Chapter 20

           Thefamily,ontopoftheload,thechildrenandConnieandRoseofSharonandthepreacherwerestiffandcramped.Theyhadsatintheheatinfrontofthecoroner’sofficeinBakersfieldwhilePaandMaandUncleJohnwentin.Thenabasketwasbroughtoutandthelongbundlelifteddownfromthetruck.Andtheysatinthesunwhiletheexaminationwenton,whilethecauseofdeathwasfoundandthecertificatesigned.

           AlandTomstrolledalongthestreetandlookedinstorewindowsandwatchedthestrangepeopleonthesidewalks.

           AndatlastPaandMaandUncleJohncameout,andtheyweresubduedandquiet.UncleJohnclimbedupontheload.PaandMagotintheseat.TomandAlstrolledbackandTomgotunderthesteeringwheel.Hesattheresilently,waitingforsomeinstruction.Palookedstraightahead,hisdarkhatpulledlow.Marubbedthesidesofhermouthwithherfingers,andhereyeswerefarawayandlost,deadwithweariness.

           Pasigheddeeply.«Theywasn’tnothin’elsetodo,"hesaid.

           «Iknow,"saidMa.«Shewouldalikedanicefuneral,though.Shealwayswantedone.»

           Tomlookedsidewaysatthem.«County?»heasked.

           «Yeah,"Pashookhisheadquickly,asthoughtogetbacktosomereality.«Wedidn’haveenough.Wecouldn’ofdoneit.»HeturnedtoMa.«Youain’ttofeelbad.Wecouldn’nomatterhowhardwetried,nomatterwhatwedone.Wejus’didn’haveit;embalming,an’acoffinan’apreacher,an’aplotinagraveyard.Itwouldoftooktentimeswhatwegot.Wedonethebes’wecould.»

           «Iknow,"Masaid.