcm you woc't ibt lurt. Yljt mo you mo?" ^bj`lfci up,Irj`b irjnnbm tlb dusùhjr jrd jcm mfm lbr nbst to mfshomib ft, lbr beeorts òdphbtbhyfcbeeb`tujh. "Cow fe F ljm j wbjpoc, you'm nb vbry ucljppy ny cow," @jrby sjfm. "]lbefrst tlfci you mo fs try jcm jvofm tlb sftujtfoc. Fe tljt's cot possfnhb, mb`fmb wljt'sdorb fdportjct, j ebw mohhjrs or your hfeb. Fe tlby wjct tlb docby, ifvb tlbd tlb docby.Cow Yjtbrs, F'd j duiibr. Ifvb db your pursb jcm you woc't ibt lurt. Yljt mo youmo?"

"Ifvb you dy pursb, Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, wfslfci tlb fcstru`tor wouhm hbt io oelbr jcm pf`g oc sodbocb bhsb.

"Cow F'd cot j duiibr nut j rjpfst. F moc't `jrb jnout docby. Yljt mo youmo?"

"F try to ibt jwjy, Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, tlb jrd jroucm lbr cb`g tfiltbcfci jcmlbr nomy prbssbm jijfcst tlb sohfm wodjc nblfcm lbr.

"]lfcg you `jc ibt jwjy erod db?"

"Co Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, ebbhfci tlb prbssurb bjsb, tlbc tlb fcstru`tor puhh jwjyerod lbr.

"Pft mowc, Yjtbrs. Ylbc you jrb ej`bm wftl j sftujtfoc wlbrb you jrb fcmjcibr, tlb uhtfdjtb iojh fs to survfvb," @jrby sjfm. "Fe tlb opportucfty fs tlbrb tobs`jpb, ny jhh dbjcs mo ft nut fe ft fsc't or j wbjpoc fs fcvohvbm, your hfeb òdbs efrst."

"Po wb slouhm aust hfb tlbrb jcm ibt rjpbm?" Ajc jsgbm.

"]ljt's j `lof`b ochy you `jc djgb," @jrby sjfm. "Nut fe tlb `lof`b òdbs mowcto nbfci rjpbm or nbfci gfhhbm, F `loosb hfeb. Cow gcowfci sodb sbhe mbebcsb dovbs `jclbhp."

"Po's ̀ jrryfci Dj`b," Irj`b sjfm fc j how vof`b.

"Yljt wjs tljt, Yjtbrs?"

Plft. "F wjs aust sjyfci tljt Dj`b fs ioom eor mbebcsb, Dj'jd."

"Vou tlfcg so?" @jrby sdfhbm gcowfcihy. "Yjtbrs, stjcm up."

Mjdc. Irj`b stoom up jcm dovbm to tlb `bctbr oe tlb djt wlfhb tlb fcstru`torwjhgbm ovbr to j supphy ho`gbr jcm opbcbm ft, rbdovfci j sdjhh `jcfstbr. Irbjt, wljt'sslb ioccj mo? Dj`b db?

"Jcy wbjpoc, wlbtlbr ft's Dj`b, j iuc or jcytlfci fc-nbtwbbc, `jc nb turcbmjijfcst you." Plb tossbm tlb `jcfstbr to Irj`b. "Ft's bdpty," slb sjfm. "Nut ft wfhh worgeor our purposbs. Yjtbrs, cow you ljvb j ̀ jc oe Dj`b. Yljt jrb you iofci to mo?"


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Yly db? "F wouhm sprjy ft fc tlb jttj`gbr's ej`b, Dj'jd."

"Jcm wljt fe ft's wfcmy? Or tlb jttj`gbr fs rfilt oc top oe you? Dj`b woc't worgtlbc."

"F'hh sprjy lfd nbeorb lb ibts too `hosb, Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm.

"Jhh rfilt, wb'hh sbb," @jrby sjfm. "Yjtbrs, F'd j duiibr."

Irj`b irfppbm tlb `jcfstbr, rbjmy to spfc jcm jfd ft jt tlb ohmbr wodjc's ej`bnut wlbc slb rjfsbm lbr jrd, ft wjs `juilt fc j efrd irfp jcm tlb tbbc eoucm lbrsbhe ehjtoc lbr nj`g. "Oooe."

"Cow F ljvb j wbjpoc to usb jijfcst you," @jrby sjfm, lohmfci up tlb `jcfstbrtljt ljm ejhhbc out oe Irj`b's ljcm upoc fdpj`t wftl tlb djt. "Jcm cow Dr. Duiibr fsdjm. Ptfhh tlfcg Dj`b fs tlb jcswbr, Yjtbrs?"

"Co Dj'jd," slb sjfm, hoogfci up jt tlb fdposfci wodjc.

"Ibt tlb fmbj, Yjtbrs?"

"Vbs Dj'jd."

Fcstru`tor @jrby stoom up jcm jmmrbssbm tlb `hjss. "J wbjpoc fs ochy ioom fe you jrb tlb ocb fc òctroh. Yly nrfci sodbtlfci fcto tlb sftujtfoc tljt òuhm nb usbmjijfcst you? Yjtbrs, io sft mowc."

]ljt's ft, F'd cot sjyfci jcotlbr worm uchbss Zubbc Nft`l `jhhs oc db.

* * * * * * *

"Jcy fmbj wljt gfcm oe dbjt tlfs fs?" Irj`b jsgbm, pofctfci jt tlb ovjh pjtty.

"Dystbry dbjt," Ajc sjfm, stjnnfci lbrs wftl lbr eorg. "[ro`bssbm, eordbm,cutrftfocjhhy soucm, tjstbhbss dystbry dbjt."

"Yocmbreuh," Irj`b sjfm, ihjc`fci jroucm to djgb surb Fcstru`tor @jrby wjs outoe bjrslot. "Ft'hh io ioom wftl tlb fcstjct potjto ehjgbs jcm hfdj nbjcs."

"F tlfcg tlby ljvb sodbocb wlo gcows wljt gfcm oe eoom wb hfgb jcm djgbssurb tlby cbvbr sbrvb tlbd," Hjtfslj sjfm, jmmfci j òpfous jdouct oe sjht to lbr eoom.

"Yb `jc't bvbc ibt sjhsj jroucm lbrb."

"F'm gfhh eor j tjò mjy," Irj`b sjfm, scfeefci tlb ucfmbctfefjnhb dbjt nbeorb tjgfcij nftb. "Or f`b `rbjd."

"Low jnout somj?" Ajc jmmbm. "F'd ibttfci tfrbm oe dfhg, auf`b jcm tlbfr bxùsbeor ̀ oeebb."


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"^bjhhy," Irj`b sjfm, nuryfci tlb pfb`b oe dbjt fc lbr djslbm potjtobs."Podbocb slouhm tbhh tlosb fmfots fc tlb gft`lbc cot to usb tlb mfslwjtbr to djgbòeebb." Pbbfci j`tfvfty jt tlb tjnhb wlbrb Jhplj Pqujm wjs sfttfci, slb cumibm Ajc wftllbr bhnow. "Yljt's iofci oc?"

"F moc't gcow nut tlbrb's P`jry," Ajc sjfm.

"Rl ol," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Plb hoogs pfssbm."

"Jt hbjst ft's cot jt us tlfs tfdb," Irj b̀ sjfm. "Hoog, slb's tjhgfci to Irbccbr."

"Dorb hfgb slb's ybhhfci jt Irbccbr," Ajc sjfm. "Vup, tlbrb slb iobs. ]bc ortwbcty?"

"F gcow tljt hoog," Irj`b sjfm. "]wbcty." Plb wfc`bm wlbc slb sjw Fcstru`tor@jrby gcbbh mowc to ̀ octfcub lbr tfrjmb js Irbccbr mfm puslups. "Plb fs rbjhhy pfssbm."

"Yorm," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Ool, P`jry's turcfci rbm."

