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Chapter 26
Tombracedhimselfononeelbowforamoment,andthenhelayback.«Jesus,I’mweak.I’mgonnatellyaonce.SoI’lltellallofya.How’boutthekids?»
Malookedatthem,huddledagainstthewall.«Gowashyaface.»
«No,"Tomsaid,«Theygottohear.Theygottoknow.Theymightblabiftheydon’tknow.»
«Whatthehellisthis?»Pademanded.
«I’ma-gonnatell.Las’nightIwentouttoseewhatalltheyellin’wasabout.An’IcomeonCasy.»
«Thepreacher?»
«Yeah,Pa.Thepreacher,on’yhewasa-leadin’thestrike.Theycomeforhim.»
Pademanded,«Whocomeforhim?»
«Idunno.Samekindaguysthatturnedusbackontheroadthatnight.Hadpickhandles.»Hepaused.«Theykilled’im.Bustedhishead.Iwasstandin’there.Iwentnuts.Grabbedthepickhandle.»Helookedbleaklybackatthenight,thedarkness,theflashlights,ashespoke.«I—Iclubbedaguy.»
Ma’sbreathcaughtinherthroat.Pastiffened.«Kill’im?»heaskedsoftly.«I—don’tknow.Iwasnuts.Triedto.»Maasked.«Wasyousaw?»
«Idunno.Idunno.Iguessso.Theyhadthelightsonus.»ForamomentMastaredintohiseyes.«Pa,"shesaid,«breakupsomeboxes.Wegottogetbreakfas’.Yougottogotowork.Ruthie,Winfiel’.Ifanybodyastsyou—Tomissick—youhear?Ifyoutellhe’llgetsenttojail.Youhear?»
«Yes,ma’am.»
«Keepyoureyeon’em,John.Don’let’emtalktonobody.»ShebuiltthefireasPabroketheboxesthathadheldthegoods.Shemadeherdough,putapotofcoffeetoboil.
