Мгла

           Thatis,ifyou’llgivemeahanddraggingtherestofthistreeofftooneside."

           "Happyto."

           Hegrabbedoneendbutcouldn’tquiteliftitup.Ihadtodomostofthework.Betweenthetwoofuswewereabletotumbleitintotheunderbrush.Nortonwaspuffingandpanting,hischeeksnearlypurple.Afteralltheyankinghehaddoneonthatchainsawstarterpull,Iwasalittleworriedabouthisticker.

           "Okay?"Iasked,andhenodded,stillbreathingfast."Comeonbacktothehouse,then,Icanfixyouupwithabeer."

           "Thankyou,"hesaid."HowisStephanie?"HewasregainingsomeoftheoldsmoothpompositythatIdisliked.

           "Verywell,thanks."

           "Andyourson?"

           "He’sfine,too."

           "Gladtohearit."

           Steffcameout,andamoment’ssurprisepassedoverherfacewhenshesawwhowaswithme.NortonsmiledandhiseyescrawledoverhertightT-shirt.Hehadn’tchangedthatmuchafterall.

           "Hello,Brent,"shesaidcautiously.Billypokedhisheadoutfromunderherarm.

           "Hello,Stephanie.Hi,Billy."

           "Brent’sT-Birdtookaprettygoodrapinthestorm,"Itoldher."Stoveintheroof,hesays."

           "Oh,no!"

           Nortontolditagainwhilehedrankoneofourbeers.Iwassippingathird,butIhadnokindofbuzzon;apparentlyIhadsweatthebeeroutasrapidlyasIdrankit.

           "He’sgoingtocometotownwithBillyandme."

           "Well,Iwon’texpectyouforawhile.YoumayhavetogototheShop-and-SaveinNorway."

           "Oh?Why?"

           "Well,ifthepower’soffinBridgton-"

           "Momsaysallthecashregistersandthingsrunonelectricity,"Billysupplied,

           Itwasagoodpoint.