Chapter 6 — Chapter Six

Chapter Six
I woke up Monday morning to Vnd suvi vtanding o,er mef wa,ing
a newvpaper in my ca.eb I vat up and ru““ed my eyevb
Lhook w’at you”,e got uv intofl ’e vaid cranti.aSSyb L!’itZ WaneSe”v
going to kiSS meZl
L?’at are you taSking a“outTl I took t’e paperb It wav open to t’e
vo.iety pagevf and t’ere wav a cuSS vpread on !aturday nig’t”v .’arity
e,entb G’ere wav e,en a p’oto oc me and suvi emerging crom t’e
,enueb suvi wav topSevv and I wav grinning Sike a cooSb I nodded my
appro,aSb L?e Sook goodbl
LHoodTl suvi vnat.’ed t’e paperb LHoodT xow am I vuppoved
to eYpSain t’iv to WaneSeT I promived ’er I”d keep a Sow proVSeZ I wav
vuppoved to “e workingf not partyingZl
LJou were workingfl I reminded ’imb
LG’iv iv your cauStZl xe .rumpSed up t’e paper and tovved it avideb
LCaf teSS ’er t’atb !’e”v going to “Same mef anywaybl
LJo’f w’at ic my grandmot’er veev itTl suvi gavpedb xe vank onto
my mattrevvf divtraug’tb
I v’ook my ’eadb Lz’iSSf “rab Jou”re camouvZ !ort ocbl
LG’iv iv veriouvf !enPob WaneSe”v aSready upvet t’at we”re vtiSS doing
t’e Orop’et MaPinga v.amb I promived I wouSd vtay out oc trou“Sef
manZ I promivedZl

hEsB AKz7 1N
I vig’edb I wanted to “e a good criend and Sivten to suvi”v woevf “ut
I wav vi.k oc WaneSe”v w’iningb !’e ’ad ne,er Siked me and t’e ceeSing
wav mutuaSb Aevidevf I ’ad made pSanv to meet Kyanda t’at morning
and I didn”t want anyt’ing getting in t’e wayb
I ga,e suvi a pat on t’e “a.kb L!top worrying a“out itb hookf
I”m going to meet Kyanda today vo you ’a,e t’e w’oSe morning to
yourveScb Ho vpend vome time wit’ WaneSeb ?e vtiSS ’a,e vome money
Sectb Gake ’er out cor Randov or vomet’ingbl
xe ga,e me a Sookb L!’e”SS know vomet’ing”v upf v’e”v not vtupidbl
I kept my opinion on t’at to myveScb LzonVden.e iv keyf my manb
jemem“er t’atbl
xe vnortedb L?’en wiSS you “e “a.kTl
I v’ruggedb L?’o knowvT May“e ne,erbl I winked at ’im and went
to take a v’owerb
Kyanda ’ad in,ited me to ’er o–.e to div.uvv ’er ca,ourite vu“-e.t
D .’arityb ?e vat down in one oc t’e vmaSSer .onceren.e roomv and a
ve.retary “roug’t uv .oFee and “iv.uitvb It wavn”t eYa.tSy my idea oc
t’e perce.t date D peopSe kept waSking pavt t’e gSavv doorv vo t’ere wav
Pero pri,a.y D “ut we were aSone and I ’ad ’er cuSS attentionb I de.ided
to uve t’e opportunity to Vnd out more a“out my ca,ourite vu“-e.t D
Kyandab
L!o you”re a Sawyerfl I vaidf vmiSing o,er my .oFee .upb LI”m imU
prevvedbl
!’e Saug’edb LK.tuaSSyf it”v not t’at eY.itingb I”m part oc KmaPi”v
SegaS teamf vo movtSy I deaS wit’ .ontra.t Sawb G’e reaSSy interevting
work iv w’at I do cor t’e SegaS .Sini. in t’e townv’ipbl
LE’f you ,oSunteer t’ere av weSSTl I avkedf Sike I ’adn”t read ’er
zs word cor word tweS,e timevb
!’e noddedb LIt”v vo rewardingbl
L?’at vort oc .avev do you ’andSeT 2omevti. divputevTl

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L!ometimevf t’oug’ t’at”v not my areab MovtSy I work on
Sa“ourUreSated .avevf vituationv w’ere peopSe ’a,en”t “een paid w’at
t’ey were promived and vo onb K Sot oc peopSe enter into ,er“aS agreeU
mentvf and t’en w’en t’ey”re .’eated t’ey don”t know w’at to dof
vo t’ey .ome to uv cor ad,i.eb It”v important cor peopSe to know t’eir
rig’tvbl
Kg v’amef v’e Sooked vo .ute w’en v’e wav pavvionate a“out vomeU
t’ingb I nodded in undervtandingb LJevf a“voSuteSybl
L3or invtan.ef Savt week I vpoke to vomeone w’o wav t’e ,i.tim oc
a v.ambl
I .’oked on my .oFeeb LjeaSSyTl I rea.’ed cor a tivvue crom t’e “oY
in t’e middSe oc t’e ta“Seb LG’at”vbbbinterevtingbl
LJou won”t “eSie,e ’ow many .on artivtv are running around out
t’eref de.ei,ing inno.ent peopSefl v’e went onb !’e didn”t Sook .ute
anymoreb !’e Sooked angryb LIt”v una..epta“Seb I mean t’eve peopSe
.aSS t’emveS,ev do.torv and pavtorv and prop’etvf and .Saim to “e a“Se
to ’eaS aSS kindv oc diveavev w’i.’ t’ey know not’ing a“outb G’ey”re
-uvt vwindServf pSain and vimpSeb 3raudvbl
I .Seared my t’roatb LGerri“Sef indeedb Kndf e’f ’ow do you ’eSp
t’e .Sientv D I mean t’e ,i.timvTl
LI vtart “y teSSing t’em t’e o“,iouv D don”t gi,e money to vomeone
untiS t’ey”,e treated you or gi,en you medi.inebl !’e vig’edb L!ome
peopSe are ,ery nai,ef you knowb G’ey”SS pay a depovit and t’en t’e
medi.ine ne,er .omevbl
LMmmb I veebl My ’eart wav poundingf “ut I ’ad to know moreb
?av v’e taSking a“out .on artivtv in generaS or Orop’et MaPinga vpe.icU
i.aSSyT LI .an vee ’ow it wouSd “e eavy to pro,e t’at vomeone wavn”t
a reaS do.torf “ut w’at a“out a prop’etT xow .an you “e vure t’at ’e
doevn”t ’a,e t’e gictTl

