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TH E C OLO R P URPLE ALIC E W ALK ER

P UBLIS HED B Y P O CKET B O OKS NEW Y O RK i P O CKET B O OKS, a d iv is io n o f S im on & S chuste r, In c. 1 230 A ve nue o f th e A m eric a s, N ew Y o rk , N . Y . 1 0020 C opyrig ht © 1 982 b y A li c e W alk e r C ove r a rt c o urte sy W arn e r B ro s. P ub li s he d b y a rra ng em ent w ith H arc o urt B ra ce J b va no vic h L ib ra ry o f C ong re ss C ata lo g C ard N um ber: 8 1-4 8242 A ll r ig hts r e se rv e d, in clu d in g th e r ig ht to r e pro duce th is b ook o r p ortio ns th e re of in a ny fo rm w ha ts o eve r. fa tin fo rm atio n a ddre ss H arc o urt B ra ce J b va no vic h In c., 1 250 S ix th A ve nue , San D ie go , Cal. 92101 IS BN: 0 -6 71-6 1702-8

F ir s t P ocke t B ooks m ass-m ark e t p rin tin g D ece m ber, 1 985 1 0 9 8 7 6 P O CKET a nd c o lo pho n a re r e gis te re d tr a dem ark s o f S im on. & S chuste r, In c. P rin te d in th e U.S .A . ii T o th e S pir it: W ith o ut w ho se a ssis ta nce N eith e r th is b ook N or I W ould h a ve b een W ritte n. iii S ho w m e h o w to d o li k e y o u S ho w m e h o w to d o it. ? S te vie W ond er 1 Y o u b ette r n o t n e ve r te ll n o body b ut G od. If d k illy o ur. m am my. D ear G od, I a m fo urte en y e ars o ld . I- a a I h a ve a lw ays b een a g ood g ir l. M ayb e y o u c a n g iv e m e a s ig n le ttin g m e k no w w ha t is h a ppenin g to m e. L ast s p rin g a fte r li ttle L ucio us c o m e I h e ard th e m fu ssin g . H e

w as p ulli n g o n h e r a rm . S he s a y It to o s o on, F onso , I a in 't w ell. F in a lly h e le ave h e r a lo ne . A w eek g o b y, h e p ulli n g o n h e r a rm a gain . S he s a y N aw , I a in 't g onna . C an't y o u s e e I'm a lr e ady h a lf d ead, a n a ll o f th e se c hild re n. S he w ent to v is it h e r s is te r d octo r o ve r M aco n. L eft m e to s e e a fte r th e o th e rs . H e n e ve r h a d a k in e w ord to s a y to .m e. J ust s a y Y o u g onna d o w ha t y o ur m am my w ould n't . F ir s t h e p ut h is th in g u p g ain st m y h ip a nd s o rt o f w ig gle it a ro und . T he n h e g ra b h o ld m y tittie s. T he n h e p ush h is th in g in sid e m y p ussy. W he n th a t 2 h urt, I c ry . H e s ta rt to c ho ke m e, s a yin g Y o u b ette r s hut u p a nd g it u se d to it. B ut I d on't n e ve r g it u se d to it. A nd n o w I fe els s ic k e ve ry tim e I b e th e o ne to c o ok. M y m am a s he fu ss a t m e a n lo ok a t m e. S he h a ppy, c a use h e g ood to h e r n o w . B ut to o s ic k to la st lo ng . 3 M y m am a d ead. S he d ie s cre am in g a nd c ussin g . S he s cre am a t m e. S he c uss a t m e. I'm b ig . I c a n't m ove fa st e no ug h. B y tim e I g it b ack fr o m th e w ell, th e w ate r b e w arm . B y tim e I g it th e tr a y re ady th e fo od b e c o ld . B y tim e I g it a ll th e c hild re n r e ady fo r s cho ol it b e d in ne r tim e. H e d on't s a y n o th in g . H e s e t th e re b y th e b ed h o ld in g h e r h a nd a n c ry in , ta lk in g b out d on't le ave m e, d on't g o. S he a st m e b out th e fir s t o ne W ho se it is ? I s a y G od's . I d on't k no w n o o th e r m an o r w ha t e ls e to s a y. W he n I s ta rt to h urt a nd

th e n m y s to m ach s ta rt m ovin g a nd th e n th a t li ttle b aby c o m e o ut m y p ussy c he w in g o n it fis t y o u c o uld h a ve k no ck m e o ve r w ith a fe ath e r. D on't n o body c o m e s e e u s. S he g ot s ic ke r a n s ic ke r. F in a lly s he a st W he re it is ? I s a y G od to ok it. H e to ok it. H e to ok it w hile I w as s le epin g . K ilt it o ut th e re in th e w oods. K ill th is o ne to o, if h e c a n. 4 H e a ct li k e h e c a n*t s ta nd m e n o m ore . S ay I'm e vil a n a lw ays u p to n o g ood. H e to ok m y o th e r li ttle b aby, a b oy th is tim e. B ut I d on't th in k h e k ilt it. I th in k h e s o ld it to a m an a n h is w ife o ve r M ontic e llo . I g ot b re asts fu ll o f m ilk r u nnin g d ow n m ys e lf . H e s a y W hy d on't y o u lo ok d ece nt? P ut o n s o m eth in g . B ut w ha t I'm s p ose d to p ut o n? I d on't h a ve n o th in g . I k e ep h o pin g h e fin e s o m ebody to m arry . I s e e h im lo okin g a t m y li ttle s is te r. S he s ca re d. B ut I s a y I'll ta ke c a re o f y o u. W ith G od h e lp . 5 H e c o m e h o m e w ith a g ir l fr o m r o und G ra y. S he b e m y a ge b ut th e y m arrie d. H e b e o n h e r a ll th e tim e. S he w alk r o und li k e s he d on't

k no w w ha t h it h e r. I th in k s he th o ug ht s he lo ve h im . B ut h e g ot s o m any o f u s. A ll n e edin g s o m eth in . M y li ttle s is te r N ettie is g ot a b oyfr ie nd in th e s a m e s ha pe a lm ost a s P a. H is w ife d ie d. S he w as k ilt b y h e r b oyfr ie nd c o m in g h o m e fr o m c hurc h. H e g ot o nly th re e c hild re n th o ug h. H e s e en N ettie in c hurc h a nd n o w e ve ry S und ay e ve nin g h e re c o m e M r. ? ??. I te ll N ettie to k e ep a t h e r b ooks. It b e m ore th e n a n o tio n ta kin g c a re o f c hild re n a in 't e ve n y o urn . A nd lo ok w ha t h a ppen to M a. 6 H e b eat m e to day c a use h e s a y I w in ke d a t a b oy in c hurc h. I m ay h a ve g ot s o m eth in in m y e ye b ut I d id n't w in k. I d on't e ve n lo ok a t m ens. T ha t's th e tr u th . I lo ok a t w om en, th o , c a use I'm n o t s ca re d o f th e m . M ayb e c a use m y m am a c uss m e y o u th in k I k e pt m ad a t h e r. B ut I a in 't . I fe lt s o rry fo r m am a. T ry in g to b eli e ve b is s to ry k ilt h e r. S om etim e h e s till b e lo okin g a t N ettie , b ut I a lw ays g it in h is li g ht. N ow I te ll h e r to m arry M r. ? ?,? I d on't te ll h e r w hy. I s a y M arry h im , N ettie , a n tr y to h a ve o ne g ood y e ar o ut y o ur li fe . A fte r th a t, I k no w s he b e b ig . B ut m e, n e ve r a gain . A g ir l a t c hurc h s a y y o u g it b ig if y o u b le ed e ve ry m onth . I d on't b le ed n o m ore .

7 M r. ? ?? fin a lly c o m e r ig ht o ut a n a st fo r N ettie h a nd in m arria ge. B ut H e w on't le t h e r g o. H e s a y s he to o y o ung , n o e xp erie nce . S ay M r. ? :? ? g ot to o m any c hild re n a lr e ady. P lu s W ha t a bout th e s ca nd al h is w ife c a use w he n s o m ebody k ill h e r? A nd w ha t a bout a ll th is s tu ff h e h e ar b out S hug A ve ry ? W ha t b out th a t? I a st o ur n e w m am my b out S hug A ve ry , W ha t it is ? I a st. S he d on't k no w b ut s he s a y s he g on fin e o ut. S he d o m ore th e n th a t. S he g it a p ic tu re . T he fir s t o ne o f a r e al p ers o n I e ve r s e en. S he s a y M r. ? ??w as ta kin g s o m eth in o ut h is b illf o ld to s ho w P a a n it fe ll o ut a n s li d u nd er th e ta ble . S hug A ve ry w as a w om an. T he m ost b eautifu l w om an I e ve r s a w . S he m ore p re tty th e n m y m am a. S he b out te n th o usa nd tim es m ore p re ttie r th e n m e. I s e e h e r th e re in fu rs . H er fa ce r o ug e. H er h a ir li k e s o m eth in ta il. S he g rin nin g w ith h e r fo ot u p o n s o m ebody m oto ca r. H er e ye s s e rio us th o . S ad s o m e. I a st h e r to g iv e m e th e p ic tu re . A n a ll n ig ht lo ng I s ta re a t it. A n n o w w he n I d re am , I d re am o f S hug A ve ry . S he b e d re ss to k ill, w hir li n g a nd la ug hin g . 8 I a st h im to ta ke m e in ste ad o f N ettie w hile o ur n e w m am my s ic k. B ut h e ju st a st m e w ha t I'm ta lk in g b out. I te ll h im I c a n fix m ys e lf u p fo r h im . I d uck in to m y r o om a nd c o m e o ut w earin g h o rs e ha ir, fe ath e rs , a nd a p air o f o ur n e w m am my h ig h h e el

