       ,,f|r

  ,buck kept press+ a h&k}*ief soak$ ) cold wat} onto ! back ( 8 h1d4 ,8 w.d _h /opp$ ble$+1 b x /ung4 ,he f.d ano!r message 9 8 ,e-mail 9 box & 0 ab 6call x up :5 he 0 tapp$ on ! %|ld}4
  8,i'm a doctor4 ,let me dress yr w.d40
  8,oh1 x's all "r1 & ,i--0
  8,j let me d ?1 pal4 ,i'm go+ crazy "h ) no?+ 6d1 & ,i h my bag4 ,i'm "w9' free td4 ,call x a ,rapture ,special40
  8,a :at80
  8,well1 :at wd y call :at happ5$80 ! doctor sd1 remov+ a bottle & gauze f 8 bag4 8,? is gonna 2 pretty rudi;t>y1 b we w 2 /}ile4 ,,aids80
  8,i'm sorry80
  8,c'mon1 y "k ! r|t9e40 ,he snapp$ on ru2} gloves4 8,h y got ,,hiv or any?+ fun l t80
  8,no4 ,&1 hey1 ,i appreciate ?40 ,at t 9/ant ! doctor spla%$ a h1vy dose ( 49fectant on ! gauze & held x ag/ ,buck's scrap$ h1d4 8,y{6 ,take x easy60
  8,be a big boy "!1 /ud4 ,?'ll hurt less ?an ! 9fec;n y'd get o!rwise40 ,he r|<ly scrap$ ! w.d1 cl1ns+ x & caus+ x 6ooze blood ag 8,li/51 ,i'm go+ 6d a ll %ave job s ,i c get a b&age 6hold4 ,all "r ) y80
  ,buck's eyes 7 wat}+4 8,y1h1 sure1 b :at 0 t y sd ab rapture80
  8,is "! any o!r explan,n t makes s5se80 ! doctor sd1 us+ a scalpel 6te> 96,buck's hair4 ,a club att5dant came 0& ask$ if !y cd move ! op},n 96"o (! wa%rooms4
  8,i promise 6cl1n up1 hon10 ! doctor sd4 8,alm d"o "h40
  8,well1 ? c't 2 sanit>y1 & we d h o!r memb}s 6?9k ab40
  8,:y don't y j give !m _! dr9ks & nuts1 all "r8 ,y'll f9d ? j isn't go+ 6upset !m t m* on a "d l ?40
  8,i don't appreciate 2+ spok5 6t way40
  ,! doctor si<$ z he "w$4 8,y're "r4 ,:at's yr "n80
  8,suzie40
  8,li/51 ,suzie1 ,i've be5 rude & ,i apologize4 ,,ok8 ,n{ let me f9i% ?1 & ,i promise n 6p}=m any m surg}y "r | "h 9 public40
  ,suzie left1 %ak+ h} h1d4
  8,doc10 ,buck sd1 8l1ve me yr c>d s ,i c prop}ly ?ank y40
  8,no ne$10 ! doctor sd1 putt+ 8 /uff away4
  8,n{ give me yr take on ?4 ,:at did y m1n ab ! ,rapture80
  8,ano!r "t4 ,yr turn =! ph"o40 ,buck 0 torn1 b he cdn't pass up ! *.e 6-municate ) ,new ,york4 ,he tri$ dial+ direct b cdn't get "?4 ,he hook$ 8 modem up 6! ph"o & 9itiat$ rep1t dial+ :ile he look$ at ! message f ,/eve ,plank's secret>y1 ! matronly ,m>ge ,pott}4