hEsB AKz7 14
Kyanda roSSed ’er eyevb LI don”t “eSie,e in 5t’e gict” at aSSfl v’e vaidf
making *uotation markv wit’ ’er Vngervf L“ut a Sot oc peopSe do and
t’ere”v not’ing I .an vay to .’ange t’eir mindvb Aut ic vomeone ’av a
’ivtory oc empty promivevf it”v vace to vay t’at pervon”v a .’arSatanbl
z’arSatanb I vwaSSowedb G’at word ’ad “een ’urSed at me “ecoref
“ut I didn”t want to t’ink a“out itb I .Seared my t’roat againb LJevb
xmmb !obbbw’at ot’er ,oSunteer work do you doTl
Kyanda pauved to Vniv’ ’er “iv.uitb L?eSSf I ’eSp out at an oSd age
’omebl
LGeSS me a“out t’atfl I vaid eagerSyb I wavn”t reaSSy interevted in
’earing a“out oSd timervf “ut I didn”t want ’er to re,ivit t’e dangerouv
topi. oc .’arSatanvb Aevidevf a..ording to WaneSe women Sike a man
w’o Sivtenvb
Aecore v’e .ouSd .ontinuef vomeone opened t’e door and waSked
in wit’out kno.kingb I Sooked up to vee my oSd enemyf Cavperb
LJou againfl ’e vneeredb
Lxifl I repSied wit’ a “ig vmiSeb
LCavperf ’a,en”t you e,er ’eard oc kno.kingTl Kyanda avked impaU
tientSyb LJou .an vee we”re in a meetingbl
Cavper vtared at uv in vurpriveb LI didn”t know t’e .ompany wav
’iring cormer eYiSevbl
L2on”t “e ridi.uSouvbl Kyanda vig’ed and ga,e ’im an unimU
prevved Sookb L!enPo”v going to .ome do vome work at t’e orp’anageb
!o ic you don”t mindbbbl
It took a ve.ond cor Cavper to take t’e ’intb LE’b Brf okayb Caf vureb
I -uvt wanted to make vure we”re vtiSS on cor tonig’tbl
L!tiSS onT I t’oug’t I vaid I ’ad to workbl
I vmirked at Cavperb G’at”v rig’t cooSf I toSd ’im wit’ my eyevb
Kyanda wouSd rat’er work t’an ’ang out wit’ youb
LAa“yf .ome on Dl ’e pSeadedb

16 3I2Bh RKMI!If zxBjJh !b RG‘MJ
LCavperbl It wav .Sear crom t’e crown on Kyanda”v ca.e t’at v’e wav
getting ced upb LOSeavebl
L?e”SS taSk a“out t’iv Saterfl ’e de.idedf VnaSSy vtepping outb xe
ga,e me a Songf t’reatening vtare “ecore .Soving t’e door and waSking
awayb
L!orry a“out t’atfl vaid Kyandab
L2on”t apoSogiveb Ic ’e”v “ot’ering you at work I”m vure t’ere are
vtepv you .an takebl I ar.’ed my eye“rowvb LhegaS vtepvbl
!’e vmiSedb LRof it”v not Sike t’atb Cavper and I ’a,e “een veeing
ea.’ ot’er cor a Song timef a.tuaSSybl
!eeing ea.’ ot’erb xmmb Ro wonder v’e wav .oncuvedb Kv car av I
wav .on.erned eit’er you were dating or you were ’a,ing a 8ingb ?’at
t’e ’eSS wav veeing ea.’ ot’er vuppoved to meanT
I Seaned “a.k in my .’airb LIt veemed Sike ’e wav “ot’ering youbl
!’e roSSed ’er eyevb Lxe .an “e vo veSVv’ and demanding vomeU
timevb Aut ot’er timevbbbweSSf it”v .ompSi.atedbl
It wavn”t .ompSi.ated at aSSb It wav vimpSeb KSS v’e ’ad to do wav
dump Cavper and date meb Aut I vaidf L!urefl and ga,e ’er an underU
vtanding nodf “e.auve !enPo !edi“eng wav t’at kind oc guyb
LRowf “a.k to t’e orp’anagebl Kyanda Vniv’ed oF ’er .oFee and
Sooked at meb
LI .an vtart w’ene,er you Sikefl I toSd ’erb Lhike I vaidf I”m aSwayv
Sooking cor opportunitiev to make a diFeren.ebl
LIt”v wondercuS t’at you”re vo ent’uviavti. a“out itfl v’e vaidf vmiSU
ingb LK Sot oc peopSe -uvt do .’arity work to keep up appearan.evbl
L?eSSf I .an”t vpeak cor t’ove peopSebl
LRof oc .ourve notb Jou”re a true ’erobl !’e rea.’ed out to put ’er
’and o,er minef and I vwear t’e worSd vtopped cor a ve.ondb LI”SS ne,er
corget t’at you .ame aSS t’e way o,er ’ere to return my “agbl
LIt wav my pSeavurefl I vaidb LI”m -uvt gSad it aSS worked outbl

hEsB AKz7 19
!’e noddedf t’en .Seared ’er t’roat and mo,ed ’er ’andb L‘’f yevb
?eSSf I”SS “e at t’e !tb Martinv orp’anage aSS day t’iv !aturdayf vo t’at
wouSd “e a good time cor you to vtop “yb I .an v’ow you t’e ropev and
introdu.e you to t’e nunv and t’e kidvbl
!t Martinvb xow Song ’ad it “een vin.e t’e Savt time I vet coot in
t’at pSa.eT Jearvf and t’e pSan ’ad “een to keep it t’at wayb Aut ’ow
.ouSd I recuve KyandaT I put on my movt .’arming vmiSeb
L!aturday iv perce.tbl
000
LJou”re an idiotfl vaid suvif Sater t’at dayb
Kcter a vSow acternoon we ’ad retired to our uvuaS ta“Se at t’e
v’e“eenb ?e were vipping “eerv t’at we ’ad “oug’t on .reditf av uvuaSf
e,en t’oug’ we vtiSS ’ad a SittSe “it oc Cavper”v money Sectb
LJouf working wit’ kidvTl suvi v’ook ’iv ’eadb LJou ’ate kidvf
remem“erTl
LMinor detaiSfl I repSiedb
LJou vwore you”d ne,er go “a.k to an orp’anageb Bvpe.iaSSy t’at
orp’anagebl
I v’ruggedb LI ’a,e no .’oi.eb G’at”v w’ere Kyanda ,oSunteervbl
LIt”v a terri“Se ideabl
LIt”SS “e Vneb K man .an .’angef you knowbl I took a “ig guSp oc
“eerb LMay“e I”SS de.ide t’at I So,e orp’anagevb hittSe kidv Saug’ingf
pSayingf ’a,ing cunbbb may“e I”SS So,e t’ove SittSe “avtardvb Aevidevf I
’a,e inco on Cavper nowb It”v onSy a matter oc time “ecore Kyanda
dumpv ’imbl
LjeaSSyT ?’at inco do you ’a,eTl