s ho es. H e b eat m e fo r d re ssin g tr a m py b ut h e d o it to m e a nyw ay. M r. ? ?? c o m e th a t e ve nin g . I'm in th e b ed c ry in g . N ettie s he fin a lly s e e th e li g ht o f d ay, c le ar. O ur n e w m am my s he s e e it to o. S he in h e r r o om c ry in g . N ettie te nd to fir s t o ne , th e n th e o th e r. S he s o s ca re d s he . g o o ut d oors a nd v o m it. B ut n o t o ut fr o nt w he re th e tw o m ens is . M r. ? ?? s a y, W ell S ir, I s ure h o pe y o u d one c ha ng e y o ur m in d . H e s a y, N aw , C an't s a y I is . M r. ? ?? s a y, W ell, y o u k no w , m y p oor li ttle o ne s s ure c o uld u se a m oth e r. W ell, H e s a y, r e al s lo w , I c a n't le t y o u h a ve N ettie . S he to o y o ung . D on't k no w n o th in g b ut w ha t y o u te ll h e r. S id es, I w ant h e r to g it s o m e m ore s cho oli n g . M ake a s cho olt e ache r o ut o f h e r. B ut I c a n le t y o u h a ve 9 C eli e . S he th e o ld est a nyw ay. S he o ug ht to m arry fir s t. S he a in 't fr e sh th o , b ut I s p ect y o u k no w th a t. S he s p oile d. T w ic e . B ut y o u d on't n e ed a fr e sh w om an n o h o w . I g ot a fr e sh o ne in th e re m ys e lf a nd s he s ic k a ll th e tim e. H e s p it, o ve r th e r a ili n g . T he c hild re n g it o n h e r n e rv e , s he n o t m uch o f a c o ok. A nd s he b ig a lr e ady. M r. ? ?? h e d on't s a y n o th in g . I s to p c ry in g I'm s o s urp ris e . S he u g ly . H e s a y. B ut s he a in 't n o s tr a ng er to h a rd w ork . A nd s he c le an. A nd G od d one fix e d h e r. Y o u c a n d o e ve ry th in g ju st

li k e y o u w ant to a nd s he a in 't g onna m ake y o u fe ed it o r c lo th e it. M r. ? ?? s till d on't s a y n o th in g . I ta ke o ut th e p ic tu re o f S hug A ve ry . I lo ok in to h e r e ye s. H er e ye s s a y Y e ah, it b eesth a t w ay s o m etim e. F act is , h e s a y, I g ot to g it r id o f h e r. S he to o o ld to b e li v in g h e re a t h o m e. A nd s he a b ad in flu e nce o n m y o th e r g ir ls . S he 'd c o m e w ith h e r o w n li n e n. S he c a n ta ke th a t c o w s he r a is e d ow n th e re b ack o f th e c rib . B ut N ettie y o u fla t o ut c a n't h a ve . N ot n o w . N ot n e ve r. M r. ? ?? fin a lly s p eak. C le arin g h is th ro at. I a in 't n e ve r r e ally lo ok a t th a t o ne , h e s a y. W ell, n e xt tim e y o u c o m e y o u c a n lo ok a t h e r. S he u g ly . D on't e ve n lo ok li k e s he k in to N ettie . B ut s he 'll m ake th e b ette r w ife . S he a in 't s m art e ith e r, a nd I'll ju st b e fa ir, y o u h a ve to w atc h h e r o r s he 'll g iv e a w ay e ve ry th in g y o u o w n. B ut s he c a n w ork li k e a m an. M r. ? ?? s a y H ow o ld s he is ? < H e s a y, S he n e ar tw enty . A nd a no th e r tn in g ?S he te ll li e s. 1 0 It to ok h im th e w ho le s p rin g , fr o m M arc h to J une , to m ake u p h is m in d to ta ke m e. A ll I th o ug ht a bout w as N ettie . H ow s he c o uld c o m e to m e if I m arry h im a nd h e b e s o lo ve s tr u ck w ith h e r I c o uld fig ure o ut a w ay fo r u s to r u n a w ay. U s b oth b e h ittin g N ettie 's

s cho ol- b ooks p re tty h a rd , c a use u s k no w w e g ot to b e s m art to g it a w ay. I k no w I'm n o t a s p re tty o r a s s m art a s N ettie , b ut s he sa y I a in 't d um b. T he w ay y o u k no w w ho d is co ve r A m eric a , N ettie s a y, is th in k b out c ucum bers . T ha t w ha t C olu m bus s o und li k e . I le arn e d a ll a bout C olu m bus in fir s t g ra de, b ut lo ok li k e h e th e fir s t th in g I fo rg ot. S he s a y C olu m bus c o m e h e re in b oats c a ll th e N eate r, th e P ete r, a nd th e S anto m are ate r. In d ia ns s o n ic e to h im h e fo rc e a b unch o f 'e m b ack h o m e w ith h im to w ait o n th e q ue en. B ut it h a rd to th in k w ith g ittin g m arrie d to M r. ? ?? h a ng in g o ve r m y h e ad. T he fir s t tim e I g ot b ig P a to ok m e o ut o f s cho ol. H e n e ve r c a re th a t I lo ve it. N ettie s to od th e re a t th e g ate h o ld in g tig ht to m y h a nd . I w as a ll d re ss fo r fir s t d ay. 1 1 Y o u to o d um b to k e ep g oin g to s cho ol, P a s a y. N ettie th e c le ve r o ne in th is b unch. B ut P a, N ettie s a y, c ry in g , C eli e s m art to o. E ve n M is s B easle y s a y s o . N ettie d ote o n M is s B easle y. T hin k n o body li k e h e r in th e w orld . P a s a y, W ho eve r li s te n to a nyth in g A ddie B easle y h a ve to s a y. S he r u n o ff a t th e m outh s o m uch n o m an w ould h a ve h e r. T ha t h o w c o m e s he h a ve to te ach s cho ol. H e n e ve r lo ok u p fr o m c le anin g

h is g un. P re tty s o on a b unch o f w hite m ens c o m e w alk in g c ro ss th e y a rd . T he y h 'a ve g uns to o. P a g it u p a nd fo llo w 'e m . T he r e st o f th e w eek I v o m it a nd d re ss w ild g am e. B ut N ettie n e ve r g iv e u p . N ext th in g I k no w M is s B easle y a t o ur h o use tr y in g to ta lk to P a. S he s a y lo ng a s s he b een a te ache r s he n e ve r k no w n o body w ant to le arn b ad a s N ettie a nd m e. B ut w he n P a c a ll m e o ut a nd s he s e e h o w tig ht m y d re ss is , s he s to p ta lk in g a nd g o. N ettie s till d on't u nd ers ta nd . I d on't n e ith e r. A ll u s n o tic e is I'm a ll th e tim e s ic k a nd fa t. I fe el b ad s o m etim e N ettie d one p ass m e in le arn in . B ut lo ok li k e n o th in g s he s a y c a n g it in m y b ra in a nd s ta y. S he tr y to te ll m e s o m eth in g b out th e g ro und n o t b ein g fla t. I ju st s a y, Y e ah, tik e I k no w it. I n e ve r te ll h e r h o w fla t it lo ok to m e. M r. ? ?? c o m e fin a lly o ne d ay lo okin g a ll d ru g o ut. T he w om an h e h a d h e lp in g h im d one q uit. H is m am my d one s a id N o M ore . H e s a y, L et m e s e e h e r a gain . P a c a ll m e. C eli e ,h e s a y. L ik e it w asn't n o th in g . M r. _ __ w ant a no th e r lo ok a t y o u. I g o s ta nd in th e d oor. T he s un s hin e in m y e ye s. H e's s till u p o n h is h o rs e . H e lo ok m e u p a nd d ow n.

1 2 P a r a ttle h is n e w sp aper. M ove u p , h e w on't b ite , h e s a y. I g o c lo se r to th e s te ps, b ut n o t to o c lo se c a use I'm a li ttle s ca re d o f h is h o rs e . T urn r o und , P a s a y. I tu rn r o und . O ne o f m y li ttle b ro th e rs c o m e u p . I th in k it w as L ucio us. H e fa t a nd p la yfu l, a ll th e tim e m unchin g o n s o m eth in g . H e s a y, W ha t y o u d oin g th a t fo r? P a s a y, Y o ur s is te r th in kin g b out m arria ge. D id n't m ean n o th in g to h im . H e p ull m y d re ssta il a nd a st c a n h e h a ve s o m e b la ckb erry ja m o ut th e s a fe . I s a y, Y e ah. S he g ood w ith c hild re n, P a s a y, r a ttli n g h is p aper o pen m ore . N eve r h e ard h e r s a y a h a rd w ord to n a ry o ne o f th e m . J ust g iv e 'e m e ve ry th in g th e y a st fo r, is th e o nly p ro ble m . M r. ? ,? ? s a y, T ha t c o w s till c o m in g ? H e s a y, H er c o w . 1 3 I s p end m y w eddin g d ay r u nnin g fr o m th e o ld est b oy. H e tw elv e . H is m am a d ie d in h is a rm s a nd h e d on't w ant to h e ar n o th in g b out

n o n e w o ne . H e p ic k u p a r o ck a nd la id m y h e ad o pen. T he b lo od r u n a ll d ow n tw een m y b re asts . H is d addy s a y D on't d oth a t! B ut th a t's a ll h e s a y. H e g ot fo ur c hild re n, in ste ad o f th re e, tw o b oys a nd tw o g ir ls . T he g ir ls h a ir a in 't b een c o m b s in ce th e ir m am my d ie d. I te ll h im I'll ju st h a ve to s ha ve it o ff. S ta rt fr e sh. H e s a y b ad h ic k to c ut a w om an h a ir. S o a fte r I b and age m y h e ad b est I c a n a nd c o ok d in ne r? th e y h a ve a s p rin g , n o t a w ell, a nd a w ood s to ve lo ok li k e a tr u ck? I s ta rt tr y in g to u nta ng le h a ir. T he y o nly s ix a nd e ig ht a nd th e y c ry . T he y s cre am . T he y c use m e o f m urd er. B y te n o 'c lo ck I'm d one . T he y c ry th e ir s e lv e s to s le ep. B ut I d on't c ry . I la y th e re th in kin g b out N ettie w hile h e o n to p o f m e, w ond er if s he s a fe . A nd th e n I th in k b out S hug A ve ry . I k no w w ha t h e d oin g to m e h e d one to S hug A ve ry a nd m ayb e s he li k e it. I p ut m y a rm a ro und h im . 1 4 I w as in to w n s ittin g o n th e w agon w hile M r. ? ??w as in th e d ry g ood s to re . I s e en m y b aby g ir l. I k no w ed it w as h e r. S he lo ok ju st li k e m e a nd m y d addy. L ik e m ore u s th e n u s is o urs e lf . S he b e ta ggin g lo ng h in d a la dy a nd th e y b e d re ss ju st a li k e . T he y p ass th e w agon a nd I s p eak. T he la dy s p eak p le asa nt. M y li ttle g ir l s he lo ok u p a nd s o rt o f fr o w n. S he fr e ttin g o ve r s o m eth in g . S he g ot m y e ye s ju st li k e th e y is to day. L ik e e ve ry th in g I s e en, s he s e en, a nd s he p ond erin g it. I th in k s he m in e . M y h e art s a y s he m in e . B ut I d on't k no w s he m in e . If s he m in e , h e r n a m e O li v ia . I e m bro der O li v ia in th e s e at o f a ll h e r d aid ie s. I e m bro dy lo t o f li ttle s ta rs a nd flo w ers to o. H e to ok th e d aid ie s w he n h e to ok h e r. S he w as b out tw o m onth , o ld . N ow s he b out s ix .

