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           "IfIcouldraisethemoney,wouldyougoforacure?"

           Thefrighteningthingwashowquicklyhehadbecomenormalandeasyand—likehimself."ImightsayIwould,Eth.Butyoudon’tknowdrunks.I’dtakethemoneyanddrinkitup."

           "Well,supposeIpaiditrighttothehospital,orwherever."

           "I’mtryingtotellyou.I’dgowiththebestintentions,andinafewdaysI’dgetout.Youcan’ttrustadrunk,Eth.That’swhatyoucan’tunderstand.NomatterwhatIdidorsaid—I’dstillgetout."

           "Don’tyouwanttocomeoutofit,Danny?"

           "IguessIdon’t.IguessyouknowwhatIwant."Hehoistedthebottleagain,andagainIwasastonishedatthespeedofthereaction.NotonlydidhebecometheoldDannyIknewbuthissensesandperceptionsweresharpened,soclearinfactthathereadmythought."Don’ttrustit,"hesaid."It’sonlyforalittletime.Alcoholstimulatesandthendepresses.Ihopeyouwon’tstayaroundtoseethat.Rightnow,Idon’tbelieveitwillhappen.IneverdowhenI’mup."Thenhiseyes,wetandshininginthecandlelight,lookedintome."Ethan,"hesaid."Youofferedtopayforacureforme.Youhaven’tthemoney,Ethan."

           "Icouldgetit.Maryinheritedsomefromherbrother."

           "Andyouwouldgivemethat?"

           "Yes."

           "EventhoughItellyounevertotrustadrunk?EvenifIassureyouIwouldtakeyourmoneyandbreakyourheart?"

           "You’rebreakingmyheartnow,Danny.Ihadadreamaboutyou.