Chapter 14

           Itwasthelastday,andheknewit.

           Theskywasanugly,bruisedpurple,weirdlylitfromabovewiththefirstfingersofdawn.Alliemovedaboutlikeawraith,lightinglamps,tendingthecornfrittersthatsplutteredintheskillet.Hehadlovedherhardaftershehadtoldhimwhathehadtoknow,andshehadsensedthecomingendandhadgivenmorethanshehadevergiven,andshehadgivenitwithdesperationagainstthecomingofdawn,givenitwiththetirelessenergyofsixteen.Butshewaspalethismorning,onthebrinkofmenopauseagain.

           Sheservedhimwithoutaword.Heaterapidly,chewing,swallowing,chasingeachbitewithhotcoffee.Alliewenttothebatwingsandstoodstaringoutatthemorning,atthesilentbattalionsofslow-movingclouds.

           "It’sgoingtodustuptoday."

           "I’mnotsurprised."

           "Areyouever?"Sheaskedironically,andturnedtowatchhimgethishat.Heclappeditonhisheadandbrushedpasther.

           "Sometimes,"hetoldher.Heonlysawheroncemorealive.