Chapter 19

           UpaheadofmeinthelunchlineIseeatrayslingintheair,agreenplasticcloudrainingmilkandpeasandvegetablesoup.Sefelt’sjitteringoutofthelineononefootwithhisarmsbothupintheair,fallsbackwardinastiffarch,andthewhitesofhiseyescomebymeupsidedown.Hisheadhitsthetilewithacracklikerocksunderwater,andheholdsthearch,likeatwitching,jerkingbridge.FredricksonandScanlonmakeajumptohelp,butthebigblackboyshovesthembackandgrabsaflatstickoutofhisbackpocket,gottapewrappedarounditandcoveredwithabrownstain.HepriesSefelt’smouthopenandshovesthestickbetweenhisteeth,andIhearthesticksplinterwithSefelt’sbite.Icantastetheslivers.Sefelt’sjerksslowdownandgetmorepowerful,workingandbuildinguptobigstiffkicksthatlifthimtoabridge,thenfalling—liftingandfalling,slowerandslower,tilltheBigNursecomesinandstandsoverhimandhemeltslimpalloverthefloorinagraypuddle.

           Shefoldsherhandsinfrontofher,mightholdacandle,andlooksdownatwhat’sleftofhimoozingoutofthecuffsofhispantsandshirt."Mr.Sefelt?"shesaystotheblackboy.

           "Tha’sright—uhn."Theblackboyisjerkingtogethisstickback."MistuhSee-fel’."

           "AndMr.Sefelthasbeenassertingheneedsnomoremedication."Shenodsherhead,stepsbackastepoutofthewayofhimspreadingtowardherwhiteshoes.SheraisesherheadandlooksroundheratthecircleofAcutesthat’vecomeuptosee.