Мгла
After the Storm. Norton. A Trip to Town.
Can’thaveyourunningarounddrunkatteninthemorning."
"Quarterpast,"hesaid,andsmiledshylyoverthetopofthecan.Ismiledback-notthatitwassuchagreatjoke,youknow,butBillymakesthemsorarely-andthenreadthenote.
"GotJBQontheradio,"Steffyhadwritten."Don’tgetdrunkbeforeyougototown.Youcanhaveonemore,butthat’sitbeforelunch.Doyouthinkyoucangetupourroadokay?"
Ihandedhimthenotebackandtookmybeer."Tellhertheroad’sokaybecauseapowertruckjustwentby.They’llbeworkingtheirwayuphere."
"Okay."
"Champ
"What,Dad?"
"Tellhereverything’sokay."
Hesmiledagain,maybetellinghimselffirst."Okay."
HeranbackandIwatchedhimgo,legspumping,solesofhiszorishowing.Ilovehim.It’shisfaceandsometimesthewayhiseyesturnuptominethatmakemefeelasifthingsarereallyokay.It’salie,ofcourse-thingsarenotokayandneverhavebeen-butmykidmakesmebelievethelie.
Idranksomebeer,setthecandowncarefullyonarock,andgotthechainsawgoingagain.AbouttwentyminuteslaterIfeltalighttaponmyshoulderandturned,expectingtoseeBillyagain.InsteaditwasBrentNorton.Iturnedoffthechainsaw.
Hedidn’tlookthewayNortonusuallylooks.Helookedhotandtiredandunhappyandalittlebewildered.
"Hi,Brent,"Isaid.Ourlastwordshadbeenhardones,andIwasalittleunsurehowtoproceed.
