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Chapter 20
Hewalkeduptotheconcretehighwayandacrossthepavementtothegrocerystore.Infrontofthescreendoorhetookoffhishat,droppeditintothedust,andgrounditwithhisheelinself-abasement.Andhelefthisblackhatthere,brokenanddirty.Heenteredthestoreandwalkedtotheshelveswherethewhiskybottlesstoodbehindwirenetting.
PaandMaandthechildrenwatchedUncleJohnmoveaway.RoseofSharonkepthereyesresentfullyonthepotatoes.
«PoorJohn,"Masaid.«IwonderedifitwouldadoneanygoodifnoIguessnot.Ineverseenamansodrove.»
Ruthieturnedonhersideinthedust.SheputherheadclosetoWinfield’sheadandpulledhisearagainsthermouth.Shewhispered,«I’mgonnagetdrunk.»Winfieldsnortedandpinchedhismouthtight.Thetwochildrencrawledaway,holdingtheirbreath,theirfacespurplewiththepressureoftheirgiggles.Theycrawledaroundthetentandleapedupandransquealingawayfromthetent.Theyrantothewillows,andonceconcealed,theyshriekedwithlaughter.Ruthiecrossedhereyesandloosenedherjoints;shestaggeredabout,trippinglooselywithhertonguehangingout.«I’mdrunk,"shesaid.
«Look,"Winfieldcried.«Lookame,here’sme,an’I’mUncleJohn.»Heflappedhisarmsandpuffed,hewhirleduntilhewasdizzy.
«No,"saidRuthie.«Here’stheway.Here’stheway.I’mUncleJohn.I’mawfuldrunk.»
AlandTomwalkedquietlythroughthewillows,andtheycameonthechildrenstaggeringcrazilyabout.Theduskwasthicknow.Tomstoppedandpeered.
