/ om on Sile rfish / Sol v

/ om on/ Sol At 2:30, in t e m orning, in be d, Sol on Sile rfis h , s e cre t Saxon, cl e t h om v os Ce l h ad for Ira Sch oe nw e is s on t e t lph one t o pie ce s of inform at t , h e e w ion. Th e firs t w as t at from t e s ound of t h h onigh t m at e rs t e t s t 's t h oo- upid- andfat e v n- t s t - on- h ow - s t - e o- art upid- and- fat it w as as s of Ira Sch oe nw e is s w as - s t lt e as s of Ira Sch oe nw e is s onl be caus e of be ing conne ct d t h is body il h y e o by t e v ry s e rious lgals l it w as in. Th e s e cond w as t at t is s ounde d t h e e ing h h o Sile rfis h l e Ira's t ird and w ors t D W I arre s t in t o ye ars , and t at w h at v ik h w h w as Sil e rfis h s uppos e d t be , a s upe rm an?a lgalpe rform e r of m iracls ? v o e e A bonus pie ce of inform at for Ira w as t at if Ira did not k e e p h is m out ion h h s h ut and t at m e ant cl e d, e s pe cialy t Z e ro K re t an, unt Sil e rfis h h os l o zm il v coul ge t t e re , t e n w it h is ow n t o h ands Sil e rfis h w oul punct d h h h w v d ure Ira's body and s ol e e v rybody's t v e roubls . Sol on s aid Ira k ne w h im t e om oo w e l not t k now t at t is w as s e rious ne s s be ing s pok e n t h im h e re about l o h h o punct uring. Ira Sch oe nw e is s s aid h e w as cl e t ph ys icalt ars , w as h ow os o e m ort d h e w as about t e w h ol incide nt h e w as inv v ifie h e ol ing Sil e rfis h in. v Sil e rfis h t d h im t s t put t at h e 'd be righ t ov r in s uch a h urry h e v ol o ay , h e probabl w oul not e v n h av t e t dre s s or e at a l t e s om e t ing. y d e e im o it l h Sch oe nw e is s s aid h e w as going t be gin w e e ping any s e cond. Sil e rfis h o v s aid ne it e r w orry nor w e e p, t at it w as no re al h e r, t e n h e cradld h is be dh h bot h e s ide ph one . Sile rfis h s at up in h is be d and s l h e d at t e air s e v ralt e s w it ope n v as h e im h h ands , be gan bouncing up and dow n on h is bot om on h is m at re s s w it t t h ange r, irrit ion, and ge ne ralbot e r. Th e bouncing w as alo by t e w ay at h s h sl iding h is paj a bot om s dow n t h is ank ls , w h ich God forbid h e s h oul am t o e d go t t e 40t Pre cinct Pol St ion and confront K re t an on s uch a o h h ice at zm m at e r in paj a bot om s . t am t And t rough fil y w h it Sile rfis h be droom curt , in t e pum pk inh m e v ains h col d w as h of a s odium l p in t e s t e t out ide , coul be m ade out t e ore am h re s d h pe rfe ct y s t l raigh t l of Soph ie Sch oe nw e is s Sile rfis h , on h e r s ide , s ilnt ine v e and s l t y bouncing alo, from Sol on's bouncing. H e re w as an IV ne e igh l s om dl s e cure d in h e r w ris t a t e , ube lading up t a s t e o and be s ide h e r s ide of t e h be d, a Pyre x j of gl e and D arv and ant e t ar ucos on im abol e s , al a clar conit l e s om m e t at now gl e d dirt h ow y-orange in t e j and t e t h ar h ube in t e l t h igh t rough t e fil y be droom curt h h m ains of t e s odium l p on t e v ry q uie t h am h e and j t as re s pe ct e s t e t t e Sile rfis h e s l e d on in Sk ok ie , a ce rt us abl re h v iv ain

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part of Ch icago. Sile rfis h s at s t lw it h is paj a bot om s at h is fe e t and v il h am t l e d for a m om e nt m aybe t o m om e nt , at t e m ut d orange l t t at ook , w s h e igh h pum pe d dow n s l l int Soph ie . From t e e nd of h e r l of a profil, ow y o h ine e from h e r pil , w h e re m ore l t l cam e Soph ie 's v . l ow igh ay, oice 'So t e n it Ira w h o's caling at s uch an h our? Sil e rfis h w as out of be d h 's l ' v in onl t e s h irt of h is paj as . You coul t l from Soph ie 's v y h am d e l oice t at s h e h h ad not s lpt Sil e rfis h s h ook t rough a pil of cl h e s on a ch air and e . v h e ot found h is ye s t rday pant from h e av s s in pock e t . Sh ort l il w e re e s ine s s uck y s t lins ide t e pant . H e s m e le d at h is s h ort and h is v il h s l s oice cam e t rough h th e m . 'So th e n it w as Ira- th e - I'm - too- im portant- and- s e ns itive - an- artis t- notto- m e ntion- inte le ctualto- ob e y - th e - b as ic- l s - and - rul s - of- l - w e - are l aw e ife al- e xpe cte d- to- re s pe ct- and- ins te ad- go- drink ing- to- drive - around- th e - cityl s o- d runk - I'm - l gl s s - and - s om e h ow - God - k now s - h ow - it- coul - onl - h ape e d y pe n- to- Ira- crack e d - up- agains t- K re tzm an's - car- righ t- in- front- of- th e D e m ps t r- pre cinct h ous e Sch oe nw e is s , m ay h is l e arge as s h ang from t e h ce il by t e m an's k is h k as w h il K re t an j ing h e zm abs at it w it anyt ing s h arp h h h e can find, t e s h arpe r t e be t e r, unt I ge t t e re .' Sil e rfis h found h is h h t il h v s h oe s and t o s ock s w h ich w h o k ne w if t e y m at e d. w h ch Soph ie t urne d h e rs e l care ful on h e r back t l at t e out ine of Sil f l y o ook h l v rfis h , w h o w as t e ying s h oe s agains t t e e dge of t e be d. 'Z e ro K re t an's h h zm car? in M r. D .A. t e pros e cut K re t an? As h or zm ' 'As in Ira- I'm - cons t l in- m iddl- of- t e - nigh t t ant ye h - roubl Sch oe nw e is s e w h o m y w ife h ad t be h is s is t r!' roare d Sile rfis h . H e lape d on t e be d o e v e h w it t e agil y of s uch a younge r pe rs on and s t h h it raddld Soph ie . H e bit h e r e on h e r s h oul r. H e s nat e d h e r w ig from h e r nigh t s t de ch - and and fl d it ippe w it e as e of pract up ont t e Pyre x IV j w h ich t ld and rock e d on h ice o h ar, ink e it s t s and. Sil e rfis h k is s e d Soph ie 's s t rnum . H e fl e d at h e r s t ach . v e ick om 'Fat h e h is s e d. 'W h os e fat pink obs ce ne w ife of m ine is t e s is t r of a k l z, !' h e ot alo by t e w ay fat s h .' Soph ie w as l ing as l as s h e m igh t Th e s ound e ch oe d in h e r ch e s t augh oud . as in a s ys t m of w ire . W it h e r unconne ct d arm s h e fe l at t e but ons on e h e t h t Sil e rfis h 's t v op. 'You s t lh av on a paj a s h irt M r. fat w ife - k l z- re l il e am , ot at e -l ye r-on-a-m is s ion-of-m e rcy Sile rfis h .' iv aw v 'For Ira and K re t an I s h oul w e ar a t do?M aybe alo w it t s ?I zm d uxe s h ail s h oul pre t nd t is is n't a bot e r? Sil e rfis h fe l Soph ie s t d e h h ' v t ruggl q uie t y ing l t bre at e unde r h is w e igh t and ge nt y ros e up off h e r, w ale d acros s t e o h l k h m at re s s w it grace in s h oe s and w e nt t h is dre s s e r for h is k e ys . H e found a t h o t by t e k e ys and t re w it around h is ne ck . Soph ie bre at e d and w at e d ie h h h ch h im in t e dirt l t h y igh . Sile rfis h t v ook h is brus h and t urne d t t e out ine of h is w ife 's s k e lt o h l e on unde r t e bl e t . 'L t n, you're fe e l of s ound body?I can lav for a h ank s is e ing e e fe w h ours ? ' 'L av fore v r,' Soph ie s aid. 'Sav a pl p paint r from a l of crim e in e e e e um e ife t e pe nit nt h e iary. Th e h os pice pe rs on com e s at t n t be at be ck s and cals e o l alday.' l

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I'm not back l be fore t n, t e re w il be s uch t ong e h l roubl your Ira w il be e l going t rough l w it punct s !' Sile rfis h s l h e d att e air. h ife h ure v as h 'D riv l e your m ind's on it Sol on.' e ik , om Sile rfis h ope ne d t e be droom door. 'Th e l t on, m aybe ?A book t v h igh o re ad? lv ion? Te e is ' Soph ie s m ild and pas s e d h e r h and ov r h e r s cal 'No l t . I w as doing e e p. igh s s uch s le ping t e onigh t A l . og.' 'A l ' og? 'A pie ce of inanim at w ood I w as l e ,' Soph ie s aid. 'I w as s le ping l e a e ik e ik de ad t ing.' h 'So be an inanim at l again,' Sile rfis h w h is pe re d. e og v Soph ie s m ild. 'Som e pract for t e re alh ing m aybe ? e ice h t ' Sil e rfis h narrow e d h is e ye s at h e r in t e h al l t Soph ie l e d at v h f- igh . ook h im . Sh e be gan t apol o ogize in w h is pe rs onl h e coul h e ar. O ut in h is car y d in t e s t e t dow n t e bl in t e dark be t e e n l ps , Al Sch oe nw e is s h re h ock h w am an clane d unde r h is t um bnail it h is t pin. e h w h ie 'H us h and s le p in t at orde r,' Sile rfis h s aid t h is w ife . H e w e nt aw ay e h v o dow ns t airs t t e k it e n t e at a l t e s om e t ing. Soph ie s t d int t e o h ch o it l h are o h s pace of t e h al ope n be droom door and now at a faint gl of w arm h fow w h it from dow ns t e airs l t t at m ixe d t e s odium from t e w indow int a igh h h h o m int orange . Sh e bre at e d. y h / an/ Al INSTR UCTIO NS TO A PER SO N W H O ASSUM ING IT'S O N L EGITIM ATE BUSINESS L E I O NL W ISH M INE W ASN'T SO L IK Y EGITIM ATE M IGH T W ANT TO ID ENTIFY M R . SO L M O N SIL ER FISH , TH E O V L Y ER , AND M AY BE EV AW EN FO L O W H IM TO TH E 40TH PR EL CINCT STATIO N O F TH E CH ICAGO PO L ICE D EP ARTM ENT, CO R NER D EM PSTER AND PR O SPECT STR EETS, CH ICAGO , IL INO IS, L AT 3:00 IN TH E M O R NING TH IS M O R NING. K e e p e ye s pe e ld for m int e -condit ion and God k now s v ry e xpe ns iv t e e o m aint ain re d 19 61 Th unde rbird, from Ford, conv rt e , w it s now t s e ibl h ire s t lon, e v n on M ay t e t irt e nt , due t t e fact t at ow ne r of car is il e h h e h o h h de at l afraid of driv on s now in w int r but doe s not care e nough about h y ing e t e nois e , not e v n t m e nt h e o ion t ad- w e ar, as agains t t e bot e r of re m ov re h h ing t e t s j t on account of a l t e good w e at e r, s ince w h o k now s e v n h ire us it l h e in M ay about s now , h e re in Ch icago. Th is Th unde rbird at nigh t w il oft n l e not h av it h e adl t l due t t e fact t at s ubj ct w h o is ow ne r of car is e s igh s it o h h e abs e nt m inde d, and anyw ay coul driv t t e 40t in h is s le p, w h ich by d e o h h e t e w ay be fore fol ing t cl e t e m y adv t at probabl cl e t h l ow oo os ak ice h 's y os o w h at h e 's doing. Unde r s am e cat gory of abs e nt inde d s e e fact t at s ube -m h j ct in 19 61 re d Th unde rbird from Ford is w e aring t e s l s t a v ry e xe h ack o e pe ns iv and I h av t adm it v ry s h arp s uit M ars h al Fie l de part e nt e e o e , l d's m s t 's fine s t on s al e v ry Spring but be t e r t ge t t e re e arl and t e n but ore , e e t o h y, h on t of t is s ubj ct in s uch s l s is an ol paj a s h irt of ye l fl l op h e ack d am l ow anne

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w it a bl s t l e from D r. R ors ch ach on t e front pock e t due t one h ue ain ik h , o t e s ubj ct h ad pe n in pock e t at nigh t w h ich lak e d in s le p. A t is t d im e e e ie ie around t e fl lne ck of s ubj ct t d t e w ay s ubj ct oft n m ay t a t h anne e , ie h e e ie ie w h e n h e is s le py and h as t d h is s h oe l s w it h al inds ors : ye s , t is t e ie ace h f-W h ie is t d l e a s h oe l w oul be t d. W at for dange rous s w e rv ie ik ace d ie ch ings of re d Th unde rbird as s ubj ct t s t fix t in re ar-v w m irror. Subj ct w il w h ip e rie o ie ie e l at air l e a dis turbe d individualw ith ope n k arate h ands w h e n angry, as ik you can s e e h e 's doing now on account of pre v ious l m e nt yione d t , and ie w il be k now n t carry on w it s uch t re at as t e t re at t 'punct ' a pe rl o h h s h h o ure s on, and t e t re at t at h is h ands as w e apons are lt alt ings . Such t re at h h h e h h h s as t e s e w il oft n be l t in rus h of w ind w h e n conv rt e t is dow n, s e e h l e os e ibl op for ins t ance now . Alo w h e n t is dow n can be s e e n fact t at t is s ubj ct s op h h e , w h o h as th e s ort of m al patte rn h air- l s problm w h ich your w ors t e os e e ne m y doe s n't ge t w is h e d on h im , grow s h is gray h air l ong and prodigious l on one s ide of t e h e ad and t e n com bs it ov r t h ide t e bal s s y h h e o h dne of a s pot w h ich t at K oj pe rs on on t lv ion w oul be proud t h av for h ak e e is d o e h im s e l e xce pt t at in s t f, h rong w ind, l e in a conv rt e , t e h air ge t ik e ibl h s bl n back off s pot and fl s in dire ct , oft n s t ow ie ions e raigh t out t t e s ide and o h back of t e pe rs on l e h al a h al as if it w as n't a l abl t ing t m e nh ik f o, augh e h o t h al s w / t t is s ubj ct t is nigh t m ay h e burn fore v r in s uch a h e l ion oe r/ h e h e l . But s e e t at aft r w ind or ne rv h e ous ge s t uring h as nul d care fulcom bing l ifie j s ubj ct l h air w il h ang at one s ide of s ubj ct face l e a v ilof ob, e 's ong l e 's ik e s om e s ort for t e re s t of t e day, or nigh t obs curing s ubj ct pe riph e ral h h , e 's s ide -v ion and forcing h im oft n t h ol h is h e ad at angls w h e n h e t k s t is e o d e al o you w h ich t e s e angls are s o s t h e range s o oft n you'l w ant t s ay s t w it e l o op h t e cont ing and com b itov r al ady! h ort e re But s ubj ct Sile rfis h w it h is e cce nt ie s of be h av and dre s s and h is e v h ricit ior l oud v oice l e a t ik rain is , I'm t d by pe opl w h o k now t e diffe re nce , a ol e h m an dis t inguis h e d-l ing for s ixt ne v r m ind t e h air- t ook y, e h roubl t e y s ay, e h w h o e s cape s e v ry diffe re nt k ind of t e roubl in h is l , Sile rfis h w it a e ife v h pl pne s s in h is body m ade up for by a dis t um inguis h e d s ix- foot t l s s and alne a be aring w h e n w aling w h ich M rs . Nus s baum h is part r's w ife s ays ov r k ne e v rm out is 'prince l and int ns e e ye s t at m y l e l w ife O rl s ays w h o e h y,' e h ov y y k now s w h at col t e y are on account of al you not is t at t e y are pe nor h l ice h h e t ing, and a fore h e ad and ch e e k s and a nos e l e any pe rs on's got and a rat ik , ch in t at s o w h at if it is n't t e s t h h ronge s t ch in e v r at ach e d t a pe rs on, it e t o 's cov re d up in a t t fulm anne r by a dis t e as e inguis h e d l t e be ard, col d s al it l ore t and pe ppe r, conne cte d around th e m outh to a m us tach e of th e s am e col or, a facial air s ys t m w h ich j t cov rs t e uppe r l and t e n t e w e ak ch in, -h e us e h ip h h v ry dis t e inguis h e d, and l t e , l e w h at you s e e int l ct s from Eas t rn it l ik e l ual e e Europe in bl ack t lne ck s h irt and brow n s port s w e ar, on publ urt e s coat ic t lv ion, e xce pt w h at w oul Barbara Nus s baum s ay if s h e w as t d t at e e is d ol h s om e fe l s back in l s ch oolat t e Univ rs it , of Ch icago, w h ich don't l ow aw h e y e v n bot e r as k ing if t e re is a be t e r l s ch oolin t e w h ol count be e h h t aw h e ry