1: 3I2Bh RKMI!If zxBjJh !b RG‘MJ
Lhook at t’e ca.tvfl I vaid .onVdentSyb L?e know Cavper iv a
twoUtiming Soverb ?e know ’e”v working wit’ z’airman to get
Hideon to veSS t’e .ompanyb Ic t’ey vu..eedf Cavper wiSS get a .utbl
LAut Hideon”v not going to veSSfl vaid suvib
Lxe doevn”t want tof “ut t’ey muvt ’a,e a pSanbl I ru““ed my
.’in t’oug’tcuSSyb LK guy Sike z’airman doevn”t “e.ome a “igv’ot “y
Su.kbl Knd t’en it .ame to meb LKyandaZl
suvi groanedb Lzan”t you vpend V,e minutev wit’out vaying ’er
nameTl
LRof I mean v’e”v t’e anvwerZl I vnapped my Vngervf proud oc
myveSc cor Vguring it outb LG’at”v w’y ’e”v vo devperate to marry ’erb
En.e ’e”v part oc t’e camiSyf ’e”SS ’a,e more .ontroS o,er t’e .ompanyZ
xe mig’t e,en .on,in.e Kyanda and Hideon to gi,e ’im more v’arevf
and t’en ’e and z’airman .an take o,er KmaPiZl
suvi crownedb LG’at”v a “ig a..uvationf manb Jou”SS need proocbl
LI”SS get proocfl I avvured ’imb
xe Sooked un.on,in.edb
Lzome onf e,eryt’ing”v VnaSSy going our wayZl I reminded ’imb
L?’ate,er .omevf we”SS ’andSe itb GeamTl I eYtended my ’and cor a
’ig’ V,ef “ut ’e Sect me ’angingb I dropped my ’andb L3ineb !tay ’ere
and vuSkb I”m going to get anot’er roundbl
I Sect ’im and mo,ed towardv t’e crontb G’e pSa.e wav pa.ked av
uvuaS and t’e waiterv were aSS “uvyb I vpotted Aig Mama at t’e .ounterf
dire.ting a new .av’ier w’o veemed to “e vtruggSingb
LJou”re ’ere againTl v’e vaid w’en v’e vaw meb L2idn”t I teSS you
to vtop drinking vo mu.’Tl
LK’f Aig Mamaf don”t “e Sike t’atbl I Seaned o,er t’e .ounter and
grinned at ’erb LI”m your “evt .uvtomerZl
LAe .arecuS oc t’iv onefl v’e vaid to t’e .av’ierb Lxe Sikev to “uy on
.reditbl

hEsB AKz7 11
G’e girS giggSedb
LI paid Savt mont’Zl
Lxmmfl vaid Aig Mamaf “ut ’er eyev twinkSed and I .ouSd teSS v’e
wavn”t reaSSy angryb L?’at nowT !e.ond roundT G’irdTl
L!e.ondfl I Saug’edb
!’e ga,e t’e girS my order and ’eSped ’er ring it upf t’en pauved
to .’at wit’ meb
LJou”re in a good moodfl v’e vaidf and t’en crownedb LI ’ope
you”re not up to vomet’ingb Jou and t’at suvif aSwayv .auving trouU
“Sebl
L?’y do you aSwayv t’ink I”m up to vomet’ingTl I protevtedf
ceeSing a SittSe “it ’urtb
LAe.auve you”re aSwayv up to vomet’ingbl !’e poked my armb LGeSS
meb ?’at nowT Knot’er v.amT !eSSing ’oSy waterTl
I vnortedb ?e ’ad graduated crom t’at a Song time agob LRa’f
not’ing Sike t’atbl I t’oug’t oc Kyanda and .ouSdn”t ’eSp vmiSingb
Aig Mama w’ivtSedb LIv it a girST My HodZ Kre you VnaSSy getting
veriouv a“out SiceTl
My repSy wav a myvteriouv v’rugb
LxmmZl Aig Mama “eamed and coSded ’er t’i.k armv on top oc
t’e .ounterb LI Sike t’ivb ?’o iv v’eT K ni.e girSf ne’T Rot Sike t’at
ot’er onebl
L!’e”v a ,ery ni.e girSfl I toSd ’er proudSyb LK Sawyerbl
LB’T xow did you Vnd a SawyerTl
LK’f Aig MamaZl
!’e Saug’edb !’e ’ad a “igf Soudf “ooming Saug’f and w’en v’e
Saug’ed ’er w’oSe “ody v’ookb It wav Sike v’e wav Saug’ing crom deep
invideb It aSwayv made me vmiSeb I vtarted teSSing ’er a“out Kyandab
Go “e ’onevt I wav aSwayv Sooking cor an eY.uve to taSk a“out ’er and

1(cid:74) 3I2Bh RKMI!If zxBjJh !b RG‘MJ
suvi wav getting vi.k oc itf vo it wav ni.e to ’a,e vomeone w’o a.tuaSSy
wanted to knowb
LKnd v’e ,oSunteerv at !t Martinv Erp’anagef and v’e avked me to
.ome and ’eSp outf vo I”m going t’ere tomorrow and we”SS vpend t’e
w’oSe day toget’erbl I vig’ed ’appiSyb
LJou”re going “a.k to !t MartinvTl
I noddedb
LJou vaid you were ne,er going “a.kbl
?’y wav e,eryone vo ’ung up on w’at I ’ad vaidT ?avn”t I aSSowed
to .’ange my mindT I Sooked at Aig Mama and reaSived t’at ’er vmiSe
’ad ,aniv’edb !’e Sooked worriedb Kg v’amef v’e wav pro“a“Sy acraid
t’at it wouSd “e traumati. cor me to go “a.kb
L2on”t worryfl I vaidb LI”SS “e Vneb I won”t know any oc t’e kidv
t’eref and t’ere are pro“a“Sy new nunvb It wiSS “e Sike a diFerent
pSa.ebl
LCaf may“efl v’e mum“Sedb LB’f I ’a,e to go take .are oc vomeU
t’ingb haterf ne’Tl
!’e ’urried away t’roug’ t’e .rowded v’e“een “ecore I e,en ’ad
a .’an.e to vay “yeb I wat.’ed ’er Sea,ef t’en v’ruggedf pi.ked up t’e
“eerv and .arried t’em “a.k to t’e ta“Seb
000
I .ouSdn”t wait untiS !aturday to vpeak to Kyandaf vo I .aSSed ’er t’e
neYt morningf -uvt to ’ear ’er ,oi.eb Ec .ourve I ’ad to pretend I wav
.aSSing cor a reavonf and our new .ommon ground veemed Sike t’e
perce.t eY.uveb
LI wav -uvt .aSSing to Vnd out ic you”,e ’eard a“out t’e veminar at
?itvfl I vaid w’en v’e anvweredb I wav vitting in t’e .onvuSting room

