The Shining

           Therewerefourbagsinapilejustoutsidethedoor.Threeofthemweregiant,batteredoldsuitcasescoveredwithblackimitationalligatorhide.Thelastwasanoversizedzipperbagwithafadedtartanskin.

           "Guessyoucanhandlethatone,can’tyou?"Hallorannaskedhim.Hepickeduptwoofthebigcasesinonehandandhoistedtheotherunderhisarm.

           "Sure,"Dannysaid.Hegotagriponitwithbothhandsandfollowedthecookdowntheporchsteps,tryingmanfullynottogruntandgiveawayhowheavyitwas.

           Asharpandcuttingfallwindhadcomeupsincetheyhadarrived;itwhistledacrosstheparkinglot,makingDannywincehiseyesdowntoslitsashecarriedthezipperbaginfrontofhim,bumpingonhisknees.Afewerrantaspenleavesrattledandturnedacrossthenowmostlydesertedasphalt,makingDannythinkmomentarilyofthatnightlastweekwhenhehadwakenedoutofhisnightmareandhadheard-orthoughtheheard,atleast-Tonytellinghimnottogo.

           HallorannsethisbagsdownbythetrunkofabeigePlymouthFury."Thisain’tmuchcar,"heconfidedtoDanny,"justarentaljob.MyBessie’sontheotherend.She’sacar.1950Cadillac,anddoessherunsweet?I’lltelltheworld.IkeepherinFloridabecauseshe’stoooldforallthismountainclimbing.Youneedahandwiththat?"

           "No,sir,"Dannysaid.Hemanagedtocarryitthelasttenortwelvestepswithoutgruntingandsetitdownwithalargesighofrelief.