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caus e no, t at s om e fe l -s t nt and fut h l ow ude s ure at orne ys of t is nat t h ion cl e d t at Sile rfis h 's l t e s e t of be ard and m us t e , w h ich h e h ad e v n aim h v it l ach e t e n in l s ch ool t ough ls s dis t h aw , h e inguis h e d, but w it t e s am e t in t h h h roubl, t at h is l t e m us t e and l t e be ard and m out al put t t e r e h it l ach it l h l oge h l e d l e a ce rt ook ik ain fe m inine part of t e fe m al anat y, w h ich if you h e om t e m y m e aning s uch a l ak augh from t e s e fe low s t e drunk and m aybe h l h e v n back t e n uns t e Sile rfis h w oul ge t w h e n h e h e l h is h e ad t t e e h abl v d d o h s ide and m aybe e v n purs e d h is l aft r w e t ing t e m , s uch a l e ips e t h augh at a 're s e m bl ' w h ich , in fact of t e m at e r t e m y w ord for it I w as t e re , ance h t ak h w as n't anyt ing but t e dirt product of young m inds s o dirt and fil y h h y s y t h t e y s h oul be as h am e d and if I t d you w h o s om e of t e m are and w h e re h d ol h t e y are now in im port office s you'd s t h ant rain l igam e nt running t t e pos t s o h office t w rit your Congre s s m an! o e But s o a pe rs on fol ing s ubj ct Sile rfis h at a care fulbut obs e rv ional l ow e v at dis t ance s h oul w at for h im t m ak e h is radicalge s t s w it h is arm s d ch o ure h l e ce rtain type s of k arate as h e pas s e s on h is lft th e office s of th e firm ik e of attorne ys Baum , Nus s baum , Sch ne e w ind and Sil rfis h , on Cl and ve ark V , a corne r, w h e re Sile rfis h is a s e nior part r, l e I am t pe rs onal ine v ne ik oo l y at m y ow n firm of Al Sch oe nw e is s and As s ociat s . 'So t e n w h e re 's M r. an e h As s ociat s ? t e h il e ' h arious Sol on Sile rfis h as k s m e e v ry t e h e h as h ad om v e im a cock t in m y pre s e nce . 'W h e n do I ge t t m e e t M r. As s ociat s ? Subj ct ail o e ' e Sil e rfis h can be a boor, and t ough I h av t e rat d h im for m y s is t r's v h e ol e e s ak e I h av t s ay forgiv m e God I am not ov rl s h ock e d at h ow t ings e o e e y h w e re e xpos e d t t o urn out l e m y brot e r Ira w as s h ock e d. I h av ne v r ik h e e t t d Sile rfis h l e ot e r Sch oe nw e is s e s t t e ir pre s e nt and now fut rus e v ik h o h ure s orrow h av t t d h im , but t be fair l e I w is h t be fair in t is m at e r I e rus e o ik o h t ne e d t s ay t at t is Sile rfis h of a pe rs on doe s h av good point t h im , as o h h v e s o s um ing of cours e t e y are ge nuine point and not t e at r act l e it t h s h e s ik urns out s o m uch of h im is . An e xam pl m aybe of a good point is t at as e xce s e h s iv l m uch as Sile rfis h pre t nds t find h is j as a l ye r at BNSS a e y v e o ob aw bot e r, in act h ualpoint of fact h e l e s t is j w it al t e h e art in h is ov h ob h lh body, you can e v n t l by t e w ay h is h e ad w it h is fl e e l h h ying h air w h ips h e re and t e re as h e ch ops at t e office s pas s ing, be caus e , and h e re I s ay w it an h h h ol pride and affe ct s o m ixe d now you h av no ide a, t at Sol on Sil d ion e h om v rfis h h as de e p re s pe ct for t e l s of t e Unit d St e s of Am e rica and e h aw h e at h as alo w h at h as al ays s e e m e d t be ge nuine l a de s ire t h e l pe opl s w o y o p e w h o are in a pos it of ne e ding h e l Sol on l e s t h e l a pe rs on, it ion p. om ik o p 's t , any pe rs on at al e v n s uch a pe rs on as t e l h s om e and v ry l rue l e , h oat e ow l L ife onde l 'Too Pre t y' Tys on, a young s h v ze r of t e pim ping profe s l t art h s ion w h o Sol on h as got e n out of t e h ot w at r w it lgals k il and m aom t h e h e l ne uv rings on s o m any occas ions don't e v n as k m e t count and w h o h as e e o , done Sil e rfis h a fav or t o h im s e l ov r t e l t m ont t ough t ank v or w f e h as h h h God not w h at I can im agine you're im agining, h ow m uch w ors e t at w oul h d be e v n t an w h at Sil e rfis h h as done t our Soph ie and our fam il t at e h v o y h

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t ook h im in on pre t ns e s t at now w e k now v ry w e l t ank s t a ce rt e h e lh o ain cobblr w e re not t e rue pre t ns e s , t at ne s t e d h im unde r t e w ing of our e h l h fam il l e a t t d fam il m e m be r, and w h at h e 's now doing t t e pos s iy ik rus e y o h bl finaldignit of our Soph ie , m ay s h e ge t be t e r s oon al on h e r ow n de y y t l s pit t e fact t at h e r h us band is a fraudulnt goy w h o now cannot e v n e h h e e w ait for ce rt pe opl t God forbid m aybe die e v n be fore h e is fl ain e o e inging h im s e l int t e arm s of a younge r w om an, younge r e nough e v n t be a f o h e o daugh t r t al of us . But h e l e s , I adm it it t h e l m os t pe rs ons , and e v n e o l ik , o p e now as w e in t e Sch oe nw e is s fam il dis ow n h im fore v r and bl e n our h y e ack h e art t ard e v n t e s ound of e v n t e lt e rs in h is nam e , I adm it h e h as s ow e h e h e t w h at can be s e e n as a ge ne rous s oul t be ge t ing up in t e m iddl of t e , o t h e h nigh t t t e pros pe ct of not a dirndls k irt w ait o h ing but ins t ad Z e ro K re t e zm an and m y brot e r Ira, a fair dram at act in a pinch Ira t h ic or urns out t be o but I'd l e t k now w h at k ind of art t O f a pe rs on w h o s e ls paint ik o is ? l ings t at a m onk e y coul t row paint at a canv for t e s am e e ffe ct w h o s e l h d h as h , l s t e s e paint h ings for good m one y t re s pe ct e pe opl, s om e w it de gre e s o abl e h e v n, w h at is t be s aid? e o But t e re are t ings v ry de finit l t be s aid t m y form e r in-l M r. h h e e y o o aw _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I now w il not e v n s ay h is nam e , and K re t an, l e zm w h o ow e s m e s uch fav on h is div ors orce don't e v n as k m e t s t on t e e o art h fav is t is re ady t pl h is part l e Ira and ge t _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ int a conor-l , o ay ik o fine d pl t at _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ k now s m e ans j t , not t m e nt t h for ace h us ice o ion rut once , w h e re h e cannot but be confront d by h is brot e rs -in-l w h ich God e h aw h e l m e lt alh ands or no lt alh ands w arm w ords w il be e xch ange d, be p e h e h l l v t is , and e v n one at e m pt t ch op or punct , don't e v n m e nt ie e h e t o ure e ion de ny, w il re s ul in s uch t l t roubl I don't e v n w ant t s ay. So lt h im pul up e e o e l at t e 40t , it 3:15 in t e m orning and it w il be 3:25 by t e t e h h 's h l h im _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ finis h e s h is lge ndary _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ paral l park ing proce dure e l e w h ich h as put an arm y of ins urance m e n's ch il n al t e w ay t rough col dre lh h lge , lt h im pul righ t up t t e 40t w it h is h air and t and s h irt fl e e l o h h h ie apping, for it is t e for a ce rt be arde d dance r t pay a ce rt fiddlr be fore a im ain o ain e ce rt ain girlw it a h e art s o pure and good I h av no w ords for Soph ie 's h e h e art goe s pos s ibl t God forbid t h e r grav w it a t y o o e h roubld and de ce iv d e e s ouland a l l of unk now n l s t pre s s on t of h e r in t e col e art , ong ife ie o op h d h w h ich e v n t ink ing about m ak e s a pe rs on w ant t m urde r t e guily and e h o h t s ob for t e w ronge d, s uch is t e goodne s s of t is s is t r. For t is s is t r t e re h h h e h e h is not ing t at Al Sch oe nw e is s w oul not do. Ev n caus e pain. A brand h h an d e ne w s un w il com e up, m aybe ye s on a s ce ne of pain, of w h ich I don't fe e lI l am pe rs onal t e caus e s o m uch as m aybe t e ful l e nt W h o w as it w h o l h y h fil m . s aid t at t e l r pie ce s t e t com e t t e r t e t t r t e y fit H ope h h onge ak o oge h h igh e h ? ful not t e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ pe rs on. It is t e t face m us ic and pay fiddlrs . l y h im o e / Soph ie / Soph ie Sile rfis h finis h e d be ing s ick and got off h e r k ne e s ov r t e l y v e h azil fl h ing t e t Be fore s h e ch ange d h e r nigh t s h e l e d in t e m irror at us oil . ie ook h

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w h e re h e r bre as t us e d t be , abov t e but e rfl s pre ad of h e r ribcage , s o e h t y w h ich l e l s h e 'd re al d h ow w is e w as t e pe rs on w h o nam e d it a cage . at y ize h So s h e l e d at w h e re s h e w as n't Tw o broad s auce rs of div and, unde rook . ot ne at , a m ot ld re d act it as of ros y w ire be h ind dul s car t s ue and t e h te iv y l is h s pre ad s ynt e t foundat h ic ion for pros t e s e s s h e w oul not us e now e v n if h d e Sol on h ad not forbade it. Soph ie w e igh e d nine ty pounds , an x- ray om im age of a Soph ie . Th e l ps at h e r arm pit and groin and t e point of h e r um s h s pe lis and e l s and k nuck ls and s pine s t v bow e raine d at t e t t e nv l of h igh e ope h e r s ick s k in l e t e buds of t e h orns of a de e r. Sh e coul fe e lt at w h at ik h h d h w as h e r w as s h rink ing s m al r and s m al r ins ide a body t e m ore dis t l e l e h ant re gions of w h ich w e re be com ing re m ot , s pe nt unconne ct d, final j t ie , e l e t y s onabl l e t e s t s of a rock e t O ft n now h e r l bs s e e m e d no m ore e ik h age . e im conne ct d t h e r ow n pe rs on t an t e fl t ring aut e o h h ut e onom ous h e ads of a h ydra, w il and re cal rant and out of s ync. H e r be aut l ful cit ifulh e ad w as a brigh t s k ul a s pat e r of k e l for h air ov r j t t e e ars and a s m oot m e l l , t p e us h h on s cal s t t e d t acros s l e s h iny w rap, t e n dow n int a w as h board of p re ch aut ik h o l s on a fore h e ad ov r l e l gre e n Soph ie e ye s fram e d by rings of a bl ine e ov y ack s o rich and com plt it s e e m e d t h av s unk int t e s ock e t ' bone . Soph ie e e o e o h s pre s s e d a w h it finge r t a bl ring unde r h e r e ye and t t d h e r h e ad and e o ack il e s m ild at h e rs e l e f. A m el t ing. A dis t l ion int pre cipit e and dros s . Sh e w as s ink ing int il at o at o h e rs e l Ev n m ore t an t e h urt or t e naus e a, t is w as t e fe e l t at f. e h h , h h h ing h w as h e r cance r for h e r: t e s e ns at h ion of s e t l int t e h ard brit l inne r t ing o h te fram e of h e rs e l a ce nt fram e t at w as not ing but bl s m ok y bone f, ral h h ack h e l and conne ct d by a gos s am e r cons t l ion of w h it ne rv s and node s , d e e l at e e burning s ick -brigh t w it t e h e at of pois ons s h e coul not pronounce . Fal h h d l ing bit by bit int a dark s t l o il point t at gre w t be al t e re w as . h o lh Soph ie coul re m e m be r pe opl w it TB s h e h ad s e e n as a ch il Th e irs d e h d. s e e m e d now an e lgant de at . Th e y t inne d and cough e d brigh t col int e h h ors o de l e s ils , pald and pald, be cam e q uart and t l nt as if fading icat k e e zy rans uce , be fore t e av rt d e ye s of t e ir w orl t fe rring w h at t e y w e re t a h e e h d, rans h o s om e w h e re e le h igh and cooland de l e . L e ange l t e y'd s e e m e d, and s icat ik s h t e s h e e t of a dis t cous in's s ick be d boild w h it , clan l e w ings s h oul h s ant e e e ik d be clan. But if TB h ad be e n de l e , e t e re al ot e rw orl y, cance r w as e icat h , h dl dark and s q uat M ois t h ot and ce nt t . . , ripe al And t ch nical W h o coul h at t at you s e e m e d t ne e d in t is day e ! dn't e h o h and age a Ph .D . e ve n to die ?Th at now th e approach of th e th ing th at w as n't l w as s om e t ing a pe rs on h ad t s e e and h e ar as w e l as fe e l ife h o l . Enough w as e nough . H ow l ong s h e and h e r Sol on-w h o-s h e -l e d h ad om ov k ne l w it t e ir e ars t a frigh t t t h h o ful rain- t rack of ant e pt s t e l l t ning t is ic e , is e o a dis t ant m e dical rum bl t at be cam e a roar: cys t ne opl m , s us picious e h , as ne opl m , l ph om a, m al as ym ignancy, m odifie d m as t ct y, radiat e om ion, re m is s ion, re curre nce , s us picious ne opl m , l ph om a w it H odgk ins im pl as ym h icat , radical m as t ct y, l e r l ph e ct y, m e t t is , radiat ions e om ow ym om as as ion,