I c la m d ow n fr o m th e w agon a nd I fo llo w O li v ia a nd h e r n e w m am my in to a s to re . I w atc h h e r r u n h e r h a nd lo ng s id e th e c o unte r, li k e s he a in 't in te re ste d in n o th in g . H er m a is b uyin g c lo th . S he s a y D on't to uch n o th in g / O li v ia y a w n. 1 5 T ha t r e al p re tty , I s a y, a nd h e lp h e r m am a d ra pe a p ie ce o f c lo th c lo se to h e r fa ce . S he s m ile . G onna m ake m e a n m y g ir l s o m e n e w d re sse s, s he s a y. H er d addy b e s o p ro ud . W ho h e r d addy, I b lu rt o ut. It li k e a t la sts o m ebody k no w . S he s a y M r. ? ??. B ut th a t a in 't m y d addy n a m e. M r. _ __? I s a y. W ho h e ? S he lo ok li k e I a st s o m eth in g n o ne o f m y b id nis s. T he R eve re nd M r. ? ??, s he s a y, th e n tu rn h e r fa ce to th e c le rk . H e s a y, G ir l y o u w ant th a t c lo th o r n o t? W e g ot o th e r c usto m ers s id es y o u. S he s a y, Y e s s ir. I w ant fiv e y a rd s, p le ase s ir. H e s na tc h th e c lo th a nd th um p d ow n th e b olt . H e d on't m easure . W he n h e th in k h e g ot fiv e y a rd h e ta re it o ff. T ha t b e a d olla r a nd th ir ty c e nt, h e s a y. Y o u n e ed th re ad? S he s a y, N aw s uh.

H e s a y, Y o u c a n't s e w th o ut th re ad. H e p ic k u p a s p ool a nd h o ld it a gain st th e c lo th . T ha t lo ok li k e it b out th e r ig ht c o lo r. D on't y o u th in k. S he s a y, Y e ssuh. H e s ta rt to w his tle . T a ke tw o d olla rs . G iv e h e r a q ua rte r b ack. H e lo ok a t m e. Y o u w ant s o m eth in g g al? I s a y, N aw S uh. I tr a il lo ng b ehin d th e m o n th e s tr e et. I d on't h a ve n o th in g to o ffe r a nd I fe els p oor. S he lo ok u p a nd d ow n th e s tr e et. H e a in 't h e re . H e a in 't h e re . S he s a y li k e s he g on c ry . W ho a in 't ? I a st. T he R eve re nd M r. ? ??, s he s a y. H e to ok th e w agon. M y h usb and w agon r ig ht h e re , I s a y. S he c la m u p . I th a nk y o u k in d ly , s he s a y. U s s it lo okin g a t a ll th e fo lk s th a t's c o m e to to w n. I n e ve r s e en 1 6 s o m any e ve n a t c hurc h. S om e b e d re ss to o. S om e d on't h it o n m uch. D ust g it a ll u p th e la die s d re ss. S he a st m e W ho is m y h usb and , n o w I k no w a ll b out h e rs . S he la ug h a li ttle . I s a y M r. ? ??. S he s a y, S ure n uff? L ik e s he k no w a ll a bout h im . J ust d id n't k no w h e w as m arrie d. H e a fin e lo okin g m an, s he s a y. N ot a fin e r lo okin g o ne in th e c o unty . W hite o r

b la ck, s he s a y. H e d o lo ok a ll r ig ht, I s a y. B ut I d on't th in k a bout it w hile I s a y it. M ost tim es m ens lo ok p re tty m uch a li k e to m e. H ow lo ng y o u h a d y o ur li ttle g ir l? I a st. O h, s he b e s e ve n h e r n e xt b ir th d ay. W he n th a t? I a st. S he th in k b ack. T he n s he s a y, D ece m ber. I th in k, N ove m ber. I s a y, r e al e asy, W ha t y o u c a ll h e r? S he s a y, o h, w e c a lls h e r P auli n e . M y h e art k no ck. T he n s he fr o w n. B ut / c a lls h e r O li v ia . W hy y o u c a ll h e r O li v ia if it a in 't h e r n a m e? I a st. W ell, ju st lo ok a t h e r, s he s a y s o rt o f im pis h, tu rn in g to lo ok a t th e c hild , d on't s he lo ok li k e a O li v ia to y o u? L ook a t h e r e ye s, fo r g od's s a ke . S om ebody o le w ould h a ve e ye s li k e th a t. S o I c a ll h e r o le Liv ia . S he c huckle . N aw . O li v ia , s he s a y, p attin g th e c hild h a ir. W ell, h e re c o m e th e R eve re nd M r. ? ??, s he s a y. I s e e a w agon a nd a g re at b ig m an in b la ck h o ld in g a w hip . W e s ure

d o th a nk y o u fo r y o ur h o sp ita li ty . S he la ug h a gain , lo ok a t 't h e h o rs e s fli c kin g fli e s o ff th e y r u m p, /fo rs e pita li ty , s he s a y. A nd I g it it a nd la ug h. It fe el li k e to s p li t m y fa ce . M r. ? ??, c o m e o ut th e s to re . C la m u p in th e w agon. S et d ow n. S ay r e al s lo w . W ha t y o u s e ttin g h e re la ug hin g li k e a fo ol fe r? 1 7 N ettie h e re w ith u s. S he r u n w ay fr o m h o m e. S he s a y s he h a te to le ave o ur s te pm a, b ut s he h a d to g it o ut, m ayb e fin e h e lp fo r th e o th e r li ttle o ne s. T he b oys b e a lr ig ht, s he s a y. T he y c a n s ta y o ut h is w ay. W he n th e y g it b ig th e y g on fig ht h im . M ayb e k ill, I s a y. H ow is it w ith y o u a nd M r. ? ??? s he a st. B ut s he g ot e ye s. H e s till li k e h e r. In th e e ve nin g h e c o m e o ut o n th e p orc h in h is S und ay b est. S he b e s ittin g th e re w ith m e s he lli n g p eas o r h e lp in g th e c hild re n w ith th e y s p elli n g . H elp in g m e w ith s p elli n g a nd e ve ry th in g e ls e s he th in k I n e ed to k no w . N o m atte r w ha t h a ppen, N ettie s te ady tr y to te ach m e w ha t g o o n in th e w orld . A nd s he a g ood te ache r to o. It n e arly k ill m e to th in k s he m ig ht m arry s o m ebody li k e M r. ? ?? o r w in d u p in s o m e w hite la dy k itc he n. A ll d ay s he r e ad, s he s tu d y, s he p ra ctic e h e r h a nd w ritin g , a nd tr y to g it u s to th in k. M ost d ays I fe el to o tir e d to th in k. B ut P atie nt h e r m id dle n a m e. M r. ? ?? c hild re n a ll b rig ht b ut th e y m ean. T he y s a y C eli e , I w ant

d is . C eli e , I w ant d at. O ur M am a le t 1 8 u s h a ve it. H e d on't s a y n o th in g . T he y tr y to g et h is te ntio n, h e h id e h in d a p uff o f s m oke . D on't le t th e m r u n o ve r y o u, N ettie s a y. Y o u g ot to le t th e m k no w w ho g ot th e u p per h a nd . T he y g ot it, I s a y. B ut s he k e ep o n. Y o u g ot to fig ht. Y o u g ot to fig ht. B ut I d on't k no w h o w to fig ht. A ll I k no w h o w to d o is s ta y a li v e . T ha t's a r e al p re tty d re ss y o u g ot o n, h e s a y to N ettie . S he s a y, T ha nk y o u. T he m s ho es lo ok ju st r ig ht. S he s a y, T ha nk y o u. Y o ur s kin . Y o ur h a ir ; Y o ur te efs . E ve ry d ay it s o m eth in g e ls e to m ake m ir a tio n o ve r. F ust s he s m ile a li ttle . T he n s he fr o w n. T he n s he d on't lo ok n o s p ecia l w ay a t a ll. S he ju st s tic k c lo se to m e. S he te ll m e, Y o ur s kin . Y o ur h a ir, Y o ur te efs . H e tr y to g iv e h e r a c o m pli m ent, s he p ass it o n to m e. A fte r w hile I g it to fe eli n g p re tty c ute . S oon h e s to p. H e s a y o ne n ig ht in b ed, W ell, u s d one h e lp N ettie a ll w e c a n. N ow s he g ot to g o.