  8,buck1 y sc.drel6 ,l ,i don't h 5 6o & worry ab td1 ,i've got 6*eck on yr girlfrs' families8 ,":'d y meet ? ,hattie ,durham8 ,y c tell h} ,i r1*$ h} "m | we/1 b t 0 2f a flood or /orm or "s?+ knock$ ph"o l9es | ag4 ,%e's p}fectly h1l?y b rattl$1 & %e 0 v grate;l 6"k h} dau<t} _hn't 4appe>$4 ,! two si/}s >e ,,ok1 too1 ac 6,mom4
  8,y >e a de> = help+ p l ?1 ,buck4 ,/eve says y're go+ 6try 6-e in4 ,x'll 2 gd 6see y4 ,? is s aw;l4 ,s f> we "k ( s"eal /a6}s :o 4appe>$1 s"eal m we hav5't he>d f1 9clud+ "s 9 ,*icago4 ,"eybody f ! s5ior /aff is a3.t$ =1 n{ t we've he>d f y4 ,i hop$ & pray$ y'd 2 all "r4 ,h y notic$ x seems 6h /ruck ! 9noc5ts8 ,"ey"o we "k :o's g"o is ei a * or a v nice p}son4 ,on ! o!r h&1 "s truly wond};l p >e / "h4 ,i'm glad y're "o ( !m1 & s is ,/eve4 ,call u40
  ,no ~w :e!r %e _h be5 a# 6r1* ,buck's wid{$ "f or m>ri$ bro!r4 ,buck wond}$ if t 0 on purpose or if %e simply _h no news yet4 ,8 niece & nephew _h 6be g"o if x 0 true t no *n _h surviv$4 ,buck gave up try+ 6r1* ! (fice directly b ag su3ess;lly 3nect$ ) 8 on-l9e s}vice4 ,he upload$ 8 files &a few ha/ily batt$ | messages ( 8 ":abs4 ,t way1 0! "t ! teleph"o sy/em once ag took on "s sembl.e ( normalcy1 ,global ,weekly wd h alr gott5 a h1d />t on 8 /uff4
  ,he hung up & 4connect$ 6! grate;l look (! next 9 l9e1 !n w5t look+ = t doctor4 ,no luck4 ,m>ge _h ref}r$ 6! 9noc5ts4 ,! doctor assum$ x 0 ! ,rapture4 ,/eve _h pooh-pooh$ space ali5s4 ,b h{ cd y rule | any?+ at ? po9t8 ,8 m9d 0 alr :irr+ ) id1s =! /ory 2h ! 4appe>.es4 ,talk ab ! assign;t (a life"t6
  ,buck got 9 l9e at ! s}vice desk1 "k+ 8 o4s ( gett+ 6,new ,york 03v5;nal m1ns 7 slim4 ,:ile he wait$ he tri$ 6rememb} :at x 0 ,*aim ,ros5zweig1 ! ,newsmak} (! ,ye>1 _h told hm ab ! "y ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia ( ,romania4 ,buck _h told only ,/eve ,plank ab x1 & ,/eve agre$ x wasn't wor? putt+ 9 ! alr ti<t /ory4 ,ros5zweig _h be5 impress$ ) ,c>pa?ia1 t 0 true4 ,b :y8
  ,buck sat on ! floor 9 l9e & mov$ :5 he _h to4 ,he call$ up 8 >*iv$ files on ! ,ros5zweig 9t}view & did a ~w se>* on ,c>pa?ia4 ,he recall$ hav+ be5 emb>rass$ 6admit 6,ros5zweig t he _h n"e he>d (! man4 ,z ! tap$ 9t}view transcripts scroll$ pa/1 he hit ! pause button & r1d4 ,:5 he notic$ 8 l{ batt}y li<t fla%+1 he fi%$ an ext5.n cord | ( 8 bag & plu7$ ! -put} 96a socket al;g ! wall4 8,wat* ! cord1 he call$ | o3a.n,y z p pass$4 ,"o (! wom5 2h ! c.t} holl}$ at hm t he'd h 6unplug4
