5

           Bynineo’clockthemoversweregone.EllieandGage,bothexhausted,weresleepingintheirnewrooms,Gageinhiscrib,Ellieonamattressonthefloorsurroundedbyafoothillofboxes—herbillionsofCrayolas,whole,broken,andblunted;herSesameStreetposters;herpicturebooks;herclothes;heavenknewwhatelse.AndofcourseChurchwaswithher,alsosleepingandgrowlingrustilyinthebackofhisthroat.Thatrustygrowlseemedtheclosestthebigtomcouldcometopurring.

           RachelhadprowledthehouserestlesslywithGageinherarmsearlier,second-guessingtheplaceswhereLouishadtoldthemoverstoleavethings,gettingthemtorearrange,change,orrestack.Louishadnotlosttheircheck;itwasstillinhisbreastpocket,alongwiththefiveten-dollarbillshehadputasideforatip.Whenthevanwasfinallyemptied,hehandedboththecheckandthecashover,noddedattheirthanks,signedthebillofreceipt,andstoodontheporch,watchingthemheadbacktotheirbigtruck.HesupposedtheywouldprobablystopoverinBangorandhaveafewbeerstolaythedust.Acoupleofbeerswouldgodownwellrightnow.ThatmadehimthinkofJudCrandallagain.

           HeandRachelsatatthekitchentable,andhesawthecirclesunderhereyes."You,"hesaid,"gotobed."

           "Doctor’sorders?"sheasked,smilingalittle.

           "Yeah."

           "Okay,"shesaid,standing."I’mbeat.AndGageisapttobeupinthenight.Youcoming?"

           Hehesitated.