W he re s he g on g o? I a st. I d on't c a re , h e s a y. I te ll N ettie th e n e xt m orn in g . S te ad o f b ein g m ad, s he g la d to g o. S ay s he h a te to le ave m e is a ll. U s fa ll o n e ach o th e r n e ck W he n s he s a y th a t. I s ure h a te to le ave y o u h e re w ith th e se r o tte n c hild re n, s he s a y. N ot to m entio n w ith M r. ? ??. It 's li k e s e ein g y o u b urie d, s he s a y. It 's w ors e th a n th a t, I th in k. If I w as b urie d, I w ould n't h a ve to w ork . B ut I ju st s a y, N eve r m in e , n e ve r m in e , lo ng a s I c a n s p ell G -o -d I g ot s o m ebody a lo ng . 1 9 B ut I o nly g ot o ne th in g to g iv e h e r, th e n a m e o f R eve re nd M r. ? ??. I te ll h e r to a st fo r h is w ife . T ha t m ayb e s he w ould h e lp . S he th e o nly w om an I e ve n s e en w ith m one y. I s a y, W rite . S he s a y, W ha t? I s a y, W rite . S he s a y, N oth in g b ut d eath c a n k e ep m e fr o m it. S he n e ve r w rite . 2 0 G -o -d , T w o o f h is s is te r c o m e to v is it. T he y d re ss a ll u p . C eli e , th e y

s a y. O ne th in g is fo r s ure . Y o u k e ep a c le an h o use . It n o t n ic e to s p eak ill o f th e d ead, o ne s a y, b ut th e tr u th n e ve r c a n b eill. A nnie J uli a w as a n a sty 'o m an b out th e h o use . S he n e ve r w ant to b e h e re in th e fir s t p la ce , s a y th e o th e r. W he re s he w ant to b e? I a st. A t h o m e. S he s a y. W ell th a t's n o e xc use , s a y th e fir s t o ne , H er n a m e C arrie , o th e r o ne n a m e K ate . W he n a w om an m arry s he s p ose to k e ep a d ece nt h o use a nd a c le an fa m ily . W hy, w asn't n o th in g to c o m e h e re in th e w in te r tim e a nd a ll th e se c hild re n h a ve c o ld s, th e y h a ve flu e , th e y h a ve d ir e ar, th e y h a ve n e w m onya , th e y h a ve w orm s, th e y h a ve th e c hill a nd fe ve r. T he y h ung ry . T he y h a ir a in 't c o m b. T he y to o n a sty to to uch. I to uch 'e m . S ay K ate . A nd c o ok. S he w ould n't c o ok. S he a ct li k e s he n e ve r s e en a k itc he n. 2 1 W as a s ca nd al, s a y C arrie . H e s ure w as, s a y K ate . W ha t y o u m ean? s a y C arrie . I m ean h e ju st b ro ug ht h e r h e re , d ro pped h e r, a nd k e pt r ig ht o n

ru nnin g a fte r S hug A ve ry . T ha t w ha t I m ean. N obody to ta lk to , n o body to v is it. H e b e g one fo r d ays . T he n s he s ta rt h a vin g b abie s. A nd s he y o ung a nd p re tty . N ot s o p re tty , s a y C arrie , lo okin g in th e lo okin g g la ss. J ust th a t h e ad o f h a ir. S he to o b la ck. W ell, b ro th e r m ust li k e b la ck. S hug A ve ry b la ck a s m y s ho e. S hug A ve ry , S hug A ve ry , C arrie s a y. I'm s ic k o f h e r. S om ebody s a y s he g oin g r o und tr y in g to s in g . U m ph, w ha t s he g ot to s in g a bout. S ay s he w earin g d re sse s a ll u p h e r le g a nd h e adpie ce s w ith li ttle b alls a nd ta ssle s h a ng in g d ow n, lo ok li k e w in d ow d re ssin g . M y e ars p erk u p w he n th e y m entio n S hug A ve ry . I fe el li k e I w ant to ta lk a bout h e r m y o w n s e lf . T he y h ush. I'm s ic k o f h e r to o, s a y K ate , le ttin g o ut h e r b re ath . A nd y o u r ig ht a bout C eli e , h e re . G ood h o use ke eper, g ood w ith c hild re n, g ood c o ok. B ro th e r c o uld n't h a ve d one b ette r if h e tr ie d. I th in k a bout h o w h e tr ie d. T his tim e K ate c o m e b y h e rs e lf . S he m ayb e tw enty -fiv e . O ld - m aid . S he lo ok y o ung er th a n m e. H ealt h y. E ye s b rig ht. T o ng ue s ha rp . B uy C eli e s o m e c lo th e s. S he s a y to M r. ? ??. S he n e ed c lo th e s? h e a st. W ell lo ok a t h e r.

H e lo ok a t m e. It li k e h e lo okin g a t th e e arth . It n e ed s o m eth in ? h is e ye s s a y. S he g o w ith m e in th e s to re . I th in k w ha t c o lo r S hug 2 1 2 2 A ve ry w ould w ear. S he li k e a q ue en to m e s o I s a y to K ate , S om eth in p urp le , m ayb e li ttle r e d in it to o. B ut u s lo ok a n lo ok a nd n o p urp le . P le nty r e d b ut s he s a y, N aw , h e w on't w ant to p ay fo r r e d. T o o h a ppy lo okin . W e g ot c ho ic e o f b ro w n, m aro on o r n a vy b lu e . I s a y b lu e . I c a n't r e m em ber b ein g th e fir s t o ne in m y o w n d re ss. N ow to h a ve o ne m ade ju st fo r m e. I tr y to te ll K ate w ha t it m ean. I g it h o t in th e fa ce a nd s tu tte r. S he s a y. It 's a ll r ig ht, C eli e . Y o u d ese rv e m ore th a n th is . M ayb e s o . I th in k. H arp o, s he s a y. H arp o th e o ld est b oy. H arp o, d on't le t C eli e b e th e o ne b rin g in a ll th e w ate r. Y o u a b ig b oy n o w . T im e fo r y o u to h e lp o ut s o m e. W om en w ork , h e s a y. W ha t? s he s a y. W om en w ork . I'm a m an. Y o u'r e a tr ifli n g n ig ger, s he s a y. Y o u g it th a t b ucke t a nd b rin g it b ack fu ll.

H e c ut h is e ye a t m e. S tu m ble o ut. I h e ar h im m utte r s o m eth in to M r. ? ?? s ittin g o n th e p orc h. M r. ? ?? c a ll h is s is te r. S he s ta y o ut o n th e p orc h ta lk in g a li ttle w hile , th e n s he c o m e b ack in , s ha kin g . G ot to g o, C eli e , s he s a y. S he s o m ad te ars b e fly in g e ve ry w hic h w ay w hile s he p ack. Y o u g ot to fig ht th e m , C eli e , s he s a y. I c a n't d o it fo r y o u. Y o u g ot to fig ht th e m fo r y o urs e lf . I d on't s a y n o th in g . I th in k b out N ettie , d ead. S he fig ht, s he r u n a w ay. W ha t g ood it d o? I d on't fig ht, I s ta y w he re I'm to ld . B ut I'm a li v e . 2 3 H arp o a st h is d addy w hy h e b eat m e. M r. _ __ s a y, C ause s he m y w ife . P lu s, s he s tu b born . A ll w om en g ood fo r? he d on't fin is h. H e ju st tu ck h is c hin o ve r th e p aper li k e h e d o. R em in d m e o f P a. H arp o a st m e, H ow c o m e y o u s tu b born ? H e d on't a st H ow c o m e y o u h is w ife ? N obody a st th a t. I s a y, J ust b om th a t w ay, I r e cko n. H e b eat m e li k e h e b eat th e c hild re n. C ept h e d on't n e ve r h a rd ly b eat th e m . H e s a y, C eli e , g it th e b elt . T he c hild re n b e o uts id e th e r o om p eekin g th ro ug h th e c ra cks. It a ll I c a n d o n o t to c ry . I m ake m ys e lf w ood. I s a y to m ys e lf , C eli e , y o u a tr e e. T ha t's h o w c o m e I k no w tr e es fe ar m an.

H arp o s a y, I lo ve S om ebody. I s a y, H uh? H e s a y, A G ir l. I s a y, Y o u d o? H e s a y, Y e ah. U s p la n to m arry . M arry , I s a y. Y o u n o t o ld e no ug h to m arry . I is , h e s a y. I'm s e ve nte en. S he fifte en. O ld e no ug h. 2 4 W ha t h e r m am a s a y, I a st. A in 't ta lk to h e r m am a. W ha t h e r d addy s a y? A in 't ta lk to h im n e ith e r. W ell, w ha t s he sa y? U s a in 't n e ve r s p oke . H e d uck h is h e ad. H e a in 't s o b ad lo okin g . T a ll a nd s kin ny, b la ck li k e h is m am a, w ith g re at b ig b ug e ye s. W he re y a ll s e e e ach o th e r? I a st. I s e e h e r in c hurc h, h e s a y. S he s e e m e o utd oors . S he li k e y o u?

I d on't k no w . I w in k a t h e r. S he a ct li k e s he s ca re d to lo ok. W he re h e r d addy a t w hile a ll th is g oin g o n? A m en c o rn e r, h e s a y. 2 5 S hug A ve ry is c o m in g to to w n! S he c o m in g w ith h e r o rk e str a . S he g oin g to s in g in th e L ucky S ta r o ut o n C oalm an r o ad. M r. ? ? ? g oin g to h e ar h e r. H e d re ss a ll u p in fr o nt th e g la ss, lo ok a t h im se lf , th e n u nd re ss a nd d re ss a ll o ve r a gain . H e s li c k b ack h is h a ir w ith p om ade, th e n w ash it o ut a gain . H e b een s p ittin g o n h is s ho es a nd h ittin g it w ith a q uic k r a g. H e te ll m e, W ash th is . Ir o n th a t. L ook fo r th is . L ook fo r th a t. F in d th is . F in d th a t. H e g ro an o ve r h o le s in h is s o ck. I m ove r o und d arn in g a nd ir o nin g , fin d in g h a nske rs . A nyth in g h a ppenin g ? I a st. W ha t y o u m ean? h e s a y, li k e h e m ad. J ust tr y in g to g it s o m e o f th e h ic k fa rm er o ff m ys e lf . A ny o th e r w om an b e g la d. I'm is g la d, I s a y. W ha t y o u m ean? h e a st. Y o u lo oks n ic e , I s a y. A ny w om an b e p ro ud . Y o u th in k s o ? h e s a y.