  ,he smil$ at h}4 8,& if ,i don't1 >e y go+ 6h me ?r{n |8 ,>re/$8 ,cut me "s slack td1 ( all "ds60 ,h>dly any"o took note (! crazy man on ! floor yell+ at ! c.t} woman4 ,s* r>ely happ5$ 9 ! ,pan-,con ,club1 b no?+ surpris$ any"o td4
  ,ray=d ,/eele 4emb>k$ on ! helipad at ,nor?we/ ,-mun;y ,hospital 9 ,>l+ton ,hei<ts1 ": ! pilots _h 6get (f & make room s a pati5t cd 2 fl{n 6,milwaukee4 ,! o!r pilots hung >.d ! 5tr.e1 hop+ 6%>e a cab1 b ,ray=d _h a bett} idea4 ,he 2gan walk+4
  ,he 0 ab five miles f home1 & he 0 bett+ he cd hit* a ride easi} ?an f9d+ a cab4 ,he hop$ 8 capta9's uni=m & 8 cl1n-cut appe>.e wd set "s"o's m9d at ease ab giv+ hm a ride4
  ,z he trudg$ al;g1 8 tr5*coat ov} 8 >m & 8 bag 9 8 h&1 he _h an empty1 despair+ feel+4 ,0n{ ,hattie wd 2 gett+ 6h} 3do1 *eck+ h} messages1 try+ 6get calls "? 6h} family4 ,if he 0 "r t ,ir5e & ,ray ,jr4 7 g"o1 ": wd !y h be5 :5 x happ5$8 ,wd he f9d evid;e t !y _h 4appe>$ r ?an 2+ kill$ 9 "s relat$ a3id5t8
  ,ray=d calculat$ t ! 4appe>.es wd h tak5 place late ev5+1 p}h >.d #aa ,pm4 c5tral "t4 ,wd any?+ h tak5 !m away f home at t h|r8 ,he cdn't imag9e :at1 & he d|bt$ x4
  ,a woman ( ab =ty /opp$ = ,ray=d on ,algonqu9 ,road4 ,:5 he ?ank$ h} & told h} ": he liv$1 %e sd %e knew ! >ea4 8,a fr ( m9e lives "!4 ,well1 liv$ "!4 ,li ,ng1 ! ,asian girl on ,*annel #g news80
  8,i "k h} & h} husb&10 ,ray=d sd4 8,!y / live on |r /reet40
  8,n anymore4 ,!y d$icat$ ! noon newsca/ 6h} td4 ,! :ole family is g"o40
  ,ray=d exhal$ l|dly4 8,? is unbelieva#4 ,h y lo/ p80
  8',fraid s10 %e sd1 h} voice quav}y4 8,ab a doz5 nieces & nephews40
  8,w{40
  8,y80
  8,i don't "k yet4 ,i'm j gett+ back f a fli<t1 & ,i hav5't be5 a# 6r1* anybody40
  8,d y want me 6wait = y80
  8,no4 ,i h a c>4 ,if ,i ne$ 6g any":1 ,i'll 2 all "r40
  8,o',h>e's clos$1 y "k10 %e sd4
  8,re,y8 ,s9ce :580
  8,!y j ann|nc$ x on ! radio4 ,runways >e full ( planes1 t}m9als full ( p1 roads full ( c>s40
  8,tell me ab x40 ,z ! woman drove1 sni6l+1 96,m.t ,prospect1 ,ray=d felt fatigue he _h n"e 5dur$ 2f4 ,e few h|ses _h driveways jamm$ ) c>s1 p mill+ ab4 ,x appe>$ "ey"o "ey": _h lo/ "s"o4 ,he knew he wd soon 2 c.t$ am;g !m4
  8,c ,i (f} y any?+80 he ask$ ! woman z %e pull$ 96his driveway4
  ,%e %ook h} h1d4 8,i'm j glad 6h be5 a# 6help4 ,y cd pray = me1 if y ?9k ( x4 ,i don't "k if ,i c 5dure ?40