hEsB AKz7 1(cid:75)
wit’ a newvpaper open in my Sapb G’ere wav an ad,ert on t’e Sect
pageb !ome internationaS “igv’ot wav going to taSk a“out .ommunity
“uiSding t’roug’ t’e artvb It veemed Sike t’e vort oc t’ing Kyanda
wouSd “e intob
LE’f yevZ It voundv wondercuSb ‘ncortunateSy I .an”t make itb Kre
you goingTl
LI don”t knowbl I turned t’e pagef no Songer interevted in t’e
veminarb LI ’a,e meetingv t’at dayf “ut I”SS try to vtop “yb xow are
t’ingv going at t’e o–.eTl
LRot “adfl v’e repSiedb L?e ’a,e a meeting wit’ vome in,evtorv
in a cew minutevb I”m vure you remem“er t’e joven“aumv crom t’e
partyTl
I Saug’edb Lxow .ouSd I corgetTl
L?eSSf you made an imprevvion t’at worked in KmaPi”v ca,ourb
G’ankvf “y t’e waybl
LMy pSeavureb !o t’at”v w’at your typi.aS day iv Sikef ’u’T Meetingv
wit’ in,evtorvTl
LJevf a Sot oc meetingvf a Sot oc p’one .aSSvf a Sot oc reading Songf
.ompSi.ated .ontra.tvf and a Sot oc VSingb Aut t’iv acternoon I”m going
to vtop “y t’e SegaS .Sini.b I toSd you I ’eSp out t’eref didn”t ITl
LJevf you mentioned itbl G’ere wav no way I wouSd corget t’at t’e
So,e oc my Sice worked wit’ peopSe w’o mig’t “e Orop’et MaPinga”v
.Sientvb LJou work t’ere on weekdayvf tooTl
LEnSy w’en I ’a,e a .oupSe oc ’ourv creeb I”m reaSSy .on.erned
a“out t’e .on artivtv operating in t’e townv’ipfl v’e vaidf and my
’eart aSmovt vtoppedb L!o car peopSe don”t want to teSS me mu.’ D I
guevv t’ey”re v.ared t’e .onmen wiSS .ome acter t’embl
L?’at do you meanTl I avkedb
Ic peopSe were too v.ared to taSkf t’en may“e I didn”t ’a,e to worry
acter aSSb Kyanda didn”t undervtand kavi poSiti.vb !’e wav crom t’e

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worSd oc .ontra.tv and et’i.vb I .ame crom t’e worSd oc roug’ -uvti.eb
I ’ad ne,er a.tuaSSy ’urt anyone cor “admout’ing Orop’et MaPingaf
“ut I ’ad .ertainSy made my v’are oc .on,in.ing t’reatvb
L?eSSf t’ey”re upvet t’at t’e medi.ine doevn”t work “ut t’ey vtiSS
“eSie,e in t’ove t’ingvf you knowTl Kyanda .Si.ked ’er tonguef eYU
avperatedb LG’ey don”t want to anger t’e an.evtorv “y turning on
a prop’etb I don”t e,en know w’i.’ prop’et iv vuppoved to “e t’e
caSve oneb G’ere are vo manyZ Orop’et z’uSum“af 2r KS“ertf Oavtor
Covia’f Orop’et MaPingab It”v a mevvb B,en t’e .Sientv .an”t keep t’em
aSS vtraig’tbl
My ’eart pounded w’en v’e mentioned Orop’et MaPingab LJevf I
.an imagineb ?’at are you going to doTl
LG’ere”v not mu.’ I .an do ic t’e peopSe w’o .ompSained don”t
.ome “a.kfl v’e vaidb LG’at”v one oc t’e pro“Semv we ca.eb OeopSe
.ome cor SegaS ad,i.ef “ut w’en t’ey Vnd out ’ow t’e Saw workv
or w’at”v at vtake t’ey .’ange t’eir mindvb G’ey don”t want to go
t’roug’ t’e w’oSe pro.evv ic not’ing wiSS .ome oc itf or ic t’ey mig’t
put t’emveS,ev at rivkbl
I murmured in agreementb
Lxa,e you ’eard oc any oc t’eve prop’etvTl
I Si.ked my Sipvf t’inking cavtb L‘’f vurebl
L2o you t’ink t’ey”re ’onevtTl
I .’ove my wordv .arecuSSyb LI t’ink t’ey”re -uvt trying to vur,i,eb
?’en timev get ’ard and t’ey need to pay t’e “iSSvf may“e t’ey vtret.’
t’e trut’ a SittSeb I”m vure t’ey don”t e,en t’ink a“out t’e SegaS vide oc
itbl
Lxmmb Jou ’a,e a pointfl v’e agreed voctSyb LMay“e I v’ouSd
organive a workv’op at t’e SegaS .Sini. and in,ite t’embl

hEsB AKz7 (cid:74)N
I wanted to Saug’b I .ouSd pi.ture aSS t’e prop’etv and pavtorpreU
neurv vitting in a roomf Sivtening to Kyanda Se.ture t’em and t’en
agreeing to .’ange t’eir wayvb Caf rig’tb
LG’e joven“aumv ’a,e arri,edfl vaid Kyandab LI ’a,e to gob It wav
ni.e taSking to youf !enPobl
LJouf toob Bn-oy t’e revt oc your daybl
I ’ung upf reaSiving eYa.tSy ’ow mu.’ wav at vtake w’ere KyanU
da wav .on.ernedb It wav “ad enoug’ t’at v’e t’oug’t I wav a ri.’
veScUmade cormer eYiSeb Ic v’e cound out I wav aSvo Orop’et MaPingaf
it wouSd aSS “e o,erb
G’e door opened and suvi waSked in .Sut.’ing a pSavti. “ag VSSed
wit’ crev’ .’ipvb
LKnd t’enT ?’at”v wrong wit’ youTl xe rea.’ed into t’e “ag and
’anded me one pa.ket oc .’ipvb
LI wav taSking to Kyandabl
LBiv’f not Kyanda againZl suvi v’ook ’iv ’eadb LK .Sient iv .oming
in ten minutevf manb Jou muvt co.uvbl
xe wav rig’tb I .ouSdn”t Set Kyanda”v upper .Savv ventimentv divtra.t
meb It wav eavy cor ’er to taSk w’en v’e wav “orn into moneyb OeopSe
Sike me ’ad to ’uvtSeb G’at wav -uvt t’e way it wavb I popped one ’ot
.’ip into my mout’f t’en puSSed t’e dreadSo.k wig o,er my ’eadb
Gime cor workb
000
G’e neYt day me and suvi got a vurprive ,ivitorb Cavper turned up
wit’out warningf vtorming in momentv acter anot’er .Sient ’ad Sectb
suvi wav -uvt a“out to .ome out crom “e’ind t’e .urtain w’en Cavper

