,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #i 
,! ,BREEZE ,?AT ,PLUCKS ,H] ,APRON 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,! ,B,R,E,E,Z,E ,?,A,T ,P,L,U,C,K,S ,H,] ,A,P,R,O,N 

,! ,=T ,/REET DEA?MONG] WAS ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 & ON ?AT FIR/ OCCASION :5 %E CALL$ H] P9A=E WAS />*$ & SPOTLESS :ITE ) BUTT]FLIES EMBROID]$ ON ITS HEM4 ,MAY ,W>R5 WAS !N JU/ N9ETE5 YE>S OLD1 SC>$ /IFF 9 H] CONF9EM5T'S F9AL /AGE1 BUT EV5 ?R\< ! UNEXPECT$ PA9 & SCALD+ TE>S %E WAS AW>E ?AT %E HAD NEV] KN[N ?IS WOMAN'S LIKE BE=E4 

,IT WAS /ILL FREEZ+ & ! \TSIDE LAV WAS BLOCK$ ) ICE1 :I* MEANT !SE LA/ TWO DAYS !Y'D HAD TO BURN !IR BUS9ESS ON ! FIRE4 ,! LIV+ ROOM /ILL /ANK BUT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS MADE NO?+ ( IT1 TAK+ (F H] COAT TO %[ ! SPL5DID APRON UND]NEA?1 :ITE AS A LANT]N 9 ! D[N/AIRS GLOOM1 ) SUMM] MO?S 9 P9K & ORANGE ?READ ASC5D+ H] /\T ?I<S & W9T] PAUN*4 

0,N[ !N1 MY DE>1 LET'S SEE :AT WE'RE AB\T40 ,H] VOICE WAS LIKE BAKE PUDD51 ?ICK & W>M1 & :ILE ,MAY'S MAM ,L\ISA MADE FRE% TEA ! DEA?MONG] PRODUC$ A T9 ( SNUFF1 SMALL AS A MAT*BOX1 ) UPON ITS LID ! LATE ,QUE5 9 5AMEL M9IATURE4 ,?UMB CURL$ BACK SO A HOLL[ WAS PRODUC$ BETWE5 ! BONES :]E !Y MET ) H] WRI/1 NEXT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 ) GREAT PRECISION1 TIPP$ A MEASURE ( ! PUNG5T RUSSET DU/ 9TO ! %ALL[ CAVITY ?US =M$4 ,H& LIFT$ & HEAD L[]$ %E SWEPT UP ! HEAP$ GUNP[D] 9 TWO FRUITY SNORTS1 HALF 9 EA* B>REL1 :I* %E !N DIS*>G$ EXPLOSIVELY 9TO A H&K]*IEF1 SOME?+ ( A BR[N /UDY 9 ITSELF4 ,BEAM+ AT ,MAY %E PUT ! T9 AWAY & GOT D[N TO H] WORK BETWE5 ,MAY'S KNEES4 

,! Y\NG MO!R-TO-BE HAD NEV] SE5 A WOMAN TAK+ SNUFF BE=E & WAS JU/ GO+ TO ASK AB\T ! HABIT :5 CONTRACTIONS DROVE ! QUE/ION FROM H] M9D4 ,MAY GR[L$ & MOAN$ & AT ! KIT*5 DOOR H] MAM APPE>$ ) TEA = ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 ,%E EY$ H] DAU<T] SYMPA!TICALLY YET C\LD NOT KEEP H]SELF FROM PO9T+ \T ?AT ,MAY'S [N BIR? HAD BE5 A WORSE ORDEAL4 

0,Y\ ?9K ?AT'S BAD1 GAL1 Y\'VE GOT NO IDEA1 ALL ( ! TR\BLE ?AT ,I HAD ) Y\4 ,Y\'RE NOT AB$ BECAUSE WE'VE GOT NO FIRE UP/AIRS1 SO Y\'RE D[N H]E ON ! SETTEE1 BUT Y\ BE GLAD Y\'RE NOT ON ,LAMBE? ,WALK1 LIKE ,I WAS1 ) Y\R DAD UP ON ?AT RO(40 

,MAY HUFF$ & GL>$ & TURN$ H] FACE AWAY T[>DS ! WALLPAP] BEH9D ! C\*1 SMOKE CUR$ SO ?AT ITS PIMPLY ROSE DESIGNS HAD EA* TURN$ ) ! FALT]+ 9DOOR LI<T 9TO A SAD-FAC$ TAWNY LIONESS4 ,%E'D HE>D IT TOLD ?AT MANY TIMES BE=E - ! TALE ( H[ %E'D COME 9TO ! WORLD ON COBBLES FLECK$ ) PHLEGM & ORANGE PEEL1 H] DAD P]*$ LIKE A G>GOYLE UP ABOVE - AS IF IT SOMEH[ MADE H] MO!R PR\D TO />T A FAMILY TREE ?AT HAD ITS ROOTS SUNK 9 ! POORH\SE & ! MADH\SE BO?4 

,%E HE>D A MUFFL$ BUMP FROM ! FRONT ROOM3 H] BRO!RS OR H] SI/] PLAY+ UP1 MO/ PROBABLY BECAUSE !Y W]E ALL VEX$ TO BE %UT 9 ! P>LOR \T ! WAY4 ,MAY'S SI/] ,CORA1 LATELY TURN$ SIXTE51 WAS KE5 TO KN[ :AT PREGNANCY 5TAIL$1 :ILE !IR ,JIM WAS AS KE5 ?AT HE %\LD NOT4 ,Y\NG ,JOHNNY1 HAV+ REA*$ ! DIRTY AGE1 JU/ WANT$ TO LOOK UP A WOMAN'S FROCK4 

,H] MO!R1 :O HAD HE>D ! NOISE AS WELL1 W5T TUTT+ FROM ! ROOM TO F9D ITS S\RCE1 :I* LEFT ,MAY ON H] [N ) ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 ,! DEA?MONG] EXPLOR$ ,MAY'S PRIVATE P>TS AS ?\< A FRAGILE L$G] ( ACC\NTS1 C>EFUL AS A SOLICITOR OR JUDGE4 ,%E SEEM$ TO BE ABOVE ! MEAT & MESS ! WAY ,MAY ?\<T A DRUID MI<T HAVE BE51 UNMOV$ :ILE CUTT+ A LAMB'S ?ROAT AT DAWN4 ,! HE>? FLAMES1 GRE5I% :5 !Y'D BURN$ ! %IT1 DID NOT SO MU* ILLUM9ATE ! SC5E AS L5D IT A DULL TORTURE-*AMB] SC[L & />TLE %AD[S FROM B5EA? ITS *AIRS4 ,FIRE-LIT D[N ONE ALREADY FLORID *EEK ! OLD] WOMAN GLANC$ UP N[ AT ,MAY4 ,CEAS+ H] 9TIMATE 9SPECTION %E NEXT R9S$ H] H&S & DRI$ !M ON A RAG1 A TI<T SMILE SIGNIFY+ ALL WAS WELL4 

0,LET'S HAVE SOME LI<T 9 H]E1 %ALL WE1 MY DE>8 ,IT W\LDN'T DO TO HAVE A BABY BORN 9TO A WORLD )\T A BIT ( *E]40 

,TAK+ AN OIL LAMP FROM ! MANTELPIECE & LIFT+ (F ITS MILKY COV]+1 ! DEA?MONG] PRODUC$ & /RUCK A MAT*4 ,T\*$ TO ! LIMP BLACK CAT]PILL> WICK IT YIELD$ A SMALL FLAME ( MY/IC BLUE1 AN 5G9E] SMELL1 SAFE & WORKMANLIKE4 ,! LAMP'S TALL *IMNEY1 TIG]-/RIP$ ) SOOT >\ND ITS BASE1 FLAW$ BY A <O/LY CRACK1 WAS SET BACK 9TO PLACE SO ?AT ! ROOM WAS /EEP$ N[ 9 A PALE1 W>M YELL[ GL[4 ,! WORN-\T CURTA9S LOOK$ LIKE VELVET W9E4 ,! ROOM'S GLASS SURFACES %ONE LIKE D\BLOONS1 A SPL5DID GLITT] EV]Y:]E UPON ! MIRROR & B>OMET]1 ! FACE ( ! SL[-?UDD+ ,ROMAN-NUMB]$ CLOCK4 ,MAY'S D>K R$ HAIR BURN$ BRI<T AS GORSE AT DUSK1 EV5 :]E IT WAS PLA/]$ TO H] BR[ OR SLICK$ D[N ON H] DAMP & GLEAM+ M\ND4 ,! DISMAL BIR?+-PIT WAS QUITE TRANS=M$ 9TO A PA9T+ DONE BY ,JOSEPH ,WRI<T ( ,D]BY1 LIKE HIS AIR-PUMP OR HIS =GE4 ,MAY />T$ TO MAKE COMM5T ON ! *ANGE BUT HALFWAY ?R\< WAS 9T]RUPT$ BY H] NEXT CONTRACTION1 ! MO/ WR5*+ YET4 

,:5 F9ALLY H] SCREAM BROKE LIKE A WAVE 9TO A %+LE HISS ( TRICKL+ SOBS ! FRI<T5$ GIRL SL[LY BECAME AW>E ( ,MRS4 ,GIBBS CLOSE BY1 HOLD+ H] H&1 HU%+ & HUMM+ SYMPA!TICALLY1 AS NATURAL & COM=T+ AS BEES4 ,H] F+]S HAD A DRY & PAP]Y FEEL1 COOL AT LEA/ 9 COMP>ISON ) ,MAY'S4 ,H] VOICE TOOK ,MAY BACK TO ! NURS]Y4 

0,MY GOODNESS1 DE>1 ?AT S\ND$ LIKE IT HURT4 ,Y\'VE NOT LONG N[1 ?\<1 IF ,I'M ANY JUDGE4 ,JU/ TRY TO RE/ :ILE ,I NIP \T ! ROOM & HAVE A LITTLE CONF]5CE ) Y\R MAM4 ,I ?9K IT'S BETT] IF %E /AYS ?R\< !RE & KEEPS Y\R SI/] & Y\R BRO!RS QUIET1 !N WE CAN MANAGE ?+S BETWE5 \RSELVES )\T NOBODY /ICK+ 9 !IR NOSE4 ,UNLESS ( C\RSE Y\'D RA!R %E BE H]E80 

,IT WAS LIKE ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD READ ,MAY'S M9D4 ,MAY LOV$ H] MAM 9 ! FI]CE1 ANGRY WAY ?AT %E LOV$ ALL H] FAMILY & FRI5DS1 BUT JU/ ?AT M9UTE %E C\LD DO )\T ,L\ISA'S TALES ( GREAT] SUFF]+1 ( WAT]S BROK5 F> MORE COPI\SLY1 AS IF PA9 & EMB>RASSM5T W]E JU/ A COMPETITION H] & ,MAY W]E 94 ,MAY LOOK$ UP EAG]LY AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

0,OOH1 NO1 KEEP H] ?R\< !RE1 IF Y\ DON'T M9D4 ,IF ,I HE> H] TELL ANYBODY ELSE AB\T H[ ,I POPP$ \T ON ,LAMBE? ,WALK ) \R DAD WAT*+ FROM ! BLOODY RO(1 ,I SWE> TO ,GOD ,I'LL WR+ H] BLOODY NECK40 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS *UCKL$1 A MO/ PLEASANT S\ND1 LIKE SEV]AL APPLES ROLL+ D[N ! /AIRS4 

0,WELL1 N[1 WE %\LDN'T WANT ?AT1 %\LD WE1 DE>8 ,Y\ JU/ SIT TI<T & ,I WON'T BE TWO %AKES40 

,) ?AT ! DEA?MONG] SLIPP$ FROM ! ROOM1 REMOV+ ) H] A FA9T PEPP] SC5T ( SNUFF1 UNNOTIC$ UNTIL IT WAS GONE4 ,MAY LAY !RE ON ! SETTEE1 BREA?+ H>D1 & HE>D ! MUFFL$ *AT FROM ! FRONT ROOM4 ,A S+LE YELP ( PROTE/ ?AT ,MAY ?\<T WAS PROBABLY !IR ,JOHNNY S\ND$1 !N ! VOICE ( ,MRS4 ,GIBBS RAIS$ %>P & CLE> DESPITE ! BRICKS & PLA/] 9 ! WAY4 

0,IF ,I WAS Y\1 MY DE>1 ,I'D LE>N MY PLACE4 ,IF A DEA?MONG] SAYS TO DO A ?+1 !N Y\ BE SURE ?AT Y\ DO :AT %E SAYS4 ,WE %\LD] LIFE4 ,WE KN[ ITS 9S & \TS4 ,WE'VE FELT ! DRAFT AT EI!R 5D ( IT4 ,:AT Y\'RE MO/ FRIT (1 ?AT'S \R BREAD & JAM1 & NONE ( US A9'T GOT NO TIME TO SP>E ON IGNORANT1 BAD-MANN]$ LITTLE BOYS4 ,DON'T Y\ D>E LEAVE ?AT SPOT :ILE ,I'M AT WORK40 

,!RE WAS A SUBDU$ MUMBLE ( ASS5T1 FOOT/EPS & DOORS CLOS$ 9 ! PASSAGEWAY1 !N ,MRS4 ,GIBBS CAME BACK 9TO ! ROOM1 ALL CR9KL+ SMILES ) ,PUN* & ,JUDY *EEKS AS IF %E HADN'T JU/ ?AT MOM5T SC>$ A *EEKY TWELVE-YE>-OLD \T ( HIS SK94 ,H] VOICE1 SEV]E ) FRO/ A M9UTE BACK1 WAS SWEET & OAK-MATUR$ AS A LIQUEUR4 

0,!RE1 N[4 ,I ?9K WE'VE GOT ?+S /RAI<T5$ \T4 ,Y\R Y\NGE/ BRO!R DIDN'T LIKE IT MU* & />T$ ON AT ME1 BUT ,I WAS FIRM40 

,MAY NODD$4 0,?AT'S \R ,JOHNNY ACT+ UP4 ,HE'S ALWAYS FULL ( TALK & BIG IDEAS ( HIM ON /AGE OR 9 ! MUSIC HALL1 ?\< DO+ :AT1 HE HASN'T GOT A CLUE40 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS LAU<$4 0,HE KN[S ALREADY H[ TO MAKE A %[ ( HIMSELF1 RI<T 5\<40 

,IT WAS JU/ !N ! PA9-TIDE CAME BACK 91 SMA%+ H] BONES LIKE DRIFTWOOD1 %E FELT SURE1 BE=E REC$+ ) AN UND]T[ ,MAY KNEW C\LD DRAG H] (F1 \T ( ?IS WORLD4 ,ONE 9 FIVE MO!RS DI$ 9 *ILDBIR? /ILL1 & ,MAY GREW FA9T TO ?9K H[ MANY TIMES !SE AGONIZ+ /RAITS HAD BE5 ! LA/ ( LIFE ?AT C\NTLESS WOM5 EV] KNEW4 ,TO PASS FROM ?IS DELIRIUM TO DEA?1 KN[+ ! BABE Y\'D C>RI$ = SO LONG W\LD 9 ALL LIKELIHOOD BE JO9+ Y\1 KN[+ Y\R FAMILY'S L9EAGE WAS CRU%$ TO NO?+ 9 ! H>D GE>S ( ! WORLD1 ?AT BLOODY MILL/ONE GR9D+ TILL TIME'S 5D4 ,%E CL5*$ H] TEE? UPON ! DREAD ( IT4 ,%E :9$ & /RA9$ UNTIL H] FACE W5T R$1 ! FRECKLES ALMO/ BUR/+ FROM H] *EEKS1 :I* E>N$ A /]N REBUKE FROM ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

0,Y\'RE PU%+6 ,Y\ DON'T WANT TO PU% JU/ YET4 ,Y\'LL HURT ! BABY & Y\'LL HURT Y\RSELF4 ,Y\ BREA!1 GIRL4 ,Y\ JU/ BREA!4 ,BREA! LIKE A DOG40 

,MAY TRI$ TO PANT BUT !N BUR/ 9TO TE>S AS ! CONTRACTION DREW BACK FROM ITS $GE1 SUBSID+ TO A M]E RESIDUAL A*E4 ,%E KNEW ?AT %E W\LD DIE H]E 9 ?IS ROOM1 PRETTY ,MAY ,W>R51 NOT TURN$ TW5TY YET1 BREA?+ 9C9]AT$ EXCREM5T4 ,%E HAD A T]RIBLE PRES5TIM5T ( SOME AWESOME OCCURR5CE BE>+ D[N - ( ! UNCANNY1 HOV]+ CLOSE BY - & TOOK IT = H] [N MORTALITY4 ,%E ONLY GRADUALLY BECAME AW>E ?AT %E WAS HOLD+ ! DEA?MONG]'S H& AS ,MRS4 ,GIBBS CR\*$ !RE BESIDE ! C\*1 WIP+ AWAY ! DEW ( ,MAY'S ORDEAL1 CROON+ & :ISP]+ TO H] SOO?+LY4 

0,DON'T FRET4 ,Y\'RE DO+ WELL4 ,Y\'LL BE ALL RI<T4 ,MY MAM WAS A DEA?MONG] BE=E ME1 & H] MAM & GR&MO!R BE=E H]4 ,I W\LDN'T LIKE TO SWE> 9 ALL ?AT TIME WE'VE NEV] LO/ A MO!R OR A *ILD1 BUT WE HAV5'T LO/ MANY4 ,I'VE LO/ NONE4 ,Y\'RE 9 SAFE H&S1 MY DE>1 SAFE AS !Y COME4 ,BESIDES1 Y\'RE FROM OLD-FA%ION$ HEAL?Y /OCK4 ,I UND]/& Y\'RE ,SN[Y ,V]NALL'S GIRL40 

,MAY W9C$ & %RUGG$4 ,H] DAD EMB>RASS$ H]4 ,HE WAS HALF-B>MY1 EV]YONE KNEW ?AT1 AT LEA/ S9CE HE'D BE5 TOOK TO C\RT LA/ YE>1 HAD UP = /&+ ON ! ,GUILDHALL RO( AFT] HE'D SP5T ALL MORN+ 9 ! PUB1 DRUNK AS A LORD ) ONE ( HIS >MS R\ND ! WAI/ ( ?AT /ONE ANGEL :AT'S UP !RE1 DECLAIM+ RUBBI% TO ! PUZZL$ CR[D ?AT HAD COLLECT$ D[N 9 ,GILES ,/REET4 ,:AT HE'D BE5 ?9K+ ( NOBODY KNEW4 ,HE'D WORK$ AT ! T[N HALL NOT LONG BE=E1 UP BY ITS CEIL+ ON A SCAFFOLD+ RET\*+ ! OLD FRESCOS R\ND ! $GE1 BUT S9CE HIS ESCAPADE UP ON ! RO( HAD BE5 9 ALL ! PAP]S IT WAS CLE> HE'D NEV] HAVE EMPLOYM5T !RE AGA94 ,FOLK LOV$ HIS HI< J9KS1 BUT IT WASN'T !M ?AT HIS BEHAVIOR KEPT 9 POV]TY4 

,! /UNTS 5SUR$ HE SELDOM HAD A JOB1 BUT ?AT WAS NOT :AT ,MAY RES5T$ MO/4 ,! PRANKS W]5'T HALF ! OB/ACLE TO WEAL? ?AT H] DAD'S PR9CIPLES HAD PROV$ TO BE1 PR9CIPLES NOBODY C\LD UND]/& EXCEPT H] FA!R & H] B>MY AUNT4 ,TWO YE>S BE=E1 9 N9ETE5 HUNDR$ SIX1 A FELL[ :O'D ADMIR$ H] FA!R'S SKILLS HAD (F]$ HIM A BUS9ESS P>TN]%IP1 A GLAZI]'S FIRM ?AT HE WAS />T+ UP4 ,HE'D GONE ON TO MAKE ?\S&S1 BUT BACK !N HE'D PROMIS$ ,MAY'S DAD HALF-%>ES 9 IT ALL1 ) ONE CONDITION HE 9SI/$ ON3 IF ,SN[Y C\LD JU/ KEEP \T ( ! PUB = TWO WEEKS ! DIRECTOR%IP WAS HIS4 ,DAD HADN'T GIV5 IT A MOM5T'S ?\<T4 ,HE'D SAID 0,I WON'T BE TOLD :AT ,I %\LD DO4 ,Y\'LL HAVE TO F9D Y\R P>TN] SOME:]E ELSE40 ,! BLOODY FOOL4 ,IT MADE ,MAY WANT TO SPIT1 TO ?9K ?AT %E WAS LY+ GIV+ BIR? 9 ,=T ,/REET1 :ILE ! GLAZI] HAD A H\SE /OOD ?REE FLOORS HI< UP ON ! ,BILL+ ,ROAD4 ,IF EV] ,DAD WALK$ PA/ IT ) ,MAY'S MAM HE'D GET AN E>FUL OV] :AT HE'D DONE1 CURS+ HIS FAMILY ) IMPOV]I%M5T = G5]ATIONS AFT]1 MORE ?AN LIKE4 ,MAY MUTT]$ SOME ( ?IS TO ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

