38

           Theysatatthekitchentableoverbeers—firsttimewe’veevertippedoneinourkitchen,Louisthought,alittlesurprised.Halfwayacrossthelivingroom,Elliehadcriedoutinhersleep,andbothofthemhadfrozenlikestatuesinachildren’sgame.Thecryhadnotbeenrepeated.

           "Okay,"Louissaid,"whatareyoudoingoverhereatquarterpasttwelveonthemorningmysongetsburied?You’reafriend,Jud,butthisisstretchingit."

           Juddrank,wipedhismouthwiththeheelofhishand,andlookeddirectlyatLouis.Therewassomethingclearandpositiveinhiseyes,andLouisatlastlookeddownfromit.

           "YouknowwhyI’mhere,"Judsaid."You’rethinkingaboutthingsthatarenottobethoughtof,Louis.Worsestill,Ifearyou’reconsideringthem."

           "Iwasn’tthinkingaboutanythingbutgoinguptobed,"Louissaid."Ihaveaburyingtogototomorrow."

           "I’mresponsibleformorepaininyourheartthanyoushouldhavetonight,"Judsaidsoftly."ForallIknow,Imayevenhavebeenresponsibleforthedeathofyourson."

           Louislookedup,startled."What—?Jud,don’ttalkcrazy!"

           "Youarethinkingoftryingtoputhimupthere,"Judsaid."Don’tyoudenythethoughthascrossedyourmind,Louis."

           Louisdidnotreply.

           "Howfardoesitsinfluenceextend?"Judsaid."Canyoutellmethat?No.