Зима тревоги нашей

           Ethanwastalkingtoastranger,ayoungishdark-hairedman,IvyLeaguepantsandhatwithanarrowbrim.Fortyish,hard,tough,anddevotedtowhateverhewasdoing.HeleanedoverthecounterandseemedabouttoinspectEthan’stonsils.

           Margiesaid,"Hi!You’rebusy.I’llcomebacklater."

           Thereareendlessidlebutlegitimatethingsastrollingwomancandoinabank.Margiecrossedthealleymouthandwentintothemarbleandbrushed-steeltemple.

           JoeyMorphylightedupthewholebarredsquareofhisteller’swindowwhenhesawher.Whatasmile,whatacharacter,whatagoodplaymate,andwhatalousyprospectasahusband.Margieproperlyappraisedhimasabornbachelorwhowoulddiefightingtoremainone.NodoublegraveforJoey.

           Shesaid,"Please,sir,doyouhaveanyfreshunsaltedmoney?"

           "Excuseme,ma’am,I’llsee.I’malmostpositiveIsawsomesomewhere.Howmuchofitwouldyouliketohave?"

           "Aboutsixounces,m’sieur."Shetookafoldingbookfromherwhitekidbagandwroteacheckfortwentydollars.

           Joeylaughed.HelikedMargie.Onceinawhile,nottoooften,hetookherouttodinnerandlaidher.Buthealsolikedhercompanyandhersenseofplay.

           Joeysaid,"Mrs.Young-Hunt,thatremindsmeofafriendIhadwhowasinMexicowithPanchoVilla.Rememberhim?"

           "Neverknewhim."

           "Nojazz.It’sastorytheguytoldme.HesaidwhenPanchowasinthenorth,heworkedthemintprintingtwenty-pesonotes.Madesomanyhismenstoppedcountingthem.Theyweren’tsohotatcountinganyway.