,/ILL SMIL+1 ! DEA?MONG] %OOK H] HEAD4 

0,HE'S ?\<T ( V]Y WELL >\ND !SE P>TS1 ?\< ,I CAN SEE HE MI<T GET ON Y\R N]VES IF Y\ W]E LIV+ ) HIM ALL ! TIME4 ,! ?+ IS1 HE'S A ,V]NALL4 ,SO >E Y\4 ,LIKE DEA?MONG]1 ?AT'S NOT A T]M Y\ HE> NO:]E 'CEPT 9 ! ,BOR\<S4 ,EV5 !N1 HALF !M AS SAYS IT DON'T KN[ :AT IT MEANS4 ,!Y'RE OLD NAMES1 & !Y'LL SOON BE GONE1 MY DE>1 ) ALL US :AT GETS CALL$ !M GONE AS WELL4 ,RESPECT Y\R FA!R1 & RESPECT Y\R AUNT1 H] :AT Y\ SEE ) H] ACCORDION4 ,!Y'RE ( A TYPE ,I D\BT WE'LL KN[ AGA91 ESPECIALLY TURN+ ALL ?AT MONEY D[N4 ,YES1 Y\ C\LD BE A RI* GIRL N[1 BUT ?9K4 ,Y\'D HAVE BE5 TOO WELL (F TO W$ Y\R ,TOM1 & !N :]E %\LD ?IS LITTLE BABY BE8 ,?+S >E = REASONS1 OR !Y >E R\ND H]E40 

,! M5TION ( ,MAY'S HUSB& GOT TO H]4 ,TOM ,W>R5 TREAT$ ,MAY ) MORE RESPECT ?AN ANY O!R MAN %E'D EV] KN[N4 ,HE'D C\RT$ H] LIKE %E W]E ROYALTY1 AS IF %E W]E ! DAU<T] ( A K+ & NOT ?AT ( A VILLAGE IDIOT4 ,! DEA?MONG] WAS RI<T4 ,IF ,MAY WAS RI* %E'D HAVE ?\<T ,TOM WAS AFT] ALL H] CA%4 ,IF %E'D BE5 LIV+ UP ! ,BILL+ ,ROAD HE'D NOT HAVE GOT )9 T5 Y>DS ( H]4 ,?IS *ILD1 ?AT ,MAY WANT$ SO DESP]ATELY1 W\LD BE ONE MORE UNWRITT5 HUMAN PAGE4 

,NOT ?AT !SE FACTS LET ,SN[Y (F ! HOOK4 ,HE HADN'T ACT$ = ,MAY'S B5EFIT1 BUT SIMPLY \T ( BLOODY-M9D$NESS4 ,HE C\LDN'T HAVE KN[N ?AT %E'D M>RY ,TOM UNLESS HE WAS A =TUNETELL] TOO4 ,AS ALWAYS1 HE HAD PLEAS$ HIS BLOODY SELF ) NOT A ?\<T = ANYBODY ELSE4 ,IT WAS LIKE :5 HE'D VANI% UP ! ,SMOKE1 WALK ALL ! WAY TO ,LAMBE?1 GONE = WEEKS1 & :AT HE'D DONE WAS ANYBODY'S GUESS4 ,OH1 C]TA9LY HE'D BE5 DO+ HIS WORK & ALWAYS HAD A PAY-PACKET TO %[1 BUT ,MAY KNEW ?AT H] MAM ,L\ISA ?\<T ?AT HE HAD O!R WOM5 !RE AS WELL4 ,MAY ?\<T H] MAM WAS V]Y LIKELY RI<T4 ,HE WAS A LE*]\S OLD SO-&-SO :O C\LD BE /OOD HOBNOBB+ ) HIS PALS :ILE LOOK+ GOATS & MONKEYS AT !IR WIVES4 ,MAY HOP$ NONE ( IT RUBB$ (F ON H] ,TOM1 :O GOT ON GREAT %AKES ) HIS DAD-9-LAW4 ,?AT MORN+1 AS IT HAPP5$1 !Y W]E BO? (F UP ! PUB TOGE!R1 \T ! WAY4 ,IT HAD BE5 ,MAY 9SI/$ ?AT !Y GO4 ,%E DIDN'T WANT ,TOM SEE+ H] LIKE ?IS4 

,! LI<T WAS SWEET AS BUTT] ON ! HE>?1 SPREAD ?ICK ON ! BRASS KNOBS ?AT TOPP$ ! GRATE4 ,! HUN*+ %AD[ CA/ BY ,MRS4 ,GIBBS ACROSS ! ROSE-PAP]$ 5D WALL SEEM$ VA/1 ?AT ( A GIANTESS OR ( A ,FATE4 ,MADE DREAMY ) EXHAU/ION ,MAY C\LD S5SE SOME GREAT APPROA*1 SOME PRES5CE DRAW+ NE>1 BUT !N ! BRUTE FI/ CL5*+ 9 H] WOMB TORE \T EA* FLIMSY ?READ ( ?\<T LIKE HAIR4 

,?IS TIME1 AL?\< ! AGONY WAS WORSE1 ,MAY DID AT LEA/ REMEMB] TO BREA! \T1 PANT+ & GASP+ ! WAY %E RECALL$ %E HAD :5 ?IS PA9-BUNDLE WAS CONCEIV$4 ,! ?\<T WAS COMICAL & %E BEGAN TO LAU<1 !N SETTL$ = ANO!R SCREAM4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS MURMUR$ S(T 5C\RAGEM5TS4 ,%E TOLD ,MAY %E WAS BRAVE & DO+ WELL1 & SQUEEZ$ H] H& UNTIL ! FLOOD HAD PASS$4 

,! UPSET JIGSAW PIECES ( ,MAY'S ?\<TS W]E /REWN ACROSS H] M5TAL C>PET+1 A ?\S& COLOR$1 SLI<TLY DIFF]5T %APES %E WAS COMPELL$ TO SORT & PICK AMONG1 E/ABLI%+ EA* CORN]1 !N EA* $GE1 DI/+UI%+ ! BLUE BITS ?AT W]E SKY FROM ?OSE ?AT W]E ! ,EA/]-SPECKL$ GR\ND4 ,%E PATI5TLY RE/OR$ H] PICTURE ( H]SELF1 ( :O & :]E %E WAS & :AT WAS GO+ ON1 BUT ! RH9OC]OS ( *ILDBIR? CAME /AMP$+ ?R\< ! PLACE AGA9 :5 %E'D NOT BE5 EXPECT+ IT SO SOON AFT] ITS PREVI\S =AY1 & ) A R\< TOSS ( ITS HORN UNDID ALL ( H] EF=TS TO COMPOSE H]SELF4 ,! DEA?MONG] RELEAS$ H] H& & MOV$ D[N TO ! S(A'S 5D1 BETWE5 ,MAY'S KNEES4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS'S VOICE WAS FIRM & MILIT>Y1 CONVEY+ URG5CY )\T AL>M4 

0,N[ Y\ CAN /RA9 & PU%4 ,IT'S ALMO/ H]E4 ,BE> UP1 DE>1 & BE> D[N4 ,WE %AN'T BE LONG40 

,MAY SEAL$ H] LIPS UPON H] BUBBL+ %RIEK & =C$ IT D[N 9/EAD 9TO H] LO9S4 ,%E FELT LIKE %E WAS TRY+ TO %IT ! WORLD4 ,%E PU%$ & %OV$ AL?\< %E WAS CONV9C$ ?AT ALL ( H] 9SIDES W]E COM+ \T4 ,! HURT SWELL$ UP1 9FLAT+ TO A RIM F> WID] ?AN ,MAY KNEW %E WAS D[N !RE4 ,%E'D BUR/1 %E'D RUPTURE1 %E'D BE SPLIT 9 TWO1 NE$ /IT*ES FROM H] GIZZ>D TO H] ASS4 ,! H[L %E CAG$ BEH9D H] GRITT$ TEE? WAS S++ LIKE A KETTLE 9 H] E>S1 RELEAS$ TO FILL ! CRAMP$ & GOLD5 ROOM AS %E BOIL$ OV] 9 A FOAM+ RU%4 

,!RE WAS A /IFL$ GASP FROM ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 ,! BABY'S HEAD WAS \T & IF ,MAY LOOK$ D[N OV] ! HORIZON ( H] WAI/ %E C\LD JU/ MAKE \T SLICK$-D[N G+] CURLS ?AT W]E LIKE FLAMES1 MU* BRI<T] ?AN H] [N4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS />$ WIDE-EY$1 AS IF %E'D BE5 BRIEFLY TRANS=M$ TO /ONE4 ,RECOV]+1 ! DEA?MONG] SNAT*$ UP A FOLD$ T[EL & LEAN$ 9 READY TO RECEIVE ! BIR?4 ,:Y DID %E LOOK SO PALE8 ,:AT C\LD BE WRONG8 

,! MOM5T SEEM$ TO %IMM] 9 & \T ( FOCUS1 SLIDE FROM REAL TO DREAM & BACK4 ,DID /RONG W9D AT ONE PO9T BL[ ?R\< ! H\SE1 ?\< ALL ! DOORS & W9D[S W]E %UT FA/8 ,:AT /IRR$ ! CURTA9S & ! TABLECLO? & ! EMBROID]$ BUTT]FLIES ?AT SW>M$ ON ! DEA?MONG]'S FLAPP+ APRON HEM8 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS'S VOICE1 HE>D AS IF ?R\< A /ORM1 WAS SAY+ ONE LA/ GRUNT %\LD DO ! TRICK1 !N ! DISCOM=TS ( ! LA/ N9E MON?S JU/ MELT$ \T ( ,MAY 9TO ! C\*1 9TO RELIEF MORE BLISSFUL & COMPLETE ?AN ANY %E'D IMAG9$ 9 ?IS WORLD4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS TOOK ! %>P KNIFE ?AT %E'D /UCK BLADE-D[N 9TO ! FRE% BR[N G>D5 SOIL >\ND ! ROOTS ( A G]ANIUM1 WILT+ & POTT$ ON ! W9D[ SILL4 ,) ONE DET]M9$ SLICE1 %E CUT ! CORD4 

,MAY /RUGGL$ TO SIT UP1 REMEMB]+ ! LOOK ?AT WAS ON ,MRS4 ,GIBBS'S FACE :5 JU/ ! BABY'S HEAD WAS /ICK+ \T4 

0,IS IT ALL RI<T8 ,:AT'S WRONG8 ,IS SOME?+ WRONG80 

,MAY'S VOICE WAS RAGG$1 AN 5FEEBL$ SQUAWK4 ,! DEA?MONG] LOOK$ SOMB] & HELD UP ! T[EL-WRAPP$ %APE %E CRADL$ 9 H] >MS4 

0,I'M V]Y MU* AFRAID !RE IS1 MY DE>4 ,Y\ HAVE AN AWFUL BEAUTY 9 ?IS *ILD40 

,AS %E REA*$ = H] BABY ,MAY D>5'T LOOK1 SQU9T+ AGA9/ ! LAMP & FIRELI<T BO?1 ! 9FANT $GE-LIT COPP] D[N ONE SIDE1 ! O!R CREAM4 ,:AT HAD ! WOMAN MEANT8 ,%E REALIZ$ ) A SUDD5 PANICK$ LUR* ! BABY HADN'T CRI$1 !N HE>D IT MEW4 ,%E FELT ! SWADDL$ WEI<T MOVE 9 H] H&S &1 FL9*+LY1 RISK$ OP5+ H] EYES1 AS ON A FURNACE OR ! GL>E ( NOON4 

,ITS HEAD WAS LIKE A ROSEBUD3 ?\< SCRUN*$ TI<T ,MAY KNEW IT W\LD BE GLORI\S UNFURL$4 ,ITS EYES1 ! <O/LY BLUE ( ROB9S' EGGS1 W]E BIG AS BROO*ES1 FOCUS$ ON ,MAY'S [N4 ,!IR COLOR WAS A P]FECT COMPLEM5T TO ! NEW-BORN *ILD'S BLAZ+ ORANGE HAIR1 CLE> SUMM] SKY D[N AT ! T]RACE 5D1 FRAM$ BY ,NOR?AMPTON BRICKWORK SET ALI<T 9 ! LA/ RAYS ( A DESC5D+ SUN4 ,! BABY'S SK9 WAS DOVE :ITE1 GLI/5+ AS IF B5EA? A TALCUM ( GR\ND PE>L1 DU/$ ) HI<LI<T ON ! ?I<S1 ! TOES1 A CANVAS PRIM$ AWAIT+ ! S(T BRU% ( TIME & CIRCUM/ANCE & *>ACT]4 ,! WOND]/RUCK Y\NG MO!R'S DRIFT+ GAZE LI<T$ ON H] FIR/-BORN'S EXTREMITIES1 ALWAYS RETURN+ AS ?\< MESM]IZ$ TO ?OSE EYES1 ?AT EXTRAORD9>Y FACE4 ,IT WAS AS ?\< ! UNIV]SE HAD %RUNK D[N TO ! TUBE ( A KALEIDOSCOPE1 A GLEAM+ WELL ALONG ! L5G? ( :I*1 FROM EA* 5D1 *ILD & MO!R'S GLANCES LOCK$1 ADOR+1 MIRROR$ & SUSP5D$ 9 ! AMB] ( ! MOM5T = ALL TIME4 ,MAY WAT*$ ! P9K PURSE ( ! HAT*L+'S LIPS WORK R\ND ! %APES ( ITS FIR/ BURBL+ S\NDS1 QUICKSILV] SPITTLE 9 A GL9T+ BEAD SPILL$ FROM ONE CORN]1 L[]$ ON A ?READ4 ,AN AURA SEEM$ TO HANG R\ND ! EV5T1 L5D+ A BURNI%1 A R5AISSANCE GLAZE4 ,%E KISS$ ! RUSSET CR[N ?AT HAD A SC5T LIKE W>M MILK DRUNK 9 B$ LA/ ?+ AT NI<T1 & KNEW ?AT %E POSSESS$ A TREASURE H]E4 ,%E REALIZ$ ?AT SOMEH[ %E'D BR\<T =? A VISION ( UNE>?LY LOVEL9ESS SO EXQUISITE IT UNN]V$ ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

,BELAT$LY1 AS ?\< AN AFT]?\<T1 ,MAY ALSO REALIZ$ IT WAS A GIRL4 

0,:AT %ALL Y\ CALL H]1 DE>80 ASK$ ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 ,MAY LOOK$ R\ND BLANKLY1 HAV+ QUITE =GOT ?AT !RE WAS ANYBODY 9 ! ROOM SAVE = H] T9Y DAU<T] & H]SELF4 

,%E HAD AGRE$ ) ,TOM ?AT1 IF A BOY1 !IR (FSPR+ %\LD BE ,?OMAS1 AFT] HIM1 :]EAS A GIRL W\LD BE NAM$ AFT] H]4 

0,WE ?\<T WE'D CALL H] ,MAY1 LIKE ME0 %E SAID4 ,! *ILD'S E>S SEEM$ TO PRICK UP AT H] NAME1 H] R\ND HEAD ROLL+1 %IFT+ RE/LESSLY ON ! LAMP-YELL[$ HALO ( ! T[EL4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS GAVE A NOD1 A SUBDU$ SMILE1 SEEM+ TO BE NOT QUITE RECOV]$ YET FROM ! NEW BABY'S PETRIFY+ *>M1 ITS BEAUTIFUL ,M$USA RADIANCE4 ,WAS %E AFRAID8 ,MAY PU%$ ! ?\<T AWAY4 ,:AT1 9 A PRECI\S BLOSSOM SU* AS ?IS1 WAS !RE TO BE AFRAID =8 ,IT WAS DAFT1 JU/ ,MAY'S IMAG9ATION RUNN+ WILD1 ALL ( ! SUP]/ITI\S TOMMYROT SURR\ND+ BIR? %E'D PICK$ UP (F H] MAM4 ,IT HADN'T BE5 ?AT MANY HUNDR$ YE>S S9CE !M LIKE ,MRS4 ,GIBBS W]E MADE TO SWE> AN OA? !Y'D NOT DO MAGIC ON ! *ILD1 SAY ANY WORDS :ILE IT WAS BE+ BORN1 OR SWAP IT = A FAIRY 9 ITS CRIB4 ,?AT WAS BE=E !Y'D CALL$ !M DEA?MONG]S1 BACK :5 SU* WOM5 W]E CALL$ O!R NAMES4 ,BUT ?AT WAS !N4 ,?IS WAS #a#i#h4 ,MRS4 ,MAY ,W>R5 WAS A MOD]N GIRL1 :O'D JU/ PRODUC$ A WOND] ( ! WORLD4 ,%E'D FE$ IT1 KEEP IT CLEAN1 LOOK AFT] IT1 & ?AT W\LD DO MORE GOOD ?AN PAY+ M9D TO OLD WIVES' TALES & READ+ OM5S 9 A TEACUP OR A MIDWIFE'S TONE ( VOICE4 

,! BABY1 CRADL$ AT ,MAY'S AMPLE BU/1 WAS HALF ASLEEP4 ,MAY TURN$ TO ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

0,%E'S QUITE A SI<T1 MY DAU<T]1 DON'T Y\ ?9K80 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS *UCKL$1 TIDY+ UP H] ?+S4 

0,%E IS AT ?AT1 MY DE>4 ,%E IS AT ?AT4 ,A SI<T ,I %ALL REMEMB] ALL MY LIFE4 ,N[1 COV] Y\RSELF UP BE=E !Y ALL COME TROOP+ 9 TO SEE H] = !MSELVES40 

,! DEA?MONG] REA*$ D[N BETWE5 ,MAY'S ?I<S :]E ) A S+LE MOVE1 DEFT & DISCREET1 %E PULL$ ! AFT]BIR? \T ) A TUG ( ! CUT CORD1 :ISK+ IT (F BE=E ,MAY EV5 REALIZ$ ?AT IT WAS !RE4 ,:ILE ,MRS4 ,GIBBS GOT RID ( IT SOME:]E ,MAY SORT$ H]SELF \T AS BE/ %E C\LD4 ,!N1 JU/ AS ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD SAID !Y W\LD1 ! FAMILY CR[D$ 9 TO TAKE A LOOK4 

,MAY WAS SURPRIS$ H[ WELL-BEHAV$ !Y W]E1 TIPTOE+ 9 & TALK+ 9 A HU%4 ,H] MAM ,L\ISA COO$ & FUSS$ AB\T :ILE ,JIM WAS BRI<T R$ ) EMB>RASSM5T OR JOY1 BEAM+ & NODD+ 9 DELI<T4 ,CORA WAS DUMB/RUCK BY ! BABY'S LOOKS1 H] FACE MU* LIKE ! DEA?MONG]'S HAD BE54 ,EV5 !IR ,JOHN WAS AT A LOSS = WORDS4 

0,%E'S LOVELY1 SIS4 ,%E'S GR&0 WAS ALL HE SAID4 

,L\ISA MADE ANO!R CUP ( TEA = EV]YONE1 & ,MAY HAD ONE AS WELL4 ,IT WAS HOT NECT>1 /RONG1 ) SUG> 91 & :ILE H] MAM & SI/] C>EFULLY PASS$ ! BABY R\ND1 ,MAY SIPP$ IT GRATEFULLY4 ,! ATMOSPH]E1 ! L[ & MURMUR+ TALK ) BABY ,MAY'S 9FREQU5T DR[S+ CRIES1 WAS LIKE A *UR* EV5T1 NOT EV5 J>R$ :5 H] ,TOM & H] FA!R CAME BACK HOME4 

,DAD SMELL$ ( BE]1 BUT ,TOM HAD NURS$ A HALF ALL MORN+ LONG1 :I* MEANT HIS BREA? WAS CLEAN4 ,MAY PUT H] TEA D[N SO ?AT !Y C\LD KISS & CUDDLE BE=E ,TOM PICK$ UP !IR *ILD4 ,HE SEEM$ AMAZ$1 KEPT LOOK+ BACK & =? BETWE5 HIS TWO ,MAYS4 ,HIS EXPRESSION SAID ?AT HE C\LD NOT BELIEVE HIS & ,MAY'S LUCK AT TURN+ \T ?IS PA9T+ ( A *ILD4 ,HE GAVE H] BACK1 !N W5T TO BUY ,MAY FL[]S4 

,H] DAD1 HALF CUT1 DECL9$ TO HOLD ! BABE1 :I* SAV$ ! TR\BLE ( =BIDD+ HIM4 ,HE'D HAD SIX P9TS BE=E NOON1 TWO = LUN*1 B\<T ) C>ICATURES & RUDE C>TOONS1 ! FUNNY-LOOK+ DRAW+S ,SN[Y DID ( FOLK1 9SULTS = :I* !Y PAID 9 ALE4 ,EV5 ) A PROLIFIC MORN+'S WORK1 ,MAY ?\<T IT ODD H] FA!R HAD BE5 S5T ON SU* A B5D] BY HIS GR&*ILD'S BIR?4 ,JU/ AS R>E = H] DAD1 ! BOOZE APPE>$ TO HAVE BR\<T ON A MELAN*OLY MOOD4 ,HE C\LDN'T TAKE HIS EYES FROM LITTLE ,MAY1 AL?\< HE VIEW$ H] ?R\< A QUIV]+ L5S ( TE>S1 ! SOPPY BUGG]4 ,%E'D NOT KN[N H] DAD HAD GOT A S5TIM5TAL BONE 9 ALL HIS WIDE-EY$1 />+1 SCRAWNY FRAME4 ,%E F\ND %E LIK$ HIM A BIT MORE = IT4 ,IF ONLY HE W]E LIKE IT ALL ! TIME4 

