Shadowland

           Dannyweakenedandwentupforhismilkandcookiesatquarterpastfour.Hegobbledthemwhilelookingoutthewindow,thenwentintokisshismother,whowaslyingdown.Shesuggestedthathestayinandwatch"SesameStreet"-thetimewouldpassfaster-butheshookhisheadfirmlyandwentbacktohisplaceonthecurb.

           Nowitwasfiveo’clock,andalthoughhedidn’thaveawatchandcouldn’ttelltimetoowellyetanyway,hewasawareofpassingtimebythelengtheningoftheshadows,andbythegoldencastthatnowtingedtheafternoonlight.

           Turningtheglideroverinhishands,hesangunderhisbreath:"SkiptomLou,nIdon’tcare…skiptomLou,nIdon’tcare…mymaster’sgoneaway…Lou,Lou,skiptoInLou…"

           TheyhadsungthatsongalltogetherattheJackandJillNurserySchoolhehadgonetobackinStovington.Hedidn’tgotonurseryschooloutherebecauseDaddycouldn’taffordtosendhimanymore.Heknewhismotherandfatherworriedaboutthat,worriedthatitwasaddingtohisloneliness(andevenmoredeeply,unspokenbetweenthem,thatDannyblamedthem),buthedidn’treallywanttogotothatoldJackandJillanymore.Itwasforbabies.Hewasn’tquiteabigkidyet,buthewasn’tababyanymore.Bigkidswenttothebigschoolandgotahotlunch.Firstgrade.Nextyear.Thisyearwassomeplacebetweenbeingababyandarealkid.Itwasallright.HedidmissScottandAndy-mostlyScott-butitwasstillallright.