  8,i'm n m* = pray+10 ,ray=d admitt$4 8,y w be10 %e sd4 8,i n"e 0 2f ei1 b ,i am n{40
  8,!n y c pray = me10 he sd4
  8,i w4 ,y c c.t on x40
  ,ray=d /ood 9! driveway & wav$ 6! woman till %e 0 | ( si<t4 ,! y>d & walk 7 spot.s1 z usual1 &! huge home1 8 trophy h|se1 0 sepul*ral4 ,he unlock$ ! front door4 ,f ! newspap} on ! /oop 6! clos$ drapes 9! picture w9d{ 6! bitt} smell ( burn$ c(fee :5 he op5$ { door1 "ey?+ po/t$ 6:at he dr1d$4
  ,ir5e 0 a fa/idi|s h|sekeep}4 ,h} morn+ r|t9e 9clud$ ! c(feepot on a "tr kick+ on at six1 p}colat+ h} special bl5d ( decaf ) an egg4 ,! radio 0 set 6-e on at #f3cj1 tun$ 6! local ,*ri/ian /,n4 ,! f/ ?+ ,ir5e did :5 %e came d{n/airs 0 op5 ! drapes at ! front & back (! h|se4
  ,)a lump 9 8 ?roat ,ray=d toss$ ! newspap} 96! kit*5 & tok 8 "t hang+ up 8 coat & slid+ 8 bag 96! closet4 ,he rememb}$ ! package ,ir5e _h mail$ hm at ,o',h>e& put x 9 8 wide uni=m pocket4  ,he wd c>ry x ) hm z h se>*$ = evid;e t %e _h 4afpe>$4  ,if %e _h g"o1 he sure hop$ %e _h be5 "r4 ,he want$ abv all else = h} 6h se5 h} dr1m r1liz$1 = h} 6h be5 tak5 away 0,jesus 9! tw9kl+ ( an eye--a ?rill+1 pa9.s j|rney 6his side 9 h1v51 z %e alw lov$ 6say4 ,%e des}v$ t if any"o did4
  ,& ,raymie4 ,": wd he be8 ,) h}8 ,( c|rse4 ,he w5t ) h} 6*ur*1 ev5 :5 ,ray=d didn't g4 ,he seem$ 6l x1 6get 96x4 ,he ev5 r1d 8 ,bi# & /udi$ x4
  ,ray=d unplu7$ ! c(feepot t _h be5 turn+ xf (f & !n back on = sev5 h|rs & _h ru9$ ! brew4 ,he dump$ ! mess & left ! pot 9 ! s9k4 ,he flick$ (f ! radio1 : 0 pip+ ! ,*ri/ian /,n's net"w news hookup 96! air1 dron+ on ab ! trag$y & mayhem t _h result$ f ! 4appe>.es4
  ,he look$ ab ! liv+ room1 d9+ room1 & kit*51 expect+ 6see no?+ b ! usual n1t;s ( ,ir5e's home4 ,8 eyes fill+ ) te>s1 he op5$ ! drapes z %e wd h4 ,0 x possi# %e _h g"o "s":8 ,visit$ "s"o8 ,left hm a message8 ,b if %e _h & he did f9d h}1 :at wd t say ab h} {n fai?8 ,wd t prove ? 0 n ! ,rapture %e 2liev$ in8 ,or wd x m1n %e 0 lo/1 j l he was8 ,= h} sake1 if ? 0 ! ,rapture1 he hop$ %e 0 g"o4 ,b ! a*e &! empti;s 7 alr ov}:elm+4
  ,he swit*$ on ! answ}+ ma*9e & he>d all ! same messages he _h he>d :5 he _h gott5 "? f ,o',h>e1 plus ! message he _h left4 ,8 {n voice s.d$ /range 6hm4 ,he detect$ 9 x a fatalism1 z if he knew he 0 n l1v+ a message = 8 wife & son1 b only pret5d+ to4