,SN[Y N[ LOOK$ T[>D ! ELD] ,MAY4 ,BY ?IS TIME BO? CREAS$ LIDS HAD OV]FL[$ & WET WAS RUNN+ D[N H] FA!R'S *EEKS4 

0,I DIDN'T KN[1 M'LOVE4 ,I NEV] DREAM$4 ,I KNEW %E'D BE A SMA%] LIKE Y\R MAM & Y\1 BUT NOT A PRECI\S ?+ LIKE ?IS4 ,OH1 ?IS IS H>D1 GAL4 ,%E'S ?AT BEAUTIFUL40 

,SN[Y REA*$ \T & PLAC$ ONE H& UPON ,MAY'S >M1 A POORLY-HID CRACK 9 HIS VOICE4 

0,Y\ LOVE H]1 ,MAY4 ,LOVE H] ) ALL Y\'VE GOT40 

,) ?AT H] FA!R BOLT$ FROM ! ROOM4 ,!Y HE>D HIM CLUMP UP/AIRS1 MO/ PROBABLY TO SLEEP (F ALL ! BE] HE'D PUT AWAY4 ,?R\<\T ALL ?IS ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD SAT QUIET1 DR9K+ H] TEA1 SPEAK+ :5 SPOK5 TO4 ,MAY'S MAM ,L\ISA SLIPP$ ! DEA?MONG] TWO %ILL+S1 TWICE ! USUAL GO+ RATE4 ,FIRMLY1 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS GAVE ONE ( !M BACK4 

0,N[1 ,MRS4 ,V]NALL1 ) ALL DUE RESPECT1 IF %E'D BE5 UGLY ,I'D NOT *>GE HALF PRICE40 

,/OOP$ BY ! C\* %E SAID F>EWELL TO ,MAY1 :O ?ANK$ ! DEA?MONG] = ALL %E'D DONE4 

0,Y\'VE BE5 A GODS5D4 ,:5 ,I HAVE ME NEXT ,I'LL MAKE SURE ?AT !Y S5D = Y\ AGA94 ,I'VE MADE ME M9D UP ?AT ,I WANT TWO GIRLS1 !N AFT] ?AT ,I'LL /OP1 SO ,I SUPPOSE Y\'LL BE BACK :5 ME SECOND DAU<T]'S DUE40 

,MAY GOT A WAN SMILE 9 RESPONSE TO ?IS4 

0,WE'LL SEE1 MY DE>4 ,WE'LL SEE0 SAID ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

,%E SAID H] GOODBYES TO ! FAMILY1 ! L5G?IE/ H] ONE TO BABY ,MAY1 !N SAID NO ONE NE$ %[ H] FROM ! ROOM4 ,%E PUT H] HAT & COAT ON4 ,!Y C\LD HE> H] AS %E /AMP$ ALONG ! PASSAGEWAY &1 AFT] FUMBL+ BRIEFLY ) ! CAT*1 W5T \T1 LEAV+ ! FRONT DOOR ON ! LAT*4 

,! TUNELESS WAIL ( AN ACCORDION MOV$ ON ! RIV]'S SURFACE ) ! LI<T & RIPPL$ ! ,SEPTEMB] AFT]NOON4 ,FROM :]E ,MAY /OOD UPON ! WR\<T-IRON BRIDGE BETWE5 ! RIV] ISL& & ! P>K1 H] EI<TE5-MON?-OLD DAU<T] 9 H] >MS1 %E C\LD MAKE \T ,AUNT ,?URSA1 F> AWAY1 A SMALL BR[N DOT ?AT WALK$ ! GRE5'S F> $GE T[>DS ! CATTLE M>KET FUR!R UP4 

,AL?\< TOO DI/ANT TO BE CLE>LY SE5 ,MAY C\LD IMAG9E ALL TOO VIVIDLY EV]Y DI/RESS+ DETAIL ( H] AUNT1 :O1 NEXT TO H] DAD ,SN[Y1 ,MAY BELIEV$ TO BE !IR FAMILY'S WOR/ EMB>RASSM5T4 ,%E C\LD JU/ PICTURE ,?URSA'S BIRD-LIKE HEAD ) ITS PR\D BEAK1 ITS PALE & />+ EYES1 ITS GRAY HAIR ?AT ]UPT$ UP 9 TUFTS & LOOK$ AS ?\< H] BRA9S W]E SMOLD]+4 ,%E'D HAVE H] BR[N COAT ON & H] BR[N %OES1 BLOODY ACCORDION SLUNG >\ND H] NECK1 AN ANCI5T M>9] ) ALBATROSS4 ,BO? NI<T & DAY %E'D W&] ?R\< ! /REETS EXTEMPORIZ+1 F+]S FLUTT]+ ON ! GRAY KEYS ( H] WEI<TY 9/RUM5T4 ,MAY'S S5SE ( %AME W\LD NOT HAVE BE5 SO GREAT IF ,?URSA HAD DISPLAY$ ! FA9TE/ SIGN ( ANY MUSICAL ABILITY4 ,9/EAD1 H] AUNT MADE AN UNHOLY R[1 %ORT /ABS ( FALL+ OR ASC5D+ *ORDS ALL SMUDG$ 9TO A SKIRL+ BAN%EE :EEZE1 :I* /OPP$ DEAD AT ! SUDD5 PRECIPICE ( ,?URSA'S FREQU5T R&OM SIL5CES4 ,FROM NOON TILL MIDNI<T SEV5 DAYS A WEEK Y\'D HE> H] FRI<T5+ CACOPHONY1 W9D+ AMONG ! Y>DS & *IMNEYPOTS1 ?AT SC>$ CATS & WOKE BABIES 9 !IR CRIBS1 ?AT SCATT]$ BIRDS & %[$ ! ,V]NALLS UP4 ,/OOD !RE UPON ! BRIDGE1 ,MAY WAT*$ ! SPECK ( NOISY SEPIA ?AT WAS H] AUNT AS1 LIKE A H]ON1 ! MADWOMAN PICK$ H] WAY ALONG ! %ORE ( ,BECKETT'S ,P>K1 :]E LEAVES FRO!D UP AGA9/ ,VICTORIA ,PROM4 ,:5 ,?URSA & H] GRIM ACCOMPANIM5T BO? FAD$ 9 ! DI/ANCE1 ,MAY TURN$ BACK TO ! BLOND 9FANT CRADL$ 9 H] >MS4 

,! R$ HAIR ?AT ,MAY'S DAU<T] HAD AT BIR? HAD FALL5 \T & COME BACK AS :ITE-GOLD1 LUM9\S CATK9S 9 A HALO BLAZE ?AT LOOK$1 IF ANY?+1 MORE GLORI\S ?AN ! HOT COPP] ) :I* %E'D BE5 BORN4 ,LOOK$ EV5 MORE UNE>?LY1 C]TA9LY4 ,! Y\NG] ,MAY GREW LOVELI] EA* DAY1 TO ,MAY & ,TOM'S UNEASY WOND]M5T4 ,%E'D HURT TO LOOK AT IF IT C>RI$ ON4 ,BO? P>5TS HAD AT FIR/ M]ELY ASSUM$ !IR *ILD WAS ONLY M>VEL\S TO !M1 ?AT FRI5DS W]E BE+ COMPLIM5T>Y1 BUT GRADUALLY HAD COME TO REALIZE FROM ! REACTION EV]Y:]E %E W5T ?AT ?IS WAS BEAUTY )\T PREC$5T1 BEAUTY ?AT />TL$ UP A FLOCK ( GASPS1 A N]V\S AWE1 AS IF ONLOOK]S SAW A ,M+ VASE OR ! FIR/ ( A NEW RACE4 

,MAY PURR$ & DREW H] BABY CLOSE TO H] SO ?AT !IR =EHEADS T\*$1 PEBBLE TO ROCK1 & SO ?AT !IR EYELA%ES ALMO/ BEAT AGA9/ EA* O!R'S LIKE TWO C\RT+ MO?S4 ,! *ILD GURGL$ ) UNRE/RA9$ DELI<T1 H] SOLE RESPONSE TO NE>LY EV]Y?+4 ,%E SEEM$ ?AT PLEAS$ TO SIMPLY BE ALIVE & EVID5TLY F\ND ! WORLD AT L>GE JU/ AS A/ONI%+ AS IT F\ND H]4 

0,!RE4 ,ALL ?AT NA/Y RACKET'S GONE AWAY4 ,?AT WAS Y\R AUNTIE ,?URSA :O'S HALF %>P1 \T ) H] SQUEEZE-BOX KICK+ UP A FUSS4 ,BUT %E'S CLE>$ (F N[1 SO ?AT ME & Y\ CAN GET ON ) \R VISIT TO ! P>K4 ,\T ON ! ISL& !RE MI<T BE SOME SWANS4 ,SWANS4 ,%\LD Y\ LIKE ?AT8 ,H]E1 ,I'LL TELL Y\ :AT1 LET Y\R MAM GET 9TO H] POCKET H]E1 & Y\ CAN HAVE ANO!R RA9B[ DROP40 

,FUMBL+ 9 A SIDE V5T ( H] SKIRT H] F+]S F\ND ! SMALL BR[N PAP] CONE1 TOP TWI/$1 ?AT %E'D B\<T AT ,GOT*'S %OP 9 ,GRE5 ,/REET ON !IR WAY D[N TO ! P>K4 ,ONE-H&$1 ) H] O!R FULL ( *ILD1 ,MAY UNSCREW$ & !N OP5$ UP ! BAG1 REA*+ 9 TO RETRIEVE ?REE *OCOLATE DROPS1 HUNDR$S-&-?\S&S SPECKL+ !IR TOPS1 ONE = H] 9FANT DAU<T]1 TWO = H]4 ,%E HELD ! FIR/ SWEET TO H] BABY'S LIPS1 :I* OP5$ ) A COMIC EAG]NESS TO LET ,MAY PLACE IT ON ! M9UTE TONGUE1 !N PRESS$ ! TWO REMA9+ *OCOLATE DISCS TOGE!R 9TO ONE1 %AP$ LIKE A L5S1 ! COLOR$ FLECKS N[ BEAD+ ! \TSIDE 9 LITTLE DOTS LIKE ! ,FR5* PA9T]S US$4 ,%E POPP$ IT 9 H] M\? & SUCK$ IT SMOO?1 H] FAVORITE WAY ( EAT+ RA9B[ DROPS4 

,) LITTLE ,MAY AGA9/ ONE %\LD] LIKE A SET ( BAGPIPES NOT 9 CURR5T USE %E SAUNT]$ FROM ! SLI<T HUMP ( ! BRIDGE ONTO ! ISL&'S SP>SE & YELL[$ GRASS4 ,! ISLE1 TWO OR ?REE ACRES ALL 9 ALL1 HAD ! ,N5E =K$ >\ND IT TO ITS NOR?1 CONT9U+ AS TWO /REAMS ?AT RE-JO9$ TO =M ONE RIV] AT ! L&'S S\? TIP4 ,A FOOT-WORN PA? RAN R\ND ! ISL&'S $GE1 5CLOS+ AT ! C5T] M>%Y GR\ND ?AT WAS SOMETIMES A POND1 BUT NOT TODAY4 ,ONCE (F ! RAIL$ BRIDGE ,MAY TURN$ TO H] RI<T1 />T+ AN ANTICLOCKWISE CIRCUIT ( ! RIV]SIDE1 BREEZE 9 H] D>K R$ HAIR1 H] DAU<T] SLOBB]+ *OCOLATE ON H] NECK4 ,SOME CL\DS SLID ?R\< ! AZURE OV]HEAD SO ?AT ,MAY'S %AD[ FAD$ !N SPRANG BACK1 BUT O!RWISE IT WAS A P]FECT DAY4 

,%E WALK$ N[ ) ! WAT] ON H] RI<T & ! BROAD SWA! ( ,BECKETT'S ,P>K BEYOND1 ITS OLD PAVILION T9T$ LIME BY MOSS1 ITS B5*ES1 BU%ES1 & ITS PUBLIC LAVS1 TREES SCOR*$ BY AUTUMN />T+ TO CAT* FIRE4 ,! RIV]'S MIRROR-RIBBON RAN BEL[ ! D>K REA* ( ! OV]HANG+ B\<S1 REFLECT+ %ATT]$ UMB]1 CL\DY SAGE1 TORN SCRAPS ( SKY 9 PEACOCK BLUE B5EA? ! M$AL$ %IMM] ( ITS RIPPL$ BREA/4 

,IF TODAY WAS A ,SUNDAY1 !RE'D HAVE BE5 *APS R5T+ BOATS \T FROM ! PEEL+ HUT PROPP$ UP BETWE5 ! CR[D+ ELMS !RE ON ! BANK T[>DS ITS CATTLE-M>KET 5D4 ,MO/ WEEK5DS1 IF ! WEA!R WAS ALL RI<T1 Y\'D F9D HALF ( ! ,BOR\<S D[N ! P>K 9 !IR BE/ BONNETS1 WALK+ >M 9 >M1 %RIEK+ & LAU<+ AS !Y R[$ UP/REAM ?R\< TRAIL+ WILL[ F+]S = A L>K4 ,! *IMNEY-SWEEP FROM ,GRE5 ,/REET1 ,MR4 ,PA9E1 :O'D GOT ONE ( !M W9D-UP GRAMOPHONES1 W\LD TAKE IT \T ) HIM ON HIS HIR$ BOAT4 ,IT WAS NICE1 HE>+ MUSIC \T ( DOORS2 NICE SEE+ ,MR4 ,PA9E PLAY SWEET OLD SONGS :ILE HE CRUIS$ D[N ! RIV] 9 AMONG ! LOVEBIRDS & ! SPLA%+ FAMILIES4 ,IT MADE IT SEEM AS IF TIMES W]5'T SO BAD4 

,MAY GOT ON WELL ) ,MR4 ,PA9E4 ,HE'D ONCE %[N H] ! FL[]S HE'D GR[N 9 HIS BACK Y>D1 :I* WAS JU/ D[N FROM ,GOT*] ,JOHNSON'S %OP4 ,CRAMM$ 9TO ! BRICK RECTANGLE !RE'D BE5 MORE COLORS ?AN %E'D EV] SE5 BE=E1 SPR\T+ FROM A BEWILD]+ >RAY ( MAKE%IFT FL[]POTS4 ,P9KS BLOOM$ FROM T9S4 ,APO!C>Y J>S SPILL$ M>IGOLDS4 ,CRACK$ PISS-POTS BRIMM$ ) FRAGRANT JASM9E SPRAYS4 ,MAY LIK$ ! ,GRE5 ,/REET CR[D 9 G5]AL4 ,%E'D (T5 ?\<T ?AT ONE DAY H] & ,TOM MI<T F9D A DEC5T H\SE TO R5T D[N !RE1 AWAY FROM ,=T ,/REET & H] MAM & DAD1 P]HAPS NOT F> (F FROM ! *IMNEY-SWEEP :O'D GOT ,$5 9 SAUCEPANS \T ! BACK1 :OSE MURMUR+ ,VICTROLA *>M$ ! CR[DS \T /ROLL+ ON ! ,SUNDAY RIV]BANKS4 ,& HE LOV$ LITTLE ,MAY4 ,:O DIDN'T1 ?\<8 

,! RIV]SIDE PA? CURV$ R\ND TO ! LEFT1 ITS GRASS A ?READB>E C>PET1 PILE RUBB$ FLAT BY /ROLL+ OLD M51 LOV]S1 TRUANT BOYS4 ,MAY FOLL[$ IT T[>DS ! ISLE'S F> SIDE1 H] PACE UNHURRI$ & H] SKIRT'S ?9 HEM BILL[+ AT H] ANKLES 9 ! BREEZE4 ,HEAD ON H] MO!R'S %\LD]1 LITTLE ,MAY WAS *ATT]+ FLU5TLY1 UNH9D]$ BY IRRELEVANT CONC]NS LIKE S5SE OR WORDS4 

,( C\RSE1 ,MAY UND]/OOD ?AT :ILE H] *ILD WAS ALMO/ UNIV]SALLY ADMIR$1 SOME PEOPLE'S ADMIRATION MI<T BE %[N 9 WAYS ?AT W]E 9TOL]ABLY CRUEL4 ,!RE'D BE5 ?AT AFT]NOON SOME MON?S BE=E :5 H] & ,TOM W]E WALK+ 9 ?IS P>K1 HAV+ A ,SUNDAY \T+ ) Y\NG ,MAY4 ,!Y'D C>RI$ H] OR LET H] TROT A :ILE BETWE5 !M1 HOLD+ ONE ( H] H&S EA*1 LIFT+ H] UP = SL[ SUSP5D$ LEAPS TO SKIM ! PUDDLES & ! BUTT]CUPS4 ,!RE'D BE5 A WELL-DRESS$ C\PLE M>*+ BY1 KEEP+ !IR DI/ANCE FROM ! ,BOR\<S TYPES1 KEEP+ AT NOSE'S L5G?1 ! WAY !Y DO4 ,! WOMAN ) H] GLOVES & P>ASOL />$ AT ! ,W>R5S & !IR LITTLE GIRL1 REM>K+ TO H] HUSB& AS !Y PASS$1 0,Y\ KN[1 IT DOES UPSET ME :5 ,I SEE A T9Y *ILD AS BEAUTIFUL AS ?AT BE+ BR\<T UP BY PEOPLE ( !IR SORT40 

,! BLOODY *EEK4 ,! BLOODY1 BLOODY *EEK ?AT WOMAN HAD1 TO SAY A ?+ LIKE ?AT4 ,TOM YELL$ 0,Y\ :AT80 AT !IR RETREAT+ BACKS BUT !Y JU/ WALK$ ON LIKE !Y HADN'T HE>D4 ,MAY C\LD REMEMB] H[ %E'D CRI$ H]SELF TO SLEEP ?AT NI<T1 FACE HOT & R$ ) %AME4 ,Y\'D ?9K ?AT H] & ,TOM W]E ANIMALS1 NOT TO BE TRU/$ ) A BABY GIRL4 ,MAY KNEW1 JU/ FROM ! WOMAN'S TONE ( VOICE1 ?AT IF ! C\PLE C\LD HAVE F\ND SOME MEANS TO HAVE ,MAY'S DAU<T] TOOK AWAY FROM H]1 !N !Y'D HAVE DONE IT )\T ?9K+ TWICE4 ,! 9CID5T HAD SP>K$ A FI]CE RESOLVE1 A FIRE ?AT SCOR*$ H] ?ROAT & /UNG H] EYES4 ,%E'D %[ !M4 ,%E'D LOOK AFT] LITTLE ,MAY BETT] ?AN SOME PO% WOMAN C\LD HAVE DONE4 

,MO!R & *ILD HAD BY N[ W&]$ R\ND ! ISL&'S NOR!RN1 CATTLE-M>KET 5D1 DAWDL+ ALONG BESIDE ! RIV]'S $GE T[>DS ,MIDSUMM] ,MEAD[ & ! S\?4 ,! BABY'S EYES1 CLE> BLUE LIKE W9T] SKY1 GAZ$ FASC9AT$ AT ! C5TRAL BOG :]E DUCKS ) HEADS BE]-BOTTLE EM]ALD /ILL PECK$ & FUSS$ NE> ALMO/ EMPTI$ NE/S4 ,F> (F1 A FACTORY HORN MADE BRIEF COMPLA9T4 

,>\ND ,MAY'S SNUB-NOS$ %OES W]E <O/-GRE5 LEAVES ) QUE] PODS BULG+ FROM !IR FALL5 /EMS4 ,SPLIT ) A ?UMBNAIL !Y'D HAVE GRUBS 9SIDE1 ! (FSPR+ 7OR SO ,MAY'S DAD HAD ONCE SAID7 ( SMALL BLACK FLIES :O'D LAY EGGS 9 ! BUD1 DE=M+ IT TO :AT WAS CALL$ A GALL4 ,IT WAS A NA/Y ?\<T1 BUT BETT] ?AN ! FIR/ CONCLUSION %E HAD DRAWN1 :I* WAS ?AT WORMS & MAGGOTS SOMEH[ GREW ON TREES1 SIGNS ( DEA? BLOSSOM+ UNNATURALLY FROM LEAFY B\<S ?AT REPRES5T$ LIFE4 ,! BANK WAS /REWN1 BESIDE ! BLI<T$ LEAVES1 ) O!R BITS ( LITT] H]E & !RE3 DOG MUCK BLAN*$ BY A DIET ( WELL-GNAW$ BONES1 AN EMPTY PACKET ( T5 ,CRAV5 ',A' ?AT HAD ! BLACK CAT MASCOT ON ITS BOX 9 SODD5 C>DBO>D & A HALF-9* TALL1 N[ AT ! M]CY ( ! ISL&'S BIRDS4 

