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           "Yeah!Buthow’sGranma?"

           "She’sawright—awright.Driveon.Wegottogetacrost."Tomshookhisheadandwalkedback.

           "Al,"hesaid,"I’mgonnafillherup,an’thenyoudrivesome."Hepulledtoanall-nightgasstationandfilledthetankandtheradiator,andfilledthecrankcase.ThenAlslippedunderthewheelandTomtooktheoutside,withPainthemiddle.TheydroveawayintothedarknessandthelittlehillsnearBarstowwerebehindthem.

           Tomsaid,"Idon’knowwhat’sgotintoMa.She’sflightyasadogwithafleainhisear.Wouldn’atooklongtolookoverthestuff.An’shesaysGranma’ssick;an’nowshesaysGranma’sawright.Ican’tfiggerherout.Sheain’tright.S’posesheworeherbrainsoutonthetrip."

           Pasaid,"Ma’salmostlikeshewaswhenshewasagirl.Shewasawildonethen.Shewasn’scairtofnothin’.Ithoughthavin’allthekidsan’workin’tookitoutaher,butIguessitain’t.Christ!Whenshegotthatjackhandlebackthere,ItellyouIwouldn’wannabethefellatookitawayfromher."

           "Idunnowhat’sgotintoher,"Tomsaid."Maybeshe’sjus’tar’dout."

           Alsaid,"Iwon’tbedoin’noweepin’an’a-moanin’togetthrough.Igotthisgoddamncaronmysoul."

           Tomsaid,"Well,youdoneadamngoodjobapickin’.Weain’thadhardlynotroublewithheratall."

           Allnighttheyboredthroughthehotdarkness,andjackrabbitsscuttledintothelightsanddashedawayinlongjoltingleaps.