iinthehallheviehenightbefore,idseenthekillersface.</p>

babasdooropenedandsoraya.shestoodnear.shefortinherar.</p>

“iosorry,ar,”shesaid.“hinghis.”</p>

iblottedeyesysleeve.“hedidntanyooknow.”</p>

“doyouneedanything”</p>

“no.”itriedtosle.sheputherhandonne.ourfirsttouyfae.”</p>

shesledandnodded.“ishould.”shetuedtogo.“soraya”</p>

“yes”</p>

“iappyyouca,itans...thee.”</p>

theydiseintotalkinghintoit.butidseenthelookonbabasfas,andtookbabahoinfordtorino.</p>

thatnight,baba.ibroughthiotteaandroastedalnds.yararoundhisbadpulledhipchtooeasily.hisshoulderbladefeltlikeabirdsyfingers.ipulledtheblabahestretchedhisthin,sallowskin.</p>

“idoanythingelseforyou,baba”</p>

“nay,bachethankyou.”</p>

isatbesidehi“thehingfor.ifyourenottooexhausted.”</p>

“”</p>

“iyoutogokhastegari.iyoutoaskgeaheriforhisdaughtershand.”</p>

babasdrylipsstretile.aspotofgreenonaedleaf.“areyousure”</p>

“resurethaniveeverbeenaboutanything.”</p>

“youvethoughtitover”</p>

“balay,baba.”</p>

“thehephone.andlittlenotebook.”</p>

iblinked.“now”</p>

“thenwhen”</p>

isled.“okay.”igavehihephohe</p>

...</p>