,AP>T FROM ?IS !RE WAS A PAIR ( PANTS1 A SET ( LADIES' BLOOM]S 9 ! GRASS BETWE5 ! TREE ROOTS1 :ITE & CRUMPL$ UP4 ,SOME C\PLE HAD COME H]E TO HAVE IT (F F> FROM ! GASLI<TS ON ,VICTORIA ,PROM1 ! RIV]'S T9KLE LO/ B5EA? !IR GROANS1 !N NOT CLE>$ UP BEH9D !M :5 !Y'D DONE4 ,MAY TUTT$1 ?\< %E'D DONE ! SAME H]SELF ) ,TOM BE=E !Y'D M>RI$1 H]E AT NI<T BESIDE ! RIV]1 HIM ON TOP ( H]1 !N AFT]W>DS !Y'D SIT H]E & !Y'D TALK1 PROPP$ UP TOGE!R UND]NEA? A TREE4 ,HEAD RE/+ ON ,TOM'S BREA/ %E'D HE>D HIS HE>T1 BO? GAZ+ (F T[>DS ! /REAM'S F> SIDE1 ! SCRUBL&S & ! RAILWAY TRACKS ?AT /RET*$ (F TO ! ABBEY \T AT ,DELAPRE4 ,%E'D LI/5$ TO HIM1 QUIET & WOND]/RUCK1 :ILE HE TOLD H] HIS TALES FROM HI/ORY1 ! SUBJECT ?AT HAD BE5 ,TOM'S BE/ AT S*OOL4 ,! :OLE ,W>S ( ! ,ROSES1 HE'D EXPLA9$1 ! W>S BETWE5 ! ,LANCA/]S & ,YORKS1 HAD BE5 DECID$ ON ! SOIL ACROSS ! RIV] FROM :]E ,MAY WAS WALK+ N[4 ,! ,K+ WAS CAPTUR$ ON ! WA/E-GR\ND ?AT ! ,BOR\<S ?\<T ( /ILL AS ITS BACK Y>D4 ,%E'D SPRAWL$ !RE1 HALF ASLEEP & M>VEL+ AT ! IMPORTANT ?+S !SE FIELDS HAD SE51 AT ! L[ VOICE ( H] HUSB&-TO-BE1 :OSE SPUNK HUNG COOL+ FROM ! D&ELIONS4 ,! MEMORY MADE ,MAY W>M BETWE5 H] ?I<S SO ?AT %E HAD TO /OP & %AKE H] HEAD TO CLE> IT BE=E %E C\LD CONC5TRATE ON H] & Y\NG ,MAY'S ,FRIDAY AFT]NOON4 ,%E W5T ON1 CURV+ R\ND ! ISLE'S S\? 5D & BACK 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! BRIDGE4 

,RE5T]+ ! MA9 GR\NDS ( ! P>K %E PEEP$ TO SEE IF ,?URSA WAS NE>BY4 ,H] AUNT1 H[EV]1 WAS BY !N LONG GONE1 AS W]E ! O!R SORTS :O'D BE5 AB\T4 ,P]HAPS H] AUNT HAD L$ !M DANC+ (F ,PI$ ,PIP] FA%ION ) A COCKEY$ TUNE ON H] ACCORDION1 BR[N COAT A-FLAP1 H] GRAY HAIR /REAM+ LIKE A *IMNEY FIRE4 ,MAY LAU<$ & SO DID Y\NG ,MAY1 JO9+ 94 

,! ONLY O!R PEOPLE %E C\LD SEE W]E UP NE> ,D]NGATE & ! HOSPITAL1 MO!RS OR GOV]NESSES PU%+ PRAMS BY ,BECKET'S ,WELL AT ! P>K CORN] !RE4 ,SNOBS4 ,:Y1 EV5 !IR S]VANTS PUT ,MAY (F1 LOOK$ AT H] LIKE !Y ?\<T %E'D /EAL !IR PURSE1 DESPITE BE+ NO BETT] BORN ?AN H] 444 AL?\< ?AT WASN'T /RICTLY SPEAK+ TRUE4 ,BE+ HAT*$ 9 A GUTT] FULL ( %IT1 NE> EV]YONE WAS BETT] BORN ?AN ,MAY4 

,?AT DIDN'T MAKE H] A BAD MO!R1 ?\<4 ,IT DIDN'T MEAN ?AT WOMAN HAD BE5 RI<T4 ,%E TOOK MORE C>E ( H] [N LITTLE GIRL ?AN ALL ! LA-DI-DA TYPES DID ( !IRS4 ,MAY LOOK$ AFT] H] DAU<T] TO A FAULT1 AT LEA/ IF :AT ! DOCTOR SAID WAS RI<T4 ,:AT ?AT HAD BE51 Y\NG ,MAY KEPT GETT+ COLDS1 JU/ C\<S & SNIFFLES H[ MO/ BABIES DO4 ,! DOCTOR CAME TO SEE H]1 ,DR4 ,=BES1 ANNOY$ HE'D BE5 CALL$ \T SO MANY TIMES1 & !Y'D HAD WORDS1 HIM & ! OLD] ,MAY4 ,HE'D L$ H] \T ONTO H] [N FRONT /EP & PO9T$ FUR!R (F D[N ,=T ,/REET'S L5G? TO :]E ! SIMPLE GIRL FROM D[N ! WAY WAS SITT+ ON ! COLD1 UNEV5 FLAGS ) A TOY TEA-SET SPREAD \T ALL >\ND1 %>+ BLACK PUDDLE-WAT] ) H] DOLLS4 

0,Y\ SEE8 ,?AT *ILD IS HEAL?I] ?AN Y\RS1 BECAUSE H] MO!R LETS H] PLAY \TSIDE4 ,Y\R BABY1 ,MRS4 ,W>R51 KEEPS TOO CLEAN TO BUILD UP A RESI/ANCE TO DISEASE4 ,LET H] GET DIRTY6 ,DON'T !Y SAY Y\'VE GOT TO EAT A PECK ( DIRT BE=E Y\ DIE80 

,IT WAS ALL V]Y WELL = HIM TO TALK1 HIM UP ,HORSEM>KET 9 HIS DOCTOR'S H\SE4 ,NOBODY W\LD ACCUSE HIM OR HIS WIFE ( BE+ UNFIT TO BR+ UP A *ILD1 ! WAY ?AT OLD C[ HAD ) H] & ,TOM4 ,HIS *ILDR51 ,MAY KNEW1 C\LD HAVE MUCKY KNEES & NOBODY W\LD ?9K ! WORSE ( HIM4 ,IT W\LDN'T BE HIM ?AT GOT TALK$ AB\T1 OR BE HIS WIFE :AT CRI$ H]SELF TO SLEEP ) ! HUMILIATION ( IT ALL4 ,HAV+ SOME MONEY SP>$ Y\ ALL ( ?AT4 ,! ,DOCTOR DIDN'T KN[ :AT IT WAS LIKE4 

,H]E Y\NG ,MAY %IFT$ 9 H] MO!R'S >MS & PULL$ A FACE4 ,IT WAS H] UGLIE/ ONE1 AL?\< IT W\LD HAVE %AM$ A WORK ( >T4 ,IF ! W9D *ANG$ & %E'D BE5 /UCK LIKE ?AT1 ,MAY'S BABY W\LD /ILL KNOCK SPOTS (F ,MISS ,PE>S4 ,! REASON = H] DAU<T]'S RE/LESSNESS WAS MORE ?AN LIKELY WANT ( RA9B[ DROPS4 ,%E REA*$ 9 H] SKIRT'S POCKET = ! BAG1 DISCOV]+ !Y'D ONLY GOT ?REE LEFT4 ,GIV+ ,MAY ONE %E PRESS$ ! O!R TWO 9TO ANO!R S&WI* = H]SELF4 ,) H] M9IATURE VISION 9 ! CROOK ( ONE >M1 SO ,MAY S5IOR W5T ON BESIDE ! RAIL+S & ! LAVATORIES T[>DS ! DUNG-*UTE ( ,VICTORIA ,PROM4 ,! SUN WAS L[]4 ,TIME WAS GETT+ ON4 ,%E DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP H] LITTLE GIRL \TDOORS TOO LONG1 DESPITE OLD ,=BES'S ADVICE4 ,) LITTLE ,MAY NOT LONG RID ( ONE C\< SOME FRE% P>K AIR HAD SEEM$ A GOOD IDEA1 BUT !RE WAS NO S5SE OV]DO+ ?+S4 ,!Y'D BE/ GET HOME & 9 ! W>M :ILE !RE WAS /ILL SOME BRI<T1 & IT WAS QUITE A WALK4 ,/EPP+ FROM UND] TEA-LEAF COLOR$ TREES !Y TURN$ LEFT ON ! CURV+ PROM5ADE & C>RI$ ON ?R\< CATTLE M>KET MUSK T[>DS ! IRON GAS-HOLD]'S ROTUND BULK4 

,MAY PASS$ ! ,PL[ ,HOTEL ACROSS ! ROAD AT ,BRIDGE ,/REET'S M\?1 CONT9U+ UNTIL ! PAIR HAD REA*$ ! FOOT ( ,HORSE%OE ,/REET :]E !Y TURN$ RI<T1 BEG9N+ ! LONG TRUDGE UPHILL ALONG ?IS EA/]N B\ND>Y L9E 9TO ! ,BOR\<S' GRUBBY1 GLAD EMBRACE1 9TO ITS WELCOM+ & SOOT-/REAK$ >MS4 ,! SUN WAS A ,MONTGOLFI] BALLOON DESC5D+ ON ! RAILWAY /ATION Y>DS4 ,BREEZE /IRR$ ! PALE CURDS ( H] DAU<T]'S HAIR & ,MAY WAS PLEAS$ %E'D BR\<T H] \T TODAY4 ,!RE WAS A FEEL+ 9 ! AIR1 P]HAPS BR\<T ON BY SUNSET OR ! AUTUMN'S COOL1 AS IF !SE H\RS W]E A LA/ PRECI\S GLIMPSE ( SOME?+1 ( ! SUMM] OR ! DAY1 :I* MADE !M TWICE AS FLAWLESS & AS FAIR4 ,EV5 ! ,BOR\<S1 ) ITS BRICKS RUBB$ RAW1 SEEM$ TO BE TRY+ TO LOOK ITS V]Y BE/4 ,A WEAL? ( NEWLY-SMELT$ GOLD5 LI<T SLICK$ ITS SLATE RO(TOPS & ITS GUTT]+1 SPREAD BL9D+ SCUM ON ! RA9WAT] TUBS4 ,! SCRAPS ( LILAC CL\D OV] ,BELLB>N W]E H&BILL FRAGM5TS1 TORN1 LEFT PA/$ UP ON ! GREAT AWN+'S DEEP5+ BLUE ABOVE4 ,! WORLD SEEM$ SO RI*1 SO SIGNIFICANT1 LIKE AN OIL PA9T+ ,MAY WAS WALK+ ?R\< ) H] ,GA9SBOR\< BABY ON H] HIP4 

,ACROSS ! TROT & CREAK ( ,HORSE%OE ,/REET1 ITS COBBLES GREAS$ ) FIBR\S OLIVE SME>S1 WAS WA/EL& :]E ,/4 ,GREGORY'S ONCE /OOD1 OR SO ,MAY'S DAD HAD TOLD HIS DAU<T] ONCE4 ,!RE'D BE5 SOME TALE AB\T AN OLD /ONE CROSS A MONK HAD BR\<T H]E FROM ,J]USALEM1 SO AS TO M>K ! C5T] ( HIS L&4 ,!Y'D SET IT 9 AN ALCOVE AT ! *UR*1 & = SOME C5TURIES IT WAS A %R9E :]E FOLK MADE PILGRIMAGES & ALL ?AT4 0,ROOD 9 ! ,WALL0 !Y CALL$ IT4 ',ROOD' MEANT CROSS1 ?\< 9 ,MAY'S M9D %E MIX$ IT UP ) 'RUDE' & ?\<T ( ! /ONE CROSS AS PLA9 OR CO>SE1 *IPP$ RUGG$LY ) RUDIM5T>Y TOOLS FROM H>D GRAY ROCK1 R\<-CUT & BIBLICAL4 ,! MONK WAS S5T BY ANGELS1 SO HE'D SAID4 ,ANGELS W]E COMMON 9 ! ,BOR\<S !N1 GONE N[ UNLESS Y\ C\NT$ LITTLE ,MAY4 ,! *UR* ITSELF WAS ALSO LONG S9CE GONE1 ) ONLY NE>BY ,GREGORY'S ,/REET TO M>K ! FACT ?AT IT WAS EV] !RE AT ALL4 ,N[ BUDDLEIA & NETTLE RUL$ ! PLOT1 ! FIR/ ) FALL5 PETALS ?ICK AS MEAT1 ! LATT] ?RU/+ :ITE & S5ILE HEADS UP 9TO ! LA/ SP>E RAYS ( ! SUN1 LIT ) A BURN+ CITR9E AT !IR TIPS4 ,TO ?9K IT WAS ! C5T] ( ! L&4 

,! BABY *UCKL$1 CLUT*$ AGA9/ ,MAY'S SIDE1 SO ?AT H] MO!R TURN$ TO SEE :AT =4 ,SOME WAY UPHILL1 :]E ,GOLD ,/REET & ,M>EFAIR CUT ACROSS ,HORSEM>KET & ,HORSE%OE ,/REET TO =M A CROSSROADS1 ON ! CORN] !RE \TSIDE ,V9T'S ,PALACE ( ,V>IETIES A SLIM Y\NG FELL[ LEAN$ AGA9/ ! WALL1 LOOK+ AWAY !N SLYLY LOOK+ BACK AS HE PLAY$ PEEK-A-BOO ) LITTLE ,MAY4 

,H] DAU<T] SEEM$ 5*ANT$ BY ! MAN1 & AN 9SPECTION =C$ ,MAY TO ADMIT ?AT !RE WAS MU* TO BE 5*ANT$ BY4 ,HE WASN'T TALL BUT HAD A SL5D]NESS1 A LI!NESS1 NOT A WIR9ESS LIKE ,TOM4 ,! FELL['S HAIR WAS BLACK] ?AN HIS %OES1 A SPR+Y NE/ ( UNW\ND LICORICE :IPS4 ,HIS GIRLI%1 LONG-LA%$ EYES W]E D>K] /ILL1 BATT+ FLIRTATI\SLY TO TEASE ! *ILD4 ,FANCI$ HIMSELF1 ,MAY ?\<T4 ,& FANCI$ H]4 

,%E KNEW ! TYPE1 !IR BABY /RATEGY3 /RIKE UP A CONV]SATION ?R\< ! TOT1 SO Y\R ADVANCES WON'T SEEM OBVI\S4 ,%E'D HAD ?AT QUITE A BIT :5 %E'D BE5 \T ) LITTLE ,MAY 9 ?IS LA/ YE>-&-HALF4 ,) SU* A LOVELY (FSPR+1 IT WAS NICE TO SOMETIMES GET ATT5TION ( H] [N4 ,MAY DIDN'T M9D A :I/LE & A W9K1 SO LONG AS IT W]5'T FROM A LU% OR ?UG4 ,OR IF IT WAS1 %E C\LD SOON BRU% !M (F1 WAS T\< 5\< TO LOOK AFT] H]SELF4 ,BUT IF ! LAD %\LD BE PRES5TABLE1 LIKE ?IS ONE WAS1 %E DIDN'T ?9K IT HURT TO FLIRT A BIT1 OR PASS FIVE M9UTES' *AT4 ,IT WASN'T ?AT %E DIDN'T LOVE H] ,TOM NOR HAD H] EYE ON ANYONE BUT HIM1 BUT %E'D BE5 QUITE A SMA%] AS A GIRL1 & SOMETIMES MISS$ ! LOOKS & COMPLIM5TS4 ,BESIDES1 AS !Y DREW CLOS] TO ?IS BLOKE ,MAY HAD A FEEL+ ?AT %E KNEW HIS FACE1 ?\< = ! LIFE ( H] %E C\LDN'T ?9K :]E IT WAS ?AT %E RECOGNIZ$ HIM FROM4 ,IF IT W]5'T ?AT1 !N IT WAS DEJA VU1 ?AT FEEL+ LIKE SOME?+'S HAPP5$ BE=E4 ,ALSO1 ,MAY'S DAU<T] SEEM$ TO LIKE ! *AP1 :O HAD ! KNACK = MAK+ *ILDR5 LAU<4 

,! NEXT TIME ?AT HE TURN$1 MOCK-%YLY1 R\ND TO SNEAK A PEEK AT LITTLE ,MAY HE F\ND H] MO!R GAZ+ BACK AT HIM AS WELL4 ,MAY SPOKE FIR/1 TAK+ ! 9ITIATIVE1 SAY+ HE'D AN ADMIR] 9 H] *ILD1 & HE CAME BACK ) SOME?+ DAFT AB\T H[ HE'D JU/ BE5 ADMIR+ LITTLE ,MAY4 ,HE KNEW AS WELL AS %E DID ?IS WAS TO%1 & ?AT HE'D HAD HIS EYE ON BIG ,MAY TOO1 BUT !Y BO? PLAY$ ALONG ) ! PRET5SE4 ,BESIDES1 HE C\LD SEE N[ ?AT %E W]E W$4 

,HE MADE AN AWFUL FUSS ( LITTLE ,MAY1 BUT SEEM$ = ! MO/ P>T TO BE S9C]E1 SAY+ AS H[ %E'D 5D UP ON ! /AGE & BE A FAM\S BEAUTY ( H] TIME & ALL ?AT4 ,HE WAS ON ! /AGE HIMSELF1 APPE>+ AT ,V9T'S ,PALACE LAT] ON & ONLY IDL+ ON ! CORN] :ILE HE HAD A FAG OR TWO TO CALM HIS N]VES4 ,& LOOK AT WOM51 ,MAY ?\<T TO H]SELF1 BUT LET IT PASS S9CE %E 5JOY$ HIS TALK4 ,%E 9TRODUC$ H]SELF & BABY ,MAY4 ,HE SAID TO CALL HIM 0,OATSIE0 9 RETURN1 :I* WAS A NICKNAME %E'D NOT HE>D = YE>S1 NOT S9CE %E'D LIV$ D[N ,LAMBE? AS A GIRL4 ,?IS SET :EELS TURN+ 9 ,MAY'S M9D UNTIL %E WORK$ \T :]E %E'D SE5 ,OATSIE BE=E4 

,HE'D BE5 A SMALL BOY ( AB\T ,MAY'S AGE :O'D LIV$ 9 ,WE/ ,SQU>E (F ,/4 ,GEORGE'S ,ROAD4 ,%E'D SE5 HIM1 :5 \T ) H] MAM & DAD1 & RECOGNIZ$ HIM BY ! PRETTY EYES4 ,HE'D HAD A BRO!R1 OLD] ?AN HIMSELF AS %E RECALL$1 BUT :5 %E TOLD HIM ?IS HE LOOK$ AT H] AS IF HE'D SE5 A <O/1 \T ( A PA/ HE'D ?\<T BEH9D HIM N[4 ,HE LOOK$ AT H] AS IF HE'D BE5 F\ND \T4 ,! MAN'S CONFUSION & POP-EY$ SURPRISE MADE ,MAY LAU<4 ,HE'D NOT BE5 EXPECT+ ?AT4 ,HE'D BIT (F MORE ?AN HE C\LD *EW ) H]4 ,%E PLAY$ HIM ON 9 ?IS WAY = A :ILE1 !N1 TAK+ PITY1 LET HIM (F ! HOOK1 CONFESS+ ?AT %E TOO WAS ,LAMBE? BORN4 ,HE LOOK$ RELIEV$4 ,HE'D EVID5TLY ?\<T %E WAS A ,SYBIL OR AN ORACLE1 NOT JU/ AN ESCAP$ COCKNEY LIKE HIMSELF4 

,PUT 9 HIS PLACE LIKE ?IS IT WAS AS IF HE DIDN'T NE$ TO GO ?R\< SU* AN ACT1 & !IR /REET-CORN] *AT GREW MORE RELAX$ & W>M1 )\T ! NE$ = ANY %[4 ,!Y NATT]$ ON DISCUSS+ ?IS & ?AT1 H] BRO!R ,JOHN'S AMBITIONS ON ! /AGE1 ! HI/ORY ( ,V9T'S ,PALACE :]E !Y /OOD1 & SO ON1 HIM & H] & LITTLE ,MAY 9 *E]Y CONF]5CE :ILE ! ,BOR\<S SKY TURN$ FROM BROCADE TO SAPPHIRE OV]HEAD4 ,AT LA/1 H] DAU<T] SQUIRM+ 9 H] >MS1 & M9DFUL !RE W]E NO MORE RA9B[ DROPS1 ,MAY KNEW %E'D BETT] GET ! BABY HOME TO HAVE H] MEAT-PA/E S&WI*ES = TEA4 ,%E SAID H] F>EWELLS TO ! H&SOME CL[N & WI%$ HIM GOOD LUCK ) HIS %[ ?AT NI<T4 ,HE TOLD H] TO TAKE C>E ( LITTLE ,MAY4 ,%E DIDN'T ?9K IT ODD1 NOT AT ! TIME4 