F ir s t tim e h e a st m e. I'm s o s urp ris e , b y tim e I s a y 2 5 2 6 Y e ah, h e o ut o n th e p orc h, tr y in g to s ha ve w he re th e li g ht b ette r. I w alk r o und a ll d ay w ith th e a nno unce m ent b urn in g a h o le in m y p ocke t. It p in k. T he tr e es tw een th e tu rn o ff to o ur r o ad a nd th e s to re is li t u p w ith th e m . H e g ot b out fiv e d oze n in h is tr u nk. S hug A ve ry s ta nd in g u p sid e a p ia no , e lb ow c ro ok, h a nd o n h e r h ip . S he w earin g a h a t li k e In d ia n C hie fs . H er m outh o pen s ho w in g a ll h e r te ef a nd d on't n o th in g s e em to b e tr o ub li n g h e r m in d . C om e o ne , c o m e a ll, it s a y. T he Q ue en H one yb ee is b ack in to w n. L ord , I w ants to g o s o b ad. N ot to d ance . N ot to d rin k. N ot to p la y c a rd . N ot e ve n to h e ar S hug A ve ry s in g . I ju st b e th a nkfu l to la y e ye s o n h e r. 2 7 M r. ? ?? b e g one a ll n ig ht S atu rd ay, a ll n ig ht S und ay a nd m ost a ll d ay M ond ay. S hug A ve ry in to w n fo r th e w eek-e nd . H e s ta gger in , th ro w h im se lf o n th e b ed. H e tir e d. H e s a d. H e w eak. H e c ry . T he n h e s le ep th e r e st o f th e d ay a nd a ll n ig ht. H e w ake u p w hile I'm in th e fie ld . I b een c ho ppin g c o tto n th re e h o urs b y tim e h e c o m e. U s d on't s a y n o th in g to e ach o th e r. B ut I g ot a m illi o n q ue stio n to a st. W ha t s he w ear? Is s he s till th e

s a m e o ld S hug , li k e in m y p ic tu re ? H ow h e r h a ir is ? W ha t k in d li p stic k? W ig ? S he s to ut? S he s kin ny? S he s o und w ell? T ir e d? S ic k? W he re y o u a ll c hild re n a t w hile s he s in g in g a ll o ve r th e p la ce ? D o s he m is s 'e m ? Q ue stio ns b e r u nnin g b ack a nd fo rth th ro ug h m y m in d . P eel li k e s na ke s. I p ra y fo r s tr e ng th , b ite th e in sid es o f m y ja w s. M r. ? ?? p ic k u p a h o e a nd s ta rt to c ho p. H e c ho p b out th re e c ho ps th e n h e d on't c ho p a gain . H e d ro p th e h o e in th e fu rro w , tu rn rig ht b ack o n h is h e el, w alk b ack to th e h o use , g o g it h im a c o ol d rin k o f W ate r, g it 2 8 h is p ip e, s it o n th e p orc h a nd s ta re . I fo llo w c a use I th in k h e s ic k. T he n h e s a y, Y o u b ette r g it o n b ack to th e fie ld . D on't w ait fo r m e. 2 8 2 9 H arp o n o b ette r a t fig htin g h is d addy b ack th a n m e. E ve ry d ay h is d addy g it u p , s it o n th e p orc h, lo ok o ut a t n o th in g . S om etim e lo ok a t th e tr e es o ut fr o nt th e h o use . L ook a t a b utte rfly if it li g ht o n th e r a il. D rin k a li ttle w ate r in th e d ay. A li ttle w in e in th e e ve nin g . B ut m ostly n e ve r m ove . H arp o c o m pla in b out a ll th e p lo w in g h e h a ve to d o. H is d addy s a y, Y o u g onna d o it. H arp o n e arly b ig a s h is d addy. H e s tr o ng in b ody b ut w eak in

w ill. H e s ca re d. M e a nd h im o ut in th e fie ld a ll d ay. U s s w eat, c ho ppin g a nd p lo w in g . I'm r o aste d c o ffe e b ean c o lo r n o w . H e b la ck a s th e in sid e o f a c him ne y. H is e ye s b e s a d a nd th o ug htfu l. H is fa ce b egin to lo ok li k e a w om an fa ce . W hy y o u d on't w ork n o m ore ? h e a st h is d addy. N o r e aso n fo r m e to . H is d addy s a y. Y o u h e re , a in 't y o u? H e s a y th is n a sty . H arp os fe eli n g b e h urt. P lu s, h e s till in lo ve . 3 0 H arp o g ir l d addy s a y H arp o n o t g ood e no ug h fo r. h e r. H arp o b een c o urtin g th e g ir l a w hile . H e s a y h e s it in th e p arlo r w ith h e r, th e d addy s it r ig ht th e re in th e c o rn e r till e ve ry b ody fe el te rrib le . T he n h e g o s it o n th e p orc h in fr o nt th e o pen d oor w he re h e c a n h e ar e ve ry th in g . N in e o 'c lo ck c o m e, h e b rin g H arp o h is h a t. W hy I'm n o t g ood e no ug h? H arp o a st M r. ? ??. M r. ? ?? s a y, Y o ur m am my. H arp o s a y, W ha t w ro ng w ith m y m am my? M r. ? ?? s a y, S om ebody k ill h e r. H arp o b e tr o ub le w ith n ig htm are s. H e s e e h is m am a r u nnin g

c ro ss th e p astu re tr y in g to g it h o m e. M r. _ __, th e m an th e y s a y h e r b oyfr ie nd , c a tc h u p w ith h e r. S he g ot H arp o b y th e h a nd . T he y b oth r u nnin g a nd r u nnin g . H e g ra b h o ld o f h e r s ho uld er, s a y, Y o u c a n't q uit m e n o w . Y o u m in e . S he s a y, N o I a in 't . M y p la ce is w ith m y c hild re n. H e s a y, W ho re , y o u a in 't g ot n o p la ce . H e s ho ot h e r in th e s to m ach. S he fa ll d ow n. T he m an r u n. H arp o g ra b h e r in h is a rm s, p ut h e r h e ad in h is la p. 3 1 H e s ta rt to c a ll, M am a, M am a. It w ake m e u p . T he o th e r c hild re n, to o. T he y c ry li k e th e y m am a ju st d ie . H arp o c o m e to , s ha kin g . I li g ht th e la m p a nd s ta nd o ve r h im , p attin g h is b ack. It n o t h e r fa ult s o m ebody k ill h e r, h e s a y. It n o t! It n o t! N aw , I s a y. It n o t. E ve ry b ody s a y h o w g ood I is to M r. ? ?? c hild re n. I b e g ood to th e m . B ut I d on't fe el n o th in g fo r th e m . P attin g H arp o b ack n o t e ve n li k e p attin g a d og. It m ore li k e p attin g a no th e r p ie ce o f w ood. N ot a li v in g tr e e, b ut a ta ble , a c hiffe ro be. A nyh o w , th e y d on't lo ve m e n e ith e r, n o m atte r h o w g ood I is . T he y d on't m in d . C ept fo r H arp o th e y w on't w ork . T he g ir ls fa ce a lw ays to th e r o ad. B ub b e o ut a ll tim es o f n ig ht d rin kin g w ith b oys tw ic e h is a ge. T he y d addy p uff o n h is p ip e. H arp o te ll m e a ll h is lo ve b usin e ss n o w . H is m in d o n S ofia B utle r d ay a nd n ig ht.

S he p re tty , h e te ll m e. B rig ht. S m art? N aw . B rig ht s kin .S he s m art to o th o ug h, I th in k. S om etim e u s c a n g it h e r a w ay fr o m h e r d addy. I k no w r ig ht th e n th e n e xt th in g I h e ar, s he b e b ig . If s he s o s m art h o w c o m e s he b ig ? I a st. H arp o s hru g . S he c a n't g it o ut th e h o use n o o th e r w ay, h e s a y. M r. ? ?? w on't le t u s m arry . S ay I'm n o t g ood e no ug h to c o m e in h is p arlo r. B ut if s he b ig I g ot a r ig ht to b e w ith h e r, g ood e no ug h o r n o . W he re y a ll g on s ta y? T he y g ot a b ig p la ce , h e s a y. W he n u s m arry I'll b e ju st li k e o ne o f th e fa m ily . 3 2 H um ph, I s a y. M r. ? ?? d id n't li k e y o u b efo re s he b ig , h e a in 't g onna li k e y o u c a use she b ig . H arp o lo ok tr o ub le . T a lk to M r. ? ??, I s a y. H e y o ur d addy. M ayb e h e g ot s o m e g ood a dvic e . M ayb e n o t. I th in k.

H arp o b rin g h e r o ve r to m eet h is d addy. M r. _ _?sa y h e w ant to h a ve a lo ok a t h e r. I s e e 'e m c o m in g w ay o ff u p th e r o ad. T he y b e ju st m arc hin g , h a nd in h a nd , li k e g oin g to w ar. S he in fr o nt a li ttle . T he y c o m e u p o n th e p orc h, I s p eak a nd m ove s o m e c ha ir s c lo se r to th e r a ili n g . S he s it d ow n a nd s ta rt to fa n h e rs e lf w ith a h a nske r. It s ure is h o t, s he s a y. M r. ? ?? d on't s a y n o th in g . H e ju st lo ok h e r u p a nd d ow n. S he b out s e ve n o r e ig ht m onth s p re gna nt, b out to b ust o ut h e r d re ss. H arp o s o b la ck h e th in k s he b rig ht, b ut s he a in 't th a t b rig ht. G ear m ediu m b ro w n s kin , g le am o n it li k e o n g ood fu rn itu re . H air n o tty b ut a lo t o f it, tie d u p o n h e r h e ad in a m ass o f p la its . S he n o t q uite a s ta ll a s H arp o b ut m uch b ig ger, a nd s tr o ng a nd r u d dy lo okin g , li k e h e r m am a b ro ug ht h e r u p o n p ork . S he s a y, H ow y o u, M r. ? ??? H e d on't a nsw er th e q ue stio n. H e s a y, L ook li k e y o u d one g ot y o urs e lf in tr o ub le . N aw s uh, s he s a y. I a in 't in n o tr o ub le . B ig , th o ug h. S he s m ooth th e w rin kle s o ve r h e r s to m ach w ith th e fla ts o f h e r h a nd s. W ho th e fa th e r? h e a st. S he lo ok s urp ris e . H arp o, s he s a y. H ow h e k no w th a t?

H e k no w . S he s a y. Y o ung w om ens n o g ood th e se d ays , h e s a y. G ot th e y le gs o pen to e ve ry T o m , D ic k a nd H arry . 3 3 H arp o lo ok a t h is d addy li k e h e n e ve r s e en h im b efo re . B ut h e d on't s a y n o th in g . M r. ? ?? s a y, N o n e ed to th in k I'm g on le t m y b oy m arry y o u ju st c a use y o u in th e fa m ily w ay. H e y o ung a nd li m ite d. P re tty g al li k e y o u c o uld p ut a nyth in g o ve r o n h im . H arp o s till d on't s a y n o th in g . S ofia fa ce g it m ore r u d dy. T he s kin m ove b ack o n h e r fo re he ad. H er e ars r a is e . B ut s he la ug h. S he g la nce a t H arp o s ittin g th e re w ith h is h e ad d ow n a nd h is h a nd s tw een h is k ne es. S he s a y, W ha t 1 n e ed to m arry H arp o fo r? H e s till li v in g h e re w ith y o u. W ha t fo od a nd c lo th e s h e g it, y o u b uy. H e s a y, Y o ur d addy d one th ro w ed y o u o ut. R eady to li v e in th e s tr e et I g ue ss. S he s a y, N aw . I a in 't li v in g in th e s tr e et. I'm li v in g w ith m y s is te r a nd h e r h usb and . T he y s a y I c a n li v e w ith th e m fo r th e r e st o f m y li fe . S he s ta nd u p , b ig , s tr o ng , h e alt h y g ir l, a nd s he s a y, W ell, n ic e v is itin g . I'm g oin g h o m e.