(cid:74)q 3I2Bh RKMI!If zxBjJh !b RG‘MJ
enteredb suvi *ui.kSy puSSed t’e .urtain v’utb 3ortunateSy Cavper wav
too upvet to noti.e t’e .urtain mo,ingb
L?’at t’e ’eSS are you doingTl ’e demandedf gSaring at meb
I Sooked up at ’imb LK’f Mr RdSo,ub xa,e a veatbl
L2on”t teSS me to ’a,e a veatZl ’e “arkedb LJou vaid you wouSd VY
t’ingv wit’ my womanf “ut e,er vin.e I .ame to you t’ingv ’a,e onSy
gotten worveZl
L?orveT ?orve ’owTl
L!’e”v met vomeoneb !ome “rat w’o .ame “a.k crom eYiSebl
I ’ad to “ite my Sip to keep crom Saug’ingb L!ureSy t’iv man iv not
a t’reat to youbl
LEc .ourve notZ Aut ’e v’arev ’er viSSy SittSe interevtvb z’arity and
,oSunteeringf t’at kind oc nonvenveb Kyanda So,ev t’at vtuFbl
Lxmmbl I v.rat.’ed my .’in t’oug’tcuSSyb LJevf I veeb I veeb It iv a
tevtf my criendbl
Cavper v.owSedb LK tevtTl
LJevb G’e an.evtorv want to know w’et’er you are truSy wort’yf vo
t’ey ’a,e vent you vome .ompetitionb G’iv iv a good t’ingZl
xe Sooked v.epti.aSb Lxow iv it a good t’ing t’at vome idiot iv
mo,ing in on my territoryTl
I vmiSedb LIc D I mean w’en D you win ’er “a.k crom t’iv manf v’e
wiSS ne,er Sea,e you againb I toSd you t’iv wav a .ompSi.ated .aveb It”v
going to take timeb Jou muvt “e patientbl
LJou”d “etter “e rig’tf prop’etfl ’e vaid mena.ingSyb LI paid you a
Sot oc moneybl
LGruvt mef Mr RdSo,uf your money iv ’ard at workbl
xe veemed vativVedf at Seavt cor nowb ?it’out anot’er word ’e
turned around and Sectb G’e .urtain twit.’ed and suvi peeped outb
L?e”re deadfl ’e w’ivperedb
LjeSaYf suvb B,eryt’ing”v Vneb xe “eSie,ed mebl

hEsB AKz7 (cid:74)4
LKre you vureTl
I grinned at ’imb LEc .ourvebl
000
En !aturday morning I vtood in cront oc !t Martinvf ceeSing a SittSe
ner,ouvb Ekayf ,ery ner,ouvb G’ere wav a new vignf crev’Sy paintedf
and t’e oSd gate ’ad “een repSa.ed “y a “igger one wit’ a So.kb G’ere
wav a ’ig’er cen.ef toob Gimev ’ad .’anged and e,en a zat’oSi. orU
p’anage wavn”t vace crom .rookvb I reaSived I ’adn”t “een on t’at vtreet
cor a Songf Song timeb
G’e t’ing ivf I didn”t graduate crom t’e orp’anage Sike t’e ot’er
kidvb I didn”t go t’roug’ t’e .eremony and vpe.iaS dinner t’e orp’anU
age aSwayv organived cor t’e kidv w’o pavved matri.b Ay Hrade BSe,en
I wav aSready vure t’at t’e edu.ation vyvtem wav ne,er going to work
cor mef “ut t’ere wav no way suvi”v gogo wouSd Set ’im *uit v.’ooS
and I .ouSdn”t a“andon ’imb !o I vtayedb I made it t’roug’ matri. and
my gradev weren”t “adb Aut I .ouSdn”t vti.k wit’ t’e orp’anageb
?’en I turned viYteen I Vgured I wav oSd enoug’ to Sook acter
myveScb I wav tired oc “eing toSd w’at to dof w’at to t’inkf ’ow mu.’
Hod So,ed meb Caf rig’tb Ic xe So,ed me w’y wav my Sice vo creaking
’ardT I took t’e t’ingv I ’ad a..umuSated o,er t’e yearv and ran awayb
G’e nunv weren”t reaSSy in a povition to “ring me “a.kb !ometimev
kidv Sect to make t’eir own way in t’e worSdf and t’e nunv ’ad to co.uv
on Sooking acter t’e onev w’o remainedb suvi “egged me to .ome vtay
wit’ ’im “ut I knew ’iv granny ’ad enoug’ mout’v to ceed aSreadyb
!ometimev I vpent a cew nig’tv wit’ ’imf “ut movt oc t’e time I mo,ed
crom one pSa.e to anot’erf vtaying wit’ criendvb

(cid:74)6 3I2Bh RKMI!If zxBjJh !b RG‘MJ
It wav around t’at time t’at I met Aig Mamab !’e ’ad a vpaPa v’op
on t’e .orner near t’e v.’ooSf and v’e Set me vSeep t’ere in eY.’ange cor
guarding ’er vto.kb Ay t’e time I Vniv’ed v.’ooS v’e ’ad t’ree more
vpaPa v’opvf and we .eSe“rated suvi”v qNvt in ’er “rand new v’e“eenb
In t’e earSy dayv I wouSd pavv “y t’e orp’anage vometimevf -uvt to
vee ic it wav vtiSS vtandingb Kcter vome time I vtoppedb I didn”t want to
“e reminded oc t’e pavtb I wanted to mo,e onb I vtarted a,oiding t’e
area aStoget’erb
Rowf o,er a de.ade Saterf t’ere I wavf vtanding at t’e gate Sike a
vtrangerb G’e padSo.k wavn”t So.kedf vo I rea.’ed out and opened
t’e gateb G’en I took a deep “reat’ and vtepped invideb G’e groundv
Sooked ni.e and weSSUkeptb G’ere were vome 8owerv near t’e cront
door and I wondered w’et’er !ivter hu.y wav vtiSS t’ere to water t’em
e,ery dayb
G’e cront door opened and Kyanda .ame outf Sooking gorgeouv av
aSwayvb
LxiZl v’e vaidf vmiSingb LI”m gSad you made itb zome inbl
!’e Sed me down t’e camiSiar .orridorvb It wav Sike I ’ad gone “a.k
in timeb I remem“ered aSS t’e timev I got into trou“Se cor running
t’roug’ t’ove .orridorvb I .ouSd aSmovt ’ear !ivter hu.y”v ,oi.e(cid:77) Lxey
wenaf no running in ’ereZ xow many timev do I ’a,e to teSS youTl
I coSSowed Kyanda to one oc t’e o–.evf and w’en we vtopped at t’e
door my ’eart vtarted ra.ingb G’iv uved to “e !ivter hu.y”v o–.eb
LG’e nunv ’a,e to meet you “ecore t’ey Set you work wit’ t’e kidvfl
Kyanda eYpSainedf kno.king on t’e doorb LG’ere are cormv to VSS av
weSSf “ut don”t worryb G’e nunv are aSwayv ’appy to ’a,e ,oSunteervbl
K ,oi.e toSd uv to .ome in and Kyanda opened t’e door and vtepped
invideb I coSSowed ’er ner,ouvSyf keeping my ’ead Sowered -uvt in .avef
“ut it wavn”t !ivter hu.yb I re.ognived t’e Sady av one oc t’e younger
nunv w’o ’ad “een t’ere during my timeb !’e ’ad “een in .’arge oc