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M e th otre xate , Cytoxan, Fail To R e s pond As H ope d. Th e train w as ure cal d D ying, it w as t e D ying Pe rs on Expre s s , w as w h at e v rybody but t e l e h e h s m oot pink h e alh y doct s e e m e d t k now . Sol on alo k ne w , t ough h t ors o om s h h e did not be l v . Th e t ie e rain w as cal d D ying and t e l r it got alo t e l e h oude s h s m al r in your fie l of t v ion. It did not run you ov r l e a pe nny on a l e d rue is e ik t rack but s h rank as it gre w t be not ing but a roar t at cam e from de e p ino h h s ide you, w h e re t e re w as onl t e grow ing h e at of a boil figh t be t e e n h y h ing w pol yl e s . H e re w as a t ys l abl rain you didn't k now w as on you unt it w as t il oo l e t ge t fre e of t e brigh t k nife of t e t at o h h rack , a k nife t at cut you t s h ow h s o t at t e e ar h as be e n h e aring it e l a k nife w h os e t in s ide is alo a m irror h h s f, h s in w h ich you s e e w h at you h e ar w h il it cut w h at you are . W h il you s ink e s e and burn. A s ick ne s s not at al de l e w as w h at s h e h ad. l icat And h urt ing. Soph ie oft n h urt s o bad, if Sol on k ne w w h o k ne w w h at e om h e 'd do. And s ick ne s s of t e s t ach ! H e r ne w out ie nt m e dicine , ov rh om -pat e s e e n by t e v ry k ind h os pice pe opl, t is m e dicine w as not as bad as t e h e e h h ol drugs , don't e v n t k about t e drugs in t e h os pit , but Soph ie w as d e al h h al s t ls ick w it naus e a al os t al t e t e e v ry day. H e r m us cls of h e r il h m l h im e e s t ach w e re l e an at lt 's , l e a rock , from t e fre q ue ncy of w ork out om ik h e e ik h s ov r a t e t w h os e e v ry curv , s pot and s t s h e k ne w l e an ol frie nd; e oil e e ain ik d e v n t e rh yt m of t e bare l v ibl pule of w at r in t e bow ls h e fe l l e e h h h y is e s e h t ik t e s pas m s of h e r ow n h e art and gut Th e s ick ne s s w as a h orror. Sol on h . om h ad e v n gone out and put h im s e l at lgalris k and got e n s om e m arij e f e t uana for h e r, w as h ow bad it got t e be ing s ick . H e got it from a young cl nt a , h ie , L onde l Tys on, w h o cal d h im s e l alo Too Pre t y, s uch a nice and de e pl l e f s t dow n pol e young m an, you coul t l, e v n if h e did w e ar a purpl h at it d e l e e w it a pink fe at e r from an os t h h rich and us e l anguage w h o a m ot e r of a s on h w h o t k e d t at w ay w oul cut h e r h e art out from h e r body. And for t e al h d h firs t fe w w e e k s back at h om e t e s m ok ing of t e m arij h h uana h e l d, t e re pe h w as s om e t ing about it t at k il d t e s ick ne s s , it e v n s om e t e s m ade h e r h h l h e e im h ungry and Sol on w oul s t om d raddl h e r ch e s t and fe e d h e r s w e e t w h il e s e s h e l e d. And it e v n, God k now s w h y aft r s o l l e a de ad t ing augh e e ong ik h dow ns t , m ade h e r fe e ls e xy, and t e l t s e x of h e r l , s h e k ne w , w oul airs h as ife d be t os e aft rnoons w h e n Sol on h e l d h e r w it a ge nt e finge r, h is h e om pe h l ot e r h and cupping h is h airy ch in w h il h e s m ild int h e r re d e ye s and s h e h e e o s t e d h is l e v ilof uncom be d h air w it a t m bl s k e lt h and. But rok oos e h re ing e on now t e m arij h uana l e rs Soph ie 's bl s ugar w ay dow n and s h e ge t al ow ood s m os t a com a w h e n s h e t s t s m ok e it Soph ie w oul rat e r be s ick w it rie o . d h h s t ach t om roubl t an as le p in a com a al t e t e . Tim e as le p is t e e h e l h im e im w it out Sol on. And t e for Soph ie w it Sol on and for Sol on h om im h om om w it Soph ie is w h y t e y brough t h e r h om e t is l t m ont . Tim e w it Soh h h as h h ph ie is w h y Sol on ne glct at t e office pract l e v ryt ing but e m e rom e s h ical y e h ge ncie s . Soph ie is Sol on's l and v -v rs a, is t e w ay it is . Th irt w o om ife ice e h y-t ye ars of s uch l uck and h appine s s s h e did not e v n k now h ow t be gin e o t ank ing God on h e r k ne e s . Tim e s ick w it Sol on is s uch be t e r t e h h om t im

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t an t e norm alanyw h e re e le , and for Sol on it a v -v rs a w it a h im s om 's ice e h s ick Soph ie . Th is is al t e v n if Sol on w on't re aly adm it t at Soph ie l rue e om l h is s ick ; or rat e r, t at is , s ick e nough s o t at a s ick Soph ie Sile rfis h w as n't h h h v m ore t an a m at for anyt ing t e w orl coul t row at a w e l pe rs on, inh ch h h d d h l cl uding in s uch t row n t ings M r. Sol on Sile rfis h t e crazy at orne y h h om v h t h us band. Sol on pl d w it t e s ick ne s s of h is w ife in t e frant w ay h e om aye h h h ic pl d w it e v ryt ing t at affe ct d h im ins ide . H e t as e d and t ure d. aye h e h h e e ort Accus e d an x-ray Soph ie of a v e nt fat s s . Pinch e d h e r e ar w h il h e h e l iol ne e d h e r h e ad ov r t e t e t Com pl d l y of t e s aly w e t s s in h is e h oil . aine oudl h t ne m out w h e n h e k is s e d t e s ilnt t ars of h e r s ilnt pain at nigh t D id t ings h h e e e . h t h e r w igs . O nce dre w a face w it a s m il and cros s e d e ye s on h e r s cal o h e p w it h e r l t h ips ick w h il s h e s lpt Som e t e s us e d a pl w h e re a bre as t e e . im ace w as n't t h ol h is h al a m e l for bre ak fas t in be d in t e m orning. To t e o d f on h h out ide part Soph ie k now s t is s e e m s unk ind. W h at s h e alo k now s as h is s y h s w ife of ye ars is t at Sol on re s e rv s k indne s s for pe opl w h o h e fe e l l e h om e e s ik ne e d k indne s s be caus e t e y are badl off. H e is k ind t pe opl w h o h e fe e l h y o e s s orry for. And t Soph ie Sol on w oul ne v r do h e r t e dis s e rv of fe e l o om d e h ice ing s orry. Soph ie k now s t at Sol on al k now s t at a s ick Soph ie is h om one h s t lin e v ry im port w ay a Soph ie , not a col ct of s t s and t s t il e ant l ion e ick ube o be s t e d and cooe d at And t is , Soph ie t ough t as s h e l e re d h e rs e l t rok . h h ow f o t e be d in a fre s h nigh t and re ach e d for t o Sal s t e at be caus e a pe rh ie w t ine o s on w h o t row s up h as t k e e p s om e t ing in h e r s t ach or s h e t row s up h o h om h acid, w h ich t it s om e t e if you t ink it fun, and re ins e rt d t e IV ne e ry im h 's e h dl in t e bruis e d ye l cribbage board of h e r w ris t appl e h l ow , ying t ape back ov r w it m uch s k il and pract , l ing up at t e bot l of s ugar and e h l ice ook h te m e dicine w it it crazy t t d w ig of bl h air in t e burnt h s il e ack h -orange s odium l t t is , Soph ie t ough t w as w h y h e r Sol on w as a m agic pe rs on now igh , h h , om m ore s o t an e v r, and w h y t e re w as s uch a l e for h im in h e r s oult at it h e h ov h w as s av h e r e v n in v ry m ort s ick ne s s . ing e e al It is a h ard th ing to unde rs tand, th e h ow of a th ing. Sol on th rough om t is w h ol bad t e h as m ade Soph ie com e t fe e land s e e t at s h e is s ick , h e im o h ins t ad of s ick ne s s . Th at w h at s h e is is not j t w h at is in h e r. Soph ie e us bre at e s s o m uch e as ie r t fe e lt at for Sol on s h e w il ne v r die , and t h o h om l e o t is s h e adds an e v n be t e r v - v rs a w h e re Sol on's l is conce rne d h e t ice e om ife for h e r. Th is is w h y Soph ie w il no l r t e any m ore of t e pain drugs t an l onge ak h h s h e ne e ds t k e e p from carrying on and m ak ing t ings unplas ant for e v o h e e rybody. Sh e w ant t be w it h e r h us band and w it h e rs e l Sol on Sil s o h h f. om v rfis h , be s ide s t e not s m al fav of for t irt w o ye ars l ing h e r and e h l or h y-t ov m ak ing h e r t e h appie s t w om an on e art , h as in h e r s ick ne s s h e l d Soph ie h h pe t be gin t s e e w h at s h e is and w h at s h e is riot H e doe s not k now h e h as o o . done t is t ing, s ince s ince w h e n doe s e v n t e be s t m agician k now it h h e h 's m agic h e 's us ing on pe opl and not t e s k il of j t a pe rs on w it q uick e h l us h h ands and a clv r t e e ongue ?Soph ie t ink s s h e k now s now in h e r ol age t at h d h

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al m agic is is a s im pl k ind of re l ions h ip be t e e n a pe rs on and ot e r pe rl e at w h s ons around h im . Sh e w as in be d, in orange , t o crack e rs e at n and w as h e d dow n w it w e h w arm fl w at r from h e r be ds ide gl s . Sh e bre at e d and dos e d h e r e ye s at e as h agains t k inds of l t fe l be t e r. H e r arm w arm e d again from w h at w as igh , t t be ing pum pe d int it from ov rh e ad. Sh e w ait d for s unris e and Sol on, o e e om and s h e did w h at pe opl do al t e t e w h il t e y w ait Sh e re m e m be re d. e l h im e h . / / H e re 's Soph ie Sch oe nw e is s m e e t Sol on Sile rfis h in 19 53 at a Uniing om v v rs it of Ch icago L Sch oolbe ne fit dance for t e B'nai B'rit h os pit of e y aw h h al Be rw yn, w h e re Soph ie is a s t nt in nurs ing. H e re is h e r s lnde r and w it ude e h h air-l e -w ire brot e r Al Sch oe nw e is s , int ik h an roducing Soph ie t a q uie t boy o from V nna, V ie irginia w h o l e s in Al re s ide nce h al at l s ch oolat t e iv an's l aw h Univ rs it of Ch icago. A boy w h o t e h um orous t ing about h im is t at h e e y h h h j t got out of t e Univ rs it infirm ary t e w e e k be fore , h e brok e h is j , us h e y h aw alo t o arm s and t o s h oul rs , t s w w de rying t w in a be t w it Al and s om e o h an ot e r fe low s t at h e coul s t e r a car t rough t e ce nt r of t e cam pus h l h d e h h e h us ing onl h is bot om . Th e boy w h o h ad crouch e d unde r h im and w ork e d y t t e pe dal w as s t lin t ion. Sil e rfis h 's arm s in w h it pl t r at t is h s il ract v e as e h dance s pl d w ide out t t e s ide l e h e 's a ps ych ot h ugge r, or l e J s us aye o h ik ic ik e on t e cros s in t e Ne w Te s t e nt and e ye s ov r t e l t e goat e be ard and h h am ; e h it l e gl t r of w ire d j and s pars e m us t e and nos e , e ye s m ade of l t t at it e aw ach igh , h s aw s om e t ing in Soph ie Sch oe nw e is s t at s h e s aw back . Soph ie be cam e h h s ocial conne ct d t a t m poraril dis abld pe rs on. Int re s t l y e o e y e e ingne s s ? For int re s t e ingne s s s om e t e t dancing at a dance w it a pe rs on w it t o im ry h h w arm s brok e n and a l e r back t at no one s ays is in pe rfe ct h e al . L e ow h t h ik carrying a s t m anne q uin around a s t , Al and Ira s ay. Soph ie l s ore ore an augh t rough a bl h . But t t dat a pe rs on w h o can't t k e xce pt for a m um h us ry o e al bl h e re and t e re t rough clnch e d t e t for s ix w e e k s ! Try t e h h e e h rying t find o out about a pe rs on w h o your brot e r Al s ays is an unk now n q uant y, a h l ie it nice boy from t e Tide w at r part of t e Sout , t ough w it no acce nt l e a h e h h h h ik Sout e rne r, a s e rious boy and God k now s brigh t and w it a fut but Al h h ure an w arns h e r in al e arne s t caut l ion m aybe s om e t e s uns t e or ins ane , im abl s om e t e s roaring for re as ons obs cure , s t e ring w it bot om s and s l h ing im e h t as at air and ch opping at w als and rubbing h is e ye s w it t e frant k nuck ls l h h ic e of a k ind of s q uirre love r bre ak fas t e ve ry m orning of e ve ry day. W h o k now s Al s ays about h is orth odoxy, e ve n orie ntation; Al an an's ne ve r s e e n a yarm ul e on t e Sil e rfis h pe rs on but in t e s e days of confus ion and k h v h K ore a w h o can t l Try be ing confus e d. Try fal in l e w it a dam age d e l . l ing ov h pe rs on w h o you don't e v n k now w h at h e 's l e w h e n undam age d. But e ik t ings w ork ing out for t e be s t m e ans m aybe t h h rying is t e ne xt pe rs on's h problm . e // Soph ie , in be d, drow s e d, and bit of m e m ory cam e at h e r in t e fl h ing s h as st robe s of pre dre am s . H e re 's a s h iny ice s t , t o ne w l e ds in a ne w orm w yw