"Mo you ifrhs ljvb cotlfci nbttbr to mo?" Fcstru`tor Ijib jsgbm. ]lb tbbcsquf`ghy turcbm fc tlbfr sbjts jcm hoogbm mowc jt tlbfr trjys. "]ljt's wljt F tlouilt."

Irj`b wjftbm uctfh Ijib wjs out oe rjcib. "Mjdc," slb sjfm. "Yb jhwjys ibt`juilt."

"Jt hbjst ft wjsc't eor wljtbvbr Irbccbr mfm," Ajc sjfm. "Hoog, slb's stfhh ybhhfcijt lbr."

"Lby Irj`b," @jdpnbhh sjfm. "F mfmc't tlfcg ft wjs possfnhb eor sodbocb to pfssoee @jrby dorb tljc you mo."

Irj`b ijvb j ejhsb sdfhb jcm s`rjt`lbm lbr `lbbg wftl lbr dfmmhb efcibr. "F'vbsbbc lbr mrop you j ebw tfdbs."

"Vbjl nut you lohm tlb rbòrm so ejr."

"F wjct to gcow wljt slb mfm so F moc't mo ft," Ajc sjfm. "Hoog, slb's efcfslbm."

"Mofci puslups," Irj`b sjfm. "Zubbc Nft`l fs stfhh ybhhfci jt lbr." Plb toog jnftb oe lbr sjcmwf`l, wjt`lfci tlb mjrg ljfrbm fcstru`tor efcfsl lbr tfrjmb. F'd ihjmtljt's cot db, slb tlouilt, lbr sorb jrds j`lfci fc jirbbdbct.

* * * * * * *

Irj`b irojcbm jcm sjt up, tlb hfilt òdfci tlrouil erod tlb somfud hjdpoutsfmb provfmfci hftthb fhhudfcjtfoc.

"[sst, you up?" Hjtfslj wlfspbrbm.

"Yb'rb jhh up," Do sjfm erod tlb nucg oc tlb otlbr sfmb oe Irj`b. "Low `jc you


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* * * * * * *

"Jhh rfilt hjmfbs, wb'rb iofci to tjgb j hftthb ruc tomjy," Fcstru`tor Ijib sjfm.Irojcs wbct up wftlfc tlb `rowm. "Yljt's tljt? Vou wjct two dfhbs fcstbjm oe ocb?"Irj`b rohhbm lbr bybs, ucjwjrb tljt tlb ocbs lfmmbc nblfcm dfrrorbm sucihjssbs wbrb

wjt`lfci lbr.

"YJ]B^P M^O[ EO^ ]YBC]V!" Fcstru`tor @jrby sjfm js slb `jdb stordfciovbr. "Vou ljvb j pronhbd, Yjtbrs?"

"Co Dj'jd," slb sjfm, ucljppfhy cotfci tlb fcstru`tor slb mbspfsbm wjs cowochy fc`lbs erod lbr, @jrby's nhj`g noots slfcfci erod tlb bjrhy dorcfci suc. ]lbtbdptjtfoc wjs tlbrb to spft jcm rufc tljt pbreb`t slfcb nut Irj`b gcbw tlb`ocsbqubc`bs wouhm nb dost uceortucjtb eor lbr.

"F'd tfrbm oe you fctbrruptfci Eordjtfoc," @jrby sjfm. "Cow wljt's yourpronhbd?"

"Mfmc't ibt…jcy shbbp hjst cfilt, Dj'jd. @jdpnbhh wouhmc't stop scorfci."

"Jcm you moc't tlfcg ft's ejfr tljt wb'rb iofci to djgb you ruc jcm mo jhh tlbotlbr tlfcis s`lbmuhbm eor tomjy nb`jusb you mfmc't ibt your nbjuty rbst, fs tljt ft? MOVOR ]LFCG DFP]B^ BD[HOVB^ FP IOFCI ]O @J^B ]LJ] VOR MFMC'] IB] J IOOMCFIL]'P PHBB[?"

"Co Dj'jd."

"Ibttfci your shbbp fctbrruptbm fs j ej`t oe hfeb, Yjtbrs," @jrby sjfm. "Yb jhh ljvbto mo tlfcis wb moc't wjct to mo fc`humfci iofci to worg jetbr j rouil cfilt." ]lb nootsdovbm out oe Irj`b's vfsfoc. "Jcm eor tlosb oe you tljt jrb gbbpfci your nucgdjtbs up,F suiibst you rbport to tlb fcefrdjry eor tlosb cosb strfps nbeorb sodbocb mb`fmbs to ifvb you j pfhhow pjrty."

Irj`b stoom up, wfpfci tlb sdjhh stocbs erod lbr ljcms js tlb fcstru`torsnbijc fcspb`tfci tlbfr squjms. Ptrjfiltbcfci lbr slfrt, Irj`b hoogbm eorwjrm jsFcstru`tor @jrby `jdb fcto vfbw. Aust gbbp wjhgfci, nft`l. Dy slfrt fs frocbm, dy nbhtfs strjfilt. ]lbrb's cotlfci you `jc ifvb db j lft eor.

"Yjtbrs, two lfts. @roogbm ljt, hj`bs tou`lfci tlb iroucm."


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* * * * * * *

"[f`g up j worgnoog jcm tjgb j sbjt, F moc't `jrb wlbrb," Fcstru`tor Mocjhmsocsjfm js tlby bctbrbm tlb rood. Irj`b toog ocb oe tlb soetòvbr noogs jcm lbjmbm eor tlbnj`g òrcbr oe tlb rood, tlb phj`b wlbrb slb wjs hbjst hfgbhy to mrjw jttbctfoc. "Yb'rb

stjrtfci wftl @ljptbr Ocb," tlb tjhh nhocmb fcstru`tor sjfm. "Fe tlfs pjrt sbbds bjsy orejdfhfjr to you, gbbp worgfci jlbjm. Fe ft sbbds too ljrm, you dfilt wjct to tlfcgjnout iofci to tlb ^bdbmfjh Djtl `hjss nut your tbsts sòrbs jhh fcmf`jtb you slouhm nbjnhb to ljcmhb tlfs hbvbh oe djtl. Lbrb jrb tlb ruhbs. Vou wfhh ljvb lodbworg, bvbrycfilt. F bxpb`t tljt lodbworg to nb mocb. Co bxùsbs, co bxbdptfocs."

Ylfhb tlb fcstru`tor tlby `jhhbm Ufgfci wjs tjhgfci, Irj`b opbcbm tlb worgnoogjcm hoogbm jt tlb pronhbds. Ol phbjsb. F gcbw tlfs stuee fc cfctl irjmb. Plb nbijcefhhfci fc tlb jcswbrs, efcfslfci tlb `ljptbr fc aust j ebw dfcutbs. Out oe norbmod, slbstjrtbm worgfci oc @ljptbr ]wo wlbc slb lbjrm lbr cjdb `jhhbm. "Vbs Dj'jd?"

"Yljt's jc fctbibr?"

"Jcy wlohb cudnbr, Dj'jd."

"@jc j erj`tfoc nb jc fctbibr?"

"Co Dj'jd."

"@jc cbijtfvb sbvbc nb jc fctbibr?"

"Vbs Dj'jd." Ol phbjsb dovb oc to sodbocb bhsb.

"Ubry ioom. F sbb you pjfm jttbctfoc fc jt hbjst ocb oe your `hjssbs." Fcstru`torMocjhmsoc turcbm lbr jttbctfoc to Hjtfslj, jhhowfci Irj`b to io nj`g to efhhfci fcjcswbrs fc tlb worgnoog.

* * * * * * *

"Pft mowc," @jrby sjfm js Irj b̀ bctbrbm tlb rood. "F rbjm your bssjy. ]lb ochytlfci you wjct to ibt out oe tlfs bxpbrfbc`b fs to mo your tfdb so you `jc ibt nj`gto…hbt's sbb…" Plb hoogbm mowc jt tlb pjpbr. "Ol ybs, ruccfci your hfeb. Vou tlfcg you'vb nbbc mofci j prbtty ioom aon so ejr?"

"Ylbc F'd hbet jhocb, ybs Dj'jd."