hEsB AKz7 (cid:74)9
anot’er groupf and I don”t t’ink v’e e,en knew my nameb !’e v’ook
my ’and wit’ no vign oc re.ognitionb
Kcter I VSSed out t’eir cormv D uving my cake namef oc .ourve D
Kyanda introdu.ed me to two more nunvb I didn”t re.ognive eit’er oc
t’emf and !ivter hu.y wav now’ere to “e coundb En.e I Set Kyanda
v’ow me aroundf my .onVden.e .ame “a.kb I vSipped into t’e roSe oc
!enPo !edi“engf .’iSd oc eYiSef wit’ eavef and I .ouSd teSS Kyanda wav
imprevvedb I wav .ompavvionatef kindf “ra,e and no“Seb I wav VnaSSy
Si,ing up to my own ’ypeb
Ekayf vo may“e I wav a SittSe un.omcorta“Se w’en v’e introdu.ed
me to t’e kidvf “ut Kyanda didn”t veem to noti.eb G’e pervon w’o did
noti.e wav MandSaf w’o v’owed up a“out ’aSc an ’our acter I arri,edb
KpparentSy ’e didn”t ’a,e a -o“ or a Sice oc ’iv ownb ?’y wav ’e aSwayv
’anging around Sike an o,erprote.ti,e “ig “rot’erT xe kept gi,ing me
v’ady Sookvf Sike ’e knew I wavn”t w’o I vaid I wavb Rot t’at t’ere wav
any way ’e .ouSd “e onto meb I ’ad “een in t’e .on game cor yearvb
Rovy guyv in viSk .ra,atv were no mat.’ cor meb ?’at kind oc pervon
wore a .ra,at in reaS Sice anywayT
Cuvt w’en I t’oug’t I”d “e a“Se to cake my way t’roug’ t’e dayf
Kyanda did t’e unt’inka“Seb !’e Sect me aSone wit’ t’e SittSe monvtervf
and it wav aSS down’iSS crom t’ereb
!ome’ow I cound myveSc on my ’andv and kneev in one oc t’e
.Savvroomvf vurrounded “y kidvb Ene oc t’em ’ad drawn a 8ower on
my core’eadf my new v’irt wav .reavedf t’ere wav a SittSe “oy on my
“a.k and an army oc “ratv tugged at my .Sot’evf puSSing me in aSS
dire.tionvb It wav Sike “eing atta.ked “y woS,evf eY.ept worveb
I didn”t Sike kidvb G’ey were Soud and mevvy and ne,er minded
t’eir own “uvinevvb G’ey ’ad no “oundarievf avked vtupid *uevtionvf
and t’eir ’andv aSwayv veemed to “e .o,ered in vomet’ing vti.kyb

(cid:74): 3I2Bh RKMI!If zxBjJh !b RG‘MJ
?’ere wav t’e appeaST I t’oug’t I .ouSd do it cor Kyandaf “ut I wav
wrongb ?it’in a cew minutev I”d ’ad enoug’b
I vtood up wit’out warning and t’e SittSe “oy vSid rig’t oF my “a.k
and toppSed o,erb It wav cunny untiS ’e vtarted to .ryb
L2on”t e,en t’ink a“out itfl I warned ’imf and ’e vtopped immeU
diateSyb LEkayf e,ery“odyb OSay time”v o,erb It”v nap time nowbl
L?e don”t want to vSeepfl one oc t’e “ratv de.Saredb xer name wav
Romcundof and v’e wav t’e movt ,o.aS mem“er oc t’e groupb In my
opinion v’e ’ad car too mu.’ attitude cor a ve,enUyearUoSdb
I v’ook my ’eadb LHood girSv and “oyv take a nap w’en grownupv
Dl
LGeSS uv a vtory VrvtZl v’e demandedf to yeSSv oc a–rmation crom ’er
povveb
LRopeZ It”v nap timeb Ho to vSeepbl
G’e yeSSv got e,en Souderb I .o,ered my earv to drown out t’e noive
and t’e SittSe monvterv vtarted tugging at my .Sot’evb It wav too mu.’
cor anyone to takeb
LEkayf okayZl I .riedb LJou winbl I vig’ed in eYavperation and vat
.rovvUSegged on t’e 8oorb
G’e kidv vettSed down around mef Sooking at me in eY.itementb
LEkayb het”v do t’ivbl I t’oug’t cor a ve.ondf and a “riSSiant pSan
“egan to corm in my mindf av uvuaSb I .Seared my t’roat and “egan my
vtoryb LEn.e upon a time a Songf Song time agof t’ere wav an orp’anage
-uvt Sike t’iv onef VSSed wit’ SittSe “oyv and SittSe girSvf -uvt Sike aSS oc
youbl
LEo’vl and LKa’vl went up crom t’e kidvb
LG’ey aSvo recuved to take a nap w’en t’e ni.e man avked t’embl
I dropped my ,oi.e to a vtage w’ivperb LAut w’at t’ey didn”t know
wav t’at ea.’ time t’ey recuvedf G’em“a wav wat.’ing crom invide