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t ract h ous e in Cice ro. Ice gl t ring gray in a crunch y M arch l n, m ore it e aw w e t ice fal l out of a s k y w it out col Sol on w at ing it out a w ining h or. om ch dow , Soph ie be h ind h im w it h e r arm s around h is t ick w ais t h e r h air a h h , bl w at rfal dow n h is arm , h e r ch in on h is s h oul r, alo w at ing. Pe l ack e l de s ch lt of dirt Cice ro crys t h it ing t e h ard l n, be ads bouncing and j pe s y al t h aw um ing h opping l e l s k it e ring ice . Sol on's v , q uie t ful of Sile rfis h iv y t om oice , l v dre am s , h is bre at fogs a rainbow circl on t e w indow as h e s t s at t e h e h are h j ping be ads , w h is pe rs t h im s e l gras s h oppe rs gras s h oppe rs gras s h opum o f pe rs . A young m an s h e l e s dre am s l int ice w h il s h e pl w it h is ov ife o e ays h e ar. // H e re are Sol on and Soph ie and Tat D r. O t o Sch oe nw e is s and M am a om a t M rs . O t o Sch oe nw e is s at a cabin, in W is cons in, by a l e , for a v ion. t ak acat Soph ie and M am a in t e k it e n of t e cabin. M rs . Sch oe nw e is s m ak e s Soh ch h ph ie w e ar an apron but ins is t on be ing h e rs e l t e rol r of t e dough . H ot s f h l e h l t e l t t rough t e w indow . Alo t rough t e w indow is t e l e , unch im igh h h s h h h ak and on t e be ach of t e l e Sol on and Tat finis h ing t e l and s e h h ak om a, h ong rious w al t e y t e e v ry day of t e v ion. Tat h ands be h ind h is k h ak e h acat a's back , Sol on's w av in t e air, t om ing h urning in t e s ound of h is v h oice Soph ie can j t bare l h e ar. Be h ind t e t o w ale rs a pe rs is t nt bre e ze t us y h w k e urning t e h s urface of t e l e int e lph ant s k in. Th e s m e l of h e r m ot e r and dough . h ak o e l h // H e re is pain. Ph ys icaland e m ot ionalh urt and dis t s s . H e re is Soph ie , ing re s ick , m inus a j t re m ov d m al us e ignancy and alo by t e w ay a bre as t Sh e is s h . s ick , drugge d, w h ite as a root, racoon- e ye d, dre am ing aw ak e . H e re is a w il t ing raging around h e r h os pit be d. Th rough a dul s s of h urt and d h al l ne ane s t e t Soph ie s e e s Sol on Sile rfis h a m ad t ing, circl t e room , h ic om v h ing h s l h ing at w als and fixt s , s piraling in, ch opping at t e m e t crib- bars as l ure l h al of h e r be d, t e n s t h anding ov r Soph ie , s cre am ing, carrying on, m ois t e ure from out of h is m out a col d m is t in t e brigh t w h it l t Sl h ing and h ore h e igh . as t aring at h is s pot and l e h air t irl and roaring dow n at t e figure of e oos w ing h a s ick Soph ie ov r and ov r again t e w ord R e m it R e m it R e m it s cre am s e e h ! ! Sile rfis h . H is h al h e ad of h air s w inging w il as h e doe s a bal t of rage , v f d l e j ping t s l h at a ce il t h igh for lt alh ands , h is s ing at t t ippe d um o as ing oo e h igh -l nurs e s , s h rie k s at Soph ie t e w ord again R e m it Soph ie 's t h ! ongue is a de ad drugge d t ing, a l of inanim at w ood, s h e t s t cal out t Sile rfis h h og e rie o l o v R e m it w h at W h at do I ow e t at I'l re m it it im m e diat l j t t l but not ? h l e y us e l h ing com e s out Sh e is panick e d be ne at t e m e dicine t at fl t rs h e r l . h h h ut e ids and fl ors t e air s h e bre at e s . Sh e is grie v av h h ing, s t e n, s ick . Sh e fe e l a rick s h e at of rage l e ne v r be fore com ing off Sol on as if s h e h as be t ik e om raye d h im w it s ick ne s s and m ut at h il ion. But s h e doe s not fe e lh e r t ars unt t e y e il h be gin t boil Th e y be gin t boilw h e n Soph ie t rough t e h aze re al s t at o . o h h ize h h e r Sile rfis h is s l h ing and s cre am ing at t e cance r, not at h e r, t at h is v as h h ange r and ge ne ralfury are dire ct d not at a bre as t e s s w h it -as -a-root Soe l e ph ie but at t e s q uat dark m ois t ce nt t t ing t at t h ripe al h h ook aw ay part of h e r

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body, t at w h at t e w il t ing is s cre am ing about is h e 's w arning w h at is h h d h ins ide Soph ie t go int re m is s ion al ady and lav h e r al or t e re w il o o re e e one h l be s uch ruck us e s ! Sile rfis h in h is s uit from Fie l and s l rs and gray v d's ippe v ilis final t e n aw ay by orde rl s in q uie t w h it , t re e m e n t l e l ak y ie e h oo arge t o be t re at ne d by t re at of punct s . Soph ie l s h e re and h e r ch e e k s m ak e h e h s ure ie h ot l s of t ars out of a t ing ne it e r j nor s orrow , pl a s w irlof drugs . ine e h h oy us Th is , t e onl t e a Sol on Sile rfis h ye l d at a Soph ie Sile rfis h , t e h y im om v l e v h Sol on w as not ye ling w it an ange r at t e Soph ie at al; t e ye ling w as om l h h l h l at a t ing in h e r, t e t h h rain t e k nife t e e ar t e t h h h rack t e s h rink ing and m e l h t ing, t e t ing t at w as in h e r body w it no inv at at al and no purpos e h h h h it ion l e v n s av an int nt t h arm . From t is day in a m e t crib w it s h e e t e e e o h al h s boild w h ite and h e r oth e r bre as t a tick ing bom b and pois on in m any e l ph node s of h e r body Soph ie k now s and h e re s h e m e ans re al k now s ym l y t at for t e Sol on-w h o-s h e -l e s s h e is not j t h e r body or w h at is inh h om ov us s ide h e r body. Th at s ick ne s s is a t ing t h av and not t be . A pe rs on on h o e o t e s t e t w h o Soph ie s aid t is t ing t out l m igh t l h re h h o oud augh at t e s il s s h l ine of t is e xt m e l s im pl t ing's im port h re y e h ance t t is t in root h it w om an. o h h -w e Sim pl m aybe , but t is is a t ing t at h as s av d Soph ie 's l w h e n it m os t e h h h e ife ne e ds t e s av h ing. H e re 's Soph ie h e aring from dow n t e l corridor fading h ong cals of R e m it and fe e l al os t as t ough s h e and Sol on, or rat e r l ! ing m h om h s h e -and-Sol on, w il ne v r re al and t h ful die , no m at e r w h e re or om l e l y rut l y t w h at t e y are . Sh e fe e l t rough t e prom is e of ne w pain and s ick ne s s of t e h s h h h s tom ach a brand- ne w s e ns ation of clanne s s and s e curity, l e a col e ik d ch il w arm e d, w rappe d in a h ot q uil on t e l of a m ot e r w h o radiat s a l t h ap h e s oft fl e in ge nt e t s and t ge s t s of arrange m e nt am l one iny ure . A t ing t at for h e r w as m agic Soph ie w as re m e m be ring as s h e drow s e d h h in t e orange l t t rough t e fil y w indow and h e r arm w arm e d w it h igh h h m h m e dicine . Sh e fe l t e crack e rs in h e r s t ach . It w as 3:30 in t e m orning. t h om h Th rough a dre am s oak e d t e s ound of t e doorbe l t t e Sile rfis h h om e h h lo h v be ing rung by s om e one w h o cam e righ t in aft r, w it a k e y. M ary t e h os e h h pice pe rs on did not com e e arl e v r and did not ring be l at doors . Soph ie y e l s h e ard re al oice s on t e s t . v h airs / e ryone Exce ptToo Pre t y/ Ev t Th e firs t s e v ralm inut s aft r s le py Sol on Sile rfis h arriv d in an ine e e e om v e t rv w room of t e 40t pre cinct of t e Pol D e part e nt w h e re Ira e ie h h h ice m Sch oe nw e is s w as s uppos e d t be be ing h e l and int rrogat d and brow be at o d e e e n and prodde d w it s h arp obj ct and w e e ping for ne e d of Sile rfis h 's h e l h e s v p and s k il t e s e m inut s w e re ful of s uch confus ion! Al Sch oe nw e is s , l h , e l an brot e r of Ira and Soph ie , a div h orce at orne y and alo a s crat gol r, in t s ch fe j t h is s ock s on h is fe e t cam e s ilnt y s l us , e l iding dow n t e h al of t e Pol h l h ice St ion aft r Sile rfis h , and w as s t ls ilnt y righ t be h ind h im w h e n Sile rat e v il e l v fis h ope ne d t e door t t e int rv w room and w e nt in t e w ay e v ry at orh o h e ie h e t ne y goe s int a room as an at orne y l ing at h is w at . Sile rfis h e xo t ook ch v pe ct d t find an al e o one brot e r-in-l and cl nt in a l room and w as h aw ie it

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pl anning t de v e at las t s e v ralm inut s t t e giv of a good w h at for o ot e e e o h ing t Ira. Ins t ad Sile rfis h found t e room h e s t ppe d int a dark e ne d room , o e v h e o w it t o faint s h ape s of pe rs ons at t e int rv w t e and a ch air in a corh w h e ie abl ne r w ith a s trange , pre datory contraption curving ove r it, al dim l and l y alo by t e w ay e e ril il inat d by t e faint ye l s h y l um e h l brow n of an ol ow d s tre e tl p outs ide , th e l t s training th rough w h at w as on th e w indow am igh and iron s cre e n. As Sile rfis h fe l for t e s w it t t e l t t t e room , v t h ch o h igh s o h t ink ing h e h ad m aybe int rrupt d s om e t ing by a m is t e in dire ct h e e h ak ions from t e de s k s e rge ant Al Sch oe nw e is s cam e s udde nl t rough t e door h , an y h h be h ind h im , purpos e fuly, e v n in s ock s , and s h out d in Sil e rfis h 's e ar: l e e v 'It fiddlr-paying t e for you Sol on Sile rfis h !' w h ich Z e ro K re t an 's e im om v zm s poild t e dram a of by j ping up from h is pl at t e t e and s h out e h um ace h abl ing at t e s am e m om e nt h : 'Th e j is up!' ig s o t at Sol on h e ard not ing but a j bl of s h out d nons e ns e about h om h um e e m us ic and dancing. But t e s urpris ing s h out h ing, on t of t e s urpris ing op h dark ne s s , on t of t e pre v op h ious s le pine s s and ge ne ralbot e r, w as e nough e h t s e nd Sil e rfis h j ping and s l h ing at t e ne w purpos e fulfigure of o v um as h Al w h o in th e m ode rate dark ne s s Sil rfis h didn't k now from Adam , an, ve and Al w as force d frant l t s k at t s afe t acros s t e t e d fl of an icaly o e o y h il oor t e room in h is s ock s , and w h il Sile rfis h s t h e v ood for a m om e nt puzzld , e about w h at w as going on h e re in ge ne ral Z e ro K re t an flw and s w it e d , zm e ch on t e s w it of t e l t and re v ald h im s e l and Al and alo t e figure h ch h igh s e e f an s h of Ira, and t e n Z e ro l e d t e l of t e door of t e room w it a k e y, h ock h ock h h h w h ich h e put in h is m out and pre t nde d t s w al , for t e e ffe ct of s ym h e o l ow h bol m . Sil e rfis h l e d at h im , t e n at Al w h o w as t is v ook h an, ying h is s h oe s back on agains t t e e dge of t e t e , t e n at Ira, w h o w as bl ing oft n h h abl h ink e and rapidl be h ind h is t ick gl s e s and w ork ing h is m out w it a t ick y h as h h h pal fre ck ld h and. K re t an pre t nde d t cough and put t e not al e e zm e o h -re l ys w alow e d k e y t t e door in t e w at pock e t of h is v s t of h is l o h h ch e h ounds t h s uit Th e re w as s om e s ilnce aft r t e cough w h il Sile rfis h oot . e e h e v l e d around h im s e l ook f. 'An e xpl ion, Ira? Sil e rfis h s aid, cock ing h is h e ad t l t rough anat ' v o ook h h is v ilof 19 61-Th unde rbird-l e ne d h air at K re t an, w h o w as laning e oos zm e back agains t t e l e d door of t e room w it h is arm s cros s e d and h is e ye s h ock h h narrow e d t be ady s l s for e ye s . 'Som e t ing about fiddls and j ?You h it o it h e igs Z e ro's car s o bad you ne e d m e and Al bot , and ye t h e re 's a s q uint l ie h ing K re t an l ing doors and pre t nding t cough ? zm ock e o ' 'Sh am ,' Al Sch oe nw e is s s aid from h is pl at t e t e . H e s t an ace h abl ood. 'Fraud. Ch arl an. Pre t nde r. Fak e r. Pos e ur. Bl ph e m e r. V at of t t at e as iol or rus and s is t rs .' e 'Fie nd w e coul s ay e v n?K re t an as k e d Al d e ' zm an. 'W e coul s ay fie nd w it outh e s it ion,' Al s aid. d h at an 'Fie nd,' K re t an s aid t Sile rfis h . zm o v

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Sol on Sil e rfis h , s urpris e d Saxon, confus e d Ce l, finge re d h is s t linom v t ila-s t e -of-ch aos t and l e d at Ira Sch oe nw e is s . Ira w as claning h is at ie ook e gl s e s on a s le v of h is s h irt Al h ad be gun t e angry Sch oe nw e is s as e e . an h w ork ings of ch e e k s and l t at w e re t be t e ph ys icalov rt t an e xips h o h e ure o ch ange of w arm w ords . Z e ro K re t an w e nt t t e al ady- m e nt zm o h re ione d ch air in t e corne r of t e room , t e curv h h h ing pre dat t ing ov r it now re or h e v ald t be a h uge l p of indus t e e o am rials t ngt borrow e d from t e D e part re h h m e nt of M ug-Sh ot . K re t an t s zm urne d on t e l p and t e ch air unde rne at h am h h be cam e bl indingl and w h it l l . K re t an s olm nl m ot y e y it zm e y ione d Sil e rfis h v t t is ch air w h il Al l e d on e xpe ct l and Ira pl d w it h is l o h e an ook ant y aye h ip. 'L t ' Sile rfis h s aid. 'You cal m e from t e m iddl-of-t e -nigh t be d of igh ? v l h e h m y w ife t s it in l t ' o igh ? 'D o notdare t ut e r t atw ord,' Al Sch oe nw e is s s aid. o t h an 'L t ' igh ? 'W ife .' 'L t h im s t ls ay w ife unt w e 'v h e ard h im out Ira w h is pe re d. Sile re il il e ,' v fis h finge re d h is l t e be ard and l e d at Ira. 'So it m y fe e l t at I ge t it l ook 's ing h t at no cars got h it by any brot e r-in-l s at al Ira l e d dow n at h is h h aw l .' ook t um bs . Sile rfis h gav t e air a s l t s l h . 'Such punct s are on t e h oh v e h igh as ure h rizon for you M r. fat fak e r Ira Sch oe nw e is s ,' h e s aid. 'And do nots pe ak in t atm anne r,' Al s aid q uie t y, h an l 'I'm s pe ak ing in a m anne r I s h oul s pe ak in? dn't ' 'Th e w ay a pe rs on s pe ak s w h e n h e t s t im it e a J w is h pe rs on,' rie o at e K re t an s aid from t e ch air and l p. H e l e d at Al 'It ok ay t s ay zm h am ook an. 's o im it e ? at ' 'Im it e w il be s cre am e d s o l at l oud ge t your e ars re ady,' Al s aid. H e an s t d at Sile rfis h and m ot are v ione d t t e al ady-s e v ral im e s -m e nt o h re e -t ione d ch air in it cyl r of l t s inde igh . Sile rfis h s t v ood and lt t e Sch oe nw e is s e s w at h is face go from confue h ch s ion and s l t bot e r t dange rous ange r and a h int of m aybe e v n rage on igh h o e t e w ay. Al s t d aw k w ardl in m id-m ot at t e ch air. h an aye y ion h 'In al pairs of your e ars ,' Sile rfis h s aid. H e put s om e h air back ov r h is l v e h e ad w it a h and. 'I am a m an s ixt ye ars ol w it a lgalpract and a h y d h e ice Th unde rbird, from Ford in m int condit ion. I s it in l t for no m an, is w h o I igh s it in l t for.' igh // 'Th e m an h as l e d a l w it you for t irt w o ye ars and s e v n or s o iv ie h h y-t e m ont s ,' M rs . Sch oe nw e is s s aid, s e at d on t e e dge of t e Sile rfis h e s ' be d, h e h h v t ouch ing Soph ie 's ch e e k . 'Th e m an h as pre t nde d t be a part of our h e rie o t age and h is t and re l ory igion and fait from t e firs t t e h e s e t e ye s on our h h im Soph ie . H e h as as s um e d and v at d t e t t of a fam il iol e h rus y.' 'W ors e ,' s aid D r. Sch oe nw e is s , s h ak ing h is h e ad at t e be droom w indow , h from w h ich h e 'd draw n back t e w h it curt . 'W ors e ,' h e s aid. 'A cul h e ains t . A pe opl.' ure e

