Чужак в чужой стране

           Dukewascorrect;theflavorwassweetandcouldhaveusedsalt."Butlet’sgrokhimasheis,Who’slefttoshare?"

           "Justyou.Tonyleftmeherewithstrictinstructionstostirbyhand,addwaterasneeded,andwaitforyou.Nottoletitscorch."

           "Thengrabacoupleofcups.We’llshareitandgroktogether."

           "Right,Boss."Twocupscamesailingdownandrestedbythesaucepan."ThisisajokeonMike–healwayssworethathewouldoutlivemeandservemeupforThanksgiving.Ormaybethejoke’sonme–becausewehadabetonitandnowIcan’tcollect."

           "Youwononlybydefault.Splititevenly."

           Dukedidso.Jubalraisedhiscup."Share!"

           "Growevercloser."

           Slowlytheydrankthebroth,stretchingitout,savoringit,praisingandcherishingandgrokkingtheirdonor.Jubalfound,tohissurpriserthatalthoughhewasoverflowingwithemotion,itwasacalmhappinessthatdidnotbringtears.Whataquaintandgawkypuppyhissonhadbeenwhenfirsthesawhim?soeagertoplease,sonaiveinhislittlemistakes–andwhataproudpowerhehadbecomewithouteverlosinghisangelicinnocence.Igrokyouatlast,son–andwouldnotchangealine!

           Pattyhadhislunchwaitingforhim;hesatdownanddugin,hungryandfeelingthatithadbeendayssincebreakfast.Samwassaying,"IwastellingSaulthatIgroknoneedtomakeanychangeinplans.Wegoonasbefore.Ifyou’vegottherightmerchandise,thebusinessgrows,eventhoughthefounderhaspassedon."

           "Iwasn’tdisagreeing,"Saulobjected.