Page 33 (1/2)

Old Johnny McVicker turns toward the door

Sees his son

It’s the first time in nearly twenty years

The old man rises from his chair slowly

Grabs hold of his walker

His dinner tray and spoon clatters to the floor But he doesn’t notice He’s staring at his son Says, way too fast, "I rong, Edward You were right I’m sorry I love you, son"

Edward stops in his tracks

Takes off his hat Scratches his head slowly

Cruoes back to the desk

11:08 ph the snow to his

"I ild," she says when she slips in the house "You shoulda seen s her Lifts her up She laughs

"Can you stay?" he asks Begs

"If I go ho," he says

Janie finishes up her homework, shoves it in her backpack, and finds hi a shirt She crawls into his bed and marvels silently at his stomach and chest He breathes deeply She settles in

For now, anyway

He knows she o away

Get away from his dreams, so she can sleep

But when he dreams the fire drea for help, she reaches for his fingers in her blind, numb state and takes him with her into it, so he can watch hie it

It’s your dream, she reminds him

And she shows hihter fluid and the cigarette, into the man on the step whose hands are empty, whose head is bowed Who says, "I’m sorry"

When they both wake, the sun streams in the

It’s 11:21 a Because there’s not one single parent between the in the co to music They play truth or dare

But it’s all truth

For both of them

Janie: Why did you tell me you wanted to see me that first Sunday after Stratford, and then you didn’t show?

Cabel: I knew I had to hit that party--I was going to co to hold a fake bust I got sent to jail overnight, just to make me look real I was devastated Captain letThat’s when I left the note on Ethel

Janie: Did you ever sell drugs?