,! CLIMB UP ,HORSEM>KET DIDN'T TAKE LONG AL?\<1 AFT] SOME H\RS ( WALK+ R\ND1 ! *ILD SEEM$ HEAVI] 9 ,MAY'S TIR$ >MS4 ,ASC5D+ PA/ ! L(TY H\SES !RE1 ! DOCTORS' RESID5CES1 LIT UP W>M1 %E WOND]$ :I* BELONG$ TO ,DR4 ,=BES4 ,PA/ OP5 CURTA9S *ILDR5 HOME FROM S*OOL SAT ON PLUMP S(AS NEXT TO RO>+ FIRES1 ATE MUFF9S1 OR ELSE READ IMPROV+ BOOKS4 ,%E FELT BRIEFLY RES5TFUL AT H] DAD4 ,IF HE'D NOT SNIFF$ AT ?AT DIRECTOR'S JOB1 IF JU/ ONCE H] OLD MAN HAD SP>$ A ?\<T = SOMEONE O!R ?AN HIS WILLFUL SELF1 ?AT C\LD BE H] & LITTLE ,MAY 9 !RE1 WELL-F$ & SNUG1 ,MAY'S DAU<T] ON H] KNEE & BE+ READ TO FROM A PICTURE BOOK ) EMBOSS$ COV]S & BRI<T TIPP$-9 PLATES4 ,%E SNORT$1 & TURN$ UP ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET4 

,! HEAV5S 9 ! WE/ AHEAD ( H] %[$ BRUISES FROM ! R\<H\SE ( ! DAY1 PURPL+ 9TO D>K ABOVE ! RO(S ( ,PIKE ,LANE & ,QU>T ,POT ,LANE FUR!R ON4 ,IT />TL$ ,MAY1 ! WAY ! NI<TS FELL 9 :5 Y\ GOT CLOSE TO ?IS 5D ( ! YE>4 ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET LOOK$ HAUNT$ 9 ! GLOOM4 ,ITS ALCOVE DOOR/EPS SUCK$ ! %AD[S 91 & SPL9T]$ WORK-Y>D GATES CLANK$ ON !IR *A9S4 ,MAY /RODE ON ) H] *ILD HELD UP 9 FRONT LIKE A BLOND C&LE ?R\< ! CR[D+ DUSK4 

,%E'D HAVE TO SAY %E W]5'T AT ALL SURPRIS$ ?AT ?IS WAS :]E ! GREAT FIRE HAD BROKE \T1 BACK TWO HUNDR$ & SOME?+ YE>S AGO4 ,!RE WAS A SIMM]+ FEEL AB\T ! PLACE1 AS IF IT C\LD BOIL OV] 9TO H>M AT ANY TIME1 QUICK AS Y\ C\LD SAY 'KNIFE'4 ,NO D\BT IT W5T BACK TO ! ,CIVIL ,W> ) ALL ! ,R\NDHEADS BIV\ACK$ NE> H]E1 ,CROMWELL & ,FAIRFAX KIPP+ OV]NI<T 9 ,M>EFAIR1 P>ALLEL TO ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 BE=E !Y W5T TO ,NASEBY ! NEXT DAY & SEAL$ ,K+ ,*>LIE'S & ! C\NTRY'S FATE4 ,WASN'T IT ,PIKE ,LANE :]E !Y'D MADE ! PIKES8 ,?AT'S :AT ,MAY'S DAD HAD SAID1 AT ANY RATE4 ,%E C>RI$ ON & OV] ,DODDRIDGE ,/REET1 CONT9U+ ACROSS ! BURIAL GR\ND ?AT RAN FROM ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* D[N TO ,*ALK ,PLACE4 ,! ,REV]5D ,DODDRIDGE1 :O HAD PREA*$ D[N H]E1 :ILE NOT A T]RIBLE DE/RUCTIVE =CE LIKE OLD ,OLIV] ,CROMWELL OR ! FIRE WAS AS 9C5DI>Y 9 HIS [N WAY1 FI<T+ = ,NONCON=MI/S & ! POOR1 & SUIT$ ! SPOT'S TR\BLEMAK] AIR4 ,MAY PRESS$ ON ?R\< ! BONE-Y>D'S OV]GR[? & HOP$ H] DAU<T] WASN'T GETT+ COLD4 

,9 ,*ALK ,LANE1 BY ! *APEL'S WE/]N WALL1 LITTLE ,MAY />T$ KICK+ UP A FUSS & PO9T+ TO ?AT QUE] DOOR HALFWAY UP1 AS IF WANT+ TO KN[ :AT IT WAS =4 

0,DON'T ASK ME1 LOVE1 ,I HAV5'T GOT A CLUE4 ,COME ON1 LET'S GET Y\ HOME & LAY ! FIRE = :5 Y\R DE> OLD DAD COMES BACK FROM WORK40 

,EXCEPT A BURP1 Y\NG ,MAY MADE NO REPLY AS ,CA/LE ,T]RACE L$ TO ,BRI/OL ,/REET4 ,! LAMPS W]E GO+ ON AT ! F> 5D :I* MEANT ?AT ,MR4 ,BE]Y WAS AB\T1 WALK+ FROM PO/ TO PO/ ) HIS LONG POLE1 ANGL+ IT UP T[>DS ! GASLI<T'S TOP1 FLAME HELD BESIDE ! JET UNTIL IT CAU<T4 ,HE LOOK$ LIKE HE WAS FI%+ = ! D>K1 US+ HIS LITTLE GL[WORM LI<T AS BAIT4 ,MAY'S *ILD COO$ AT ! DI/ANT1 GRE5I% GLEAMS AS ?\< !Y W]E A ,ROMAN C&LE %[4 

,!Y W5T ON1 HEAD+ = ! ,=T ,/REET TURN1 :5 FROM ! UNLIT T]RACE AT ,MAY'S HEELS !RE CAME A WA%BO>D CLATT] DRAW+ NE>1 A RATTL+ S\ND AS SOMEONE DRAGG$ A PLANK ACROSS ! BUMP+ COBBLES TO !IR RE>4 ,A VOICE AS RI* AS BRO? CALL$ \T 0,:Y1 ,MRS4 ,MAY & ,MISSY ,MAY6 ,Y\ LADIES BE5 (F GALLIVANT+ ALL >\ND ! T[N1 ,I BET1 Y\ ONLY JU/ N[ COM+ HOME60 

,IT WAS ,BLACK ,*>LEY1 HIM FROM ,SC>LETWELL :O HAD ! RAG-&-BONE C>T & ! BIKE ) ROPES ALL R\ND !IR :EELS 9/EAD ( TIRES4 ,! S\ND %E'D HE>D HAD BE5 ! BLOCKS ( WOOD HE HAD /RAPP$ ON HIS FEET TO USE AS BRAKES4 ,MAY LAU<$ TO SEE HIM1 BUT !N TOLD HIM (F = SC>+ !M1 AL?\< 9 TRU? HE'D NOT4 ,HE WAS A LOCAL M>VEL1 :O %E LIK$4 ,HE BR\<T A T\* ( MAGIC TO ! PLACE4 

0,BLACK ,*>LEY6 ,BLUMM9 'ECK1 Y\ MADE ME JUMP60 ,%E TOLD HIM !RE %\LD BE A LAW ?AT =C$ BLACK M5 TO C>RY SP>KL]S AFT] D>K1 SO Y\ C\LD SEE !M CREEP+ UP ON Y\1 !N ?\<T IT WAS A SILLY ?+ TO SAY4 ,= ONE ?+1 !RE W]5'T BLACK M5 R\ND !SE P>TS4 ,!RE WAS JU/ HIM1 ,BLACK ,*>LEY1 ,H5RY ,GEORGE4 ,ALSO1 %E KNEW H] QUIP MADE NO MORE S5SE ?AN IF HE'D SAID :ITE PEOPLE %\LD BLACK UP SO HE C\LD SEE !M COM+ AT MIDDAY4 ,HE DIDN'T TAKE (F5SE ?\<4 ,HE JU/ LAU<$ & MADE ! USUAL FUSS ( BABY ,MAY1 SAY+ %E WAS AN ANGEL & ALL ?AT1 A COMPLIM5T ,MAY BRISKLY SWEPT ASIDE4 ,ANGELS W]E MO/LY A SORE PO9T ) H]1 P>T ( ! MADNESS 9 ! ,V]NALL CLAN4 ,H] DAD & GR&DAD & H] B>MY AUNT HAD ALL 9SI/$ ?AT SU* ?+S W]E REAL1 :I*1 9 ,MAY'S [N OP9ION1 SAID IT ALL4 ,NOBODY TOOK /UFF LIKE ?AT S]I\SLY1 OR AT LEA/ NOBODY :O WAS ALL !RE4 ,!Y HADN'T S9CE ! TIMES ( ?AT OLD MONK :O'D BR\<T ! CROSS H]E FROM ,J]USALEM4 ,! ONLY ANGEL1 LITTLE ,MAY ASIDE1 WAS ?AT :ITE /ONE ONE ON ! ,GUILDHALL RO( H] DAD HAD CUDDL$ ) :5 HE'D BE5 DRUNK4 ,BESIDES1 ,MAY F\ND ?\<TS LIKE ?AT FRI<T5+1 GREAT W+$ *APS WAT*+ OV] PEOPLE'S LIVES & KN[+ :AT W\LD HAPP5 '=E IT DID4 ,IT WAS LIKE <O/S OR ANY?+ LIKE ?AT1 IT MADE Y\ ?9K ( DEA?1 OR ELSE ?AT LIFE WAS A BIG1 FOGGY1 OV]:ELM+ PLACE Y\ KNEW W\LD KILL Y\ GO+ 9 ! DOOR4 ,%E DIDN'T DWELL UPON UNE>?LY ?+S4 ,ANYWAY1 ANGELS W\LD BE SNOBS1 ,MAY KNEW1 JUDG+ H] LIKE ?AT PAIR 9 ,BECKETT'S ,P>K4 

,%E *ATT$ TO ,BLACK ,*>LEY = A :ILE1 & LITTLE ,MAY1 ,GOD BLESS H]1 TRI$ H] BE/1 CALL+ HIM ,*>-,*> & GRABB+ ! BE>D ?AT GREW 9 A :ITE FRIZZ >\ND HIS *94 ,EV5TUALLY1 !Y LET HIM CYCLE ON1 %\T+ GOODBYE 9 HIS DEEP ,YANKEE VOICE1 D[N ,BRI/OL ,/REET BACK HOME TO ,SC>LETWELL1 :I* WAS A /REET ,MAY DIDN'T LIKE TO GO4 ,IT JU/ GAVE H] ! WILLIES1 ?AT WAS ALL1 AL?\< !RE WAS NO REASON :Y IT %\LD4 ,!RE WAS ?AT FUNNY CREATURE ( ,NEWT ,PRATT'S1 ON ,SUNDAYS1 DRUNK \TSIDE ! ,FRI5DLY ,>MS1 BUT ?AT W]5'T :AT FRIT ,MAY AB\T ! /REET4 ,P]HAPS IT WAS ! BLOODY-S\ND+ NAME1 OR ELSE ?AT UP R\ND ,SC>LETWELL !Y KEPT ! FEV] C>T1 HI< W9D[S1 LEAD$ GLASS1 ?AT LET 9 LI<T BUT W\LDN'T LET Y\ SEE ! POOR BUGG]S 9SIDE ?AT IT TOOK (F1 ) SC>LET FEV] OR ?AT O!R ONE :OSE NAME ,MAY WASN'T SURE H[ TO PRON\NCE1 TO CAMPS \T ON ! $GES ( ! T[N4 ,:ATEV] IT WAS ?AT GOT ON H] N]VES AB\T ! OLD HILL1 Y\ C\LD SAFELY SAY AS ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET W]5'T ,MAY'S FAVORITE PLACE4 ,?AT MI<T *ANGE1 %E SUPPOS$1 9 A FEW YE>S :5 %E WAS TRAIPS+ UP !RE EV]Y DAY & TAK+ LITTLE ,MAY TO ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL1 BUT UNTIL !N %E'D GIVE IT A WIDE B]?4 

,MAY TURN$ LEFT 9TO ,=T ,/REET :]E !RE WAS NO COBBL$ ROAD1 JU/ FLAG/ONES WALL TO WALL4 ,AL?\< %E KNEW IT B5T R\ND TO ! RI<T AT ITS F> PO9T & RAN ALONG ! BACK ( ,MOAT ,/REET1 SLOP+ D[N 9TO ,BA? ,R[1 H] HOME /REET ALWAYS LOOK$ LIKE A DEAD 5D :]E VEHICLES C\LDN'T GO1 ?AT L$ NO:]E ( V]Y MU* IMPORTANCE ANYWAY4 ,H] DAU<T] WAS N[ B\NC+ UP & D[N ) %RILL EXCITEM5T 9 ,MAY'S FRECKL$ >MS1 ! *ILD HAV+ BY ?IS PO9T RECOGNIZ$ ! DE>1 FAMILI> R[ D[N :I* !Y WALK$4 ,MAY CLACK$ ON OV] ! R\< TILT+ SLABS & PA/ H] MAM & DAD'S H\SE1 NUMB] T54 ,GASLI<T WAS %9+ FROM !IR PASSAGEWAY \T ?R\< CRACKS R\ND ! POORLY HUNG FRONT DOOR2 ! P>LOR D>K1 EMPTY SAVE ORNAM5TS4 

,JOHNNY & ,CORA & H] MAM & DAD W\LD AT ?IS TIME ( NI<T MO/ LIKELY BE R\ND ! TEA-TABLE 9 ! LIV+ ROOM1 HAV+ !IR BREAD & JAM & BIT ( CAKE4 ,%E W5T ON TO H] [N H\SE1 NUMB] TWELVE1 & OP5$ ITS UNLOCK$ DOOR ) ONE H&1 NOT PUTT+ ,MAY D[N 'TIL %E WAS 9SIDE4 ,%E LIT ! MANTLE FIR/1 !N LIT A FIRE1 /ICK+ H] DAU<T] 9TO ! HI< *AIR :ILE %E W5T TO RETRIEVE ! POTT$ MEAT FROM ! T9 SAFE ATOP ! CELL> /AIRS4 ,%E MADE ! BABY'S TEA & S]V$ IT UP AFT] %E'D C>EFULLY TRIMM$ (F ALL ! CRU/S4 ,LITTLE ,MAY SL[LY ATE H] S&WI*ES1 TAK+ H] TIME1 MAK+ A LOT ( MESS1 :ILE H] MAM TOOK ! OPPORTUNITY TO DO A NICE LIV] & ONION ROLL1 !N PUT IT 9 ! /OVE = H] & ,TOM4 

,! EV5+ NI< ON FLEW BY AFT] ?AT4 ,TOM GOT HOME FROM ! BREW]Y :]E HE WORK$1 HIS ,FRIDAY NI<T PAY-PACKET 9 HIS H&1 9 TIME TO SAY GOODNI<T TO LITTLE ,MAY BE=E %E GOT TOOK (F UP/AIRS TO B$1 UP ! APPLES & PE>S TO ,UNCLE ,N$4 ,NEXT H] & ,TOM HAD D9N] BY !MSELVES1 !N *ATT$ UNTIL !Y RETIR$ AS WELL4 ,!Y CUDDL$ ONCE ! C&LE WAS BL[N \T1 !N ,MAY ASK$ ,TOM TO PULL H] NI<TG[N UP & GET ON TOP SO HE C\LD PUT IT 94 ,IT WAS !IR FAVORITE TIME1 A ,FRIDAY NI<T4 ,NO NE$ TO GET UP E>LY ! NEXT DAY1 :5 ) A BIT ( LUCK !IR LITTLE GIRL W\LD SLEEP 9 LONG 5\< = ,MAY & ,TOM TO HAVE ANO!R FUCK :5 !Y WOKE UP4 ,B5EA? H] MAN1 ,MAY H>DLY SP>$ A ?\<T = ?AT *AP BY ,V9T'S ,PALACE E>LI] ON4 

,BY ,SATURDAY1 !IR DAU<T]'S C\< WAS BACK & IT SEEM$ LIKE %E HAD A JOB TO BREA!4 ,!Y CALL$ OLD ,=BES \T1 ,SUNDAY AFT]NOON1 :5 !Y'D MEANT TO BE WALK+ 9 ! P>K4 ,! DOCTOR TURN$ UP1 AS HE ALWAYS DID1 MOAN+ AB\T !M SPOIL+ HIS WEEK5D1 !N %UT UP AFT] HE'D SE5 LITTLE ,MAY4 ,! *ILD'S SK9 HAD TOOK ON A YELL[ CA/ :I* !Y'D BO? HOP$ !Y W]E IMAG9+4 

,HE SAID !IR BABY HAD DIPH!RIA4 

,! WAGON FROM ! TOP ( ,SC>LETWELL WAS SUMMON$4 ,LITTLE ,MAY WAS PLAC$ ABO>D & (F IT W5T1 W9D[S ( LEAD$ GLASS PLAC$ TOO HI< UP ITS SIDES TO SEE 9 ?R\<4 ,! HOOVES & COA*-:EELS H>DLY MADE A S\ND1 ROLL+ AWAY D[N ! UNCOBBL$ LANE AS ! ONE RAY ( LI<T ?AT LIT ,MAY'S HE>T WAS TAK5 (F 9SIDE ! FEV] C>T4 

,! SECOND TIME ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS CALL$ R\ND %E HAD A DIFF]5T COLOR$ APRON ON1 BLACK :]E ! PREVI\S ONE WAS PRI/9E :ITE4 ,:5 ,MAY RECALL$ IT AFT]W>DS %E ?\<T ?AT IT HAD HAD A DECORAT$ HEM1 ,EGYPTIAN BEETLES 9 VIRIDIAN EMBROID]$ !RE 9/EAD ( BUTT]FLIES4 ,?AT WAS JU/ H] IMAG9ATION1 ?\<4 ,! APRON WAS AN UNADORN$ PLA9 BLACK4 

,MAY WAS SAT BY H]SELF 9 ! FRONT ROOM4 ,! HALF-SIZ$ C(F91 RE/+ ON TWO *AIRS LIKE A MESM]I/'S AUDI5CE VOLUNTE]1 WAS BY ! W9D[ AT ! ROOM'S F> 5D4 ,H] BABY'S SLEEP+ FACE LOOK$ GRAY1 SUFFUS$ BY DU/Y LI<T DECANT$ ?R\< ! NETS4 ,%E'D NO D\BT LOOK ALL RI<T :5 %E WOKE UP4 ,OH1 /OP IT1 ,MAY ?\<T TO H]SELF4 ,JU/ /OP4 ,!N %E BEGAN TO %AKE & CRY AGA94 

,! CRUELE/ ?+ WAS ?AT !Y'D BR\<T H] HOME4 ,AFT] A WEEK ,MAY'S *ILD HAD BE5 S5T BACK TO ,=T ,/REET FROM ! REMOTE FEV] CAMP1 SO ,MAY & ,TOM HAD ?\<T %E'D BE ALL RI<T4 ,BUT :AT DID !Y KN[ ( DIPH!RIA8 ,!Y C\LDN'T EV5 SAY IT PROP]LY & CALL$ IT ',DIP' LIKE EV]YBODY ELSE4 ,!Y DIDN'T KN[ ?AT IT CAME 9 TWO P>TS1 OR ?AT MO/ PEOPLE GOT OV] ! FIR/ ONLY TO HAVE ! NEXT /AGE TAKE !M (F4 ,WEAK5$ BY ! ONSET ( ! DISEASE1 !Y'D GOT NO FI<T LEFT :5 IT /OPP$ !IR HE>TS4 ,ESPECIALLY Y\NG *ILDR51 SO !Y SAID4 ,ESPECIALLY1 ,MAY ?\<T1 ! ONES :OSE MAMS HAD KEPT !IR LITTLE BOYS & GIRLS TOO CLEAN4 ,:OSE MAMS HAD BE5 CONC]N$ LE/ PEOPLE SAY ?AT !Y W]5'T FIT TO TAKE C>E ( A *ILD1 & !N GONE ON TO PROVE ?OSE PEOPLE RI<T4 

,IT WAS H] FAULT4 ,%E KNEW IT WAS H] FAULT4 ,%E'D BE5 TOO PR\D4 ,PRIDE CAME BE=E A FALL1 ?AT'S :AT !Y SAID1 & SURE 5\< IT DID4 ,MAY FELT AS IF %E'D FELL \T ( H] LIFE1 ! LOVELY LIFE %E'D HAD TWO WEEKS BE=E4 ,%E'D FELL \T ( H] DREAMS1 H] HOPES4 ,%E'D FELL \T ( ! WOMAN ?AT %E ?\<T %E WAS 9TO ?IS DREADFUL MOM5T & ?IS ROOM1 ! C(F9 & ?AT BLOODY NOISY CLOCK4 