hEsB AKz7 (cid:74)1
t’e .up“oardbl I pointed at a near“y .up“oardb LK .up“oard -uvt Sike
t’at onebl
G’e kidv were on tenter’ookvf eyev wide av vau.epanvb
LG’em“a wouSd write down aSS t’e namev oc t’e SittSe “oyv and girSv
w’o recuved to take a napfl I went onb
L?’o iv G’em“aTl avked Romcundob
I put on my vpookievt ,oi.eb LG’em“a U wav U a U GE7EhE!xIZl
G’e kidv gavped in terrorb
I grinnedf proud oc myveScb L?’en aSS t’e .’iSdren at t’e orp’anage
VnaSSy went to vSeep at nig’tf G’em“a t’e tokoSov’i wouSd .Sim“ out
oc t’e .up“oard and Sook cor aSS t’e .’iSdren w’o were recuving to take
a napbbbl
Romcundo vwaSSowed ’ardb L?Uw’at wouSd ’e do tUto t’emTl
Lxe wouSd “ite t’eir SittSe toev oFb Ene “y oneb Mmmmf vo tavtyZl
!ome oc t’e kidv “egan to .ryb xe’ ’e’f ver,ed t’em rig’t cor
miv“e’a,ingb
LKgf v’amefl I vaid in mo.k vympat’yb L?’at”v wrong nowTl
G’eir waiSing onSy intenviVedb
L?e don”t Sike t’at vtoryfl Romcundo moanedb
LIc you go and take a nap rig’t nowf G’em“a won”t write you down
on ’iv Sivtfl I toSd t’em voSemnSyb LI promivebl
G’e kidv v.ram“Sed to get t’eir vSeeping matv and piSSowvf and in
a cew minutev t’ey were aSS Sying vtiSSb Mivvion a..ompSiv’edb I wav
a“out to take a veat and reSaY w’en I ’eard ,oi.ev in t’e .orridorb I
mo,ed towardv t’e doorf acraid t’at one oc t’e nunv ’ad Vgured out
w’o I wav and wav .oming to ruin e,eryt’ingb Aut it wavn”t t’e nunvf
it wav MandSa and Kyandab
LAut ’e”v awcuS wit’ t’e kidvf Kyafl MandSa wav vayingb LJou .an
teSS ’e doevn”t ’a,e a .Sue w’at ’e iv doingbl

(cid:74)(cid:74) 3I2Bh RKMI!If zxBjJh !b RG‘MJ
I v.owSedb I wouSd ’a,e to do vomet’ing a“out t’at guy “ecore ’e
v.rewed up my pSanvb
L?’y are you vo t’reatened “y !enPoTl avked Kyandab
I noddedb Hood *uevtionb
LG’reatenedZl MandSa vounded ’orriVedb Lxe miYev “Sue and
“rownb I meanf w’o doev vu.’ a t’ingT It”v a .rime againvt ’umanitybl
I Sooked down at t’e .Sot’ev I”d “oug’t wit’ Cavper”v ’ardUearned
.av’b ?’at wav ’e taSking a“outT I Sooked cantavti.b
Kyanda vig’edb G’ey were rig’t “y t’e door nowb LIc you want to
vee ’ow “ad ’e iv we .an vtop and .’e.kbl
I -umped away crom t’e door and t’rew myveSc into t’e .’air
“e’ind t’e tea.’er”v devk a moment “ecore t’e door openedb Kyanda
and MandSa poked t’eir ’eadv into t’e .Savvroomb KSS t’e kidv were
nappingb I ga,e MandSa a vmug vmiSe and prevved a Vnger to my Sipvb
Kyanda ga,e me a t’um“v up vignf and MandSa vtared openUmout’ed
at t’e vSeeping .’iSdrenb !SowSy Kyanda .Soved t’e doorf and I “reat’ed
a vig’ oc reSiecb
xow mu.’ Songer did I ’a,e to ’ang around t’iv pSa.eT I Sooked up
at t’e .So.k on t’e waSS and wav ’orriVed to vee t’at I ’ad onSy “een
t’ere two ’ourvb Gwo ’ourvZ jig’t t’en I knew it wav going to “e a
Songf Song dayb It ’ad “etter “e wort’ it in t’e endb I imagined Kyanda
and I dri,ing oF into t’e vunvet in a v’iny Maveratif and grinnedb
000
G’e day dragged onb I ’ad gone into it eYpe.ting to vpend aSS day wit’
Kyandaf “ut I ’ad onSy veen ’er cor a cew minutevb G’e kidv were a
Souvy .onvoSation priPef and “y t’e time we got around to artv and
.ractv I wav impatient and irrita“Seb

hEsB AKz7 (cid:74)(cid:75)
I vat wit’ my Segv propped up on t’e ta“Sef vtudying a veriev oc
meaningSevv v*uiggSev on a pageb I Sooked at t’e .uSprit revponvi“Se cor
t’e v*uiggSevf a kid oc a“out V,e or viYb
LG’iv iv terri“Sefl I toSd ’imb LJou .aSS t’iv artTl
xiv Sip trem“Sedb I .ouSd venve t’e waterworkv .omingf “ut I didn”t
.areb G’eve kidv needed vome veriouv toug’ening upb Ro one wouSd
e,er ’a,e .aug’t me .rying in pu“Si.f not e,en at ’iv ageb xow did t’e
nunv eYpe.t t’e kidv to vur,i,e out t’ere in t’e “ig “ad reaS worSd wit’
vu.’ t’in vkinvT hu.ky cor t’emf I wav t’ere to vet t’ingv rig’t wit’
vome mu.’Uneeded toug’ So,eb
I tovved t’e kid”v artwork avideb LReYtZl
K girS .ame upf ’oSding out a .rayon drawing proudSyb I invpe.ted
it cor a ve.ondb
LGrav’Zl
Romcundo wav neYtb !’e ’anded me ’er artworkb
I Sooked it o,erf t’en put on a .’eercuS ,oi.eb L?eSS nowf Sook at
t’ivZ hook at t’e patternvb hook at t’e .oSourvbbbl
!’e “eamedb
LGrav’Zl I de.Saredb LReYtZl
Romcundo v.owSed at meb LJou”re Mivter Meaniebl
I v’ruggedb Lxeyf Sice”v toug’f SittSe girSb Het uved to itbl
Aut v’e didn”t “udgeb !’e coSded ’er armv and gSared at meb LG’at”v
“e.auve you don”t ’a,e any criendvbl
LEc .ourve I ’a,e criendvbl
!’e v’ook ’er ’eadb LRof you don”tbl
LJevf I doZl
L2on”tZl
L2oZl
Eur de“ate wav interrupted “y a kno.k on t’e doorb !ivter Mariaf
MandSa and Kyanda entered wit’out waiting cor me to revpondb

