Мгла
After the Storm. Norton. A Trip to Town.
Hisniece,hesaid,workedfortheContinentalPhoneCompany,andshehadheardthings.Itgotlikethat.
"Atomicthings,"Billsaidthatday,leaningintheScout’swindowandblowingahealthydraughtofPabstintomyface."That’swhatthey’refoolingaroundwithupthere.Shootingatomsintotheairandallthat."
"Mr.Giosti,theair’sfullofatoms,"Billyhadsaid."That’swhatMrs.Nearysays.Mrs.Nearysayseverything’sfullofatoms."
BillGiostigavemysonBillalong,bloodshotglancethatfinallydeflatedhim."Thesearedifferentatoms,Son."
"Oh,yeah,"Billymuttered,givingin.
DickMuehler,ourinsuranceagent,saidtheArrowheadProjectwasanagriculturalstationthegovernmentwasrunning,nomoreorless."Biggertomatoeswithalongergrowingseason,"Dicksaidsagely,andthenwentbacktoshowingmehowIcouldhelpmyfamilymostefficientlybydyingyoung.JanineLawless,ourpostlady,saiditwasageologicalsurveyhavingsomethingtodowithshaleoil.Sheknewforafact,becauseherhusband’sbrotherworkedforamanwhohadMrs.Carmody,now...sheprobablyleanedmoretoBillGiosti’sviewofthematter.Notjustatoms,butdifferentatoms.
IcuttwomorechunksoffthebigtreeanddroppedthemoverthesidebeforeBillycamebackwithafreshbeerinonehandandanotefromSteffintheother.Ifthere’sanythingBigBilllikestodomorethanrunmessages,Idon’tknowwhatitcouldbe.
"Thanks,"Isaid,takingthemboth.
"CanIhaveaswallow?"
"Justone.Youtooktwolasttime.
