И проиграли бой

           Jimgrinned."Iguesshecould,buteverytimehewentouthemetsix.Healwaysgotthehellbeatoutofhim.Heusedtocomehomeallcoveredwithblood.He’dsitbesidethecookstove.Wehadtolethimalonethen.Couldn’tevenspeaktohimorhe’dcry.Whenmymotherwashedhimlater,he’dwhinelikeadog."Hepaused."Youknowhewasastickerintheslaughter-house.Usedtodrinkwarmbloodtokeepuphisstrength."

           Nilsonlookedquicklyathim,andthenaway.Hebentthecorneroftheapplicationcardandcreaseditdownwithhisthumbnail."Yourmotherisalive?"heaskedsoftly.

           Jim’seyesnarrowed."Shediedamonthago,"hesaid."Iwasinjail.Thirtydaysforvagrancy.Wordcameinshewasdying.Theyletmegohomewithacop.Therewasn’tanythingthematterwithher.Shewouldn’ttalkatall.ShewasaCatholic,onlymyoldmanwouldn’tlethergotochurch.Hehatedchurches.Shejuststaredatme.Iaskedherifshewantedapriest,butshedidn’tanswerme,juststared.’Boutfouro’clockinthemorningshedied.Didn’tseemlikedyingatall.Ididn’tgotothefuneral.Iguesstheywould’veletme.Ididn’twantto.Iguessshejustdidn’twanttolive.Iguessshedidn’tcareifshewenttohell,either."

           Harrystartednervously."Drinkyourcoffeeandhavesomemore.Youacthalfasleep.Youdon’ttakeanything,doyou?"

           "Youmeandope?No,Idon’tevendrink."

           Nilsonpulledoutapieceofpaperandmadeafewnotesonit."How’dyouhappentogetvagged?"

           Jimsaidfiercely,"IworkedinTulman’sDepartmentStore.Headofthewrappingdepartment.