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Chapter 20
Johnputhisheadclose,andhewinkedoneeyewisely.Tomcouldseehisfacedimlyinthestarlight.«Nobodydon’knowmysins,nobodybutJesus.Heknows.»
Tomgotdownonhisknees.HeputhishandonUncleJohn’sforehead,anditwashotanddry.Johnbrushedhishandawayclumsily.
«Comeon,"Tompleaded.«Comeonnow,UncleJohn.»
«Ain’tgoin’go.Jus’tar’d.Gon’res’ri’here.Ri’here.»
Tomwasveryclose.HeputhisfistagainstthepointofUncleJohn’schin.Hemadeasmallpracticearctwice,fordistance;andthen,withhisshoulderintheswing,hehitthechinadelicateperfectblow.John’schinsnappedupandhefellbackwardsandtriedtositupagain.ButTomwaskneelingoverhimandasJohngotoneelbowupTomhithimagain.UncleJohnlaystillontheground.
Tomstoodupand,bending,heliftedtheloosesaggingbodyandboosteditoverhisshoulder.Hestaggeredunderthelooseweight.John’shanginghandstappedhimonthebackashewent,slowly,puffingupthebanktothehighway.Onceacarcamebyandlightedhimwiththelimpmanoverhisshoulder.Thecarslowedforamomentandthenroaredaway.
TomwaspantingwhenhecamebacktotheHooverville,downfromtheroadandtotheJoadtruck.Johnwascomingto;hestruggledweakly.Tomsethimgentlydownontheground.
Camphadbeenbrokenwhilehewasgone.Alpassedthebundlesuponthetruck.Thetarpaulinlayreadytobindovertheload.
Alsaid,«Hesuregotaquickstart.»
Tomapologized.«Ihadtohit’imalittletomake’imcome.