H arp o g et u p to c o m e to o. S he s a y, N aw , H arp o, y o u s ta y h e re . W he n y o u fr e e, m e a nd th e b aby b e w aitin g . H e s o rt o f h a ng th e re b etw een th e m a w hile , th e n h e s it d ow n a gain . I lo ok a t h e r fa ce r e al q uic k th e n, a nd s e em li k e a s ha dow g o c ro ss it. T he n s he s a y to m e, M rs . ? ??, I'd th a nk y o u fo r a g la ss o f w ate r b efo re I g o, if y o u d on't m in d . T he b ucke t o n th e s he lf r ig ht th e re o n th e p orc h. I g it a c le an g la ss o ut th e s a fe a nd d ip h e r u p s o m e w ate r. S he d rin k it d ow n, a lm ost in o ne s w allo w . T he n s he r u n h e r h a nd s o ve r h e r b elly a gain a nd s he ta ke o ff. L ook li k e th e a rm y c ha ng e d ir e ctio n, a nd s he h e adin g o ff to c a tc hup . 3 4 H arp o n e ve r g it u p fr o m h is c ha ir. H im a nd h is d addy s it th e re a nd s it th e re a nd s it th e re . T he y n e ve r ta lk . T he y n e ve r m ove . F in a lly I h a ve s up per a nd g o to b ed. I g it u p in th e m orn in g it fe el li k e th e y s till s ittin g th e re . B ut H arp o b e in th e o uth o use , M r. ? ?? b e s ha vin g . 3 4 3 5 H arp o w ent a nd b ro ug ht S ofia a nd th e b aby h o m e. T he y g ot m arrie d in S ofia s is te r h o use . S is te r's h usb and s ta nd u p w ith H arp o. O th e r s is te r s ne ak w ay fr o m h o m e to s ta nd u p w ith S ofia . A no th e r s is te r c o m e to h o ld th e b aby. S ay h e c ry r ig ht th ro ug h th e

s e rv ic e , h is m am a s to p e ve ry th in g to n urs e h im . F in is h s a yin g I d o w ith a b ig o le n urs in g b oy h i h e r a rm s. H arp o fix u p th e li ttle c re ek h o use fo r h im a nd h is fa m ily . M r. ? ?? d addy u se d it fo r a s he d. B ut it s o und . G ot w in d ow s n o w , a p orc h, b ack d oor. P lu s it c o ol a nd g re en d ow n b y th e c re ek. H e a st m e to m ake s o m e c urta in s a nd I m ake s o m e o ut o f flo w er s a ck. It n o t b ig , b ut it h o m ey. G ot a b ed, a d re sse r, a lo okin g g la ss, a nd s o m e c ha ir s . C ooksto ve fo r c o okin g a nd h e atin g , to o. H arp o d addy g iv e h im w ages fo r w ork in g n o w . H e s a y H arp o w asn't w ork in g h a rd li k e h e s ho uld . M ayb e li ttle m one y g oose h is in te re st. H arp o to ld m e, M is s C eli e , I'm g oin g o n s tr ik e . O n w ha t? I a in 't g oin g to w ork . 3 6 A nd h e d on't . H e c o m e to th e fie ld , p ull tw o e ars o f c o rn , le t th e b ir d s a nd w eevil e at tw o h und re d. U s d on't m ake n o th in g m uch th is y e ar. B ut n o w S ofia c o m in g , h e a lw ays b usy. H e c ho p, h e h a m mer, h e p lo w . H e s in g a nd w his tle . S ofia lo ok h a lf h e r s iz e . B ut s he s till a b ig s tr o ng g ir l. A rm s g ot m uscle . L egs, to o. S he s w in g th a t b aby a bout li k e it n o th in g . S he g ot a li ttle p ot o n h e r n o w a nd g iv e y o u th e fe eli n g s he a ll

th e re . S oli d . L ik e if s he s it d ow n o n s o m eth in g , it b e m ash. S he te ll H arp o, H old th e b aby, w hile s he c o m e b ack in th e h o use w ith m e to g it s o m e th re ad. S he m akin g s o m e s he ets . H e ta ke th e b aby, g iv e it a k is s, c huck it u nd er th e c hin . G rin , lo ok u p o n th e p orc h a t h is d addy. M r. ? ?? b lo w s m oke , lo ok d ow n a t h im , a nd s a y, Y e ah, I s e e n o w s he g oin g to s w itc h th e tr a ce s o n y o u. 3 7 H arp o w ant to k no w w ha t to d o to m ake S ofia ! m in d . H e s it o ut o n th e p orc h w ith M r. ? ??. H e s a y, I te ll h e r o ne th in g , s he d o a no th e r. N eve r d o w ha t I s a y. A lw ays b ackta lk . T o te ll th e tr u th , h e s o und a li ttle p ro ud o f th is to m e. M r. ? ?? d on't s a y n o th in g . B lo w s m oke . I te ll h e r s he c a n't b e a ll th e tim e g oin g to v is it h e r s is te r. U s m arrie d n o w , I te ll h e r. Y o ur p la ce is h e re w ith th e c hild re n. S he s a y, T il ta ke th e c hild re n w ith m e. I s a y, Y o ur p la ce is w ith m e. S he s a y, Y o u w ant to c o m e? S he k e ep p rim pin g in fr o nt o f th e g la ss, g ettin g th e c hild re n r e ady a t th e s a m e tim e. Y o u e ve r h it h e r? M r. ? ?? a st. H arp o lo ok d ow n a t h is h a nd s. N aw s ub , h e s a y lo w , e m barra ss.

W ell h o w y o u s p ect to m ake h e r m in d ? W iv e s is li k e c hild re n. Y o u h a ve to le t 'e m k no w w ho g ot th e u p per h a nd . N oth in g c a n d o th a t b ette r th a n a g ood s o und b eatin g . H e p uff o n b is p ip e. 3 8 S ofia th in k to o m uch o f h e rs e lf a nyw ay, h e s a y. S he n e ed to b e ta ke n d ow n a p eg. I li k e S ofia , b ut s he d on't a ct li k e m e a t a ll. If s he ta lk in g w he n H arp o a nd M r. ? ?? c o m e in th e r o om , s he k e ep r ig ht o n. If th e y a st h e r w he re s o m eth in g a t, s he s a y s he d on't k no w . K eep ta lk in g . I th in k b out th is w he n H arp o a st m e w ha t h e o ug ht to d o to h e r to m ake h e r m in d . I d on't m entio n h o w h a ppy h e is n o w . H ow th re e y e ars p ass a nd h e s till w his tle a nd s in g . I th in k b out h o w e ve ry tim e I ju m p w he n M r. _ ??? c a ll m e, s he lo ok s urp ris e . A nd li k e s he p ity m e. B eat h e r. I s a y. N ext tim e u s s e e H arp o h is fa ce a m ess o f b ru is e s. H is li p c ut. O ne o f h is e ye s s hut li k e a fis t. H e w alk s tiff a nd s a y h is te ef a che . I s a y, W ha t h a ppen to y o u, H arp o? H e s a y, O h, m e a nd th a t m ule . S he fr a ctio us, y o u k no w . S he w ent c ra zy in th e fie ld th e o th e r d ay. B y tim e I g ot h e r to h e ad fo r h o m e I w as a ll b ang ed u p . T he n w he n I g ot h o m e, I w alk e d s m ack d ab in to th e c rib d oor. H it m y e ye a nd s cra tc h m y c hin .

T he n w he n th a t s to rm c o m e u p la st n ig ht I s he t th e w in d ow d ow n o n m y h a nd . W ell, I s a y, A fte r a ll th a t, I d on't s p ect y o u h a d a c ha nce to s e e if y o u c o uld m ake S ofia m in d . N om e, h e s a y. B ut h e k e ep tr y in g . 3 9 J ust w he n I w as b out to c a ll o ut th a t I w as c o m in g in th e y a rd , I h e ar s o m eth in g c ra sh. It c o m e fr o m in sid e th e h o use , s o I r u n u p o n th e p orc h. T he tw o c hild re n b e m akin g m ud p ie s o n th e e dge o f th e c re ek, th e y d on't e ve n lo ok u p . I o pen th e d oor c a utio us, th in kin g b out r o bbers a nd m urd ere rs . H ors e th ie ve s a nd h a nts . B ut it H arp o a nd S ofia . T he y fig htin g li k e tw o m ens. E ve ry p ie ce o f fu rn itu re th e y g ot is tu rn e d o ve r. E ve ry p la te lo ok li k e it b ro ke . T he lo okin g g la ss h a ng c ro oke d, th e c urta in s to rn . T he b ed lo ok li k e th e s tu ffin g p ulle d o ut. T he y d ont n o tic e . T he y fig ht. H e tr y to s la p h e r. W ha t h e d o th a t fo r? S he r e ach d ow n a nd g ra b a p ie ce o f s to ve w ood a nd w ha ck h im c ro ss th e e ye s. H e p unch h e r in th e s to m ach, s he d oub le o ve r g ro anin g b ut c o m e u p w ith b oth h a nd s lo ck r ig ht u nd er h is p riv a te s. H e ro ll o n th e flo or. H e g ra b h e r d re ss ta il a nd p ull. S he s ta nd th e re in h e r s li p . S he n e ve r b li n k a e ye . H e ju m p u p to p ut a h a m mer lo ck u nd er h e r c hin , s he th ro w h im o ve r h e r b ack. H e fa ll b arn up g ain st th e s to ve .

