Chapter 4

           ThebatteryinthenextgardenwokemeinthemorningandIsawthesuncomingthroughthewindowandgotoutofthebed.Iwenttothewindowandlookedout.Thegravelpathsweremoistandthegrasswaswetwithdew.Thebatteryfiredtwiceandtheaircameeachtimelikeablowandshookthewindowandmadethefrontofmypajamasflap.Icouldnotseethegunsbuttheywereevidentlyfiringdirectlyoverus.Itwasanuisancetohavethemtherebutitwasacomfortthattheywerenobigger.AsIlookedoutatthegardenIheardamotortruckstartingontheroad.Idressed,wentdownstairs,hadsomecoffeeinthekitchenandwentouttothegarage.

           Tencarswerelinedupsidebysideunderthelongshed.Theyweretop-heavy,blunt-nosedambulances,paintedgrayandbuiltlikemoving-vans.Themechanicswereworkingononeoutintheyard.Threeotherswereupinthemountainsatdressingstations.

           "Dotheyevershellthatbattery?"Iaskedoneofthemechanics.

           "No,SignorTenente.Itisprotectedbythelittlehill."

           "How’severything?"

           "Notsobad.Thismachineisnogoodbuttheothersmarch."Hestoppedworkingandsmiled."Wereyouonpermission?"

           "Yes."

           Hewipedhishandsonhisjumperandgrinned."Youhaveagoodtime?"Theothersallgrinnedtoo.

           "Fine,"Isaid."What’sthematterwiththismachine?"