Зима тревоги нашей

           Iguesstheyneverstoptrying.Igottogethome."Andhegallopedaway.Stoney’swifeistwentyyearsyoungerthanheis.Iwentbackandbrushedthelargerpiecesoffilthoffthesidewalk.

           Ifeltlousy.Maybethefirsttimeisalwayshard.

           Iwasrightabouttheheavycustom.Itseemedtomethateverybodyintownhadrunoutofeverything.Andsinceourdeliveriesoffruitsandvegetablesdidn’tcomeinuntilaboutnoon,thepickingswereprettyslim.Butevenwithwhatwehad,thecustomerskeptmejumping.

           Marullocameinaboutteno’clockandforawonderhegavemeahand,weighingandwrappingandringingupmoneyonthecashregister.Hehadn’thelpedaroundthestoreforalongtime.Mostlyhejustwanderedinandlookedaroundandwentout—likeanabsenteelandlord.Butthismorninghehelpedtoopenthecratesandboxesoffreshstuffwhenitcamein.ItseemedtomethathewasuneasyandthathestudiedmewhenIwasn’tlooking.Wedidn’thavetimetotalkbutIcouldfeelhiseyesonme.IthoughtitmustbehearingthatIhadrefusedthebribe.MaybeMorphwasright.Acertainkindofman,ifhehearsyouhavebeenhonest,probesforthedishonestythatpromptedit.Thewhat’s-he-getting-out-of-it?attitudemustbeparticularlystronginmenwhoplaytheirownliveslikeapokerhand.Thethoughtgavemealittlechucklebutadeeponethatdidn’tevenraiseabubbletothesurface.

           Abouteleveno’clock,myMarycamein,shininginanewcottonprint.