0,OH1 MY POOR LITTLE D>L+4 ,MY POOR LAMB4 ,I'M H]E1 MY LOVE4 ,MAM'S H]E4 ,Y\'LL BE ALL RI<T4 ,I %AN'T LET ANY?+ BAD 4440 ,MAY TRAIL$ (F4 ,%E DIDN'T KN[ :AT %E'D BE5 GO+ TO SAY1 HAT$ ! S\ND ( H] [N USELESS VOICE MAK+ A PROMISE %E'D ALREADY BROKE4 ,ALL ( ! TIMES %E'D COM=T$ H] *ILD & TOLD H] %E'D ALWAYS LOOK AFT] H]1 SWORN SACR$ OA?S LIKE EV]Y MO!R DOES !N LET H] DAU<T] D[N SO WRET*$LY4 ,SAID %E'D ALWAYS BE !RE = LITTLE ,MAY BUT DIDN'T EV5 KN[1 N[1 :]E '!RE' WAS4 ,JU/ EI<TE5 MON?S1 ?AT'S ALL !Y'D HAD ) H]2 ?AT WAS AS LONG AS !Y'D KEPT H] ALIVE4 ,!Y'D JO9$ ?AT TRAGIC & EXCLUSIVE CLUB FOLK :ISP]$ SYMPA!TICALLY AB\T & YET PREF]R$ TO KEEP !IR DI/ANCE FROM1 AS ?\< ,MAY W]E 9 QU>ANT9E = GRIEF4 

,%E WASN'T EV5 ?9K+1 SITT+ !RE4 ,?\<TS W\LDN'T /ICK TOGE!R ANYMORE1 L$ NO:]E ?AT %E WAS PREP>$ TO GO4 ,:AT FILL$ H] WAS A WORDLESS1 %APELESS HURT1 & ! 5ORMITY ( ?AT SMALL BOX4 

,!RE W]E BLACK HOLES BURNT 9 ! HE>?SIDE RUG ?AT %E'D NOT NOTIC$1 PRIOR TO TODAY4 ,! WICK] FOOT/OOL WAS UNRAVEL+4 ,:Y WAS IT SU* H>D WORK TO KEEP ?+S NEW8 

,! DOOR BE+ AS USUAL ON ! LAT*1 ,MAY DIDN'T HE> ! DEA?MONG] COME 94 ,%E JU/ GLANC$ UP FROM /UDY+ ! RUG & ,MRS4 ,GIBBS WAS /OOD BESIDE ! *AIR1 H] APRON %[+ UP ! DU/ FLECKS LIKE ! P[D]$1 FOLD$ W+S ( A BLACK MO?4 ,IT WAS AS IF ! PREVI\S EI<TE5 MON?S HAD NEV] HAPP5$1 AS ?\< ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD NEV] EV5 TRULY LEFT ! H\SE ?AT FIR/ TIME4 ,!RE'D JU/ BE5 A *ANGE ( LI<T1 A *ANGE ( APRON1 BUTT]FLIES ALL GONE1 EMBROID]$ SUMM]'S DAY REPLAC$ BY NI<T4 ,IT WAS A 'SPOT ! DIFF]5CE' PICTURE GAME4 ,! BABY HAD BE5 SWIT*$ ON ,MAY AS WELL4 ,H] LOVELY COPP] CUB HAD DISAPPE>$ & 9 ITS PLACE WAS JU/ ?IS H>D BLOND DOLL4 ,& ,MAY H]SELF1 ?AT WAS ANO!R *ANGE4 ,%E WASN'T :O %E'D BE5 :5 %E GAVE BIR?4 

,9 FACT1 UPON CLOS] 9SPECTION ,MAY REALIZ$ ?AT ! :OLE PICTURE WAS N[ WRONG1 ) NO?+ ELSE BUT DIFF]5CES TO SPOT4 ,ONLY ! DEA?MONG] REMA9$ ! SAME1 AL?\< %E'D PUT ON A NEW P9A=E4 ,H] *EEKS1 LIKE ,*RI/MAS /OCK+ TANG]9ES1 W]5'T *ANG$ A BIT1 NOR H] EXPRESSION :I* C\LD MEAN :ATEV] Y\ SUPPOS$ IT MEANT4 

0,HELLO AGA91 MY DE>10 SAID ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

,MAY'S 0HELLO0 9 REPLY WAS MADE FROM LEAD4 ,IT LEFT H] LIPS & ?UDD$ ON ! MAT1 A LUMP ( LANGUAGE1 BLUNT & COLORLESS1 FROM :I* NO CONV]SATION C\LD BE BUILT4 ,! DEA?MONG] /EPP$ R\ND IT & W5T ON4 

0,IF Y\ DON'T FEEL LIKE TALK+1 DE>1 !N DON'T4 ,NOT LE/ Y\ NE$ TO BUT Y\ DON'T KN[ H[1 9 :I* CASE Y\ CAN TELL ME ALL Y\ WANT4 ,I'M NOT Y\R FAMILY1 & ,I'M NOT Y\R JUDGE40 

,MAY'S SOLE REACTION WAS TO LOOK AWAY ?\< %E CONC$$1 AT LEA/ 9W>DLY1 ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD HIT ON SOME?+ !RE4 ,%E'D HAD NO ONE TO TALK TO PROP]LY !SE LA/ TWO DAYS1 %E ?\<T1 EXCEPT H]SELF4 ,%E C\LDN'T SPEAK ABOVE TWO WORDS TO ,TOM )\T %E'D WEEP4 ,!Y SET EA* O!R (F1 & !Y BO? HAT$ CRY+4 ,IT WAS WEAK4 ,BESIDES1 ,TOM WASN'T !RE4 ,HE WAS AT WORK4 ,MAY'S MAM1 ,L\ISA1 ?AT WAS USELESS1 TOO1 NOT JU/ BECAUSE H] MAM WEPT EASILY4 ,IT WAS MORE ,MAY HAD LET H] MO!R D[N4 ,%E'D NOT BE5 A GOOD MO!R 9 H] TURN1 NOT KEPT UP ! MAT]NAL TAPE/RY4 ,%E'D DROPP$ A /IT* & FAIL$ ! FAMILY4 ,%E C\LDN'T FACE !M1 & !Y C\LDN'T HELP4 ,H] AUNT'S ATTEMPT HAD BE5 AN AWFUL SC5E ?AT ,MAY WAS KEEP+ %UT \T ( H] M9D4 

,AS A RESULT1 ,MAY HAD BE5 LEFT CUT (F4 ,IT WAS H] FAULT1 ALONG ) ALL ! RE/1 BUT %E WAS /UCK ) NOBODY TO TELL AB\T ALL ?AT WAS GO+ ON 9SIDE1 ! FRI<T5+ ?\<TS & IDEAS :AT %E HAD1 TOO BAD TO SAY \T L\D TO ANYONE4 ,YET H]E %E WAS1 & H]E WAS ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 A /RANG]1 \TSIDE ,MAY'S IMM$IATE CLAN OR ANY CLAN AS F> AS ,MAY C\LD SEE1 EXCEPT ?AT ( ! DEA?MONG]S !MSELVES4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS SEEM$ \TSIDE ( EV]Y?+1 AS C>EFULLY IMP>TIAL AS ! SKY4 ,H] APRON1 DEEP & PRIVATE LIKE A NI<T1 OR LIKE A WELL1 WAS A RECEPTACLE ?AT ,MAY C\LD EMPTY ALL ?IS HORROR 9 )\T IT R++ R\ND H] BROOD = YE>S4 ,MAY RAIS$ H] SORE R$ EYES ONLY TO F9D ! O!R WOMAN'S GRAY ONES GAZ+ BACK4 

0,I'M SORRY4 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT ,I %ALL DO4 ,I DON'T KN[ H[ ,I %ALL GET OV] IT4 ,!Y'RE BURY+ H] TOMORR[ AFT]NOON & !N ,I %AN'T HAVE NO?+ LEFT AT ALL40 

,MAY'S VOICE WAS RU/Y1 CRACK+ ) DISUSE1 A CRONE'S VOICE1 NOT A TW5TY-YE>-OLD GIRL'S4 ,! DEA?MONG] PULL$ UP ! FRAY+ /OOL1 !N SAT D[N AT ,MAY'S FEET & TOOK H] H&4 

0,N[1 ,MRS4 ,W>R51 Y\ LI/5 TO ME4 ,Y\'RE NOT TO TELL ME Y\'VE GOT NO?+ LEFT4 ,Y\'RE NOT TO EV5 ?9K IT ( Y\RSELF4 ,IF NO?+'S LEFT1 :AT WAS Y\R *ILD'S LIFE WOR?8 ,OR ANY ( \R LIFETIMES1 COME TO ?AT8 ,IT'S ALL GOT VALUE1 ELSE NONE ( IT HAS4 ,OR DO Y\ WI% Y\'D NOT HAD H] AT ALL8 ,%\LD Y\ PREF] ?AT Y\'D NOT SE5 ME ONCE IF Y\ W]E GO+ TO HAVE TO SEE ME TWICE80 

,%E TOOK IT 9 & F\ND IT WAS ALL TRUE4 ,PUT LIKE ?AT1 ASK$ 9 SU* /RAI<T=W>D T]MS IF LITTLE ,MAY W]E BETT] NEV] BORN !N %E C\LD ONLY DUMBLY %AKE H] HEAD4 ,! LANK R$ /R&S1 UNCOMB$1 FELL ON H] FACE4 ,%E'D NOT GOT NO?+1 %E'D GOT EI<TE5 MON?S ( FE$+1 BURP+1 GO+ D[N ! P>K1 LAU<+ & CRY+1 *ANG+ T9Y CLO!S4 ,! FACT REMA9$1 ?\<1 ?AT %E'D NOT GOT ,MAY4 ,%E'D GOT H] MEMORIES ( H] LITTLE GIRL1 FAVORITE EXPRESSIONS1 GE/URES1 FAVORITE S\NDS1 BUT !Y W]E PA9FUL 9 ! KN[L$GE ?AT !RE'D BE NO NEW ONES ADD$ TO ! LI/4 ,& ?AT WAS JU/ H] SORR['S SELFI% P>T1 H] PITY+ H]SELF = :AT %E'D LO/4 ,IT WAS H] BABY %\LD BE PITI$ MORE1 :O'D GONE 9TO ! D>K ALL ON H] [N4 ,MAY LOOK$ UP HOPELESSLY AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

0,BUT :AT AB\T H]8 ,:AT AB\T MY ,MAY8 ,I WANT TO ?9K %E'S UP 9 ,HEAV5 BUT %E'S NOT1 IS %E8 ,?AT'S JU/ :AT Y\ TELL KIDS AB\T !IR CAT OR DOG :5 ALL ! TIME Y\'VE F\ND IT ) ITS BACK BROKE 9 ! /REET40 

,AT ?IS %E WEPT AGA9 DESPITE H]SELF & ,MRS4 ,GIBBS GAVE H] A H&K]*IEF1 !N SQUEEZ$ ,MAY'S H& BETWE5 H] PAP]Y PALMS1 A BIBLE CLOS+ ON ,MAY'S F+]TIPS4 

0,I DON'T HOLD MU* 9 ,HEAV51 P]SONALLY1 NOR 9 ! O!R PLACE4 ,IT S\NDS LIKE TO%4 ,ALL ,I KN[ IS1 Y\R DAU<T]'S UP/AIRS N[1 & :E!R Y\ BELIEVE ME OR Y\ DON'T IS NONE ( MY CONC]N & NONE ( H]S4 ,?AT'S :]E %E IS1 MY DE>4 ,?AT'S :AT ,I KN[1 & ,I'D NOT SAY IT IF ,I WASN'T SURE4 ,%E'S UP/AIRS1 :]E WE ALL >E BY & BY4 ,Y\R DAD'S TOLD Y\ ALREADY1 ,I D>E SAY40 

,! M5TION ( ,MAY'S FA!R MADE H] />T4 ,HE HAD SAID ?AT4 ,HE'D US$ ?AT V]Y WORD4 0,%E'S UP/AIRS1 ,MAY4 ,DON'T FRET4 ,%E'S UP/AIRS N[40 ,9 FACT1 N[ ?AT %E ?\<T1 %E'D NEV] HE>D HIM SPEAK ( DEA? 9 ANY O!R WAY4 ,NOT HIM1 H] K91 NOR ANYONE R\ND H]E4 ,!Y NEV] SAID 09 ,HEAV50 OR 0) ,GOD01 NOR EV5 0UP ABOVE04 ,!Y SAID 0UP/AIRS04 ,IT MADE ! AFT]LIFE S\ND C>PET$4 

0,Y\'RE RI<T1 HE DID SAY ?AT1 BUT :AT'S IT MEAN8 ,Y\ SAY IT'S NOT LIKE HEAV5 9 ! CL\DS4 ,:]E IS IT1 ?IS UP/AIRS1 !N8 ,:AT'S IT LIKE80 

,9 ,MAY'S [N E>S H] VOICE WAS S\ND+ CROSS1 ANGRY ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS WAS SO COCKSURE AB\T A ?+ AS T]RIBLE AS ?IS4 ,%E HADN'T MEANT IT TO COME \T ?AT WAY & ?\<T ! DEA?MONG] W\LD TAKE (F5SE4 ,TO H] SURPRISE1 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS ONLY LAU<$4 

0,FRANKLY1 IT'S V]Y MU* LIKE ?IS1 MY DE>40 ,%E GE/UR$1 AT ! >M*AIR1 AT ! ROOM4 0,:AT ELSE %\LD Y\ EXPECT IT TO BE LIKE8 ,IT'S MU* LIKE ?IS1 ONLY IT'S UP A /EP40 

,MAY WASN'T ANGRY N[4 ,%E JU/ FELT /RANGE4 ,HAD SOMEONE SAID ?OSE WORDS TO H] BE=E8 0,IT'S MU* LIKE ?IS1 ONLY IT'S UP A /EP40 ,IT S\ND$ SO FAMILI> & SO RI<T1 AL?\< %E'D GOT NO IDEA :AT IT MEANT4 ,IT FELT LIKE ?OSE OCCASIONS1 AS A GIRL1 :5 %E'D BE5 LET 9 ON SOME MY/]Y1 LIKE :5 ,ANNE ,B]K TOLD ,MAY ! FACTS ( LIFE4 0,! MAN PUTS SPUNK ON ! 5D ( HIS PRICK1 !N PUTS IT 9 Y\R CRACK40 ,?\< ,MAY HAD ?\<T SPUNK W\LD BE SOAP-FLAKES 9 A LITTLE PILE1 SPOON$ ON A FLAT-TOPP$ COCK-5D 9TO H]1 %E'D SOMEH[ KN[N ?AT ! IDEA WAS TRUE2 MADE S5SE ( ?+S %E'D PREVI\SLY NOT GRASP$4 ,OR :5 H] MAM HAD TOOK H] TO ONE SIDE & GRAVELY TOLD H] :AT JAMRAGS W]E =4 ,?IS WAS LIKE ?AT1 SAT H]E ) ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 ,ONE ( ?OSE MOM5TS 9 A HUMAN LIFE :5 Y\ F\ND \T :AT EV]YBODY ELSE ALREADY KNEW BUT NEV] TALK$ AB\T4 

,MAY GLIMPS$ ! C(F9 AT ! ROOM'S F> 5D & KNEW IMM$IATELY IT WAS ALL JUNK4 ,UP/AIRS WAS HEAV5 ) A DIFF]5T NAME1 ! SAME OLD /ORY TROTT$ \T AGA9 TO CONSOLE ! B]EAV$ & %UT !M UP4 ,IT WAS JU/ ,MRS4 ,GIBBS'S ATMOSPH]E1 ! WAY %E HAD1 ?AT MADE IT S\ND HALF-TRUE4 ,:AT DID %E KN[ AB\T ! H]EAFT]8 ,%E WAS A ,BOR\<S WOMAN1 SAME AS ,MAY4 ,EXCEPT1 ( C\RSE1 %E WAS A DEA?MONG]1 :I* GAVE ! ROT %E TALK$ ?AT MU* MORE WEI<T4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS SPOKE AGA91 SQUEEZ+ ,MAY'S H&4 

0,AS ,I SAY1 DE>1 IT DOESN'T MATT] MU* IF WE BELIEVE !SE ?+S OR IF WE DON'T4 ,! WORLD'S R\ND1 EV5 IF WE ?9K IT'S FLAT4 ,! ONLY DIFF]5CE IT MAKES IS TO US4 ,IF WE KN[ IT'S A GLOBE1 WE NE$N'T BE FRIT ALL ! TIME ( FALL+ (F ITS $GE4 ,BUT LET'S NOT TALK AB\T Y\R DAU<T]1 DE>4 ,:AT'S HAPP5$ CAN'T BE HELP$1 BUT Y\ /ILL CAN4 ,>E Y\ ALL RI<T8 ,:AT'S ALL ?IS DONE TO Y\80 

,AGA91 ,MAY F\ND %E HAD TO /OP & ?9K4 ,NO ONE HAD ASK$ H] ?AT1 !SE LA/ TWO DAYS4 ,IT WASN'T SOME?+ ?AT %E'D ASK$ H]SELF1 NOR D>$ TO 9 ! WAIL+1 E*O+ WELL H] PRIVATE ?\<TS HAD REC5TLY BECOME4 ,WAS %E ALL RI<T8 ,:AT HAD ?IS DONE TO H]8 ,%E BLEW H] NOSE ON ! CLEAN H&K]*IEF ?AT %E'D BE5 GIV51 NOTIC+ IT HAD NO BUTT]FLIES1 JU/ ONE EMBROID]$ BEE4 ,:5 %E WAS DONE1 %E SCREW$ ! HANKIE UP & %OV$ IT 9 ONE JUMP]-SLEEVE1 A MOVE ?AT MEANT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS LETT+ GO ,MAY'S H&1 AL?\< ONCE ! MANEUV] WAS COMPLETE ,MAY SLID H] F+]S VOLUNT>ILY BETWE5 ! DIGITS ( ! DEA?MONG]4 ,%E LIK$ ! WOMAN'S T\*2 W>M1 DRY1 & SAFE 9 ! WALLPAP]$ :IRLPOOL ( ! ROOM4 ,/ILL SNIFF+1 ,MAY ATTEMPT$ A REPLY4 

0,I FEEL LIKE EV]Y?+'S FELL ?R\< ! FLOOR & DROPP+ D[N A TUNNEL LIKE A /ONE4 ,IT DOESN'T EV5 FEEL LIKE ,I'M MESELF4 ,I SIT & CRY & CAN'T DO ANY?+4 ,I CAN'T SEE ANY PO9T 9 DO+ ?+S1 BRU%+ ME HAIR OR EAT+1 ANY?+1 & ,I DON'T KN[ :]E ALL ( IT %ALL 5D4 ,I WI% ?AT ,I WAS DEAD1 & ?AT'S ! TRU?4 ,!N WE'D BE PUT TOGE!R 9 ONE BOX40 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS %OOK H] HEAD4 

0,DON'T SAY ?AT1 DE>4 ,IT'S BO? A *EAP & SILLY ?+ TO SAY1 Y\ KN[ IT IS4 ,& ANYWAY1 UNLESS ,I'M WRONG1 Y\ DON'T WI% Y\ W]E DEAD AT ALL4 ,IT'S JU/ ?AT Y\ DON'T WANT TO BE ALIVE BECAUSE LIFE'S R\< & DON'T MAKE ANY S5SE4 ,?OSE >E TWO V]Y DIFF]5T ?+S1 MY DE>4 ,Y\'D DO WELL TO BE SURE :I* ONE Y\ MEAN4 ,ONE CAN BE PUT RI<T & ! O!R CAN'T40 

,! CLOCK TICK$ & ! TUMBL+ DU/ MOTES /IRR$ 9 SUNBEAMS ?AT FELL SLANT+ ON ! FLOOR :ILE ,MAY CONSID]$4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS WAS RI<T4 ,IT WASN'T ?AT %E TRULY WANT$ DEA?1 BUT ?AT %E'D LO/ ! REASON = H] LIFE4 ,WORSE ?AN ?IS1 %E HAD />T$ TO SUSPECT ?AT LIFE1 ALL LIFE ?AT WALK$ UPON ! E>?1 HAD NEV] HAD A REASON FROM ! />T4 ,?IS WAS A WORLD ( ACCID5T & MESS )\T A DIV9E PLAN ?AT GUID$ ?+S4 ,IT W]5'T ?AT ,GOD MOV$ 9 MY/]I\S WAYS1 MORE ?AT Y\ NEV] SAW HIM MOVE AT ALL4 ,:AT WAS ! PO9T ( GO+ ON ) IT1 ! HUMAN RACE8 ,:Y DID EV]YONE KEEP ON HAV+ BABIES1 :5 !Y KNEW !Y'D DIE8 ,GIV+ !M LIFE !N SNAT*+ IT AWAY1 JU/ SO Y\'D HAVE SOME COMPANY4 ,IT WAS CRUEL4 ,H[ HAD %E EV] SE5 ?+S DIFF]5TLY8 

,%E TRI$ CONVEY+ ?IS TO ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 ! S5SELESSNESS ?AT WAS 9 EV]Y?+4 

