The Expedition to the pharmacy.

           ItoldMrs.Turman,andItoldAmanda,andthenItoldBilly.Heseemedbetterthismorning;hehadeatentwodonutsandabowlofSpecialKforbreakfast.AfterwardIracedhimupanddowntwooftheaislesandevengothimgigglingalittle.KidsaresoadaptablethattheycanscarthelivingshitrightoutofYou.Hewastoopale,thefleshunderhiseyeswasstillpuffedfromthetearshehadcriedinthenight,andhisfacehadahorriblyusedlook.Inawayithadbecomelikeanoldman’sface,asiftoomuchemotionalvoltagehadbeenrunningbehinditfortoolong,Buthewasstillaliveandstillabletolaugh...atleastuntilherememberedwherehewasandwhatwashappening.

           AfterthewindsprintswesatdownwithAmandaandHattieTurmananddrankGatoradefrompapercupsandItoldhimIwasgoingovertothedrugstorewithafewotherpeople.

           "Idon’twantyouto,"hesaidimmediately,hisfaceclouding.

           "It’llbeallright,BigBill,I’llbringyouaSpidermancomicbook."

           "Iwantyoutostayhere."Nowhisfacewasnotjustcloudy;itwasthundery.Itookhishand.Hepulleditaway.Itookitagain.

           "Billy,wehavetogetoutofheresoonerorlater.Youseethat,don’tyou?"

           "Whenthefoggoesaway_-Buthespokewithnoconvictionatall.HedrankhisGatoradeslowlyandwithoutrelish.

           "Billy,it’sbeenalmostonewholedaynow."

           "IwantMommy."

           "Well,maybethisisthefirststeponthewaytogettingbacktoher."

           Mrs.Turmansaid,"Don’tbuildtheboy’shopesup,David."