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'W ors e s t l M rs . Sch oe nw e is s s aid. Sh e lane d in and re s t d h e r ot e r il ,' e e h h and on Soph ie 's s t of a bl e t d k ne e . 'A w if ,' s h e s t -w h is pe re d. ick ank e e age 'Th e m an t urns out according t Al w h o w h o's k now n h im t e v r be , o l ie o e w rong in im port ant m at e rs , t be re aly not ing at al,' D r. Sch oe nw e is s t o l h l s aid. 'A Ch aim Yank e l A m as k . A s e t of prope r be h av . iors at t m pl. Ev ry e e e Friday a ch e e rful face in our h om e . But be h ind t at face of a m as k , w h at ' h ? 'A noth ing,' s aid M rs . Sch oe nw e is s . 'A de m on e ve n m aybe . You k now "A goy blibt a goy? No l r e v n a goy. A w h o-k now s -w h at A young e " onge e . s h ayge t once w h o's now for w h o k now s h ow l s ong a non- e xis t nt t ing, e h j t a l w it arm s and lgs and e ye s l e anim al and a q uick t us ie h e ik s ongue t at h w h o k now s h ow m any ot e r l s h e 's t d and l e d and m ay God s pare our h ie ol iv Soph ie t e pain of e v r finding out J t t e ide a giv s s h udde rs .' h e . us h e 'You unde rs tand w h y w e unde rs tood you h ad to k now once w e k ne w ,' D r. Sch oe nw e is s s aid, h is face in dirt fl h e d col from t e s odium y us or h t rough t e w indow . 'For you t l e an e t nic not t m e nt h h o iv h o ion e m ot ional fale ne s s for t irt ye ars . To be m arrie d and j s h y oine d t a t ing t e onl t ing o h h y h h as is t be pre t nding it a t ing it is n't H e t o e 's h ." urne d t l o ook at Soph ie , s igh e d and fe l at h is t ick w h it h air. 'It be e n your l t t e de m on of a t h e 's ie oo h goy h as m ade you l e . H ow l y t ank s t your brot e r Alie t at you iv uck h o h l h h av a ch ance t re nounce it al H e l e d at M rs . Sch oe nw e is s , w h o w as e o l .' ook nodding at Soph ie . Th e D r. clare d h is t roat 'W e com e w it t e onl t e h . h h y oo nat ural e s it ion of pare nt .' h at s 'O f conce rne d and l ing pare nt ,' M rs . Sch oe nw e is s s aid. ov s '. . .pare nt w h os e conce rn and l e is s t s ov rong e nough s o t e y are w iling h l t caus e m aybe s om e grie f h e re and s om e pain t e re t s av a daugh t r o h o e e from an unre nounce d l of l s and pre t nding. Such agonizing w e 'v be e n ife ie e e t rough ov r t is you h av no ide a.' h e h e M rs . Sch oe nw e is s w as l ing up w it dis t t at t e IV s t ook h as e h and's bot l of te m e dicine w it it h e ad of l ide d h air. Sh e re m ov d t e w ig and arrange d h s ops e h it ge nt y on Soph ie 's h e ad. l Soph ie j t as ge nt y re m ov d t e w ig and put it ne xt t h e rs e l on t e us l e h o f h be d. Sh e w as s t aring at h e r pare nt . 'You're h e re be fore daw n in t e m orns h ing t s ay m y h us band is a non-J w is h non-goyis h de m on of a Ch aim Yano e k e l' ? 'H us band is now an im prope r w ord,' D r. Sch oe nw e is s s aid, t urning back t t e w indow . 'L t ins t ad ge ne rous l j t s ay pe rs on. And lt alo s ay o h e 's e y us e 's s w e 're h e re at j t t e righ t t e . Al and Ira are t k ing t t e pe rs on now us h im an al o h at t e Pol St ion w it M r. K re t an's h e l H e paus e d. 'Th e y are going h ice at h zm p.' t m ak e t e pe rs on agre e t an annul e nt o h o m .' 'Annul e nt ' m ? / / M uch of t e confus ion and t h roubl cam e from h ow Sil e rfis h re fus e d t e v o s it in t e w h it gus h of l t in t e al ady-m e nt h e igh h re ione d ch air, and ins t ad e pace d around t e pe rim e t r of t e int rv w room of t e Pol St ion l e h e h e ie h ice at ik

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a dange rous cage d anim alin a zoo, and from h ow Z e ro K re t an w h o zm w as , if t e t h ge t t d al t e w ay, ze ro on brains as w e l as on ch arm h rut s ol l h l and e v n lgals k il and w h o h ad ne v r w on a cas e t h is ow n s at fact e e l , e o is ion agains t Sile rfis h , and w h o h ad alo by t e w ay got e n s uch a good div v s h t orce s e t lm e nt v t e e xt m e s k il of Al Sch oe nw e is s you w oul be l v te ia h re l an dn't ie e it and w h o w as t us in a com bine d s t e of e age rne s s bot t e m barras s , h at h o Sile rfis h and t h e l Al Sch oe nw e is s , Al w h o w as s o angry h is bl v o p an an ood pre s s ure w as righ t now a dange rous t ing from h ow K re t an k e pt fol h zm l ing t e pacing Sil e rfis h around t e room w it a l t e pe n fl h l t ow h v h h it l as igh from h is pock e t of h is h ounds t h pant , t oot s rying t cont o inual s h ine it in l y Sile rfis h 's cont v inual av rt d face , for t e e ffe ct of a part t ird-de gre e ; l e e y h ial h and t is s ort of s q uare -dance of l t and av h igh oidance cont inue d unt Sile ril v fis h , w h o h ad t t l t e t h ne v r act l us e d t e v e nce of h is body o e l h rut e ualy h iol on anyone , be cam e s o fil d w it e xt m e bot e r by t e as s ort d q ue s t l e h re h h e ions and accus at ions and w arm w ords , and by t e K re t an and l t in h is h zm igh face , t at h e finaly s nat e d t e l t e fl h l t from out of K re t an's h l ch h it l as igh zm h and and t d t s h ov t e t ing up K re t an's nos e , s ucce e ding h ow e v r rie o e h h zm e onl in al os t put ing out K re t an's e ye for h im , w h ich m ade K re t an y m t zm zm ye l and s ink t h is k ne e s on t e fl in h is s uit w it h is h ands on h is face . p o h oor h Such a de v l e nt as t is t e opm h ook t e w ind out of Sile rfis h 's s urpris ingl h v y s e ns it e s ail, and aft r s pe nding s om e m om e nt s t iv s e s anding ov r t e figure of e h Z e ro, w h o s e e m e d on h is k ne e s t be at q uie t praye r for h is l and h is e ye , o ife aft r s om e of t e s e m om e nt Sile rfis h found h im s e l at t e int rv w t e e h s v f h e ie abl acros s from Al and Ira Sch oe nw e is s at t e borde r of t e h ot w as h of l t an h h igh from t e s pe cialch air. M om e nt y t e y w e re j h aril h oine d alo by K re t an, s zm w it a re d w e alon h is ch e e k and a t m bl l e r l Sile rfis h l e d at h re ing ow ip. v ook Ira, w h o w as s t aring bl l w it e ye s t at w e re l e an ant e ye s , m agniank y h h ik 's fie d and non-h um an, h is gl s e s w e re s o t ick . as h Al w as al t is t e s t an lh im aring w it icine s s int t e pe ne t ing e ye s of Sol h o h rat om on Sil e rfis h . 'O f t e e xpl ions for your l of be h av I can t ink v h anat ife ior h of t o,' h e s aid q uie t y, m ak ing unde r h is ch in t e s t e pl of a ch urch w it w l h e e h h is finge rs . 'O ne . You cov t d and l t d aft r our Soph ie s o badl t at e e us e e y h 19 53 day at t e dance t at you w e re s om e h ow w il t pre t nd t be J w h h l o ing e o e is h for a l t e of de ce it and pre t ns e .' ife im e 'Pre t nd? e ' 'O r t o, and s om e h ow e v n m ore s inis t r and dis t w e e urbing, you w e re t e n h and are now s o. . .' Al brok e th e s te e pl and w ave d a h and in th e air, as an e if t e righ t w ord m igh t m aybe al t h igh . 'Ide nt y-ls s ,' Ira w h is pe re d, l ing at t e ink -s t it e ook h ain on Sile rfis h 's pav j a pock e t am . Al nodde d. 'So ide ntity- ls s in your l th at you m ade up an ide ntity an e ife for yours e l e v n be fore you arriv d in s ch oolat Ch icago and ins inuat d f e e e your fale pe rs on int our frie nds h ip and Soph ie 's affe ct .' s o ions 'Ide nt y-ls s ne s s ? inuat ' it e Ins ion?

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'Th e y k now t e fact of h ow you are not and ne v r h av be e n a J w is h h s e e e pe rs on,' K re t an s aid, s m il as m uch as h is ch e e k w oul al h im . H e zm ing d l ow clare d h is t roat 'You w e re aw are h ow Al and O rl w e re in t e Sout e h . an y h h for gol for v ion be fore Pe s ach . Incl d in w h e re t e y w e re w as Tide f acat ude h w at r Count in V e y irginia. Al w as re ading t e ph one book in t e bat an h h h room . Sol on Sile rfis h , Se nior, h e com e s acros s . Cobblr. M ak e r of om v e s h oe s .' 'Now s e m i-re t d,' Sile rfis h s m ild, nodding. ire v e 'But alo not e v n s e m i-J w is h ,' Al s aid, m ak ing t e s t e pl again and s e e an h e e j abbing h is ch in w it it 'Be caus e a v it w as paid by m e t a ce rt s h oe h . is o ain m ak e r, as if priv e part s s t l ak e s h oe s t e s e days .' at ie ilm h 'But you s h oul s e e h is s h oe s , as I re m e m be r,' Sile rfis h s aid, 'Spe cial d v t y s h oe s . No j or foot t l ob oo arge or s m al Such s h oe s !' 'But not J w is h , and l . e alo by t e w ay not de ce as e d, and alo of a re l s h s igious ne s s t v oo apid and s h al t be s e rious l be l v d by m e ,' Al s aid. l o ow y ie e an 'D id you t l h im about m e ?D id you t l h im w h e re Soph ie and I are ? el el ' Sile rfis h lane d forw ard. v e 'Too m uch s h ock w as in m y body t s ay anyt ing t t is pe rs on I found o h o h be fore m e ,' s aid Al 'O ne of t e s e s o-cal d re born Ch ris t an. h l e ians unq uot in e t e Sout w h o ge t t e ir re l h h h igion from t lv ion and cas s e t e t s t rough e e is t ape h t e m ail H e h ad a pl t cros s t at gl e d in t e dark on h is l l Alo a h . as ic h ow h ape . s w ife w h o s ol cos m e t at t e doors of s t d ics h range rs for de cade s and now driv s a pink Cadil e l ac.' 'A L incol Sile rfis h s aid. 'From M e rcury. I k e e p a l t e t n,' v it l rack of M om and Pop.' 'You ld t e fam il t be l v t e s e w e re de ad pare nt you h ad.' e h y o ie e h s 'W e h ad a fal l out as a young m an. W e rare l if e v r s pe ak . I ne v r ing y e e m e nt d pare nt t you. Notm e nt ione s o ioning is lading t be l v in de at ? e o ie e h ' 'Not m e nt ioning t at you w e re rais e d a non-e t nic goy w it no m e aningh h h ful re l igious face , t at you cam e t our Soph ie w it a cul h o h t ural ide nt y it rough l as int re s t y e ing as a proce s s e d ch e e s e product t giv h e r for t e o e h ye ars of h e r l ? Al h is s e d, re d in h is face . H e paus e d and cal e d. 'You ife ' an m s pok e as w e do. Th is m is ld, t is s pe ak ing.' e h 'Spe ak ing? I re ad t e w rong Cons t ut h it ion of Am e rica? Th is is n't a fre e count in t rm s of s pe ak ing? ry e ' 'Int nt Sol on,' K re t an int rj ct d, s m il a l t e w it one s ide of e , om zm e e e ing it l h h is face . H e ignore d t e gl of Al 'You s pok e s o as t im it e and m is h are an. o at lad.' e 'I s pok e as frie nds of m ine s pok e . I w as in R om e . I s pok e as t e w om anh w h o-I-l e -and-w h o-h as -m ade -m e -for-t irt ov h y-ye ars s pok e . I s pok e l e m y ik w ife .' 'You appe are d at t m pl,' Ira Sch oe nw e is s w h is pe re d. 'You re s ponde d t e e o inv at it ions t praye r. You pe rform e d m it ah s , re cit d t e M aire v You o zv e h . dance d th e h orah . You s h are d our s e de r tabl. You drank M oge n D avid e and at unlav ne d.' e e e

