excerpt
The boy toddled over to the bed, dragging a tiny blanket. He
climbed into the cot. Torgerson drew the bed clothes up to
Dwayne’s chin.
“You can get in now,” the boy said.
“There’s not room for both of us. I’m too big. I’ll be right here.”
He drew the chair beside the bed. “You go to sleep now.” There
must be something he should do, he thought, to comfort the boy,
but he was afraid to touch him.
“Tuck me in.”
Torgerson pushed the edges of the bedclothes under the mattress.
His hands were quivering.
“Go to sleep now. I’ll be right here.”
Dwayne turned on his side, pulled up his little blanket and held
it along his cheek. Torgerson gave the boy’s shoulder a pat and
watched until he was asleep. He tiptoed onto the porch, struck a
match and looked at his watch. Four o’clock. He pulled out the
chair, sat, and leaned it back on two legs against the wall. First light
would be in an hour or so.
Mayanaam
vequinox
Manolis 