Чужак в чужой стране

           "Hewentblindlytohisownroom,lethimselfinandboltedthedoorafterhim,leanedheavilywithbothhandsgrippingthefootofthebed.Myson,ohmyson!WouldthatIhaddiedforthee!Hehadhadsomuchtolivefor?andanoldfoolthatherespectedtoomuchhadtoshootoffhisyapandgoadhimintoaneedless,uselessmartyrdom.IfMikehadgiventhemsomethingbig-likestereo,orbingo–buthegavethemtheTruth.OrapieceoftheTruth.AndwhoisinterestedinTruth?Helaughedthroughhissobs.

           Afterawhileheshutthemoff,bothheart-brokensobsandbitterlaugh,andpawedthroughhistravelingbag.Hehadwhathewantedwithhim;hehadkeptasupplyinhistoiletkiteversinceJoeDouglas’sstrokehadremindedhimthatallfleshisgrass.

           Well,nowhisownstrokehadcomeandhecouldn’ttakeit.Heprescribedthreetabletsforhimselftomakeitfastandcertain,washedthemdownwithwater,andlayquicklyonthebed.Shortlythepainwentaway.

           Fromagreatdistancethevoicereachedhim."Jubal-"

           "‘Mresting,Don’botherme."

           "Jubal!Please,Father!"

           "Uh?yes,Mike?Whatisit?"

           "Wakeup!Fullnessisnotyet.Here,letmehelpyou."

           Jubalsighed."Okay,Mike"Helethimselfbehelpedandledintothebath,lethisheadbeheldwhilehethrewup,acceptedaglassofwaterandrinsedouthismouth.

           "Okaynow?"

           "Okay,son.Thanks."

           "ThenI’vegotsomethingstoattendto.Iloveyou,Father.ThouartGod."

           "Iloveyou,Mike.ThouartGod.