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'I w as t e com panion and gue s t of m y w ife . Ne v r once did I s ay anyh e t ing about born J w is h ne s s .' h e 'D id you conv rt ' K re t an s aid. 'D id you go off by yours e l t s om e e ? zm f o w h e re t conv rt Is t is w h ath appe ne d? o e ? h ' 'W e al k now t at coul not h appe n,' Al s igh e d. 'Since conv rt from l h d an e w h at From pre t nding t be ing?H e m ade h is ch oice , no? l ing at Sil ? e o ' ook v rfis h . 'H e w as ch oos ing t m is lad and pre t nd from t e firs t H e w as e o e e h . care fuland craft W e h ardl h e ard h im s pe ak be fore h e cam e out of h is y. y aut o-accide nt cas t and w ire s and our Soph ie w as al ady unde r h is s pe l s re l .' 'Fie nd,' K re t an s aid. zm Al did m ore s igh ing, rubbing of h is t m pls . 'You e v n us e d your ow n an e e e nam e t de ce iv ,' h e s aid. 'You rode on t e coat ail of your nam e .' H e o e h t s gl d dow n at a not book and fil fol r on t e t e be fore h im . 'Aft r ance e e de h abl e s l t re s e arch is done I find out e as il t at t e nam e Sile rfis h com e s act igh y h h v ual from t e idiom at O l Saxon "s e ol l y h ic d for-fis c," m e aning rough l "Sh e py h e rd w h o h as m ore affe ct for ce rt of h is s h e e p t an is in e nt l good ion ain h ire y tas te ."' K re tzm an s nick e re d. Al s h ook h is h e ad at Sil rfis h . 'So not an ve onl not J w is h , t is nam e , but uns av y e h ory alo. And "Sol on" according t s om o t e m ak e r of s h oe s is not from t e t xt but from a ce rt Arne t e Sol h h e s ain t om on, Civ -W ar as s is t t Ge ne ralR obe rt L e , crus h e d by h is h ors e at t e il ant o e h Bat l of Ant t . Ev ryt ing a fale ne s s .' te ie am e h s 'I nam e d m ys e l Al of a s udde n I am re s pons ibl for nam e s ? Sile rfis h f? l e ' v ch oppe d s l t y at t e int rv w t e . 'W h at is t is , Alie ?J t w h at are igh l h e ie abl h l us w e t k ing abouth e re ? al ' Al Sch oe nw e is s lane d forw ard in h is ch air. 'H e re in s e rious ne s s and an e e arne s t w e are t k ing annul e nt of a m arriage .' al m Sile rfis h l e d atAl t e w ay a pe rs on l s ata crazy pe rs on. v ook an h ook 'Th e annul e nt of a m arriage t at w as ne v r t y conj e d be caus e m h e rul ugat conj ion t ugat ook pl unde r fale pre t ns e s ; Z e ro K re t an s aid. ace s e ' zm 'Cons um m at ion, Z e ro,' Ira m urm ure d. You coul s udde nl t l e v ryone w as t d. Sile rfis h l e d at h is acd y el e ire v ook cus e rs -for-in-l s . H e rubbe d h is e ye . H e s h ook h is h e ad, agit ing h air. 'I aw at s ay t at you are as s um ing a bas ic and alo m is t e n t ing in w h at you s ay h s ak h t m e ,' h e s aid. 'You are as s um ing t at be t e e n m e and Soph ie it l e be o h w 's ik t e e n m e and anybody e le , nam e l you. You are as s um ing Soph ie 's got no w s y m ore on t e bal t an you. Be t e e n Soph ie and m e t e re 's as m any s e cre t h lh w h s as be t e e n Ira and h is s t ach . M e aning e xact y none .' w om l 'O ur s is t r w oul nots h am and l as you h av done .' e d ie e 'W h at s h am m ing for God's s ak e Al ' Sile rfis h ros e w it h is ow n v an? v h oice and s t ood ov r t e ot e rs , h is face t e v ry faint s t of ch e ck e rboards from e h h h e e t e s t e t igh t t rough t e t ick iron s cre e n of t e Pol St ion w indow . h re l h h h h ice at 'And w h y do t is in t e m iddl of t e fre ak ing nigh t can I as k ?Te l m e w h y h h e h l now , Al . W h y now in ge ne ral l ie and now in part ar? icul ' 'Now in ge ne ralbe caus e m y s is t r is not going t ge t pre s s e d on in t e e o h

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col e art by ye ars of v at d h iol ion of h e r t t and t e t t of h e r fam il rus h rus y,' Al s aid q uie t y. 'Now in part ar be caus e w e w ant d now in part ar. an l icul e icul W e w ant t s e e a w h ol ne w k ind of day daw n on Sol on Sile rfis h . W e o e om v w ant t w at you w at t e s un com e up on yours e l o ch ch h f.' 'And be caus e alo lt not forge t w e k now you'l in probabil y w ant t s e 's l it o ge t t t e grav yard by e arl in t e m orning,' K re t an s aid. 'Far be it o h e y h zm from us t k e e p you.' o 'Z e ro, plas e ,' Ira s aid. e Al lane d e v n m ore forw ard. 'W e 're t k ing annul e nt on t e an e e al m h grounds of fale pre t ns e s ,' h e s aid, 'or e le div s e s orce on t e grounds of m orh bid adule ry.' H e s h ook h is h e ad dow n at t e fil h e h ad. 'And I t ink you t h e h ge t m y m e aning.' 'Adul ry? orbidit ' t e M y? 'Fool around in t e ce m e t ry of t e fam il of your ow n w ife ,' s w ol ning h e h y l e ch e e k e d K re t an s aid, s h ak ing h is h e ad. 'Cov rt s h t zm e upping on t e grav s h e of your in-l s w it a fe m inine pe rs on s o young s h e coul be a ch il t al aw h d d o l of us .' Sol on l e d around h im . 'You k now from l t You'v l t m e . I'm om ook os ? e os now accus e d of w h at ' ? Al pre s s e d h is l t t e r and h e ft d t e fil. 'A pe rs on w as h ire d by an ips oge h e h e m e t do s om e fol ing of a ce rt Sol on Sile rfis h .' o l ow ain om v Sile rfis h s t d. 'I'v be e n be ing fol e d? h atfor? v are e l ow W ' 'M y inv s t ion pe rs on w h o I h ire d cl s and s w e ars t on occas ions e igat aim o s e e ing you at Sinai, t e ce m e t ry of t e Sch oe nw e is s e s for ge ne rat h e h ions of t e m . H e s e e s you t e re in m ornings . In t e t h h h oupe e of t e h air of a young h pe rs on. Cl s furt e r t h av w it s s e d you in t e arm s of a s t lyounge r aim h o e ne h il pe rs on. Som e t e s dancing on grav s h e s ays . Sch oe nw e is s grav s . Carryim e e ing on. Im pl ions of as s ort d k inds of s h t icat e upping. W it a young w om an, h w h il our s is t r l s iland t t e e ie l rus ing.' 'You be l v t is t ing? Sile rfis h s aid. 'Th is fol e r of a pe rs on h as e v ie e h h ' v l ow ide nce for w h at h e s ays ?H e 's conv d you w it t e t s t onie s of w it ince h h e im ne s s e s ? e 's got pict s ? l e t s e e s uch pict s .' H ure I'd ik o ure 'H e adm it t h av cam e ra-t s o ing roubl,' Al s aid. 'H e cl s t be abl t e an aim o e o h av t e pict s ne e de d for a t of any k ind aft r j t a fe w m ore of your e h ure rial e us m orning rom ps t rough dis re s pe ct and be t h rayal But Ira and m e , w e . coul and w oul s t dn't dn't and it W e w ant d t face you and h e ar w h at you . e o h av t s ay, face t face .' e o o 'Aft r t irt ye ars of pre t nding and l s t e y s h oul t t you ov r a dis e h y e ie h d rus e int re s t d pe rs on?K re t an s aid. e e ' zm 'K re t an, you h av a dat w it t e punct zm e e h h ure of a l t e ,' Sile rfis h ife im v w h is pe re d. H e l e d at t e gril , t e w indow . H e t ough t h e coul m ak e ook h l h e h d out a h int of a s h ade of a bl of t e firs t l t of m orning. But w h o coul ur h igh d tl e l . Ira Sch oe nw e is s be gan s oft y t w e e p. Th e h and of h is t at w as not h ol l o h d-

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ing a dirt ch e ck e re d h ank ie t h is nos e w as out on t e t e , a dough y y o h abl fre ck ld t ing ne ar a s pot w h e re a pas t int rv w e e h ad carv d in t e w ood e h e ie e h of t e t e t e s ugge s t h abl h ion t at Z e ro K re t an do t h im s e l an anat ih zm o f om cal im pos s ibl t ing. l y e h Sile rfis h put h is h airy h and on Ira's w h it h and. Th e y s t d l e t at v e aye ik h . Th e l p from t e M ug-Sh ot D e part e nt gav off a h igh faint w h ine . am h m e 'Te l w h is pe re d Al l ,' an. 'Fe s s up,' w h is pe re d K re t an. zm A pe rs on from out ide k nock e d on t e l e d door in an e m e rge ncy w ay. s h ock / / You w ant t s e e pe opl in t e ir e igh t s w h o you and I s h oul l s o o e h ie d ook good, l ook at Soph ie 's pare nt , D r. and M rs . O t o Sch oe nw e is s . D r. s t Sch oe nw e is s t e re t d de nt t t land s t h ire is al raigh t and m e at as a h e al y k ind y t h of t e , h is t ick w h it h air brus h e d back ov r a face l e a bird of pre y of re h e e ik m aj s t s ize , w it e ye s t at h av s e e n pain and de cay in t e m out s of m e n e ic h h e h h and k now l t e fe ar and l t e m ore pit H e is a m an w h o t e be aut of t e it l it l y. h y h m an e q ual dignit and e lgance . H is l ls e e m s al ays t be crying out s y e ape w o for a carnat ion. And M rs . Sch oe nw e is s 's be aut is t at s h e is w e l-pre y h l s e rv d, m ore im pre s s iv at e igh t w o t an at fort w o be caus e s h e l s e e y-t h y-t ook m ore or ls s t e s am e be l v it or not From h e r birt al ays a pe rs on e h ie e . h w ph ys ical cooland h ard, s h e h as age d w it t e im m unit of a fl in am be r, l y h h y y t e ins ide re ce iv for it e l a v ibl e xe m pt from t e w h il onl t e h ing s f is e ion im e y h t l nt s h e l ge t h arde r and brit lr and m aybe a l t e m ore difficul t rans uce l s te it l t o s e e t rough al t e w ay. H e r h air it e l a h ard bl bouffant t at h as not h lh s f ack h ch ange d s h ape s ince Eis e nh ow e r, t e age of h e r face a m at e r not of h t w rink ls s o m uch as rigidit h e r body t in and s h arpl angld and t e y, h y e ough l e you w oul h urt your h and on, h e r nail of h e r finge rs v e nt re d and ik d s iol l e t e cl s t go w it t e abov m aj s t bird- q ual ie s of h e r h us band ik h aw o h h e e ic it t e de nt t Not a t m bl in any digit of e it e r Sch oe nw e is s . As ph ys ical h is . re e h ol pe opl t e s e s h oul be an e xam pl. Th e y h av al ays m ade Soph ie fe e l d e h d e e w s oft and s m al and s l t y unclan. And, now , it is in t e ir pre s e nce t at l igh l e h h s h e s m e l m os t s t l s rongl h e r ow n s ick ne s s . y 'Annul e nt or div m orce ,' M rs . Sch oe nw e is s s aid, s m oot ing Soph ie 's h bl e t 'Pre fe rabl annul e nt on grounds of m arriage unde r fale pre ank . y m s t ns e s . Th is is t e re com m e ndat e h ion your Tat and I com e aft r m uch aga e onizing be t e e n us t giv .' w o e 'W e com e now , from our be ds , t w at t t e r, al t re e , a ne w and o ch oge h lh t rue day be gin for our onl daugh t r,' D r. Sch oe nw e is s s aid, at t e w iny e h dow , ch e ck ing t e t e on h is w at . 'Th ough alo M am a h as bridge bre ak h im ch s fas t in H ins dal at M rs . R ot r's t ge t t e ne o o.' 'Forge t bre ak fas t M rs . Sch oe nw e is s s aid, s e arch ing t e face of h e r ,' h daugh t r w it h e r e ye s . 'Tat and Alie and Ira and I t k e d t is al out e h a l al h l . Z e ro t e D .A. K re t an is e v n now h e l h zm e ping t e m lan on t e fale pe rs on h e h s for h im t do t e righ t t ing by t e Sch oe nw e is s e s , e v n if K re t an h as t o h h h e zm o

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us e lgal h re at of re pe rcus s ions .' e t s Soph ie s t d. 'So Ira l d t ge t Sol on t a pol s t ion w it Alie are ie o om o ice at h l and K re t an?Ira Sch oe nw e is s l d in t e m iddl of t e nigh t t h is onl zm ie h e h o y be s t frie nd? ie s t h e l s e t a t of dram a and t L o p rap raum a and unfairne s s ? ' 'Unfairne s s don't e v n s pe ak of unfairne s s in re gard t t e pe rs on w e 're e o h s pe ak ing of,' M rs . Sch oe nw e is s h is s e d, s h ow ing t e t t at ne v r in s ixt e h h e yone ye ars e v r gav h e r h us band anyt ing but j and pride . Th e n s h e e e h oy s igh e d and s oft ne d. 'D on't m ak e us do a t ing t at h urt . As a m ot e r I e h h 's ful h be g. D on't m ak e us giv you inform at s uch as w e coul giv if w e h ad t e ion d e o giv it Soph ie .' e , 'O h , but no, lt t k inform at e 's al ion,' Soph ie s aid, l ing from h e r m ot e r ook h t h e r fat e r. 'L t inform .' Sh e bre at e d and fe l at t e w ig be s ide h e r. 'I'l o h e 's h t h l m aybe inform you for m aybe a m inut ?W h at h appe ns w h e n D r. Prinzm e t e alfinds out I'm w h y Sol on and I can't h av ch il n?Are w e re m e m om e dre be ring?W h o fe e l h ow ?L t inform h ow pe opl fe e l Ira and Al and s e 's e . an O rl Sch oe nw e is s fe e lbad for Ira and Al and O rl Sch oe nw e is s , now y an y t e y can't be uncls and aunt t Sile rfis h ch il n. D r. and M rs . O t o h e s o v dre t Sch oe nw e is s fe e lbad for D r. and M rs . O t o Sch oe nw e is s , t at t e fam il t h h y st ays t e s am e s ize w it onl Al and O rl ch il n. Soph ie Sile rfis h h h y l ie y's dre v fe e l bad for Soph ie Sile rfis h , t at s h e can't be a m ot e r and s h e 's lt dow n s v h h e h e r Sch oe nw e is s fam il and h e r h us band-w h o-s h e -l e s .' Sh e paus e d and y ov bre at e d and bl e d, l e d t rough s ick s t y e ye s out t e w indow int h ink ook h ick h o a l t e fl ing circl of dim m ing orange s t e t igh t 'And w h o doe s Sol it l oat e re l . om on Sile rfis h fe e lbad for? s h e s aid. 'Sol on Sile rfis h fe e l bad onl for v ' om v s y Soph ie Sile rfis h , is w h o. Fl e rs e v ry day for a w e e k , s urpris e s and v ow e w arm t of v h arious k inds . Pre t nding t s ay h ow h e can't e v n s t e o e and ch il dre n com e t t ink about ch il n, or h ow w e can on t e ot e r h and e as il o h dre h h y adopt if w e w ant if h e and I w ant Saying h ow h e can t , . urn t e nurs e ry you h buil us int a s t t o udy for h im s e l w it s t d anim alt f, h uffe oys and t ddy-be ar e w al l r. Ne v r a t ough t for Sol on Sil e rfis h on t e part of Sol on pape e h om v h om Sil e rfis h . Ne v r a t ough t e xce pt for h is w ife , bls s m y fort v e h e une and l uck for t e m agic t at h e l e s m e s o t at m y fe e l h h ov h ings m e an m ore t an h is t h o h im .' Sh e bre at e d. 'L t t k fre e lgals e rv s for al Sh oe nw e is s e s , not t h e 's al e ice l o m e nt ion R ot rs and K ripk e s and Gupt and e v rybody e le w h o onl ne as e s y m e nt ions t e nam e Sch oe nw e is s , or if not fre e t e n dis count w h il Al re h h e l ie fus e s fl l t do anyt ing but div at y o h orce s for anybody, w h ich if I w as pre cious O rl it w oul s e t m e t ink ing. L t t k Sol on k e e ping Ira t e al y d h e 's al om h coh ol pain- t row e r out of j for drunk driv ic h ail ing for t e nt ye ars in w y m iddls of nigh t . L t t k m e , lt t k ne v r one pie ce of indicat t at e s e 's al e 's al e ion h Sol on anyt ing but l e s h is w ife , w h o doe s not de s e rv and ne v r h as om h ov e e de s e rv d s uch l e or s uch a pe rs on.' Sh e bre at e d. 'L t t k cance r. L t e ov h e 's al e 's m aybe m e nt a ce rt pe rs on cam ping h im s e l in m y room at B'nai B'rit ion ain f h for ne ar to tw e nty- four h ours a day untilth e doctors s ay e nough both e r w it Sile rfis h al ady and lt h im t e m e h om e . L t t k a m an w h o ne h v re e ak e 's al glct t e w ork of h is l t at h e l e s for h is w ife t at h e s h ow s h e l e s e s h ife h ov h ov