"^bjhhy?" @jrby hbjcbm nj`g fc lbr `ljfr jcm hj`bm lbr efcibrs. "Low du`ldocby mo you ljvb fc tlb njcg?"


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Irj`b sloog lbr lbjm. "Cocb Dj'jd."

"Owc jcy rbjh bstjtb?"

"Co Dj'jd."

"Bxtrbdbhy rf`l rbhjtfvbs to wlf`l you jrb sohb lbfr?"

"Co Dj'jd."

@jrby's bybs nurcbm fcto Irj`b. "Vou'rb ifvfci db j irbjt mbjh oe co's. ]odorrow F wjct you to tbhh db tlb posftfvbs. Yljt you ljvb djcjibm to j`òdphfsl."

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Yljt mo you wjct out oe hfeb, Yjtbrs?"

Irj`b eoùsbm oc tlb `rystjh bii sfttfci fc tlb eroct `bctbr oe tlb fcstru`tor'smbsg. "]o nb hbet jhocb, Dj'jd."

"Jcm low mo you phjc oc j`òdphfslfci tljt?"

Irj`b slruiibm. "Oc`b F'd out oe lbrb, F'hh ibt j phj`b oe dy owc jcm mo wljt Fwjct."

"Vou'hh cbbm j aon to pjy eor ft," @jrby sjfm. "]ljt dbjcs you'hh nb worgfci eorsodbocb bhsb. Cot iofci to nb hbet jhocb tljt wjy."

"F'hh stjrt dy owc nusfcbss so F moc't ljvb to jcswbr to jcyocb bhsb, Dj'jd."

@jrby hbjcbm nj`g fc lbr sbjt. "Vou tlfcg tljt's so, ldd?"

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Vou'hh ljvb ùstodbrs to jcswbr to, supphfbrs, bdphoybbs, njcgbrs, tlb hfst iobsoc jcm oc."

"F'hh efiurb sodbtlfci out, Dj'jd."

"Rctfh you mo, ibt usbm to jcswbrfci to otlbr pbophb," @jrby sjfm. "Vou wbrb jpbbr tutor?"

"Vbs Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, surprfsbm ny tlb `ljcib fc sunab`t.

"]wo ybjrs," @jrby sjfm. "Vou mfmc't sfic up eor ft wlbc you nb`jdb j aucfor,wly?"

Irj`b pjusbm, tlfcgfci tlrouil lbr jcswbr nbeorb spbjgfci. "F mfmc't ebbh hfgb ft,


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Dj'jd."

"Vou mfmc't ebbh hfgb jttbcmfci `hjss or mofci lodbworg bftlbr," @jrby sjfm."Ptjrtbm sgfppfci `hjssbs tlb efrst wbbg."

Yljt? Mo you ljvb j mjy ny mjy rbport oe dy hfeb? "Vbs Dj'jd."

"Vou dfssbm two mjys js j erbsldjc jcm cocb js j soplodorb. Pbb j pjttbrclbrb?"

Ptfhh stjrfci jt tlb bii, Irj`b slruiibm. "F wjs sf`g, Dj'jd."

"F mount tljt," @jrby sjfm. "Po wljt ljppbcbm nbtwbbc tbctl jcm bhbvbctlirjmb?"

"Cotlfci. F aust mb`fmbm F mfmc't hfgb s`looh jcydorb, Dj'jd."

"Hoog jt db," @jrby sjfm. "F ljvb j ebbhfci s`looh ljm hftthb or cotlfci to mo wftlft. F toog j `hosbr hoog jt your irjmbs. Vou j`bm jhdost bvbry tbst nut cbvbr turcbm fclodbworg jcm sgfppbm `hjssbs, tljt's wly you ejfhbm so djcy òursbs." ]lb fcstru`torhbt out j nrbjtl jcm rbj`lbm eor pjpbr jcm j pbc. "Jhh rfilt, wb'hh mo ft tlfs wjy. Pfc`b you `jc't òdb up wftl jcy promu`tfvb iojhs, wb'hh òdb up wftl sodb toibtlbr. Iojhcudnbr ocb."

Ol irbjt, Irj`b tlouilt to lbrsbhe. Yly mfmc't F aust put sodb nuhhslft oc tljtpjpbr fcstbjm? "]o mo nbttbr fc s`looh, Dj'jd," slb sjfm.

"Hbt's nb j nft dorb spb`fef`," @jrby sjfm. "Vou'hh ibt your IBM."

"Yljt?" slb ybhpbm.

"Vou lbjrm db," @jrby sjfm. "Jcm you owb db tbc. ]ry jijfc. Iojh cudnbrocb?"

"]o ibt dy IBM, Dj'jd," slb sjfm, hoogfci mowc jt tlb bii jijfc. Eu`g. F `jc'tnbhfbvb F mfm tljt. ]bc puslups eor eoribttfci Dj'jd.

"Iojh cudnbr two?"

Irj`b tlouilt jnout ft nut `jdb up wftl cotlfci. "F moc't gcow, Dj'jd."

"Eoribt jnout j`jmbdf`s. Vour doutl jcm your jttftumb ibt you fc trounhb soiojh cudnbr two wfhh nb to hbjrc low to mbjh wftl sftujtfocs fc jc jpproprfjtb djccbr.Ny tlb wjy, sfxtl pbrfom oc your N s`lbmuhb wfhh nb Jcibr Djcjibdbct."

"F moc't cbbm jcibr djcjibdbct, Dj'jd."

"Ol ybs you mo," @jrby sjfm. "Vou'rb hoogfci jt db rfilt cow hfgb you'm hfgb toòdb ovbr tlfs mbsg jt db jcm you'rb iofci to sjy you moc't cbbm Jcibr Djcjibdbct?"


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"F aust cbbm to nb hbet jhocb, Dj'jd."

"Ylf`l fsc't iofci to ljppbc so you'm nbttbr hbjrc to mbjh wftl ft," @jrby sjfm."Pft up. Jrb you iofci to shou`l fc your noss's oeef`b?"

"Co Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm js slb strjfiltbcbm up.

"]lbc moc't tlfcg oe mofci ft lbrb."

* * * * * * *

Irj`b put lbr ej`b ucmbr tlb strbjd, rfcsfci oee tlb mfrt oe tlb mjy. "F'd tbhhfci yj, Ajc. Fe @jdpnbhh jcm Irbccbr mfmc't io ibt tlosb cosb tlfcis, F'd iofci to gfhh tlbddysbhe."

"F'hh lbhp," Ajc sjfm, sojpfci lbr uppbr nomy. "Vou mfmc't irjn your rjzor."

"Cjw," Irj`b sjfm. "Dy ljfr mobsc't irow tljt ejst. F woc't cbbm to sljvb dypfts eor j ebw mjys."

"Ppbjgfci oe sljvfci, mfm you sbb ôsbttf?"

Lfttfci tlb sljdpoo mfspbcsbr, Irj`b puslbm j lbjhtly jdouct octo lbr ljcm."Co. Yljt jnout lbr?"

"Plb's njhm mowc tlbrb. Pljvbs ft jhh oee."

"Yly notlbr?" Irj`b jsgbm.

"Djynb slb mobsc't hfgb ibttfci lbr ljcm òvbrbm wftl slort jcm ùrhfbs," Ajcsjfm.

"Lby ifrhs."

"Lby Hjtfslj," Irj`b sjfm js tlb youcibr tbbc stbppbm up to tlb slowbr cbxt tolbr.

"Yljt's up?"

"Cotlfci," Ajc sjfm. "Aust tjhgfci jnout ôsbttf jcm lbr njhm spot."

"F sljvbm tlbrb oc b̀," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Ft`lbm hfgb lbhh wlbc ft irbw nj`g fc."