0,LIFE DON'T MAKE S5SE4 ,IT'S NOT MADE S5SE TO ME S9CE ,DR4 ,=BES SAID ,MAY HAD GOT ! ,DIP4 ,! FEV] HORSE COME TROTT+ UP ! /REET OV] ! PAV+ SLABS :]E !RE'S NO ROAD1 :5 G5]ALLY C>TS WAIT ALONG ! 5D4 ,JU/ LIKE ?AT1 %E WAS GONE4 ,!Y TOOK H] (F 9 ?AT D>K WAGON1 (F & D[N ,BA? ,R[1 & ?AT WAS ?AT4 ,I /OOD !RE 9 ! ROAD1 RO>+1 & *EW+ ON ME H&K]*IEF4 ,I %AN'T EV] =GET IT1 /&+ !RE 4440 

,COCK+ H] BUN-CR[N$ HEAD UPON ONE SIDE1 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS SIL5TLY R5EW$ H] GRIP ON ,MAY'S HOT H&1 BIDD+ H] TO GO ON4 ,MAY HADN'T REALIZ$ UNTIL N[ H[ MU* %E'D NE$$ TO REC\NT ?IS TO SOMEONE1 GET IT ALL 9TO WORDS & (F H] *E/4 

0,TOM WAS !RE4 ,TOM HAD GOT ME 9 HIS >MS TO /OP ME RUNN+ (F AFT] ! C>T4 ,ME MAM1 AT NUMB] T51 %E /AY$ 9SIDE TO KEEP \R ,CORA & \R ,JOHNNY QUIET1 SO ?AT !Y'D NOT COME \T & JO9 ! FUSS40 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS PURS$ H] LIPS 5QUIR+LY & !N *IM$ 9 ) :AT WAS ON H] M9D4 

0,:]E WAS Y\R FA!R1 DE>1 IF ,I MI<T ASK80 

,MAY SEEM$ TO POND] ?IS1 & !N W5T ON4 

0,HE WAS JU/ /&+ \T ON HIS FRONT /EP & 444 NO4 ,NO1 HE W]E SITT+4 ,SITT+ D[N4 ,I H>DLY NOTIC$ HIM1 NOT AT ! TIME1 BUT ?9K+ N[1 HE WAS SAT ON ?AT /EP AS IF IT W]E A ,SUNDAY 9 ,JULY4 ,AS IF !RE WASN'T AN EM]G5CY4 ,HE LOOK$ GLUM1 BUT NOT UPSET OR SURPRIS$ LIKE EV]YBODY ELSE4 ,TO TELL ! TRU?1 HE SEEM$ MORE RATTL$ BACK :5 %E W]E BORN40 

,%E PAUS$4 ,%E SQU9T$ H>D AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

0,& COME TO ?9K AB\T IT1 Y\ DID1 TOO4 ,Y\ W5T :ITE AS A %EET :5 %E CAME \T4 ,I HAD TO ASK IF ANY?+ WAS WRONG1 & Y\ SAID ?AT Y\ W]E AFRAID !RE WAS4 ,Y\ SAID IT WAS H] BEAUTY1 SAID %E'D GOT AN AWFUL BEAUTY1 ,I REMEMB] IT4 ,!N LAT] ON1 :5 Y\ W]E LEAV+ Y\ TOOK AGES OV] Y\R GOODBYES TO H]40 

,! P5NY DROPP$4 ,MAY />$ 9 DISBELIEF4 ,! DEA?MONG]1 IMPASSIVELY1 />$ BACK4 

0,Y\ KNEW40 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS DIDN'T EV5 BL9K4 

0,Y\'RE RI<T1 MY DE>4 ,I DID4 ,& SO DID Y\40 

,MAY GASP$ & TRI$ TO PULL H] H& AWAY1 BUT ! DEA?MONG] W\LDN'T LET IT GO4 ,:AT8 ,:AT WAS ?IS8 ,:AT DID ! WOMAN MEAN8 ,MAY HADN'T KN[N H] *ILD WAS GO+ TO DIE4 ,! IDEA HADN'T CROSS$ H] M9D4 ,AL?\< 444 

,AL?\< %E KNEW IT HAD1 A ?\S& TIMES1 SC>+ H] 9 A SCORE ( DIFF]5T WAYS4 ,! WOR/ WAS FEEL+ IT WAS A MI/AKE1 ?IS GORGE\S *ILD BE+ GIV5 TO H] :5 IT WAS CLE>LY MEANT = ROYALTY4 ,!RE'D BE5 SOME ]ROR1 BE5 SOME OV]SI<T4 ,SOON] OR LAT]1 IT W\LD GET F\ND \T1 LIKE A L>GE PO/AL-ORD] ?AT HAD BE5 DELIV]$ TO AN 9CORRECT ADDRESS4 ,SOMEBODY W\LD BE R\ND TO TAKE IT BACK4 ,%E'D KN[N %E W\LDN'T GET AWAY ) IT1 NOT ) A *ILD :AT %ONE LIKE H]S HAD DONE4 ,SOME:]E 9SIDE H]1 ,MAY HAD ALWAYS KN[N4 ,?AT WAS ! REAL REASON1 %E N[ SAW1 :Y %E'D TOOK ?AT WOMAN'S REM>K SO BAD1 ?AT TIME 9 ,BECKETT'S ,P>K4 ,IT WAS BECAUSE IT TOLD H] SOME?+ %E ALREADY KNEW & YET WAS KEEP+ FROM ACKN[L$G+3 H] DAU<T] W\LD BE TOOK AWAY FROM H]4 ,!Y'D HE> A KNOCK UPON ! DOOR ONE DAY1 SOMEONE COME FROM ! C\NCIL OR POLICE1 OR A ,B>N>DO'S WOMAN1 LOOK+ SAD4 ,%E'D JU/ NOT ?\<T IT W\LD BE ,DR4 ,=BES4 

,! CLOCK TICK$1 & ,MAY WOND]$ FLEET+LY H[ MU* TIME HAD GONE BY S9CE ITS LA/ BEAT4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS WAT*$ UNTIL %E WAS CONV9C$ ?AT ,MAY HAD TOOK H] PO9T1 !N C>RI$ ON4 

0,WE KN[ A LOT MORE ?AN WE TELL \RSELVES1 MY DE>4 ,SOME ( US DO1 AT ANY RATE4 ,& IF ,I'D SAID BACK :5 Y\R ,MAY W]E BORN :AT ,I'D =ESE51 !N %\LD ,I HAVE BE5 ?ANK$8 ,!RE'S NO PO9T S]V$ 9 SAY+ ?+S LIKE ?AT4 ,IF Y\ Y\RSELF HAD TAK5 NOTICE ( SU* PREMONITIONS AS Y\ MI<T HAVE HAD1 IT W\LDN'T HAVE PREV5T$ ANY?+ EXCEPT = EI<TE5 MON?S ( HAPP9ESS40 

,! DEA?MONG] SAT =W>D ON ! /OOL1 H] CRISP BLACK APRON ALMO/ CRACKL+4 

0,N[1 Y\'LL =GIVE ME SAY+ ?IS1 MY DE>1 BUT IT APPE>S Y\'VE TOOK ?IS ON Y\RSELF4 ,Y\ ?9K Y\'RE A BAD MO!R1 & Y\'RE NOT4 ,DIPH!RIA DON'T PICK & *OOSE LIKE ?AT OR COME TO PEOPLE 'CAUSE ( H[ !Y LIVE1 AL?\< ! POOR >E V]Y VULN]ABLE4 ,IT'S A DISEASE1 DE>1 NOT A PUNI%M5T4 ,IT'S NO REFLECTION ON Y\ OR Y\R BAB1 NOR A RESULT ( H[ Y\ BR\<T H] UP4 ,Y\'LL BE A BETT] MAM = ?IS1 NOT WORSE4 ,Y\'LL HAVE LE>N$ ?+S NOT EV]Y MO!R LE>NS1 & Y\'LL HAVE LE>N$ !M H>D1 & E>LY ON4 ,Y\ LO/ ?IS *ILD1 BUT Y\ %AN'T LOSE ! NEXT1 NOR !M ?AT LIKELY FOLL[ AFT] ?AT4 ,LOOK AT Y\6 ,Y\'RE A MAM BY NATURE1 DE>4 ,Y\'VE GOT A LOT ( BABIES 9 Y\ YET40 

,MAY GLANC$ AWAY1 T[>DS ! SKIRT+ BO>D1 AT :I* ! DEA?MONG] N>R[$ H] EYES4 

0,I'M SORRY IF ,I'VE SPOK5 \T ( TURN1 OR SAID SOME?+ ,I %\LDN'T \<T HAVE DONE40 

,MAY BLU%$ & LOOK$ BACK UP AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

0,Y\'VE NOT DONE NO?+4 ,Y\'VE JU/ HIT UPON ONE ( ! ?+S BE5 GO+ ?R\< ME M9D4 ,!M BABIES 9 ME1 LIKE Y\ SAID4 ,IT'S DAFT1 BUT ,I KEEP ?9K+ ONE'S ALREADY !RE4 ,!RE'S NO?+ :AT ,I'VE GOT TO BASE IT ON1 & HALF ! RUDDY TIME ,I ?9K IT'S JU/ SOME?+ ,I'VE DREAM$ UP1 TO MAKE UP = ,MAY4 ,I'VE HAD NO SIGNS1 BUT !N ,I W\LDN'T DO4 ,IF ,I'M RI<T 9 ?IS FEEL+ :AT ,I'VE GOT1 !N ,I FELL PREGNANT JU/ TWO WEEKS AGO4 ,IT'S ALL A LOT ( NONS5SE1 ,I'M QUITE SURE1 JU/ SOME?+ ,I'VE COME UP ) ?AT IT'S NICE TO ?9K (1 '/EAD ( CRY+ ALL ! :ILE40 

,! DEA?MONG] BEGAN TO /ROKE ,MAY'S H&1 BETWE5 C>ESS & !RAPEUTIC RUB4 

0,:AT IS IT1 IF IT'S NOT TOO P]SONAL1 ?AT MAKES Y\ ?9K Y\'RE 9 ! FAMILY WAY80 

,MAY BLU%$ AGA94 

0,IT'S NONS5SE1 LIKE ,I SAY4 ,IT'S JU/ ?AT 444 WELL1 IT WAS ?AT ,FRIDAY NI<T1 BE=E !Y S5T ! FEV] C>T = ,MAY4 ,I'D BE5 \T R\ND ! P>K ) H] ALL DAY & %E WAS WORE \T1 ! POOR LITTLE ?+4 ,WE PUT H] TO B$ E>LY1 !N WE ?\<T1 IT BE+ ,FRIDAY1 WE'D GO UP \RSELVES4 ,SO !N WE 444 WELL1 Y\ KN[4 ,WE HAD IT (F4 ,BUT IT WAS SPECIAL1 ,I CAN'T SAY JU/ H[4 ,I'D HAD A LOVELY DAY1 & ,I LOV$ ,TOM4 ,I KNEW H[ MU* ,I LOV$ HIM ON ?AT NI<T1 :5 WE W]E 9 B$ GETT+ UP TO IT1 & KNEW AS WELL H[ MU* HE LOV$ ME BACK4 ,WE LAY !RE AFT]W>DS1 & IT W]E BLISS1 TALK+ & :ISP]+ LIKE :5 WE FIR/ MET4 ,UPON MY LIFE1 A=E ! SWEAT W]E DRY ,I ?\<T 0!RE'LL BE A BABY COME FROM ?IS04 ,OH1 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 :ATEV] MU/ Y\ ?9K8 ,I NEV] %\LD HAVE TOLD Y\ ALL ( ?AT4 ,IT'S NO?+ ,I'VE TOLD ANYBODY ELSE4 ,Y\ ONLY COME R\ND H]E TO DO Y\R JOB1 & H]E ,I'M DRAGG+ ALL ME LAUNDRY \T4 ,Y\ MU/ ?9K ,I'M A PROP] DIRTY CAT40 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS PATT$ ,MAY'S H&1 & %E SMIL$4 

0,I'VE HE>D WORSE1 LET ME TELL Y\4 ,ANYWAY1 IT'S ALL 9CLUD$ 9 MY %ILL+1 DE>4 ,LI/5+ & TALK+1 ?AT'S ! BIGGE/ P>T4 ,IT'S NOT ! BIR?+ OR ! LAY+ \T4 ,& AS = IF Y\'RE PREGNANT OR Y\'RE NOT1 Y\ TRU/ Y\R 9/9CTS4 ,!Y'RE MO/ LIKELY RI<T4 ,DIDN'T Y\ SAY TO ME Y\'D HAVE TWO GIRLS1 & !N Y\'D /OP & NOT HAVE ANY MORE80 

,MAY NODD$4 

0,YES1 ,I DID4 ,& LAY+ !RE ?AT NI<T ,I ?\<T 'H]E'S DAU<T] NUMB] TWO'4 ,AL?\< IT'S NOT1 N[1 IS IT8 ,IT'S /ILL ONE40 

,%E ?\<T AB\T ?IS BRIEFLY1 !N W5T ON4 

0,WELL1 IT DON'T MAKE NO DIFF]5CE4 ,I /ILL WANT TWO LITTLE GIRLS1 SAME AS ,I SAID BE=E4 ,IF IT TURNS \T ,I'VE GOT ONE ON ! WAY1 ,I'LL HAVE ONE MORE & !N ?AT %ALL BE IT40 

,MAY M>VEL$1 HE>+ H]SELF SAY+ ?IS4 ,H] D>L+ GIRL WAS COLD & LY+ 9 A HALF-P9T BOX D[N AT ! P>LOR'S 5D1 NOT SIX FOOT FROM :]E ,MAY WAS SAT H]SELF4 ,H[ C\LD %E EV5 BE CONSID]+ A BABY1 LET ALONE ONE AFT] ?AT8 ,:Y WASN'T %E JU/ SITT+ H]E 9 TE>S & TRY+ TO GET H]SELF UND] CONTROL1 ! WAY %E HAD DONE = !SE PA/ TWO DAYS8 ,AS ?\< %E'D F\ND SOME /OPCOCK 9 H] HE>T1 ! WAT]WORKS HAD BE5 AT LA/ %UT (F4 ,%E FELT LIKE %E W]5'T FALL+ ANYMORE1 ,MAY REALIZ$ ) SURPRISE4 ,IT WASN'T LIKE %E WAS FILL$ UP ) HAPP9ESS & HOPE1 BUT AT LEA/ %E W]5'T PLUNG+ D[N A HOLE ?AT HAD NO BOTTOM1 OR LI<T AT ! TOP4 ,%E'D HIT SOME B$ROCK :]E %E'D COME TO RE/1 A FLOOR ?AT DIDN'T GIVE B5EA? H] GRIEF4 ,!RE WAS A FA9T *ANCE %E'D GET \T ( ?IS4 

,%E KNEW %E [$ IT TO ! DEA?MONG]4 ,!Y H&L$ DEA? & BIR? & EV]Y?+ ?AT COME AS P>T ( ?AT4 ,IT WAS !IR JOB4 ,!SE WOM5 - ALWAYS WOM51 OBVI\SLY - HAD GOT SOME PLACE TO /& \TSIDE IT ALL4 ,!Y W]5'T ROCK$ BY ! MORTAL EBB & FL[4 ,!IR LIVES W]5'T ?OSE >RIVALS W\LD UP5D1 NOR W\LD DEP>TURES LEAVE !M ALL 9 BITS4 ,!Y /OOD UNMOV$1 UN*ANG$1 ?R\< ALL LIFE'S QUAKES1 9VULN]ABLE TO JOY & TRAG$Y4 ,MAY WAS /ILL Y\NG4 ,H] DAU<T]'S BIR? & DEA? HAD BE5 H] FIR/ EXPOSURE TO !SE ?+S1 H] FIR/ 9/RUCTIONS 9 LIFE'S PROP] /UFF1 ITS GRAVITY & FRI<T5+ SUDD5NESS1 & FRANKLY IT HAD ALL KNOCK$ H] = SIX4 ,H[ W\LD %E GET ?R\< LIFE1 IF LIFE DID ?IS8 ,%E LOOK$ AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS & SAW A WAY1 A WOMAN'S WAY1 ( AN*OR+ H]SELF1 BUT ! DEA?MONG] HAD BEGUN TO SPEAK AGA9 BE=E ,MAY C\LD PURSUE ! ?\<T4 

0,ANYWAY1 DE>1 ,I'D 9T]RUPT$ Y\4 ,Y\ W]E JU/ TELL+ ME AB\T ! DAY ! FEV] C>T TOOK (F Y\R LITTLE GIRL4 ,I BUTT$ 9 & ASK$ AB\T Y\R DAD 4440 

,= JU/ A MO1 ,MAY LOOK$ AT H] GONE \T1 & !N REMEMB]$ H] UNF9I%$ TALE4 

0,OOH1 YES4 ,YES1 ,I REMEMB] N[4 ,\R DAD1 SAT ON ! /EP :ILE IT W]E GO+ ON1 LIKE HE ALREADY W]E RESIGN$ TO IT1 :ILE ,I /OOD RO>+ 9 ! /REET ) ,TOM4 ,I B>ELY NOTIC$ HIM1 NOT AT ! TIME1 & CAN'T HOLD IT AGA9/ HIM EV5 N[4 ,I KN[ ?AT ,I GO ON AB\T \R DAD1 H[ HE'S AN OLD FOOL & HE %[S US UP ) ALL HIS CLIMB+ R\ND ! *IMNEYPOTS1 BUT HE'S BE5 GOOD TO ME S9CE \R ,MAY DI$4 ,ME MAM1 ! O!RS1 ,I CAN'T TALK TO !M )\T ! :OLE LOT 5D+ UP 9 TE>S1 BUT \R DAD1 IT TURNS \T1 HE'S BE5 A BRICK4 ,HE'S NOT BE5 D[N ! PUB OR ON HIS JAUNTS4 ,HE'S BE5 NEXT DOOR 9 E>%OT ! :OLE TIME4 ,HE DON'T 9TRUDE4 ,HE POPS 9 N[ & !N TO F9D \T IF !RE'S ANY?+ ,I WANT1 & = ONCE 9 ME LIFE ,I'M GLAD HE'S !RE4 ,BUT ON ?AT DAY1 HE JU/ SAT ON ! /EP40 

,MAY FR[N$4 ,%E TRI$ TO GO BACK 9 H] M9D TO ,=T ,/REET ON ?AT ,SAT'DAY D9N]TIME1 %UDD]+ 9 H] HUSB&'S >MS :ILE !Y WAT*$ LITTLE ,MAY GO TRUNDL+ (F 9SIDE ! FEV] C>T1 ACROSS ! LI/+ FLAGS4 ,%E TRI$ TO CONJURE ALL ! S\NDS & SMELLS ?AT S+LE MOM5T HAD BE5 MADE UP FROM1 SAUSAGES BURN+ SOME:]E ON A /OVE1 ! RAILWAY %UNTS & SQUEALS COME FROM ! WE/4 

0,I /OOD & WAT*$ ! FEV] C>T ROLL (F1 & IT COME WELL+ UP 9SIDE ( ME1 JU/ LOS+ H]1 LOS+ MY LITTLE ,MAY4 ,IT ALL COME WELL+ UP & ,I JU/ H[L$1 H[L$ AS ,I HAV5'T DONE 9 ALL ME LIFE4 ,! R[ ,I MADE1 Y\'VE NEV] HE>D ! LIKE4 ,IT WAS A NOISE ,I HADN'T MADE BE=E1 FIT TO BREAK BOTTLES & CURDLE ! MILK4 ,!N1 FROM BEH9D ME1 ,I HE>D ! SAME S\ND1 BUT *ANG$1 AN E*O ) A DIFF]5T PIT*1 & JU/ AS L\D AS MY [N SCREE* HAD BE54 

0,I BROKE (F FROM ME WAIL+ & TURN$ R\ND1 & /&+ !RE1 D[N AT ! /REET'S F> 5D1 !RE WAS MY AUNT & H] ACCORDION4 ,%E WAS /OOD !RE LIKE 444 WELL1 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT1 H] HAIR LIKE WOOL FROM H$G][S R\ND H] HEAD1 & PLAY+ ! SAME NOTE AS :AT ,I'D SCREAM$4 ,WELL1 NOT ! SAME NOTE1 IT W]E L[] D[N4 ,! SAME BUT 9 A L[] REGI/]4 ,A ?UND] ROLL1 ?AT'S :AT IT S\ND$ LIKE1 SPREAD+ D[N ,=T ,/REET4 ,SMOKEY1 LIKE1 & SL[4 ,& !RE WAS ,?URSA1 HOLD+ D[N ! KEYS1 H] BONY F+]S & H] GREAT BIG EYES1 JU/ />+ AT ME1 & H] FACE W]E BLANK LIKE %E W]E SLEEPWALK+ & DIDN'T KN[ :AT %E W]E DO+1 MU* LESS :]E %E WAS4 