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m ore j t w h e n s h e m os t ne e ds t k now it L t t k a m an w it t is w ife us o . e 's al h h t at m ut at d ' h 's il e 'Soph ie .' 'A w ife m inus im port w om anl t ings , t at t is m an's pupil s t ldiant y h h h s il l e w h e n h is e ye s l at ook at m e . A m an w h o w at e s m e m e l dow n int ch t o l ps and bone s and s m e l m y s m e l and w ipe s m y crying and w h e n I ne e d um l s l h im t h e t e s m y BM s aw ay l e t e y w e re pre s e nt and clans up m y o ak ik h s e v it om ings w h e n I can't ge t t t e bat room and ne v r once doe s h e m ak e o h h e m e fe e lw e ak or foulor ls s a pe rs on or ls s a Soph ie t an t e firs t day h e e e h h dance d w it m e w it brok e n arm s .' Soph ie cough e d w it v e nce . 'Th e h h h iol m an coul t d urn out t be a M art from s pace for al I care . H e is m y h us o ian l band and h e and I are unit d in t t e rne s s by a t ing cal d l e w h ich in e oge h h l ov e cas e you h av n't h e ard ye t it is n't j t a fe e l e us ing, it a w ay of l ing a l 's iv ife w it a pe rs on, and t is l e and l and Sile rfis h pe rs on are alo m e , your h h ov ife v s s ick Soph ie , and m y l is h is and w e are w h at w e are e ach be caus e of t e ife h ot e r one .' Sh e bre at e d l y. 'And s o m e nt h h oudl ion div orce s and annul e nt m s and e nds of m arriage s once m ore and I w it re gre t as k you t lav m y h o e e h om e .' Sh e lane d back agains t pil s . Such s pe ak ing lft h e r gray of s k in, e l ow e w ringing w ith s w e at, and h e r gre e n e ye s w e re s unk dow n into th e ir bl round orbit of bruis e and bl e v n m ore t an be fore . ack s ack e h 'But t at m an h as l d!' D r. Sch oe nw e is s s h out d from by t e w indow , h ie e h s h ow ing t at m aybe one t ing t at h ad age d w as h is v h h h oice for s h out ing. 'Cons t , l -l l ant ife ong ying of t e de e pe s t s ort A pe opl and a cul ' h . e t ure 'A pe opl and t e ir cul are n't w ort a cup of s pit l if t e y are n't h e l e h t ure h te h d t t e r by w h at God w h o I t ank e v ry m inut h as giv n m e and m y Sol oge h h e e e om on to h ave toge th e r,' Soph ie s aid as l oud as s h e m igh t. Sh e bre ath e d and cl e d h e r e ye s . Sh e s w alow e d. 'Th at one , t at t ing I s aid. H e re 's os l 's h h t o. H ow v ry s t w e upid a pe rs on do you t ink I am ?Sol on h as ne v r once h om e l d t m e , nor h av I e v r t d m y h us band a re al unt t ing.' ie o e e ol l y rue h 'H e t d you h e w as pre t nding? ol e ' 'I coul l e w it a m an t irt ye ars and not k now h is h e art If you and d iv h h y ? M am a l e e ach ot e r, do you pre t nd w it e ach ot e r about back ov h e h h grounds ? ' 'So h e s aid t you Soph ie h e s aid I'm not J w is h but lt put one ov r on o e e 's e your t t fam il L t h av s om e l s ? rus ing y? e 's e augh ' 'You do notunde rs t m e . No h e didn't and .' 'Th e n w h at can I as k ? , ' Soph ie l e d dow n at h e r h air on t e be d. 'W e j t s t ook h us oppe d be ing diffe re nt from e ach ot e r in t e im port w ays .' h h ant 'But you are diffe re nt it t urns out is t e w h ol point of w h y w e 'v ag, h e e onize d and com e .' 'No it is n't Soph ie s aid. Sh e bre at e d. Sh e s w al e d. Sh e h ad t ,' h l ow urne d t e col of ol cl s unde r h e r s w e at h or d am . 'Are you alrigh tSoph ie ?M rs . Sch oe nw e is s w as l ing ath e r. l ' ook

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'I'm going t be s ick I'm afraid,' Soph ie w h is pe re d. Sh e s t o ruggld faint y e l t ge t out from unde r t e bl e t of t e be d. H e r w ris t w as s t lconne ct d o h ank s h il e t h e r t . Th e j ful of l t cl e d in it s t o ube ar l igh ink s and. 'O h de ar.' M rs . Sch oe nw e is s ros e and back e d aw ay from t e be d, fe e l h ing t e s ide s of h e r h air, w at ing. 'O h de ar.' h ch Soph ie w as unw e l on t e be d. W h e n s h e w as t rough s h e s ank back l h h from h e rs e l int h e r pilow s . f o l 'Too l e ,' s h e s aid. 'I w as s ick .' Sh e cough e d. at 'Th e ne w s un is com ing I t ink ,' D r. Sch oe nw e is s s aid from t e w indow . h h 'Forge tt e s un al ady! Your daugh t r w as j ts ick in h e r be d!' h re e us 'It alrigh tI t ink ,' Soph ie w h is pe re d. 's l h 'D oe s s om e body com e t clan? M rs . Sch oe nw e is s as k e d from s e v ralfe e t o e ' e aw ay. Sh e l e d att e be d and atSoph ie 's nigh t . ook h ie 'M ary t e h os pice pe rs on att n. It alrigh t I'm s orry.' h e 's l . 'Are you alrigh t ' l ? 'I'm t d, M am a.' ire 'It our faul w e cam e l e t is . I s aid t Al I s aid s un or no s un, M rs . 's t ik h o an R ot r or no M rs . R ot r.' ne ne Soph ie s h ook h e r w e t h e ad. 'Tire dne s s your faul No. As s um ing your t ? daugh te r can't k now a h e art and th at your- s on- in- l - w h o- l s - youaw ove m ore - t an- h im s e l is n't w h o h e is is . . .' again s h e cough e d, '. . .is diffe rh f e nt You s h am e al Sch oe nw e is s e s and t o. . .Sile rfis h .' . l w v 'Are you alrigh t ' l ? 'It alrigh t 's l .' 'Is t atbl h ood?O t o I s e e bl t ood!' 'Bl ' ood? Th e re w as bl ood. 'O t o!' t 'Soph ie ? ' 'Calm y h us band.' l 'Calt e h os pit !' lh al 'Calm y h us band.' l 'I'lcalAl l l an.' 'O t o is s h e alrigh t ' t l ? 'Plas e calSol on.' e l om 'O t o s h e 's ble ding!' t e 'W h at I'm bl I can'ts e e bl ' , ind? ood? 'Soph ie ? ' 'It al righ t 's l .' / / H e re is Sol on Sile rfis h , t o m ont s ago, t is M arch , age of s ixt on om v w h h y, t e nigh t of t e day t e m e dicalpe opl t h h h e ook Soph ie back t t e h os pit o h al aft r h e r t m pe rat e e ure w e nt t rough t e roof, be cam e a brigh t h ot t ing in h h h e v ry s k y. Th e pe opl de cide d s h e h ad de finit l R e curre d, alo probabl e e e y s y

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M e t t ize d. Sil e rfis h is h om e at nigh t now t w as h up t e crunch y as as v o h dis h e s of bre ak fas t and t w as h h im s e l and t pack up t ings t bring for o f o h o Soph ie in h e r room in t e h os pit 's oncol unit H e is v ry ups e t R igh t h al ogy . e . now h e is pre paring t do dis h e s , s ne e zing t e l t bit of dis h w as h ing l o h as s iq uid out of an al os t- e m pty bottl into a s ink of w arm w ate r. H e l s at m e ook t e s ink of s uds , t e bubbls l t e re fract dom e s of fil y purpl and re d. h h e it l ing m e O ut ide e v ryw h e re t e re is M arch s l h . Cars roar in t e M arch s l h as s e h us h us t e y go by. But ins ide t e h ous e of Sile rfis h it is t e e nd of a l ye l h h v h ong l ow s um m e r. Sile rfis h 's h e ad is w it dis h e s in t e s oapy w at r in t e s ink . H is v h h e h arm s are s l h ing a l t e at t e air. H e s cre am s unde r t e dis h w at r one as it l h h e v ry l s cre am . Th e s cre am of Sile rfis h fil bubbls of s oap and t e y e ong v l s e h lav t e s ink . Th e y as ce nd. Th e y t irlin t e s l t y s l h e d air of t e Sil e e h w h igh l as h v rfis h k it e n and as ce nd and pl ope n agains t t e ce il w it clan l t e e ch ip h ing h e it l ch irps of lft e r Sile rfis h s cre am . Th e re are s o m any bubbls it l s l e e ov v e ook ik t e W e l program . But w h at it s ounds l e is l t from e v r s o l ago, h k ik ocus s e ong a fie l of l t and ins e ct in brit l V d ocus s s t e irginia t obacco and broom s e dge and s t e d corn, bak ing and s cre am ing in a dry l e h e at t at carrie s w it it t e unt at h h h s m e l of it ow n e nd. It w oul ph ys icaly s h ock you, h ow l Sil e rfis h l s d l ong v can h ol a not . d e / / H e re again is Sile rfis h , again of age s ixt in t e v ry e arl m orning, t is v y, h e y h m orning, in h is re d Th unde rbird conv rt e , t e ling at a gre at s pe e d e ibl rav l back t h is h om e from t e Pol St ion w h e re h e w as . W it h im are Al o h ice at h an and Ira Sch oe nw e is s . Alo Z e ro K re tzm an. O f s pok e n w ords in th e car s t e re are e xact y none . Far aw ay is t e s ong of a s ire n. Th e w ind is doing h l h gre at v e nce t Sile rfis h 's h air. H is h air is fl out t t e s ide by t e iol o v ung o h h w ind, cov ring t e face of Ira Sch oe nw e is s , incl e h uding Ira's h ot foggy gl s e s . Ira m ak e s no m ov t m ov t e v ilof h air. Al t as e o e h e l raffic l t are igh s be ing ignore d. Th e s k y t t e e as t ov r t e l e , is going from bl t o h , e h ak ack o w h at v r is t e ne xt col l t r t an bl . e e h or igh e h ack / Too Pre t y/ t Yal w ant t pl j t don't pl w it m y m an S.S. Caus e m y m an be l o ay, us ay h ge t in in you as s w it h is brie fcas e and t e s e bad arm s fl t h h ying al ov r and a l e v oice l e t e e lt ik h rain book by you as s on t e pl form , roar l e t s uck you h at ik o in. Be s t j p on back from m y m an. H e ge t in fols as s . But s on of a bit um k ch l e m y k arm a, dont as k m e w h y. And I be l in t e big h onk y bas t t ik ik h ard oo. H e w il Got t is w ife w it cance r and s h it L d. h h . ook l e s om e w alin unde ad ik k s h it or s om e t in. But m y m an l e h is bit ?I s e e m y m an l e t die w it h ov ch ik o h l e . H im and h e r ge t al ov ong. H e be ge t in in h e r as s for fun about e v r l t e t e it l t ing l e you onl do w it t e bit e s w h e n t e y as s ge t t be l e you h ik y h h ch h s o ik ow n. S.S. m ont pas t h e t e m y as s t dinne r at h is count cl h ak o ry ub? Im dre s s e d dow n bad for t e nigh t and h e re s m y as s in t is crib ful of s h iny h h l puk e w h it face s and fune rals uit and l dre s s e s on fl ol bit e s and e s ow at d ch t l l t off a s park l of s ile r fork s l e t bl a m an w h e n h e h igh . ink y igh e v ik o ind

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L t e fuck e r in a t do be t it l uxe ryin t t e m y h at from m y as s fore h e lt us o ak e s it dow n?Th e re w as s om e w h it as s in s om e dange r, j . But m y m an S.S. e ack t e care of t e s h it w h is pe r t t e pe nguin t e it e r ge t l t or ge t puncak h , o h o h os t d, t e pe nguin j p back . I be ge t in off on s om e fine w h it food w it ure h um t e h m y brigh t cl s ile r and ge t in on t e out ide s om e fine ol s cot w h is ub v t h s d ch k e y, and but m y m an dont be drink in, dont e ve n h ardl e at, jus t m os tl s it y y a l ong t e w at m e ch e w and s h it m ak e m e t ns e , finaly h e l im ch , e l ook al l round and lan h is as s ov r t m e s o I s e e t e s pace s in t is l t in pit e e o h h ong h iful h air and s h it h e com b ov r h is h e ad. H e l round and lan ov r and ax e ook e e Too Pre t y for s om e dope for h is bit , s h e t in cance r drugs and be e arl t ch ak in al t e t e and be s o s ick s h e l e t die from be in naus e ous . M y m an ax l h im ik o Too Pre t y for s om e h igh q ual y m arij t it uana, h ow t e dude s ays it t m ak e h , o h is bit s t h urt and s h it w it h e r s t ach . I up righ t t e n and t e h is ch op in h om h ak as s out t m y ride out in t e l and fix h im up w it a fine ol j o h ot h d uicy bag Too Pre t y h ad got t at day for h is ow n s e l W ont e v n lt m y m an re im burs e t h f. e e m y as s . I s ay m an you k e pt m y as s and m y bit e s as s out j and w ork in ch ail s o Too Pre t y can k e e p t fat t m any t e s for t e re im burs e m e nt s h it t oo oo im h , m an. I s ay I dont w ant t h e ar no funk out h is as s ce pt h ow h is bit be fe e l o ch in be t e r re als oon. And t is dope do t e j for any ol bad s h it Too Pre t t h h ob d . t h and it out t Candice and M onica and W ardine w h e n t e y be s o drunk y o h t e y m igh t coul e arlin front t e t s and s h it A bit e arlin front a t h d h rick . ch rick l e t at t os h rick e v r t e . Got t k e e p t e bit e s w ork in. Sh it I gav m y e im s o h ch e m an doe s e m up. But s e e m y m an s ay h is bit h is l . H e s ay h is bit h im . Nam e be Soch ife ch ph ie . Bit be pre t y, t I v it h e r as s w it m y m an in t e cance r h os pit ch t oo. is h h al one t e . But t is be a t in bit , m an. W it e ye s al bruis e round t e out im h h ch h l h s ide and ins ide al cre am y w it w h at s h e s e e com in. Al cre am y w it de at , l h l h h m an. L e Bre nda, t e s h e s h ot up t is Th ai s h it from R e ginal and k now s ik im h d righ t off t e re s s om e w rong, w rong s h it in t e re and t at h e r as s be gone . h h h Th e s e e ye s s e e de at ge t cre am y l e t e bit be com in. You as k Too Pre t h ik h ch t w h at it be l e go dow n on a bit k now s h e dyin, I cant s ay. Got t do y ik ch s o it t s e e . But m y m an s ay h is bit h is l . Th is s om e w il s h it Th is s e t m y o ch ife d . as s th ink in. Coul h aul th is h e re pre tty as s out th at h os pital q uick dnt e nough , j , crib s m e l d l e ol burn and al t e e ye s w as m arbls in im l ik e d lh e cre am , but t is t in h urt bit be m is s in h e r h air and h e r t s and got l ps h h ch it um al out h e r w h it as s be m y m ans l e . H e m e an t e s h it I t l h im S.S. ch il I l e if h . e l d s e e n l e at angls you as s aint dre am e d but I aint ne v r s e e n no w h it m an ov e e e l e a bit l e you l e t at t ls s s t in t at l t e m e t be d. M y m an ov ch ik ov h it e ick h it l al ge t pis s e d off?H e ne v r ge t pis s e d off at Too Pre t y. H e j t l in Too e t us ook Pre t ys face w it s om e bad e ye s al aft rs h av bl and de e p as h is ow n t h l e e ue h e ad and ax m e do I l e m y ow n s e l And w h e n I s ay s h it w h os e bl as s ov f. ack I gone l e if not Too Pre t y, m y m an s ay w h at it is , young Sch w art h e be ov t z, cal m y as s Sch w art k nock m e out H e s ay t at it righ t t e re , L l in z, . h s h onde l l . Th e bit be m y ow n as s . Th e re alh e r, t m y as s , aint s ick , s h e j t not fe e l ch o us in up t us uals nuff and s h it I s ay m an t at s om e v ry no s h it l s nuff o . h e ow