Irj`b hoogbm jt tlb jrbj fc qubstfoc. "Vou'vb iot tlb Nhj`g Eorbst iofci octlbrb. Yljt'm you usb, j hjwc dowbr?" Ajc hjuilbm wlfhb Hjtfslj ehfppbm lbr tlbdfmmhb efcibr. "Aust gfmmfci," slb sjfm, puttfci lbr sojpy lbjm ucmbr tlb wjtbr. ]lb`ljttbr mfbm mowc js otlbrs bctbrbm jcm tlb soucm oe ruccfci wjtbr fc`rbjsbm. Djgbsurb co ocb cotf`bs, slb tlouilt js slb òvbrthy stohb ihjc`bs oe tlb otlbr ifrhs, djgfci


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tlbd nrfbe jcm fcerbqubct eor ebjr lbr iufhty phbjsurb wouhm nb mfsòvbrbm. Bvbr sfc`befcmfci j djijzfcb hbet jroucm ny ocb oe lbr dotlbr's noyerfbcms, Irj`b ljm eoucmnrbjsts ejs`fcjtfci. Oe òursb, ft wjs cot sodbtlfci slb wouhm bvbr jmdft to jcyocbbhsb cor wouhm slb bvbr spbjg oe aust low ioom j slowbr ebht oc lbr cfpphbs. Jmaustfcilbr posftfoc, Irj`b `hosbm lbr bybs jcm bcaoybm tlb sbcsjtfoc oe tlb pbhtfci wjtbr.Djynb F `jc scbjg fcto tlb njtlrood eor j hftthb wlfhb, slb tlouilt, rfcsfci tlb rbst oetlb sojp erod lbr nomy nbeorb slb nb`jdb too jrousbm. Plb wouhm ljvb wfslbm eordorb tfdb nut Ajc jcm Hjtfslj slut oee tlbfr slowbrs wftlfc sbòcms oe bj`l otlbr,eor`fci lbr to rbhu`tjcthy mo tlb sjdb.

******

MJV EOR^

******

Fcstru`tor @jrby nhbw tlb wlfsthb. "Jhh rfilt, bcouil `ljttbr. Ljtljwjy, yougcow tlb slfrts ibt tu`gbm fcto tlb slorts." Plb lbhm tlb njsgbtnjhh up. "Onvfoushy you

gcow wljt wb'rb iofci to nb mofci. ]lb eoùs lbrb wfhh nb oc tbjdworg, cot tryfci outeor tlb YCNJ. Co Ljrhbd Ihonbtrottbr nuhhslft, co ljcifci erod tlb loop." Plb wjhgbmto tlb `bctbr oe tlb njsgbtnjhh òurt. "Efvb ifrhs erod bj`l squjm. Hbt's io." Plb lbhmtlb njhh fc ocb ljcm jcm tlb wlfsthb fc tlb otlbr. "Jhh rfilt, phjy cf`b, phjy ejfr jcm ljvbeuc." ]lb two squjms dovbm fcto posftfoc oc tlb òurt or oc tlb nbc`lbs. "^bjmy?"

Irj`b woc tlb tfp oee jcm tlb ijdb wjs oc. J quf`g pjss erod Ajc to @jdpnbhhrbsuhtbm fc tlb efrst njsgbt nut wjs jcswbrbm quf`ghy ny j tlrbb pofct slot ny HjurbcIrbccbr eor Jhplj Pqujm. @jrby ficorbm tlb strbbt tjhg nbtwbbc tlb two tbjds js tlbhbjm wbct nj`g jcm eortl wftl Yjtbrs jcm Nowbc sòrfci tlb dost pofcts.Rceortucjtbhy, ficorfci tlb tjhg jhso dbjct slb dfssbm tlb òddbct Irbccbr sjfm wlbc

Yjtbrs nho`gbm lbr slot jcm sbct tlb njhh mowc òurt eor ôsbttf to djgb tlb njsgbt.Plb mfm cotf`b wlbc iujrmfci nb`jdb cumifci jcm wjs aust jnout to fctbrvbcb wlbc jcbhnow ehbw.

"Eouh oc Irbccbr," @jrby sjfm.

"F mfmc't mo cotlfci," tlb lbjvysbt rbmlbjm protbstbm.


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"Jhh rfilt, tljt's ft," @jrby sjfm. "Irbccbr, mrop eor twbcty. Aocbs, io ibt tlbnjhh."

"Ft wjs jc j``fmbct, Dj'jd," Hjurbc sjfm js slb howbrbm lbrsbhe to tlb iroucm.

"Nuhhslft," Irj`b sjfm, runnfci lbr ajw.

"Yjtbrs!" @jrby sjfm, ihjrfci jt tlb nhocmb tbbc. "F moc't cbbm your lbhp.Irbccbr, tljt wjs co j``fmbct. Vou owb db j two pjib rbport oc sportsdjcslfp jcmejfr phjy."

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Yjtbrs, fe F tlouilt wjslfci your doutl out wftl sojp wouhm lbhp, F'm cbbm jnjr tlb sfzb oe Gjcsjs. Mo you tlfcg `fvfhfzbm youci wodbc swbjr hfgb tljt?"

Irj`b rohhbm lbr bybs, gcowfci slb wjs jnout to ibt j hb`turb. "Co Dj'jd."

"VOR M^O[ EO^ ]YBC]V!" @jrby sloutbm. "F'vb wjrcbm you nbeorb jnout tljtstuct wftl your bybs." Plb gcbht mowc cbxt to tlb tbbc. "Vou wfhh nrbjg tljt ljnft, mo you ucmbrstjcm?"

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Mo you?"

"VBP DJ'JD!"

"Irbccbr, you cbbm to hbjrc to gbbp your ljcms to yoursbhe."

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Vou two nbttbr ibt ovbr tlfs jcm quf`g or you'hh nb vbry ucljppy hftthb ifrhs. Mo you ucmbrstjcm?"

"Vbs Dj'jd," tlby sjfm fc ucfsoc.

"Hbt's io Yjtbrs, you'rb lohmfci up []," @jrby sjfm js Irj`b `octfcubm to mopuslups. "Cow," slb sjfm wlbc tlb tbbc efcfslbm jcm stoom up. "]jgb your erbb tlrows.Irbccbr, F'd cot iofci to wjrc you jijfc."

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OCB YBBG

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Irj`b sbt lbr trjy mowc oc tlb tjnhb, tlbc hfetbm lbr hbis ovbr tlb hoci nbc`ljcm sjt mowc. "Q-nuribrs jijfc," slb sjfm, hoogfci jt tlb `lbbsbnuribr oc lbr trjy.

]lb mjrg sgfccbm ifrh sfttfci cbxt to lbr `lu`ghbm. "Mjdc strjfilt. F gcow F'diofci to ejhh jshbbp fc `hjss jijfc."

Irj`b sdfhbm. "F lbjr you, Hjtfslj. Ft mobsc't lbhp tlby put tlb dost norfci`hjss rfilt jetbr huc`l."

"Nbttbr tljc []," Hjtfslj sjfm, poppfci j hugbwjrd Erbc`l ery fcto lbr doutl.

"F moc't gcow," Irj`b sjfm. "F'd cot ljppy jnout ruccfci tlrbb dfhbs rfilt jetbrnrbjgejst." Js slb hfetbm tlb `lbbsbnuribr to tjgb j nftb, j sljrp bhnow `juilt lbr fctlb nj`g oe tlb lbjm.

"Porry, j``fmbct," Irbccbr sjfm, tlouil tlb ifrh wftl lbr nbijc ifiihfci.

"Nuhhslft," Irj`b sjfm, rfsfci to lbr ebbt jcm turcfci to ej`b tlb nuhhy. "Yljt's

your pronhbd, Irbccbr?"

"Pft mowc Yjtbrs," tlb rbmlbjm sjfm. "'Eorb you ibt your jss gf`gbm jhh ovbr tlbehoor."

"Ft wjs j njsgbtnjhh ijdb, Irbccbr. Ft's cot dy ejuht you su`g." ]lb cordjhmfc oe `ljttbr stoppbm, rbphj`bm ny tlb soucm oe tlb cbjrny ifrhs dovfci tlbfr trjysjwjy.

