23

           Heawokeatninethenextmorning.Brightsunshinestreamedinthebedroom’seastwindows.Thetelephonewasringing.Louisreachedupandsnaredit."Hello?"

           "Hi!"Rachelsaid."DidIwakeyouup?Hopeso."

           "Youwokemeup,youbitch,"hesaid,smiling.

           "Ooooh,suchnastylanguage,youbadoldbear,"shesaid."Itriedtocallyoulastnight.WereyouoveratJud’s?"

           Hehesitatedforonlythetiniestfractionofamoment.

           "Yes,"hesaid."Hadafewbeers.NormawasupatsomesortofThanksgivingsupper.Ithoughtaboutgivingyouaring,but...youknow."

           Theychattedawhile.Rachelupdatedhimonherfamily,somethinghecouldhavedonewithout,althoughhetookasmall,meansatisfactioninthenewsthatherfather’sbaldspotseemedtobeexpandingatafasterrate.

           "YouwanttotalktoGage?"Rachelasked.

           Louisgrinned."Yeah,Iguessso,"hesaid."Don’tlethimhangupthephonelikehedidtheothertime."

           Muchrattlingattheotherend.DimlyheheardRachelcajolingthekidtosayhi,Daddy.

           AtlastGagesaid,"Hi,Dayee."

           "Hi,Gage,"Louissaidcheerfully."Howyoudoing?How’syourlife?Didyoupulloveryourgrandda’spiperackagain?Icertainlyhopeso.Maybethistimeyoucantrashhisstampcollectionaswell.