  ,he dr1d$ go+ up/airs4 ,he mosey$ "? ! family room 6! g>age exit4 ,if only "o (! c>s 0 miss+4 ,& "o was6 ,maybe %e _h g"o "s":6 ,b z soon z he ?"| ( x1 ,ray=d slump$ onto ! /ep j 9side ! g>age4 ,x 0 8 {n ,,bmw t 0 g"o4 ,! "o he _h driv5 6,o',h>e ! "d 2f4 ,x wd 2 wait+ = hm :5 ! tra6ic cle>$4
  ,! o!r two c>s 7 "!1 ,ir5e's &! "o ,*loe us$ :5 %e 0 home4 ,& all ~? memories ( ,raymie 7 "!1 too4 ,8 f|r-:eel}1 8 sn{-mobile1 8 bike4 ,ray=d hat$ hmf = 8 brok5 promises 6sp5d m "t ) ,raymie4 ,he'd h pl5ty ( "t 6regret t4
  ,ray=d /ood & he>d ! rattle (! 5velope 9 8 pocket4 ,x 0 "t 6g up/airs4
  ,x 0 ne>ly ,buck ,williams's turn at ! h1d (! l9e at ! ,pan-,con ,club c.t} :5 he f.d ! mat}ial he _h be5 look+ = on disk4 ,at "s po9t dur+ _! s"eal "ds ( tap+1 ,buck _h rais$ ! issue ( e o!r c.try try+ 6curry favor ) ,dr4 ,ros5zweig & hop+ 6ga9 a3ess 6his =mula = xs {n ga94
  8,? has be5 an 9t}e/+ aspect10 ,ros5zweig _h all{$1 8 eyes tw9kl+4 8,i 0 mo/ amus$ 0a visit f ! vice presid5t (! ,unit$ ,/ates hmf4 ,he want$ 6honor me1 6br+ me 6! presid5t1 6h a p>ade11 63f} a degree1 all t4 ,he diplomatic,y sd no?+ ab my {+ hm any?+ 9 return1 b ,i wd {e hm "ey?+1 wd ,i n8 ,m* 0 sd ab :at a fr ( ,israel ! ,unit$ ,/ates has be5 ov} ! decades4 ,& ? has be5 true1 no8 ,h{ cd ,i >gue8
  8,b ,i pret5d$ 6see ! aw>ds & k9d;ses z all = my {n b5efit1 & ,i humbly turn$ !m d{n4 ,2c y see1 "y man1 ,i am mo/ hum#1 am ,i n80 ,! old man _h lau<$ upro>i|sly at hmf & relay$ s"eal o!r /ories ( visit+ dignit>ies :o "w$ at *>m+ hm4
  8,was any"o s9c}e80 ,buck _h ask$4 8,did any"o impress y80
  8,yes60 ,ros5zweig _h sd )|t hesit,n4 8,f ! mo/ p}plex+ & surpris+ corn} (! _w--,romania4 ,i d n "k if he 0 s5t or came on 8 {n1 b ,i suspect$ latt}1 2c ,i 2lieve he is ! l{e/-rank+ (ficial ,i 5t}ta9$ foll{+ ! aw>d4 ,t is "o (! r1sons ,i want$ 6see hm4 ,he ask$ =! audi;e hmf4 ,he did n g "? typical political & protocol *annels40
 8,& he 0 '''80
  8,nicolae ,c>pa?ia40
  8,c>pa?ia l !--80
  8,yes1 l ! ,c>pa?ian ,m.ta9s4 ,a melodic "n1 y m/ admit4 ,i f.d hm mo/ *>m+ & hum#4 ,n unlike myf60 ,ag he _h lau<$4
  8,i've n he>d ( hm40
  8,y w6 ,y w40
  ,buck _h tri$ 6l1d ! old man4 8,2c he's'''0
  8,impressive1 t's all ,i c say40
  8,& he's "s sort (a l{-level diplomat at ? ,po9t80
  8,he is a memb} (! l{} h|se ( ,romanian gov}n;t40