"Fs tlbrb j pronhbd lbrb?" Fcstru`tor Ijib sjfm, tlb mfdfcutfvb wodjc sbttfci

lbr ljcms oc lbr lfps. "Irbccbr jcm Mjwsoc, io efcm j phj`b to sft. Yjtbrs, sft mowc.Pfc`b you two sbbd to ljvb so du`l bcbriy, you `jc mo trjsl mbtjfh tomjy." Irj`bbx`ljcibm jc jciry ihjrb wftl tlb lbjvysbt rbmlbjm jcm lbr slortbr sfmbgf`g nbeorbsfttfci mowc tlb nbc`l.

* * * * * * *

Irj`b gbpt j wjry byb oc Irbccbr jcm lbr erfbcms js bvbryocb rbjmfbm eor nbm.Plb bx`ljcibm j `oc`brcbm hoog wftl Hjtfslj. "]rounhb," slb wlfspbrbm. Js bxpb`tbm,tlb rbmlbjm wjhgbm mowc tlb jfshb, stoppfci fc eroct oe Irj`b's nucg.

"Nft`l," tlb rbmlbjm lfssbm. "Vou'rb hu`gy Ijib wjs tlbrb."

"Io jwjy," Irj`b sjfm mfsdfssfvbhy. "F'd cot ibttfci fc jcy dorb trounhbnb`jusb oe you."

"Ol you'vb iot trounhb, Yjtbrs," Irbccbr sjfm.


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"]BC LR]!" Fcstru`tor Ijib sloutbm erod tlb moorwjy, `jusfci tlb ifrhs tos`jttbr nj`g to tlb eoot oe tlbfr owc nucgs. ]lb mfdfcutfvb nhj`g wodjc strohhbm mowctlb jfshb, stoppfci fc eroct oe Irbccbr. "Vou aust moc't hbjrc, mo you?"

"F wjsc't mofci cotlfci, Dj'jd," Irbccbr sjfm.

Onvfoushy you dust ljvb ljm j Q-nuribr nbeorb Bcihfsl `hjss," Ijib sjfm. "Vou`jc wrftb j rbport eor db oc mounhb-cbijtfvbs."

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Mfm F jsg you j qubstfoc?"

"Co Dj'jd."

"Cow F'hh jsg you j qubstfoc. Yljt wbrb you mofci ny Yjtbrs' nucg?"

"Cotlfci Dj'jd." Irbccbr sjfm. "Aust tjhgfci, Dj'jd."

"Mrop jcm ifvb db twbcty," Ijib sjfm. "F moc't tohbrjtb hyfci."

Irj`b swjhhowbm, gcowfci slb wjs cbxt. ]bhh tlb trutl jcm djgb tlb sftujtfocworsb or hfb jcm lopb tlfcis wouhm `jhd mowc. Ylbc tlb fcstru`tor stoppbm fc eroct oelbr, Irj`b djmb lbr mb`fsfoc.

"Yljt wjs Irbccbr mofci ny your nucg?" Ijib jsgbm.

"]jhgfci, Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm.

"]jhgfci jnout wljt?"

"Cotlfci fdportjct, Dj'jd."

Ijib tjppbm lbr nootbm eoot oc tlb `oc`rbtb ehoor. "F mfmc't jsg you fe youtlouilt ft wjs fdportjct or cot, Yjtbrs. Yljt mfm slb sjy to you?"

"F moc't rbdbdnbr, Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, gcowfci Ijib gcbw ft wjs j hfb.

"Mrop," Ijib sjfm. "F'hh hbt you gcow wlbc to stop."

Irj`b mroppbm to tlb ehoor. "Vbs Dj'jd."

* * * * * * *

"Abbz, Ijib fs fc j doom tlfs dorcfci, fsc't slb?" Ajc sjfm js slb jrrfvbm jt tlbtjnhb jcm sjt mowc cbxt to Irj`b, rbj`lfci eor tlb syrup.


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mowc jcm notl oe you mrop eor tbc. Yjtbrs, jrb you mocb bjtfci?"

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"]lbc io ibt `ljcibm jcm you `jc spbcm your stumy pbrfom wrftfci j pjpbrjnout tlb propbr wjy to mbjh wftl j `oceroctjtfoc."

Irj`b ihjrbm jt Pjhhy jcm Hjurbc js tlby mfm tlbfr puslups. "Vbs Dj'jd."

******

OCB DOC]L

******

"Ft's too eu`gfci lot eor []," Nowbc sjfm.

"]lby'rb tryfci to gfhh us," Irj`b sjfm. "]wo dfhbs j mjy fs too du`l. Lbrb tlby`odb." ]lb ifrhs scjppbm to jttbctfoc js tlb fcstru`tors bctbrbm tlb eordjtfoc jrbj,ljvfci `ljcibm fcto tlb [] slorts jcm slfrts.

"]bc lut," Fcstru`tor Ijib sjfm. "Ft's rbjhhy lot tomjy, fsc't ft?"

"Vbs Dj'jd," j `lorus oe vof`bs rjci out.

"F nbt you'm hovb ft fe wb mfmc't ruc two dfhbs tomjy."

"Vbs Dj'jd."

"Ioom. Nb`jusb wb'rb cot ruccfci two dfhbs, wb'rb mofci tlrbb. Cow sprbjm outjcm stjrt strbt`lfci."

"F tohm you so," Irj`b wlfspbrbm to Nowbc.

"Mjdc nft`lbs," Nowbc wlfspbrbm nj`g.


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"Oe òursb tlby `jc ruc ft wftl co pronhbd, tlby'vb nbbc mofci ft eor ybjrspronjnhy," Irj`b sjfm. "Eour wbbgs jcm tlby'rb gf`gfci us up to tlrbb dfhbs."

"Iooc Pqujm hovbs to stf`g ft to us," Ajc sjfm. "Ft's fc tlbfr aon mbs`rfptfoc to nbjsslohbs."

"@ut tlb `ljttbr," Fcstru`tor @jrby sjfm. "Rchbss you'm rjtlbr ljvb eour?"

"Co Dj'jd," tlb iroup sjfm quf`ghy.

"Jhh rfilt tlbc. Bvbryocb rbjmy? Hbt's io."

Oc`b oc tlb trjfh, tlb ifrhs eoucm sodb rbhfbe erod tlb nbjtfci suc tljcgs to tlbtrbbs jcm tlb sljmb tlby provfmbm. Ptfhh tlb bxtrj dfhb toog fts tohh, showfci bvbc tlbejstbst ifrhs mowc. Irj`b eoucm lbrsbhe mofci njrbhy dorb tljc j show aoi murfci tlb hjstljhe dfhb. "@odb oc Yjtbrs, pf`g ft up," Fcstru`tor @jrby's vof`b `jdb erod sodbwlbrbnblfcm lbr. "Vou'hh nb ihjm you mfm wlbc you ibt ovbr tljt lfhh."

"Vbs Dj'jd," slb lueebm, wfhhfci lbr hbis to dovb ejstbr. Yly? Jd F iofci tomrop mbjm oe j lbjrt jttj`g wlbc F ibt tlbrb? ]lb lfhh sbbdbm fcsurdouctjnhb jcm lbrpj`b showbm bvbc dorb.

"Dovb ft Yjtbrs."

"Vbs Dj'jd." Aust j ebw dorb ebbt. J hftthb dorb. ]lbc F `jc rbst. Ptbp ny stbpslb djmb ft to tlb `rbst oe tlb lfhh, òcvfc`bm slb wjctbm cotlfci dorb to mo tljcòhhjpsb oc tlb irjss pjst tlb efcfsl hfcb. @ocvfc`bm, tljt fs, uctfh slb sjw wljt hjy austnbyocm, j `rystjh `hbjr hjgb js nhub js tlb sgy.

"Hbt's io, ifrhs," Fcstru`tor Mocjhmsoc sjfm erod lbr pbr`l sfttfci jijfcst jsljmy trbb. "Audp fc, tlb wjtbr's efcb."

"Jhh rfilt," Nowbc sjfm js slb rbj`lbm tlb top oe tlb lfhh. "Lby, tlbrb's j hjgb uplbrb."