0,%E DIDN'T C>E :AT ,I W]E GO+ ?R\<1 OR ?AT MY *ILD WAS BE+ TOOK AWAY4 ,%E WAS JU/ (F 9 ONE ( H] MAD DREAMS1 & ,I HAT$ H] = IT AT ! TIME4 ,I ?\<T %E WAS A CALL\S1 USELESS LUMP1 & ALL ! ANG] :AT ,I FELT 9SIDE = :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO MY LITTLE GIRL1 ,I TOOK IT \T ON ,?URSA1 !RE & !N4 ,I DREW A BREA? & YELL$ BUT IT W]5'T GRIEF LIKE IT HAD BE5 ! FIR/ TIME4 ,?IS W]E RAGE4 ,I HOLL]$ LIKE ,I MEANT TO EAT H] UP1 ALL BELL[$ \T 9 ONE LONG SN>L+ RU%4 

0,MY AUNT JU/ /OOD !RE4 ,DIDN'T TURN A HAIR4 ,%E WAIT$ UNTIL ,I W]E DONE & !N %E *ANG$ H] F+]S' PLACEM5T ON ! KEYS1 HOLD+ !M D[N TO /RIKE A L[] *ORD4 ,IT WAS LIKE :5 ,I'D FIR/ SCREAM$1 DONE AGA93 %E HIT ! SAME NOTE L[] D[N ! SCALE AS ?\< %E ?\<T %E WAS ACCOMPANY+ ME4 ,AGA91 IT WAS A RUMBLE LIKE A /ORM1 BUT ONE ?AT S\ND$ NE>]1 NA/I]4 ,I GIVE UP !N4 ,I JU/ GIVE UP & CRI$1 & BL[ ME IF ?AT SILLY RUDDY M>E W]5'T TRY+ TO PLAY ALONG ) ?AT AS WELL1 ) LITTLE TRILLS ( NOTES LIKE SNUFFL+ & S\NDS LIKE ?AT NOISE Y\ MAKE 9 Y\R ?ROAT4 ,I'M NOT SURE QUITE :AT HAPP5$ AFT] ?AT4 ,I ?9K OLD ,SN[Y GOT UP (F ! /EP & W5T ALONG TO QUIET HIS SI/] D[N4 ,I ONLY KN[ :5 ,I TURN$ & LOOK$ BACK ! O!R WAY D[N ,=T ,/REET1 ,MAY W]E GONE4 

0,?AT WAS ! WOR/1 ,?URSA'S ACCORDION4 ,IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE NONE ( IT MADE S5SE1 LIKE ALL ! WORLD WAS B>MY AS MY AUNT4 ,IT WAS ALL PO9TLESS4 ,NONE ( IT W]E FAIR1 HAD NO MORE S*EME OR REASON ?AN H] TUNES4 ,I /ILL DON'T KN[4 ,I DON'T KN[ :Y ,MAY DI$40 

,%E LAPS$ H]E 9TO SIL5CE4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS RELEAS$ ,MAY'S H& & RAIS$ H] [N TO PLACE !M ON ,MAY'S %\LD]S ) A S(T1 FIRM GRIP4 

0,NEI!R DO ,I1 DE>4 ,NOR DOES ANYONE KN[ :AT ! PURPOSE IS 9 ANY?+1 OR :Y ?+S HAPP5 9 ! WAY !Y DO4 ,IT DON'T SEEM FAIR :5 Y\ SEE SOME ( !M MEAN BUGG]S LIV+ TO A RIPE OLD AGE & H]E'S Y\R LOVELY DAU<T] TOOK SO SOON4 ,ALL ,I CAN TELL Y\ IS :AT ,I BELIEVE4 ,!RE'S JU/ICE UP ABOVE ! /REET1 MY DE>40 

,:]E HAD ,MAY HE>D ?OSE SAME WORDS SAID BE=E8 ,OR HAD %E8 ,WAS ?AT A FALSE MEMORY8 ,:E!R ! PHRASE WAS EV] SPOKE OR NOT1 IT SEEM$ FAMILI>4 ,MAY KNEW :AT IT MEANT1 OR SORT ( UND]/OOD IT1 ANY ROAD4 ,IT HAD ! SAME R+ TO IT AS 0UP/AIRS01 ! R+ ( SOME:]E ?AT WAS HI<] UP & YET WAS D[N TO E>? AT ! SAME TIME1 )\T ALL ! RELIGI\S H[-D'Y\-DO & F9]Y1 :AT JU/ PUT PEOPLE (F4 ,IT WAS ONE ( ?OSE TRU?S1 ,MAY BRIEFLY ?\<T1 ?AT MO/ FOLK KNEW BUT DIDN'T KN[ !Y KNEW4 ,IT HOV]$ 9 ! BACKGR\ND ( !IR M9DS & !Y MI<T FEEL IT FLUTT] ONCE OR TWICE BUT MO/LY !Y =GOT ?AT IT WAS !RE1 AS ,MAY H]SELF WAS DO+ EV5 !N4 ,JU/ AN IMPRESSION ( ! W>M IDEA REMA9$1 ! BUM-D5T LEFT 9 AN >M*AIR1 A FLEET+ S5SE ( HI< AU?ORITY ?AT WAS SUMM$ UP SOMEH[ 9 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 ,MAY'S E>LI] NOTION N[ CAME BACK TO H]1 ( ! DEA?MONG]S AS A BRE$ AP>T :O'D GA9$ !IR L$GE )9 SOCIETY :]E !Y C\LD /& ABOVE ! *URN+ FLOOD ( LIFE & DEA? ?AT WAS !IR /OCK 9 TRADE1 UNMOV$ BY ! FI]CE CURR5TS ( ! WORLD ?AT1 !SE LA/ DAYS1 HAD NE>LY DONE = ,MAY4 ,!Y'D F\ND ! /ILL PO9T 9 A LIFE ?AT SEEM$1 AL>M+LY1 TO HAVE NO PO9T AT ALL4 ,!Y'D F\ND A ROCK R\ND :I* ! *AOS DA%$4 ,B>ELY AFLOAT UPON A SEA ( TE>S1 9 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS ,MAY CAU<T SI<T ( DRY L&4 ,%E KNEW :AT %E MU/ DO TO SAVE H]SELF1 BLURT$ IT \T BE=E %E *ANG$ H] M9D4 

0,I WANT TO KN[ :AT Y\ KN[1 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 ,I WANT TO BE A DEA?MONG] LIKE Y\4 ,I WANT TO BE /UCK 9TO BIR? & DEA? SO ,I'M NOT FRIT BY BO? ( !M NO MORE4 ,I'VE GOT TO HAVE A PURPOSE N[ ,MAY'S GONE1 :E!R ,I HAVE ANO!R *ILD OR NOT4 ,IF KIDS >E ALL ! PURPOSE :AT Y\'VE GOT1 Y\'RE LEFT ) NO?+ :5 !Y'RE TOOK AWAY BY DEA?1 POLICEM51 OR JU/ GR[+ UP4 ,I WANT TO LE>N TO DO A USEFUL TASK1 SO'S ,I %\LD BE SOMEBODY = MESELF & NOT JU/ SOMEONE'S WIFE OR SOMEONE'S MAM4 ,I WANT TO BE \TSIDE ( ALL ( ?AT1 TO BE SOMEONE :O CAN'T BE HURT BY IT4 ,C\LD ,I BE TAU<T8 ,C\LD ,I BE ONE ( Y\80 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS LET ,MAY'S %\LD]S GO SO %E C\LD SIT BACK ON ! /OOL & /UDY H]4 ,%E DIDN'T LOOK SURPRIS$ BY ,MAY'S REQUE/1 BUT !N %E'D NEV] LOOK$ SURPRIS$ AT ALL1 EXCEPT P]HAPS :5 LITTLE ,MAY WAS BORN4 ,%E BREA!D 9 DEEP & EXHAL$ D[N H] NOSE1 A ?\<TFUL YET EXASP]AT$ S\ND4 

0,WELL1 ,I DON'T KN[1 MY DE>4 ,Y\'RE V]Y Y\NG4 ,Y\NG %\LD]S1 ?\< Y\ MI<T HAVE AN OLD HEAD4 ,Y\ WILL HAVE AFT] ?IS1 AT ANY RATE4 ,:AT Y\ MU/ UND]/&1 ?\<1 IS Y\'RE WRONG4 ,!RE ISN'T ANY PLACE AWAY FROM LIFE :]E Y\ CAN GO & NOT BE T\*$ BY IT4 ,!RE'S NO PLACE :]E Y\ CAN'T BE HURT1 MY DE>4 ,I'M SORRY1 BUT ?AT'S JU/ ! WAY ?+S >E4 ,ALL Y\ CAN DO IS F9D Y\RSELF A SPOT ?AT Y\ CAN LOOK AT ALL LIFE'S TURMOIL FROM1 ! BABIES BORN & OLD M5 PASS$ AWAY4 ,TAKE A POSITION CLOSE TO DEA? & BIR?1 BUT F> 5\< AWAY TO HAVE A VIEW1 SO Y\ CAN BETT] UND]/& !M BO?4 ,BY UND]/&+1 Y\ CAN LOSE Y\R FE>1 & )\T FE> ! HURT'S NOT HALF SO BAD4 ,?AT'S ALL DEA?MONG]S DO4 ,?AT'S :AT WE >E40 

,%E PAUS$1 TO BE SURE ,MAY HAD TOOK H] PO9T4 

0,N[1 BE>+ ALL ( ?AT 9 M9D1 MY DE>1 IF Y\ ?9K Y\'VE A CALL+ TO MY CRAFT1 !RE'S NO H>M 9 ME %[+ Y\ A BIT4 ,IF Y\'RE 9 E>NE/1 !N P]HAPS Y\'D LIKE TO BE ! ONE :AT BRU%$ Y\R DAU<T]'S HAIR80 

,MAY HADN'T BE5 EXPECT+ ?AT AT ALL4 ,IT HAD BE5 ALL CONJECTURE UP TO !N4 ,%E'D NOT ?\<T %E'D BE CALL$ UPON SO SOON TO PUT H] NEW AMBITION TO ! TE/1 & NOT LIKE ?IS4 ,NOT ) H] [N DEAD *ILD4 ,TO PULL A COMB ?R\< ?OSE PALE1 MATT$ LOCKS4 ,TO BRU% H] DAU<T]'S HAIR = ! LA/ TIME4 ,%E *OK$1 EV5 UPON ! ?\<T ( IT1 & GLANC$ T[>DS ! BOX AT ! ROOM'S 5D4 

,A CL\D HAD PULL$ BACK FROM ! SUN \TSIDE & /RONG LI<T TOPPL$ AT A /EEP 9CL9E 9TO ! P>LOR1 /RA9$ ?R\< GRAY+ NETS1 DIFFUS$ 9TO A MILKY SP9DRIFT FOG ABOVE ! C(F9 & ! *ILD )94 ,FROM H]E1 %E C\LD JU/ SEE H] BABY'S CURLS1 BUT C\LD %E /& IT8 ,C\LD %E BRU% !M \T1 KN[+ ?AT %E'D NOT DO IT ANYMORE8 ,BUT !N EQUALLY DAUNT+ WAS ! ?\<T ( GIV+ SOMEONE ELSE ?AT SACR$ JOB4 ,MAY'S *ILD WAS GO+ AWAY1 & %\LD LOOK NICE1 & IF %E C\LD HAVE ASK$ %E'D WANT H] MAM TO GET H] READY = IT1 ,MAY WAS SURE4 ,:AT WAS %E SC>$ (8 ,IT WAS ONLY HAIR4 ,%E LOOK$ BACK FROM ! BOX TO ,MRS4 ,GIBBS & NODD$ UNTIL %E C\LD F9D H] VOICE4 

0,YES4 ,YES1 ,I ?9K AS ,I CAN MANAGE ?AT1 IF Y\'LL BE> ) ME :ILE ,I F9D H] COMB40 

,MAY /OOD UP1 & ! DEA?MONG] DID TOO1 PATI5TLY WAIT+ :ILE ,MAY SORT$ ?R\< ! BRIC-A-BRAC HEAP$ ON ! MANTELPIECE UNTIL %E'D F\ND ! WOOD5 BABY-COMB ) PA9T$ FL[]S ON %E'D BE5 SE>*+ =4 ,%E GRIPP$ IT1 DREW 9 A DET]M9$ BREA? & MADE TO WALK T[>DS ! P>LOR'S 5D :]E ! SMALL C(F9 WAIT$4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS PLAC$ A RE/RA9+ H& UPON ,MAY'S >M4 

0,N[ !N1 DE>1 ,I CAN SEE Y\'RE V]Y KE51 BUT FIR/ P]HAPS Y\'LL JO9 ME 9 SOME SNUFF80 

,\T ( AN APRON POCKET %E PRODUC$ H] T9 ) ,QUE5 ,VICTORIA ON ITS LID4 ,MAY GAP$ AT IT & BLAN*$1 & %OOK H] HEAD4 

0,OOH NO4 ,NO1 ?ANK Y\1 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 ,I %AN'T4 ,EXCEPT+ = Y\RSELF ,I'VE ALWAYS ?\<T IT WAS A DIRTY HABIT1 NOT = ME40 

,! DEA?MONG] SMIL$ FONDLY1 KN[+LY1 CONT9U+ TO HOLD ! SNUFFBOX \T T[>DS ,MAY1 ITS 5AMEL LID FLIPP$ BACK4 

0,BELIEVE ME1 DE>1 Y\ CAN'T WORK ) ! DEAD1 NOT LE/ Y\ TAKE A LITTLE P9* ( SNUFF40 

,MAY LET ?IS S9K 91 !N HELD \T H] H& SO ,MRS4 ,GIBBS C\LD TIP A MEASURE ( ! FI]Y RUSSET P[D] ON ITS BACK4 ,! DEA?MONG] ADVIS$ ?AT ,MAY %\LD TRY TO SNIFF HALF UP EA* NO/RIL IF %E C\LD4 ,G+]LY DIPP+ H] FACE =W>D ,MAY SNORT$ RAW LI<TN+ HALFWAY D[N H] ?ROAT4 ,IT WAS ! MO/ />TL+ EXP]I5CE %E'D EV] HAD4 ,%E ?\<T ?AT %E MI<T DIE4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS REASSUR$ H] ON ?IS PO9T4 

0,DON'T FRET4 ,Y\'VE GOT MY HANKIE UP Y\R SLEEVE4 ,USE ?AT IF Y\'VE A NE$ TO4 ,I DON'T M9D40 

,MAY YANK$ ! CRUMPL$ SQU>E ( L95 FROM ! BULGE IT HAD MADE 9 H] JUMP]'S CUFF & CLUT*$ IT TO H] DETONAT+ NOSE4 ,D[N AT ONE CORN] ! EMBROID]$ BEE WAS SMO!R$ BY ROYAL JELLY 9 RESULT4 ,!RE W]E SOME M9OR TREMORS AFT] ?IS1 BUT F9ALLY ,MAY C\LD CONTROL H]SELF4 ,%E CLEAN$ H]SELF UP ) A DA9TY WIPE1 !N /UFF$ ! RU9$ RAG BACK UP H] SLEEVE4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD BE5 RI<T AB\T ! SNUFF4 ,MAY C\LDN'T N[ SMELL ANY?+ AT ALL1 & D\BT$ ?AT %E EV] W\LD AGA94 ,UPON ! SPOT %E MADE A FIRM RESOLVE ?AT IF %E TOOK UP ?IS DEA?MONG] L>K %E'D F9D ANO!R WAY TO MASK ! SC5T4 ,P]HAPS A EUCALYPTUS SWEET MI<T WORK4 

,UNHURRI$LY1 & WALK+ SIDE BY SIDE1 ! WOM5 W5T D[N TO ! ROOM'S F> 5D & /OOD A MOM5T !RE BESIDE ! BOX JU/ GAZ+ AT ! LUM9\S1 /ILL *ILD4 ,! CLOCK TICK$1 !N !Y BO? GOT D[N TO WORK4 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS FIR/ TOOK (F ! BABY'S CLO!S4 ,MAY WAS SURPRIS$ H[ SUPPLE ! *ILD WAS1 & SAID AS H[ %E ?\<T IT W\LD BE /IFF4 

0,NO1 DE>4 ,!Y HAVE ! RIGOR = A TIME1 BUT AFT] ?AT IT ALL GOES \T ( !M4 ,?AT'S H[ Y\ KN[ :5 !Y'RE BE/ 9 ! GR\ND40 

,NEXT !Y DRESS$ LITTLE ,MAY 9 H] BE/ ?+S1 :AT W]E LAID \T ALREADY ON A *AIR1 & ! DEA?MONG] DID H] H&S & FACE ) SOME :ITE P[D] & A BIT ( R\GE4 

0,NOT TOO MU*4 ,Y\ %\LD H>DLY KN[ IT'S !RE40 

,AT LA/1 ,MAY WAS ALL[$ TO BRU% ! HAIR4 ,%E WAS SURPRIS$ H[ LONG IT TOOK TO DO1 AL?\< IT MI<T BE AS %E DRAGG$ IT \T & DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE F9I%$ )4 ,%E DID IT G5TLY1 AS %E ALWAYS DID1 SO ?AT %E DIDN'T TUG H] DAU<T]'S SCALP4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE SPUN FLAX BY ! TIME %E'D DONE4 

,! FUN]AL NEXT DAY W5T (F ALL RI<T4 ,= SAY+1 !RE W]E A BIG CR[D TURN$ UP4 ,!N EV]YONE GOT BACK ON ) !IR LIVES & ,MAY DISCOV]$ %E'D BE5 RI<T AB\T ! SECOND *ILD %E'D ?\<T WAS ON ! WAY4 ,!Y HAD ANO!R GIRL1 #a#i#i1 LITTLE ,L\ISA1 NAM$ AFT] ,MAY'S MAM4 ,MAY WAS DET]M9$1 /ILL1 TO HAVE TWO GIRLS1 BUT RE/$ AFT] HAV+ BABY ,L\ JU/ = A YE> OR TWO1 TO GET H] BREA?4 ,! NEXT *ILD WAS PUT (F = LONG] ?AN 9T5D$ :5 AN ,AU/RIAN ,DUKE GOT %OT SO EV]YBODY HAD TO GO TO W>4 ,MAY & A FIVE-YE>-OLD ,L\ WAV$ ,TOM (F AT ,CA/LE ,/ATION1 PRAY+ HE'D COME BACK4 ,HE DID4 ,?AT ,FIR/ ,WORLD ,W>1 ,MAY GOT (F LI<T1 & AFT]W>DS ! SEX WAS BETT]1 TOO4 ,%E HAD F\R BABIES1 /RAI<T (F1 ON ! TROT4 

,?\< ,MAY ?\<T ONE MORE GIRL & !N %E'D /OP1 !IR SECOND *ILD1 9 #a#i#a#g1 TURN$ \T TO BE A BOY4 ,!Y NAM$ HIM ,TOM1 AFT] HIS DAD1 ! WAY ?AT LITTLE ,MAY1 !IR FIR/BORN GIRL1 WAS NAM$ AFT] H] MAM4 ,9 #a#i#a#i1 TRY+ = A GIRL TO GO ) ,L\1 %E HAD ANO!R BOY4 ,?IS ONE WAS ,WALT]1 & ! NEXT WAS ,JACK1 !N AFT] ?AT WAS ,FRANK1 !N %E GIVE UP4 ,BY ?AT PO9T H] & ,TOM & !IR FIVE KIDS HAD MOV$ TO ,GRE5 ,/REET1 D[N ALONG ! 5D1 & ALL ?IS TIME ,MAY WAS A DEA?MONG]1 A QUE5 ( AFT]BIR? & ( DEMISE :O TOOK BO? ( LIFE'S EXTREMES 9 H] /RIDE4 ,%E WAS ?ICK LIMB$ BY !N1 & D\R1 & /\T & ALL H] Y\?FUL PRETT9ESS WAS GONE4 ,H] FA!R DI$ 9 #aibf & !N H] MO!R T5 YE>S AFT] ?AT1 9 #a#i#c#f1 AFT] A SCORE ( YE>S :]E %E'D NOT COME \TSIDE H] H\SE4 ,MAY'S MAM HAD TR\BLE WALK+ BY ?AT TIME1 BUT ?AT W]5'T REALLY :Y %E /AY$ 9DOORS4 ,! TRU? ( IT WAS1 %E'D GONE CORN]Y4 ,MAY'S BRO!R ,JIM GOT H] A :EEL*AIR ONCE1 BUT !Y'D NOT REA*$ ! 5D ( ,BRI/OL ,/REET BE=E %E'D SCREAM$ & PLEAD$ TO GO HOME4 ,IT WAS ! C>S1 :I* W]E ! FIR/ %E'D SE54 

,H] HUSB& ,TOM DI$ TWO YE>S AFT] ?AT1 & ?AT TOOK ALL ! W9D \T ( ,MAY'S SAILS4 ,!IR DAU<T] ,L\ WAS GR[N & M>RI$ N[1 & ,MAY HAD GR&*ILDR51 TWO LITTLE GIRLS4 ,MAY WASN'T A DEA?MONG] ANYMORE4 ,ALL ?AT %E ASK$ = WAS A PEACEFUL LIFE1 AFT] ! UPSETS & ! SC>ES %E'D HAD4 ,IT DIDN'T SEEM MU*1 ?\< ?AT WAS BE=E !Y />T$ TALK+ ( ANO!R W>4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #i -- ,ADD$4 

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