  8,9 ! s5ate80
  8,no1 ! s5ate is ! upp} h|se40
  8,( c|rse40
  8,don't feel bad t y don't "k1 ev5 ?|< y >e an 9t}n,nal j|rnali/4 ,? is "s?+ only ,romanians & amateur political sci5ti/s l me "k4 ,t is "s?+ ,i l 6/udy40
  8,9 yr sp>e "t40
  8,precisely4 ,b ev5 ,i _h n "kn ( ? man4 ,i m1n1 ,i knew "s"o 9 ! ,h|se ( ,deputies--t's :at !y call ! l{} h|se 9 ,romania--was a p1cemak} & l1d+ a move;t t{>d 4>ma;t4 ,b ,i did n "k 8 "n4 ,i 2lieve 8 goal is global 4>ma;t1 : we ,israelis h -e 64tru/4 ,b ( c|rse he m/ f/ br+ ab 4>ma;t 9 8 {n c.try1 : n ev5 y w see 9 yr life"t4 ,? man is ab yr age1 0! way4 ,blonde & blue ey$1 l ! orig9al ,romanians1 :o came f ,rome1 2f ! ,m;gols a6ect$ _! race40
  8,:at did y l s m* ab hm80
  8,let me c.t10 ,ros5zweig _h sd4 8,he knew my language z well z 8 {n4 ,& he sp1ks flu5t ,5gli%4 ,s"eal o!rs al1 !y tell me4 ,well $ucat$ b al widely self-tau<t4 ,& ,i j l hm z a p}son4 ,v b"r4 ,v h"o/4 ,v op540
  8,:at did he want f y80
  8,t 0 :at ,i lik$ ! be/4 ,2c ,i f.d hm s op5 & h"o/1 ,i ask$ hm |t"r t "q4 ,he 9si/$ ,i call hm ,nicolae1 & s ,i sd1 ,8,nicolae10' 7? is af an h|r ( pl1santries71 ,8:at d y want f me80' ,d y "k :at he sd1 "y man8 ,he sd1 ,8,dr4 ,ros5zweig1 ,i seek only yr gdwill40' ,:at cd ,i say8 ,i sd1 ,8,nicolae1 y h x40' ,i am a bit (a pacifi/ myf1 y "k4 ,n unr1li/ic,y4 ,i did n tell hm ?4 ,i m}ely told hm he _h my gdwill4 ,: is "s?+ y al h40
  8,i suspect t is n "s?+ y 2/{ easily40
  8,t is :y ,i l y & :y y h x4 ,"o "d y m/ meet ,c>pa?ia4 ,y wd l ea* o!r4 ,8 goals & dr1ms may n"e 2 r1liz$ ev5 9 8 {n c.try1 b he is a man ( hi< id1ls4 ,if he %d em}ge1 y w he> ( hm4 ,& z y >e em}g+ 9 yr {n orbit1 he w likely he> ( y1 or f y1 am ,i "r80
  8,i hope y >e40
  ,su45ly x 0 ,buck's turn at ! c.t}4 ,he ga!r$ up 8 ext5.n cord & ?ank$ ! "y woman = be>+ ) hm4 8,sorry ab t10 he sd1 paus+ briefly = =give;s t 0 n =?com+4 8,x's j t td1 ( all "ds1 well1 y "u/&40
  ,app>5tly %e did n "u/&4 ,%e'd _h a r|< "d1 too4 ,%e look$ at hm tol}antly & sd1 8,:at c ,i n d = y80
  8,oh1 y m1n 2c ,i did n d "s?+ y ask$80
  8,no10 %e sd4 8,i'm say+ t 6"eybody4 ,x's my ll joke 2c "!'s re,y no?+ ,i c d = anybody4 ,no fli<ts >e s*$ul$ td4 ,! airport is go+ 6close any m9ute4 ,:o "ks h{ l;g x w take 6cle> all ! wreckage & get any k9d ( tra6ic mov+ ag8 ,i m1n1 ,i'll take yr reque/ & "ey?+1 b ,i c't get yr lu7age1 book y a fli<t1 get y a ph"o1 book y a hotel room1 any?+ we love 6d = |r memb}s4 ,y >e a memb}1 >5't y80