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bit up t e re w it l ps and t s al out h e r w h it as s . M y m an ge t e xch h h um ube l e cit d. H e s ay t e t s and l ps and s h it be dis e as e and s h it not h is Soe h ube um , ph ie . Th at w h at h is l re aly be cant no s ick ne s s l it col w h it h and ady l ay s d e on. M y m an k now s om e s h it And Too Pre t y k now t at w h y S.S. aint al . t h s l grie v and m oanin bout t e s h it j t de ad s e rious and l ye rl l in h , us aw y ogical , w ant h is bit t s t h e r h urt in h e r s e l I fix m y m an up w it s om e h igh ch o op f. h q ual y s h it righ t t e re in t e l . H e k nock m e out t is h e bre w crack e r. it h h ot , h L e h e aint e v n w h it or s om e s h it L e h e l s of t ings at one s am e t e . ik e e . ik ot h im But t is h e re , t is be s om e v ry w h it s h it And fine ?L e , L e . Can h h e e . ouis ouis t l fine s h it caus e it be h ot goin in. Got t s e e w h at t e bit e s be int e l s o h ch o. Part of Too Pre t ys craft Be ge t in t is h e re s h it off D uW ayne . D uW ayne t . t h s core now off s om e ragh e ad l e w it h is s is t r. D ude k now s dude s in iv h e Burm a. D uW ayne k now h ow I done R e ginal ove r th e Bre nda s h it, h e d m ak e s ure now t e bit e s ge t it fine . J t s l s in t at w ing, j . M e l in h ch us ide h im t s w it t e s e oils w irlfe e l l e ice in s um m e r gin and you fe e lit h ot and t in h h ins ik h al t rough you as s t lit ge t t you h e ad and you baloon s t t pul out lh il o l art o l t e ground. M y m an S.S. s ay t Too Pre t y I dont prov of h e roin L h o t e onde l l . No h e roin, plas e . H e roin a t y and unplas ant lgalaffair. But e nd of a e rick e e nigh t Too Pre t y l e t s e t back in h is ride and count re v nue s and dabbl , t ik o e e and s h it in w h at t e bit e s be int t e y ow n s e le s . A m anage r dont s h are h ch o h v t e ne e dl w it h is bit e s be l and s h it W ardine s h igh as s be fl in h e h ch ax . oat back in t e back s e at now , I got t t e t e bit e s t h o ak h ch ourniq ue t off s h e s o gone aw ay. I be int a w arm pink Burm a fog and s h it m y ow n s e l now and o f I pl be curl and ridin ins ide for s om e s pace and t e , t lcom in dow n an in im il m ak e m e h orny and Il do up W ardine and m aybe M onica t back at t e l oo h crib. Firs t Too Pre t y w at t e s unris e t rough h is w inds h ie l of h is ride . t ch h h d Yal w ant t l e s om e w h at l got t giv ?Sit you as s dow n facin e as t and l o iv ife o e w at a s un com e up t rough t e m ot ch h h ion of s om e fine Burm e s e s m ack , j . Sun put you as s ups ide dow n. Pl Too Pre t y l e t w at it be s t at ack ace t ik o ch is t is fine ol w h it fol s ce m e t ry, Sinai ce m e t ry, big- as s park of de at h d e k e e h off Pul k i and Fule r. Pul t e ride in t is l t e s t as l lh h it l one road up at t e w e s t h s ide gat and ge t dow n int D uW ayne s fine s h it and fl and w at s l e o oat ch ow l com e up round bl ov r row s of s t ife ood e one w h it de at . Sh it aint gh oul e h y, it be aut and w onde r, j . Ge t up and in you ow n s e l m e lin dow n and s y oe f t righ t and w at t e coolbl curv of Gods ow n s k y t ch h ack e urn as h and t e n h purpl and t e n bl e h oody re d ov r a ice - oce an of w h it m e n unde r w h it e e e s t s grinnin col and w h it . Too Pre t y s e e m y s un be ge t in re d and s h it one d e t t now . Se e ?H al a h ot coin burnin e as t t rough t e bars of t is iron w e s t gat f h h h e m ak e s a cage of s unris e bl ood and t e re be m ornin m is t al t s ue riv ry h l is e ov r gre e ngray ground and w h it s t s and Too Pre t y dont k now if it be e e one t daw n m is t or h is ow n h igh as s but it be h ot bl ood, t is l t h ot bl h igh , ood pum pin be h ind t e cage of t is gat w it it bad pal ne w iron bars and a h h e h s e s t big as t e s un h is ow n s e l on t t e gat , a w il w il as s s t l e ar h f op h e d, dar, ik t ot w riangls fuck in in t e s k y and t e re d bl fog s h it burn righ t t rough e h h ood h it ge t s pl int s h arp s h adow s and j , it o agge dy angls of bl l t e ood igh .

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And I be t ryin, j . I h e ar W ardine purr l e a pus s y and I be l in im ik ook t rough clan w inds h ie l gl s at t e ful circl s un al ne w s t t ble d h e d as h l e l art o e t rough brigh t w e t gre e n gras s and col s t h d one and t o h al t fuck in in w fs ars fire . And m y as s s o com plt l h igh I s t t zone in t e re d ne w h e at l t e e y art o h igh t rough t e gl s t rough t e w inds h ie l I t ink I be s e e in m y m an S.S. be h h as h h d h h ind t at cage of a gat . It be m y m an. M y m an S.S. be t e re , in t e s w irl h e h h in s t s , and h e be dancin w it s om e bit be fine ! And t rough Burm a m is t one h ch h s ins ide h is ow n e ye s Too Pre t y w at in t e fire and I can s e e . It be m y m an t ch h and h is bitch , h is th in bitch , but s h e not th in now , jim , s h e and m y m an bot be l in l e young fols , ful of m il and h onk y dre am , dancin s t h ook ik k l k iff w ith s om e ne w joy in th is m is t of ne w bl ood, dance round and round a gang of w h it s t s got no nam e s on t e y m arbl as s e s . And m y w e s t gat e one h e e s t t gl t re d t be righ t and m y m an and h is young fine t ing be art o ow oo o , h dancin, s h e h ol h is as s round t e w ais t and but m y m ans ow n arm s is out d h w ide and s t raigh t l e h e h urt l e h e naild t t e air and s h it Th e y dance , ik , ik e o h . back t s t o one and m y m ans bit s h e t row s om e lgs in t e s e bad w h it ch h e h e s t ings l e a nurs e or a nun w e ar, h e r lgs be round m y m ans w ais t and ock ik e , h is as s be on a col s t , and w it h e r ow n h ands h e r ow n s e l t is fine d one h f h q uie t clan bit re ach in h e rs e l in t e s e w h it s t ings and rip t e m e ch f h e ock h ope n, t e t e y as s dow n, and t e y be s pl t dow n h e r s ide s of h e r lgs ak h h it in e and t e s e lgs be s om e fine w h it lgs , s h iny curv s of m il, I be s it in up h e e e e k t st raigh t in m y ride , and s h e be doin m y m an s t andin up, t e y be doin e ach h oth e r l e ch il n, too clan, too h appy, m y m ans as s on m arbl, and ik dre e e t e re s no nois e I can h e ar but m y bre at in and W ardine s bre at in and t is h h h h h igh t in w h ine of t e burnin gat and t e s t s t at be fl h in a fire of h h e h one h as t e y ow n l t in t e s un. Too Pre t y s t cons ide rin h ow t is D uW ayne h igh h t art h s h it be m aybe t m uch a t ing w h e n m y m an and h is l round h im s t oo h ady art m ov t e y as s dow n t ard t e gat , t ard m y as s , S.S. gl in h ow h e ow idin w it h naild arm s t rough a re d fog s e a ris in up round h is bit e s m ilw h it e h ch k e cre am w h it h aunch e s round h is as s , and h is bit h av h e r h e ad back , and e ch e m y m ans e ye s be on Too Pre t ys e ye s t rough t e l t and t e cage and t e t h h igh h h gl s , and I zone , j . Th e s un be h ot e r and s w ole ne r and re dde r and as im t l ne w e r t an any ye s t rday, and a bl fog I cant ge t out m y e ye s ris e up h e ood around pas t m y m an s o t e y j t be h is face and a s w irlof s h iny nigh t ack h us bl h air t at be h is Soph ie l h adys bad fine h air, and s h e got h e r arm s round h is ne ck and be l augh in for a h appy Too Pre t y aint ne v r h e ard h is ow n s e l I t e f. be t h igh . Th e re d Burm a fog bl up l e at s l t and s h it burn oo ow ik om igh , t rough t e cage and m y ride and m y as s and m y e ye s , s os Too Pre t ys e ye s h h t bug and burn, and h is bone s be an ove n, and W ardine be m oanin in h e r ow n s e l And l t com e t rough us al and t e re d in m e boilround m y f. igh h l , h m an and h is l ady, and t e n s un fl h ye l m int but t e cage of grav s t h as l ow h e ay ful of bl l oody e arl l t and t e s t s and t e s t be on fire , and t e n I y igh , h one h ar h s h it t e j , h uice book out m y m out , caus e I s e e m y m ans puk e w h it cre am h e w h it de adw it face at t e bars of t e cage of grav s , and h is l be pl e e h h e ady ayin

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s om e s h it w it h is as s in t e re d from be h ind, and ov r ne w h igh nois e m y h h e m an w h is pe r Sch w art and I can h e ar and m y m an s ay Sch w art a pie ce of z z ne w inform at for you m aybe ?And h ow h e t k in t ion al oday I k now it be m y m an for m e . M y m out be pack e d w it dirt s care and m y m an do a h h com e h e re w it h is finge r, and I be t ink in w h e re h is l at s h e l t in re d, h h ady os and I l and find Too Pre t y nos e fl agains t t e w inds h ie l ins ide and ook t at h d m y m an Sol on Sile rfis h be t e re in t e burnin cage bl and h e ope n om v h h ood h is m out t s ay s h it no w h it bas t got no righ t t k now and I l a dry h o e ard o ick dirt t ongue at t e clan h ot gl s , and I be w ait And t e n from out t e h e as in. h h ne w s un m y m ans l Soph ie be be h ind m y m an at t e bars and t is t h e r ady h w fine nigh t h air round h is face and l t e be ard and bl h is as s in t e bl it l ind h ood, and m y ow n bit W ardine in back s h e up and s l h e r ow n h ands ov r m y ch ide e e ye s and w h is pe r s l as col w h it de at cre am gue s s w h o Pre t y h one y, ow d e h t s h e cov r m y s igh t and be l in and bre at in in m y e ar l e s h e s o h igh e , augh h ik s h e aint ne v r com e dow n t t is e art again, and h e r brow n fine h ands e o h h ov r m y face and m is t d e ye s and s h e be l e e augh in and m y m ans l be ady cryin out from up h igh and t e ins ide of W ardine s h and be bl s h e bl h ood ind m e bl I can s e e from ne w l t burnin t rough t e h ands bl I can s e e ood igh h h ood pum pin in a cage of fine t in bone s I can j t s m e l be w h it as s t . And h us l e one in t at cage of bone s t e re d s un go up and dow n and up and dow n. h h

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J ane M il r's ne w book Am e rican O dal q ue is j t out from Coppe r Canl e is us yon Pre s s . Sh e h as a re v w / s s ay "W ork ing Tim e " fort com ing in Th e ie e h Am e rican Poe t R e v w t is s pring. Sh e t ach e s in t e Cre at e W rit ry ie h e h iv ing Program att e Univ rs it ofArizona. h e y Te nne y Nat anson is com plt h e ing a s e cond book of poe t and a crit ry ical st udy of W al W h it an. H is poe m s h av appe are d re ce nt y in Ironw ood, t m e l SocialT xt T aris k and Th e Paint d Bride Q uart rl H e t ach e s Am e rie , am e e y. e can poe t at t e Univ rs it of Arizona. ry h e y Ale rt R ios h as t o book s of poe t fort com ing: Th e W arringt Poe m s b o w ry h on and Th e L e O rch ard W om an. H e is curre nt y dire ct of t e Cre at e im l or h iv W rit ing Program at ASU. R e ce nt poe m s h av appe are d in Paris R e v w , e ie Th e O h io R e v w , and Th e Nort Am e rican R e v w . ie h ie K im R ob e rt t ach e s l e rat s e it ure and cre at e w rit iv ing at t e Univ rs it of h e y M aryl and. H e r poe m s h av appe are d in O h io R e v w , Gre e nf l R e v w , e ie ie d ie T ndril and Carol Q uart rl e , ina e y. J ie Sch um ach e r's s t s h av appe are d in Th e Be s t Am e rican Sh ort St ul orie e orie s , 19 83, Ne w L t e rs , Four Q uart rs , and Th e Q uart rl Sh e l e s and e t e e y. iv w rit s in It aca, Ne w York . e h J Sim m e rm an's firs t book of poe m s , H om e , w as publ h e d by D ragon im is Gat and w as a Pus h cart "W rit r's Ch oice " s e lct e e e ion. Th e Gal e o Pre s s w il il l bring out h is s e cond cole ct l ion, O nce O ut of Nat , in O ct r of 19 88. ure obe Th e re cipie nt of a Poe t Fe l s h ip from t e Arizona Com m is s ion on t e ry l ow h h Art in 19 87, h e l e s in Fl t and t ach e s at Nort e rn Arizona Univ rs iv ags aff e h e s it y. W e nd y Sw al is a financialre port r for Th e W as h ingt Pos t Sh e l e s in l ow e on . iv W as h ington, D .C., and is curre ntl on m ate rnity lave caring for h e r y e firs t ch il d. Dav Fost r W al , aut or of Th e Broom of t e Sys t m (V ing), is a id e l ace h h e ik form e r Fict Edit of Sonora R e v w . H is w ork h as appe are d re ce nt y in ion or ie l Arriv and W e s t rn H um anit s R e v w and is fort com ing in Paris R e al e ie ie h v w . A col ct ie l ion of s h ort s t s and nov l , W e s t ard t e Cours e of e orie e l as w h Em pire T e s it W ay, w il be publ h e d by V ing in 19 88. ak s l is ik