Чужак в чужой стране

           Whoisn’t?Thatwasamightyprettyswandiveyoudid.Let’sseeanotheronejustlikeit."

           Jillbitherlipandlookedabouttwelveyearsold."Jubal?Pleaselisten!I’mterriblyworried."

           Hesighed."Inthatcase,dryyourselfoff.Thebreezeisgettingchilly."

           "I’mwarmenough.Uh,Jubal?WoulditbeallrightifIleftMikehere?Wouldyoutakecareofhim?"

           Harshawblinked."Ofcoursehecanstayhere.Youknowthat.Thegirlswilllookoutforhim–andI’llkeepaneyeonhimfromtimetotime.He’snotrouble.Itakeityou’releaving?"

           Shedidn’tmeethiseye."Yes."

           "Mmmm?you’rewelcomehere.Butyou’rewelcometoleave,too,ifthat’swhatyouwant."

           "Huh?But,Jubal–Idon’twanttoleave!"

           "Thendon’t."

           "ButImust!"

           "Betterplaythatback.Ididn’tscanit."

           "Don’tyousee,Jubal?Ilikeithere–you’vebeenwonderfultous!ButIcan’tstayanylonger.NotwithBenmissing.I’vegottogolookforhim."

           Harshawsaidoneword,emotive,earthy,andvulgar,thenadded,"Howdoyouproposetolookforhim?"

           Shefrowned."Idon’tknow.ButIcan’tjustliearoundhereanylonger,loafingandswimming–withBenmissing."

           "Gillian,asIpointedouttoyoubefore,Benisabigboynow.You’renothismother–andyou’renothiswife.AndI’mnothiskeeper.Neitherofusisresponsibleforhim?andyouhaven’tanycalltogolookingforhim.Haveyou?"

           Jilllookeddownandtwistedonetoeinthegrass."No,"sheadmitted.