Then, when he saw she really meant it, he put...
Then, when he
saw she really meant it, he put the flashlight
down on the cobbles and helpedBy the time I
parked next to the gateway, Wireman was opening
his doorThe Malibu's headlights illuminated Jack
and Elizabeth like actors on a stage"No, Miss
Eastlake!" Wireman called"No, don't try to get
up! I'll push you inside!"
She paid no attentionJack helped her to her
walker - or she led him to it - and she grasped
the handlesThen she started thumping it toward
the carBy then I was struggling out on the
driver's side, fighting my bad right hip to escape,
as I always didI was standing beside the hood
when she set the walker aside and held her arms
out to chanel logo earrings himThe flesh above her elbows hung limp
and dead, pale as dough in the headlights, but her
feet were planted wide apart and her stance was
sureA breeze full of night perfumes blew back
435
her hair, and I wasn't a bit surprised to see a
scar - a very old one - denting the right side of
her headIt could almost have been the twin of my
own
Wireman came around the open passenger door and
just stood there for a second or twoI think he
was deciding if he could still take comfort as
well as give itThen he went to her in a kind of
bearlike, shambling walk, his head lowered, his
long hair hiding his ears and swinging against his
cheeksShe put her arms fendi spy zucca bag around him and pulled his
head down on her considerable bosomFor a moment
she swayed and I was alarmed, wide-set stance or
no, but then she came straight again and I saw
those gnarled, arthritis-twisted hands begin to
rub his back, which had begun to heave
I walked toward them, a little uncertainly, and
her eyes turned toward meThey were perfectly
clearThis wasn't the woman who had asked about
when the train was coming, the one who had said
she was so fucking confusedAll her circuitbreakers
were back in the ON positionsAt least
temporarily
436
"We'll be fine," she said"You can go home,
Edgar
"But-"
"We'll be fine Rubbing his back with her tiffany canada gnarled
fingersRubbing it with infinite tenderness
"Wireman will push me inside
Won't you, Wireman?"
He nodded against her breast without lifting his
head or making a sound
I thought it over and decided to do what she
wanted
The walker was the kind equipped with a shelf
Jack put the flashlight on it, glanced at Wireman
- still standing with his face hidden against the
old woman's bosom - and then walked to the open
passenger door of my car
"Goodnight, young manYou are an impatient
Parcheesi player, but you show promiseAnd
Edgar?" She looked calmly back at me over
Wireman's bent head, his heaving back"The water
runs faster nowDo you feel
that?"
437
"Yes," I saidI tiffany and co jewelry didn't know what she was talking
aboutI did know what she was talking aboutPlease stay on the Key, no matter what
happensI need you, and Duma Key
needs youRemember I said that, when I slip away
again
"Look for Nan Melda's picnic basketIt's in the
attic, I'm quite sure
"What would that be, Elizabeth?"
She nodded
And as simply as that, I knew the slipping-away
had begun once moreBut Wireman would get her
insideWireman would take care of herBut until
he was able to, she would take care of them both
I left them standing on the cobbles beneath the
gate arch, between the walker and the wheelchair,
she with her arms around him, he with his head on
her louis vuitton diaper bags breas