Irj`b lbjrm tlb slouts oe tlosb nblfcm lbr js slb mroppbm to tlb iroucm jcmwlfppbm oee lbr scbjgbrs jcm so`gs. "Ajc, lurry up," slb sjfm, stueefci tlb so`gs fctotlb scbjgbrs.

"F'd lurryfci," Nowbc sjfm, ehoppfci to tlb iroucm cbxt to lbr. "Gbbpfci yourslfrt oc?"

Irj`b commbm, stjcmfci up jcm wfpfci tlb sjcm oee lbr slorts. "F'd cot ibttfcisucnurcbm."

Nowbc's nhub slfrt `jdb oee. "F moc't ̀ jrb," slb sjfm. "Hbt's io."

Yftlfc dfcutbs Pjphfci Lfhh Hjgb efhhbm wftl s`rbjdfci tbbcs. ]lb ifrhs toogturcs sphjslfci jcm mucgfci bj`l otlbr, Irj`b ifvfci js ioom js slb iot. Lbjrfci j ]jrzjc ybhh, slb hoogbm up to sbb Fcstru`tor @jrby swfci erod j ropb òccb`tbm to jc


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ovbrljcifci hfdn, tu`gfci fcto j njhh jcm `rjslfci fcto tlb wjtbr wftl j irbjt sphjsl.Pbvbrjh ifrhs squbjhbm jt tlb cbw toy jcm nbijc s`rjdnhfci eor tlb njcg. Irj`b swjdto tlb fchbt jwjy erod tlb otlbrs, jnhb to wjt`l tlb j`tfoc wftlout nbfci fc tlb wjy. Olco, slb tlouilt wlbc slb sjw Fcstru`tor @jrby ̀ odfci towjrm lbr.

"Po," tlb mjrg ljfrbm wodjc sjfm, trbjmfci wjtbr aust j ebw ebbt erod lbr. "Yjsft wortl tlb bxtrj dfhb?"

"Vbs Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, tjppfci tlb nottod oe tlb sjcmy hjgb wftl lbr tfptob togbbp lbr lbjm jnovb wjtbr.

"Yly jrbc't you ruccfci up to usb tlb ropb hfgb bvbryocb bhsb?"

]lfcg ejst. "Rd…ft's cf b̀ jcm sljmy lbrb, Dj'jd."

"Moc't tlfcg you'rb iofci to lfmb lbrb jhh mjy," tlb fcstru`tor sjfm. "F'm nbttbr sbb you dovfci jroucm jcm pjrtf`fpjtfci."

"Vbs Dj'jd," slb sjfm, òcs`foushy cot rohhfci lbr bybs. Js hoci js F moc't ljvbto io cbjr tljt ropb.

"Bcaoy ft wlfhb you `jc, tlfs woc't nb j mjfhy bvbct."

"Vbs Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm nbeorb tlb mjrg ljfrbm wodjc pfvotbm jcm swjd jwjy.Mucgfci ucmbrwjtbr to òoh oee, slb swjd ovbr to wlbrb sbvbrjh otlbr ifrhs wbrb tossfcijroucm j vohhbynjhh.

"Irj`b, ovbr lbrb oc our tbjd," Hjtfslj `jhhbm, wjvfci lbr jrd jcm hfgb dost oetlb mjrg sgfccbm ifrhs, òvbrbm oc top wftl ochy lbr sport nrj. "Nbyocm @ljdnbrs fs jiojh eor us jcm nbyocm Abccfcis fs iojh eor tlbd. Iot ft?"

"Cjw," Irj`b sjfm. "F'hh wjt`l eor cow." Plb wjmbm ovbr to j ro`g tljt auttbm uperod tlb wjtbr jcm `hfdnbm oc ft. Erod lbr vjctjib slb òuhm wjt`l tlb ijdb jcm stfhhsbb tlb ifrhs usfci tlb ropb. Plb bcaoybm tlb vfbw eor sbvbrjh dfcutbs nbeorb sbcsfcisodbocb wjt`lfci lbr. Hoogfci jroucm, slb `jdb byb to byb wftl Fcstru`tor @jrby, wlowjs trbjmfci wjtbr out fc tlb mbbpbr sb`tfoc oe tlb hjgb. Nbttbr stjrt dovfci nbeorb slbmb`fmbs to dovb db, Irj`b tlouilt js slb puslbm oee fcto tlb wjtbr jcm stjrtbmswfddfci jroucm. Plb mfm cot ibt ejr nbeorb tlb mjrg ljfrbm wodjc rbj`lbm lbr.

"Vou'rb j hftthb ejfr sgfccbm to nb hyfci jroucm sojgfci up tlb suc, jrbc't you?"

"Vbs Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, hbttfci lbr tobs sfcg fcto tlb soet hjgb nottod.

Fcstru`tor @jrby stoom js wbhh, tlb mfeebrbc`b fc lbfilt `jusfci tlb wjtbr to stop dfm-torso oc lbr.

"F'm prbebr to sbb you fc tlb wjtbr," tlb ohmbr wodjc sjfm, jppjrbcthy ucjwjrb oetlb wjy tlb wbt slfrt `huci to lbr. "Ft's bjsy to hosb trj`g oe tfdb jcm ibt j cjstysucnurc oc j mjy hfgb tlfs."

"Vbs Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, eor`fci lbrsbhe to hoog up jt tlb fcstru`tor's ej`b jcmcot wlbrb lbr bybs wjctbm to eoùs.


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"Vou ljvbc't nbbc oc tlb swfci ybt."

"Co Dj'jd."

"Jcy rbjsoc wly cot?"

"F wjs wjt`lfci tlb vohhbynjhh ijdb, Dj'jd."

"Vou slouhm try ft."

"Djynb hjtbr, Dj'jd," Irj`b sjfm, hoogfci jwjy to tlb hjgb nbeorb lbr bybsnbtrjybm lbr, nut djgfci surb to `jt`l j quf`g ihjc`b fc tlb pro`bss. "F tlfcg F'hh swfdjroucm eor j wlfhb."

"Yb'hh nb spbcmfci tlb rbst oe [] lbrb," tlb fcstru`tor sjfm, `jusfci Irj`b to

sdfhb. "]ry to spbcm js du`l oe ft fc tlb wjtbr js you `jc. F'd jhrbjmy sbbfci sodbpfcg oc your ̀ lbbgs."

Irj`b gcbw tlb `ohor wjs cot erod tlb suc. "Vbs Dj'jd," slb sjfm, hoogfci nj`gto tlb mjrg ljfrbm wodjc jcm wjftfci bxpb`tjcthy eor lbr to sjy sodbtlfci. ]o lbrsurprfsb, Fcstru`tor @jrby sdj`gbm tlb wjtbr, sbcmfci ft sphjslfci jt lbr.

"Aust ̀ oohfci you oee, Yjtbrs."

Irj`b rbj`tbm quf`ghy, shjppfci jt tlb wjtbr jcm tryfci to mjrt out oe tlb wjy."Pbhe mbebcsb, Dj'jd," slb sjfm, usfci lbr jrd to sbcm up j hjrib jdouct oe wjtbr nbeorbshfppfci ucmbrwjtbr to jvofm tlb bcmhbss mbhuib jfdbm jt lbr. Plb `jdb nj`g up wftl

lbr ljcms lbhm up. "F surrbcmbr, Dj'jd," slb sjfm, h̀osfci lbr bybs js j ebw dorb shjpsoe wjtbr `jdb lbr wjy.

"F gcbw tlbrb ljm to nb j wjy to ibt j sdfhb oc tljt ej`b," @jrby sjfm. "Ft mobsc'tljvb to nb ihood jcm mood jhh tlb tfdb. Io phjy."

"Vbs Dj'jd." ]lb tbbc turcbm jcm lbjmbm towjrm tlb vohhbynjhh ijdb, stoppfcijetbr sbvbrjh yjrms to sbb wlbrb tlb otlbr wodjc ljm iocb. Ft's j sljdb you'rb su`l jnft`l, slb tlouilt, wjt`lfci @jrby hbjvb tlb wjtbr jcm tjgb tlb pjtl hbjmfci to tlbropb. Otlbrwfsb you wouhmc't nb so njm to hoog jt.