  8,am ,i a memb}60
  8,gold or plat9um80
  8,lady1 ,i'm1 l1 a kryptonite memb}40 ,he fla%$ 8 c>d1 %{+ t he 0 am;g ! top #c p}c5t ( air travel}s 9 ! _w4 ,if any fli<t _h "o s1t 9 ! *1pe/ sec;n1 x _h 6be giv5 6hm & upgrad$ 6f/ class at no *>ge4
  8,oh1 my go%10 %e sd1 8tell me y're n ! ,cam}on ,williams f t magaz9e40
  8,i am40
  8,"t8 ,h"o/80
  8,don't blaspheme4 ,i'm f ! -peti;n40
  8,oh1 ,i knew t4 ,! r1son ,i "k is t ,i want$ 6get 96j|rnalism4 ,i /udi$ x 9 college4 ,i j r1d ab y1 didn't ,i8 ,"ye/ aw>d w9n} or mo/ cov} /ories 0"s"o "u twelve80
  8,funny40
  8,or "s?+40
  8,i c't 2lieve we're jok+ on a "d l ?10 he sd4
  ,%e su45ly cl|d$ ov}4 8,i don't ev5 want 6?9k ab x4 ,s :at cd ,i d = y if ,i cd d any?+80
  8,"h's ! ?+10 ,buck sd4 8,i h 6get 6,new ,york4 ,n{ don't give me t look4 ,i "k x's ! wor/ place 6try 6get 6"r n{4 ,b y "k p4 ,y "k pilots :o fly on ! side1 *>t} /uff4 ,y "k :at airports !y wd fly | (4 ,let's say ,i _h unlimit$ res|rces & cd pay :at"e ,i ne$$ to4 ,:o wd y s5d me to80
  ,%e />$ at hm4 8,i c't 2lieve y ask$ me t40
  8,:y40
  8,2c ,i d "k "s"o4 ,he flies ~! ll jets | ( l ,waukegan & ,palwaukee airports4 ,he's exp5sive & he's ! type :o wd *>ge d|# dur+ a crisis1 especi,y if he knew :o y 7 & h{ desp}ate40
  8,"! won't 2 any hid+ t4 ,give me ! 9fo40
  ,he>+ x on ! radio or see+ x on televi.n 0 "o ?+4 ,5c.t}+ x = yrf 0 "s?+ else ag4 ,ray=d ,/eele _h no idea h{ x wd feel 6f9d evid;e t 8 {n wife & son _h vani%$ f ! face (! e>?4
  ,at ! top (! /airs he paus$ 0! family photos4 ,ir5e1 alw "o = ord}1 _h hung !m *ronologic,y1 2g9n+ ) 8 & h} grt gr&p>5ts4 ,old1 crack$ black & :ites ( /}n-fac$1 rawbon$ m5 & wom5 (! ,midwe/4 ,!n came ! fad$ color %ots ( _! gr&p>5ts on _! fiftie? w$d+ anniv}s>ies4 ,!n _! p>5ts1 _! sibl+s1 & !mvs4 ,h{ l;g _h x be5 s9ce he _h /udi$ _! w$d+ photo1 h} ) h} flip hair/yle & hm ) 8 hair ov} 8 e>s & mutton*ops8
  ,& ~? family pictures ) ,*loe ei<t ye>s old1 hold+ ! baby6 ,h{ grate;l he 0 t ,*loe 0 / "h & t "sh{ he wd 3nect ) h}6 ,b :at did ? all say ab ! two ( !m8 ,!y 7 lo/4 ,he didn't "k :at 6hope & pray =4 ,t ,ir5e & ,raymie 7 / "h & t ? 0 n :at x appe>$8