I d on't k no w h o w lo ng th is b een g oin g o n. I d on't 3 9 4 0 k no w w he n th e y s p ect to c o nclu d e. I e ase o n b ack o ut, w ave to th e c hild re n b y th e c re ek, w alk b ack o n u p h o m e. S atu rd ay m orn in g e arly , u s h e ar th e w agon. H arp o, S ofia , th e tw o b abie s b e g oin g o ff fo r th e w eek-e nd , to v is it S ofia s is te r. 4 1 F or o ve r a m onth I h a ve tr o ub le 1 s le epin g . I s ta y u p la te a s I c a n b efo re M r. ? '. ? ?sta rt c o m pla in in g b out th e p ric e o f k e ro se ne , th e n I s o ak m ys e lf in a w arm b ath w ith m ilk a nd e pso m s a lt s , th e n s p rin kle li ttle w itc h h a ze l o n m y p illo w a nd c urta in o ut a ll th e m oonli g ht. S om etim es I g it a fe w h o urs s le ep. T he n ju st w he n it lo ok li k e it o ug ht to b e g ittin g g ood, I w ake s u p . A t fir s t I'd g it u p q uic k a nd d rin k s o m e m ilk . T he n I'd th in k b out c o untin g fe nce p ost. T he n I'd th in k b out r e adin g th e B ib le . W ha t it is ? I a st m ys e lf . A li ttle v o ic e s a y, S om eth in g y o u d one w ro ng . S om ebody s p ir it y o u s in a gain st. M ayb e. W ay la te o ne n ig ht it c o m e to m e. S ofia . I s in a gain st S ofia s p ir it. I p ra y s he d on't fin d o ut, b ut s he d o. H arp o to ld .

T he m in ute s he h e ar it s he c o m e m arc hin g u p th e p ath , to tin g a s a ck. L ittle c ut a ll b lu e a nd r e d u nd er h e r e ye . 4 2 S he s a y, J ust w ant y o u to k no w I lo oke d to y o u fo r h e lp . A in 't I b een h e lp fu l? I a st. S he o pen u p h e r s a ck. H ere y o ur c urta in s, s he s a y. H ere y o ur th re ad. H ere a d olla r fo r le ttin g m e u se 'e m . T he y y o urn , I s a y, tr y in g to p ush th e m b ack. I'm g la d to h e lp o ut. D o w ha t I c a n. Y o u to ld H arp o to b eat m e, s he s a id . N o I d id n't , I s a id . D on't li e , s he s a id . I d id n't m ean it, I s a id . T he n w ha t y o u s a y it fo r? s he a st. S he s ta nd in g th e re lo okin g m e s tr a ig ht in th e e ye . S he lo ok tir e d a nd h e r ja w s fu ll o f a ir. I s a y it c a use I'm a fo ol, I s a y. I s a y it c a use I'm je alo us o f y o u. I s a y it c a use y o u d o w ha t I c a n't . W ha t th a t? s he s a y. F ig ht. I s a y.

S he s ta nd th e re a lo ng tim e, li k e w ha t I s a id to ok th e w in d o ut h e r ja w s. S he m ad b efo re , s a d n o w . S he s a y, A ll m y li fe I h a d to fig ht. I h a d to fig ht m y d addy. I h a d to fig ht m y b ro th e rs . I h a d to fig ht m y c o usin s a nd m y u ncle s. A g ir l c hild a in 't s a fe in a fa m ily o f m en. B ut I n e ve r th o ug ht I'd h a ve to fig ht in m y o w n h o use . S he le t o ut h e r b re ath . I lo ve s H arp o, s he s a y. G od k no w s I d o. B ut I'll k ill h im d ead b efo re I le t h im b eat m e. N ow if y o u w ant a d ead s o n-in -la w y o u ju st k e ep o n a dvis in g h im li k e y o u d oin g . S he p ut h e r h a nd o n h e r h ip . I u se d to h unt g am e w ith a b ow a nd a rro w , s he s a y. I s to p th e li ttle tr e m bli n g th a t s ta rte d w he n I s a w h e r c o m in g . I'm s o sha m e o f m ys e lf , I s a y. A nd th e L ord h e d one w hip m e li ttle b it to o. T he L ord d on't li k e u g ly , s he s a y. A nd h e a in 't s tu ck o n p re tty . 4 2 4 3 T his o pen th e w ay fo r o ur ta lk to tu rn a no th e r w ay. I s a y, Y o u fe els s o rry fo r m e, d on't y o u? S he th in k a m in ute . Y e s m a'a m , s he s a y s lo w , I d o. I th in k I k no w h o w c o m e, b ut I a st h e r a nyh o w . S he s a y, T o te ll th e tr u th , y o u r e m in d m e o f m y m am a. S he u nd er m y d addy th um b. N aw , s he u nd er m y d addy fo ot. A nyth in g h e s a y, g oes. S he n e ve r s a y n o th in g b ack. S he n e ve r s ta nd u p fo r h e rs e lf . T ry to m ake a li ttle h a lf s ta nd s o m etim e fo r th e c hild re n

b ut th a t a lw ays b ackfir e . M ore s he s ta nd u p fo r u s, th e h a rd er tim e h e g iv e h e r. H e h a te c hild re n a nd h e h a te w he re th e y c o m e fr o m . T ho fr o m a ll th e c hild re n h e g ot, y o u'd n e ve r k no w it. I n e ve r k no w n o th in g b out h e r fa m ily . I th o ug ht, lo okin g a t h e r, n o body in h e r fa m ily c o uld b e s ca re d. H ow m any h e g ot? I a st. T w elv e . S he s a y. W he w , I s a y. M y d addy g ot s ix b y m y m am a b efo re s he d ie , I s a y. H e g ot fo ur m ore b y th e w ife h e g ot n o w . I d on't m entio n th e tw o h e g ot b y m e. H ow m any g ir ls ? s he a st. F iv e , I s a y. H ow b out in y o ur fa m ily ? S ix b oys , s ix g ir ls . A ll th e g ir ls b ig a nd s tr o ng li k e m e. B oys b ig a nd s tr o ng to o, b ut a ll th e g ir ls s tic k to geth e r. T w o b ro th e rs s tic k w ith u s to o, s o m etim e. U s g it in a fig ht, it's a s ig ht to s e e. I a in 't n e ve r s tr u ck a li v in g th in g , I s a y. O h, w he n I w as a t h o m e I ta p th e li ttle o ne s o n th e b ehin d to m ake 'e m b eha ve , b ut n o t h a rd e no ug h to h urt. W ha t y o u d o w he n y o u g it m ad? s he a st. I th in k. I c a n't e ve n r e m em ber th e la st tim e I fe lt m ad, I s a y. I

u se d to g it m ad a t m y m am my c a use s he p ut a lo t o f w ork o n m e. T he n I s e e h o w s ic k s he is . C ould n't s ta y m ad a t h e r. C ould n't b e m ad a t m y d addy c a use h e m y d addy. B ib le s a y, H ono r fa th e r a nd 4 4 m oth e r n o m atte r w ha t. T he n a fte r w hile e ve ry tu ne I g ot m ad, o r s ta rt to fe el m ad, I g ot s ic k. F elt li k e th ro w in g u p . T e rrib le fe eli n g . T he n I s ta rt to fe el n o th in g a t a ll. S ofia fr o w n. N oth in g a t a ll? W ell, s o m etim e M r. ? ?? g it o n m e p re tty h a rd . I h a ve to ta lk to O ld M ake r. B ut h e m y h usb and . I s hru g m y s ho uld ers . T his li fe s o on b e o ve r, I s a y. H eave n la st a ll w ays . Y o u o ug ht to b ash M r. ? ?? h e ad o pen, s he s a y. T hin k b out h e ave n la te r. N ot m uch fu nny to m e. T ha t fu nny. I la ug h. S he la ug h. T he n u s b oth la ug h s o h a rd u s flo p d ow n o n th e s te p. L et's m ake q uilt p ie ce s o ut o f th e se m esse d u p c urta in s, s he s a y. A nd I r u n g it m y p atte rn b ook. I s le eps li k e a b aby n o w . 4 5 S hug A ve ry s ic k a nd n o body in th is to w n w ant to ta ke th e Q ue en H one yb ee in . H er m am my s a y S he to ld h e r s o . H er p appy s a y, T ra m p.

A w om an a t c hurc h s a y s he d yin g ?m ayb e tw o b erk ulo sis o r s o m e k in d o f n a sty w om an d is e ase . W ha t? I w ant to a st, b ut d on't . T he w om en a t c hurc h s o m etim e n ic e to m e. S om etim e n o t. T he y lo ok a t m e th e re s tr u g gli n g w ith M r. ? ??child re n. T ry in g to d ra g 'e m to th e c hurc h, tr y in g to k e ep 'e m q uie t a fte r u s g et th e re . T he y s o m e o f th e s a m e o ne s u se d to b e h e re b oth tim es I w as b ig . S om etim es th e y th in k I d on't n o tic e , th e y s ta re a t m e. P uzzle . I k e ep m y h e ad u p , b est I c a n. I d o a r ig ht s m art fo r th e p re ache r. C le an th e flo or a nd w in d ow s, m ake th e w in e , w ash th e a lt a r li n e n. M ake s ure th e re 's w ood fo r th e s to ve in w in te rtim e. H e c a ll m e S is te r C eli e . S is te r C eli e , h e s a y, Y o u fa ith fu l a s th e d ay is lo ng .T he n h e ta lk to th e o th e r la die s a nd th e y m ens. I s curry b out, d oin g , th is , d oin g th a t. M r. ? ?? s it b ack b y th e d oor g azin g h e re a nd th e re . T he w om ens s m ile in h is d ir e ctio n e ve ry c ha nce th e y g it. H e n e ve r lo ok a t m e o r e ve n n o tic e . 4 6 E ve n th e p re ache r g ot h is m outh o n S hug A ve ry , n o w s he d ow n. H e ta ke h e r c o nd itio n fo r h is te xt. H e d on't c a ll n o n a m e, b ut h e d on't h a ve to . E ve ry b ody k no w w ho h e m ean. H e ta lk b out a s tr u m pet in s ho rt s kir ts , s m okin g c ig are tte s, d rin kin g g in . S in g in g fo r m one y a nd ta kin g o th e r w om en m ens. T a lk b out s lu t, h ussy, h e ife r a nd s tr e etc le ane r. I c ut m y e ye s b ack a t M r. ? ?? w he n h e s a y th a t. S tr e etc le ane r. S om ebody g ot to s ta nd u p fo r S hug , I th in k. B ut h e d on't s a y n o th in g .