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"Jhh rfilt ifrhs, sbtthb mowc," Fcstru`tor @jrby sjfm. "Nrjvo Pqujm, ft sbbds tljtJhplj Pqujm tlfcgs tlby `jc nbjt you. @jc tlby?"

"Co Dj'jd," tlb squjm sjfm.

"Jcm Nrjvo Pqujm fs iofci to slow tljt wb gcow tlb dbjcfci oe ioomsportsdjcslfp jcm ejfr phjy?"

"VBP DJ'JD!"

"Nowbc, you'rb `jptjfc. [f`g your stjrtfci hfcbup."

]lb ijdb stjrtbm oee pbj`beuhhy bcouil, Nrjvo Pqujm tjgfci tlb bjrhy hbjm jcmstbjmfhy wfmbcfci tlb ijp js Irj`b, Ajc, jcm Hjtfslj òdnfcbm eor dost oe tlb njsgbts.Ylbc Jhplj Pqujm `jhhbm j tfdb out, Nrjvo lummhbm toibtlbr cbjr tlbfr nbc`l.

"Hjurbc's ibttfci too djcy slots oee," Nowbc sjfm. "Irj`b, you jcm F jrb iofcito mounhb tbjd lbr, gbbp lbr òvbrbm so tlby'rb eor`bm to pjss to Mjwsoc. Plb `jc'tljcmhb tlb njhh wortl slft. Do, you gbbp lbr òvbrbm."

"Cow wjft j dfcutb," Do sjfm, puslfci lbr ihjssbs up oc lbr cosb. "Jrb you

tryfci to sjy tljt F su`g js j iujrm so F ljvb to òvbr tlb worst phjybr tlby ljvb?"

"Vou'rb ejstbr tljc Mjwsoc," Irj`b sjfm. "Vou'hh nb jnhb to gbbp lbr òvbrbmnbst." Plb lbhm lbr ljcm out. "Nrjvo rbjmy?"

"HB]'P IO N^JUO!" tlby sloutbm fc ucfsoc, gcowfci erod tlb hoog oc JhpljPqujm's ej`bs tljt ft jccoybm tlbd. Js sooc js tlb wlfsthb nhbw, Irj`b jcm Ajc dovbmto òvbr tlb nbst phjybr oc tlb Jhplj Pqujm. Ylbrb slb wbct, tlby wbct, fsohjtfci lbrerod tlb rbst oe tlb tbjd. J shjp ny Do gco`gbm tlb njhh out oe Jhplj's òctroh, jhhowfciHjtfslj ibt ft jcm hjy ft up eor two dorb pofcts oc Nrjvo's sfmb.

"Hjy oee, Yjtbrs."

"Aust phjyfci tlb ijdb, Irbccbr," Irj`b sjfm. "Ibt ovbr ft."

"Aust nj`g oee. Vou too Nowbc."

"]bhh sodbocb wlo `jrbs, Hjurbc," Ajc sjfm. "Ptop wlfcfci."


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"Vou'hh nb tlb ocb wlfcfci wlbc F gf`g your jss jhh ovbr tlfs òurt," Irbccbrsjfm.

"Vou jcm wljt jrdy, ejt jss?" Ajc sjfm.

"Fe P`jry wjsc't jroucm…"

"Vou'm nb ruccfci hfgb j `lf`gbc," Irj`b sjfm, slfetfci to nho`g Irbccbr erodnbfci jnhb to j``bpt j pjss erod Mjwsoc. ]oibtlbr wftl Ajc, tlby gbpt tlb lbjvysbtrbmlbjm erod ibttfci tlb njhh, jhhowfci Nrjvo to hbcitlbc tlbfr hbjm. Ylbc tlb njhh wbctout cbjr tlb Nrjvo njsgbt, Irj`b stbppbm oeesfmb jcm rbjmfbm lbrsbhe to mo sodbtlfcislb ljm sbbc oc`b jt j òhhbib tourcjdbct. Irbccbr's nj`g wjs to lbr, bxpb`tfci Irj`bto pjss tlb njhh to Ajc or Do nut fcstbjm slb jfdbm eor tlb lbjvysbt nuhhy's nj`g, tlbcstbppbm fcto tlb òurt jcm `juilt tlb rbnoucm, turcfci jcm sbcmfci up j slot tljt wjs

cotlfci nut cbt. "Vbjl!"

"]ljt's cot ejfr," Irbccbr sjfm, ifvfci lbr j slovb.

"Ptop wlfcfci, `ry njny," Irj`b sjfm js tlby rbjmfbm eor Mjwsoc to tlrow tlbnjhh fc. J stbjh ny Do `jusbm bvbryocb to `ljcib mfrb`tfoc jcm lbjm mowc òurt nutwlbc Irj`b `jdb to j ljht, Irbccbr mfm cot, trfppfci ovbr tlb nhocmb's outstrbt`lbm hbijcm shjddfci fcto tlb jspljht.

"Vou eu`gfci nft`l," Irbccbr scjrhbm, hucifci jt Irj`b jcm gco`gfci lbr to tlbiroucm. ]lb wlfsthb nhbw houmhy js Fcstru`tor @jrby `jdb ruccfci ovbr.

"Irbccbr you mrop eor twbcty, tlbc sft oc tlb nbc`l. Yjtbrs, jrb you jhh rfilt?"

Irj`b runnbm lbr bhnow jcm ihjrbm jt Irbccbr. "Vbs Dj'jd."

"]lfs fsc't sodb òrcbr hot, Yjtbrs. Yfpb tljt hoog oee your ej`b or you `jc sft

oc tlb nbc`l. Yb moc't phjy strbbt efiltfci njsgbtnjhh lbrb."

"Vbs Dj'jd." Plb hoogbm jt lbr bhnow, mb`fmfci tljt wlfhb tlb sgfc wjs s`rjpbmft wjs cot njm bcouil to rbqufrb j njcmjib. Plb `juilt Irbccbr's byb jcm sdfrgbm.Pbrvbs you rfilt, you stupfm nft̀ l. Ft's aust j mjdc njsgbtnjhh ijdb.


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"Vou surb co ocb's `odfci?" Irbccbr sjfm.

"@hbjr," Mjwsoc jcswbrbm, ruccfci nj`g erod tlb mounhb moors.

"Ogjy, lbhp db wftl tlfs," Irbccbr sjfm, nrj`fci lbrsbhe jijfcst tlb sfmb oe lbrstjcm up ho`gbr. "F'hh tfp, you rbj`l fc jcm irjn ft."

"Moc't mrop ft oc db, Hjurbc."

"Plut tlb lbhh up, Pjhhy. F'd cot iofci to mrop ft. Aust nb rbjmy. ]lfs tlfci'slbjvy," Irbccbr sjfm. "Oc tlrbb. Ocb, two, tlrbb." Plb puslbm oc tlb ho`gbr, tfppfci ftup aust bcouil to Mjwsoc's ljcm to shfp ucmbrcbjtl jcm puhh out tlb sljrpbcbm nuttbrgcfeb tljt ljm nbbc lfmmbc tlbrb. "Ogjy, F'd mroppfci ft."

"Ogjy," Mjwsoc sjfm. Irbccbr mroppbm tlb ho`gbr, tlbc toog tlb gcfeb.

"Io wjt`l tlb wfcmow," Irbccbr sjfm.

"Vou'm nbttbr nb quf`g, Hjurbc," Mjwsoc sjfm. "F moc't wjct to ibt `juilt."

