Гроздья гнева

           Theylookedather,allofthem,andPaasked,"When?"

           "Beforetheystoppeduslas’night."

           "Sothat’swhyyoudidn’want’emtolook."

           "Iwasafraidwewouldn’getacrost,"shesaid."Itol’Granmawecouldn’he’pher.Thefamblyhadtagetacrost.Itol’her,tol’herwhenshewasa-dyin’.Wecouldn’stopinthedesert.Therewastheyoungones—an’Rosasharn’sbaby.Itol’her."Sheputupherhandsandcoveredherfaceforamoment."Shecangetburiedinanicegreenplace,"Masaidsoftly."Treesaroun’an’aniceplace.ShegottolayherheaddowninCalifornia."

           ThefamilylookedatMawithalittleterroratherstrength.Tomsaid,"JesusChrist!Youlayin’therewithherallnightlong!"

           "Thefamblyhaddagetacrost,"Masaidmiserably.

           Tommovedclosetoputhishandonhershoulder.

           "Don’touchme,"shesaid."I’llhol’upifyoudon’touchme.That’dgetme."

           Pasaid,"Wegottogoonnow.Wegottogoondown."

           Malookedupathim."Can—canIsetupfront?Idon’wannagobacktherenomore—I’mtar’d.I’mawfultar’d."

           Theyclimbedbackontheload,andtheyavoidedthelongstifffigurecoveredandtuckedinacomforter,eventheheadcoveredandtucked.Theymovedtotheirplacesandtriedtokeeptheireyesfromit—fromthehumponthecomforterthatwouldbethenose,andthesteepcliffthatwouldbethejutofthechin.Theytriedtokeeptheireyesaway,andtheycouldnot.