H e c ro ss h is le gs fir s t to o ne s id e, th e n to th e o th e r. H e g aze o ut th e w in d ow . T he s a m e w om en s m ile a t h im , s a y a m en g ain st S hug . B ut o nce u s h o m e h e n e ve r s to p to ta ke o ff h is c lo th e s. H e c a ll d ow n to H arp o a nd S ofia h o use . H arp o c o m e r u nnin g . H itc h u p th e w agon, h e s a y. W he re u s g oin g ? s a y H arp o. H itc h u p th e w agon, h e s a y a gain . H arp o h itc h u p th e w agon. T he y s ta nd th e re a nd ta lk a fe w m in ute s o ut b y th e b arn . T he n M r. ? ?? d riv e o ff. O ne g ood th in g b out th e w ay h e n e ve r d o a ny w ork r o und th e p la ce , u s n e ve r m is s h im w he n h e g one . F iv e d ays la te r I lo ok w ay o ff u p th e r o ad a nd s e e th e w agon c o m in g b ack.' It g ot s o rt o f a c a no py o ve r it n o w , m ade o ut o f o ld b la nke ts o r s o m eth in g . M y h e art b egin to b eat li k e fu rry , a nd th e fir s t th in g I tr y to d o is c ha ng e m y d re ss. B ut to o la te fo r th a t. B y tim e I g it m y h e ad a nd a rm o ut th e o ld d re ss, I s e e th e w agon p ull u p in th e y a rd . P lu s a n e w d re ss w on't h e lp n o ne w ith m y n o tty h e ad a nd d usty h e adra g, m y o ld e ve ry d ay s ho es a nd th e w ay I s m ell. 4 7 I d on't k no w w ha t to d o, I'm s o b esid e m ys e lf . I s ta nd th e re in th e m id dle o f th e k itc he n. M in d w hir li n g . I fe els li k e W ho W ould

H ave T ho ug ht. C eli e , Ih e ar M r. ? ?? c a ll. H arp o. Is tic k m y h e ad a nd m y a rm b ack in m y o ld d re ss a nd w ip e th e s w eat a nd d ir t o ff m y fa ce a s b est I c a n. I c o m e to th e d oor. Y e ssir ? I a st, a nd tr ip o ve r th e b ro om I w as s w eepin g w ith w he n I fir s t n o tic e th e w agon. H arp o a nd S ofia in th e y a rd n o w , lo okin g in sid e th e w agon. T he y fa ce s g rim . W ho th is ? H arp o a st. T he w om an s ho uld h a ve b een y o ur m am my, h e s a y. S hug A ve ry ? H arp o a st. H e lo ok u p a t m e. H elp m e g it h e r in th e h o use , M r. ? ?? s a y. I th in k m y h e art g on fly o ut m y m outh w he n I s e e o ne o f h e r fo ots c o m e p okin g o ut. S he n o t ly in g d ow n. S he c li m bin g d ow n tw een H arp o a nd M r. _ __. A nd s he d re ss to k ill. S he g ot o n a r e d w ool d re ss a nd c he stfu l o f b la ck b eads. A s hin y b la ck h a t w ith w ha t lo ok li k e c hic kin ha w k fe ath e rs c urv e d ow n s id e o ne c he ek, a nd s he c a rry in g a li ttle s na ke skin b ag, m atc h h e r s ho es. S he lo ok s o s ty li s h it li k e th e tr e es a ll r o und th e h o use d ra w

th e m se lf u p ta ll fo r a b ette r lo ok. N ow I s e e s he s tu m ble , tw een th e tw o m en. S he d on't s e em th a t w ell a cq ua in te d w ith h e r fe ets . C lo se u p I s e e a ll th is y e llo w p ow der c a ke d u p o n h e r fa ce . R ed ro ug e. S he lo ok li k e s he a in 't lo ng fo r th is w orld b ut d re sse d w ell fo r th e n e xt. B ut I k no w b ette r. C om e o n in , I w ant to c ry . T o s ho ut. C om e o n in . W ith G od h e lp , C eli e g oin g to m ake y o u w ell. B ut I d on't s a y n o th in g . It n o t m y h o use . A ls o I a in 't b een to ld n o th in g . T he y g it h a lf w ay u p th e s te p, M r. ? ?? lo ok u p a t m e. C eli e , h e s a y. T his h e re S hug A ve ry . O ld fr ie nd o f 4 8 th e fa m ily . F ix u p th e s p are r o om . T he n h e lo ok d ow n a t h e r, h o ld h e r in o ne a rm , h o ld o n to th e r a il w ith th e o th e r. H arp o o n th e o th e r s id e, lo okin g s a d. S ofia a nd th e c hild re n in th e y a rd , w atc hin g . I d on't m ove a t o nce , c a use I c a n't . I n e ed to s e e h e r e ye s. I fe el li k e o nce I s e e h e r e ye s m y fe ets c a n le t g o th e s p ot w he re th e y s tu ck. G it m ovin g , h e s a y, s ha rp . A nd th e n s he lo ok u p . U nd er a ll th a t p ow der h e r fa ce b la ck a s H arp o. S he g ot a lo ng p oin te d n o se a nd b ig fle shy m outh . L ip s lo ok li k e b la ck p lu m . E ye s b ig , g lo ssy. F eve ris h. A nd m ean. L ik e , s ic k a s s he is , if a s na ke c ro ss h e r p ath , s he k ill it.

S he lo ok m e o ve r fr o m h e ad to fo ot. T he n s he c a ckle . S ound li k e a d eath r a ttle . Y o u s ure is u g ly , s he s a y, li k e s he a in 't b eli e ve d it. 4 9 A in 't n o th in g w ro ng w ith S nug A ve ry . S he ju st s ic k. S ic ke r th a n a nyb ody I e ve r s e en. S he s ic ke r th a n m y m am a w as w he n s he d ie . B ut s he m ore e vil th a n m y m am a a nd th a t k e ep h e r a li v e . M r. ? ?? b e in th e r o om w ith h e r a ll tim e o f th e n ig ht o r d ay. H e d on't h o ld h e r h a nd th o ug h. S he to o e vil fo r th a t. T urn lo ose m y g oddam h a nd , s he s a y to M r. _ ____. W ha t th e m atte r w ith y o u, y o u c ra zy? I d on't n e ed n o w eak li ttle b oy c a n't s a y n o to h is d addy h a ng in g o n m e. I n e ed m e a m an, s he s a y. A m an. S he lo ok a t h im a nd r o ll h e r e ye s a nd la ug h. It n o t m uch o f a la ug h b ut it k e ep h im a w ay fr o m th e b ed. H e s it o ve r in th e c o rn e r a w ay fr o m th e la m p. S om etim e s he w ake u p in th e n ig ht a nd d on't e ve n s e e. B ut h e th e re . S ittin g in th e s ha dow s c he w in g o n h is p ip e. N o to bacco in it. F ir s t th in g s he s a id , I d on't w ant to s m ell n o s tin kin g b la nke ty -b la nk p ip e, y o u h e ar m e, A lb ert? W ho A lb ert, I w ond er. T he n I r e m em ber A lb ert M r. ? ?? fir s t n a m e. M r. _ __ d on't s m oke . D on't d rin k. D on't e ve n 5 0 h a rd ly e at. H e ju st g ot h e r in th a t li ttle r o om , w atc hin g e ve ry

b re ath . W ha t h a ppen to h e r I a st? Y o u d on't w ant h e r h e re , ju st s a y s o , h e s a y. W on't d o n o g ood. B ut if th a t th e w ay y o u fe el. .. H e d on't fin is h. I w ant h e r h e re , I s a y, to o q uic k. H e lo ok a t m e li k e m ayb e I'm p la nnin g s o m eth in g b ad. I ju st w ant to k no w w ha t h a ppen, I s a y. I lo ok a t h is fa ce . It tir e d a nd s a d a nd I n o tic e h is c hin w eak. N ot m uch c hin th e re a t a ll. I h a ve m ore c hin , I th in k. A nd h is c lo th e s d ir ty , d ir ty . W he n h e p ull th e m o ff, d ust r is e . N obody fig ht fo r S hug , h e s a y. A nd a li ttle w ate r c o m e to h is e ye s. 5 1 T he y h a ve m ade th re e b abie s to geth e r b ut h e s q ue am is h b out g iv in g h e r a b ath . M ayb e h e fig ure h e s ta rt th in kin g b out th in g s h e s ho uld n't . B ut w ha t b out m e? F ir s t tim e I g ot th e fu ll s ig ht o f S hug A ve ry lo ng b la ck b ody w ith it b la ck p lu m n ip ple s, lo ok li k e h e r m outh , I th o ug ht I h a d tu rn e d in to a m an. W ha t y o u s ta rin g a t? s he a st. H ate fu l. S he w eak a s a k itte n. B ut h e r m outh ju st p ack w ith c la w s Y o u n e ve r s e en a n a ke d w om an b efo re ? N o m a'a m , I s a id . I n e ve r d id . C ept fo r S ofia , a nd s he s o p lu m p

a nd r u d dy a nd c ra zy s he fe el li k e m y s is te r. S he s a y, W ell ta ke a g ood lo ok. E ve n if I is ju st a b ag o f b one s n o w . S he h a ve th e n e rv e to p ut o ne h a nd o n h e r n a ke d h ip a nd b at h e r e ye s a t m e. T he n s he s uck h e r te ef a nd r o ll h e r e ye s a t th e c e ili n g w hile I w ash h e r. I w ash h e r b ody, it fe el li k e I'm p ra yin g . M y h a nd s tr e m ble a nd m y b re ath s ho rt. S he s a y, Y o u e ve r h a ve a ny k id s? I s a y, Y e s m a'a m . S he s a y, H ow m any a nd d on't y o u y e s m a'a m m e, I a in 't th a t o ld . 5 2 I s a y, tw o. S he a st m e W he re th e y is ? I s a y, I d on't k no w . S he lo ok a t m e fu nny. M y k id s w ith th e y g ra nd m a, s he s a y. S he c o uld s ta nd th e k id s, I h a d to g o. Y o u m is s 'e m ? I a st. N aw , s he s a y. I d on't m is s n o th in g . 5 3 I a st S hug A ve ry w ha t s he w ant fo r b re akfa st. S he s a y, W ha t y a ll g ot? I s a y h a m , g rits , e ggs, b is cuits , c o ffe e, s w eet m ilk o r b utte r m ilk , fla pja cks. J e lly a nd ja m . S he s a y, Is th a t a ll? W ha t a bout o ra ng e ju ic e , g ra pefr u it,

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