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Chapter 9
Usedtoreadit.Gothisnameinit.Andhispipe—stillsmellsrank.Andthispicture—anangel.Ilookedatthatbeforethefustthreecome—didn’tseemtodomuchgood.Thinkwecouldgetthischinadogin?AuntSadiebroughtitfromtheSt.LouisFair.See?Wroterightonit.No,Iguessnot.Here’salettermybrotherwrotethedaybeforehedied.Here’sanold-timehat.Thesefeathers—nevergottousethem.No,thereisn’troom.
Howcanwelivewithoutourlives?Howwillweknowit’suswithoutourpast?No.Leaveit.Burnit.
Theysatandlookedatitandburneditintotheirmemories.
How’llitbenottoknowwhatland’soutsidethedoor?Howifyouwakeupinthenightandknow—andknowthewillowtree’snotthere?Canyoulivewithoutthewillowtree?Well,no,youcan’t.Thewillowtreeisyou.Thepainonthatmattressthere—thatdreadfulpain—that’syou.
Andthechildren—ifSamtakeshisInjunbowan’hislongroun’stick,Igettotaketwothings.Ichoosethefluffypilla.That’smine.
Suddenlytheywerenervous.Gottogetoutquicknow.Can’twait.Wecan’twait.Andtheypiledupthegoodsintheyardsandsetfiretothem.Theystoodandwatchedthemburning,andthenfranticallytheyloadedupthecarsanddroveaway,droveinthedust.Thedusthungintheairforalongtimeaftertheloadedcarshadpassed.