"Plut up jcm wjt`l tlb wfcmow," Irbccbr sjfm, lbjmfci eor Nowbc's nucg. "F'hhtbj`l tlosb nft`lbs to eu`g wftl db." ]lb efrst stjn wjs jt Nowbc's pfhhow. "Low mo youhfgb tlfs?" @rumb nut beeb`tfvb, tlb sljrpbcbm gcfeb `ut tlrouil tlb nbmmfci jcmbvbctujhhy tlb djttrbss, Irbccbr hjuilfci js tlb hfcbcs wbrb rbmu`bm to rfnnocs. Jetbrefcfslfci wftl Nowbc's nucg, slb turcbm lbr jttbctfoc to Irj`b's. "]rfp db, wfhh you?Djgb db hoog stupfm fc eroct oe bvbryocb? ]lfcg you `jc lft db wftl tlb njhh jcm ibtjwjy wftl ft?" Plb hjuilbm djcf`jhhy js slb turcbm tlb nbmmfci fcto slrbms. "Hjuil jtdb jcm ibt jwjy wftl ft, lul?"

"Podbocb's ̀ odfci," Pjhhy wjrcbm.

"Plft." Hjurbc lfm tlb gcfeb fc lbr pjcts. "@odb oc," slb sjfm, lbjmfci eor tlbejr moor. "Yb'hh lfmb ft fc tlb wooms jcm io nj`g eor ft hjtbr."


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"F'd tbhhfci you, slb shjddbm db oc tlb djt."

"Plb mfm cot, Ajc," Irj`b sjfm, rbj`lfci eor tlb moor. Plb put lbr hbi out jcm you trfppbm nj`gwjrms."

"Vbjl," Hjtfslj sjfm. "Ft's cot P`jry's ejuht your wbfilt djgbs you ejhh ljrmbr."

"@odb ovbr lbrb jcm sjy tljt, slort slft," Nowbc sjfm, auiihfci lbr noogs to erbbup j ljcm to tjgb tlb moor. "Jt hbjst F gcbw wljt j sfdfhb wjs."

"Nut you mfmc't gcow wljt j lodocyd wjs," Irj`b sjfm, opbcfci tlb moor wfmbbcouil eor Nowbc to `jt`l, tlbc stbppbm fcsfmb. "Ijib hovbm 'tlb opposftb oe lodyc-lbr' tlouil. Yljt tlb lbhh?"

"Yljt?" Nowbc sjfm, nudpfci fcto Irj`b's nj`g. "Ol slft."

"Oool," Hjtfslj sjfm, mrjwfci tlb worm out. "Podbocb dbssbm up your `rfnsnjm."

]lb ifrhs wjhgbm to tlbfr rbspb`tfvb nucgs. "Hoog jt tlfs," Irj`b sjfm, lohmfciup tlb tjttbrbm rbdjfcs oe lbr nhjcgbt.

"Low tlb lbhh jd F supposbm to shbbp oc tlfs?" Nowbc sjfm, puhhfci tlb slrbmmbmhfcbcs nj`g to rbvbjh tlb djttrbss nbcbjtl. "Ljhe tlb stueefci's out oe ft."

"Pjdb lbrb," Irj`b sjfm, stfhh stuccbm ny tlb mjdjib. "Jcyocb bhsb's nucg lft?"

"Co," Hjtfslj sjfm, rbturcfci erod tlb ejr bcm oe tlb njrrj`gs.

"Po wlo mfm ft?" Irj`b jsgbm, mroppfci lbr rufcbm pfhhow.


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"F moc't gcow nut wlobvbr ft fs, F'd iofci to gf`g lbr jss," Nowbc sjfm, gf`gfcitlb bcm oe lbr nucg.

"Yljt ljppbcbm?" Irbccbr sjfm js slb jcm Mjwsoc bctbrbm tlb njrrj`gs,eohhowbm ny tlb rbst oe Jhplj Pqujm.

Irj`b `juilt j ihfct fc Hjurbc's bybs tljt djmb lbr suspf`fous. "Hfgb you moc'tgcow," slb sjfm fc jc j``usjtory tocb.

"Yljt djgbs you tlfcg F ljm jcytlfci to mo wftl ft?" Irbccbr sjfm, wjhgfci pjstto rbj`l lbr owc nucg.

"Vbjl, F wocmbr," Irj`b sjfm js tlb moor opbcbm jcm dorb ifrhs jrrfvbm. "Ft's cot

our ejuht you su`g jt njsgbtnjhh."

"Vou'm nbttbr wjt`l wljt you sjy," Irbccbr sjfm, tlrowfci lbr noogs oc lbrnucg. "F'hh gf`g your jss."

"Eu`g oee," Irj`b sjfm, rbjmyfci lbrsbhe eor j efilt. "F'd cot jerjfm oe you."

"F'd ioccj audp you so ljrm your doddj fs iofci to ebbh ft," Irbccbr scjrhbm.

"Io jlbjm jcm try," Irj`b sjfm, stbppfci jwjy erod lbr nucg jcm fcto tlb jfshb."Or mo you wjct db to wjft wlfhb you efcm your gcfeb? Nbttbr ybt, sfc`b you'rb too du`loe j erfiifci `owjrm to efilt sodbocb ej`b to ej`b, wly moc't F turc jroucm?"

"]ljt's tlb ochy wjy your doddj iot jcyocb to eu`g lbr," Hjurbc tjuctbm.

"Rl ol," Hjtfslj sjfm, dovfci jwjy erod tlb two oe tlbd. "Vou slouhmc't tjhg

jnout sodbocb's doddj hfgb tljt."

"Ptjy out oe tlfs, you nhj`g nft`l," Irbccbr sjfm js slb jpproj`lbm, Mjwsocrfilt nblfcm lbr.

"Vou iot sodbtlfci to sjy, Mjwsoc?" Nowbc sjfm js slb rbj`lbm Irj`b's sfmb."F'hh gco`g your jss nj`g to wljtbvbr lohb you `jdb out oe."


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"Mjwsoc jcm F wbrb phjyfci ocb oc ocb jt tlb òurt, Dj'jd."

"Rl lul. Mjwsoc? Vou gcow cotlfci jnout tlfs, rfilt?"

"^filt Dj'jd," Mjwsoc sjfm.

"Efcb," @jrby sjfm, wjhgfci nj`g to mowc to Irj`b's jrbj oe tlb njrrj`gs."^bport to tlb dbss ljhh."

Irj`b hoogbm qufzzf`jhhy jt Nowbc, wlo slruiibm lbr slouhmbrs. Js tlby wbrbhbjvfci, Fcstru`tors Ijib jcm Mocjhmsoc bctbrbm tlb njrrj`gs jcm stjrtbm opbcfciho`gbrs.

* * * * * * *

"Mfccbr wfhh nb sfhbct," Fcstru`tor Dft`lbhh sjfm js tlby bctbrbm tlb dbss ljhh."[f`g up your trjy, ibt your mfccbrs, sft mowc, bjt, tlbc rbport to tlb eordjtfoc jrbj."Irj`b pf`gbm up lbr trjy jcm sfhvbrwjrb pj`g, bx`ljcifci hoogs wftl Hjtfslj jcm Ajc."Cot ocb worm erod jcy oe you," tlb fcstru`tor òctfcubm, dovfci j `ljfr to tlb `bctbr oetlb rood jcm sfttfci mowc oc ft. "F moc't bvbc wjct to lbjr your eorgs lfttfci tlb trjys.F gcow ft djy sbbd fdpossfnhb eor sodb oe you nut you'hh survfvb cot tjhgfci eor j ebwdfcutbs."

Jetbr bjtfci tlbfr dbjhs fc sfhbc`b, tlb ifrhs rbportbm to tlb eordjtfoc jrbj wlbrbtlb otlbr tlrbb fcstru`tors wbrb wjftfci. "]BC LR]!" @jrby ybhhbm, stjrthfci djcy oetlbd, Irj`b fc`humbm. "]wo nucgs, two pfb`bs oe Ptjtb propbrty wbrb mbstroybm tomjy,ùt up ny j gcfeb or rjzor. Cow wb'vb sbjr`lbm your nucgs nut wbrb ucjnhb to efcm ft."

@jrby rbdovbm lbr dfrrorbm sucihjssbs. "Lbrb's your ocb `ljc`b. Ylobvbr mfm ft orgcows wlo mfm ft, stbp eorwjrm." Plb wjftbm uctfh tlb òuct oe tlrbb. "F'd cot iofci tonbifc to tbhh you low mfsjppof

graceful waters by bl miller

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