  ,he cd wait no l;g}4 ,raymie's door 0 op5 a crack4 ,8 al>m 0 beep+4 ,ray=d turn$ x (f4 ,on ! b$ 0 a book ,raymie _h be5 r1d+4 ,ray=d sl{ly pull$ ! blankets back 6rev1l ,raymie's ,bulls pajama top1 8 "upants1 & 8 socks4 ,he sat on ! b$ & wept1 ne>ly smil+ at ,ir5e's h>p+ ab ,raymie's n we>+ socks 6b$4
  ,he laid ! clo!s 9 a n1t pile & notic$ a picture ( hmf on ! b$ ta#4 ,he /ood smil+ 9side ! t}m9al1 8 cap tuck$ "u 8 >m1 a #gdg |tside ! w9d{ 9 ! backgr.d4 ,! picture 0 sign$1 8,to ,raymie ) love1 ,dad40 ,"u t he _h writt51 8,ray=d ,/eele1 ,capta91 ,pan-,3t95tal ,airl9es1 ,o',h>e40 ,he %ook 8 h1d4 ,:at k9d (a dad autographs a picture = 8 {n son8
  ,ray=d's body felt l l1d4 ,x 0 all he cd d 6=ce hmf 6/&4 ,& !n he 0 dizzy1 r1liz+ he _hn't eat5 9 h|rs4 ,he sl{ly made 8 way | ( ,raymie's room )|t look+ back1 & he %ut ! door4
  ,at ! 5d (! hall he paus$ 2f ! ,fr5* doors t l$ 6! ma/} suite4 ,:at a b1uti;l1 frilly place ,ir5e _h made x1 decorat$ ) ne$lepo9t & c.try knickknacks4 ,_h he "e told h} he appreciat$ x8 ,_h he "e appreciat$ x8
  ,"! 0 no al>m 6turn (f "h4 ,! smell ( c(fee _h alw r|s$ ,ir5e4 ,ano!r picture (! two ( !m1 hm look+ 3fid5tly at ! cam}a1 h} gaz+ at hm4 ,he did n des}ve h}4 ,he des}v$ ?1 he knew1 6be mock$ 0his {n self-c5t}$;s & 6be /ripp$ (! mo/ important p}son 9 8 life4
  ,he approa*$ ! b$1 "k+ :at he wd f9d4 ,! 9d5t$ pill{1 ! wr9kl$ cov}s4 ,he cd smell h}1 ?|< he knew ! b$ wd 2 cold4 ,he c>e;lly peel$ back ! blankets & %eet 6rev1l h} locket1 : c>ri$ a picture ( hm4 ,h} flannel ni<tg{n1 ! "o he alw ki4$ h} ab & : %e wore only :5 he 0 n home1 evid;ed h} n{ de"p$ =m4
  ,8 ?roat ti<t1 8 eyes full1 he notic$ h} w$d+ r+ ne> ! pill{1 ": %e alw support$ h} *eek ) h} h&4 ,x 0 too m* 6be>1 & he broke d{n4 ,he ga!r$ ! r+ 96his palm & sat on ! $ge (! b$1 8 body rack$ ) fatigue & grief4 ,he put ! r+ 9 8 jacket pocket & notic$ ! package %e _h mail$4 ,te>+ x op51 he f.d two ( 8 favorite homemade cookies ) he>ts drawn on ! top 9 *ocolate4 ,:at a sweet1 sweet woman6 he ?"|4 ,i n"e des}v$ h}1 n"e lov$ h} 5|<6 ,he set ! cookies on ! b$side ta#1 _! ess;e fill+ ! air4 ,) wood5 f+}s he remov$ 8 clo!s & lett !m fall 6! floor4 ,he climb$ 96! b$ & lay faced{n1 ga!r+ ,ir5e's ni<tg{n 9 8 >ms s he cd smell h} & imag9e h} close 6hm4 ,& ,ray=d cri$ hmf 6sleep4