(cid:75)(cid:76) 3I2Bh RKMI!If zxBjJh !b RG‘MJ
Lz’iSdrenf we ’a,e a ,ivitorfl !ivter Maria announ.edb LG’e
Mot’er !uperior ’av .ome to ,ivit uvb !ay ’eSSoZl
Kn eSderSy nun vtepped into t’e roomf vmiSingf and I wav vo
v’o.ked I nearSy toppSed out oc my veatb !’e ’ad aged vigniV.antSy
vin.e I Savt vaw ’erf “ut t’ere wav no dou“t t’at I wav Sooking at t’e
one pervon in t’e orp’anage w’o wouSd re.ognive mef e,en acter aSS
t’eve yearvb !ivter hu.yb ?eSSf Mot’er !uperior nowb I guevv v’e ’ad
.Sim“ed t’e .on,ent Sadderb
G’e .’iSdren greeted ’er in a .’oruvb LxeSSo Mot’er !uperiorbl
Mot’er !uperior”v eyev v.anned t’e roomf and VnaSSy Sanded on
meb May“e ’er eyevig’t wavn”t av vtrong av it uved to “eb May“e I
Sooked too vua,e in my new t’readvb K’bbbnopeb G’e minute v’e vaw
me v’e did a dou“Se takeb
L!enPo Ma“iPeSaZ Iv t’at youTl
2amnitZ G’ere wav no way to a,oid ’erb I vtum“Sed to my ceetf
t’inking *ui.kSyb I vtoSe a gSan.e at Kyandab !’e Sooked .oncuvedb I
’ad to Vnd a way out oc t’ivf or I”d “e in “ig trou“Seb Mot’er !uperior
.ame o,er and wrapped me in a tig’t ’ugb
LE’f t’ank HodZl v’e murmuredb L!enPof my vonb I t’oug’t I”d
ne,er vee you againb Oraive HodZl
I tried to puSS awayf “ut damnf t’e woman vtiSS ’ad an iron gripb
LRof you”re mivtakenfl I mum“Sed o,er ’er v’ouSderb LIt”v not meb I
mean I”m notbbbl
!’e Saug’edf reSeaved me and t’en D to my ’orror D pin.’ed my
.’eekv Sike I wav vtiSS one oc ’er .’argevb L2on”t “e viSSyfl v’e vaidb LI”d
know t’ove .’eekv anyw’ereb Kre you vtiSS a naug’ty “oy or ’a,e you
“e.ome vomeone in Sicef my vonT I ’a,en”t veen you vin.e you Sect t’e
orp’anage Dl
L?’atTl Kyanda Sooked crom me to Mot’er !uperiorb LErp’anU
ageTl xer eyev narrowedb LJou mean t’iv orp’anageTl

hEsB AKz7 (cid:75)N
I .’u.kSedf trying to Sig’ten t’e moodb It didn”t workb !uddenSy it
wav reaSSy ’ot in t’at .Savvroomb I rea.’ed up to Sooven my .oSSarb LI
don”t know w’at v’e”v taSking a“outfl I vaid wit’ a v’rugb
Mot’er !uperior Saug’ed againb Kt Seavt one oc uv wav ’a,ing a
good timeb LE’f !enPoZ !tiSS cuSS oc -okevb I”m gSad to vee t’at you vtiSS
’a,e t’at great venve oc ’umourbl !’e turned to ca.e t’e ot’ervb Lxe
uved to .ome “a.k to t’e orp’anage acter “eing “uSSied “y t’e ot’er
kidv and we”d taSk and taSkb xe wav my ca,ourite “e.auve no matter
’ow toug’ it got Dand it got reaSSy toug’ vometimev D !enPo ne,er
Sovt ’iv .’arm and venve oc ’umourb G’atf t’ey .ouSd ne,er “eat out
oc ’imbl !’e tou.’ed my v’ouSderb LI”m reaSSy gSad t’at you .ame “a.k
to t’e orp’anagef t’at you ne,er corgot your rootvbl
I ’ad no idea w’at to vayb I Sooked at Kyandab xer Sipv were purved
and ’er eyev were .oSdb I vwaSSowedb I”d veen ’er Sook at Cavper t’e vame
wayf and I ’ated t’e idea oc “eing Sumped wit’ t’at cooSb
LKyanda Dl I “eganf “ut v’e .ut me oFb
LKnd t’at w’oSe vtory a“out growing up in eYiSeTl
LIt”v not w’at you t’inkfl I toSd ’erb LI .an eYpSainbl
LRo need to eYpSainb Aavi.aSSy you were Sying to me aSS aSongbl
I .Seared my t’roatb L?eSSf not *uiteb I -uvt Dl
LE’f vtuF itf !enPofl v’e vnappedf and vtormed outb
I vaw MandSa grinf t’e “avtardf “ut I ’ad no time cor ’imb I .’aved
acter Kyandab I cound ’er vtriding towardv t’e gatevb I .aug’t up wit’
’er and gra““ed ’er ’andb
LKyandaf I .an eYpSainZl
!’e puSSed ’er ’and awayb LJou Sied to meZ I don”t e,en know w’o
you areZ Knd I truvted you wit’ aSS oc t’eve .’iSdrenZl
Lhet me eYpSainfl I “Surted outb LIt”v true t’at I Sied to youf and I”m
vorryb I -uvt ceSt vo av’amed a“out w’ere I reaSSy .ome cromb I ceSt t’at
I wavn”t good enoug’ “e.auve oc mybbbmybbb my poor “a.kgroundbl

(cid:75)q 3I2Bh RKMI!If zxBjJh !b RG‘MJ
!’e v’ook ’er ’ead in divguvtb LJou oug’t to “e av’amed oc yourU
veScZl
LGruvt mef I ambl I vig’edb LAut you don”t know w’at it”v Sikeb xow
peopSe Sook at you Sike you”re “eneat’ t’emZ Ro one took me veriouvSy
w’en t’ey ’eard w’ere I .ame cromf vo I made up a diFerent pavtbl
!’e didn”t revpondf “ut at Seavt v’e wav vtiSS t’eref Sivteningb Ic t’iv
wav my onSy .’an.e wit’ ’erf I .ouSdn”t “Sow itb I”d ’a,e to teSS t’e
trut’ D or vome oc itf anywayb
L2on”t gi,e up on mef Kyandafl I pSeadedb LI get t’eve kidvb I know
w’ere t’ey”re .oming cromb I”m one oc t’emb I know ’ow eavy it iv
to -udgef “ut try to undervtandb KSS I wantf aSS I”,e e,er wanted iv cor
vomeone to So,e meb !omeone to want to ’a,e me av a part oc t’eir Siceb
Rot out oc pityf “ut -uvt cor w’o I ambl
!’e voctenedb !tiSS v’e vaid not’ingf “ut I knew I ’ad ’er cuSS attenU
tionb
LAeing an orp’an wavn”t eavyfl I went onb LAut I v’ouSdn”t ’a,e Sied
a“out itb I promive I wiSS ne,er Sie to you e,er againb Hi,e me anot’er
.’an.ef pSeaveTl
!’e “it ’er Sipf and tearv .ame to ’er eyevb
LOSeavef Kyandabl
!’e took a deep “reat’f t’en took my ’and and puSSed me in cor
a ’ugb I .ouSdn”t “eSie,e itb I”d ’oped cor corgi,enevvf “ut I ne,er
imagined I”d get t’e .’an.e to “e t’at .Sove to ’erf to ’oSd ’erb My
armv wrapped around ’er and I .Soved my eyevf “reat’ing ’er inb !’e
vmeSSed amaPingf oc .ourveb I vmiSedf va,ouring t’e momentb